Cheap Hotels in Davao

Cheap Areas to Stay in Davao

You'll find that cheap accommodations and activities are everywhere in Davao, a fast-developing city well outside the more expensive, but more prominent, city of Manila. Davao also boasts of wider roads, friendlier taxi drivers, and more eco-friendly tourist spots than the capital. Though highly urbanized, Davao has eco-tourist destinations as well as cultural heritage areas. For the sake of convenience, you may want to settle near the major malls such as SM City in Matina, and Gaisano Mall in Bajada. These areas are also central to most tourist spots, and would help you save on transportation.

Cheap Hotels in Davao

Budget hotels have cropped up in the past years, given the increasing popularity of Davao as a tourist destination. Among the most highly rated is ZEN Rooms, which already has several branches in the city. Another popular budget hotel is Red Planet, located in Bajada, which is near several malls, including Gaisano. And if you're set on staying somewhere off the beaten track, try Bahay ni Tuding Inn, a charming hotel in the Poblacion district. Take note that the grand week-long Kadayawan festival is held in the third week of August. At this time, hotels within the city proper are often fully booked, and finding cheap accommodation may be difficult. If you plan to travel around this festival date, make sure to book early.

Where to find cheap food in Davao

It won't be hard to find good, cheap eats in Davao, but if you're after street food, you can take a stroll through Roxas Avenue, home of the city's famous night market. Malls have decent fare, but some restaurants based outside have been around for a long time, and can provide a more homegrown flavor. Be sure to ask locals for their recommendations. By the way, bear in mind that a liquor ban is in place in Davao, so restaurants and bars do not sell alcohol between 1 AM and 8 AM.

Cheap Things to do in Davao

Davao is an eco-friendly city and offers great deals for budget- and health-conscious tourists. Be sure to try some award-winning chocolate at Malagos Garden Resort, and their lunch buffet where they serve farm-fresh vegetables. If you're a nature-lover, you shouldn't miss the Philippine Eagle Center, a sanctuary for the endangered, majestic Philippine eagle. Eden Nature Park is another budget-friendly option, where you can take in the breathtaking view of the Davao coastline from high above. Starting at the foot of a mountain, you can trek your way through the 80-hectare park, making stops at the swimming pools or the zip line. The Davao Crocodile Park is a modern facility that houses other exotic animals such as tigers, snakes, and ostriches. The budget traveler looking to glimpse the city's cultural heritage would do well to visit the Davao Museum and the Museo Dabawenyo. Both venues showcase the city's indigenous and colonial history.

Cheap Ways to Get Around Davao

Davao takes pride in being a safe, walkable city. Feel free to explore the city on foot, and take your time enjoying the sights. If your destination is too far to walk, you can hail one of the many battery-operated electric trikes, or e-trikes, to get to a nearby location. For longer trips -- for example, if you want to get to the island garden city of Samal from the Davao city center -- there are jeepneys and buses plying the main roads, and boats when you get to the coastline. To be safe, make sure to ask the drivers, conductors or fellow passengers if the jeepney or bus you've hailed will pass by your destination. Locals are usually eager to help visitors find their way around their beautiful city.