Explore Davao City For Less Than $200! Plane Fare, accommodation, food, transportation included! Yes, you read that right. But before you make a comment asking for help to make a booking. Here's a disclaimer. We are not a travel agency nor a ticketing office. We're just bringing the word out there so our readers will have an idea on how much it would cost to explore and enjoy Davao City for less than $200 (about Php 11,203.80 at the time of this writing).
Please note that the cost estimate above is for travelers coming from Manila airport. If you're traveling from other places like Cebu, it will be most likely cheaper because the plane fare will be lesser.
How much does a plane ticket cost from Manila to Davao?
It varies depending on the season. Of course, it will be cheaper if there's a promo. But based on the current price I got from Cebu Pacific website, a two-way plane ticket from Manila to Davao City will cost about Php 3,700 (65.92 USD).
Cheap Room in Davao City
RedDoorz Plus has been awarded as a top choice of Agoda travelers in 2020 and if you're traveling on a budget, RedDoorz is the perfect place for you! It's decent and clean, and for P726 per night (inclusive of fees and taxes; good for 2 adults) that's a really good price.
For three nights, the total amount that you would pay for a staycation at RedDoorz Plus is Php 2,177.70 ($38.80).
What's good about RedDoorz Plus in Davao City is their location having close proximity to a public wet market, grocery store, fast food, shopping mall; it's very convenient especially if you commute. If you're traveling for work or will need a WIFI, it's best to bring your own prepaid WIFI modem or use your network data as internet connection is not that strong especially if your room is on the 4th floor or higher. But, hey, life is too short to be working when you're supposed to be on holiday! This is only for 3 nights and 4 days; take photos or videos and upload online when able. Enjoy every moment without having to worry about work. You're in paradise!
Food to try and places to eat in Davao City
Don't leave Davao without trying these great places to eat.
Lachi's
Everyone knows Lachi's in Davao City. When you take a taxi just tell the driver to take you to Lachi's and he will know exactly where it is. Lachi's is popular for a lot of their dishes but the must-try is their Sans Rival. For the main dish, I recommend their Laing and Unforgettable Grilled Pork Ribs. Depending on how many cups or rice you can finish, plus the sans rival, you pay about P500 for this hearty meal.
Image credit: mydavaocity.com
Luz Kinilaw
If you're not a fan of raw meat like sashimi or ceviche (kinilaw), the good news is that there are other fantastic dishes to try at Luz Kinilaw. Davao is popular for sugba, tinola ("tola"), and kinilaw ("kilaw"), a.k.a. SuToKil. So if you are feeling adventurous and is willing to try new things, just ask one Luz's friendly staff to bring you sutokil and they'll know what to do. For the sugba, however, be sure to ask for their grilled belly tuna. A sutokil could go for about P400 to P500 but this can already be shared by two persons.
Image credit: pinoycravings.com via Flickr
Jack's Ridge
Food at Jacks' Ridge is good but the best part is the view and the cold atmosphere. When you dine in, you'll get to enjoy an awesome 180-degree view of Davao City. So be sure to take as many photos but eat your meal as fast as you can because it get's very windy and cold so food tends to get cold a few minutes after it reaches your table. It's a bit pricey in Jack's Ridge, though. But you can still get a decent meal for a P500 budget.
Image Credit: Jack's Ridge
Nanay Bebeng Restaurant
If you want to experience Davao City's food hospitality, try Nanay Bebeng's buffet. Their must-try dishes are chicharon bulaklak, crispy kangkong and tuna. When you dine in Nanay Bebeng Restaurant, you'll get that homey feel as if you're eating in your own home. Price is reasonable at P430 ($7.67) per person and most of the dishes taste really good! They even boast of using only the freshest ingredients (no frozen items) to give their patrons that country fresh taste in every bite.
Image credit: TripAdvisor.com.ph
Okay, so to sum it up, with the plane ticket, accommodation for 3 nights, and the meals from aforementioned four restaurants, the total money that you would have spent will be P7,781.90 (138.92 USD). So you still have Php 3,421.90 (61.08 USD).
No, I did not forget your taxi fare from and to Davao airport to RedDorz. Let's set aside P800 or $14.28 (this should be more than enough two-way taxi fare budget). So you'd still have P2,621.90 ($46.80).
What's your next Davao City escapade?
Swimming at Paradise Beach Resort in Samal Island! Paradise Island is Davao's version of Boracay. But unlike Boracay, going to Samal Island will not cost an arm and a leg. You can enjoy vitamin sea for less than P500 ($8.94)!
Here's how to go from RedDoorz Plus Poblacion Davao to Samal Island. Don't take the cab. Ride the jeepney and you'll get to appreciate the city even more. From RedDoorz, take the jeepney going to Roxas Blvd. From Roxas Blvd, take the jeepney going to Lanang and ask the driver to drop you off at Sasa Port for Lansa Boat Service to Paradise Island. The Sasa Port is located KM 9, Sasa. Most jeepney drivers bound to Sasa know where the Sasa Port for Paradise Island. But to be sure, ask the driver if he can drop you off to Sasa Port for Lansa Boat Service to Paradise Island before hopping in. Most of the Davaoeños are friendly and sometimes even the commuter will tell you where you want to go if they feel you're not familiar with the area.
The commute from RedDoorz to Sasa Port will take about 30 minutes and will cost a total of about P50 (0.89 cents) for both jeepney rides. The lansa boat, on the other hand charges P20 (0.36 cents) per person while day tour entrance fee at Paradise Island is at P240 ($4.29) per person.
This Paradise Island fee includes:
- use of tables and chairs
- beach access
- shower rooms and comfort rooms
- grilling station
- mini zoo and aviary
- live entertainment at the restaurant
Please note that day tour in Paradise Island starts from 5:30am to 4pm only. lansa boat services, on the other hand, starts from 5:30am up to 3pm only. You can bring your own food or order from Paradise Island Restaurant. But food at Paradise Island Restaurant is pricey so if you're in a budget, I recommend ordering a take out at any fast food restaurant in Roxas Blvd. before you take a jeepney ride going to Sasa Port.
If you follow my recommendations above, you'll still have about P1,000 ($17.87) allowance money for your everyday meal and P1,000 allowance for transportation. You can take jeepney and tricycle rides going to most of the restaurants I mentioned above. The only place you'll have to take a taxi is when you go to Jack's Ridge.
P1,000 budget for meals in Davao City? Yes, it's possible. Remember, RedDoorz is close to public market and there will be carenderias (food stalls) where food is also good and decent and will cost only about P100 ($1.79) to P150 ($2.68) per meal.
I hope this post helps. I will close this post with a quote from the great and lovely Nightbirde, “You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore, before you decide to be happy.” Go and have a holiday with a special someone or go solo! Who knows? Maybe your forever is waiting for you in Davao City : )
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