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It’s been a while since I last visited Davao Oriental. So, when I got an invite from the Department of Tourism Region XI for a Familiarization Tour, I immediately said yes. I wanted to explore the province since it has become a go-to place for people within the region to unwind during the pandemic.
Here’s our 3D2N Davao Oriental itinerary for your reference if you plan to explore the province.
Day 1: From Davao to Governor Generoso
We left Davao City early in the morning around 5:00 AM. There was obviously no traffic yet, so we arrived in Banaybanay just in time for breakfast. We first dropped by at the province’s welcome signage for a quick photo op before heading to Kagan Cafe also in the town of Banaybanay.
At Kagan Cafe, we were served with a sumptuous platter of continental and Filipino breakfast. We enjoyed the meal, had a little chat, get to know each other, and ended up with a quick tour of a nearby mosque.
Mt. Hamiguitan Natural Science Museum
After breakfast, we headed to the town of San Isidro to visit Mt. Hamiguitan Natural Science Museum, an interactive facility that not only showcases the wonders of Mt. Hamiguitan (the only UNESCO inscribed World Heritage Site in Mindanao) but also advocates for people’s participation in the mountain’s conservation efforts by introducing them its rich flora and fauna, and what it means for the humanity.
El Don Beach Resort
We stopped for lunch at El Don Beach Resort, one of the top beach resorts in Governor Generoso. The resort offers a buffet lunch set up featuring local dishes and a variety of desserts.
After filling our tummies, we also had a quick resort tour to see the rooms, the beach, and the resort’s amenities.
Cape San Agustin
Our next stop after lunch was at Cape San Agustin. It is the southernmost part of the town of Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental. It is where the southeasternmost point of the country is situated extending into the vast Celebes Sea on one side and Davao Gulf on the other.
Resort Hopping in Lanca
Our last activity for the day before heading to our accommodation was resort hopping in Lanca. Although part of Mati City, this emerging beach destination in the region is accessible via Governor Generoso.
We visited the newly built South Point Beach Resort, a small resort featuring small but pretty villas that can accommodate up to four people.
Our second stop was at Kojo Beach Resort situated on a long stretch of white sand beach in Lanca. It is one of the top beach resorts in the area offering comfortable room accommodation.
Camp San Bernardino de Lavigan
We capped the night at Camp Bernardino de Lavigan, one of the top beach resorts in Governor Generoso featuring air-conditioned glamping tents and a white sand beach.
Aside from the airconditioned big tents, the resort also offers small non-airconditioned beachfront tents good for two people.
Camp Bernardino de Lavigan is situated about 4-6 hours drive from Davao City.
Day 2: Governor Generoso to Mati City and Caraga
Sleeping Dinosaur
Mati City’s sleeping dinosaur is a popular stopover for visitors and locals bound for the city coming from different parts of the Davao region. The view deck along the road offers a stunning view of a plesiosaur-shaped dinosaur from a distance.
OK Hotel and Resort
Before heading to the city proper, we dropped by at the newly opened OK Hotel and Resort situated along Badas Road, less than 30 minutes away from Mati city proper. It offers affordable rooms with an overlooking view of Pujada Bay.
Lunch at Ciangi
Ciangi is a popular restaurant in Mati City situated near the bay walk area. It offers delectable Filipino comfort food like sisig, adobo, humba, and many others. Its signature dish is bakareta, a kind of beef stew that is also referred to beef caldereta.
Subangan Museum
Dubbed as the largest museum in the Davao Region, Subangan Museum features the rich cultural and natural heritage of the Province of Davao Oriental. The museum houses collections of treasured relics, photos, videos, interactive visuals, documents, fabrics and other products, testaments to the province’s rich culture and history, allowing visitors to experience the natural and cultural wonders of the province.
Dahican Beach
After visiting the Subangan Museum, we went to Dahican Beach, one of the most popular tourist spots in Davao Oriental. It is a stretch of long white sand beach in Mati City facing the Pacific Ocean. It has become famous to both locals and tourists because of its white sand beach and big waves ideal for surfing and skimboarding.
Resort Hopping in Dahican
Our Davao Oriental itinerary includes a visit to numerous accommodation establishments along the coastline of Dahican.
Our resort hopping activity includes a visit to Pacific Breeze Resort, Dahican Cove Beach Resort, Aloha Beach House Mati, Surf’s Up Resort, and Sheepy’s Surfside Beach Resort.
Pusan Point
After Mati, we continued our journey to the town of Caraga. We visited Pusan Point which is considered the easternmost inland point of the Philippines. It is basically the place where the sun first rises in the Philippines. A Jubilee cross was erected right along Pusan Point’s rugged limestone cliffs and an Eco-park and Science Discovery Center can be enjoyed by the tourists.
San Salvador del Mundo Church
Our second stop in Caraga before heading to Baganga was San Salvador del Mundo Church. Itis the only church in the whole Davao Region with a historical marker inscribed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Its construction began in 1877 and was completed in 1884. It is built of wood, corals, and stones. It served as a mission station for Spanish Missionaries in propagating Christianity in Eastern Mindanao.
After a quick visit to Caraga, we finally head to our accommodation for the night in Baganga – MYMS Apartelle. It was already past 7:00 PM when we arrived in town. We immediately checked in and went to Zorbox for our dinner.
Day 3: Exploring Baganga
Playa del Rosario
We started our day with a breakfast at Playa del Rosario located in Brgy. Salingcomot, Baganga. We had their breakfast platter – adobo, daing na bangus, dried danggit, sausages, eggs, and lots of rice to power us up for the day.
Curtain Falls Eco-Park
After the power breakfast at Playa del Rosario, we visited Campawan Curtain Falls which is considered as Davao Region’s widest waterfalls. It derived its name from the formation of the waterfalls itself. The cool falling waters come from the river above and the large flat rock causes it to flow in a curtain-like pattern. The waterfall from a distance of around 20feet in height and width of around 50 to 60 feet.
San Victor Island
Our next stop in Baganga was at the famous San Victor Island, one of Davao Oriental’s unique landforms facing the Pacific Ocean. It is a 3-hectare island located in Barangay San Victor about 20 minutes from Baganga’s town proper. It is considered as the Island Jewel of Baganga and is on the list of the top must-visit tourist spots of Davao Oriental and the Davao Region.
Our lunch was served at San Victor Island. We feast on mouthwatering seafood and lechon!
Poo Sandbar
The last stop before heading back to Davao City was at Poo Sandbar located in Brgy. Kinablangan, Davao Oriental. It is a community-based eco-tourism site managed by the barangay. We arrived just after the low tide so we weren’t able to see the sandbar. If you are going there, make sure to check the low tide so you can enjoy walking on the sand bar.
So that was our 3D2N Davao Oriental itinerary. We were supposed to drop by at Aliwagwag Falls for a quick photo op but it was already dark when we passed by. Aliwagwag is still undergoing rehabilitation and is closed to tourists.
The Davao Familiarization Tour that I joined was sponsored by DOT XI and hosted by the Provincial Tourism Office of Davao Oriental. Thank you, Kat Anuta and Al Olden of DOT XI and Maribeth Villaceran and Krestta Narciso of the Provincial Tourism Office.
Thank you also to our guide, Olan Emboscado, and to all the tour operators I was with the entire trip – Ms. Cynthia, Monena, Charlie, Ruben, and Rex! To our official photographer, Jett and our drivers Nico and Tatang, thank you! I hope to see you all again!
Glen Nomad is a travel blogger and the founder of Escape Manila, one of the top travel blogs in the Philippines. He has visited all 82 provinces in the Philippines and has explored 53 countries across Asia, North & South America, East Africa, Europe, and Australia. Follow him on IG at @escapemanila
Just be sure to pack all the essentials before you go on your way. After all, with the country’s wealth of beautiful beaches, you definitely have a lot of beach camping options.
does El Don beach resort accepts tent pitching?