DAVAO

BEST SPOTS

ISLAND GARDEN OF SAMAL. The Island Garden City of Samal is a group of Islands in the Davao Gulf. The largest, also called Samal, has a number of excellent resorts, including one that was once a pearl farm. There are also fine beaches, with good opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving.

MARAGUSAN. With its cool mountain weather, Maragusan in the province of Compostella Valley is Davao’s traditional summer capital. The ethnic Mansaka community lives in the coffee-growing valley amidst waterfalls and cols springs.

KIDAPAWAN. The provincial capital of North Cotabato, Kidapawan City is two hours by bus from Davao City. It is the main gateway to the ascent of Mount Apo and hosts the ten (10) day Kalibongan Festival, a showcase of old ethnic rituals, songs, dances, and sports of the Manobo and other Mindanao tribes.

DAVAO ORIENTAL. The province of Davao Oriental has atleast forty (40) tourist spots. The town of San Isidro is home to Tinagong Dagat (or Hidden Sea), a mysterious lake; the highest waterfall in the country, the three hundred thirty eight (338) meter-high Aliwagwag Falls, is found in Cateel; in the old town of Caraga is a moss-covered seventeenth (17^th)-century church.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY. GenSan is the tuna capital of the Philippines, where over two thousand four hundred (2,400) species of marine can be found, including the yellow fin tuna, skipjack, and mackerel. GenSan can be reached by a three (3)-hour bus ride from Davao City.