Cheap flights to Davao
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Quick summary
Country
Philippines
Continent
Asia
Airport
DVO
Currency
Philippine peso (PHP)
Time zone
UTC+8
Deals already spotted to Davao
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Airport and getting into town
An airport north of the centre, gateway to Mindanao
Francisco Bangoy (DVO)
Francisco Bangoy International Airport lies north of the city centre according to Wikipedia (EN) and is the main airport of Mindanao. Wikivoyage (EN) lists regular flights from Manila, Cebu and other Philippine cities, and a few international links, with Singapore named by Wikivoyage (EN, DE). From Europe, most travellers connect via Manila or Cebu. A jeepney from downtown takes around 45 minutes according to Wikivoyage (EN); taxis are metered.
Distances and times are approximate (Wikipedia, Wikivoyage) and depend on traffic and sea conditions. We do not quote fares.
Davao is the third most populous city in the country after Quezon City and Manila, with around 1.85 million people in the 2024 census according to Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (EN, FR, DE, ES) agrees on its land area, 2,443.61 km2, which makes it the largest city in the Philippines by area. It stretches from the shore of Davao Gulf to the first foothills of Mount Apo, so the centre gives way to plantations quickly.
The city was founded in 1848 as Nueva Vergara, per Wikipedia (FR, DE, ES) and Wikivoyage (EN). It is the commercial hub of Mindanao, away from the usual itineraries: people come for nature and fruit, not for a historic old town.
Landmarks
A gulf, a volcano and the national eagle
Davao is not a city of monuments: its strengths are the gulf, Mount Apo, which is visible from most of the city according to Wikipedia (EN), and nature within half a day. The following places are illustrated.
A low-rise city facing the gulf
Central Davao is a low-rise city of colourful roofs and trees facing a gulf where cargo ships anchor: Wikipedia (EN) calls its port the busiest in Mindanao. Inland, the hills of the hinterland show up under the clouds.
Between sea and mountains
The city grew on the coastal plain with forest and mountains to the west as a backdrop. About half of the municipal territory is forest and swamp, according to Wikipedia (FR, DE).
The Philippine Eagle Center
The Philippine eagle, the national bird, is among the largest eagles in the world and critically endangered, per Wikipedia (EN). Wikivoyage (EN, DE) recommends the Philippine Eagle Center, a conservation centre in a forest setting outside the centre (Wikivoyage DE suggests a rental car). The bird shown here has the shaggy crest and brown and white plumage typical of the species.
The Mount Apo massif
Mount Apo, a dormant volcano and the highest peak in the Philippines, is about 40 km south-west of the city according to Wikipedia (EN). Wikivoyage (DE) advises climbing it only with local guides. The forests of the massif shelter many endemic bird species, per Wikipedia (EN). The photo shows a mountain lake at this kind of altitude in morning mist.
The gulf coast
Offshore from the centre, Samal Island, described by Wikipedia (EN) as an island city within Metro Davao, and Talikud Island are the nearest beach destinations; both are reached by boat from the Sasa and Santa Ana wharves according to Wikivoyage (DE, EN). The aerial view shows the long curve of the bay.
San Pedro Cathedral and People's Park
San Pedro Cathedral, built in the 19th century, is the city's main church and faces City Hall according to Wikivoyage (EN). People's Park, a public park with artificial waterfalls and sculptures of indigenous peoples, is mentioned by Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikipedia (EN); it is liveliest in the evening.
A viewpoint over the city
Jack's Ridge and the Santo Nino Shrine, both on the heights of Matina, give views over the city and the gulf, especially at sunset, according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Kadayawan
The Kadayawan festival, a harvest and indigenous-culture celebration, takes place in early to mid August per Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (DE). Book flights and rooms early for that period.
Museums and culture
Indigenous cultures, local collections and wildlife
Culture and history
The Davao Museum, in Insular Village, presents local history and the culture of indigenous peoples according to Wikivoyage (EN); bring ID for entry. The newer Dabawenyo city museum is also listed by Wikivoyage (EN).
A natural-history museum
The D' Bone Collector Museum, downtown, specialises in animal skeletons according to Wikivoyage (EN). An unusual visit, but the neighbourhood is described as rough, so check before going.
Other cultural sights
The Lonwa Buddhist temple, listed by Wikivoyage (EN), Chinatown, mentioned by Wikivoyage (DE), and the former Japanese district known as Little Japan, mentioned by Wikipedia (DE), recall the city's cosmopolitan past. We do not quote fees or opening hours, which change: check before you go.
Food and drink
Durian, tropical fruit and cooking from the gulf
The durian capital
Davao calls itself the durian capital of the Philippines, per Wikipedia (EN, ES) and Wikivoyage (DE): the fruit is sold in season at the markets. Wikivoyage (EN) warns that many planes, hotels and public places ban it because of the smell.
Other fruit
Wikipedia (EN) also cites mangosteen, marang, rambutan and pomelo, sold cheaply. Bankerohan market, open round the clock according to Wikivoyage (EN), is a good place to start tasting.
Fish and Chinese-Filipino cooking
Wikivoyage (EN) mentions tuna, served as kinilaw (raw, marinated) or as sisig, and Davao-Chinese dishes such as tokwa't baboy (tofu and pork). Malagos craft chocolate is presented by Wikipedia (EN) as a local pride. Avoid tap water and eat carefully if you are not used to the local cuisine.
Getting around
Jeepneys, honest taxis and boats to Samal
In the city
Jeepneys run on the main roads day and night according to Wikivoyage (EN, DE); taxis use a meter and Davao drivers have a good reputation for honesty per Wikivoyage (EN, DE). Tricycles, motorbikes with a sidecar, cover the smaller streets. Pay in cash, ideally with small notes.
To the islands and the mountain
Boats link the centre with Samal and Talikud, and a car-ferry bus crosses the strait between Sasa and Samal at any hour according to Wikivoyage (EN). For the Philippine Eagle Center, Mount Apo or Eden Nature Park, a car with a driver is the simplest option per Wikivoyage (DE).
To the rest of the country
Davao is linked to the big cities by roll-on roll-off ferries and by a long-distance bus terminal at Ecoland, per Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikipedia (EN). Flying is still the fastest; Manila is about 950 km away by road according to Wikipedia (EN).
Budget and precautions
Moderate prices, and safety advice worth reading
Price level
Sources describe a fairly affordable city for transport, meals and fruit, but we quote no figures: prices change and sources disagree.
Currency
The currency is the Philippine peso. Wikivoyage (EN) notes that some ATMs charge a fee on foreign cards.
Safety
Views differ. Wikivoyage (EN, DE) presents Davao as one of the safest large cities in the country, while Wikipedia (ES) reports, from 2015 national police figures, one of the highest homicide rates. Wikivoyage (DE) also notes that armed groups remain active in other parts of Mindanao. Check your government's official travel advice before booking and before any road journey.
Flights and insurance
SniperAir monitors prices to DVO and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets. To compare, you can also follow Cebu (CEB) or Manila (MNL).
When to go
Hot all year, with no real dry season
All year
Davao has a humid equatorial climate, type Af, per Wikipedia (FR, EN): temperatures barely change, with highs of 31 to 33 °C and lows of 23 to 25 °C according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Drier months
Wikivoyage (EN) says the main tourist season is in the drier months; Wikipedia (EN) notes there is no true dry season.
Rain
Annual rainfall is around 2,000 mm according to Wikipedia (ES, DE). Showers can break at any time.
Typhoons
The city lies outside the typhoon belt per Wikipedia (DE), but Wikivoyage (EN) mentions a few typhoons, mainly in the last quarter of the year.
For Mount Apo or Eden Nature Park, choose a clear day and start early: clouds build quickly by midday. We give no precise monthly averages because sources differ.
By length of stay
What to do in Davao depending on how long you stay
The city and the gulf
The cathedral, People's Park, a fruit market and sunset from Jack's Ridge.
Wildlife and beach
The Philippine Eagle Center, a day on Samal Island and a museum.
Mount Apo
A guided hike in the Mount Apo massif, or visits to plantations around Davao.
In pictures
Davao in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Davao
How do I get from Davao airport to the centre?
The airport (DVO) is north of the centre. A jeepney takes around 45 minutes according to Wikivoyage; a metered taxi is faster. We do not quote fares.
Is Davao a beach city?
No: it is mostly a base for nature, fruit and Mount Apo. The beaches are on Samal Island, a short boat ride away.
When is the best time to go to Davao?
There is no real dry season: temperatures hardly vary through the year. The main tourist season matches the drier months; Kadayawan is in early to mid August.
Can I see the Philippine eagle?
Yes, the Philippine Eagle Center, outside the centre, keeps eagles in a forest setting according to Wikivoyage; a rental car is handy.
What should I taste in Davao?
Durian, mangosteen, pomelo, tuna kinilaw and Malagos chocolate. Durian is banned on many planes and in many hotels.
How long should I stay in Davao?
Two days for the city; four days adding Samal and the eagle; a week to include Mount Apo with a guide.
How much does a flight to Davao usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Davao drops below my budget?
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