Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
FAMILY FUN AT MA A
Some 5km northwest of the city centre, the suburb of Ma-a contains several activity-based
attractions, which can be a lot of fun, especially for kids. You can get there by taxi (P200) or on
any of the jeepneys travelling via the NCCC Mall, west of the centre on the MacArthur Highway;
jeepneys chug up to Ma-a and the Diversion Highway, where habal-habal motorcycles can take
you to a specific attraction.
MA A ATTRACTIONS
Davao Crocodile Park Riverfront, Corporate City,
Diversion Hwy T 082 286 8883, W psdgroupph.com.
Ma-a's flagship attraction, with huge crocodiles and
touristy croc-feeding shows (Fri-Sun 4.45pm); most of
the crocs are fed at a distance, with only the babies
close up. P200. Daily 8am-7pm.
Davao Wildwater Adventure T 082 221 7823,
W waterrafting.psdgroupph.com. Whitewater rafting
on the Davao River (daily 8.30am-4.30pm; P2000/
person, trips only set off with a minimum of five people).
Rates include transportation from the Crocodile Park
and lunch.
Outland Adventure Diversion Hwy, across from
the GAP Farm T 082 224 5855, W outlandadventure
.org. One of the fastest and tallest ziplines in Asia,
taking you soaring over the river and forest. It's accessed
after a short hike and raft ride across a lake. P300.
Mon-Sat 8am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm.
in the barangay of Lanang , 6km north along the coast - but mostly Davao makes a good
base for the surrounding area. Its formidable line-up of annual festivals are certainly worth
attending, especially Kadayawan , a harvest festival held during the third week of August,
which focuses on flamboyant tribal dance parades and a beauty pageant.
The city experienced terrorism of sorts in 2013 when two small bombs simultaneously
exploded in separate cinemas, but it is still widely considered safe to visit, in spite of
foreign government advisories to the contrary.
8
San Pedro Cathedral
San Pedro St at C.M. Recto St • Open during mass only • Free
The bizarre giant concrete bowl that is San Pedro Cathedral began life as a simple nipa
chapel in 1848. A more solid structure went up in 1886, but the whole thing was
rebuilt in the current Modernist style in the 1970s.
People's Park
J. Camus St • Daily 5.30-8am (for joggers) & 1-10pm (11pm Fri & Sat) • Free • T 082 227 2273
A welcome slice of green in the heart of the city, liberally sprinkled with sculptures
representing southern Mindanao's indigenous groups, People's Park is especially lively
at weekends when there's a fountain show at 7pm (1hr).
Museo Dabawenyo
Pichon St • Mon-Fri 9am-6pm • Free • T 082 222 6011
For an overview of Davao's turbulent and complex history and ethnic make-up, visit the
Museo Dabawenyo , housed in the restored court building opposite Osmeña Park. It's small
but well presented, and though there are fewer objects on display than at the Davao
Museum (see p.425), it is easier to reach (and free). Indigenous tribes are described in
detail, as is the fateful struggle between Datu Bago and conquistador Don José Uyanguren
in the 1840s. Panels also throw light on the American occupation boom years in the early
twentieth century, the massive migrations that took place from the Visayas thereafter and
the arrival of Japanese settlers in the 1930s - hard to believe this was once “Little Tokyo”.
Magsaysay Park
Daily 5am-9pm • Free
The eastern seaward side of downtown is framed by Magsaysay Park , where you'll
find the tourist information centre, a couple of outdoor cafés and rows of durian
 
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