DAVAO
Time spent in the city – 10 days at the beginning of July, one weekend in that time and mostly great weather.
Location – Marco Polo Hotel
Personal Description – White, early 30s, reasonable physique, below average height, acceptable fashion without being a high-roller. No Hawaiian shirts or ill-fitting clothes. I was on a trip through Russia and a few Asian countries beforehand, mostly for work, just to get a feel for them and see a few cultural places, but this stop was purely to relax, do very little and enjoy the local women and bars. It was my first time in the Philippines, and it got off to a good start by talking to some cool guys from Cebu while in transit at Manila.
-------------------------
First up thanks to everyone else who has left their thoughts on Davao in the months and years before this, and to those who answered my comments in threads and private messages. Getting some solid info on the city before arriving was a big help and left me more prepared for a few things than I would have been otherwise. A big thanks to rcraig33hb as well for his Davao datasheet, he sold me on the Marco Polo, a view I can back up after staying there myself!
To start with then is getting in, getting around and finding accommodation. As always the budget is most important. If you have a good income or plenty of money saved, I would recommend the Marco Polo for short-term stays. A private apartment is always better for a few weeks or more stay, but anything under two weeks you might as well enjoy yourself. Flights are reasonably priced if you’re heading there from Asia, and you will likely have to change over in Manila. Anything further away I can’t comment on prices as I went there from South Korea. Transport within the city is dirt cheap and I found myself shaking my head in disbelief every time a taxi journey cost me pennies. Minimum fare is 40 pesos but it doesn’t get much higher within the main parts of the city. I went to the Crocodile Park from the Marco Polo, probably about 25 minutes each way, and it cost me about 110-120 pesos. I don’t know if they took a long route etc., but since it was costing me so little I barely cared and only once got tight with a tip when I thought a taxi driver was taking too many long roads. I tried a jeepney twice for the experience; it was 8 pesos for a certain distance then a few pesos more for every extra kilometre. It’s not particularly comfortable, but if you like to live like the locals then give it a shot. I didn’t try any regular buses so can’t comment on those.
Another important part of logistics is getting yourself sorted with a local sim very quickly, something you can do at the airport or any mall with extreme ease. The first reason is because free wi-fi sucks in the city and if you get a plan with unlimited data network then you’re always able to connect. The second is because if you want a high notch count, not all Filipinas get internet beyond free facebook, you need load in your phone to use it, so you can text away really cheap. I went with Globe because it was what the shop I walked into had and for a foreigner the differences are so minute in the short-term as to be unimportant. I put on several hundred pesos, activated unlimited data network twice for five days, and I was all set. I’ve heard Smart is better but it’s up to your own preference really.
As for the Marco Polo itself, again have a look at rcraig33hb review but it’s a really comfortable 5-star place to stay. It cost me around $1700 for 9 nights with a few expenses added on, a steal compared to that quality in other cities. The staff are helpful and attentive, quite a few female members of staff are attractive, and there are plenty of facilities to keep you entertained. The gym isn’t too big but it has a weights section, a few machines, along with a bunch of treadmills and bikes. It was never too busy when I went in, maybe 5 or 6 at the most, so you’ll have no problem with getting your workout done in good time. The pool is good, though I didn’t try the massage spa. I went Continental Club with a Cabana Deck View, which gave me a lot of perks, most notably free Wi-Fi, free breakfast buffet, free tea and pastries throughout the day, and free alcohol between 5.30-8pm on the 17th floor. If you’re planning on having a few beers each night or taking a lady to the hotel, go Continental Club as there’s no limit on what you can eat and drink and you’ll more than save the money over your stay. The Eagles Bar downstairs was okay but of the nights I went in it was only busy once, a Friday salsa night. Coincidentally the night I nearly had one cancelled date bump into the current date, but that’s another story! The bar staff are usually friendly and will talk away with you. Prices are the most expensive I came across in the city, I think Cerveza Negra was the most expensive at about 110 pesos before tax, though in the grand scheme of things it’s still less than a beer in most UK pubs so not bad for a quick drink. In terms of location it’s very central, you’re within easy walking distance of some malls, and easy taxi distance to anything else. Convenience stores and ATMs are just across the road, and the hotel has very strict security staff with rifles and shotguns. Not to sound like a shill for them, but if you’ve got the money and are only staying in the city a short while, go Marco Polo and live it up!
The bar scene was something I was interested in finding out more about as most reviews have mentioned Torres Square and Matina Town Square as the major places to go. I tried both of these the first night and I can’t say I was too impressed. Yes it was a weekday so there was less people, but Torres Street just didn’t have a good vibe for me, I didn’t rate the standard of the bars I tried, and it was topped off with some cross-dressers getting up on stage to do a few songs. Nice! MTS was a bit better, and I’d probably choose it over Torres on any given night. There’s a stage for bands to play, and the square is about 6 or 7 different bars all serving the tables in the square. Both places are reasonably cheap though and I didn’t see any trouble going on. The food is of limited quality but you can eat before you get there. (Majid’s Kebab on Rizal Street does fried ox brains if you’re adventurous) The San Miguel range of beers, Red Stallion, Red Horse etc. all usually hovered around the 50 pesos mark, or you can get a bucket of several bottles and make a small saving. After the first night I met some girls and tried different places, but it wasn’t until I met a girl with some money who could afford to go out that I found a few places I enjoyed. I don’t remember the names or locations, Lepasgi Suites was one, but the important point is that every now and then you’ll see a strip of about four or five bars together. There was one called ‘Business Class’ which I came across in a few places, they usually have a live acoustic singer and the beers aren’t much difference in price to MTS/Torres. The clientele was closer to my own age, and the other places that ended up beside it were similar. Essentially I liked it more because conversation was far easier, it had a classier feel, and if you take a decent girl you’ll have a far more enjoyable evening. It would seem that Filipinas love karaoke as I saw a really quiet one going mental at a private booth when I went out with a group of natives. I also tried a couple of mall places but I wouldn’t recommend them for anything more than a quick meal. The only exception I made was for the games sections of the malls; if you want a game of pool there’s a pool hall in GMall within the cinema area (I’m sure there’ll be the same in some others, and there’s a British pub in the east of the city with pool and darts, as well as sports on TV) and even the arcade was an extremely cheap way to have a bit of fun with a girl for an hour. It was 6 pesos a token, and most games only took one token per player. It’s mostly racing and gun games, but you can play some basketball and air hockey amongst other things. The girl I went with loved it so maybe something to change it up if you’re not just going for the quick notch. I wouldn’t recommend many places for food because to be honest I found most of the native stuff pretty bad, but I tried ‘Backyard Burgers’ and it was alright if you want a big burger. If you want any basic foodstuffs each mall has a supermarket section in the basement, and there are convenience stores on most streets for cheap water, beer etc.
In terms of women, I wasn’t really into a lot of the local girls. Some were quite hot, but I tend to be a quality over quantity sort of guy and I like some entertainment and good conversation when I’m spending time with a girl. If you like quantity I think you’ll be able to rack up a reasonable amount of notches in a short space of time, though some are a bit more conservative and might wait a date or two. If nothing else you will definitely get stares from old and young, female and male, ugly and stunning. Most white people are older and fatter here, and there's not many of them walking around everyday places. The girls I spoke to online usually hit either extreme, either hoping for something long-term, or sounding like they’d get into bed no questions asked. For quality, decent girls usually have decent jobs or things to occupy themselves with during the day and have plenty to talk about, and after I met one I basically hung out with her and stopped chasing any others. That left me with an extremely low notch count for the trip but like I said before, I’m comfortable with fewer notches at this stage of my life if it means I enjoy the evening better. I didn’t get any more information about nightclubs though, I’m generally not a club kind of guy, and the days I was scheduled to meet up with some forumers I was mostly unwell or trying to get a broken laptop sorted for my work. Some poor timing for me and my apologies again to those guys, so hopefully any of those guys who went can comment more on the nightlife scene.
I didn’t see too many of the local tourist options, but the Crocodile Park was fun for an hour or two if you have time. At the weekend around 4pm they have a few bird shows, crocodile feeding show, tigers running up a pole show etc., and you can buy yourself a quick crocodile burger or crocodile steak afterwards. It’s a novelty in a fairly predictable city. The local museum doesn’t take too long and they’ll usually give you a guide to walk you around, and if you’re spiritual there’s a Buddhist temple you can have a look at. I didn’t make it to the eagle centre or any nature parks, and I missed out on both the beaches and old caves that the Japanese hid in during the wars as I got sick for my last four days. The sickness was really frustrating as I’d planned to relax when I first got there and enjoy a few things at the end. Not sure what caused it, whether overdoing the alcohol through Russia, Japan and South Korea combined contributed, food poisoning, dehydration or something else, but it laid me low for a few days and I didn’t go far.
My overall impression of the city beyond that was a bit of shock at first. I’d never been to a 3rd world city and seeing some of the streets, beggars, standard of living and low prices was an eye-opener. During peak hours it can get a bit polluted and cars are everywhere, but as long as you don’t go into the sticks or dodgy areas you’ll be okay, I walked around most days and only had one problem with a beggar not taking no for an answer. Snap at them and they tend to back off real quick. There were plenty of places I got stared at, and shop workers will greet you even if you’re nowhere near them with a really annoying ‘yes sirrrrrrrrrrrrrr hi sirrrrrrrrrrrr’. If you’re planning on doing anything in a hurry, avoid anywhere with lots of natives as it turns into a go-slow. I waited in line one Saturday night at the supermarket, thought I would be in and out, took near half an hour get to the checkout and get out, with only three people in front of me. People can queue up with hundreds of tiny packets of things that all get individually scanned, individually packed by a shop worker, and then pay in loads of small denominations, it’s an exercise in frustration. Bar and restaurant service is a bit quicker, but it can still take a bit long for staff to open a bottle of beer and put it in front of you. The city is mostly smoke-free though, laws are well observed, you don’t get short changed, and it feels really safe despite some of the high terrorist alerts that can get put out.
Overall I would say go to Davao if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of bigger cities, if you want somewhere cheap, or just want to add somewhere a bit more off the beaten path to your map of the world. I wouldn’t call it a paradise, but it has its good points.
Any follow-up questions just fire away, I'll answer whatever I can.
Time spent in the city – 10 days at the beginning of July, one weekend in that time and mostly great weather.
Location – Marco Polo Hotel
Personal Description – White, early 30s, reasonable physique, below average height, acceptable fashion without being a high-roller. No Hawaiian shirts or ill-fitting clothes. I was on a trip through Russia and a few Asian countries beforehand, mostly for work, just to get a feel for them and see a few cultural places, but this stop was purely to relax, do very little and enjoy the local women and bars. It was my first time in the Philippines, and it got off to a good start by talking to some cool guys from Cebu while in transit at Manila.
-------------------------
First up thanks to everyone else who has left their thoughts on Davao in the months and years before this, and to those who answered my comments in threads and private messages. Getting some solid info on the city before arriving was a big help and left me more prepared for a few things than I would have been otherwise. A big thanks to rcraig33hb as well for his Davao datasheet, he sold me on the Marco Polo, a view I can back up after staying there myself!
To start with then is getting in, getting around and finding accommodation. As always the budget is most important. If you have a good income or plenty of money saved, I would recommend the Marco Polo for short-term stays. A private apartment is always better for a few weeks or more stay, but anything under two weeks you might as well enjoy yourself. Flights are reasonably priced if you’re heading there from Asia, and you will likely have to change over in Manila. Anything further away I can’t comment on prices as I went there from South Korea. Transport within the city is dirt cheap and I found myself shaking my head in disbelief every time a taxi journey cost me pennies. Minimum fare is 40 pesos but it doesn’t get much higher within the main parts of the city. I went to the Crocodile Park from the Marco Polo, probably about 25 minutes each way, and it cost me about 110-120 pesos. I don’t know if they took a long route etc., but since it was costing me so little I barely cared and only once got tight with a tip when I thought a taxi driver was taking too many long roads. I tried a jeepney twice for the experience; it was 8 pesos for a certain distance then a few pesos more for every extra kilometre. It’s not particularly comfortable, but if you like to live like the locals then give it a shot. I didn’t try any regular buses so can’t comment on those.
Another important part of logistics is getting yourself sorted with a local sim very quickly, something you can do at the airport or any mall with extreme ease. The first reason is because free wi-fi sucks in the city and if you get a plan with unlimited data network then you’re always able to connect. The second is because if you want a high notch count, not all Filipinas get internet beyond free facebook, you need load in your phone to use it, so you can text away really cheap. I went with Globe because it was what the shop I walked into had and for a foreigner the differences are so minute in the short-term as to be unimportant. I put on several hundred pesos, activated unlimited data network twice for five days, and I was all set. I’ve heard Smart is better but it’s up to your own preference really.
As for the Marco Polo itself, again have a look at rcraig33hb review but it’s a really comfortable 5-star place to stay. It cost me around $1700 for 9 nights with a few expenses added on, a steal compared to that quality in other cities. The staff are helpful and attentive, quite a few female members of staff are attractive, and there are plenty of facilities to keep you entertained. The gym isn’t too big but it has a weights section, a few machines, along with a bunch of treadmills and bikes. It was never too busy when I went in, maybe 5 or 6 at the most, so you’ll have no problem with getting your workout done in good time. The pool is good, though I didn’t try the massage spa. I went Continental Club with a Cabana Deck View, which gave me a lot of perks, most notably free Wi-Fi, free breakfast buffet, free tea and pastries throughout the day, and free alcohol between 5.30-8pm on the 17th floor. If you’re planning on having a few beers each night or taking a lady to the hotel, go Continental Club as there’s no limit on what you can eat and drink and you’ll more than save the money over your stay. The Eagles Bar downstairs was okay but of the nights I went in it was only busy once, a Friday salsa night. Coincidentally the night I nearly had one cancelled date bump into the current date, but that’s another story! The bar staff are usually friendly and will talk away with you. Prices are the most expensive I came across in the city, I think Cerveza Negra was the most expensive at about 110 pesos before tax, though in the grand scheme of things it’s still less than a beer in most UK pubs so not bad for a quick drink. In terms of location it’s very central, you’re within easy walking distance of some malls, and easy taxi distance to anything else. Convenience stores and ATMs are just across the road, and the hotel has very strict security staff with rifles and shotguns. Not to sound like a shill for them, but if you’ve got the money and are only staying in the city a short while, go Marco Polo and live it up!
The bar scene was something I was interested in finding out more about as most reviews have mentioned Torres Square and Matina Town Square as the major places to go. I tried both of these the first night and I can’t say I was too impressed. Yes it was a weekday so there was less people, but Torres Street just didn’t have a good vibe for me, I didn’t rate the standard of the bars I tried, and it was topped off with some cross-dressers getting up on stage to do a few songs. Nice! MTS was a bit better, and I’d probably choose it over Torres on any given night. There’s a stage for bands to play, and the square is about 6 or 7 different bars all serving the tables in the square. Both places are reasonably cheap though and I didn’t see any trouble going on. The food is of limited quality but you can eat before you get there. (Majid’s Kebab on Rizal Street does fried ox brains if you’re adventurous) The San Miguel range of beers, Red Stallion, Red Horse etc. all usually hovered around the 50 pesos mark, or you can get a bucket of several bottles and make a small saving. After the first night I met some girls and tried different places, but it wasn’t until I met a girl with some money who could afford to go out that I found a few places I enjoyed. I don’t remember the names or locations, Lepasgi Suites was one, but the important point is that every now and then you’ll see a strip of about four or five bars together. There was one called ‘Business Class’ which I came across in a few places, they usually have a live acoustic singer and the beers aren’t much difference in price to MTS/Torres. The clientele was closer to my own age, and the other places that ended up beside it were similar. Essentially I liked it more because conversation was far easier, it had a classier feel, and if you take a decent girl you’ll have a far more enjoyable evening. It would seem that Filipinas love karaoke as I saw a really quiet one going mental at a private booth when I went out with a group of natives. I also tried a couple of mall places but I wouldn’t recommend them for anything more than a quick meal. The only exception I made was for the games sections of the malls; if you want a game of pool there’s a pool hall in GMall within the cinema area (I’m sure there’ll be the same in some others, and there’s a British pub in the east of the city with pool and darts, as well as sports on TV) and even the arcade was an extremely cheap way to have a bit of fun with a girl for an hour. It was 6 pesos a token, and most games only took one token per player. It’s mostly racing and gun games, but you can play some basketball and air hockey amongst other things. The girl I went with loved it so maybe something to change it up if you’re not just going for the quick notch. I wouldn’t recommend many places for food because to be honest I found most of the native stuff pretty bad, but I tried ‘Backyard Burgers’ and it was alright if you want a big burger. If you want any basic foodstuffs each mall has a supermarket section in the basement, and there are convenience stores on most streets for cheap water, beer etc.
In terms of women, I wasn’t really into a lot of the local girls. Some were quite hot, but I tend to be a quality over quantity sort of guy and I like some entertainment and good conversation when I’m spending time with a girl. If you like quantity I think you’ll be able to rack up a reasonable amount of notches in a short space of time, though some are a bit more conservative and might wait a date or two. If nothing else you will definitely get stares from old and young, female and male, ugly and stunning. Most white people are older and fatter here, and there's not many of them walking around everyday places. The girls I spoke to online usually hit either extreme, either hoping for something long-term, or sounding like they’d get into bed no questions asked. For quality, decent girls usually have decent jobs or things to occupy themselves with during the day and have plenty to talk about, and after I met one I basically hung out with her and stopped chasing any others. That left me with an extremely low notch count for the trip but like I said before, I’m comfortable with fewer notches at this stage of my life if it means I enjoy the evening better. I didn’t get any more information about nightclubs though, I’m generally not a club kind of guy, and the days I was scheduled to meet up with some forumers I was mostly unwell or trying to get a broken laptop sorted for my work. Some poor timing for me and my apologies again to those guys, so hopefully any of those guys who went can comment more on the nightlife scene.
I didn’t see too many of the local tourist options, but the Crocodile Park was fun for an hour or two if you have time. At the weekend around 4pm they have a few bird shows, crocodile feeding show, tigers running up a pole show etc., and you can buy yourself a quick crocodile burger or crocodile steak afterwards. It’s a novelty in a fairly predictable city. The local museum doesn’t take too long and they’ll usually give you a guide to walk you around, and if you’re spiritual there’s a Buddhist temple you can have a look at. I didn’t make it to the eagle centre or any nature parks, and I missed out on both the beaches and old caves that the Japanese hid in during the wars as I got sick for my last four days. The sickness was really frustrating as I’d planned to relax when I first got there and enjoy a few things at the end. Not sure what caused it, whether overdoing the alcohol through Russia, Japan and South Korea combined contributed, food poisoning, dehydration or something else, but it laid me low for a few days and I didn’t go far.
My overall impression of the city beyond that was a bit of shock at first. I’d never been to a 3rd world city and seeing some of the streets, beggars, standard of living and low prices was an eye-opener. During peak hours it can get a bit polluted and cars are everywhere, but as long as you don’t go into the sticks or dodgy areas you’ll be okay, I walked around most days and only had one problem with a beggar not taking no for an answer. Snap at them and they tend to back off real quick. There were plenty of places I got stared at, and shop workers will greet you even if you’re nowhere near them with a really annoying ‘yes sirrrrrrrrrrrrrr hi sirrrrrrrrrrrr’. If you’re planning on doing anything in a hurry, avoid anywhere with lots of natives as it turns into a go-slow. I waited in line one Saturday night at the supermarket, thought I would be in and out, took near half an hour get to the checkout and get out, with only three people in front of me. People can queue up with hundreds of tiny packets of things that all get individually scanned, individually packed by a shop worker, and then pay in loads of small denominations, it’s an exercise in frustration. Bar and restaurant service is a bit quicker, but it can still take a bit long for staff to open a bottle of beer and put it in front of you. The city is mostly smoke-free though, laws are well observed, you don’t get short changed, and it feels really safe despite some of the high terrorist alerts that can get put out.
Overall I would say go to Davao if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of bigger cities, if you want somewhere cheap, or just want to add somewhere a bit more off the beaten path to your map of the world. I wouldn’t call it a paradise, but it has its good points.
Any follow-up questions just fire away, I'll answer whatever I can.
![[Image: wink.gif]](https://rooshvforum.network/images/smilies/wink.gif)
I mean, Davao is not even really 3d World.
![[Image: banana.gif]](https://rooshvforum.network/images/smilies/new/banana.gif)