Explore All 5 Davao Provinces in 4D/3N for Less Than P9,000

When tourists visit Davao, it’s usually a choice between quick tours or quick beach getaways. There’s just so much to explore, with so little time for everything! However, did you know it’s possible to explore the whole Davao Region for less than PHP 10,000?

Here’s how my partner and I got to do this on our previous trip:

Preparation

We scored our tickets from Cebu Pacific’s Piso Sale. If you’re from the North, you can also choose Clark International Airport as your base, as point-to-point buses going there from Manila.

Prior to the trip, we booked an AirBnB for a 4D/3N stay. Our AirBnB had a kitchen, so we just bought groceries for some meals, which helped cut down costs.

Expenses

• Airfare: PHP 1,489 each
• AirBnB: PHP 1,400 each

We set off to Little Boracay in Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental as soon as we arrived at Davao International Airport. From the airport, it will take approximately two hours to get to Little Boracay.

For P30, you’ll get to experience a magical view that’s truly worthy of the journey. We opted to get a table to admire the scenery. As a “secret” destination, Little Boracay usually draws few tourists, and you can have this island and its calming waves all to yourselves.

How to get there

To get there, take a cab going to Ecoland Bus Terminal, then board a bus to Digos City. After 1.5 hours, take another bus to Sta. Maria, then take a habal-habal.

Expenses

• Bus from home to Trinoma – 13
• P2P bus to Clark Airport – 230
• Breakfast – 162
• Terminal Fee – 150
• Taxi from Airport to Ecoland Bus Terminal – 125
• Bus to Digos City – 100
• Bus to Sta. Maria 70
• Habal-habal to Little Boracay 60
• Entrance to Little Boracay 30
• Tables and Chairs 25
• Habal-habal to Sta. Maria Terminal – 60
• Bus to Davao – 168
• Taxi to AirBnB – 75
• Grocery – 345
• Food – 217
• Total: PHP 1,789

Day 2: Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte

Tourists put Davao del Sur on their Davao checklist as Hills View Mountain Villa offers a sea of clouds to early risers. Since we woke up late, we went to Marilog instead, where we got a perfect view of Davao and Bukidnon, courtesy of viewing decks. The view was stunning!

After taking photos, we’re off to our next destination: Samal Island.

Believe it or not, the entrance fee’s only PHP 15! The place wasn’t crowded at that time, so we had the opportunity to dip in as we marveled at the sunset. It was a great way to end an adventure-filled day.

How to get there

From Ecoland, take a bus going to Cagayan de Oro City and alight at Crossing/Bemwa Farm. There are a lot of habal-habal drivers offering tours for PHP 450. Our driver brought us to Hills View, where there’s a PHP 50 entrance fee.

From Marilog, go back to Davao City and alight at SM City Davao. You can ride a cab going to Sasa Wharf and ride a roro. Afterward, you can take a habal-habal or skylab going to Kaputian Beach.

Expenses

• Taxi to Ecoland – 90
• Bus to CDO (Bemwa Farm) – 165
• Tour to Sea of Clouds, Bukidnon – 225 (450 for 2)
• Bus to Ecoland – 105
• Taxi to Sasa Wharf – 150
• Sasa Wharf to Samal Island (Roro) – 10
• Habal-habal from Samal to Kaputian Beach – 125
• Entrance to Kaputian Beach – 15
• Habal-habal from Kaputian Beach to Samal – 150
• Samal to Wharf (Roro) – 10
• Jeep to Roxas Night Market – 15
• Taxi to AirBnB – 50
• Food – 345
• Total: PHP 1,455

Day 3: Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental

For our last day, we attempted to witness the sea of clouds once more in Calamba Farm, Davao de Oro (formerly known as Compostela Valley). Sadly, we failed again, but we also experienced possibly one of the best views ever.

Calamba Farm lets you view the whole city. You can see farmlands with the backdrop of Compostela Valley that stretch as far as the eye can see, all for 25 pesos.

After this mountain trip, we went to Davao Oriental to enjoy the sea.

Dahican Beach is one of the best beaches we’ve been to, with a seven-kilometer stretch of pristine beach and sugary sand. If you’re into surfing, this is a must. Boasting powerful waves, it is ideal for surfing, as well as swimming. Such an unforgettable gem!

How to get there

From Ecoland, take a bus to Tagum City, then a UV to Maragusan. You can take a skylab from Maragusan to Calamba Farm for PHP 500 roundtrip.

From Maragusan, you can go to Mati via UV, then ride a skylab going to Dahican Surf Resort.

Expenses

• Taxi to Ecoland – 70
• Bus to Tagum – 100
• Bus to Maragusan – 120
• Skylab to Calamba Farm – 250
• Van to Mati – 150
• Skylab to Dahican – 75
• Dahican Surf Resort entrance, tent – 350
• Skylab to Mati Terminal – 75
• Bus to Davao City – 322
• Food – 335
• Total: PHP 1,847

Day 4 – Back to Manila

Last day’s pasalubong day! Davao has souvenir shops at the airport. You can buy a variety of durian and mangosteen-flavored delicacies, as well as popular Malagos chocolate to cap off your trip.

Expenses

• Pasalubong – 510
• Taxi to airport – 70
• Food – 150
• P2P Bus to Trinoma – 280
• Total: PHP 1,010

Total expenses (per person): PHP 8,990

And that’s our Davao trip! We didn’t think we’d be able to do it, but we managed to tour all five provinces in 4D/3N for less than PHP 9,000! To maximize your budget, we recommend commuting, cooking your own meals, and trying out delectable carinderia food. There are plenty in each province.