Davao
Davao suits travelers who want Mount Apo, durian markets and the Philippine Eagle Center in one city, with Samal Island a short ferry ride away.
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Davao City is the largest city in Mindanao, the southern island group of the Philippines. It sits on Davao Gulf, and rural barangays reach up the slopes of Mount Apo, the country's highest peak at 2,954 meters. Day trips from the city cover the mountain, the coast and forest parks.
Durian is the fruit to try here, sold at roadside stalls and markets across the city. Davao is also home to the Philippine eagle, one of the largest eagles in the world, which is bred and studied at the Philippine Eagle Center in Calinan. Samal Island is a short ferry ride away for beaches and resorts. Plan two to four days for the city and nearby trips, and more for a Mount Apo climb. Rain falls in most months, so pack a light rain jacket.
Davao in five
- Register on eTravel before you flyRegister on eTravel before you land in the Philippines. Confirm the current rule with the Bureau of Immigration before you book.Visas and entry
- Carry small peso notes for jeepneysJeepney and tricycle fares are paid in cash, so exact change speeds up the ride. Keep a few 20 and 50 peso notes apart from larger bills.Money and costs
- Use Grab for longer ridesGrab is a common ride app in Davao, and the fare shows before you confirm. Share the trip with someone and keep the driver's plate number.
- Get mobile data for maps and ridesGlobe and Smart are the main mobile networks, and both sell prepaid data. Set up data before you reach the city so maps and ride apps load right away.Phones and eSIM
- Book Mount Apo with a registered guideMount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, is a multi-day climb with trailheads outside the city. Hire a registered guide and check the permit requirements with the park office.
Need to know
- Currency
- Philippine peso (PHP)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; eTravel registration needed before arrival
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire or ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected; some restaurants add a service charge
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- JanuaryRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Showers, warmJanuaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 239 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers, warm
- FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Drier, warmFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 140 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, warm
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Drier, hotMarchRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, hot
- AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, drierAprilRain
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 149 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, drier
- MayRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Hot, showersMayRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 206 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Frequent rainJuneRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 247 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Frequent rain
- JulyRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Frequent rainJulyRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 244 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Frequent rain
- AugustRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Kadayawan festivalAugustRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 225 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Kadayawan festival
- SeptemberRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Frequent rainSeptemberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 205 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Frequent rain
- OctoberRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Frequent rainOctoberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 205 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Frequent rain
- NovemberRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°ShowersNovemberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 142 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- DecemberRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Holiday seasonDecemberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 182 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Holiday season
Average daily high and low in Davao, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Aug Kadayawan
Right now in Davao
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 61%
Davao
04:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today33°23°61%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Wed33°22°25%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Thu33°23°41%Thursday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Fri32°23°86%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sat30°22°93%Saturday: Rain. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Sun32°22°73%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 73%.
Updated 02:27 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 63.7 PHP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- AugKadayawanDavao
Day trips by train
- Samal Islandroughly 1 hour by road and boatAn island across the gulf with beaches and resorts, reached by road and boat.
- Eden Nature Parkroughly 45 min to 1 hour by carA nature park on the slopes above the city, with forest trails and city views.
- Matiroughly 3 hours by roadA coastal town to the east with beaches, best for a long day or an overnight.
- Mount Aporoughly 3 hours by road to the trailheadsThe highest peak in the Philippines, a multi-day trek that needs a registered guide.Read the guide
Before you go to Davao
Rules for Davao, checked
- Register on eTravel before arrival. The Bureau of Immigration sets the entry rules and the length of stay for your passport.
- Declare cash and monetary instruments above the legal limit on the arrival form. Check the current threshold with the Bureau of Customs.
- Declare fresh fruit, meat and plants on arrival. Quarantine officers inspect them and can take items away.
Plan around Davao
The island region around Davao, with routes, transport and trip ideas
Read the guideAll of the PhilippinesRegions, entry rules, transport and money for a Philippines trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa, eTravel registration and arrival paperwork
Read the guideGetting aroundJeepneys, tricycles, ride apps and flights in and out of the city
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical daily spending in pesos
Read the guideWhere to stayAreas to base yourself, with pros and cons for each
Read the guideDavao FAQ
How many days do you need in Davao?
Two to three days covers the city, its markets and one day trip. Add a day for Samal Island, or several days for a Mount Apo climb.
Is Davao worth visiting?
Yes, if you want markets, food and easy day trips to Mount Apo and the Davao Gulf islands. It works best as a base for day trips.
What is the best time to visit Davao?
Davao gets rain in most months and has no strong dry season. February to April is drier and warm, and August brings the Kadayawan festival.
Do you need a car in Davao?
Usually not. Jeepneys cover the main roads, and ride apps handle short trips. A car or driver helps if you plan to reach Mount Apo trailheads or the coast in one day.
Is Davao safe for tourists?
Stay alert in crowded markets and at night. Use registered taxis or ride apps.
How do you get from Davao airport to the city?
Taxis and ride apps are the simplest option from the airport. Confirm the fare before you get in, and keep small notes for any jeepney rides.