Dubbed as the ‘gold mining capital,’ Davao de Oro in Mindanao has one of the richest gold deposits in the Philippines. In fact, the province celebrates Bulawan Festival (Gold Festival) every March, but there are other activities and places to enjoy throughout the year.
Spread across Davao De Oro’s 11 municipalities are numerous attractions like beaches, hot and cold spring resorts, waterfalls, and mountains. When you visit the province can enjoy these precious gems and experience nature at its finest.
Here are Davao de Oro’s Best Tourist Spots:
Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort
Located in Pindasan, Mabini, this island paradise is the perfect seaside retreat to enjoy tropical weather all year round. Rated 4-star, this resort has luxurious rooms and villas with private pools.
Awarded as Best Resort Development in Davao, Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort offers high-end amenities like an infinity pool, lush garden, chapel, spa, and game rooms. You can also enjoy numerous water activities like kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Social Media: Facebook
Contact Info: davao@dusit.com, (082) 272 7500
Awao Falls
This pristine waterfall is the prized attraction of the municipality of Monkayo. The commute takes half an hour of motorcycle or “skylab” ride from the Poblacion / town center, followed by a short trek to reach Falls 1.
Here, you can take iconic photos with the tall curtain of cascading water as your background. The plunge pool is not so deep that you can wade here or have a relaxing water massage. If you’re more adventurous, you can go for a steep climb on the side of the falls and enjoy the water upstream in Falls 2.
Bilawa Mainit Hot Waterfall
Formerly known as the Mainit Sulfuric Hot Spring, this spot is located in the municipality of Maco, bordering Nabunturan. It is part of a system of springs, waterfalls, and streams flowing through the nearby mountains. This natural sauna offers tolerable temperature from the heated water that creates steam believed to be good for the body.
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Aguacan Cold Spring Resort
Nestled in the mountainous Maragusan, this resort takes pride in its large pools with refreshing cold spring water. The area is in the middle of lush greeneries, so you can also go camping and hiking. Although it’s a long trip from the nearest city, the scenic view of cliffs, mountain ranges, and misty mornings makes it worth the travel.
Social Media: Facebook
Contact: aguakanresort@gmail.com, 0908 721 3001
Calamba Farm Sea of Clouds
Higher up in Maragusan is another promising destination with a picturesque view. Tourists flock to see the sea of clouds, most prominent in the early mornings around 5:00 to 6:00 am. The management provided set-ups and frames for Instagram-worthy photos.
Social Media: Facebook
Lake Leonard Eco-Tourism Park
This small freshwater lake is in Barangay New Leyte, Maco. It is adjacent to Mt. Leonard, an active volcano, although its last eruption was in 120 A.D. You can kayak using locally-made bamboo rafts or set up hammocks with your friends and chill by the lakeshore. There’s also a private establishment called Tambo Café overlooking the lake, where you can just sit back and sip a cup of hot coffee while feasting on the view.
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White Peak
Also known as Mt. Pandadagsaan, this crystal-white limestone peak covered in mossy greens is the 13th highest point in the Philippines. The trail passes through mossy forests and steep slopes where you can see bonsai, pitcher plants, and other wild plants.
The peak offers a spectacular view of Mt. Apo and the surrounding municipalities of Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Samal Island. The climb may take days and is considered difficult, so first-time climbers are not allowed to scale for safety reasons.
