More about hotels in Davao Oriental
About Davao Oriental accommodation
Tucked along the eastern edge of Mindanao, Davao Oriental is where the Philippines watches the sun come up first. It's a laid-back province built around a long, wild coastline, with surf breaks, sunrise lookouts and one of the country's most important protected forests all within a couple of hours of each other.
It's still very much an under-the-radar spot for Aussie travellers, which is part of the appeal. Accommodation ranges from simple beachfront guesthouses to a handful of proper resorts, and most of what you need sits around Mati City, the province's main hub.
Where should you stay in Davao Oriental?
Most visitors base themselves in Mati City, the provincial capital and the easiest springboard for everything else in Davao Oriental.
- Mati City: the main hub, right next to Dahican Beach, with the widest choice of resorts, guesthouses and restaurants.
- Baganga: a quieter coastal town further north, popular with surfers chasing a more low-key wave scene.
- Governor Generoso: home to Cape San Agustin's lighthouse views, a good stop if you're exploring the southern coast.
- Caraga: the gateway to Pusan Point, worth a stay if sunrise-watching and the marine sanctuary are on your list.
Unless you're specifically chasing Baganga's surf or Caraga's sunrise, Mati City covers most of what you'll want within a short drive.
How much is Davao Oriental accommodation?
- Budget (AU$30-60): simple guesthouses and budget inns around Mati City, clean rooms with fan or aircon, an easy tricycle ride from Dahican Beach.
- Mid-range (AU$60-130): beachfront villas and hotel suites with pool access, aircon and a restaurant or cafe on site.
- Resort/Beachfront (AU$130-250+): proper beach resorts right on Dahican Beach with spa services, sea-view rooms and full amenities.
Prices climb during the March to May summer holiday peak and the October to February surf season, so it pays to book ahead if you're travelling then.
What is Davao Oriental known for?
- Dahican Beach: a long stretch of golden sand near Mati that's become one of the Philippines' best-known surf spots, with a friendly local surf school scene and a genuine focus on marine turtle conservation along the shore.
- Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary: a UNESCO World Heritage site protecting one of the world's rarest habitats, a "pygmy forest" of centuries-old bonsai-like trees growing barely a metre tall, home to plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.
- Pusan Point: a rugged headland in Caraga where the sun rises first over the Philippines, with a lighthouse, a small discovery centre and a marine sanctuary that supports sea turtle nesting.
- Sleeping Dinosaur Island: a small island near Mati that gets its name from its dinosaur-shaped silhouette, popular for a quick boat trip and a swim.
- Cape San Agustin: a scenic lighthouse point in Governor Generoso with sweeping Pacific views.
- Fresh seafood: think grilled fish, kinilaw (a Filipino-style ceviche) and coconut-based dishes, best enjoyed at a beachfront cafe with your feet in the sand.
What are the best hotels in Davao Oriental?
- Dahican Beach Resort and Spa: the standout pick right on Dahican Beach, with a pool, spa treatments and easy beach access.
- Costa Celine Beach Resort: a straightforward beach resort option with sea views and a relaxed, family-friendly feel.
- Riomana Villas Resort and Cafe: self-contained villas with an on-site cafe, a good fit for longer stays or groups.
- Adelina Hotel and Suites: a comfortable, central base in Mati City itself, handy if you're planning day trips out to Hamiguitan or Pusan Point.
- Kamayo Guest House: a simple, well-located guesthouse near Dahican Beach, good value for budget-minded travellers.
- Señorita Suites by the Beach (Baganga): if you're exploring further up the coast, this beachside branch puts you closer to the northern surf towns.
Fair warning: Davao Oriental's accommodation scene is still growing, so don't expect big international hotel chains here. What you get instead is a smaller set of genuinely local resorts, villas and guesthouses, most of them clustered around Mati City and Dahican Beach.
Tips for booking a stay in Davao Oriental?
- Fly into Davao International Airport, then it's roughly a 3 to 4 hour drive or bus/van ride to Mati City, the main base for exploring the province.
- Book ahead during the March to May holiday peak and the October to February surf season, when the best beachfront rooms fill up fast.
- Bring enough cash. Card facilities are limited outside the bigger resorts, and ATMs can be scarce once you're out of Mati City.
- Habal-habal (motorbike taxis) and tricycles are the easiest way to get between Dahican Beach, Mati City and nearby day-trip spots.
- If Mount Hamiguitan is on your list, arrange a guide and permit in advance through Mati's tourism office, since it's a protected sanctuary with visitor limits.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen and a light jacket for the coastal breeze, especially if you're heading out to Pusan Point for sunrise.
