I’M a proud Davaoeña. But I had spent the last 10 years of my life in Metro Manila. So when I finally decided to move back and get reacquainted with my hometown, I found that pride and love for this wonderful city did not exactly make me a true-blue native.

My rediscovery of my roots has shown that beyond the oft-featured Eden Nature Park, Crocodile Farm, and Pearl Farm Beach Resort are a multitude of local recreation and culinary wonders that remain known only to those who have actually lived in Davao.

That’s why whenever friends from outside ask about the city, I tell them to transcend the popular and take the road less traveled—because, frankly, Davao has a wealth of offerings to satisfy even the most discriminating but under-budgeted tourist.

So, when in Davao, do what the Davaoeños do: Get maximum satisfaction at the lowest possible price.

Here is the Davao City you won’t find in brochures.

Great and cheap dining

Whaw @ Rizal Street
Full-meal price range: P35-P1,900

Must try:

• Fiesta Grande (good for six) includes lechon biik, kalderetang kambing, kilawing kambing, tuna kinilaw, drinks, unlimited rice (add-ons: papaet, sizzling bopis)

F. Torres Stretch

•Jickongs and Bakbak—both serve ice-cold beer for around P28 and the juiciest and cheapest barbecues (as low as P3.50 per stick)

• Banok’s—short for Barbekyung Manok. Serves tasty chicken barbecue, juicy grilled panga, crispy tuna belly and, yes, unlimited rice.

Bamboo Kitchenette @ Roxas Street
Ordinary facade, but with a very Boracay-inspired interior. Bamboo prepares up to 30 different dishes a day, with full-meal prices going as low as P25.

Must-try: Sisig, Pork Chop and Pork Kilawin

Bulalohan @ Bankerohan Public
Market
• Prepares gargantuan servings of steaming hot bulalo at only P225, a popular nightcap hangout

Agdao Public Market
• Serves the best balbacua in town, at only P30

Where to shop

There are four main malls in Davao City, but you will get the most out of your pocket money if you shop at DCLA, a melting pot of everything cheap, from textiles to jewelry, from the latest cell phones to mp3 players and almost any household item you can think of. Great place to get the best bargains.

Another shopper’s haven is Gorotti, where you can find branded clothing at rock-bottom ukay-ukay prices. You can buy an original, just-used Louis Vuitton bag for only P200. Lacoste shirts cost only P150-P180. In short, Gorotti can give you the best for cheap.

Getting around

Jeep fare: P7
Cab fare: Within the city, a ride in aircon cabs would reach P60, while non-aircon cabs would cost you just P35 (Yes, you have the option to choose between aircon and non-aircon!)

And remember...

1) If you get lost or confused, just ask. People will help.
2) If you don’t speak Bisaya, don’t worry. Davaoeños can speak Tagalog.
3) If your cab bill is P45 and you hand over P50, you will get your P5 back. If you call a cab service, the only time they turn the meter on is when you’re already inside.
4) You haven’t been to Davao if you haven’t set foot in People’s Park. Don’t forget to walk on rainbow road!
5) You can have a full busog meal with drinks for 30 pesos. Even P25. Tourists can survive on just P1,000 for food for one week.
6) All coffee shops have WiFi. Free of charge.
7) Davao has four huge malls, around four department stores and a lot of ukay-ukay shops.
8) You can reach a destination that’s five minutes away in five minutes, not 30.
9) Davaoeños love and have high respect for the mayor, Rodrigo Duterte.
10) You can smoke only in designated areas in the city. Smoking in closed public areas is punishable by law.

Special thanks to Rowena Vincoy, William Teho, Weng Isidro and Rhonson Ng