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Mati Travel Guide: Things to do + Sample Itinerary & Budget

My travel to Mati was supposed to be part of a group tour. For some reason, however, the rest of the gang backed out, leaving me alone in this “journey” to the south-eastern most part of the Philippines. But since my mind was already set for this summer getaway, I decided to give it a go – even if it meant going alone. Thankfully, Mati did not disappoint; it offered me more than what I expected, despite the fact that I went there only for a weekend tour.

CONTENT AT A GLANCE

Mati in a nutshell

The City of Mati is the capital of Davao Oriental Province, which is located in the south-eastern most of the Philippines. It is bordered by Compostela Valley to the west and the Philippine Sea and the rest of the Pacific waters to the east. It is composed of 26 barangays, which is the smallest political unit in the Philippines. In 2015, the city had a population of 141,141 and with 73,912 voters (2016 data).

Things to do in Mati

As I have said, Mati has a lot to offer for its visitors. Lots of fun activities and plenty of attractions await you. For a weekend getaway, don’t miss the following:

Drop by the Sleeping Dinosaur

This popular land formation resembles a giant prehistoric creature resting in the seawater, facing the expanse of Pujada Bay. Though it is visible from other areas, Brgy. Badas offers the best vantage point to see this attraction more clearly. An early morning trek in the area offers not just the view of the “Sleeping Dino” itself but the spectacular 360° view of the surrounding area – the green grasses and trees, the serenity of the bay, the fresh air, and the cool morning breeze.

From Davao City, disembark in Brgy. Badas, which is located a few kilometers before Mati City Proper. Just tell your driver to drop you off at Dinosaur Viewing Deck. You should be able to get there without any difficulty. Just pay 5 pesos for the entrance fee and off you go start your trek.

Enjoy the beach of Dahican

Dahican has become popular for its 7-km long stretch of white sand beach – that is way longer than Boracay’s. It also attracts visitors who are into skimboarding and surfing because of the big waves (the thing you can expect from an area facing the pacific waters) generated. But you can do a lot more than what those mentioned above when you are in Dahican. There are plenty of resorts, accommodations, and fun activities in the area that can make your stay enjoyable and relaxing.

Island Hopping

Prior to this travel, I knew just a few specific tourist attractions in Mati, though I heard that it is a must-visit travel destination. Indeed, it offered me more than just the 7-km long stretch of white sand beach of Dahican.

When you are traveling to Mati, island hopping should be part of your itinerary. Get a chance to experience the amazing sandbar of the Oak Island, enjoy the crystal-clear water and the powdery beachline of Pujada Island, and be fascinated by the awesome rock formations in Waniban Island. All these can be done in a single day. A truly worth-remembering experience. And, if I may just add, these islands are not yet visited by many, so you get to enjoy them without having to worry about the crowd.

Tip: For a 2-day visit, if the weather is good on the first day, then do the island hopping first before the city or any inland tour. This is to ensure that you do not miss visiting these islands should the weather on the following day becomes unfavorable.

Boat Fee: Php 1500 (good for 2 tourists) for a whole day tour in these three islands

For island hopping, you can contact Weng Sincero (the boatman who made my visit to these islands possible) at 09276836078 ; 09465145010 .

Note: You can haggle for a cheaper price if you want, but please note that these people are a family man, so ayaw pud tawon kaayo ninyo barata (don’t haggle too much)…haha 🙂

Visit the Subangan Museum

The Subangan Museum has become popular as it houses the skeletal remains of the giant sperm whale washed ashore from the waters of Davao Oriental back in 2010. However, this museum offers more than this sea creature. It showcases amazing biodiversity in the area, the rich marine life, agricultural bounty, culture, and people, among others. Truly, visiting the place allows you to learn more and appreciate Davao Oriental more.

Entrance Fee: Php 50

Spend a relaxing time at Baywalk

Baywalk in Mati City is a public park frequented by many for relaxation and leisure. Whether it is an early morning stroll or a late afternoon walk, you will surely have time to enjoy the calm waters of the bay, the cool breeze, and the delightful street foods from the nearby vendors.

Entrance Fee: Free

Fly on an ultralight plane

Have a breathtaking bird’s eye view of Dahican beach and its azure waters, the greenery blanketing the land of the greater Mati, and the lovely terrain of the rest of the expanse of Davao Oriental by flying on-board an ultralight plane by Saga Flying Club. High above at 300-meter altitude for 15 minutes will surely give you a thrill and a one-of-a-kind experience you will remember in your lifetime.

Flying Fee: Php 2,700

Drop by the Provincial Capitol of Mati

This all-white-painted provincial government structure reminds me of the U.S. White House I usually see in photographs as well as in movies. True enough, the have a number of similarities apart from the their color. Like the White House, the capitol building has an impressive facade adorned with huge pillars and a huge “In God We Trust” motto emblazoned before the apex of the building. And, in front of the building is a public park where you can take some rest from your day tour and just enjoy the greenery and the surrounding giant trees.

Visit Mati City Hall and City Council buildings

Well, I must admit that these buildings, which are adjacent to each other, are not as impressive as the Provincial Capitol building, aesthetics-wise. However, if one of your interests is observing how local executives and city councils do their duties, then visiting the place should be part of your itinerary. This allows you know more about Mati City and what else they can offer for visiting tourists.

Where to stay in Mati

Menzi beach park & campsite.

Located along Dahican Beach, this resort offers camping-only place (no rooms available) for those staying overnight. What is nice about staying in this place is the view of the beach, particularly the sunrise in the morning after. Plus, you can easily stroll to other resorts in the area by the beach.

Entrance Fee: Php 50 Camping Tent Rental: Php 300 (good for 2 pax) Food for sale available in the area No corkage

Where to eat in Mati

Traveling to Mati for two days most probably will not give you a problem about where to eat. For one, the food that you bring in this particular tour could sustain it. For another, if you go island hopping, your boatmen can offer you some fresh catch at a very reasonable price (sometimes the give it for free when you hire them for island hopping). And, if you are staying in Dahican, there are quite a number of vendors who sell food in the area. In fact, there are those who roam around selling pastel (some sort of rice toppings wrapped in banana leaves) for Php 15 each. If all of the above is not available for some reason, just go to the city proper (downtown) as there are lots of food vendors there, including Jollibee, one of the most popular Philippine fastfoods.

Note: The most common medium of transportation in the city is tricycle (similar to Thailand’s Tuktuk) and the fare is 10 pesos per ride within the city proper, but this increases to 20 pesos or more when you go farther from the city center. (e.g. City proper to Menzi is Php 20)

Sample 2-day Mati itinerary (from Davao City)

1:00 AM – ETD from Davao City Overland Transport Terminal 6:00 AM – ETA at Sleeping Dinosaur Viewing Deck, Brgy. Badas; Trek at Sleeping Dinosaur viewing area 7:30 AM – Breakfast at Sleeping Dinosaur View Deck (there’s a food house along the highway) 8:30 AM – ETA at Mati Bus Terminal 9:00 AM – Island Hopping (3 islands: Oak Island, Pujada Island, Waniban Island) 4:00 PM – Check-in at Menzi (or at your chosen accommodation) 5:00 PM – Stroll by the beach 7:00 PM – Dinner 8:00 PM – Free time 10:00 PM – Lights out, rest

5:00 AM – Wake up, prepare for the second day activities 6:00 AM – Ultralight Flying with the Saga Flying Club 8:00 AM – Stroll at Baywalk 8:30 AM – Back to Menzi; Enjoy Dahican Beach (e.g swimming, skimboarding, surfing) 10:30 AM – Prepare for check-out; Lunch 12:00 noon – Check-out from Menzi 12:30 PM – Visit Subangan Museum 1:30 PM – Drop by Provincial Capitol 2:00 PM – Drop by Mati City Hall 3:00 PM – ETD for Davao

Budget (Php)

Transportation (bus = 220 x 2; tricycle = 100) = 540 Accommodation (entrance fee at Menzi = 50; tent rental = 300) = 350 Food = 100 x 6 = 600 Sleeping Dinosaur = 5 Island Hopping (boat rental = 1500; habal-habal driver/tour guide/photographer = 500) = 2000 Ultralight flying = 2700 Skimboarding (with instructor) = 200 Subangan Museum = 50

Total = Php 6445

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Mati Davao Oriental – Where to go and eat?

• October 27, 2022

Ann Ginette Marpa

• City Guide Hotels & Resorts Restaurants
• Anather Travel Show AnatherTravelShow Blue Bless Beach Resort Mati

Mati, the capital of the Philippine province of Davao Oriental, is a fifth-class component city. The Mandayan (tribe where I belong) word Maa-ti, which alludes to the town’s watercourse that easily dries up even after heavy rain, is where the name Mati originates. Early settlers included the Indo-Malayan and Arabic-influenced tribes Kalagan, Mandayan, and Maranao. Moreover, from Manay, we went here to experience what the City has to offer. Looking at the map, you’ll notice that the municipality is on the edge where it touches the ocean. There’s no wonder they have a lot of stunning beaches all around the place. Foreign visitors frequently go to Mati to take advantage of the city’s beaches, which have long been recognized as a top beach destination. If you’re planning to visit here, you might want to consider these places I went to on your itinerary!

Mati Baywalk Park

One of the local’s favorite places to chill and hang out is Mati Baywalk Park. This expansive 1.5 hectares of land with a carpet of greenery on some spots are perfect for everyone who wants relaxation near the beauty of nature. Mati Baywalk Park is designed to be a place where people from all walks of life, of all ages, of different sects, and of other principles can come together and seek a refreshing relief from the challenges of daily life because of its highly soothing cold sea breeze. It is also where important events in the city are held such as the Sambuokan Festival. It is the most vibrant and eagerly anticipated celebration of the people of Mati. Moreover, it is a week-long of thanksgiving for the year’s blessings of abundant harvests and in observance of the founding anniversary of the City every 29th of October.

The initial design included a small park, as well as revenue-generating buildings including a convention center and a recreation area, all in the middle of Mati’s purportedly first-ever boulevard. However, given the current state of affairs, Mati’s local administration decided to focus on the project’s most crucial element instead, which is creating a park or mini-park in the Baywalk. For those who want to purchase a souvenir, there are many shops and booths outside the location. Additionally, there are shops where you may buy food and drinks to carry inside Baywalk park. Definitely, a good place to go to in Mati, Davao Oriental!

Why should you go here?

• So many decorations
• Very IG-worthy
• The sound of the birds and waves will relax you
• Very breezy air
• Ample space for social distancing
• So many benches for convenience
• If you have kids or you are a kid at heart, they also have a spacious playground

Helpful Information

• Address : X628+2QP, Mati, Davao Oriental
• Opens daily from 6 AM – 10 PM

Bador BBQ House

Bador is the popular eatery that is home to native Chicken BBQ located in Paseo de Mati, Baywalk. They are famous for their Chicken Inasal. Bador started in 1979 and still serves locals and tourists delectable grilled dishes up to this day. However, they only have 1 branch as of writing. When we got here after the long tiring 2-hour drive from Manay, we decided to get our energies back by trying out this restaurant’s best-sellers! Of course, we’ll never fully experience Mati without trying the best BBQ House in town! So we ordered Chicken Inasal, gizzard, liver, heart, and many more grilled dishes they offer. The servings have generous cuts of parts and are very flavorful! What I like about it is that I can tell that they clean the innards well as I don’t taste any bitterness. You can also see how they grill it.

Moreover, best to dip them in their “special sauce” that consists of “secret ingredients”. At first, I thought they were just juices from the meat being grilled, but it’s actually the infamous sauce they offer. You’d probably like to put it as the sabaw on your rice – as I did as well! It set us back approximately Php 3,000 for all the foods we ordered. Huge thanks to a family member’s old friend for paying all of it for us! Makes the meal so much more delicious knowing it’s free. *wink*

• They serve quick even though the place gets crowded
• Very affordable!
• HUGE servings
• Address : Paseo de Mati, Baywalk, Quezon St., Mati, Philippines
• Contact No.: 0930 616 5172
• Opens Monday – Saturday from 10 AM – 9 PM

Blue Bless Beach Resort

Before we head to Davao City for the Kadayawan Festival, we stayed in one of the famous beach resorts in Mati City – The Blue Bless Beach Resort! If you’re looking for jump-packed and fun-filled water activities to try, I would say that this is the Top choice in town. It is situated on a cliff and features floating cottages. Although this resort lacks a white sand beach, the appealing beautiful blue waters make up for it. This is the top destination for excitement and enjoyment, which is perched on a bluff with a view of Pujada Island. They also have a water park where you can jump, slide, and balance on the floating bouncy inflatables only for Php 99.00 per head for 1 hour. What I also like about the place is that they have a playground for kids and a restaurant. Indeed a family-friendly resort in Mati.

I wished their bar was open when we went there, but we still had a great night chilling in the cottage while drinking a bottle of beer. We stayed in a room good for 6 pax nearby the beach for only Php 4,000. On our second day, we tried their inflatable water park, aqua bike, and tornado. If you think you can only ride a bike on the ground, you got it wrong! It takes two people to make the aqua bike run, but if you feel like roaming around a part of Pujada Island while having your leg worked out, try this one! I also enjoyed our thrilling experience in Tornado! The jet ski driver that’s pulling us definitely knows what he’s doing. We could have tried more if time permitted, but we’ll do the others next time we come back here.

Why should you go there?

• There are so many things you can do to have fun!
• The clear blue water of stunning Pujada Beach
• Very spacious!
• They can accommodate huge groups
• Opens from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM on weekdays and 24 hours during weekends and Holidays
• Entrance Fee: Php 50 for all ages (entrance fee for the pool not included)
• Pool Entrance Fee: Php 100 (adult) Php 50 (kids)
• Aqua Bike – Php 500 (Good for 2 people for 15 minutes)
• Tornado – Php 2,000 (Good for 5 people for 15 minutes)

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MATI DAVAO ORIENTAL GUIDE

Let us visit Mati, Davao Oriental, and discover the most-visited destination Dahican Beach known for its big waves and a long stretch of sandy white shores. Mati which is the only city in Davao Oriental boasts of tourist who flocks to surfing, skim-boarding, and swimming activity. There are many interesting places when visiting Mati Davao Oriental. Here we feature our recommended places when heading to Mati City. Mati City is just a 4-5 hour drive from Davao City, so come and check our guide on the must-visit place in Mati and for another travel adventure.

• Where Is Mati City
• How To Go Mati Davao Oriental
• Must Visit Places In Mati Davao Oriental A. Dahican Beach B. Sleeping Dinosour C. Subangan Museum D. Mati Baywalk Park E. Davao Oriental Provincial Capitol

WHERE IS MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL

Mati City is located in the south-eastern part of the Philippines under Mindanao. Mati City is under the Davao Oriental region where it serves as the main capital. Other known municipalities that mostly visited by tourist include Baganga , Governor Generoso, Cateel.

HOW TO GO MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL

Most of the visitors heading to Mati are taking private transport. Visitors who are coming from Cebu or Manila can take the direct flight to Davao . From Davao, you have there are two ( 2 ) options: A. The most convenient way to go to Mati is by taking a private vehicle. It will generally take 3-4 hours to travel from Davao City to Mati. B. Ride the public bus at Ecoland Bus Terminal, where the bus fare ranges from Php 250 – Php 300, and the travel time is around 4-5 hours.

MUST VISIT PLACES IN MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL

#1 DAHICAN BEACH

One of the most sought-after places when in Mati is Dahican Beach. Dahican Beach is famous for its huge waves that are most popular for surfers and skim-boarders around. The beach shore has its long stretch of white sand with a number of restaurants and resorts. Visitors come and visit the place to have a good time to unwind and relax.

#2 SLEEPING DINOSAUR

One of the most breathtaking sights when heading to Mati is the mountain that resembles a sleeping dinosaur. The sleeping dinosaur figure can be best viewed along the roadside cliff “Sleeping Dinosaur View Deck” where visitors alight to check this natural wonder surrounded by sea waters. For visitors who wish to hike on the mountain, trails are available for them to explore which usually took around 2 hours.

#3 SUBANGAN MUSEUM

Subangan Museum is a museum located in the city-center of Mati, the museum features the history, livelihood, places of interest, and important events of Davao Oriental. Upon entering the museum, visitors can see the large skeletal body of a whale shark which was previously found dead along the coastal shores of the municipalities of Governor Generoso and San Isidro. The museum is kept clean, well maintained, and with information exhibits that help visitors understand Davao Oriental. Visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of  Php 50  (Adults) and  Php 40  (Students)

#4 MATI BAYWALK PARK

Mati Bay-walk Park is strategically located along the shores of the sea of Mati. The park offers a nice relaxing walk in the early morning and also in the late afternoon where visitors can catch the glimpse of the sunset. Visitors can sit while enjoying the sea breeze and relaxing atmosphere. A park is an ideal place for friends and families to hang out. After a relaxing walk, visitors can head outside the park, where many foods and beverages kiosks are available which provide good food for park-goers.

#5 DAVAO ORIENTAL PROVINCIAL CAPITOL

The provincial capital of Davao Oriental is located in Mati City. It is situated on top of the hills where the capitol building is painted in white, which locals often refer to as the “White House” due to its color. People’s Park is located beside the capital where most visitors and locals visit to exercise and relax. The place is ideal for families with kids to enjoy and play around.

HOTEL ROOMS AND RATES

There are many resorts available along the stretch of Dahican. Visitors can rent the room or even the whole unit of the house. During our stay in Dahican, we went to Pacific Breeze Beach Resort . The rates range from as low as Php 3,500 to Php 7,000 which includes breakfast. The room we stayed in is quite spacious, clean, and well maintained. The resort has a relaxing ambiance with a perfect view of sunrise and huge sounds of waves.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Having visited Mati, Davao Oriental is truly a beautiful city from the countryside. Visiting Mati can be quite far but it is worth visiting because it has a relaxing vibe and ambiance. It offers activities and adventures suited to different individuals. We hope that you can check our list of must-visit places in Mati, so in your next travel adventure consider visiting Mati City.

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• HOTELS & RESORTS
• FIND HOTELS WITH DISCOUNTED RATES!

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Travel guide: mati city, davao oriental - tourist spots and attractions, how to get there, things to do, where to stay, itinerary and expenses.

• Quick Stopover at the Sleeping Dinosaur of Mati City
• Beach bumming at Mati's Dahican Beach
• Surfing and Skimboarding in Dahican Beach
• Masao Beach
• Pujada Island
• Waniban Island
• Guang Guang Mangrove Park
• Provincial Capitol Building of Davao Oriental
• Mount Hamiguitan
• Luban Lagoon

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF TOP-RATED HOTELS IN MATI DAVAO ORIENTAL! ]

• Rates: PHP 1,800 per night, good for 4 persons
• Phone: (+63) 918-525-5227 / (+63) 916-796-8054
• Rates: 2,500.00/night for two (2) persons
• Phone: (087) 388-3657 / 09177197209
• PHP 50.00 per night, bring your own camping equipment
• Hotel Beatrice - (087) 388-4655
• Villa Merced Hotel - (087) 811-1476
• Mati Citi Lodge - (087) 811-5155

[ Click HERE to BOOK a Hotel in Mati! ]

• 8:00 AM - Depart of Mati City from Davao City
• 11:00 AM - Drop by at the Sleeping Dinosaur
• 12:00 NN - Arrive in Mati City Proper, Lunch
• 01:00 PM - Depart for Dahican Beach
• 01:30 PM - Arrive at Dahican Beach, Check-in
• 03:00 PM - Swimming, beach bumming, explore
• 04:00 PM - Learn surfing or skim boarding
• 05:00 PM - Relax at the beach, swim, beach bumming
• 07:00 PM - Dinner
• 08:00 PM - Chill, have some drinks
• 10:00 PM - Sleep
• 05:00 AM - Wake up early for sunrise
• 06:00 AM - Walk at the beach
• 08:00 AM - Island hopping / Visit Masao Beach
• 12:00 NN - Check-out
• 12:30 PM - Depart for Mati City Proper
• 01:00 PM - Arrive at Mati City Proper, Lunch
• 02:00 PM - Visit Davao Oriental Capitol
• 03:00 PM - Depart for Davao City
• 07:00 PM - Arrive in Davao City

• Bus/Van (Davao City to Mati) - 250.00 pesos/way
• Tricycle/Habal-habal (Mati Proper to Dahican Beach) - 40.00 pesos each
• Accommodation at Botona Beach Resort - 1,800.00 pesos per night
• Food (2 days) - 600.00 / person
• Surfing Lessons - 400.00 pesos per hour
• Tricycle/Habal-habal (Dahican to Mati City Proper) - 40.00 pesos each
• Bus/Van (Mati to Davao City) - 250.00 pesos/way
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5 comments :.

is dahican beach free beach?

yes po... :)

Malayo ba ang sleeping dinosaur sa mati proper?

Malayo po ba ang sleeping dino sa mati proper?

Very informative. Kudos!

Looking for Budget Travel Guide Blogs, Hotel Reviews, and Sample DIY Itineraries? Welcome to Pinoy Adventurista, "Your Next Ultimate Adventure Starts Here!" Pinoy Adventurista is one of the Top Travel Blogs in the Philippines and the World. In 2013, he visited all the 81 provinces in the Philippines.

Mati City Travel Guide for First-time Travelers

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Mati City Travel Guide

Table of Contents

The small coastal city of Mati may be quieter compared to the other bigger cities in the country but it certainly is gaining popularity due to its beautiful beaches. There are not a lot of attractions available in the city center but you can head to Dahican beach, about 10 kilometers away, so you can surf, skim and swim the entire day.

How to Get There

Most people visit Mati from Davao City. You can take a 2-3 hour van ride from GMall, for P200-P220 each. You may also opt to ride a bus at the Ecoland Terminal, for P250-280, and endure a 3-4 hour ride.

Where to Stay

Baywalk hotel.

This no-nonsense accommodation is just 5-minute walk from Mati City’s boardwalk. It has a friendly staff and a reliable internet connection at the lobby. However, its rooms and hallways are a little dark and dingy and, although undergoing renovation, still needs a lot of upgrading. Standard double rooms are at P650 and deluxe rooms are at P800.

Book via Agoda Address: Burgos Street, Mati City, Davao Oriental

Hotel Beatrice

This hotel offers two floors of accommodation and commercial establishments at the ground floor. Their rooms are spacious with huge beds and a refrigerator; wi-fi is strong only at the second floor. Be sure to take the room near the windows to get a view of the downtown area. Rooms are priced at P672 a night.

Book via Agoda Address: Bonifacio Street, Mati City, Davao Oriental

Mati Citi Lodge

Located right inside the terminal is this simple air-conditioned lodging which also offers hot and cold showers, cable TV and Internet access. Room rates are at P500/night for single beds and P800/night for double beds.

Book via Agoda Address: Madang Terminal, Mati City, Davao Oriental

Lane’s Katulganan

A rather popular place to stay in Mati City, Lane’s Katulganan has two branches. Both offer spacious and clean rooms right in the city’s downtown area. Room rates are at P500/night for single beds and P800/night for double beds.

Villa Merced Hotel

This Spanish-style house provides cozy yet spacious accommodations and affordable rates and is located in the downtown area. Its upgraded rooms are pegged at P1000 a night while the non-renovated ones are at P500 (single) and P600 (matrimonial).

Dahican Surf Resort

For those traveling in groups, Dahican Surf Resort is a great place to go. They not only offer instructors and boards so you can level up your skills with the waves, they also have native huts with fans for just P2000 per night — and that can already accommodate five people inside.

Book via Agoda Address: Mati City, Davao Oriental

Amihan sa Dahican

If you have little budget and do not mind roughing it out, you can opt to stay at the Amihan sa Dahican. There are no cottages or rooms here; they only provide tent space for P100 a night. And, if you are lucky enough, you might just be able to borrow one of their boards (surfboard, skimboard, body board), so you can practice your skills with the waves. This place is also home to the Amihan Boys, who have won several international awards in the sport of skimboarding.

Where to Eat

Lane’s kan-anan.

Located right across Lane’s Katulganan is the Kan-anan, which is a popular haunt for those looking for great food and great ambiance. They offer native meals at pretty reasonable rates.

Address: Bonifacio Street, Mati, Davao City

Paseo de Mati

When strolling around the baywalk area, you can immediately find this mini food park located right across the baywalk gates. It offers several food stalls at very affordable prices. The place is clean and they offer free water, too.

Address: Quezon Street, Mati City, Davao Oriental

Seaside Restaurant

For the best-tasting empanada and lumpia with ubod, be sure to drop by this unassuming food place located right in front of Mati City’s Baywalk area. You can also get your fill of delicious seafood dishes here.

Popular Attractions

Subangan museum.

This two-storey museum is located on a 1000-square-meter property. Subangan comes from the Bisaya word subang, which means sunrise. The most impressive display in the entire museum is the 53-foot, 20-ton fossilized remain of Davor the sperm whale who was found along the coast of General Generoso. Davor is the 7th largest whale exhibit in the world and the first in the entire Philippines.

Address: Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, Mati City, Davao Oriental

The Mati City baywalk is a very popular spot for hanging out among the locals. The place is gated but it is huge and rather lively at night. It is also home to the famous “I <3 Mati” sign. Right outside the baywalk are lines of stores selling ukay-ukay , food and many more.

Provincial Capitol Building of Davao Oriental

Also known as the White House, the Provincial Capitol of Davao Oriental is a 3-storey building which houses several provincial government offices as well as national government agencies. It has a very strategic location in that it is found at the top of Capitol Hills, overlooking Pujada Bay. Aside from the offices, the complex also features a park, a playground and basketball and tennis courts. Local residents as well as tourists in Mati City love strolling around the area.

Address: Capitol Hills, Barangay Central, Mati City, Davao Oriental

Dahican Beach

Dahican beach is considered as the skimboarding capital in Davao and, perhaps, in the entire country and for good reason. The 17-kilometer long shoreline is nothing but sand and water and, when the season is right, you can even catch a wave here. The length of the beach is lined with resorts and camp sites perfect for all types of budget.

Address: Mati, Davao Oriental

Ultralight Plane

Another must-not-miss activity to do in Mati City is riding an ultra light plane. Depending on your level of preferred adventure, you can opt to ride on an open aircraft or a closed one. You can even opt to skydive from the plane and land on Dahican Beach.

This Mati City Travel Guide is a work in progress article 🙂 We will constantly update this post as soon as we have new details to add. Please feel free to suggest new things to do, places to see and food to try in Mati City by posting a comment below. Thank You!

Written by Melo Villareal

Melo Villareal is the Online Publisher of Outoftownblog.com. He is an Accountant by profession who left the corporate world at the age of 23 to explore his beautiful country and the rest of the world. Today, Melo works as a part-time Social Media Manager for local and international clients. His full-time work focuses on discovering interesting culture, explore different cuisines and take memorable photos from local and international destinations he's visiting.

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Mati Budget Travel Guide 2019 | Davao Oriental’s Surf Capital

In this travel guide to Mati, Davao Oriental, let us take you into this charming surf paradise without breaking the bank!

I have always wanted to visit Mati City in Davao Oriental for the longest time to try their awesome ultralight planes hovering above the Pujada Bay. Finally, that day has come, and it turned out more than alright.

So I am sharing this budget travel guide with you, if you’re also planning to visit Mati soon.

So here it goes!

Why Visit Mati City?

Table of Contents

Why? White sand beaches to chill and relax, awesome swells to surf on, a museum with humongous skeletal remains of a Sperm Whale, a waterfall, hiking trails, hot springs, ultralight planes you can ride on, pristine islands (yes, plural), awesome food finds and nice people – they’re all here! Smack right in one chill city in DavOr.

So if you’re into chilling it out and spending the day by the beach, or, an adrenaline junkie up for some exciting adventure, then continue reading down, ’cause Mati is the place to be.

Where is Mati City?

Mati City is located in the province of Davao Oriental, at the southeastern part of the Mindanao island. It is around 147 kilometers from the Ecoland Terminal (Davao City Overland Transport Terminal), 111 kilometers from Tagum City in Davao Del Norte and 212 kilometers from Bislig, Surigao Del Sur via Davao de Oro.

Getting Around Mati:

Attractions in Mati City aren’t that close enough, Transit Pinas, suggests to contact a habal-habal or Tuk-tuk drivers/ tour guides to take you around. Prior to the trip, we already coordinated with the wife and husband tandem, Kuya Jun and Ate Earl Salibay, for the guided tour around Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. You can contact them at 0997 794 8783 (Kuya Jun) or 0997 762 5491 (Ate Earl).

What To Do in Mati?

For a weekend getaway, or in less than 24 hours, Mati offers loads of attractions that you can visit in a jiffy. So try to pick from the following, whatever suits your itinerary:

Wake up the Sleeping Dinosaur

If you’re arriving early in Mati, better yet, wake up the sleeping dinosaur. Kidding aside, this island facing Pujada Bay resembles that creature, and offers a 360 degree view along its trail. You can rent a habal-habal and alight at Brgy. Badas, secure a guide and pay the 10php entrance fee.

If you just want to look at it from afar and doesn’t have much time, the drop-off is at Brgy. San Isidro, there’s a view deck just along the highway.  Waking Up the Sleeping Dinosaur of Mati, Davao Oriental

Visit the Skeletal Remains of Davor the Sperm Whale

Subangan Museum houses the skeleton of one of a giant sperm whale that was washed ashore in 2010.  Aside from that, this two-storey complex showcases the unique flora and fauna of the province, its culture, the people and how they all thrived in this biodiverse province.  Discovering Davao Oriental – Subangan Museum

Surf’s Up! Catch Some Waves at Dahican Beach

Mati City is Davao Oriental’s top surfing spot because of its big waves. Skimboarding is also a thing here, given it is a 7 kilometer stretch of white sand beach. There’s plenty of things to do in here, moreover, you camp out or rent rooms with loads of resorts near the beach area.  Chill Out at Mati’s Dahican Beach

Check Out Davao Oriental’s White House

It is said that one of the most beautiful provincial capitol buildings in Mindanao is in Mati City. At the top of the hill lies a building akin to that of the U.S’ White House because of its purely white painted exteriors and huge pillars and sentinel like facade.

Fly in an Ultralight Plane!

Hover above the bucolic view of Mati’s Coconut plantations until you reach the large expanse of Pujada Bay that glimmers under the morning sun.  Challenge and get that adrenaline rush with this 300 meter altitude, 15 minute trial flight and see how the city looks like from up above!

Love Mati More along the City Baywalk

The public park frequented by locals and travelers alike contains a large I Heart Mati sign with the sea behind it. Relax a bit and sample the local street foods and shops around if you found yourself hungry after a quick visit at the Sleeping Dinosaur and Subangan Museum. Do not forget to try their famous Empanada.

Chill Down at Pangyan Falls

Somewhere in Brgy. Lupon lies a waterfall that isn’t as famous as the other attractions. Pangyan Falls, with its two-tiered cascade makes it alluring to those who want to visit off the radar spots. Plus, there’s a hot spring pool by the entrance!  Mati’s Ice Cold Cascades – Pangyan Falls

Island Hop!

More than just skimboarding in Dahican Beach, there are several islands that you should visit when in Mati. Don’t worry about the crowd since the island of Pujada, Oak and Waniban are less frequented and offers white sand beaches and unique rock formations.

Where To Stay:

We stayed at Tom’s Hometel in downtown Mati as part of the tour package we availed, room rate is 900php/2 pax with CR and ACU. But here are other options if planning to stay by Dahican Beach fopr the night.

• Dahican Surf Resort  – Contact 0923 407 6381 or 0915 640 7900.
• Botona Dahican Beach Resort  – Contact 0918 525 5227 or 0939 646 4586.
• Kubo sa Dahican  – Contact 0906 155 2094 or 087 388 3574.
• Amihan sa Dahican  – Contact 0921 452 5027.

How To Get There:

• Francisco Bangoy International Airport is serviced by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Air Asia. They have several flights daily from Manila, Clark, Iloilo, Cagayan De Oro and Cebu.
• From the airport, charter a taxi to take you to Ecoland Terminal. Fare is around 250-300php, travel time is around 20-30mins.
• Ride a bus with the signage Mati or Cateel, fare starts at 220php and travel time is around 4-5hrs. Another option, is to take the commuter vans outside the terminal, fare is around 250php, travel time is 3-4hrs depending on traffic conditions.
• Mati City is around 147 kilometers from Davao City’s Ecoland Terminal. Usually it takes 5-6 hours by bus, or around 4-5 hours by van. Leave early in the morning in Davao to maximize your time in Mati.

Travel Tips:

• Usually commuter vans outside the terminal departs as early as 3am to Mati, while buses around 04:00am to 05:00am. If taking the bus, catch the non-stop ones, to avoid frequent stop overs
• Palaboy (their Tuktuk’s name) is always willing to take you everywhere, we even went to Compostela Valley with him!

• Bring your own food and water to save on expenses. Also, buy supplies at the city proper before starting the tour.  This is really applicable if camping or spending the night at Dahican, since food options in there are limited
• Book your rooms in advance, this is important if you’re planning to stay in Dahican
• ATM Machines are available at the city proper.
• Network signal is excellent for all networks and data reception is fair.
• Practice the LNT Principles at all times
• Respect the locals and their culture
• Smile, it looks good on you

Itinerary and Expenses:

Mati, davao oriental and compostela valley 2d1n adventure.

0030 Arrival at Davao, Cebu Pacific (1,300php RT Promo Fare) 0045 Take Taxi to Ecoland Terminal (275php) 0300 Davao Ecoland Terminal, wait for van to fill up 0345 Depart for Mati City (250php/pax) 0730 Arrival at Mati, Breakfast, Meet Guide 0800 Start tour 0815 Sleeping Dinosaur view deck 0900 Subangan Museum (50php) 1010 Provincial Capitol 1020 Mati Baywalk, snacks 1100 Pangyan Falls (20php) 1300 Lunch at Mati City 1430 Dahican Beach 1730 Supply run at Market, check in at Tom’s Hometel 1930 Dinner 2200 Lights Off

0500 Wake up, prepare for Ultralight Flying 0600 Ultralight Flying at Mindanao Saga Flying Club (2700php) 0730 Depart for Compostela Valley 0830 Capalagan Man Made Forest 1015 Tagbibinta Falls, Coronabe (20php) 1115 Pyalit Falls, Mapawa 1430 Late Lunch at Maragusan Bus Terminal 1630 Lake Leonard Kniaseff View Deck 1715 Mainit Sulfuric Spring, Maco (Back Massage 30mins – 150php) 1930 Mawab, Compostela Valley National Highway (Tour fee for 2 pax, 2,550php/pax) 1940 Bus Back to Davao City (225php/pax) 2200 Arrival Fracisco Bangoy International Airport 2345 Depart for Manila

Total Expenses:  3,220.00php for 2pax excluding food and Ultralight Plane Ride

Suggested Mati, Davao Oriental 2D1N Itinerary Day 01

1:00 AM – ETD from Davao City Overland Transport Terminal 6:00 AM – ETA at Sleeping Dinosaur Viewing Deck, Brgy. Badas; Trek at Sleeping Dinosaur viewing area 7:30 AM – Breakfast at Sleeing Dinosaur View Deck (there’s a food house along the highway) 8:30 AM – ETA at Mati Bus Terminal 9:00 AM – Island Hopping (3 islands: Oak Island, Pujada Island, Waniban Island) 4:00 PM – Check-in at Menzi (or at your chosen accommodation) 5:00 PM – Stroll by the beach 7:00 PM – Dinner 8:00 PM – Free time 10:00 PM – Lights out, rest

5:00 AM – Wake up, prepare for the second day activities 6:00 AM – Ultralight Flying with the Saga Flying Club 8:00 AM – Stroll at Baywalk 8:30 AM – Back to Menzi; Enjoy Dahican Beach (e.g swimming, skimboarding, surfing) 10:30 AM – Prepare for check-out; Lunch 12:00 noon – Check-out from Menzi 12:30 PM – Visit Subangan Museum 1:30 PM – Drop by Provincial Capitol 2:00 PM – Drop by Mati City Hall 3:00 PM – ETD for Davao

Transportation (bus = 220 x 2; tricycle = 100) = 540 Accommodation (entrance fee at Menzi = 50; tent rental = 300) = 350 Food = 100 x 6 = 600 Sleeping Dinosaur = 5 Island Hopping (boat rental = 1500; habal-habal driver/tour guide/photographer = 500) = 2000 Ultralight flying = 2700 Skimboarding (with instructor) = 200 Subangan Museum = 50

Total = Php 6445 ( www.meanttogo.com )

Extend Your Trip:

• Chasing Waterfalls in Compostela Valley
• Experience Davao Oriental’s UNESCO World Heritage Site – Mt. Hamiguitan
• Catch where the sun rises first in the Philippines at Pusan Point in Governor Generoso
• Tour around Davao City

Already visited Mati City? How was it? Share your awesome stories in the comments section below!

Into the sunrise capital – davao oriental.

24 Hours in Mati: A Budget Travel Guide to Davao Oriental’s Surf Capital Waking Up the Sleeping Dinosaur of Mati, Davao Oriental Mati’s Ice Cold Cascades – Pangyan Falls Discovering Davao Oriental – Subangan Museum Chill Out at Mati’s Dahican Beach

24 hours in mati: a budget travel guide to davao oriental’s surf capital, updated october 22, 2019, share this:.

• ← Championing Reforestation – Impasug-ong’s CEDAR
• Mati’s Ice Cold Cascades – Pangyan Falls →

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Mati, Davao Oriental: More than your usual surf

Surf surf surf! Yeah baby, that’s what we always hear about Mati, Davao Oriental. The site of the infamous Dahican beach, a surfer’s paradise fronting the Pacific Ocean and the home of backpackers, beach bummers, and budgetarian travelers who want to escape the scorching Mindanao heat for a while.

We’re non-surfers and it was quite surprising that for a city with a rustic feel along its coast, it offers a lot of activities that is budget friendly and sometimes free! Hurray!

From Davao, it is a 3-4hour scenic, and smooth winding drive that literally took our breath away.

Banay banay is famous for its expansive rice fields and banay-banay rice variety that is only available here in Mindanao.

We drove past extensive rice fields and endless winding road when we noticed there were quite a number of cars parked along the highway. Since we’re tsismosa, we parked our car as well and wow, the Sleeping Dinosaur !

It as a land formation along Pujada Bay and can be hiked as well according to the local tindera in the area. So whether you are driving your own car or taking the bus or van plying the Mati route, tell the driver to drop you off at Badas Point. Take lots of photos then continue your journey. It is a must stop and you won’t miss it! Just look where the crowds flock along the highway and you’ll never go wrong. Trust your instinct on this.

Upon reaching Mati, we head off immediately at Subangan Musuem, the first of its kind in Davao Oriental. It’s a very modern interactive museum funded by the local government and is at par with contemporary museums abroad. It is really a jaw-dropping experience knowing a museum like this exist in this part of the Philippines. Entrance fee: P50 for locals/ P100 for foreign nationals. The museum opens daily from 8am to 5pm.

FOOD TRIP in MATI Rows of restaurants lined the Mati Baywalk area. Only few restaurants are open during lunchtime and like any other town in Mindanao, everything comes to life at nighttime. So for lunch, we visited Lane’s in front of Mati baywalk. It is one of the biggest food establishments here in Mati. They also have a branch along Dahican Beach and usually frequented by celebrities and tourists. It is a family style restaurant and is quite affordable if you’re in a big group.

PASALUBONG: Some locals swear to the taste of Seaside’s empanada and lumpia. So we bought one of each and it tastes okay. Nothing spectacular but it is very popular among locals. It is cheap and quite filling so if you want to bring home some, do so. You can find their restaurant near Lanes along the baywalk area.

WHERE TO STAY: After eating, we head off to Blue Bless, a popular resort overlooking Pujada Bay. This is where we stayed for the night. Expect to pop P1.2k/night for an A/C room. They have pools, stilt accommodations and cottages neatly tucked at the much calmer Pujada Bay. The sunrise view here is amazing!

But if you find it so chic, and you want the real stuff, you may also opt to stay at Dahican. This is near the town proper so you can just hail a habal-habal and ask to be dropped off at Dahican. Prices here vary so if you’re a backpacker, expect to shell out P350-P500pesos/night for a bunk bed at Dahican Surf Resort or get an ac room for 2pax from P900-P2000/night. You can pitch your tent as well for 100/night.

Since there are only a number of inns along Dahican, better to have prior booking especially if there’s a surfing event. Resorts along Pujada are a bit far and could be a bit scary if you’re traveling at night without your own transportation. The highway is literally pitch dark and you’ll never know, huh! Safety first, yeah?

SURF SURF SURF!

Aaah the famous Dahican! The glistening sun-kissed skin of surfer wannabes, the wave, the soft Dahican sand and the simple vibe of local tourists add to its unexplainable charm!

We didn’t dare to swim as the waves are quite strong and as they call it “biglang lalim.” So if you don’t know how to swim, don’t dare. Just enjoy the water near the shore and enjoy the sights. Dahican beach is best-enjoyed early morning and late afternoon. We went there different month (August), the waves are relatively calmer, figured the breeze is on the other side of the coast, by then non-surfers can enjoy Dahican better.

A word of advice, if you don’t intend to swim and only want to snap a few photos, you can politely ask the resort owner or the local tinderas near the the “I Love Mati” sign, to allow you to enter Dahican beach. The area where the local tinderas are situated usually ask P40 parking fee for visitors. Major stretch of Dahican shoreline is privately owned so either you stay in their resort or opt to ask a small favor from the local vendors to have access to the famous beach.

HIDDEN COAST

Just before Blue Bless resort, you will notice a few locals with their habal-habals parked under coconut trees just a few meters away from the national highway. Just follow the trail and you will be surprised to see this unspoiled beauty. And most all, it’s free!

I guess you can camp here if you are really on a very tight budget ☺

Next time we visit Mati, we will go all they way, forget about our pagiging kuripot and we will fly high on their ultralight plane!

FAST FACTS: From Davao City: It is a 3-4hours drive. You can ride a bus bound for Mati at Davao Ecoland Terminal or ride a van along Buhangin Diversion. Fare ranges from P300-400.

From Mati: You can hail tricycle or habal-habal to bring you to your destination

Food: You can bring your own baon or try the carinderias and restaurants along the baywalk area. Expect to pop P50-P100/meal.

Subangan Museum: P50/head (locals)

Dahican Beach: P40 parking fee

Accommodation: Blue Bless resort: P1.2k/night for 2 pax Dahican Surf Resort: Tent: P100/nyt Bunk beds: P350/pax

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Top Sights Philippines Mati City

Davao Oriental, Philippines

At first glance, the far-flung capital of Davao Oriental in the southern Philippines is an unlikely center for Filipino culture and sport. But Mati plays off its natural assets and its people wonderfully, creating a destination well worth the effort it takes to get there.

Outdoorsy types will find the perfect playground in Mati, whether they’re into skimboarding or swimming on Dahican Beach; hopping between Pujada, Waniban, and Vanishing Island; or soaring in an ultralight plane courtesy of the Mindanao Saga Flying Club. 

Visitors looking for insight into the local peoples will find that at the Subangan Museum, where displays on Davao Oriental’s tribes, history and geography are laid out around a complete skeleton of a sperm whale in the foyer. 

Another museum, the Mount Hamiguitan Museum at the foot of the UNESCO-recognized Mount Hamiguitan Nature Reserve, can be found an hour’s drive south of Mati. 

Mati itself can be reached by bus from Davao City, taking four hours to cover the distance.

Related Top Sights

Sipalay, negros occidental, twin lagoon, related activities, eco-tourism in southeast asia, southeast asia cuisine: makrut.

Travel Blog

2024 Mati Davao Oriental DIY Travel Guide (Itinerary+Budget)

After exploring the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte , we headed down to the south-eastern side of the region next for some more tropical respite. I’ve always been excited about visiting Mati and I’d say, the anticipation has been well worth it. This once-quiet town has recently become a buzz in the tourism scene, and it has a lot of exciting things to discover. If you’re curious about what Mati has to offer, here’s a Mati Davao Oriental DIY Travel Guide to help you plan your trip out!

About Mati, Davao Oriental

In the southeasternmost part of the Philippines, you’ll find a hidden gem, likely ranking among the top travel destinations in the Davao Region called Mati. It is a diverse travel destination known for its stunning bay, teeming marine life, UNESCO-listed Mount Hamiguitan Range and pristine beaches, highlighted by Dahican Beach.

Recognized by the Paris-based organization Les Plus Belles Baies Du Monde (The Most Beautiful Bays in the World) Club , Pujada Bay holds the distinction of being named one of the world’s most beautiful bays. It is one of just two bays in the Philippines acknowledged by the UNESCO-supported club, the other being Puerto Galera Bay in 2005.

Mati City used to be called Maa-ti , a word from the Mandayan language. The official name comes from the local term, indicating fast drying. This specifically relates to Mati Creek, which amazed the “conquistadores” when the locals told them it dries up rapidly, even after a heavy rain.

Matinians speak Cebuano or Bisaya in general but they do understand and could converse in English or Tagalog.

Best Time to Visit

In general, Mati City is a suitable travel destination throughout the year. However, if your plan involves enjoying an island hopping in Pujada Bay and checking the Ultra-Light Flying activity off your bucket list, it’s advisable to choose the dry season, typically from March to the first few weeks of May when the sea conditions are calm. Conversely, Dahican Beach offers favorable swells year-round for activities like skimming and surfing as it faces the open sea. For those interested in festivals, the ideal months to visit are June for the Pujada Bay Festival and October for the Sambuokan Festival , both of which are relatively recent additions to the region’s event calendar.

Top Things to Do in Mati

• Try the Ultra Light Plane with Mindanao Saga Flying Club
• Explore Pujada Bay through an Island Hopping Activity
• Snorkel, SCUBA or Freedive in Pujada Bay
• Try skimboarding or surfing in Dahican beach
• Witness the Pawikan egg hatching and releasing in Dahican beach
• Get a relaxing dip at Buso Hot Springs
• Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Sleeping Dinosaur

Getting to, Around and Away

How to Get There

• From anywhere in Davao City, make your way to Ecoland bus terminal . From the terminal, take a bus bound for Mati. The trip may take 3 to 4 hours depending on the traffic. Fare starts at Php 309.00 for air-conditioned bus. There are trips to Mati as early as 2:00 AM at the terminal.
• Alight at Mati City Bus Terminal. You may take a bao-bao (tricycle) from there to your destination/ accommodation. Basic fare is at Php 20.00. Fare to Dahican ranges from Php 150.00 to Php 200.00 depending on your haggling skills and luggage. This may also take some 15 to 20 minutes.

You may also opt to take a van in front of Gaisano Mall, Davao City which is faster but a more expensive option. Fare starts at Php 400.00 and the trip may take some 2.5 to 3 hours.

Getting Around

• Bao-bao or tricycle . Basic fare is Php 20.00. Tricycle from the city center to Dahican beach, on the other hand ranges from Php 150.00 to Php 200.00.
• Boat . For as low as Php 4,000.00 (good for up to 10 persons), you may already explore Pujada Bay including Oak, Pujada and Waniban island.

Where to Stay in Mati City

Dahican Beach

• Tropical Kanakbai – Exclusive, Beach front, villa-type, away from the crowdy side of the beach
• Dahican Surf Resort – Beach-front, hippie and budget-friendly
• La-ne’s Kalapyahan Beach Resort – Beach-front with restaurant
• Sandigan by the Sea – Exclusive, mid-range beach front
• Bahay Kubo Beach Resort – Budget-friendly, beach-front
• Botona Dahican Beach Resort – Budget-friendly, beach-front

Sample Mati Davao Oriental DIY Itinerary

Day 0: Davao City to Mati City

11:00 AM – Check out at Davao City/ Lunch around the city 1:00 PM – Depart for Mati City (by bus) 4:30 PM – ETA in Mati City Bus Terminal 4:45 PM – Dahican Beach/ Skimboarding/ Surfing/ Beach bumming or Swimming 6:00 PM – Dinner around Dahican Beach 9:00 PM – Lights off

Day 1: Ultra Light Plane and Pujada Bay

5:00 AM – Rise and Shine 5:45 AM – ETA to Mati National Airport 6:00 AM – Ultra Light Plane 6:30 AM – End of Ultra Light Plane, breakfast at Dahican beach or accommodation 7:30 AM – ETD for Tamisan (Sitio Batiano) for the Pujada Bay Island Hopping Tour 8:30 AM – ETA Sitio Batiano, Tamisan 9:00 AM – Start of island-hopping Tour 4:30 PM – End of island-hopping tour/ wash up 5:30 PM – ETD for Dahican Beach 6:30 PM – ETA Dahican Beach/ Dinner

Day 2: Mati City Tour

5:30 AM – Sunrise watching at Dahican beach 6:30 AM – Breakfast 7:30 AM – Pack up and early checkout 8:00 AM – Back to Mati City to explore – Guang-Guang Mangrove Park – Subangan Museum – Sleeping Dinosaur View Deck 12:00 NN – Lunch at Mati City 1:00 PM – ETD for Davao City

The suggested itinerary is flexible. You may either leave Davao city as early as 4:00 AM and execute Day 1 and just chill at Dahican beach the next day or follow it.

Sample Mati Davao Oriental DIY Budget

This suggested 2 Days – 1 Night Mati Davao Oriental DIY is an actual expense of group of 4 of travelers. Take note that this is NOT a “budgeted” travel but something that rather suggests that you see, experience and make the most out of your trip to Mati. However, you may still save if you’re going to travel in big groups or if you have good haggling skills.

Day 0: Davao City to Mati City / Dahican Beach

Day 1: Ultra Light Plane with Pujada Bay

Day 2: Mati City tour

Total Mati DIY Travel Budget

Useful & Practical Mati Davao Oriental DIY Travel Tips

• Leave Davao City early in the morning to avoid getting caught in heavy traffic.
• See to it that you’ll have enough cash with you especially if you’re staying at the Sitios or Dahican Beach as ATMs are only available at the city proper.
• You need not to reserve your slot if you’re going to do the Ultra Light Plane Activity unless you are going there in big groups. Take note as well that this is weather-based activity. hence, they may cancel without prior notice.
• If you wish to dive in Pujada bay, bring your own snorkeling or Freediving gear. For guided [free]dive trips in Mati, contact Ocean-BX-Freediving.
• Start the Pujada Island Hopping Tour early to make the most out of it. The waves may get bigger in the afternoon making the sea travel rough especially going to Oak island.
• It is cheaper to jump off from Batiano in Tamisan for your Pujada island hopping tour as it is nearer to the islands. Among the best places to rent a boat for the activity is at Prymm Beach Resort .
• Haggle for your boat rental but not too much . We were able to get a Php 500.00 off the regular rental rate at Prymm Beach Resort for a more than decent boat.
• Haggle especially with the tricycle drivers. Some of them have the tendency to jack the price up especially if they find out that you are not a local.
• Book your accommodations in Dahican beach.
• Mati City is a DIY traveler-friendly place. You may not need a tour guide to explore around. Enough research (especially for rates) would suffice.
• Use reef-friendly sunscreen and bring dry bags for your valuables.

Other places to visit in Mindanao:

• Top Places to Visit in Samal Island, Davao del Norte 2023
• Camiguin Island Travel Guide 2023 (Budget + Itinerary)
• Your Ultimate DIY Travel Guide to Siargao Island 2023

Top 11 Places to Visit in SOCCSKSARGEN (Mindanao)

• La Palmera Mountain Ridge: A Captivating Gem of Sultan Kudarat
• Lake Sebu Lotus Garden: Paddling through the T’boli Culture
• Seven Seas Waterpark and Resort Travel Guide
• Mabua Pebble Beach, Surigao Del Norte Travel Guide

Anne Elizabeth Gumiran

Anne Elizabeth Gumiran, also known as Queenie, is a 20-something, full-time public school teacher, a part-time travel blogger and a freediver. She started putting her stories of adventures and misadventures into words and pictures in 2017 and continues to do so as she shares her advocacy, Sustainable Traveling.

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Island Times

Mati Davao Oriental – A hidden paradise in South

Mati, Davao Oriental

Mati (City of Mati) is the capital of the province of Davao Oriental in the Philippines. It is situated on Mindanao’s south-eastern coast. The name is derived from the Mandayan word Maa-ti . It refers to the town’s creek, which dries up quickly even after heavy rain. The first settlers were the tribes Kalagan , Mandayan , and both Maguindanao and Maranao , who brought with them strong Arabic and Indo-Malayan influences. This city just recently celebrated the grand centennial of its founding as a town in 2003. Tourism is a rapidly growing industry in the region due to its tropical nature and beaches. Moreover, it homes to three protected areas, the  Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary ,  Mati Protected Landscape , and  Pujada Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape . The Dahican Beach is also popular with tourists and locals. Being close to the beaches and coast, no wonder this city attracts both locals and foreigners.

Mati Baywalk Park

Mati Baywalk Park is an expansive park in the City where locals spend time jogging, relaxing, hanging out with loved ones, and more. It is also the location of important city events such as the Sambuokan Festival, which is a celebration of thanksgiving for the year’s blessings of bountiful harvests and in commemoration of the city’s founding anniversary every October. The original plan included a mini park as well as revenue-generating facilities such as a convention and recreational center, among other things, all in the heart of Mati’s supposedly first boulevard. However, since the pandemic, the Mati local government has decided to focus on the most important aspect of the project: creating a park in the Baywalk. Moreover, there are numerous stores and souvenir stands for those who wish to purchase something as a souvenir. There are also shops selling food and beverages that you can bring into Baywalk park.

Blue Bless Beach Resort

Blue Bless Beach Resort is a famous beach resort in Mati that is located on a cliff and has floating cottages. Although this resort lacks a white sand beach, the clear blue waters are still enticing. Resting on the stretches overlooking Pujada island, this is indeed the premier location for excitement and adventure. Aside from Kayaking, Tornado, Aquabike, UFO, and Banana boat, there are also other fun activities you can do such as island hopping and playing on the inflatables. They have a floating water park where you can jump, balance, and play around in the inflatable slides. Moreover, there’s no problem if people in huge groups plan to visit the resort as they can accommodate an up to 20 pax group. Might be just a challenge having to walk up and down the stairs going to facilities and the beach, given that the location is sitting on a cliff.

Bador BBQ House

Bador BBQ House is a favorite grilling eatery in Mati, Davao Oriental. If you happened to visit, or just about to, this is a good place to go for a very cheap but worth-while lunch or dinner, or both! They specialize in their native grilled chicken o commonly known as Inasal . Served with their special sauce with secret ingredients, this famous dish became comfort food for both locals and foreigners since 1979. With just orders worth Php 1,000, you can already have a whole chicken with some sticks or skewers such as isaw (intestine), chicken heart and liver, and many more. Although the place isn’t something you should expect from fancy restaurants, they can still accommodate about 30 people at a time. Moreover, they don’t have air conditioners as they have semi-open space enough for the breezy air to come in. Bador uses electric fans to help ventilate the place.

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Discovering Mati, Davao Oriental: A 'Biyahe ni Drew' itinerary 

Top Things to Do in Mati

Things to do in mati.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Couples
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Dahican Beach

2. Pujada Island

3. Sleeping Dinosaur Island

4. Amihan sa Dahican

5. Subangang Museum

6. Bonsai Forest

7. Waniban Island

8. Mayo Beach

9. Buso Hot Spring

10. mt kampalili.

11. Mindanao Saga Flying Club

12. Athena Beauty and Spa Centre

What travelers are saying

• Dahican Beach
• Sleeping Dinosaur Island
• Pujada Island
• Subangang Museum
• Waniban Island
• Amihan sa Dahican

• Latest News
• The Economy
• Vantage Points

A taste of Mandaya culture

Mati City is not only a haven for surfers but also for those who love to try local cuisine. Apart from Dahican Beach, sleeping dinosaur and empanada, Mati also takes pride of its authentic Mandaya delicacies. 

Determined to take advantage of the booming travel industry, Angie David who is a travel and tour operator, is now promoting authentic Mandaya cuisine to attract domestic and foreign travellers. 

David’s mom Virginia opened Kuzina Virginia last September 8 this year, which serves authentic Mandaya and Filipino dishes. 

“We know Mati is popular for empanada but it is not a meal. That is why we conceptualized this restaurant. Most of the travelers will ask for local food and I have to make this to bring people, have a taste and experience the Mandaya food,” David said in an interview.

The Mandayas in Davao Oriental have a rich tribal heritage that is very evident in their colorful costumes, bead works, and food.

Eating Mandaya dishes is as simple as having coconut and camote at home. These are the ingredients used every time they prepare their dish to ensure it does not lose the original taste.

The cold tuba (coconut wine) shake and the mouthwatering pudding de Mati showcase the flourishing coconut industry of Davao Oriental. The tuba shake will not give you hangover only delight!

Another Mandaya way of cooking is wrapping the banami (shrimp) in banana leaves grilled in a pan. The banana leaf adds flavor and makes the banami juicier inside.

David said using banami aims to promote also the shrimp industry of the province. According to her, there are around 123 shrimp growers in Mati. 

“Most of the food comes from the products we have here in Mati Davao Oriental,” she added. 

The Mandaya tribe is popular for their L’lulot dish. These are usually composed of meat (pork, chicken or shrimp) and rice that is cooked in a bamboo along with coconut milk with a mix of ginger, onions and garlic.

At Kuzina Virginia, Lut is being served as a labor of love. 

“But you have to order it ahead of time. We make it like we have to cook it within three to four hours. We have to buy the Lut every other day because the bamboo can be used only within 24 hours and beyond that it does not taste nice kasi wala na yung moisture. The bamboo stalk that is being used is different. It must not be too young and too old,” David said. 

The paru-paru de baga, which is a minced innards of the beef looks like bopis but more tasty.

“Spicy siya because Mandayas love spicy food that is why we also have the dumang (dried minced chili). Even those people in Davao Oriental love chili and always ask for chili,” she said. 

A coffee concocted from corn is perfect to cap the meal.

“By nature we love to cook and eat. If you notice our food we don’t have to measure it and all our cooking is “mata-mata” kung gaano karami. My mother is a Boholana but my grandmother who is a Serrano is a Mandaya,” David said. 

David said opening Kuzina Virginia will cater to those guests, locals and foreign, who are craving for authentic traditional cuisines. 

“I am now in a travel industry so I have to come up something that is very authentic, very Mandaya and very Mati so that is why we have this resto,” she said. 

The David Family also owns VMD Travels and Tours and the DXVD Dino 90.3 FM in Mati, Davao Oriental. 

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