Mati City
I didn’t stay at Dahican Beach when I went there as I was also in the city partly for work. I did stay in town at Baywalk Hotel just beside the plaza where I need to. It has basic accommodations of good value. Php 600 for a twin bed, with aircon and cable TV isn’t bad considering they are on a good location. There are other places to stay in the area as well but I preferred this one near the baywalk.
I did like hanging out by the baywalk area to observe and talk to some of the locals. Cheap eats there as well from the BBQ Chicken and other street foods. My visit here just gave me an overall cursory look of the area. My visit to the Subangan Museum showed that there’s a lot of places to explore here particularly in Davao Oriental. Perhaps given time on my next visit, it would be more of exploration. But if I were to visit only one place here, Dahican Beach would be highly recommended. Even folks from Davao City I’ve met on the beach came here just for a day trip.
Essential Info
Baywalk Hotel
Burgos St
Contact: (087) 811–4060
Going to Mati City from Davao City
At Ecoland Terminal, ride a bus going to Mati. Fare is Php 285 at Bachelor Bus. Travel time is 4–5 hours depending on the stops. From the bus terminal in Mati tricycles can take you to town for Php 10 pesos/person for shared tryke.
Van is the faster way to Mati City about 3–4 hours. Their terminal is Gaisano Mall and Victoria Plaza. Fare is Php 220.
To Dahican Beach
Dahican Beach is about 5.7km fromt he town center. It is best o hire a habal-habal or tricycle going there. Fare is Php 50 one way travel time is about 20 minutes. One can also negotiate with drivers for a price including the wait.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
