Among the most popular and exotic of the Philippines’ established holiday destinations, the region of Davao and its capital Davao City can be found on the island of Mindano in the country’s southern territory. Boasting gorgeous beaches, breathtaking mountain scenery and some of the finest scuba diving spots in this part of the peninsula, it’s not difficult to see why Davao draws such large numbers of visitors across the calendar.

Davao’s climate means you can visit at any time of the year with little worry of there not being copious amounts of glorious sunshine to make those beach or mountain scenes just that little bit more beautiful. With such a predictable weather system, visitors can easily plan their holiday and activities here.

Davao City is particularly well geared to receiving holidaymakers, offering a perfect balance between natural attractions and the manmade facilities available at the developed resort areas. Modern shopping centres and a wide and varied range of dining establishments add to the appeal of the destination, as does the city’s selection of reliable transportation options.

A history of tribal settlements in the region makes Davao an excellent destination for anyone with an interest in ethnic culture and heritage. Villages, where the way of live has changed little for centuries, can be visited easily from Davao City, offering an enriching experience and the ideal day out when you feel the need to take a break from the beach.

Mount Apo is the Philippines’ highest mountain and part of an extensive range that incorporates national parkland and lush green forest areas where lakes, waterfalls and other eye-catching geographical features are abundant. Visitors can enjoy the mountain’s beauty by opting for a moderately challenging guided trek or a gruelling four-day hike to the summit.

Davao is a highly accessible destination, with Davao City offering its own international airport which receives flights from some South Asian destinations as well as major Philippine cities, including the capital Manila. Once in Davao City, visitors can take advantage of a range of public and private transport services, or choose to rent a vehicle of their own.

Davao’s tourist infrastructure has developed considerably over the last decade and is now capable of offering high class resorts, modern facilities and luxuries. Natural attractions have yet to be sacrificed to the whims of holiday companies, making this the perfect destination for anyone looking for a combination of beautiful scenery and contemporary comfort.

The name ‘Davao’ is believed to be an amalgamation of three separate words used to refer to the Davao River. The aboriginal tribe known as the Obos used the word ‘Davoh’ for the settlement; the Tagabawa Bagobos tribe called it ‘Dabu’, while the Clatta or Guiangan tribe called it ‘Duhwow’. ‘Davoh’ also means ‘a place beyond the high grounds’, in the Obos language, while ‘Duhwow’ in the Clatta language is the word for a local trading settlement. These tribes are thought to have been the earliest settlers in the region now known as Davao.

Little is known about Davao between its beginnings and recent times, with the region inhabited mostly by tribal settlers. The Spanish arrived in 1848 with Don Jose Oyanguren leading explorers seeking to bring Christianity to a mangrove swamp area that has since become known as Bolton Riverside.

At this time, Davao was under the control of Datu Bago, a chief of the Moro tribe which resided on the banks of the Davao River. Don Jose Oyanguren’s religious mission saw him forcibly turf out Datu Bago and subsequently rename the region Nueva Guipozcoa, a name taken from his home in Spain. Despite Oyanguren becoming governor of the area, his attempts at developing it were largely in vain.

American forces landed in the region in 1900 and a subsequent improvement in Davao’s transportation and communication infrastructure ensued. Ownership of private farms catalysed a period of economic growth.

Davao’s Japanese history can be traced back to the arrival of Japanese entrepreneur Kichisaburo Ohta. Ohta obtained rights to large areas of land, which he set about turning into plantations to grow coconuts and abacá (Manila hemp). Japanese immigrants arrived to work the plantations in 1903, setting up home and creating a Japanese community.

The Japanese territory was modelled closely on traditional Japanese society, and the immigrants built their own schools, embassy and Shinto Shrine and even produced their own newspaper. Industry in the area flourished with the Japanese capitalising on its potential for fishing, timber, and import-export trading. The locals learnt plenty from the Japanese and the Japanese presence ultimately led to the establishment of agriculture as the region’s chief industry.

The city of Davao was given an official charter on 1 March 1937 by President Manuel L Quezon. Three decades on it was split into three autonomous provinces: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental. Hopes of finding wealth have consistently attracted migrants to the city, helping to maintain its diverse cultural mix.

Davao’s climate has no clearly discernible seasons and year-round consistent temperatures, relative humidity, air pressure and rainfall. Temperatures fall between 20ºC and 32ºC, and volumes of rainfall can reach 2,000mm per annum.

As there is no clear wet or dry seasons in Davao, there is no particular time of the year when it’s more appropriate to visit. Trips can be scheduled for any month provided visitors are happy to pack a waterproof jacket and be prepared for the possibility of rain.

The sun can heat things up on some days, so it’s wise to make sure you don’t over-expose yourself and wear a sunscreen appropriate to your skin type whenever you are outside for any length of time.