💰 Cost of Living
Average monthly expenses for a digital nomad
🏠 Accommodation
🍜 Food & Dining
🚗 Transportation
🎯 Other
⚡ Digital Nomad Essentials
Everything you need to work remotely from Davao City
📶 Internet
☁️ Weather
✈️ Transport
🛂 Visa
✓Advantages
- ✓Extremely affordable cost of living
- ✓Fastest internet in the Philippines
- ✓One of the safest cities in Southeast Asia
- ✓Friendly English-speaking locals
- ✓Close to beaches and mountains
- ✓Fresh tropical fruits including famous durian
- ✓Low tourist crowds
- ✓Strong expat community
- ✓Good private healthcare options
- ✓24/7 coworking and cafes available
✗Disadvantages
- ✗Hot and humid year-round
- ✗Limited nightlife with alcohol restrictions
- ✗Fewer Western restaurants and amenities
- ✗Traffic congestion during rush hours
- ✗Remote location requires connecting flights
- ✗Public transport can be challenging
- ✗Fewer coworking spaces than Manila
- ✗Potential security concerns in wider Mindanao region
- ✗Limited international cuisine options
- ✗Rainy season brings frequent showers
💼 Top Coworking Spaces
Best places to work in Davao City
Regus Topaz Tower Centre
📍 JP Laurel Avenue, 4th Floor, Topaz Tower Centre, Damosa IT Park, Davao City • 100 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Regus Felcris Centrale
📍 Felcris Centrale Building, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City • 100 Mbps • Meeting rooms
iHub CoWorking Spaces
📍 Pines Place, 2F Pioneer Drive, JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City • 50 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
WFC Workplace Furniture Co-Working Cafe
📍 Ground Floor, Tavera Business Center, Tavera corner Araullo Street, Davao City • 60 Mbps
Spark-Lab Coworking & Study Space
📍 Obrero and Matina-Juna branches, Davao City • 45 Mbps • 24/7
Regus Topaz Tower Centre
📍 JP Laurel Avenue, 4th Floor, Topaz Tower Centre, Damosa IT Park, Davao City
Regus Felcris Centrale
📍 Felcris Centrale Building, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City
iHub CoWorking Spaces
📍 Pines Place, 2F Pioneer Drive, JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City
WFC Workplace Furniture Co-Working Cafe
📍 Ground Floor, Tavera Business Center, Tavera corner Araullo Street, Davao City
Spark-Lab Coworking & Study Space
📍 Obrero and Matina-Juna branches, Davao City
☕ Best Cafes to Work From
Laptop-friendly cafes with good WiFi
Green Coffee - Obrero
📍 Obrero
Kafih Cafe
📍 Poblacion
Glasshouse Coffee
📍 Bajada
Yellow Hauz
📍 Downtown
BluGre Coffee
📍 Lanang
Purge Coffee Roaster
📍 Obrero
Green Coffee - Obrero
📍 Obrero
Kafih Cafe
📍 Poblacion
Glasshouse Coffee
📍 Bajada
Yellow Hauz
📍 Downtown
BluGre Coffee
📍 Lanang
Purge Coffee Roaster
📍 Obrero
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Davao City
Poblacion District
The historic heart of Davao City featuring the San Pedro Cathedral, city hall, and Gaisano Mall. This bustling downtown area offers a mix of colonial heritage and modern urban life. Walking distance to People's Park, museums, and the Roxas Avenue Night Market. Most amenities, banks, and government offices are concentrated here, making it convenient for errands and daily needs.
Lanang
The premier business and residential district of Davao featuring SM Lanang Premier, Damosa IT Park, and upscale condominiums. This modern area attracts professionals and expats with its international restaurants, quality malls, and proximity to the airport. Home to major coworking spaces and corporate offices, making it the top choice for digital nomads seeking comfort and convenience.
Matina
A well-established mixed residential and commercial area home to Ateneo de Davao University and NCCC Mall. Known for its vibrant community feel with local markets, universities, and entertainment hubs. Matina offers excellent value with affordable accommodation options while still having access to essential amenities. Popular among students and young professionals seeking budget-friendly living.
Buhangin
One of the largest and most established residential areas offering excellent balance between suburban tranquility and urban convenience. Close to SM City Davao, schools, hospitals, and the international airport. Features gated subdivisions for added security and family-friendly environments. Ideal for those seeking spacious accommodations and quieter surroundings without sacrificing accessibility.
Poblacion District
$$ Mid-rangeThe historic heart of Davao City featuring the San Pedro Cathedral, city hall, and Gaisano Mall. This bustling downtown area offers a mix of colonial heritage and modern urban life. Walking distance to People's Park, museums, and the Roxas Avenue Night Market. Most amenities, banks, and government offices are concentrated here, making it convenient for errands and daily needs.
Lanang
$$$ PremiumThe premier business and residential district of Davao featuring SM Lanang Premier, Damosa IT Park, and upscale condominiums. This modern area attracts professionals and expats with its international restaurants, quality malls, and proximity to the airport. Home to major coworking spaces and corporate offices, making it the top choice for digital nomads seeking comfort and convenience.
Matina
$ BudgetA well-established mixed residential and commercial area home to Ateneo de Davao University and NCCC Mall. Known for its vibrant community feel with local markets, universities, and entertainment hubs. Matina offers excellent value with affordable accommodation options while still having access to essential amenities. Popular among students and young professionals seeking budget-friendly living.
Buhangin
$$ Mid-rangeOne of the largest and most established residential areas offering excellent balance between suburban tranquility and urban convenience. Close to SM City Davao, schools, hospitals, and the international airport. Features gated subdivisions for added security and family-friendly environments. Ideal for those seeking spacious accommodations and quieter surroundings without sacrificing accessibility.
🏛️ Top Attractions
Best things to do in Davao City

Philippine Eagle Center
Home to the critically endangered Philippine Eagle, one of the world's largest and most powerful eagles. This 8.4-hectare conservation facility at the foothills of Mount Apo houses 36 eagles along with other endemic wildlife. Educational guided tours showcase conservation efforts while offering incredible photo opportunities with these majestic birds. A must-visit for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Mount Apo
The Philippines' highest peak at 2,954 meters, known as the King of Philippine Peaks. This dormant volcano offers challenging 2-4 day treks through mossy forests, volcanic terrain, and sulfur vents. The summit rewards climbers with breathtaking panoramic views. Mandatory guided climbs can be arranged through local mountaineering groups, with best season from February to May.
Davao Crocodile Park
A fascinating conservation center and zoo showcasing thousands of crocodiles along with diverse wildlife including snakes, birds, monkeys, and other jungle creatures. Features crocodile egg incubators, animal shows, and hands-on experiences like photo ops with baby crocs. The adjacent D'Bone Collector Museum displays animal skeletons from around the world.
People's Park
A 4-acre urban oasis featuring tropical rainforest, ponds, waterfalls, and public art by renowned sculptor Kublai Millan. Established in 2007, this beautifully landscaped park offers shaded walking trails, areas for exercise, and Sunday morning Zumba sessions. Perfect for morning jogs, afternoon relaxation, or simply feeding the pigeons while enjoying Davao's green space.
Roxas Avenue Night Market
Davao's vibrant evening food destination stretching along Roxas Avenue with dozens of stalls serving freshly cooked Filipino dishes. Famous for grilled seafood, local delicacies, and incredibly affordable prices. A favorite among locals and tourists alike for experiencing authentic Dabawenyo cuisine. Opens at dusk and continues until late night, offering the best street food experience in the city.

Samal Island
A tropical paradise just a 15-minute ferry ride from Davao, officially the Island Garden City of Samal. Features pristine white sand beaches, beach resorts, and water activities including snorkeling, diving, and island hopping. Highlights include Hagimit Falls, Monfort Bat Sanctuary, and numerous resorts ranging from budget to luxury. Perfect day trip or overnight escape from the city.
Eden Nature Park
A mountain resort and ecological destination in the highlands of Davao offering adventure activities, beautiful gardens, and fresh mountain air. Features sky swing, sky ride, fishing, horseback riding, and walking trails through pine trees and flower gardens. The park also offers accommodations for overnight stays and farm-to-table dining experiences with stunning views.
Malagos Garden Resort
An award-winning agri-ecotourism resort nestled in the Malagos Watershed area offering farm tours, chocolate making experiences, and encounters with native wildlife. Famous for producing world-class Malagos Chocolate from local cacao beans. Features beautiful gardens, bird watching, and dining with fresh ingredients from their organic farm. Perfect blend of nature, culture, and gastronomy.

Philippine Eagle Center
Home to the critically endangered Philippine Eagle, one of the world's largest and most powerful eagles. This 8.4-hectare conservation facility at the foothills of Mount Apo houses 36 eagles along with other endemic wildlife. Educational guided tours showcase conservation efforts while offering incredible photo opportunities with these majestic birds. A must-visit for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Mount Apo
The Philippines' highest peak at 2,954 meters, known as the King of Philippine Peaks. This dormant volcano offers challenging 2-4 day treks through mossy forests, volcanic terrain, and sulfur vents. The summit rewards climbers with breathtaking panoramic views. Mandatory guided climbs can be arranged through local mountaineering groups, with best season from February to May.
Davao Crocodile Park
A fascinating conservation center and zoo showcasing thousands of crocodiles along with diverse wildlife including snakes, birds, monkeys, and other jungle creatures. Features crocodile egg incubators, animal shows, and hands-on experiences like photo ops with baby crocs. The adjacent D'Bone Collector Museum displays animal skeletons from around the world.
People's Park
A 4-acre urban oasis featuring tropical rainforest, ponds, waterfalls, and public art by renowned sculptor Kublai Millan. Established in 2007, this beautifully landscaped park offers shaded walking trails, areas for exercise, and Sunday morning Zumba sessions. Perfect for morning jogs, afternoon relaxation, or simply feeding the pigeons while enjoying Davao's green space.
Roxas Avenue Night Market
Davao's vibrant evening food destination stretching along Roxas Avenue with dozens of stalls serving freshly cooked Filipino dishes. Famous for grilled seafood, local delicacies, and incredibly affordable prices. A favorite among locals and tourists alike for experiencing authentic Dabawenyo cuisine. Opens at dusk and continues until late night, offering the best street food experience in the city.

Samal Island
A tropical paradise just a 15-minute ferry ride from Davao, officially the Island Garden City of Samal. Features pristine white sand beaches, beach resorts, and water activities including snorkeling, diving, and island hopping. Highlights include Hagimit Falls, Monfort Bat Sanctuary, and numerous resorts ranging from budget to luxury. Perfect day trip or overnight escape from the city.
Eden Nature Park
A mountain resort and ecological destination in the highlands of Davao offering adventure activities, beautiful gardens, and fresh mountain air. Features sky swing, sky ride, fishing, horseback riding, and walking trails through pine trees and flower gardens. The park also offers accommodations for overnight stays and farm-to-table dining experiences with stunning views.
Malagos Garden Resort
An award-winning agri-ecotourism resort nestled in the Malagos Watershed area offering farm tours, chocolate making experiences, and encounters with native wildlife. Famous for producing world-class Malagos Chocolate from local cacao beans. Features beautiful gardens, bird watching, and dining with fresh ingredients from their organic farm. Perfect blend of nature, culture, and gastronomy.
🛡️ Safety & Healthcare
What to know about safety and medical care
🚨 Safety
🏥 Healthcare
💬 What Nomads Say
Real reviews from digital nomads
"Davao has been an incredible discovery for my remote work journey. The internet here is genuinely the fastest I've experienced in Southeast Asia - my speed tests consistently show 80-100 Mbps. Living costs are ridiculously low - my fully furnished condo near SM Lanang costs just $300/month, and delicious meals at local eateries are under $3. The city feels remarkably safe; I walk around at night without worry. People are incredibly friendly and speak excellent English. The only adjustment was the humidity, but the malls and coworking spaces have great AC. Weekend trips to Samal Island beaches are just a ferry ride away. For the price and safety combination, Davao is unbeatable."
"Davao offers great value but requires some adjustment for Western nomads. The coworking scene is smaller than Manila or Cebu, but cafes like Green Coffee and iHub work perfectly for my needs. Cost of living is phenomenal - I spend about $800/month total including a nice apartment, eating out regularly, and weekend activities. The durian is an experience everyone should try! Downsides: nightlife is limited with alcohol restrictions after midnight, and you'll need Grab everywhere as public transport is confusing. The rainy season means afternoon showers almost daily. But if you want to focus on work without distractions while living cheaply and safely, this is your place."
"Davao is incredibly affordable and safe, but honestly a bit boring for someone used to more vibrant nomad hubs. The coworking options are limited and the city shuts down early. I missed having diverse international food options and a proper nomad community to network with. Traffic during rush hour is brutal, and the heat with humidity can be exhausting. That said, the locals are genuinely the friendliest I've met anywhere, and my money went incredibly far here. Good for a focused work period or retirees, but younger nomads seeking social scenes should look elsewhere. The nearby nature attractions like Mount Apo are world-class though."
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