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?
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:
- There are no direct flights going to Mati City. The nearest airport hub is in Davao City.
- 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
- Contact your tour guide prior to your date of visit so you can arrange your tour accordingly. You can contact the Salibays at at 0997 794 8783 (Kuya Jun) or 0997 762 5491 (Ate Earl).
- 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
Day 01
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
Day 02
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
Day 02
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
