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Davao City, Philippines 🇵🇭
#583 ,

Nomad Score: 68%

Essentials

🏙️ City Davao City is the largest city in the Philippines by land area and is known for its diverse culture and natural attractions.
👥 Population Approximately 1.7 million
💻 Internet Speed Average of 25 Mbps, with availability of higher speeds in cafes and coworking spaces.
💸 Currency & Banking 1 PHP ≈ 0.018 USD; Local currency is Philippine Peso (PHP). Major banks include BDO, BPI, and Metrobank.
🚰 Tap Water Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended.
🔌 Power 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type C/A sockets.
📶 SIM Card Smart and Globe are the primary mobile providers; tourist SIM cards available.
💳 Banking for Expats International debit and credit cards accepted widely at hotels and major establishments.
🛌 Accommodation Options include Airbnb, local apartments, and hotels; average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is around PHP 20,000.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, many shops accept cards and e-wallets like GCash and PayMaya.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and local listings are common for short stays.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostels such as The Lodge and budget hotels like RedDoorz available from PHP 500/night.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists Malvar Street and Lanang are popular with travelers for accessibility to attractions.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Buhangin and the City Center offer great access to coworking spaces and cafes.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Kubo Coworking - a popular spot with fast internet and comfortable working conditions.
Best Cafe for Work Cafe Ronda - well-known for good coffee and free Wi-Fi.
💼 Networking Events Davao Digital Nomads Meetups often take place at local cafes; check Facebook groups for upcoming events.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Regular meetups organized through the Davao Expatriates Facebook group.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Grab is the most used transport app in Davao City.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Bike rentals available through Davao Bike Share.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Samal Island is the closest beach, about 30 minutes by ferry.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific offer regional flights.
✈️ Top International Airline Cebu Pacific, Philippines Airlines operate international flights.
🛣️ Highway Access The Davao Urban Coastal Road connects to major areas and highways.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub Davao City has limited rail; primarily buses for long-distance travel.
🚍 Public Transport Passes No specific transport passes; jeepneys and buses are the main options.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses from Davao City to General Santos and Tagum are available.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Davao Medical School Foundation Hospital is one of the leading hospitals.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Yoga Davao offers classes for all levels in various locations around the city.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Fitness First and Anytime Fitness have branches in the city.
🧺 Laundry Services Self-service laundromats like Laundrify are available in the city.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Foodpanda is the most popular food delivery service available.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Try the local delicacy 'Sinuglaw' which is a combination of grilled pork and ceviche.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options The Vegan Cafe in Davao City serves a wide array of plant-based dishes.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Mikado Cafe offers delectable desserts and pastries.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Buhangin Public Market for fresh produce and local goods.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Lazada and Shopee are popular for online shopping in the Philippines.
🛒 Grocery Delivery HappyFresh and MetroMart provide grocery delivery services.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Bastion, known for its lively nightlife, is a popular bar area.
🍻 Local Brewery The Davao Brewery (formerly known as Davao Distillery) offers tours.
🍷 Wine Bars The Wine Library is a great spot for wine lovers.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Try street food at Roxas Night Market for a variety of local snacks.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Davao also offers various international cuisines, including Japanese at Nikuya and Italian at Cucina Italiana.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Visit the Philippine Eagle Center to learn about the country's national bird.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues Davao Museum showcases the heritage and culture of the region.
🏰 Historical Sites The Japanese Garden is a historical site worth visiting.
🕍 Religious Sites San Pedro Cathedral is a historical church in Davao City.
🎉 Annual Events Kadayawan Festival, celebrated every August, highlights Davao’s indigenous culture.
🎨 Cultural Districts Cultural heritage can be explored in the Magallanes area.
🎭 Theater Venues Davao People’s Park features cultural performances and displays.
🛍️ Local Markets The Davao Night Market is famous for local foods and crafts.
🎼 Music Scene The local music scene is vibrant with many live bands around the city.
🎨 Street Art Various murals can be found in areas like Bonifacio Street.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Cooking classes are available through local community centers.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Art & Culture at the Davao City Museum showcases local artists.
🕰️ Historic Buildings The San Pedro Cathedral is an architectural landmark.
🏴 Local Heritage Davao is enriched with heritage from its indigenous tribes, celebrated in various festivals.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Eden Nature Park offers stunning views and nature trails.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Mount Apo National Park, home to the highest peak in the Philippines, is nearby.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Davao Riverfront offers scenic biking and walking paths.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints Jack's Ridge provides breathtaking views of the city.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Mount Iglit - Baco Natural Park is known for birdwatching.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Cansiwang Beach has designated areas for bonfires.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service LBC and JRS Express provide reliable parcel delivery services.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services TechnoHub offers various electronics and tech repair services.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Davao Sports Complex has facilities for table tennis.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Determine Language Center offers Filipino and English classes.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots National Bookstore has quiet corners to read and study.
🏘️ Community Centers The Davao Community Center offers various activities and classes.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Game On is a popular gaming lounge in the city.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Casino Filipino offers a range of gaming options.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. PHP 60,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = PHP 2,400,000)
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. PHP 40,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = PHP 1,600,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. PHP 55,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = PHP 3,300,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. PHP 35,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = PHP 2,100,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. PHP 50,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = PHP 4,000,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. PHP 30,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = PHP 2,400,000)
💼 Corporate Tax Citizens and corporations are subject to a standard corporate tax rate of 30%.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax The dividend withholding tax rate is 15% for residents.
🏦 Tax System The Philippines uses a progressive income tax system for residents.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket Maximum personal income tax rate is 35%.
🧾 VAT Standard Value Added Tax rate is 12%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, CFC rules apply in the Philippines.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax is based on the assessed value of the property.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Tax applied during property purchases is around 6%.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads The Philippines does not have specific tax benefits for digital nomads.

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