Davao

[Simmer]

My own experience has been that the government security checkpoints for anybody entering Davao by land are quite thorough. I take GE's conclusion that Davao has become relatively safer.

I wasn't aware of the checkpoints. That information does ease my concerns a little.

I've certainly been to places where I've not felt safe at all. A wrong turn in New Orleans. A beachfront encounter in Rio de Janeiro (saved by a friend who spoke Portuguese and overheard would-be muggers). A little uneasy in Tijuana. Suspicious jostling in the markets of Istanbul. Etc.

But generally in the Philippines I've felt fairly safe, even when the locals say "you're crazy to walk around there by yourself. Kuya will go with you". But random attacks are possible virtually anywhere, whether Vegas or Manila, and we can do nothing about those so should not worry about them otherwise fear wins.

[Soapy Smith]

I take Simmer's point that there is a long history of hostility in Miindanao, some of it has targeted Davao, and we should therefore be cautious in traveling there. To me the point is that, because we know the source of the threat, it is possible to take precautions accordingly. The same would be true for GE's experiences in Basilan, South Sudan, and Tajikistan. Presumably he and others operated with a sense of caution. My own experience has been that the government security checkpoints for anybody entering Davao by land are quite thorough. I take GE's conclusion that Davao has become relatively safer.

But sometimes the source of threat is less predictable. The most lethal terrorist attack in the Philippines occurred on the SuperFerry 14, one hour after it left the Port of Manila on February 27,2004. 116 people died from a bomb blast originating in a television left on board by a terrorist who left the ferry before it departed. But should any of this make us afraid to open the door to accept the Amazon package delivery? I think the rewards for venturing out are just too great.

[Soapy Smith]

I am not afraid to open the front door. I think you missed my point.

I think KG did get your point, and he was piling on sarcasm.

[GoodEnough]

Are you not afraid to open the door for the delivery guy?

I always get a laugh at the American culture of fear. They are afraid of just about every country. (I met a Canadian Customs guy once who said it was common for Americans to come to Canada with handguns because of the threat of hostile Indians and polar bears.) and yet they live in what is arguably the most dangerous country in the developed world.

Kabul Guy, I'the love to buy you a beer. If you're ever in Davao, please feel free to collect on that offer. The timorousness of some people amazes me. I understand taking reasonable precautions, but to extend this climate of fear to Davao seems absurd, given the reality on the ground.

I worked in Mozambique at the end of the civil war, and in S. Sudan during continued hostilities. In both cases, I drove around the country, schmoozed with the locals, took reasonable precautions, and emerged unscathed. I've trekked through the jungles in Basilan with the leaders of small, isolated towns and am the richer for it, and worked in Tajikistan shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union, with thugs in black leather jacket carrying automatic weapons on most corners, and I had a great time. Living under a blanket of fear must be debilitating.

Having lived and / or worked sporadically in 57 countries during my career, I can state unequivocally that I believe Davao to be the safest place I've ever lived. I have no personal stake in convincing others to come here, and my attitude is one of indifference. But I do encourage those who want to come not to succumb to irrational, and baseless fear. Finally, though Davao's "scene" isn't quite as overt as those in Manila or Cebu, it's not a hidden secret either, and it's very easy to find.

GE.

[Dg8787]

Are you not afraid to open the door for the delivery guy?

I always get a laugh at the American culture of fear. They are afraid of just about every country. (I met a Canadian Customs guy once who said it was common for Americans to come to Canada with handguns because of the threat of hostile Indians and polar bears.) and yet they live in what is arguably the most dangerous country in the developed world.

Common sense will take you just about everywhere in the world safely, this is from a guy who spent 9 years in Afghanistan and visited 25 out of 33 provinces, stayed in local villages with the local headman etc.

I am not afraid to open the front door. I think you missed my point.

Common sense with street smarts will keep you alive and safe longer.

[Kabul Guy]

Totally agree with your insights SS. CM don't forget to stock up on JO lotion. Best to get amazon delivery than to venture out to the local store. It's dangerous out there.

Are you not afraid to open the door for the delivery guy?

I always get a laugh at the American culture of fear. They are afraid of just about every country. (I met a Canadian Customs guy once who said it was common for Americans to come to Canada with handguns because of the threat of hostile Indians and polar bears.) and yet they live in what is arguably the most dangerous country in the developed world.

Common sense will take you just about everywhere in the world safely, this is from a guy who spent 9 years in Afghanistan and visited 25 out of 33 provinces, stayed in local villages with the local headman etc.

[Dg8787]

Let me first say, I have been reading through the forum trying to answer my own question, but I'm not sure what to think.

I'm taking a business trip to Manila in a couple of weeks which I'm looking forward to because I know Manila a tiny bit and always have a great time. However, this time I need to do a single half day meeting down in Davao, where I've never been. It'll be easy enough to fly down there for a night and have the meetings. But I always like to have a little fun along the way and that's where I'm concerned.

I am a classic white guy, late 40's, tall and slightly overweight. I live in SE Asia part time and have plenty of experience being careful, but I am getting very conflicting reports about Daveo. My biz contact there said not to go out at night, but a monger friend of mine said not worry about it. Meanwhile, the forum certainly tells me not to worry just by being in town. I'm staying at Marco Polo and will only be going to meetings in the central area, and in the morning.

But, what about at night? I have a lot to lose, so I usually stick to pricy but trusted agencies if possible, unless I'm somewhere that's lower risk like BKK or Manila. I'd sure like to have some Davao fun but I'm struggling to make a simple, safe plan that isn't going to be regrettable. Not to be inflating prices for anyone, but the truth is I have more money than time and am happy to pay for a safer, more sure-thing arrangement.

Anyways, much appreciate any opinions or input thank you!!

You have 2 different risk factors.

One is risk of criminal elements and or kidnappers. Most if not all experienced travelers to Davao will tell you Davao is safer than Manila and other PH cities you have been to. No worries here unless you increase your risk by stupidity.

I believe your real concern is the riskiness of finding some bed action. You have a lot to lose therefore you must use your big brain instead if the little one. You will need a middleman to provide you, which possibly may be slim out there. After all Davao is not know for pnp. I suggest you might ask a doorman for a referral and interview her over a cup of coffee before going to your room. If she doesn't pass your interview then just pay her something plus her transport and on to the next one. If someone sees you having coffee with a girl, you can just she was a friend of a friend asking about any jobs in Manila and you were just helping her out.

Your big mistake will be taking advice from people here who are not and never will be in your shoes.

[KenDavis03]

Davao is a great place to visit, safe and friendly if a tad more conservative in some area IMHO and it is not like Burgos where I think you have more chance of being mugged in broad daylight then Davao.

Go visit, you are in a nice hotel where I have stayed before and is very comfy and safe.

Just research the girl to make sure she will come on time do as all agreed and stays as agreed. For that that has taken time and effort as well as caused angst in the past LOL.

Thanks that's very positive info. I would love to research a girl, but I was thinking I would have to go out and find one. You said 'come on time and stays as agreed' - is there a service or something you are referring to? Thanks!

[Wicked Roger]

But, what about at night? I have a lot to lose, so I usually stick to pricy but trusted agencies if possible, unless I'm somewhere that's lower risk like BKK or Manila. I'd sure like to have some Davao fun but I'm struggling to make a simple, safe plan that isn't going to be regrettable. Not to be inflating prices for anyone, but the truth is I have more money than time and am happy to pay for a safer, more sure-thing arrangement.

Anyways, much appreciate any opinions or input thank you!!

Davao is a great place to visit, safe and friendly if a tad more conservative in some area IMHO and it is not like Burgos where I think you have more chance of being mugged in broad daylight then Davao.

Go visit, you are in a nice hotel where I have stayed before and is very comfy and safe.

Just research the girl to make sure she will come on time do as all agreed and stays as agreed. For that that has taken time and effort as well as caused angst in the past LOL.

[Goferring]

I am a classic white guy, late 40's, tall and slightly overweight. I live in SE Asia part time and have plenty of experience being careful, but I am getting very conflicting reports about Daveo. My biz contact there said not to go out at night, but a monger friend of mine said not worry about it. Meanwhile, the forum certainly tells me not to worry just by being in town. I'm staying at Marco Polo and will only be going to meetings in the central area, and in the morning.

But, what about at night? I have a lot to lose, so I usually stick to pricy but trusted agencies if possible, unless I'm somewhere that's lower risk like BKK or Manila. I'd sure like to have some Davao fun but I'm struggling to make a simple, safe plan that isn't going to be regrettable. Not to be inflating prices for anyone, but the truth is I have more money than time and am happy to pay for a safer, more sure-thing arrangement.

Anyways, much appreciate any opinions or input thank you!!

I like to think I'm also reasonably street wise without being suicidal and earlier this year I was perfectly comfortable walking around the inner city at any time day or night. I was staying close to the Marco Polo.

A few PMs have expressed concern about travelling to Mindanao so I want to emphasise that I felt very safe walking around Davao City at all hours. Taxis, restaurants and even girls were all very honest and I wasn't at all concerned for my safety nor wary of rip off scams.

There is an active night life and bar scene though many girls will take some time to develop before sealing the deal. Googling Hot Legs or Auto Shop Bar will give you the location of a couple of precincts within walking distance to the Leticia. I was the only foreigner anywhere when I went but never felt unwelcome nor unsafe. Civilian and working girls started to roll in about 10 pm. The one KTV I went to was expensive but had gorgeous girls. See the PG for an example. Big Boobies featured heavily.

The predominate body type for the girls was tits and asrse with big tits suspended off a light frame. I saw a few spinners but not a lot. Many also come with exceptionally pretty faces.

If you want a safe and certain option where price is not the determining factor, try the KTVs in town.

These came from ET KTV:

I came across this flat chested lass in Davao.

Swore that she was the smallest of her sisters.

[KenDavis03]

Let me first say, I have been reading through the forum trying to answer my own question, but I'm not sure what to think.

I'm taking a business trip to Manila in a couple of weeks which I'm looking forward to because I know Manila a tiny bit and always have a great time. However, this time I need to do a single half day meeting down in Davao, where I've never been. It'll be easy enough to fly down there for a night and have the meetings. But I always like to have a little fun along the way and that's where I'm concerned.

I am a classic white guy, late 40's, tall and slightly overweight. I live in SE Asia part time and have plenty of experience being careful, but I am getting very conflicting reports about Daveo. My biz contact there said not to go out at night, but a monger friend of mine said not worry about it. Meanwhile, the forum certainly tells me not to worry just by being in town. I'm staying at Marco Polo and will only be going to meetings in the central area, and in the morning.

But, what about at night? I have a lot to lose, so I usually stick to pricy but trusted agencies if possible, unless I'm somewhere that's lower risk like BKK or Manila. I'd sure like to have some Davao fun but I'm struggling to make a simple, safe plan that isn't going to be regrettable. Not to be inflating prices for anyone, but the truth is I have more money than time and am happy to pay for a safer, more sure-thing arrangement.

Anyways, much appreciate any opinions or input thank you!!

[Wicked Roger]

However, to avoid Davao because "something may happen" The fact is that most Davaeos I know (and I know a lot) are quite proud of the law and order reputation of their city and would likely go out of their way to assure foreign visitors of its safety.

Unlike some posters, I'm not a great advocate of Cebu. I find it noisy, traffic clogged, dirty and unenjoyable, but to each his own. During my last trip to Cebu, by the way, I was warned twice by hotel staff to remove all gold jewelry; to leave most of my cash in the hotel safe; to carry only one credit card, and not to walk very far anywhere. Why? "Lots of robbers sir. " That's an admonition one would never receive here.


GE.

I agree with GE and having been to Davao a few times I found the place safe and much quieter plus a range of good eateries some of which GE recommended.

The one thing GE and I disagree on is Cebu but I take the point as clearly there are more tourists there now and this gives more opportunity to snatchers. Cuties I know have been held up on jeepneys recently for example. Traffic is getting worse sadly (was never fantastic) but now rush hours is getting longer especially around Ayala and SM. Can be very messy early evening.

[Chocha Monger]

P.S. : don't let them see your numbers. I had an email from a dearly departed friend, called Ol' Joe (some of you might remember him) who, in Davao, unknowingly let his squeeze see the card numbers he punched in at the ATM. He was a sick man in final months of Parkinsons (after 30 yrs of it). Whilst he was asleep she was busy running around Davao City, emptying out his credit card.

And saying that nothing will happen in Davao is ok, but what if it does happen (again) ?. Way back, folks were blown up by a terrorist bomb outside the Davao Airport. Yeh, ancient history, but these things do happen in Muslim inhabited Mindinao. And folks should know about these things so THEY can make up their mind if they still want to visit the place. Myself, I did not give up because of danger, I stopped visiting Davao cause it was not a "sexy city"..

All the girls dream of catching a man like Ole Joe. When choosing a foreigner to date or marry, many Filipinas adhere to the rule of the Four M's Matandang Mayaman at Madaling Mamatay (Old, Rich, and will die soon). The more infirm the foreign boyfriend or husband the better, as he is dependent on his much young Pinay darling due to mobility issues. She knows that an elderly fellow with issues like senility and Alzheimer's disease is totally at her mercy, and she will clean him out financially without much trouble. It makes things easier for her, as a fella losing his mental sharpness is less likely to figure things out when she moves in her "brother" or "cousin" to help around the house. Except that he is actually her undercover Pinoy boyfriend, and after the old foreigner's hearing aids come out at night, the girlfriend is free to make the beast with the two backs without fear of discovery.

When considering whether to visit a place with a history of terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and ISIS fighters on the loose, individual risk appetite and tolerance will vary. The monger will have to consider if the opportunities to fuck Filipinas are better and more worthwhile than other venues in the Philippines without the same level of threats. When it comes to mongering, Davao is pretty much a backwater with very little to offer in the way of that. There is nothing unique there for a monger looking to drain his balls and get a bit of relaxation that he cannot find elsewhere.

Now, there are the "adventure tourism" fellas with a large risk appetite who are thrilled at the thought that they may be kidnapped, caught in a bomb blast, or make a guest appearance in an ISIS music video. For them, Davao and nearby Marawi are great adventure sex-tourism destinations. The other group consists of fellas with a high level of risk tolerance with not much time left on their clocks due to advanced age or terminal illness. They know more or less that the Grim Reaper will along shortly to collect them, and they no longer care for their personal safety as they already lived out most of their allotted time anyway. They may even prefer going out with a bang or having their necks shortened, instead of slowly fading away in a hospital bed. In that case, increased risk is hardly a factor. Visiting Davao to work harder to find Filipinas for a fuck than in Cebu, Manila, or Angeles City may be something on their bucket list.

[GoodEnough]

I doubt that anyone can point to any reliable statistics indicating that foreigners are targeted here, and I'the remind everyone that the kidnapping from the resort a couple of years ago did not occur in Davao, but on Samal. Yes, there have been intermittent acts of violence directed against other Filipinos and yes, it's possible that should such acts recur, some unlucky foreigners might get hurt or killed. However, to my knowledge, foreigners in Davao are not (and have not historically been) targets and again, I'm talking here of Davao and not other areas of Mindanao.

I'm not trying to persuade anyone to visit here; in fact, there are quite enough foreigners here and it's fine with me if others decide to avoid the city. However, to avoid Davao because "something may happen" seems, as Soapy has implied, absurd. I have long-time resident, expat friends here who routinely ride jeepneys, take trikes, walk, and avoid car ownership. They feel much safer taking public transportation here than in Manila simply because the odds on getting robbed on a jeepney here are about nil, whereas in Manila it's a common occurrence. The fact is that most Davaeños I know (and I know a lot) are quite proud of the law and order reputation of their city and would likely go out of their way to assure foreign visitors of its safety.

Unlike some posters, I'm not a great advocate of Cebu. I find it noisy, traffic clogged, dirty and unenjoyable, but to each his own. During my last trip to Cebu, by the way, I was warned twice by hotel staff to remove all gold jewelry; to leave most of my cash in the hotel safe; to carry only one credit card, and not to walk very far anywhere. Why? "Lots of robbers sir. " That's an admonition one would never receive here.

A propos of nothing much, Davao is one of three major cities designated by President Duterte as developing economic hubs. Thus, lots of government money is pouring into the city for the construction of infrastructure, and the whole Davao-Gen San-CDO corridor is being transformed rapidly. Davao in particular is changing more rapidly than at any time during my tenure here: more folks with more money; more new businesses; more condos; the imminent introduction of a municipal bus service and the long-term plan to eliminate jeepneys; and a general rise in the sophistication of the population. I believe that much the same thing is happening in CDO.

GE.

[Simmer]

How true. Imagine the surprise of gay people partying at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, or the country and western concert goers in the open air in Las Vegas when gun-toting crazies cut loose. There have been so many such unexpected incidents in recent years in the states, that it sort of begs credulity to hold up Davao as an example of hidden threats. Perhaps it's safest just to stay in a mother's basement in Detroit or Newark, clacking away on a keyboard and searching the internet all day as your exclusive window on the world.

With respect, the situation in Mindanao is an ongoing threat, or presence if you like. Orlando and Vegas (and San Bernadino which struck home as my family uses services at the very place) were the work of one or two mad people. Pretty much an anomaly as far as the victims go. Put it another way, Vegas et al could not possibly have known the sudden threat to their lives, whereas southern Mindanao is perpetually "unwise" for foreigners generally for the time being.

GoodEnough has lots of experience there so would probably have a better sense of any imminent danger than the rest of us would. I've been to Samal island several times (Pearl Farm); my wife's parents lived just north of Davao. I was well aware at the time there was a presence further southwest, but that risk has increased. That's enough for me to explore other places instead, and the in-laws don't live there anymore either nor does anybody else I know.