1. Marvel at the tallest mountain in the country: Mount Apo

1/2 The Ring of Mt. Apo

2/2 Mount Apo

Mt. Apo is the country’s highest mountain with an elevation of a staggering 2,954 meters or 9,692 feet. Located in between the provinces of Davao del Sur, Cotabato and Davao City, one side of the mountain can be accessed through Digos City, specifically in the village of Kapatagan, making it one of the top Digos tourist spots. If you are an experienced mountain climber, you can choose to go on a trek to the summit of Mt. Apo, which usually takes three to four days. One of the three trails can be taken from Kapatagan, but this needs to be arranged with accredited mountaineering tour groups, because you need to get good guides and porters for the trek. A quick online search will give you an idea what groups to book with. If mountain-climbing is not for you, you can just stay in Kapatagan village where you can see Mt. Apo from afar, which can still be a magnificent view.

Mt. Apo National Park

Address: Davao del Sur

Price: from 100 - 200 USD per person for a climb package inclusive of guide, porter fees and climb fees

Duration: The Kapatagan-Kidapawan Trail to Mt. Apo usually takes 3 to 4 days.

Access: From Manila, fly to Davao City. From Davao City, catch a bus to Digos City from the Ecoland Bus Terminal. Once in Digos City, vans for hire are available to take you to Kapatagan from the Digos Terminal.

Contact: +63 822721282 (Digos City Tourist Office)

2. Adventure awaits you in Camp Sabros

Still in Kapatagan, another place of interest is Camp Sabros, an outdoor adventure camp in Sitio Barras. The camp is located at an elevation of 1,213 meters (3,980 feet). Its main feature is the three zip lines that start at a staggering height of 54 meters (180 feet), which is about the height of a five-story building. One zip line is 380 meters (1,246 feet) while the other is 400 meters (1,312 feet). The longest one is 820 meters (2,690 feet). You will go down the zip lines while seeing all the lush greenery around you, including a stunning view of Mt. Apo. The camp also offers accommodation, with fully furnished cottages that can house 2 to 12 people comfortably. You are in for cool weather at the camp because of its location up in the mountains, so be prepared for this.

Camp Sabros

Address: Barras, Kapatagan, Digos City

Price: zip line fees range from 6 to 12 USD depending on which zip lines you will ride

Opening Hours: 8am - 5pm. Everyday.

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Access: From Digos City bus terminal, take a tricycle to Old Digos Terminal. From there, take a van to Camp Sabros. Once in the parking area, you can hike 20 minutes to the camp proper, ride any of the available motorcycles, or ride any of the available horses.

Contact: +63 9128689981

Website: Camp Sabros

3. Visit Campt@gan Lake Mirror and Hillside

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Previously called Mt. Apo Highland Resort, this attraction is now known as Campt@gan Lake Mirror and Hillside. This complex features two parts: Lake Mirror is set against a cool spring lake, while the Hillside part is found on the hilltop. Lake Mirror is known for its still waters, which on a clear day reflect the majestic view of Mt. Apo. To catch this view, visitors are advised to wake up early and be at the site just minutes after the sunrise. For you to do this, an overnight stay at the resort is best. The lake is also open for fishing, boating and for those who can brave the cold water, swimming.

Campt@gan Lake Mirror and Hillside

Address: Kapatagan, Digos City

Price: from 10 USD for a package tour from Camp Sabros

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Access: From Camp Sabros, you can get a day tour package that includes Lake Mirror and Hillside.

Contact: +63 822757955

4. Art fix at Kublai's Art Garden and Agong House

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Kublai Millan is an artist who hails from Davao and made the hills his muse for his gigantic sculptures. He also made a house in the shape of an agong or a bronze gong, a musical instrument which is used by local indigenous groups. His art garden is a place where you can freely stroll on the grass and see the sculptures up close and is one of the best Digos City tourist spots. You are also welcome to go inside the house, which is also used by the artist himself whenever he is in Digos. Kublai has called this a land of peace and it is indeed, one where you can enjoy a day appreciating art amidst nature.

Kublai Art Garden

Address: Kapatagan, Digos City

Price: see day trip rates from Camp Sabros

Access: Day trip packages from Camp Sabros

5. Taste the world's most expensive coffee - Civet coffee

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you are an extreme coffee lover, you will love the fact that the world’s most expensive coffee can also be found here in Digos City. The city has its own Civet coffee production center, found inside Campt@gan Hillside. Civet coffee is so named because it is made out of coffee beans ingested by the Philippine Civet Cat. The Civets eat the pulp from the coffee beans and leave the beans intact. Their droppings are then collected, washed and then processed into coffee. Their distinct flavor comes from the enzymes the beans absorb while inside the Civet’s stomach. At the Civet coffee farm, the Civets are kept in captivity and fed with coffee beans. While you are here, enjoy a cup if you dare.

Mt. Apo Civet Coffee

Address: Kapatagan, Digos City

Price: a cup of brewed Civet coffee ranges from 3 to 6 USD; an 85 gram (3 oz) bottle of Civet coffee beans ranges from 25 to 40 USD

Opening Hours: 8am - 5pm. Everyday.

Access: Day trip packages from Camp Sabros

6. Get to know the locals: Tibolo Cultural Village

Although the Tibolo Cultural Village is located in another town, Sta. Cruz, it is still very much accessible when you are in Kapatagan. Camp Sabros and Campt@gan Hillside can arrange for day trips to this village, which showcases the culture of a local indigenous group called the Bagobos. The village offers a cultural tour of Bagobo culture through arts, dance and food. It is in fact called a School of Living Tradition, wherein Bagobo tribe members teach their younger generation about their culture, from loom weaving, dancing and ritual performances. Visitors are welcome as well, because part of their activities is to share their culture, to foster better understanding.

Tibolo Cultural Village

Address: Tibolo, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur

Price: check with Camp Sabros for day trip rates

Opening Hours: 8am - 5pm. Everyday.

Duration: around 4 hours required; although an overnight stay is also possible

Access: Day trip packages from Camp Sabros

7. Get some sun at Passig Islet

Located in the town next to Digos City, Passig Islet is an interesting man-made islet off the coast of Sta. Cruz. The village of Bato is only 30 minutes away from Digos City, and visitors can easily reach it by taking any of the buses to Davao City. Once you are dropped off at the village, you need to walk to the tourism office. The islet is managed by the local tourism office, which collects an entrance fee, a fee for the cottages and the 10-minute boat ride. The islet is actually just a sandbar and is kept from eroding by rubber tires around the islet. On the islet, visitors can use any of the day cottages, but there are overnight cottages available as well.

Passig Islet

Address: Bato, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur

Price: admission fee 0.50 USD; boat ride 0.50 USD; cottages 2 USD

Opening Hours: Always open. Everyday.

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Access: From Digos City, ride a bus to Davao City and ask the driver to let you off at Bato, Sta. Cruz.

8. For an adrenaline rush, try white water tubing in Sibulan River

If you are a certified adrenaline junkie, this leg of the trip is made for you. Head down to Sibulan River in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. White water river tubing is becoming more popular among adventure seekers, and is actually just drifting down the river while riding an inflatable rubber tube. The experience is somewhat similar to white water rafting, except river tubing is a much wetter one. Each person is assigned a guide, who rides or drifts with you. They guide and maneuver the tubes as you go downstream, as the current may become too strong in some parts of the river. There are tour packages available that include the guide fee, the motorbike ride to the river and the tube rental.

Sibulan River Tubing

Address: Darong, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur

Price: from 10 USD per person

Opening Hours: Always open

Duration: around 4 hours required.

Access: From Digos City, ride a bus to Davao City and ask the driver to drive you to Darong. Main landmark is the San Miguel Brewery in Davao.

9. More adventure at Virgin Falls

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

VIrgin Falls is located in Kapatagan, so you can include this in your itinerary for the area. Virgin Falls requires a motorcycle ride to the jump off point in Sitio Palo-5 then a 30 to 45 minute hike, depending on how physically fit you are. The trek requires the services of a guide as some areas of the trail are steep and can be slippery when it’s raining. The trail takes you through a forested area where you can see exotic plants and trees. The falls features a 3.6 meter (11 feet) deep pool, a 20 meter (65 feet) high drop, and very cold mountain water. While there, you can enjoy a dip and a meal or a snack.

Virgin Falls

Address: Sitio Palo-5, Kapatagan, Digos City

Price: ask about day trip rates from Camp Sabros

Opening Hours: Best time to go is during daylight.

Duration: around 4 hours required.

Access: Access via day trip packages of Camp Sabros

10. Eat local food: try sweet mangoes

Called the Mango Capital of the Philippines, Digos City is said to produce the sweetest mangoes in the country. The village of San Roque is the main source of mangoes in the city, because this is where most of the mango orchards are found. If you want to see the mango plantation and how they produce mangoes for the market, you can arrange for transportation to San Roque. Otherwise, you can just buy mangoes at the local market or ask any restaurant if they can serve them. Mangoes are a seasonal fruit and usually available from March to May, and they will be cheaper during this time.

11. Savor pork spare ribs at Sagul Bistro

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Sagul Bistro is a must-try restaurant while in Digos City. Their juicy wings bring visitors from all over, and their sizzling beef dishes are simply mouth-watering. The interior is cozy and unpretentious, while the service and ambiance are always top-notch. Their rice is flavorful and plentiful, and they have a host of breakfast silog options as well. From incredible barbecue dishes to ice-cold drinks and hospitable service, this eatery is sure to satisfy. Make sure you try their house special pork spare ribs and have some cheesecake for dessert.

Sagul Bistro

Address: 213 M.H. Del, Marcelo del Pilar, Digos City, 8002 Davao del Sur, Philippines

Website: Sagul Bistro

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10:30am - 7pm (closed on Sun)

12. Shop at GMALL of Digos

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

At GMALL of Digos, all of your commercial needs can be easily met. Do you need clothes, souvenirs, cosmetics, or a quick delicious meal? This is the place to go to while in Digos City. Every bit of space is utilized to give shoppers as much choice as possible. The middle of the main floor sprawls out almost like a bazaar, with all manner of products, while the traditional department stores sit around the edges. With plenty of shops to visit and a cornucopia of restaurants, you can easily spend a whole afternoon exploring GMALL of Digos.

GMALL of Digos

Address: Digos City, Davao del Sur, Philippines

Website: GMALL of Digos

Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)

Go to Digos for adventure not just for the mangoes

Digos City has a lot in store for visitors, why not plan your Digos itinerary today? More than just sweet mangoes, adventure lurks in every corner. Come and visit Digos so you can proudly say you have seen, or better yet, conquered the tallest mountain in the Philippines, Mt. Apo.