Boston
Best day trips from Boston: how to get there and what to see
Boston, Davao Oriental is a small coastal town, so the best day trips are short hops: Cape San Agustin and its lighthouse, the beaches and falls around Governor Generoso, and Mati's bay and islands. Do them with a hired van or habal-habal; public jeepneys are slow and stop early.
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GuideBoston
Key facts
- Best base
- Boston town centre, or Mati if you want more services
- Top pick
- Cape San Agustin lighthouse and the coast road south
- Getting around
- Hired van, motorbike or habal-habal; jeepneys are slow and stop by mid-afternoon
- Road time to Mati
- About 1.5–2 hours by road
- Road time to Cape San Agustin
- About 1.5–2 hours south of Boston
- Best season
- Dry months, roughly December to May
- Cash
- Bring pesos; ATMs are scarce outside Mati
The choices at a glance
Boston sits on the Davao Oriental coast, roughly halfway between Mati and Governor Generoso. Everything within a day's reach is coastal or mountain, and all of it needs wheels. The table below gives the shape of each trip; the detail follows.
| Day trip | Time from Boston | Cost (2026 estimate) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape San Agustin and lighthouse | 1.5–2 h south by road | Van charter from about ₱3,000–4,500 per day | Coast views, lighthouse, quiet coves |
| Governor Generoso beaches and falls | 1–1.5 h south | Habal-habal or van; ₱500–1,500 per person | Swimming, short walks |
| Mati bay, islands and Dahican | 1.5–2 h north | Van charter from about ₱3,000–4,500 per day | Beach time, boat trips, food |
| Caraga and inland waterfalls | 1–1.5 h north | Local guide plus transport, ₱1,000+ | Cool water, forest, less crowd |
| Boston town and nearby coves | On foot or short ride | Almost nothing | A slow half-day when you do not want to travel |
Costs are 2026 estimates for a group; per-person figures drop as the group grows.
What each trip actually involves
Cape San Agustin is the southern tip of the peninsula and the headline trip from Boston. The road runs down the coast through Governor Generoso, past fishing villages and coconut land, and ends near a lighthouse on a headland with water on several sides. It is a long way for a lighthouse, so treat the drive as the point: stop at coves, buy grilled fish, and give yourself the full day. The last stretch is rough in places, so a van or a sturdy motorbike is better than a small car.
Mati, to the north, is the largest town in the province and the easiest place to build a day around. Dahican's long grey-sand beach is the draw, with swimming and, in season, boats out to nearby islands. Mati also has the restaurants, markets and pharmacies that Boston lacks, so a Mati day trip doubles as a resupply run. Confirm boat trips and prices locally the day before; they depend on sea conditions.
Governor Generoso and the villages south of Boston are for people who want water and walking rather than a checklist. Ask at your guesthouse about which falls and springs are reachable and whether a guide is expected. Inland, around Caraga, the terrain rises and there are waterfalls and forest; these need a local guide and a vehicle that can handle dirt roads.
Boston itself is small enough to cover on foot in an hour or two. If you are waiting out weather or a transfer, the town and its nearby coves fill a half-day without any planning.
What a day costs
There is no reliable public transport network for sightseeing here, so the main cost is the vehicle. A chartered van with a driver for a full day is the usual arrangement for groups; a motorbike or habal-habal is cheaper for one or two people but slower and exposed to rain. Fuel, entrance fees at falls or beaches, and a guide, where one is expected, are usually extra. Carry cash in pesos: ATMs are scarce outside Mati and cards are rarely accepted outside hotels.
| Item | 2026 estimate |
|---|---|
| Van charter, full day | ₱3,000–4,500 |
| Motorbike or habal-habal, full day | ₱800–1,500 |
| Boat trip from Dahican | ₱1,000–2,000 per boat |
| Local guide, half day | ₱500–1,000 |
| Meals at a carinderia | ₱100–250 per person |
Practical tips
- Start early. Daylight is limited and the coast road is slow after rain.
- Agree the price and the route with your driver before leaving, including waiting time.
- Bring water, sun cover and cash; shops are thin between towns.
- Check the forecast. Rough seas cancel boat trips and heavy rain can close inland roads.
- Keep a buffer day. Typhoon season can disrupt both roads and flights.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What are the best day trips from Boston?
Cape San Agustin and its lighthouse to the south, the beaches and falls around Governor Generoso, and Mati's Dahican beach and bay to the north. All three need a hired vehicle and most of a day.
Can I visit these places without a car?
Not easily. Jeepneys and buses run between towns but are slow and stop by mid-afternoon, so you cannot rely on them for a return trip. Hire a van, motorbike or habal-habal, or join a group.
How long do day trips from Boston take?
Plan a full day for each. Cape San Agustin and Mati are roughly 1.5–2 hours each way, so most of the day goes to the road and the stops along it.
When is the best time to visit Boston?
The dry months, roughly December to May. Outside that window, rain can slow the coast road and rough seas cancel boat trips.
Do I need cash?
Yes. Bring pesos. ATMs are scarce outside Mati and cards are rarely accepted outside hotels and larger restaurants.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialDepartment of Tourism, Philippines
- officialProvince of Davao Oriental
- secondaryWikivoyage – Davao Oriental