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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
Mati
Spend 1–2 days: beach, museum and local market; reach by bus from Davao (3–5 h) or van (≈3 h).
Mati is a small coastal town in Davao Oriental, reachable by a 3–5 hour road trip from Davao. Its main attractions are Dahican Beach, Subangan Museum and local markets, all within easy tricycle reach. One full day covers the beach and museum; a second day allows relaxed beach time or a short hike.
- Country
- Philippines
- Best months
- Nov–May (dry season)
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (rainy season)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PHP
- Money
- Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₱500–₱800 excl. bed · Mid ₱800–₱1,200 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
- Emergency
- Police 117 · Fire/ambulance 117
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US flat pins common; check your devices for 220 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if no service charge.; Grab / taxi: Round up.; Boat crew: ₱100–200 per tour.; Massage: ₱50–100.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.
- Toilets
- Called 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | ₱50–₱100 |
| Meal (local restaurant) | ₱150–₱300 |
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | ₱20–₱30 |
| Tricycle (2 km (1.2 mi))Tricycle (1.2 mi (2 km)) | ₱8 |
| Museum entry | ₱100 |
| Beach parking | ₱50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MXI · Mati Airport
- No scheduled flights; Cebu Pacific plans future service (check).
- DVO · Davao International Airport
- Nearest commercial airport, about 165 km (103 mi) north.Nearest commercial airport, about 103 mi (165 km) north.
Typical fares
- Davao → Mati bus
- about ₱250, 4–5 h (check)
- Davao → Mati van
- about ₱220, ≈3 h (check)
- Tricycle 2 km
- ₱8
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Tricycles are the main local transport; ₱8 per 2 km (1.2 mi). From downtown to Mayo Bay or Dahican Beach costs ₱40 each.Tricycles are the main local transport; ₱8 per 1.2 mi (2 km). From downtown to Mayo Bay or Dahican Beach costs ₱40 each.
See and do
Known for
- Dahican Beach
- Subangan Museum
- Mindanao SAGA Flying Club
- Local market
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dahican Beach | Tricycle from town centre, about 10 min | ≈15 min |
| Subangan Museum | Walk along National Highway, 5 min | ≈10 min |
Sleep
- Chew Citi Lodge
- Fan and A/C rooms, near bus terminal.
- Mati Citi Lodge
- Near Madang Terminal.
- Casa Rosa Bed & Breakfast
- Fan double room, ₱400 per night, wifi.
- Toms Hometel
- Fan/air‑con twin rooms, ₱400–₱600 per night, free Wi‑Fi.
- La‑Ne's Katulganan
- Fan double rooms, ₱500 per night.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much? | Tagpila?tag‑pee‑la |
| Thank you | Salamatsa‑la‑mat |
| Where is the beach? | Nasaan ang tabing-dagat?na‑sa‑an ang ta‑bing‑da‑gat |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Smile, handshake; 'po' to elders; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Beckoning: Palm down, wave; avoid: Palm up (used for animals)
- Invitations: Accept food offered or decline politely; avoid: Refusing bluntly
- Time: Expect 'Filipino time' socially; avoid: Lateness for flights and boats
- Churches: Covered clothes; avoid: Loud tours during Mass
Scams and watch-outs
- No regular flights to Mati Airport; plan to fly into Davao and take road transport.
- Bus schedules can vary; confirm departure times at the Mati Tourist office.
Mati is generally safe for tourists; petty theft is rare but keep belongings secure, especially on crowded tricycles.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Mati yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Dahican Beach
- Subangan Museum
- Mindanao SAGA Flying Club
- Local market
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Mati official website: www.mati.gov.ph/
- Wikivoyage: Mati, revision 5337973 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5337973
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/mati). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.