City in Davao del Sur, Philippines
Is Davao safe?
One of the Philippines' most orderly cities, with visible policing and strict local ordinances.
Is Davao safe?
One of the Philippines' most orderly cities, with visible policing and strict local ordinances. Normal city care applies; avoid western Mindanao and follow current advisories for the wider island.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-07.
- Homicide rate in Philippines: 4.3 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Philippines: 12.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: All emergencies 911.
Safety in Davao at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Phone and bag snatching in crowded markets and on jeepneys, motorbike theft, and occasional room theft; violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Quiet compared with Manila. Bars close early and a liquor ban applies after late hours; use Grab for the ride home. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women by Philippine standards. Dress modestly away from malls and resorts, and use Grab after dark. |
| Other risks | Motorbike and tricycle crashes; Dengue in the rainy months; Earthquakes: the region is seismically active |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxi drivers skipping the meter at the airport
- Overpriced tourist packages sold by touts near Samal ferries
- Fake 'official' fee collectors at beach resorts
Take care
- Dark side streets downtown late at night
- Motorbike traffic: helmets are strictly enforced and crashes are common
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Smoking and vaping in public places are banned in many cities, with fines
- Drug laws are harsh; even small amounts can mean long detention
How Davao compares in Philippines
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Boracay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palawan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| El Nido | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Siargao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Coron | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bohol | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Panglao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Makati | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Moalboal | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Baguio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| La Union | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Davao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dumaguete | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Siquijor | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Puerto Galera | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Malapascua | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Port Barton | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tagaytay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sagada | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Banaue | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Vigan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Iloilo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| BGC | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bantayan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manila | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cebu | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Angeles City | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Davao safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women by Philippine standards. Dress modestly away from malls and resorts, and use Grab after dark.
Is Davao safe at night?
Quiet compared with Manila. Bars close early and a liquor ban applies after late hours; use Grab for the ride home.
What is the crime rate in Davao?
Phone and bag snatching in crowded markets and on jeepneys, motorbike theft, and occasional room theft; violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Philippines records 4.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Davao?
All emergencies 911.
More about Davao
Going to Davao solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Philippine Department of Tourism
- Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
- Grab Philippines
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.