If you are planning to visit the Philippines, now is a good time! March is the first summer month here until mid May. We have lots of white sand beaches, like the famous Boracay, a small island in the Philippines, well-known for its white sand, beautiful sunset and various water activities.
Another beach that is part of our top 10 beaches here in the Philippines is DAKAK, which is popular for its beautifully shaped cove and powdery white sand, and as a diving Mecca spot in Mindanao.
We went there last February after my daughter’s 6th birthday together with my family and a good friend. We made a reservation 2 weeks before our planned date, and opted for the Barkadahan “Friends” Package, that is good for 4 adults and 2 kids and costs $160. The package includes 2 days and 1 night, Roundtrip airport or wharf/ resort transfer, DELUXE ROOM accommodation, welcome cocktails, free breakfast, use of their swimming pool, complimentary entrance and rides at Gloria’s Fantasyland.
Gloria Fantasyland is a world class themed park; that is open from 5:30 in the afternoon until midnight.
How to go there:
We are currently living in Ozamis City, located in the Mindanao region just like Dakak. We rode a bus and it took us for almost four hours to get there. But if you come from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, you can get a flight, it is less hassle than riding a public bus.
The Place:
We didn’t expect our room to be that impressive. The native style cottage bungalows are made up of a main bedroom with a private toilet and bath, it has 2 double beds, an air-conditioned room, T.V. with cable and a telephone.
My daughter was very excited to go to the beach, her perfect azure sparkling seawater is very brilliant for swimming! During dinner the beach is turned into a dining area, tables are set up so guests can enjoy a buffet of grilled seafood and other Philippine delicacies.
We went to their beach side restaurant; the cost per person is $4. The waitresses recommended I share a plate with my daughter so that I can spend less. The foods are very, very good and delicious and while eating they offer entertainment; cultural dancers featuring local talents with 2 fire dancer men.
Editor’s note: I found the resort cost for just one night pretty steep, but $4 for a seafood dinner on the beach with entertainment is a great deal!
After a little while, they asked some of the guests if they can join them to dance, one of the dancers asked my 17 year-old younger sister to join them but she was very shy so she refused.
If you want to stay indoors, they offer some amenities that surely the guests will enjoy; you can go bowling, sing at the top of your lung at the karaoke bar, play tennis at the courts or just hang out at the billiards hall. After we had dinner, we went to the Gloria Fantasyland, the service van is waiting from 8pm to 12 midnight to bring you back.
Gloria Fantasyland is a world-class attraction park that compares to Disneyland theme parks. There are lots of rides that you can choose at Gloria Fantasyland and favorites are: Old Western Train and Swinger ride.
I really wanted to try the Horror Walk but my daughter was so scared, she was afraid that the Zombies would bite me and turn me into a monster. At around 10 P.M. they have a stage show, that time was showcasing Aladdin with his friends and after the event there they had amazing fireworks for about 5 minutes! Before we got back to Dakak, we went to the Souvenir Shop, bought some T-shirts and souvenirs item for my husband’s officemates.
On the next day, we had a perfect buffet breakfast; the food was very delicious; you can choose from a wide variety of foods, from rice, pork, fresh fruits and vegetables and Pinoy foods. After we had our breakfast we decided to go to swimming again, the water was so clear and the white sand gorgeous. If you want to explore the sea, you can go cove hopping, scuba dive at one of the many dive sites nearby, jetski, waterski and even do some cave exploration.
And for those who are looking for a thrill, extreme sports and more fun, Dakak also offers Adventure Zone! It includes Airsoft, ATV, Climbing (rock climbing, biking, trekking and rappelling,) Horseback Riding, Diving, and Zipline with 1, 364 meters and 300-meter drop. Their Zipline is well-known as “The Fastest Dual Zipline in Asia”.
I’m not the adventurer type so I never tried any of it, “shame on me”. Dakak is a very good place to bring your family as well as your friends; it’s not crowded unlike the other beach resorts. If I have a chance to go back there, then surely I would!
wow $4 for that kind of meal is a great price. I love learning about other cultures and places around the world, so keep these posts coming! Your daughter is very cute too!
Thanks Tonya!
The Philippines is a country of smiles. Everyone is so polite, kind, and very hospitable. You are well taken off once took a trip or a vacation to the Philippines.
Dakak is a good way to start if you want your first trip to the Philippines memorable. The local dish are good and the things to do are endless.
Thanks Nik, you’re right if you have a chance to visit Philippines then don’t forget Dakak on your list.
Hi Pauline,
That looks amazing – especially the beach and the CRABS! My sister and I never made it to Mindanao on this last trip we took, but I would love to visit Dakak and perhaps Palawan, on our next trip. I loved Cebu and it would be hard pressed to top that experience , but I’m open! Thank you for sharing this – your family looked like you are having a BLAST!
Your daughter looks so sweet Clarisse! The Philippines would make a fantastic trip from Canada. The food looks amazing, too.