Mindanao Tourism Map
One of the (many?) things that I find frustrating about the Philippines, and Samal Island in particular, is the lack of good detailed maps. I’ve always found maps to be a very useful tool. I much prefer them to getting directions, as I like to get a visual in my head.
Davao has more available in this area than Samal. But that’s not saying much, as Samal Island has almost nothing detailed other than the one I feature in my sidebar. I have a copy of every map of Samal Island that I could find on my hard drive. It’s not many. I guess one could make the argument that there isn’t much to map on Samal at this time.
I recently ran across an article from Roger Montano Balanza from his Durianburgdavao news blog, that gives an encouraging account of a upcoming map of Mindanao for tourists. Even though the article about this proposed tourist map doesn’t directly state that it includes Samal Island, I’m hopeful that it will. At the very least it would be very nice to have something of the general Mindanao region.
A product of years of collaboration between the private sector tourism players and the Department of Tourism (DOT), the tourism highway map contains details on top Mindanao tourist spots, destinations, transportation and other information that a tourist needs from Western Mindanao to the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The map is due to come out in August at the Mindanao Tourism and Travel Expo in Davao City.
Mindanao tourist map to be launched « durianburgdavao.
Map credit: www.georgeandramilyn.com (not sure where they got it)
 things that I find frustrating about the Philippines, and Samal Island in particular, is the lack of good detailed maps. I've always foun){kind=link}
Hi Randy,
I don’t know if you know this already, but there is a grassroots movement to map Davao via GPS. I first read it on sunstar.com.ph, but it’s now taken a life of it’s own. Even the Dept of Tourism is joining in.
Hi Macky – thanks for that link. I may have heard something about this awhile back, but I wasn’t aware of the site you referenced.
I’ve never really used GPS myself, but it certainly is great to see the support of this. I can see the advantage of doing so, especially in a place like Davao. I have no real sense of direction there.
I guess hard copy maps are pretty much on their way out. I know when I need to go to a location I’ve never been for work I always check Google Maps, or one the others.
I have the EZ Map Davao. On the back is has a map of Samal, almost as detailed as the map you have here. That’s the map I took with me when I went on my little Samal adventure. It’ok, but I think it’s missing a few roads.
I wish there were a better map as that’s the first thing I pack when I go on a trip.
a thought occurred to me. samal’s small enough to drive around for fun.
i could see myself just making a hobby out of finding roads & mapping the island. a big giant jigsaw puzzle to play with. an excellent way to discover hidden beaches too.
Hi Kevin – I don’t think I’ve seen the Samal part of the EZ Map of Davao. At least if I have, it wasn’t presented as such. If you have time to grab a scan of that, I’d like to see it. You can email it to me, again if you have the time.
I should probably get a copy of the EZ Map Davao anyway.
Macky – I’d really like to see what your version of a map of Samal would look like. Sounds like a great project for you. Now there’s something I know would sell a little better than the print I have up
sad to say, but even though i grew up on a beach house directly across samal, i don’t really know much of the interior. the island was just a swim away from our backyard!
family frequented the coastlines on weekends since we owned our own boat. save for one hike with friends to explore a creek, inland samal’s still a mystery to me. which is pretty much like every local dabawenyo (which may be a good thing).
it would be great to explore the interior & map it. maybe something you might enjoy doing once you settle there.
Hi Macky – I’m sure I will spend a lot of time exploring Samal once I live there. I hope to do a little each time I visit up until that time.
I wouldn’t know how to go about mapping an area. I could do something like the Open Street Map project, though I expect that will be done long before I get there. At least I would hope so.
Hi Randy,
Just got back from a 2+ week venture to Samal. Did everything from a pump boat trip to Small and Big Liguid, (got chased off small Liguid by an armed guard with Armalight rifle, I was willing to pay the day tour rate but did not get the chance to state my case!) to traversing inland to a mountain top farm of my wife and family in an area called Tagluno. Mostly coconut (copra) with some mango’s and coffee. What a beautiful area up there. So very tropical, healthy trees and vegetation. Back to Big Liguid if I may, this Island has a rough rocky shoreline but makes for a great outing for a daytrip cookout. We pulled up our small pump boat to the shoreline with ease as it drops off very fast. Cooked some local fish and added rice and seasonings. A touch of Tanduay and the rest is history. Snorkeling there is very good to excellent. I saw several Moorish Idles, Sea Bay Clown Fish, Blue Tang, Zebra looking fish and hundred of others that I can’t identify. A local fisherman came by in his small bonca and sold us a 15 lb silver looking fish for 500Pesos with a native name that even escapes my wife’s vocabulary. It was said to have been a banned fish for harvesting. Of course I find out later, well after a good meal or two. That outing was a true memory for the archives! We enjoyed the company of Kenchi, owner/operator of Chemas by the Sea. Very generous man with a passion to share his San Mig Lights with guests of his choice. We were actually the only overnighter’s that night and after several Lights, it was lights out for me. The day tour crowd started early the next day and crescendo’d through the afternoon. The villa we selected was close to the beach but elevated with an breathtaking view of the surroundings and sea. I was very impressed with the amount of quality in everything from the brick buildings to the Luxury appliances in the rooms. After reviewing your blog on Precious Resort Pizza in Babok, I took the whole clan, (14 total) for a dinner out. The Pizza was excellent and the service superb. We were given the tour of the resort and was impressed on the size of the rooms for the price. They were only P1800 with aircon and a very nice room and setting. Another high light was a half day at Hagimmit Falls. I have been there every other year for the last 15 years and never has it been this nice. There are now Bahay Kubos now for family picnics and even some nipa style rooms for overnight and several new board walks to help in getting around. I have hundreds of pics if interested including a shot of the new ferry terminal shot form the water side in our pump boat. Davao seems pretty much the same as before. We did however, get to go to the Monkey Eating Eagle Sanctuary at the Eden Nature Park in Toril. Super fun and great to see such majestic creatures up close.
Hi Brian – what a great write up. Sounds like you had a great time as well.
Really glad to hear that you enjoyed Chema’s and Precious Garden. Pizza can be one of those foods that people are particular about, so good to know that your clan approved. I was impressed with rooms at both establishments, but Precious Garden does seem like a bit of a bargain.
Yes, Hagimit is certainly growing into a full resort. Not what I had expected, but very nice regardless.
Pics are always welcome, and you are welcome to submit an article if you’d care to. Email me if interested.
Thanks for the update.