When we visit a new place, the first thing that the partner and I always have in mind is to look for nearby parks, playgrounds and attractions that provide an educational experience for us and our toddler.

A lesser-known attraction in Davao City, it seemed, is GAP Farming Resort.

We were very happy to find out that it was just a few minutes away from where we lived (Adrian hosted us free for six days in his awesome space in Maa; get ₱950 in AirBnB travel credits here) which meant we could “hack” our transportation to save on costs.

To get to GAP Farming Resort, you will have to make your way to the Saint Francis of Assisi Church, which locals call the Parokya. It is located at the corner of AH26 (the Pan-Philippine Highway) and Don Julian Rodriguez Sr. Avenue.

Since we were already in Maa, it only required a jeepney ride which costed us just ₱8 per way per person. Upon reaching the Parokya, you can opt to ride a habal-habal to GAP Farming Resort for ₱10 per person.

Or you can be like us and walk your way there. Did I mention that this place was right along AH26? That meant that there are no jeepneys plying the route, only huge buses and trucks making their way to another province in Mindanao. The highway was huge and intimidating and we were walking under the 2PM heat of the sun.

The walk felt like forever (actually more like three kilometers) but Google Maps say it was just really a 1.3-kilometer distance. I don’t know. But the partner was happy because we saved ₱40, two way, and he got me to do a full body workout. Hahaha. I think he will do anything to save ₱16 on fare, even if it meant walking four kilometers in the process.

We asked a few people along the highway (there obviously weren’t a lot; just huge truck yards) and I could read from their faces that they were thinking we were crazy.

You know, all the while, I kept thinking about opening up an actual Motor Hotel (motel) along the highway for the road trippers and long-distance travelers. Perfect along AH26, right?

Finally, we reached GAP and it was beautiful and definitely well worth the walk.

I am a fan of greens because they are just so relaxing to the eyes. I also work on the computer all day and am short-sighted so it’s great exercise for my eye muscles. The resort has an orchard of pomelos and lots of different trees.

The first thing you’ll notice in the GAP Farm is the huge carabao with a Filipino farmer riding on top. According to the inscription, it was a “monument of a poor pioneer settler as one of the great developers of a very rich Mindanao”.

The resort is a great place for family outings. It has a swimming pool for the little ones and also a restaurant but what I liked best are the statues inside.

They have a line-up of different animals that are native to the Philippines (also great for learning Filipino and English) and they also have Philippine presidents (Duterte was still being made) and the great Filipino men and women of all time.

There are also creatures from Filipino folklore (can you recognize them from below? the tikbalang’s head got cropped) and the famous Juan Tamad. At the foot of a higher hill where all these are located is a small Japanese cave with a cyclops inside.

Of course, we couldn’t miss the playground.

Instead of heading to the Japanese Tunnel a few kilometers from the resort, we decided to just spend the rest of the afternoon there while the partner and I talked about our plans. Haha. I loved not being pressured to go and move to a next tourist attraction.

We even got to “meet” the carabao. I have not been this close to a carabao in years (our neighbor used to have a corn farm and used a carabao to till the land) but much have changed and that farm no longer exists.

Our stay had been short but we sure had a lot of fun.

Expenses Summary:

• Fare to St. Francis of Assisi – ₱8 per person
• Fare to GAP Farming Resort – none; or ride a habal-habal for ₱10 per person
• Entrance Fee – ₱50 per person (same rate for our kiddo)
• Japanese Cave Entrance – ₱10 per person

GAP Farming Resort
Green Valley, Diversion Road, Maa, Davao City
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Other attractions to visit in and around Davao City:

• Davao City museums
• Samal Island
• Mt. Puting Bato, Samal Island
• Isla Reta Resort, Talicud Island

About the Author

Pam is an outdoors-loving millennial momma who loves to hike, trek and camp in the beaches and mountains with her partner and their 3-year-old daughter. When not exploring the great outdoors, she moonlights as a freelance writer specializing in the travel, parenting, personal finance and digital marketing niches. You can also follow her via social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!