Davao City is the chocolate capital of the Philippines, and it also grows the world’s smelliest fruit. If you are flying home with a bag full of durian candy and cacao tablea, you did Davao right. The city has over a dozen distinct local products — from fruit preserves and weavings to roasted coffee and pearl jewelry — so the hardest part is choosing what fits your bag.
Where you shop changes what you pay. A pack of durian candy at the market costs around PHP 150, while the same brand at the airport might be marked up. Whole fruits, woven textiles, and artisan chocolate are best bought at their source — the trip to the farm or the weaving center is usually worth it.
What You Can Bring Home
The full range of Davao pasalubong goes way beyond what fits in three cards. You will also find pomelo from Calinan (boxed or peeled), mangosteen candies and jam (PHP 100–PHP 350), Mt. Apo coffee (PHP 300–PHP 500 per 250g), tuna chicharon and bottled tuna (PHP 150–PHP 350), honey and calamansi concentrates (PHP 150–PHP 300), Davao pearls (PHP 500–PHP 2,000), and snack variety packs of dried mangoes and banana chips (PHP 100–PHP 200).
If you want a deeper look at what to eat while you are there, check our Davao food trip guide for more restaurant recommendations.
When to Shop — and What Changes Your Plan
Most pasalubong items are available year-round, but a few things shift with the calendar. The Kadayawan Festival happens every August. During that month you will find tribal-inspired accessories, festival artwork, and hand-painted items priced PHP 100–PHP 500. These are seasonal — outside August they are harder to find.
Fruit seasons also matter. Pomelo and mangosteen have peak harvest windows. The soil around Mount Apo is mineral-rich because of volcanic origin, so the fruit from Davao is known for its sweetness. If you buy pomelo at the height of the season, you will get better fruit for the same price.
Chocolate is sensitive to heat. Buy your Malagos bars last, right before you fly. If you buy them early and walk around the city, they may soften or melt. The 65% dark bar (PHP 85) is milder and sweeter; the 72% (PHP 90) has a stronger cocoa punch. Choose 65% if you are buying for kids.
For a full breakdown of how to enjoy Davao without stretching your wallet, read our budget travel guide to Davao City.
Where to Shop and How to Get Around
Davao’s shopping spots are spread out. You will cover more ground if you group them by area.
| Location | Best For | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Bankerohan Public Market | Fresh fruits — durian, pomelo, mangosteen | Downtown Davao City |
| Magsaysay Fruit Stands / Magsaysay Park | Fresh durian (Puyat, Duyaya varieties) | Magsaysay Park area |
| Malagos Garden Resort & Chocolate Museum | Malagos chocolate bars, tablea, farm tours | Baguio District, Davao City |
| Lola Abon’s / Apo ni Lola | Durian candies, pastillas, yema, spreads | Matina (flagship), and other outlets |
| Aldevinco Shopping Center | Tribal crafts, woven items, souvenirs | Claro M. Recto Avenue |
| SM Lanang / Abreeza Mall | Malagos kiosks, T’nalak Home, general shopping | Lanang and Matina districts |
A few tips that save you time and money. Compare fruit prices between Bankerohan and Magsaysay — rates vary by vendor and season. Buy chocolates last. Pack items carefully so they do not get squished in your bag. If you want online delivery, some brands like Malagos Chocolate and Lola Abon’s offer ordering and shipping for balikbayans or remote buyers.
For more off-the-beaten-path spots around the city, see our list of hidden gems in Davao that locals keep to themselves.
What to Actually Do — A Shopper’s Day in Davao
Taste Before You Buy at Malagos Garden Resort
Malagos Garden Resort in Baguio District runs a chocolate museum and farm tours. You can see the whole tree-to-bar process — from cacao tree to finished bar. The 65% Dark Chocolate Mini Bar costs PHP 85, and the 72% version is PHP 90. Tablea is PHP 350. If you want to try before committing, the shop lets you sample. This is also where you will find the Puentespina head office on Bolcan Street in Agdao if you want to skip the resort entrance fee.
Shop the Two Durian Titans Side by Side
Lola Abon’s is the original — a quaint, old-school store that started in the 1950s. It sticks to traditional recipes for durian pastillas and yema. Apo ni Lola, founded in 1993 by Lola Abon’s grandson, is a large three-story flagship store in Matina with modern packaging and over 70 durian products. Popular picks: Durian Buko Pandan Yema (PHP 50), Yema Langka Spread (PHP 200+), Mangosteen Candy Sticks (PHP 42), and Hopia (PHP 100+). Visit both — they are very close to each other.
Hit the Markets for Fresh Fruit and Local Snacks
Bankerohan Public Market is the main wet market for fresh durian, pomelo, and mangosteen. Vendors sell Puyat and Duyaya durian varieties. Magsaysay Fruit Stands along Magsaysay Park are also a go-to for whole fruits. If you want snack variety packs — dried mangoes, banana chips, or local chips — supermarkets at SM Lanang or Abreeza have them for PHP 100–PHP 200.
Pick Up Weavings and Crafts at Aldevinco and the Malls
Aldevinco Shopping Center on Claro M. Recto Avenue is the classic stop for tribal crafts, beadwork, and souvenirs. For T’nalak weavings, go to T’boli Weaving Center in Lanang or T’nalak Home inside Abreeza Mall. Smaller items like bags and table runners cost PHP 800–PHP 1,500. Dagmay weavings from the Mandaya people run PHP 1,000–PHP 2,500. Keychains and magnets with durian, Mount Apo, or Philippine Eagle motifs cost PHP 20–PHP 50 each.
If you are interested in local art and creative spaces, read our feature on Davao’s art scene and where to find it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest pasalubong I can buy in Davao? ▾
Where can I buy fresh durian in Davao City? ▾
Can I order Davao pasalubong online? ▾
What should I buy if I do not like durian? ▾
Is it better to buy pasalubong at the airport or at markets? ▾
How much does Malagos chocolate cost at the source? ▾
What is the difference between Lola Abon’s and Apo ni Lola? ▾
Can I bring pomelo on the plane? ▾
Planning Your Trip
The key to a good Davao pasalubong run is timing. Go to the markets early for the freshest fruit. Save chocolate for the last stop. Compare prices between Bankerohan and Magsaysay. If you are flying, check your airline’s fruit limit ahead of time. And if you want to explore further, bring enough bag space — you will find more to buy than you planned.
If this was useful, you might also want to read what makes Dabawenyos so warm and welcoming to visitors.
Sources
Davao Food Trip: Is This the Philippines’ Next Culinary Capital? — A companion guide to the best restaurants, halal food, and merienda spots in the city.
Davao City on a Budget: How to Experience Paradise Without Breaking the Bank — Practical money-saving tips for travelers who want to stretch their peso further.
Best Pasalubong in Davao: The Ultimate Shopping Guide. Ninja Moves, 2025.
Unique Souvenirs from Davao City: Shopping Guide and Recommendations. Travelpreneur Life, 2025.
Food Spots in Davao: Where to Eat and What to Try. TripZilla Philippines, 2025.
Must-Buy Pasalubongs in Davao City. SunStar Davao, 2025.
