I used to enjoy Malagos Davao Chocolates at their Matina cafe, so I initially assumed we were heading back to that branch. However, my cousin pointed out that we were visiting a completely different location: the Malagos Garden Resort in Baguio District, Davao City.
Unlike the cafe, Malagos Garden Resort is a full-fledged eco-cultural destination packed with family-friendly activities, including an interactive bird show, a lunch buffet, a petting zoo, and the famous Malagos Chocolate Museum.
Malagos Garden Resort Rates
They open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for day tours. Here are their rates:
Standard Day Tour Rates
Weekday Rates
- ₱799 / adult: Includes Resort Entrance + Plated Lunch
- ₱699 / adult: Includes Resort Entrance + Plated Snacks (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Weekend Rates
- ₱999 / head: Includes Resort Entrance + Lunch Buffet (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM) + 10:00 AM Bird Show
- ₱699 / adult: Includes Resort Entrance + Plated Snacks (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Promo Rates
Weekday Rates
- ₱699: Adult with Plated Lunch
- ₱549: Adult with Plated Snacks (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Weekend Rates
- ₱899: Includes Lunch Buffet, Entrance, & 10:00 AM Bird Show
- ₱999: Special Holiday / Peak Season Rate
- ₱549: Adult with Plated Snacks (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Swimming Pool Fees
- ₱100.00: Guests 12 years old and above
- ₱80.00: Children 4–11 years old
Inclusions: Admission grants full access to top attractions.
Note: Show schedules depend on weather conditions, and the resort does not offer fee deductions or refunds if you miss the Bird Show.
Top Attractions at Malagos Garden Resort
After we settled our payment at the Madayaw Lounge front office, we waited inside the van. It picked us up and brought us to the Malagos Amphitheater, the venue for the interactive bird show.
Malagos Interactive Birdshow
The Bird Show starts at 10:00 AM every Saturday and Sunday. They run the longest-running interactive bird show in the Philippines. The management does not adjust or deduct fees if you miss the show, and rain cancels the performance because birds struggle to fly in wet weather. Fortunately, bright sunshine greeted us during our visit.
The show follows a clever concept called the “Malagos Bird School,” where trained birds teach human audiences valuable lessons:
- Flag Raising: A cockatoo kicks off the show by hoisting the flag.
- Recess & Introduction: Trainers feed the birds while introducing their species to the crowd.
- Financial Literacy Class: Birds deposit coins into piggy banks designated for savings, travel, and banking.
- P.E. Competition: Two African Gray Parrots compete in a basketball shooting race.
- Environmental Science: A majestic Macaw demonstrates proper waste segregation by sorting biodegradable from non-biodegradable trash.
- Conservation Awareness: The finale highlights how deforestation disturbs wildlife habitats.
Seeing birds fly freely outside of cages felt amazing. I recall seeing cockatoos, owls, parrots, an eagle, macaws, and a hornbill. In case you are wondering, these rescued and rehabilitated birds cannot return to the wild due to past injuries and survival risks from natural predators.
Falconry Show
If you want to witness birds of prey in action, don’t miss the Falconry Show at 1:15 PM every Saturday and Sunday. Located in a wide open arena right beside the Corral Pavilion, it is the perfect post-lunch activity—just take a few steps after finishing your buffet meal, and you’re already at the show venue!
Shorter and more action-packed than the morning interactive show, the Falconry Show highlights the rapid flight skills, precision, and hunting agility of trained birds of prey. Falconry is the ancient sport and traditional art of training raptors—such as falcons, hawks, eagles, and owls—to hunt wild prey in their natural environments. The resort hosts this performance in a sprawling, open space to give these powerful birds room to swoop, soar, and display their magnificent aerial abilities.
Malagos Chocolate Museum
Did you know the Philippines sits directly in the global Cacao Belt? At the Malagos Chocolate Museum, I learned that while Davao boasts ideal growing conditions, the country historically lacked a major spot on the global chocolate map because local farms exported raw cacao beans instead of producing finished, high-end chocolates. Supermarket shelves feature mostly imported chocolates, overshadowing local farming efforts.
Besides explaining global cacao production, the museum illustrates cacao’s impact on farmers’ lives and reveals business profit margins. Amazingly, Davao produces 80% of the Philippines’ cacao. Reading these facts encouraged me to protect the environment, especially since Davao boasts fertile soil and rarely experiences typhoons.
Hands-On Chocolate Molding Activity
If you want an interactive souvenir, try the tree-to-bar chocolate molding activity:
- ₱499: 200 grams
- ₱499: 200 grams
While those prices might seem high at first, the exhibits explain the intensive labor behind the product: one cacao tree yields only 3 kg of dried beans per year. Furthermore, processing 3 kg of wet beans yields just 1 kg of dried beans annually, and a single 100-gram chocolate bar requires 145 dried beans.
Best-Selling Malagos Chocolates
If you prefer to skip the chocolate-making activity, you can buy chocolate products at the museum exit. The mini chocolate bars are their bestsellers:
- 65% Dark Chocolate Mini Bar: ₱85
- 72% Dark Chocolate Mini Bar: ₱90
Malagos Butterfly Sanctuary
This outdoor garden walk showcases the life cycle of a butterfly, guiding visitors through the transition from egg to pupa to fully grown butterfly.
Museo de Mariposa
Unlike the outdoor sanctuary, the indoor Museo de Mariposa displays framed butterfly collections rather than live specimens. The vast variety of framed specimens creates a unique and visually striking exhibition. At the end of the museum, you can paint paper-mâché items ranging from PHP 200 to PHP 400 if you enjoy painting activities.
Malagos Bird Feeding Dome
Although entrance to the dome is free, specific animal interactions carry additional charges:
- Bird & Koi Feeding: ₱30
- Photobooth Session: ₱50 per person
Here, we reencountered the parrots from the interactive show. We paid ₱50 per person for photos of our parents holding the birds. I also held the birds myself. I’m a great fan of feathers! My aunt playfully instructed a red and green parrot to give her a kiss, and the bird actually followed her command! I highly recommend trying this interactive experience.
Malagos Petting Zoo
When we moved to the petting zoo, goats immediately poked their heads through the fence. My uncle felt sorry for them and bought a milk bottle to feed them. Although I initially lacked interest, seeing how hungry they were prompted me to buy a bottle, too.
- Goat Milk Bottle Feeding: ₱40
- Horse Feeding: ₱20
- Duck, Rabbit, & Chicken Feeding: ₱30
Lunch Buffet at Corral Pavilion
The weekend lunch buffet runs from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We headed straight to the Corral Pavilion right after the bird show ended to beat the crowds.
Buffet Menu and Experience
The menu setup is strategic and well-rounded:
- Main Dishes: Four sauced meat and vegetable options best with rice (beef, pork, chicken, and mixed vegetables).
- Action Stations & Sides: A wide assortment of breads, salads, fresh fruits, noodles, grilled skewers, isaw (grilled intestines), kimchi, balls, krispy lechon kawali, crepes, ice cream, and more
Note: Drinks are not included in the buffet package and must be purchased separately at a higher price point.
While enjoying our meal, a live saxophonist performed upfront, delivering precise, professional music that set a relaxed dining atmosphere. We even spoke with the restaurant manager—a fellow veteran hotelier from Quezon City who recently relocated to Davao for work.
It was my aunt’s birthday, so my cousin schemed with the waitstaff to have them sing Happy Birthday to her.
If you are looking for a scenic dinner spot on your way back toward the city, drop by Vista View Resto for open-air dining, live music, and a relaxing night view of Davao’s city lights.
Malagos Garden Resort Map
Malagos Garden Resort Summary of Activities
Is Malagos Garden Resort Worth Visiting?
Yes! Whether you are a foodie, a family traveler, or a nature enthusiast, Malagos Garden Resort offers one of the most rewarding day tour experiences in Davao City.
Have you visited Malagos Garden Resort recently? Share your favorite attractions and travel tips in the comments below!
Location
Nestled in the cooler, elevated foothills of Mount Apo, Malagos Garden Resort is located along Calinan–Baguio–Cadalian Road in Baguio District, Davao City. This 12-hectare eco-cultural sanctuary sits about 27 kilometers (a 45-to-60-minute drive) northwest of downtown Davao. We head next to the Philippine Eagle Center, as it is also in the Baguio District.
