Immerse Yourself in Nature at Malagos Garden Resort: Home to the Only Chocolate Museum in the Philippines

Malagos Garden Resort is a gem in the heart of Davao City, Philippines. It all started in 1994 when the Puentespina family, specifically Roberto and Charita Puentespina, decided to open their private sanctuary to the public. Since then, the resort has become a prime destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

As the name suggests, the resort spans over 12 hectares of lush greenery and boasts of a wide range of attractions and amenities. Here are some of the top things to do and see in Malagos Garden Resort:

Chocolate Museum: 

Indulge in the first and only chocolate museum in the country, and explore the wonders of cacao and chocolate-making. The museum has four interactive installations, including the Chocolate Bar, where you can enjoy various Malagos chocolate treats, and the Malagos Chocolate Laboratory, where you can make your own chocolate.

Bird Feeding Dome: 

Get up close and personal with over 20 species of birds, including the Taliktik Hornbill, endemic in Mindanao. You can also buy bird seeds to feed lovebirds and budgerigar birds.

Museo de Mariposa: 

Immerse yourself in the world of butterflies and learn about their life cycle and importance in the ecosystem. The museum features 32 out of 45 butterfly species found in Davao City.

Butterfly Dome: 

Marvel at the beauty of over 10 species of butterflies, including the Paper Kite Butterfly, the most abundant species in the dome.

Chocolate Spa: 

Pamper yourself with unique spa massages that use 65% melted Malagos chocolate, rich in antioxidants. This is a must-try for chocolate lovers and spa enthusiasts alike.

Aside from these top attractions, Malagos Garden Resort offers a wide array of amenities, including a swimming pool, a petting zoo, a hydroponics garden, a herb's garden, and a skate park. The resort also has tours, such as the Chocolate Tour and the Tree-to-Bar Tour, which allow guests to witness the chocolate-making process from harvesting to the final product.

What sets Malagos Garden Resort apart from other resorts is its commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. Most of the trees in the resort, including the Narra Trees in the entrance, were hand-planted by Ms. Charita Puentespina herself. Additionally, the resort was the first facility to successfully breed a Mindanao Tariktik Hornbill in captivity.

To get to Malagos Garden Resort, take the Calinan-Baguio-Cadalian Road in Baguio District, Davao City. The resort is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and the 45-minute bird show runs on weekends at 10:00 am, while the Falconry Show, which demonstrates how to feed their raptors, is at 1:00 pm after lunch.