Long before those posh beach resorts in Boracay, Bohol & Palawan came to fame, there was already Dakak Park & Beach Resort in Dapitan. And this 80s pioneer in all-inclusive holiday getaways has been inching its way up in the recent years with a stunning comeback.

Titos & titas of Philippine travel, unite because Dakak is back! I’m sure we all remember how its name was as noisy as Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” back in the 80s. Yes, those days when we had to rush home to have our dove-filled beach photos printed at Kodak.

Do you remember how it was THE honeymoon resort to be? Ahhh, those love kids of the late 8os & early 90s must be so grown-up now.

So many happenings eclipsed the popularity of Dakak: nationwide recession, social unrests & resources becoming unviable. But it isn’t only them that were affected, many of its contemporaries too. In fact, some of them did not survive.

But throughout the lengthy episodes of challenges, Dakak didn’t fold, it just silenced its waves while restrategizing its moves. All the while, it’s rebuilding itself for a splashing comeback.

Experience the new Dakak Park & Beach Resort

I was happy to see how things have beautifully changed since my last visit in 2010. Indeed it’s a huge rebound showcasing renovated cabanas, reworked menu, new resort activities & attractions. It may be a retro destination but with all the new things they’ve put in, even GenZ holidaymakers will surely love it.

Here’s what will make you book that trip now.

With 750-meter stretch of white sand shore, there’s surely a lot of space to get that tan, play beach volleyball or build your sand castles. Its graceful cove makes it a lovely spot too for quiet walks or early morning runs.

Cruising, parasailing, jetskiing, banana boat rides, snorkeling, diving, kayaking — name it, they have it! Dakak has thrown in a lot of water activities to make sure there’s something for everyone under the sun.

Hate that salty feel? Hit the pool instead! The resort has 3 pools for your dipping pleasure & each one comes with a different ambience.

If your kind of high is on the extreme & rather rough side, its Adventure Zone are filled with wild activities. You can go rappelling, rock climbing, ziplining & circuit rides on ATVs.

Dakak keeps a small ranch of horses if you like to go on horseback riding & digging in on that haciendero feels. Interestingly, they have a few peacocks to delight kids & kids at heart.

More Wonderful Surprises

Give those backswings a try & make that hole-in-one a showoff. You can roll a strike in bowling or you could smash the rack with those awesome billiard moves. There are also tennis courts for those wishing to give their forehand volleys a work out.

There’s more to Dakak than its resort in the mainland. Check out Aliguay & Selinog islands on an island-hopping adventure. And if you feel like breaking into the rich kids of Instagram, get there in style on board a chopper!

Wanna level-up those usual lunches? Take it down to the river on a slow cruise with on-board buffet, live music serenades & a refreshing view of Dapitan River.

Fantasyland is perhaps the most exciting attraction when you stay at Dakak. This theme park is also a Dakak property & the only one of this kind in Mindanao. It’s the Disneyland of Dapitan replete with amazing shows & heart-stomping rides.

After a day of being out in the sun, nothing beats cooling down with a rejuvenating massage. You can choose to have it in their spa that overlooks a waterfall & the sea or have it a roomed-in service.

A happy departure from its stuffy 80s design, it now beds its guests in a stylish finish. Rooms are quintessentially classic, in deep earth tones & luxe-feel en-suite amenities.

Dakak has added rooms that accommodate large groups too. Its family rooms are made extra huge to house vacationers with children in tow. They also have a dorm set-up to lodge company outings & inseparable barkadas.

CHECK RATES & DEALS HERE NOW

Estivale is one of the most anticipated summer events in the region. This music festival held on Dakak’s shoreline gathers partyphiles from all over the country in a sizzling fun.

Dakak has always been a dining destination in Dapitan serving various cuisines from the usual Filipino flair to international cuisines. Come by for real good food & awesome ambience.

Since it became a hit in the 90s, the resort has always been a favorite spot for large functions like conferences & large parties. It still is today’s adored host in the region.

Villa Angelina is the most striking change there is to Dakak. This side of the 15-hectare wooded land resort is its ultra-luxury property developed on clifftops. Basking on the most amazing views & exclusive amenities, Villa Angelina is fit for the most sophisticated holidaymakers & those with a budget to splurge.

Now that’s a whole lot of wonderful things new about Dakak Park & Beach Resort. For all its tourist brochure charms, there’s already plenty of stunning attractions to indulge.

I have seen many resorts shift up & down the fame scene. And Dakak’s sparkling comeback is truly one that pulls Zambonga del Norte on the leisure map again.

-oOo-

Please follow and like us: