The Complete South Cotabato Travel Guide For 2024 (Gen San, Lake Sebu, Tupi, and More!)

South Cotabato is easily one of the most UNDERRATED travel destinations in the Philippines. 

No, you won’t find white sand beaches, or crystal clear waters here. 

Instead, you’ll find some of the most beautiful mountains and lakes and some of the more unique tourist spots in the Philippines. 

Of all the provinces I’ve visited in the Philippines, I can easily say South Cotabato is one of my favorite ones!

But before I visited, I noticed there weren’t any complete travel guides online. 

That’s why I’m here to give you the ultimate South Cotabato travel guide for 2024! 

In this article, I’ll go over:

• South Cotabato travel facts (safety, what to expect, etc.)
• How to get to South Cotabato (from anywhere in the Philippines)
• How to get around South Cotabato (one of the main challenges of visiting this area)
• A South Cotabato travel map
• South Cotabato’s tourist spots (Gen San, Lake Sebu, Polomolok, and more!)
• A sample South Cotabato itinerary
• Where to go after South Cotabato
• A sample SOCCSKSARGEN itinerary (if you want to visit more than one province!)

I’ll also finish with some frequently asked questions about the province. 

South Cotabato is a HUGE province, so let’s get started!

South Cotabato Travel Facts – 4 Things You Need to Know About Traveling the Province

Before I get into the details of traveling South Cotabato, here are some important and interesting facts about the province!

#1: South Cotabato Is 100% SAFE

That’s right.

Even though it’s in south Mindanao…

And even though some embassies tell their citizens to avoid the area…

The truth is South Cotabato is a 100% safe area today (even for foreigners!)

It has not only one but TWO first-class cities: General Santos and Koronadal. General Santos is literally one of the most modern cities in the country. 

There are also a bunch of developed tourist spots around here. I even saw several foreigners when I visited!

I know there are a lot of scary stories about terrorists in Mindanao. But the truth is, South Cotabato is so far away from the danger area, it’s crazy how some people still think it’s dangerous here. 

#2: South Cotabato is Very Unique

Seriously…

If you’re looking for something different, this province has got it. 

The tourist spots here (which I’ll get to in a bit) are unlike any other in the country. From the Tuna Port and the pineapples to the lotus garden at Lake Sebu, you’re in for quite a treat! 

It’s also a place that’s perfect for nature lovers. 

People who love the mountains will find plenty of amazing hikes. And even if you aren’t physically fit, there are plenty of easy-to-get-to natural spots scattered across the province. 

#3: South Cotabato is HOT

I know the Philippines is hot. 

But South Cotabato is HOT, hot. 

I distinctly remember the heat bearing down on my skin every time I went outside – and it wasn’t even summer! 

I’m not sure why this is, maybe because it’s closer to the equator than most of the Philippines.

Whatever the case, get ready for it (and maybe eat some buko halo-halo while you’re here.)

#4: The Best Time to Visit South Cotabato is NOW

Seriously…

South Cotabato is developed for tourism, but not too developed. 

It’s full of natural beauty, but it isn’t so rugged that only the super adventurous can enjoy it. 

People come from all over the country to visit, but still not too many people. 

That’s why South Cotabato is at the perfect spot between convenience and retaining its natural beauty. I have a hunch this has to do with the fact that it’s in Mindanao, which scares some people away. 

That’s why I highly recommend you go before it becomes a hot spot! 

Judging from what it has to offer, it’s not going to be too long before the whole province is packed with resorts and tourists. 

So go visit now!

How to Get to South Cotabato (From Anywhere in the Philippines)

South Cotabato has one of the biggest airports in the Philippines: the General Santos International Airport. 

Both Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines currently have direct flights to Gen San from:

• Manila
• Cebu
• Clark
• Ilo-Ilo

Note: the airport is about 30 minutes away from General Santos City. A taxi to the city will cost you php500. There are also buses from the airport to Koronadal. You can check Yellow Bus Lines’ Facebook page for updates. 

Otherwise, there are vans and buses from all over Mindanao that pass through and stop in both General Santos and Koronadal. 

You can ride directly from major cities like Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Cotabato City. 

Finally, you can even get on a boat from Manila to Gen San! It takes a whopping 2 days and 9 hours to get there though, so it’s quite impractical. 

This route is sometimes done by 2go Travel, so go and check their Facebook page for updated schedules. 

How to Get Around South Cotabato

Now for the challenging bit…

How do you get around South Cotabato once you get there???

Because here’s the thing:

No taxis are roaming around South Cotabato that you can just hail down. 

That’s why you need to come prepared. 

Rent a Motorbike

When I was planning my trip, my backpacker’s heart rejoiced when I found that there was a motorbike rental in General Santos! 

If you can drive a scooter, I highly, HIGHLY recommend renting one. 

This will completely solve all of your transpo issues when you’re visiting this province – and it’ll give you so much flexibility to explore. 

The best part? 

They allow you to drive the bike anywhere in mainland Mindanao! So you can drive all the way to Surigao if you really want to. 

The rental shop is called Banquerigo Motorbike Rental. They have several units, and they go for php350 a day for a Mio, and php1,000 a day for an NMAX. 

You also have to rent the helmet from them. It’s php100/day, but it caps at 5 days, so you won’t have to pay more than php500 per helmet. 

You can search for their shop in Google Maps, just type “Banquerigo Vehicle Rent.” It’s right beside McDonald’s Lagao. If you wanna commute there, ride a jeep or tricycle from KCC Mall heading towards Lagao. 

Tricycles (and Jeepneys)

One thing you’ll notice right away when you arrive is that tricycles are EVERYWHERE. 

Unlike some major cities in the Philippines, these tricycles are allowed on the highways. 

This makes them the ultimate short-distance transportation in South Cotabato. Whether you’re in the cities (Gen San and Koronadal), or in the towns (Tupi, Polomolok, and Lake Sebu), you should easily find tricycles around. 

They don’t really have a set route either. Just hop on one, tell them where you’re going, and they’ll go there – and pick up a few other people who are heading in the same direction. 

A short tricycle ride shouldn’t cost you more than php15. While you may have to negotiate for longer distances. 

There are also several jeepneys in the cities for medium distances. The routes here are pretty simple since the cities aren’t as complicated as some other cities in the Philippines. 

Vans (and Buses)

South Cotabato is a massive, MASSIVE province. 

So if you’re going on a long-distance trip, you should get in a van or a bus. 

There is a van terminal in KCC Mall which can take you to Tupi, or to parts in Sarangani. If you want to see the Tuna (more on this later), you can also ride a van here heading towards Maitum and just get off at the Fishport Complex. 

If you’re going somewhere like Lake Sebu, you may need to ride several vans (Gen San to Koronadal, Koronadal to Surallah, Surallah to Lake Sebu.)

Buses go longer distances, like from General Santos to Koronadal, or even to Davao and other parts of Mindanao. 

One of the biggest bus lines in this area is the Yellow Bus Line. You can find their terminal along the Pan-Philippine highway (just check Google Maps). 

Taxis

There are currently no hail-down taxis in South Cotabato. 

However, there are several taxi services that you can contact for your convenience.

There are several of these taxis at the airport, so you can just find them there. But once you’re outside the airport, you’ll need to contact one of these services for a ride. 

The Taxi service I used was Taxi GenSan from Facebook. 

The driver was a cool guy. He’s also quite responsive on FB, so that was great. 

The rate from Gen San to the airport is php500, while the rate from the airport to Lake Sebu is php3,000. 

They seem to have set rates depending on where you’re going, so make sure to inquire! 

South Cotabato Travel Map

A fun, South Cotabato travel map coming soon! 

There are 10 municipalities in South Cotabato.

But for travelers, there are really 4 general areas you need to know about:

• General Santos City
• Polomolok and Tupi
• T’Boli and Lake Sebu
• Koronadal City

Let’s have a closer look. 

General Santos City (Most Modern City)

General Santos City is the most modern and progressive city not only in South Cotabato, but in the entire Region 12 as well. 

It has a bunch of malls and good roads, and they were even building a tunnel through the main highway. 

The only thing it’s missing is tall, skyrise buildings. Apparently, Gen San is built on top of hollow ground, so they can’t build deep foundations to support buildings like this. Other than that though, it’s a very modern city! 

Gen San is also known as the “Tuna Capital” of the Philippines, so you’ll find tuna-themed statues and pasalubong items. Visiting the fish complex to see these giant fish is also a must-do when in South Cotabato (more on this later!). 

But aside from the tuna, there really isn’t much to do in the city. 

It makes for a great jump-off point to explore South Cotabato and its surrounding provinces. But generally speaking, you’ll have to drive for at least an hour before you get somewhere interesting for travelers. 

Where to Stay in General Santos

• RedDoorz near KCC Mall – Where I stayed! A cheaper inn that’s pretty meh. However, it’s close to KCC Mall, which is right on the heart of Gen San. Getting rides from here is super easy.
• Rsg Microhotel – Situated in the San Isidro part of General Santos City.
• Hotel Giorgio – Located in the center of the city. You’ll enjoy a pet-friendly (charges apply) hotel with great room service and a coffee shop.
• Llaguno City Inn – Walking distance to Gmall and KCC. Nice rooms with balcony/terrace.
• Columbus Plaza Hotel – Location is near the park where you can stroll. Many eateries around, peaceful place and very accessible.

Polomolok and Tupi (Pineapples)

As your airplane descends towards the Gen San airport, you’ll see one VERY striking mountain outside your window. 

That mountain is Mt. Matutum, and it’s one of the most majestic mountains in the Philippines. 

At the foot of Mt. Matutum, you’ll find two towns with plenty to see for visitors: Polomolok and Tupi.

If you have to describe these towns with one word, it’d be “Pineapples.”

Both of these towns have MASSIVE pineapple plantations that stretch as far as your eyes can see. 

It’s quite amazing really, and definitely one of the most different places I’ve been. 

Aside from that, Tupi also has a bunch of resorts you can visit. And if you’re a hiker, you can even climb Mt. Matutum from Polomolok! 

T’Boli and Lake Sebu (Nature Lover’s Paradise)

On the Western side of South Cotabato, you’ll find two towns that are famous for their incredible nature:

T’Boli and Lake Sebu. 

Both of these towns have gorgeous lakes that’ll take your breath away. They’re both inhabited by the T’Boli people, so they also have a very unique language and traditional dress. 

T’Boli is more rugged. Its most famous spot, Lake Holon, is a 4-hour hike. And you get to camp at the crater lake of an extinct volcano. 

Lake Sebu is more touristy if you will, but not too touristy that it loses its natural beauty. There are plenty of resorts, some restaurants, and lots of things to do here like visiting the lotus flowers and zip lining across waterfalls. It’s also higher up the mountain, so it has lovely cool air!

Where to Stay in Lake Sebu

• Punta Isla Lake Resort – Garden with lake view.
• Dolores Lake Resort – Modern-type hotel with fantastic views of the lake. It has a great swimming pool and lakeside seating area.
• Sunrise Garden Lake Resort – Secluded resort with very close proximity to nature.

Koronadal City (The Heart of South Cotabato)

Last but not least, Koronadal! 

While Gen San is the most modern city in South Cotabato, Koronadal is the heart of the province. 

Now… I’ll admit I wasn’t able to explore this city much. 

I heard there’s a nice hot spring around the area, which I’d love to go and visit sometime. 

But even if you don’t visit, knowing about this city is important to understanding South Cotabato. 

Also, fun fact! Gen San is a Bisaya city, while in Koronadal, 95% of the people speak Ilonggo (Hiligaynon). 

Where to Stay in Koronadal City

• RedDoorz @ Toshiko Boutique Hotel Korondal City – A place to stay if you want a peaceful neighborhood.
• Eighty Eight Hotel – Situated in the middle of all the nearby restaurants and across the street from KCC and Ace Mall.
• Strawberry Guyabano Farm – Very nice ambiance with cute dome-shaped rooms. You can do a lot of activities here: Giant swing, Flying bee cab, Go kart for kids, Kalesa riding, and many more.

South Cotabato Tourist Spots – 7 Spots You Can Check Out!

Here are 7 South Cotabato tourist spots you need to check out:

• General Santos Tuna Port
• Lake Sebu Lotus Garden
• SG Farm
• Lake Sebu’s 7 Falls
• Lake Holon
• DOLE Pineapple Plantation
• Apareja Buko Halo-Halo

Now that you know the travel areas, let’s take a closer look at these spots!

South Cotabato Tourist Spots #1 – General Santos Tuna Port

• Location: General Santos City
• Fees: Entrance = free, boots rental = php30
• Opening hours: No hours, but the tuna arrives early in the morning
• How to get here: The fish port is roughly 30 minutes away from the city center. Ride any van or bus bound for Maasim, Kiamba, or Maitum in Sarangani, and ask them to drop you here. You can also find some jeepneys that pass by this area, just ask around. 
• Note: The fish port is a massive port/market selling all kinds of fish. The entrance is at Market 3, but turn left, and you’ll find the Tuna in Market 1. 
• Note 2: There is a strict dress code inside the port. You need to be completely covered (long sleeves/jacket, pants), and you need to wear work boots. There’s a small stall outside the entrance where you can rent boots for php30. 

When you think of Gen San, the first thing that should pop into your mind is TUNA. 

It’s the tuna capital of the country, and the tuna port is one of the most unique “tourist spots” I’ve ever been to. 

I put tourist spots in quotation marks because it’s a REAL fish port with people busily going about their work day. 

At the port, you’ll find workers unloading HUGE tunas into carts, pulling them around the market, weighing the fish, grading the fish, and finally loading them into trucks to go to sashimi restaurants (or to be exported). 

The people here are used to guests, so you won’t feel out of place. However, it’s a fast-paced work environment, so try to stay out of the way of the workers. 

Again, this is SO unlike any other “tourist spot.” But it’s easily one of the most memorable ones I’ve been to!

South Cotabato Tourist Spots #2 – Lake Sebu Lotus Garden

• Location: Punta Isla Resort, Lake Sebu
• Fees: Resort entrance = php50, lotus garden = php150, T’boli attire rent = php150
• Opening hours: 6:00 am – 8:00 am
• How to get here: From Gen San, ride a van to Koronadal. From there take a van to Lake Sebu (if there’s no direct van, you can also try riding to Surallah first, then going to Lake Sebu from there). Once you’re in Lake Sebu, there are tricycles and motorcycle taxis (habal-habals) that can bring you around. You can also stay overnight at Punta Isla! 
• Note: The flowers only bloom until 10 am, which is why you can only visit them from 6 to 8 am.

I might sound like a broken record, but this is ANOTHER super unique spot in South Cotabato. 

The lotus garden is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever seen. 

The pink flowers blooming on the cold and peaceful lake is something straight out of a storybook. 

Now… don’t expect the whole lake to be covered in flowers! 😂

The lotus garden is just a patch in the otherwise massive lake. It takes about 10 minutes for your boatman to row you to this garden, which is already part of the fun. 

When you get there, you’ll find a floating garden of pink. You can pick a flower, and get a gazillion pictures with it.

If you want, you can even rent T’Boli attire at Punta Isla, just to make your pictures even better. 

In total, the little lotus tour takes about 30 – 45 minutes, depending on how long you hand out in the lotus garden. 

Aside from that, Punta Isla has a BUNCH of other activities, which you can check out in this brochure they sent me: 

You can contact the resort through their Facebook page for updated info! 

South Cotabato Tourist Spots #3 – SG Farm

• Location: Tupi
• Fees: Environmental fee = php20, entrance fee = php100
• Opening hours: 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
• How to get here: From Gen San, ride a bus or van to Tupi. Once you arrive, you can hire a tricycle or habal-habal to take you to SG Farm, which is about 7km away from the national highway, and about 14km away from the Tupi bus terminal. There are no set prices, so make sure to haggle!

For groups and families, SG Farm is a great getaway destination. 

There are a lot of activities you can do here like using a giant swing, zipline, doing a traditional B’laan dance, go-karts, and more.

SG Farm, which stands for Strawberry Guyabano Farm is also where you’ll find South Cotabato’s famous red barn.

They also have a lot of really big and pretty flowers around here, so make sure to grab plenty of pics.

They have strawberry picking here, but it was off-season when I visited, so I didn’t get to do it. 

To be honest… it’s not the greatest spot in the world for solo backpackers like me. But it’s still a nice place to enjoy the cool air, get a nice view of Mt. Matutum, and just relax with a nice cup of coffee, or swing around in one of their hammocks. 

South Cotabato Tourist Spots #4 – Lake Sebu’s 7 Falls

• Location: Lake Sebu
• Fees: Entrance fee = php20, parking fee = php20, zipline = php300
• Opening hours: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
• How to get here: Read the lotus garden’s how to get here to learn how to get to Lake Sebu. Once you’re already in Lake Sebu, any tricycle or habal-habal driver can take you here!

There are powerful waterfalls all over Mindanao, and two of the bests can be found right here in South Cotabato. 

What I love about these falls is that they’re quite easy to get to. You don’t need to hike for hours to find them. 

And they’re not overly touristy yet.

Case in point? There are wild monkeys in the area!

To get to the falls, all you have to do is take a short walk from the parking lot, and you’ll find the 1st waterfall. 

It’s another SUPER pretty spot in South Cotabato, and I could stare at the falling water for hours.

From there, you can take a zipline downstream and pass through all 7 waterfalls! It’s the highest zipline in Asia, and is guaranteed to give you thrills. 

Or, if you’re like me and zipline isn’t your thing, you can just drive to the 7th waterfall. 

The 7th waterfall is MUCH taller and MUCH more powerful – you can’t even get close! 

South Cotabato Tourist Spots #5 – Lake Holon

• Location: T’boli
• Fees: Tour package from Gen San = roughly php2,500 – php3,000
• Opening hours: N/A
• How to get here: The best way to get to Lake Holon is to join a tour from Gen San or Davao, which will take care of transpo for you. But if you’re going DIY, from Gen San ride a van to Koronadal, then a van to Surallah, then a van to T’Boli to register, then a motorcycle to Salacafe or Kule, and it’s a 4-hour hike from there. 
• Note: When I visited Lake Holon, there weren’t any tours from Gen San going on the days I wanted, so I joined a Davao-based tour and just got picked up in Tacurong city (which is on the way from Davao to T’Boli)

The Crown Jewel of the South!

One of my absolute favorite hikes!

Now… beginners can do this hike. But be prepared for some steep uphills! It should take you around 3 – 4 hours to get to the top depending on your speed. 

When you reach the top, you get one of the most breathtaking views ever, an overlooking view of Lake Holon! 

After taking a gazillion pictures, you make your way down to the lake, into a little canoe, and across the water into the campsite where you’ll stay for the night. 

Here’s the little campsite area!

The next day, on your hike down the Salacafe trail, you’ll find a small trail that leads to a less-popular viewdeck (in my opinion, this one is better than the main viewdeck).

And you’ll also pass the famous kissing stone:

It’s a super, super beautiful place to be, and definitely something you should look into if you’re visiting South Cotabato!

South Cotabato Tourist Spots #6 – DOLE Pineapple Plantation

• Location: Polomolok
• Fees: None!
• Opening hours: None!
• How to get here: From Gen San, ride a van, bus, or jeep bound for either Polomolok or Tupi. There’s no “official” spot for this, but just go down somewhere along the endless pineapples!

Stretching all along the highway from Gen San to Koronadal is an ENDLESS field of pineapples. 

There’s no official spot for this pineapple field. It is, after all, just a massive field of pineapples.

But there are dirt roads that cut through the pineapple fields. And driving through this is a great idea!

You’ll be shocked at how endless these fields are. 

And if you find a good spot, make sure to stop, take in the view, and take some pictures too. 

In the distance, you’ll also see Mt. Matutum standing proudly over the fields. 

It’s quite an awesome sight. 

Along the highway, there are also stalls selling pineapples and pineapple-themed snacks. So make sure to check them out too!

South Cotabato Tourist Spots #7 – Apareja Buko Halo-Halo

• Location: Koronadal
• Fees: Buko Halo-Halo = php110
• Opening hours: 7:30 am – 6 pm
• How to get here: From Gen San, ride a bus or van to Koronadal. Ask the conductor to drop you in Apareja Buko Halo-Halo, or look for it on Google Maps. It’s just on the outskirts of Kornadal city

I don’t usually do food recos.

But this one was SOOOO delicious and refreshing, I just have to add it to this list. 

It’s not your ordinary halo-halo! Instead, it’s served inside of a fresh coconut, with some of the coconut meat still in there. 

So you mix your halo-halo, and you can scrape the meat off the sides to add it to your mix! 

Trust me, it’s suuuuuper delicious. 

Especially because South Cotabato is a crazy hot province. 

You also get unlimited buko juice to drink, so that’s great. 

Sample 3-Day South Cotabato Itinerary

When I visited South Cotabato, it was part of my extreme 15-day trip to South Mindanao, which also included Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and the two Maguindanao provinces. 

But if I only had 3 days to explore South Cotabato, here’s how I’d do it! 

Note: 3 days only will be a bit rushed. It’s much better if you can get 4 days in.

Day 1 – Polomolok, Tupi

• Arrive in Gen San
• Rent a motorbike
• Visit Polomolok’s pineapple fields
• Visit SG Farm in Tupi
• Travel to Lake Sebu and check in

So this day will largely depend on what time you arrive. 

If you arrive in the late afternoon, you’ll probably have to cut out a few spots from this itinerary. 

However, I HIGHLY recommend renting a motorbike. This will just make your life so much easier since you won’t have to deal with public transpo. 

You even might be able to ask the people at Banquerigo to deliver your bike to the airport for a price to save time. 

Also, another note:

Lake Sebu is 80km, or roughly 2 hours, away from SG Farm. So you should arrive there at the lake afternoon/early evening. 

Day 2 – Lotus Garden, 7 Falls, Apareja Halo-Halo

• Lotus Garden
• 7 Falls and zipline
• Travel back to Gen San
• Apareja Halo-Halo
• Plaza General Santos

Early on day 2, make your way to Punta Isla to visit the Lotus Garden! 

After that, drive over to the 7 Falls, and maybe go on their zipline if you want some thrills. 

You can also visit the T’Nalak weaving center, where you’ll see the T’boli tradition of weaving and dying textiles. 

Once you check out, you can slowly make your way back to Gen San. But make sure to stop by Apareja Buko Halo-Halo for a tasty treat! 

If you still have time, you can also check out Plaza General Santos, or stop by Manny Pacquiao’s house. 

Day 3 – Tuna, Beach(?), and Fly Home

• General Santos Tuna Port
• Lemlunay Beach?
• Fly home

At 4 – 5 am, drive to the Gen San Fish Port Complex to see the tuna! 

If you’re not an early riser, you might complain. 

But trust me, the tuna is worth it! 

After that, the airport isn’t too far away from the fish port, so you can go straight there. 

If you still have plenty of time, you can drive further south and visit Sarangani’s beaches. One popular resort is Lemlunay, which is about 25 minutes away from the fish port, and about 40 minutes from the airport. 

You can relax there while waiting for your flight.  

Again, this is whole itinerary quite rushed. 

3 days might not be enough to really explore South Cotabato, since the spots are very far apart from each other. 

You can even opt to just spend all 3 days in Lake Sebu instead. It’s so beautiful there, you can easily stay for a week if you want to. 

Maybe you also want to throw in a hike to Lake Holon in there as well?

Whatever the case, that’s how I’d do things if I only had 3 days. But I highly, HIGHLY recommend staying longer. 

Where to Go After South Cotabato

Here’s a little secret:

South Cotabato’s neighbors are real secret gems. 

They’re not as developed for tourism as South Cotabato. But if you’re someone who loves going off the beaten path, I highly recommend exploring South Cotabato’s neighbors!

Sarangani

Spots:

• Gumasa Beach, G’lan
• Lemlunay Resort, Maasim
• Tuka Marine Sanctuary, Kiamba
• White Water Tubing, Maitum

South Cotabato doesn’t have great beaches. 

But thankfully, that’s exactly what their neighbor Sarangani has!

Sarangani has a reputation as Gen San’s favorite beach destination. Especially Gumasa Beach in G’lan, which has some amazing fine white sand. 

If beaches aren’t your thing, you can also head West to Maitum, where you can try whitewater tubing in Pangi River. 

Sarangani is a bit challenging to visit since it doesn’t have any cities. 

But it makes for a great day trip! 

Sultan Kudarat

Spots:

• La Palmera Mountain Ridge, Columbio
• Pangadilan Falls, Columbio
• Fekung Bula Falls, Columbio
• Baras Bird Sanctuary, Tacurong
• Ugis Peak, Esperanza
• Manirub Falls, Esperanza
• Marguez Hot Spring, Esperanza

Okay… 

Sultan Kudarat isn’t dangerous. 

But I can completely understand people who are afraid to come here since this province doesn’t have the best history. 

That said, for those who brave it, you’ll find otherworldy spots like this… (La Palmera)

This… (Pangadilan Falls)

AND this! (Ugis Peak)

Sultan Kudarat is also ramping up its tourism efforts. It’s a lot more stable here now than a few years ago. 

So if you’re up for an adventure, definitely consider heading north to Sultan Kudarat!

Maguindanao del Norte and Sur

Spots:

• Pink Mosque, Datu Saudi-Ampatuan
• Grand Mosque, Cotabato City
• Barter Market, Cotabato City
• Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City
• Blue Lagoon, Datu Odin Sinsuat

Maguindanao is one of those places that’ll make you feel like you’re not in the Philippines anymore! 

Instead, you’ll feel like you’re in Indonesia, Malaysia, or even Brunei instead. 

Maguindanao is part of the Bangsamoro autonomous region for Muslims, which is why it’s so different.

Instead of old stone churches, you’ll find this dazzling grand Mosque.

And this cool Pink Mosque too!

It also doesn’t have a great history, and unlike South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, it’s not at all developed for tourism. 

That said, if you’re in for something unique, Maguindanao definitely has it!

Sample SOCCKSARGEN + Maguindanao Itinerary and Budget

Okayyy…

Before I close this article off, let me share with you my extreme 15-day itinerary through South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and Maguindanao! 

I find it hard to believe anyone will copy this itinerary to a tee.

But I’m gonna add it here anyway so you’ll get ideas for planning your own trip! 

Note: I should probably spend less on food, but some days I’m just soooo hungry 😂

Ready to Visit South Cotabato?

And that’s about it!

If you’re thinking about visiting South Cotabato, I SUPER recommend doing it!

I’ve said this a thousand times, but I’ll say it again:

It’s one of the most UNIQUE provinces I’ve ever been to. 

And if you’re looking for more adventure. 

Go visit South Cotabato’s neighbors as well. 

Other than that, I hope this guide has been helpful for you. 

If you have any questions at all, do leave a comment down below and I’ll get right back to you. 

Or follow me on my Instagram for more adventures. 

Thanks for reading and happy travels!

– Manoling