8 Things to do in General Santos + Tourist Spots

General Santos City in South Cotabato is hailed as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines” for its bountiful sashimi-grade tuna since time immemorial. But setting its fresh catch aside, GenSan could be your gateway to the beauty that awaits at the southcentral part of Mindanao. It features an eclectic culture set against a highly urbanized metropolis backdrop.

Although GenSan serves as the shopping capital of the Soccsksargen region with its lieu of malls and commercial districts, it does not disappoint in terms of natural beauty. About 15 kilometers off the Central Business District (CBD) is the Klaja Ecopark, where you can find hills, waterfalls, and caves. Mount Matutum, located north of the city, is a massive, active volcano with a well-preserved 320-meter crater. Its stunning view is best enjoyed in Barangay San Isidro and Mabuhay.

GenSan is also a great jump-off point to southcentral Mindanao. Enjoy the mountain scenery of Lake Sebu and Lake Holon in South Cotabato province. Explore Saranggani Provice, Polomolok, Koronadal and Balut Island from here or hop on a bus to Davao City, which is just three hours away.

To help with your trip planning, I’ve added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted below. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app for easy reference. But before you start ticking goals off your bucketlist, here are travel essentials & discounts you’ll need to check. Pre-book online for a hassle-free trip!

General Santos travel essentials

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General Santos HotelsFlights

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1. Tuna Market (General Santos Fish Port)

General Santos Fish Port (Tuna Market) in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines

General Santos Fish Port (Tuna Market) in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines

General Santos Fish Port (Tuna Market) in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines

Location: General Santos City, South Cotabato. Save on Google Maps.

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2. Plaza Heneral Santos

General Santos City Hall & Plaza Heneral Santos in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines

Location: Pres. Sergio Osmeña Avenue, General Santos City, South Cotabato. Save on Google Maps.

3. General Santos City Public Market

General Santos City Public Market in South Cotabato, Philippines

Location: West Side St., Corner, P. Acharon Blvd, Lungsod ng General Santos, 9500 Timog Cotabato. Save on Google Maps.

4. Lion’s Beach (Queen Tuna Park)

Lion’s Beach (Queen Tuna Park), in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines

Location: General Santos City, South Cotabato. Save on Google Maps.

5. Try Balbacua Soup (Gamay Eatery)

Balbacua at Gamay Eatery, in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines

Location: S Cotabato – Sarangani Rd, General Santos City, 9500 South Cotabato. Save on Google Maps.

Where to go near General Santos

6. Lake Sebu

Location: Southcentral Mindanao, southern Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Lake Sebu Travel Essentials

Where to stay

See more: Lake Sebu travel tips

11 Places To Visit in Lake Sebu

7. Koronadal City

Koronadal City Roundball in South Cotabato, Philippines

Location: Southcentral Mindanao, southern Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

8. Sarangani Province

Gumasa Beach in Glan, Sarangani, Philippines

Gumasa Beach in Glan, Sarangani, Philippines

Isla Jardin del Mar Resort, near Gumasa Beach, in Glan, Sarangani, Philippines

Location: Southcentral Mindanao, southern Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Sarangani Province Travel Essentials

Where to stay

Beyond General Santos

Lake Holon

Location: Southcentral Mindanao, southern Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Davao City

Location: Davao region, Mindanao, southern Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Davao City Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

See more: Davao City travel tips

Davao DOT-Accredited Hotels

14 Places To Visit in Davao

Balut Island & Sarangani Islands

Location: Davao region, Mindanao, southern Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Sarangani Islands Travel Essentials

Asik-asik Falls & North Cotabato

Asik-asik Falls in Upper Dado, Alamada, North Cotabato, Philippines

Location: Sitio Dulao, Barangay Upper Dado, Alamada, 9413 Cotabato. Save on Google Maps.

North Cotabato Travel Essentials

Cagayan de Oro

Location: Misamis Oriental province, Northern Mindanao region, southern Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Cagayan de Oro Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

See more: Cagayan de Oro travel tips

Cagayan de Oro DOT-Accredited Hotels

15 Places To Visit in Cagayan de Oro & Northern Mindanao

What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in General Santos that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Places to visit in General Santos

General Santos tourist spots, things to do in General Santos, where to go in General Santos & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

Don’t Stop Here

Click below for more travel inspiration:

14 Places To Visit in Davao

11 Places To Visit in Lake Sebu