8 Must-Visit Destinations in SOCCSKSARGEN
This is your sign to discover Mindanao.
by Ina Louise Manto | July 11, 2024
Region XII, also known as SOCCSKSARGEN, spans four provinces and one major city: South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City. It’s blessed with pristine valleys, expansive coastlines, and ethnic treasures.
If you’re meaning to discover Mindanao, take this as a sign to go for it and explore these lesser-known destinations. We recently traveled to Region XII for the Philippine Experience and compiled a list of SOCCSKARGEN tourist spots worth adding to your itinerary. Check them out:
8 SOCCSKARGEN Tourist Spots Worth Visiting
1. Gensan Tuna Fishport
Location: General Santos City
Did you know that Gensan is the Tuna capital of the Philippines? You might find the best bite of tuna sashimi or the freshest catch of tuna when you visit Gensan Tuna Fishport. Not only is it one of the best tourist attractions in the city, but it’s also the second-largest fish port in the country, which is about 32 hectares in size. It’s best to go here early in the morning to get first dibs on the day’s freshest catch.
2. Center for Community Transformation (CCT) Malungon
Location: Nagpan-Banahaw Municipal Rd, Malungon, Sarangani
Sarangani is home to many tribes, such as the Blaan and Tagakaolo. At the Malungon Retreat Training Center, you can experience these tribes’ culture and learn about their arts, crafts, and music. The center also holds retreats and training, including outdoor activities, accommodation, and amenities such as an in-house restaurant, souvenir shops, and swimming pool.
3. PacMan Tour
Location: NLSA Rd, General Santos City
Aside from being the country’s Tuna Capital, Gensan is also known as Manny Pacquiao’s hometown. If you’re an avid fan of one of the greatest professional boxers of all time, you might want to join a tour of his home. The PacMan Tour will give you a glimpse of his professional boxing journey and private and political life.
This tour was established in 2016 to fund the Emannuel and Jinkee Heart Foundation.
4. Plaza Heneral Santos
Location: Pres. Sergio Osmeña Avenue, General Santos City
If you want to take a breather from touring, find a spot and enjoy muni-muni at Plaza Heneral Santos. Located in the city’s heart, the park is home to significant monuments and a popular gathering place for tourists and locals.
5. Punta Isla Lake Resort
Location: Brgy. Poblacion, Sitio Tuko-fol, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
With picturesque and tranquil Lake Sebu as its background, Punta Isla Lake Resort is one of the pioneering resorts in the Land of the Dreamweavers. It was initially just a vacation house until it opened to the public with rooms and villas. The resort is also known for its floating restaurant, which serves various fresh tilapia dishes.
6. Bansada Eco Adventure Park
Location: Titulok, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat
Set in the highlands of Sultan Kudarat, Bansada Eco Adventure Park is perfect for nature lovers. It has viewing decks for picture-taking and fun-filled activities such as cable cars, ATV rides, and zip lines.
7. Sitio Maupot Family Resort
Location: Sitio Maupot, Brgy. Pangao-an, Magpet, Cotabato
Sitio Mapuot Family Resort is one of the most recognizable resorts in the Municipality of Magpet, Cotabato. Known for its Balinese-inspired architecture, this resort isn’t just an accommodation. It’s also a place to relax, make new fond memories with family and friends, and let loose. Some of its amenities include an infinity pool, sauna, and jacuzzi. There are also spots for taking photos, such as a bird’s nest and a giant swing.
8. Museyo Kutawato
Location: Amas, Kidapawan City, Cotabato
Did you know that Cotabato is home to 26 ethnolinguistic groups? Learn about the city’s history through an insightful tour of Museyo Kutawato. The museum showcases the city’s history, beginning with Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat, who opened Mindanao to Southeast Asian trade. Museyo Kutawato is the best place to learn about its people, from artifacts to paintings.
More SOCCSKARGEN tourist spots:
LOOK: This Former Rebel Camp in Sultan Kudarat Is Now a Budding Tourist Destination
Weaving Water, Woven Dreams: Traversing South Cotabato’s Lake Sebu
