Regions

Welcome to SOCCSKSARGEN Region

Written by Patrick

ABOUT SEE & DO EAT & DRINK STAY FESTIVALS NEARBY

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ABOUT

SOCCSKARGEN is an administrative region located in south-central Mindanao. The name is an acronym of its four provinces – South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos.

Location

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Best Time to Visit

For the best combination of agreeable temperatures of around 27° C (80° F) and as little rain as possible, the best time to visit this region is between February and March. The first months of dry season can still be rainy, while the last months are usually pretty hot and humid.

Fast Facts

Area: 22,337.30 km² (8,624 mi²)

Population: 3,879,300

Density: 223/km2

Regional Center: Koronadal

Languages: Hiligaynon; Maguindanao; Cebuano; Iranun; Sarangani; Tboli; Blaan; Dulangan; Manobo; Obo; Tagabawa; Teduray; Ilianen; Ilocano; Kapampangan; Karay-a; English

Provinces:

REGION 12 – SOCCSKSARGEN

PROVINCELAND AREA KM2POPULATION
Cotabato9,184.91,490,700
Sarangani3,601.25559,000
South Cotabato4,428.81975,500
Sultan Kudarat5,298.34854,100
Total
22,337.303,879,300

Cities: (4) General Santos; Kidapawan; Koronadal; Tacurong

Barangays: 1,195

Major Industries:

  • Crops (Palay, corn, banana, coconut, durian)
  • Energy related
  • Forest Products
  • Milling

Getting Here

The best way to get to SOCCSKARGEN region depends on where you’re traveling from and your budget.

The fastest and most convenient method of travel a far distance in the Philippines is most often by plane, however in some cases, traveling by sea or land may be a better option and more cost-effective.

AIRPORTS

Airport

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BUS TERMINALS

Bus Terminal

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SEAPORTS

Seaport

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Use the following online service to determine the various transportation options available to you based on your point of departure and your destination.

Rome to Rio

Getting Around

The following are the modes of transportation available in SOCCSKSARGEN region. 

Bus

Bus

Car for Hire

Car for Hire

Car Rental

Car Rental

Jeepneys

Jeepneys

Shuttle

Shuttle

Taxi

Taxi

Tricycles

Tricycles

Motorcycles

Motorcycles

Bicycles

Bicycles

Suggested Budget

Use the chart below to get an idea of how much to budget daily.  Actual amounts will depend on YOUR travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages … some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less. Prices are in USD.

ACCOMMODATION
FOOD
TRANSPORTATION
ATTRACTIONS
AVERAGE DAILY COST
Budget
Accommodation: $9
Food: $8
Transportation: $5
Attractions: $20
Average Daily Cost: $42
Mid-Range
Accommodation: $35
Food: $15
Transportation: $10
Attractions: $30
Average Daily Cost: $90
Luxury
Accommodation: $145
Food: $35
Transportation: $20
Attractions: $40
Average Daily Cost: $240
 

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SEE & DO 

  • Asik Asik Falls
  • Bakngeb River Cave Adventure
  • Balungis Weaving Center
  • Balut Island
  • Baras Bird Sanctuary
  • Blaan Knaan
  • Cotabato City’s Old City Hall (Visitor’s Information Center Museum)
  • Durian Garden
  • Fu Yabing Weaving Center
  • Genalin Park & Zoo and Rescue Center
  • Glan Heritage Tour
  • Grand Mosque (Sulatn Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid)
  • Great Glan Gourmet Getaway (4Gs)
  • Gumasa White Sand Beaches
  • Gunu Boi-COWHED
  • Halal Goodness
  • Hidak Falls
  • Inaul Weaving (Al Jameelah Weaving Center)
  • Kalonbarak Skyline Ridge
  • Kalsangi Golf Course
  • Kananamit Koronadal Food Delights
  • Katunggan Coastal Eco-Park
  • Lagbasan Cave
  • Lake Agco
  • Lake Agco Mud Spa
  • Lake Holon
  • Lake Sebu 7 Falls
  • Lake Venado
  • Lamlifew Cultural Village
  • Lang Dulay Weaving Center
  • Lebak Coast to Toast
  • Lemlunay Dive Site
  • Lemuhem Cultural Village
  • Linan Forest Park-Linan Tarsier Conservation Sanctuary
  • Lotus Garden
  • Magues Hot & Cold Spring
  • Maitum Burial Jars
  • Maitum Watertubing
  • Marawir Peak
  • Marianos Blooming Agri-Tourism Park
  • Mt. Apo KMM Trails
  • Mt. Matutum and Dole Pineapple Field
  • New Israel Zipline and Eco-Adventure Park
  • Paniki Falls Eco-River Park
  • Pawikan Sanctuary
  • RMM Zipline Eco-Tourism
  • Rio Vista Farm & Resort
  • SCC Nature Park
  • Salijay Integrated Farms
  • Sarangani Bay Protected Sea Scape
  • Sarangani Highlands
  • Sarangani Paraglide
  • Sarap Sarangani
  • Sebul Farm
  • Siok Falls
  • South Cotabato CommunityMuseum
  • Surallah Tri-Monument
  • T’boli Homestay
  • T’boli Ken
  • T’boli Museum
  • Talakudong Food Overload
  • Tausuvan Falls
  • Tuka Marine Park
  • Tupi Fruit Park
  • UK Peak Aleosan
  • Ugis Peak

EAT & DRINK

  • Baye-baye (Cotabato)
  • Belmar’s Buko Halo-Halo (Sarangani)
  • Bibingkang kanin (Sultan Kudarat)
  • Buko salvaro (Sarangani)
  • Chicken ala Bukid (Sarangani)
  • Coco piaya (Sultan Kudarat)
  • Forest wine (South Cotabato)
  • Fresh Tuna and other Tuna Products (Sarangani)
  • Humba (Sarangani)
  • Lanzones (Cotabato)
  • Llolot Anok (South Cotabato)
  • Lumpiang ubod (Sarangani)
  • Mangosteen (Cotabato)
  • Native chicken barbecue (Cotabato)
  • Native chicken bulalo, bbq and lechon manok (Sultan Kudarat)
  • Native chicken cooked in bamboo (South Cotabato)
  • Native coffee (South Cotabato)
  • Pastil (Cotabato)
  • Rambutan (Cotabato)
  • Sikwate & puto maya (Sarangani)
  • Sinanglay (South Cotabato)
  • Tilapia cooked in various ways (South Cotabato)
  • Tinagtag (Cotabato)
  • T’boli meal (South Cotabato)

WHERE TO STAY

Where to Stay in SOCCSKSARGEN

Use the following online resources to determine the best place for YOU to stay when visiting the SOCCSKSARGEN region.

Book Online & Save Money

Book your room with these trusted online booking sites. Booking online in the Philippines almost always guarantees the best price and a room when you arrive.  We use these sites frequently to get the best prices and enjoy convenient bookings. Click each of the buttons below to find the best place for you at the lowest rates.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS

  • Apo Sandawa Climb Festival
  • Binuyugan & Bangsi Festival
  • Buyogan Festival
  • Helobung Festival
  • Hinugyaw Festival
  • Kalilangan Festival
  • Kalimudan Festival
  • Kalivungan Festival
  • Lemlunay Festival
  • Lubi-lubi Festival
  • Mahin Festival
  • MunaTo Festival
  • Sarangani Bay Festival
  • Seslong Festival
  • T’nalak Festival
  • Tacurong Bird Festival
  • Talakudong Festival
  • Tandaya Festival of Festivals / Samar Day Celebration
  • Timpupo Festival
  • Timpuyog Festival
  • Tuna Festival

WHAT’S NEARBY

READ MORE: 17 Regions of the Philippines (with map)

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About the Author

Patrick

Patrick is an entrepreneur, digital nomad, explorer, and photographer. Patrick is always in search of fun and adventure. He is well travelled throughout the world, and although location independent, his home base is Phoenix, Arizona in the USA. Patrick loves island lifestyle which is no wonder why he is so interested in spending time in the Philippines with it’s over 7,000 islands. Patrick created this site to share his knowledge of and experiences in the Philippines with Filipinos as well as other foreigners.

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