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Things to Do in General Santos (2026)
General Santos City is known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, and the best place to see why is the General Santos Fish Port Complex in Barangay Tambler. Arrive eβ¦ π Explore the Tuna Capital
General Santos City is known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, and the best place to see why is the General Santos Fish Port Complex in Barangay Tambler. Arrive early, around 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM, to watch the tuna auction where massive yellowfin tunas are unloaded and sold. You can also buy fresh seafood at the nearby market and have it cooked at a local eatery. For a deeper dive, visit the Tuna Museum along the national highway, which offers exhibits on the industry and a chance to see a preserved giant tuna.
ποΈ Relax at Gumasa Beach
Just a 45-minute drive from the city center, Gumasa Beach in Glan, Sarangani, offers powdery white sand and clear waters. The beach is lined with resorts like Isla Jardin del Mar and Coco Beach, where day-use cottages range from PHP 500 to PHP 2,000. It's ideal for swimming, picnicking, and watching the sunset. For a quieter experience, visit on weekdays when the crowds are thinner.
β°οΈ Hike Mount Matutum
Mount Matutum, an active volcano in Tupi, South Cotabato, is a popular hiking destination about an hour from General Santos. The trek takes 4 to 6 hours round trip and offers panoramic views of the surrounding plains and Sarangani Bay. Register at the tourism office in Tupi before climbing; guides are required and fees are around PHP 500 per group. Bring plenty of water and start early to avoid the midday heat.
π½οΈ Taste Local Delicacies
General Santos is a food lover's paradise, especially for seafood. Head to the Tiongson Arcade along Santiago Boulevard for fresh tuna sashimi, grilled panga (tuna jaw), and sinuglaw. For a unique treat, try the local favorite, tuna chicharon, at stores like RDEX Food Products. Don't miss the chance to eat at Kamalig Restaurant, which serves traditional Filipino dishes with a modern twist.
ποΈ Shop at Public Markets
For an authentic local experience, visit the General Santos Public Market in the city center. Here you can find fresh produce, local crafts, and affordable souvenirs like tuna products and woven items. The market is busiest in the morning, so go early to get the best selection. Bring cash and be prepared to haggle a little for the best prices.
ποΈ Visit Lake Sebu
About a two-hour drive from General Santos, Lake Sebu in South Cotabato is a serene destination known for its seven waterfalls and T'boli culture. Take a boat tour on the lake (PHP 300 per person) and visit the T'boli Museum to learn about indigenous crafts. The zipline over the waterfalls is a thrilling experience, costing around PHP 300. It's best to go on a day trip and return to the city by evening.
π Join the Tuna Festival
If you're in General Santos in early September, don't miss the Tuna Festival, a week-long celebration with street dancing, culinary contests, and a giant tuna float parade. The festival commemorates the city's tuna industry and is held around September 5. Check the official schedule for events like the Tuna Congress and free concerts. It's a lively time to experience local culture and hospitality.
π Getting Around the City
Getting around General Santos is easy with tricycles and jeepneys, which are the main modes of public transport. Tricycle fares start at PHP 10 for short distances, while jeepneys charge around PHP 12 within the city. For trips to nearby attractions like Gumasa or Matutum, you can hire a van or taxi for the day, costing around PHP 2,500 to PHP 3,500. Ride-hailing apps like Grab are also available but may have limited coverage outside the city center.
The writeup covers the bases well, I've sent this to a couple of friends planning their first trip. One angle nobody's touched is the tuna chicharon, which is genuinely worth the detour. RDEX along the national highway near the crossing to Calumpang sells it fresh and it travels well, so grab a few packs as pasalubong instead of the usual dried fish. Also, if you're doing the fish port run at 5am, wear closed shoes and bring a light jacket, the floor gets wet and slick and the cold storage area hits you hard after standing outside. Pair it with a stop at the nearby eateries for breakfast right after, nothing beats grilled tuna belly at 6am.
good writeup, the Matutum section is accurate about the guides. one thing tho, the tourism office in Tupi moved a few years back, it's now near the municipal hall so dont go looking for the old one near the highway. also the registration fee is per person now not per group, think it was 150 each last time i checked plus guide fee on top. bring a light jacket too, the summit gets cold and windy even at noon which surprises people expecting pure heat
solid list, covers the main stuff. one thing i'd add is the fish port tip about timing, if u get there past 7am the auction's basically done & it's just cleanup, so 5am is real. also for gumasa, the drive from downtown is more like an hour on a good day, not 45 min, that road past glan gets slow with trucks. if u want cheaper cottages, the smaller resorts past isla jardin are like php 300-500 for day use & way less packed on weekends
Hidden gems in General Santos for a 2 month trip?
honestly the best hidden thing in gensan is the balut and penoy stalls that set up around the jeepney terminal near KCC around 8pm. not fancy but its where everyone ends up after work.
also check out the flower farms up in barangay tambler, the ones past the fish port road. most tourists never go up there but the views over sarangani bay are unreal and the families sell fresh strawberries and orchids cheap.
for a chill hangout try the videoke places tucked behind the Lagao market, not the big commercial ones. rent a room for like 150 an hour split with friends, bring ur own drinks, nobody bothers u. thats how locals actually unwind on weekends.
If you're staying two months you'll want a regular coffee spot and my pick is the small places along Santiago Boulevard near the Lagao side, not the big chains. They do barako and a plate of puto maya for around 50 pesos and the same retired guys show up every morning so you get to know people fast.
For a different kind of hangout, check out the Queen Tuna Park area on weekend evenings. There's usually a night market setup with cheap grilled stuff and live acoustic sets, way less crowded than the malls. Two months is enough time to also do a day trip to the fish port auction around 5am, it's chaotic but worth seeing once just to understand where all the tuna actually comes from.
for food u gotta hit the karenderyas around the public market early morning, like 6am, the tinola and sinigang there beat any resto. also try tuna panga at the grill spots near the fish port, way cheaper than the tourist places & fresher. for chill hangs, the boulevard gets packed at night but if u walk further past the statues toward the quieter end its way more relaxed, locals just bring speakers & san mig. if u want something different check out the tilapia spots in barangay calumpang, small family places where u pick ur fish & they cook it