Serving as the capital of South Cotabato, Koronadal City is a bustling commercial and education hub in the south of Mindanao. It’s home to a largely Hiligaynon population, with this ethnolinguistic group native to the Visayas. Koronadal City has previously been voted as the most business-friendly city in Mindanao, as well as its most competitive.

Things to do

Spend a day exploring the lively streets of Koronadal City, which are lined with shopping malls and monuments honouring its local heroes. Learn about the history of Notre Dame of Marbel University, a private Catholic institution run by the Marist Brothers, or let the kids run loose in the children’s playground of Rizal Park.

If you’re interested in the cultural heritage of the region, visit the South Cotabato Community Museum where artefacts belonging to Mindanao’s indigenous people are on display. Further afield is the T’boli Museum, which occupies a native-style house and is a great place for picking up traditional textiles and brassware.

Want to explore the region’s natural wonders? Follow the easy walking trail that leads to Siok Falls, a multi-tiered cascade framed by lush forest. You can splash around in the small swimming hole at the base of the waterfall or enjoy a picnic between the large rocks that surround it. Alternatively, spend an afternoon soaking in the pools at Mambukal Hot Sulphur Spring Resort.

Getting around

Koronadal City is just over an hour’s drive from General Santos City and General Santos International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the Philippines. Buses connect to towns and villages across the region while tricycles are the main means of getting around Koronadal City.