Cotabato City

Cotabato City is the primary trade and commercial center for all of southwestern Mindanao. Rice, corn (maize), coconuts, sugarcane, coffee, and bananas are grown in the region. Transportation facilities include a minor inter island port and airport; the city is also a highway terminus.

If you want to relax and explore somewhere far from Manila, check and visit this lovely places from Cotabato City:

Asik Asik Falls

Asik-Asik waterfalls in the mountainous Alamada region, and in doing so, announced the existence of this natural wonder to the world.

The newfound oasis was christened Asik-Asik, meaning “sprinkle-sprinkle” in the local Hiligaynon language, after the sprinkle of falling water on nearby rocks.

Lush vegetation covers the entirety of the ravine, and adds mystery as to where the water is coming from. The most likely sources are thought to be springs deep within the mountain or an underground river. 

Mt. Apo

Mount Apo, also known locally as Apo Sandawa, is a large solfataric, dormant stratovolcano on the island of Mindanao, Philippines. With an elevation of 2,954 meters above sea level, it is the highest-mountain in the Philippine Archipelago and 24th-highest peak of an island on Earth.

This mountain covers the provinces of Cotabato and Davao del Sur.

It has many trails leading to the summit and one of the most popular is the Kidapawan Trail in Cotabato Province. This trail will take you to the Lake Agco and Marbel River before reaching the summit.

Fort Pikit

Located in the Municipality of Pikit in North Cotabato, For Pikit is one of the remains of an old Spanish Fort in Mindanao and was built in 1893 as part of the Spaniard's fortification in Mindanao. It was declared as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines on March 2012. It is situated at the back of Pikit Municipality Townhall.

New Israel Eco-Tourism Park

The New Israel Eco-Tourism Park is located in Barangay New Israel in Makilala, right at the foot of Mt. Apo. Its main attraction is its 2.2-kilometer zipline which is considered to be the longest zipline in Asia.

To get to New Israel Eco-Tourism Park, you need to take a 20-minute jeep ride from Makilala town proper to Barangay New Bulatukan. From there, take a 15-minute habal-habal ride to the village.

Lake Agco

Lake Agco is another must-visit tourist spot in Cotabato Province. It is located in Sitio Agco, Ilomavis, Kidapawan City, right at the foot of Mt. Apo.

Dubbed as the Eden of Kidapawan City in North Cotabato, Lake Agco is home to natural lake of boiling sulfuric mud hot mud and water pools which make it a wonderland of cool weather and hot dips. This boiling mud lake is located about 4,200 feet above sea level.

Sang'ngawan Falls

Situated in Brgy. Batasan in Makilala, Cotabato, Sang'ngawan Falls offers both hot and cold natural pools perfect during a summer getaway.

The Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque was named after the Sultan of Brunei who reportedly funded part of its construction. It is one of the most striking landmarks in the city with its attractive yellow domes, beautiful minarets and white and cream walls. It is a gigantic structure that can hold over a thousand worshipers.

Kutang Bato Cave

Found right at the heart of the city, is the one-of-its-kind Kutang Bato Cave. It was used by Filipino soldiers during the Second World War to outsmart and fight the Japanese invaders. It had also provided natives a sanctuary when the Spaniards tried to convert them to Christians. The cave has several entrances scattered around the city, but only four are open to admit visitors.

PC Hill

PC Hill is a 90-feet stone fort used by the natives as a watch tower to detect and repel enemy assaults during the war. It gives a panoramic view of the whole city as well as the Rio Grande de Mindanao. Today, it serves as a headquarters to the Cotabato City Internal Defense Command.

Rio Grande de Mindanao

This is the longest river in Mindanao and second largest river in the Philippine. It is estimated to be 96 meters wide and 182 kilometers long. Various watersports and boat racing activities are held along it, especially during the Feast of Peñafrancia and the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival.

Matigol Falls

Matigol Falls was once named as Bani Falls by the first dweller of the land. But only Datu Matigol have charted and mastered its perilous terrains and survive its brute force. As tribute of their respect and blessings, the people of the old land henceforth, called it Matigol Falls. One of their oldest traditions speak, the land covered by the mighty falls will be named after its master from that day until today.

Matigol Falls is known to many adrenaline geeks and outdoor goers for its picturesque view and landscape.

One of its plus points feature is the gentle, calm and cold water. Perfect for dipping after the long trek or hike.