Tourist spots in General Santos, Philippines – Enjoy the tuna capital of the country

General Santos in the Philippines is a city located on the southern side of Mindanao Island, facing Sarangani Bay. The city is known for its tuna fishing, and is sometimes called the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines." In this article, we will introduce some interesting tourist spots in General Santos, a city rich in seafood and resources. This is a must-read for anyone planning a trip to the Philippines.

1. General Santos Municipal Fishing Port

General Santos is especially famous for tuna. The fishing town is particularly active in the tuna industry, with tuna fishing being particularly thriving, and processed products such as canned tuna are even exported overseas. The General Santos Municipal Fishing Port serves as the center of this industry.

If you want to see tuna, visit early in the morning (around 5-6am). If you time it right, you can see the tuna being landed and auctioned. However, there are restrictions on what you can wear, and you need to get permission at the checkpoint, so it seems there are a lot of preparations to make, so keep that in mind when you go. If you want to enjoy the market more casually, head to the general market on the south side. There's no guarantee that you'll see tuna, but you can see and buy seafood in abundance.

2. General Santos Square

General Santos Plaza is a place of relaxation for the citizens in the center of town. In front of the square stands a bronze statue of Jose Rizal, a revolutionary hero who played an active role in the Philippine independence movement. The square has beautifully maintained lawns and ponds, making it the perfect place for a leisurely stroll. There is also plenty of greenery to relax in.
There are also many restaurants around the square, so why not stop by for a lunch break?

3. Queen Tuna Park

Queen Tuna Park is located on the south side of General Santos city, facing the sea. It is a seaside park with an interesting arched entrance with a tuna motif. Once you pass through the entrance, you will be greeted by a beautiful view of the beach and Sarangani Bay. There are beach houses in the park that you can stay in for free, so you can spend your time here gazing at the sea.

The comical appearance gives a surreal impression, but this is also one of the interesting points of this park. Take a photo to tell your story about your trip.

This park is also a beach, so it is recommended for those who want to swim in the sea.

4. SM City General Santos

If you want to enjoy shopping in General Santos, head to SM City General Santos. SM City is a mall-like facility that is spread across the Philippines, and is recommended for those who want something unique to the Philippines in this city. There is also a food court inside the facility, and it has some chain stores. If you are tired of the local cuisine, you can search for familiar flavors here.

There is also a spot near the mall, like a fountain square that is lit up at night. It is a place that surprisingly has a tropical atmosphere, so if you have the time, it is also good to visit after the sun goes down.

5. KCC Mall

In addition to "SM City General Santos," General Santos also has a commercial facility called "KCC Mall." You can buy not only everyday items, but also rare local sweets and teas that make perfect souvenirs, so it's a good idea to visit it in addition to SM City. Compared to SM City, shopping is relatively reasonable, so if you want to save a little, this mall is a good choice.

However, in the evening, people start to gather and it gets crowded. It takes quite a while to go through the cash register, so if you actually want to shop, it's recommended to visit when the sun is high in the sky.

◎ Summary

We've introduced some recommended spots, but have you been able to understand the charm of General Santos? As it is the mecca of the tuna industry in the Philippines, it seems that many people who visit are from the fishing industry. If you have the opportunity to visit Mindanao Island as a tourist, please also visit General Santos. The atmosphere of a foreign port town is refreshing and quite interesting.