It’s a nice adventure and travel experience to explore Mindanao. Although there are some negative news about this region in the Philippines, there are many places here that are safe and can also be considered a haven for cultural immersion. Mindanao is huge and there are a lot to explore!
Davao is one of the most popular cities in the Southern Philippines. Not only because this is the hometown of the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, but because this city has become a model in putting order and peace.
I’ve been to Davao once and I can say that I was amazed with the honesty of the people as well as that feeling of being in a safe place. I remember riding a taxi and the driver really insisted on giving my change. It was just a small amount and I just let him take it, probably because I was accustomed to many taxi drivers in Manila who are constantly asking for higher rates than the meter. I was really impressed with this driver in Davao.
My friends in Davao later told me, that’s theie way of life in Davao. People are disciplined and fair with one another. They really obey simple courtesies even traffic rules because that has become their lifestyle.
If you want to explore Mindanao further, another city to be in your list is General Santos city or Gensan located at the southernmost part of Mindanao. Everybody knows that this is the hometown of our very own boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
I also had the chance to visit Gensan during a volunteer work with an NGO, and I can say that I also had great time. It was not as exciting as Davao but it was still a great place to hang out and explore.
So if you’re in Davao and plans of going to Gensan, well, it is good to know that it is just an easy bus ride for almost 4 hours land travel. In this blog post, we will show you how.
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Davao to Gensan by bus
Via Yellow Bus Line
This is the cheapest and fastest way to go to Gensan from Davao. Travel time is 4 hours and fare is PHP 300. Yellow bus line has an hourly trip from Davao to Gensan.
The terminal is Ecoland Bus Terminal in Davao City and the destination is General Santos Bus Terminal. Passengers have 3 options – Non-stop or direct, One-stop Digos and Multiple Stop.
Davao City Ecoland Bus Terminal is located at Candelaria, Talomo, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur, Philippines.
NON-STOP (Direct to Gensan)
The fastest way is Non- Stop which offers direct trip from Davao to Gensan. Bus classes can be Elite, Executive and Air-conditioned bus. First trip is as early as 4:10 AM and the last trip is 6:30 PM.
ONE STOP via Digos
Another option is a bus that has a stop-over to Digos City in Davao Del Sur. First trip is as early as 3:00 AM and the last trip is 9:00 PM. These are air-conditioned buses.
MULTIPLE STOP
This is the option that has multiple stop-overs namely Ulas, Toril, Sta. Cruz, Digos, Padada, Sulop, Otsenta, Banate, Malungon and Malandag. Buses are Deluxe and Airconditioned. The first trip is 12:30 AM and the last trip is 8:00 PM.
The distance between Davao City and Gensan is 117 kms. The road distance is about 143.2 kms.
For the full details, check out the website of Yellow Bus Lines here, Yellow Bus Line
You may contact the bus company at 083-228-2511, and you can email them at customerservice.ybl@yahoo.com
Well, you can do that through 12GO. Now you can assure that you have a seat reserved for you. Book Your Bus Tickets Online Here!
Other Option – via Taxi
If you’re really in a hurry and you want to save time with the hassle of going to the bus terminal and waiting for the bus, you can hire a taxi. According to Rome2Rio, there are 2 taxi providers that you can contact. Maligay Taxi with contact number 082-299-1111 and Mabuhay Taxi with telephone number 082-2351784. Price range is PHP 2,100 to PHP 2,600.
If you have your own car and would want to drive from Davao to Gensan, travel time is approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. Just to set your expectation, fuel cost is roughly PHP 900. Allot PHP 1000 just to be safe. This is via Pan- Philippine Highway or you may Waze.
General Santos Hotels and Accommodation
Of course, if you’re going to Gensan for business or travel, you might need help with choosing the right hotel, hostel or any accommodation for you. So here are some of the hotels in General Santos that you might want to check.
Microtel by Wyndham General Santos
If you’re in a business trip or a simple travel, you will definitely enjoy not just the top of the line amenities of Microtel by Wyndham General Santos but most especially its access to the city’s commercial establishments, best attractions and restaurants.
Located at the Valley High Complex of Gensan, this hotel is a good place to stay when you want to explore Glan White Beach, Saranggani Bay, Kalaja Eco Park and other tourist spots in Gensan. CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
Hotel San Marco
This is a newly built boutique hotel in General Santos City, and the best thing about Hotel San Marco is its Italian inspired rooms and suites. It has 28 elegant rooms with exquisitely unique designs and proud of maintaining a quality service and special amenities with their guests.
Hotel San Marco is located at the heart of Gensan’s business district, that’s why it is just 30 minutes away from the airport and near the malls, market and other attractions. CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
Sun City Suites
This hotel is one of the answer to the growing demand in hotel accommodation is Gensan, but SunCity Suites doesn’t just provide the basic service and accommodation because they’ve proven that they are to be a class of their own when it comes to amenities and customer experience.
It has 42 well-designed rooms, perfect for the taste of every travelers and businessmen, SunCity Suites is located along the National Highway so it is near the best attractions in the city as well as the business establishments. CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
East Asia Royale Hotel
This hotel is known as the first 3-star hotel in General Santos city, rated and recommended by the Department of Tourism (DOT). For more than two decades, East Asia Royale Hotel has already built a brand of being a world-class hotel and accommodation in the city.
It is located in the city’s business district of Gensan making it accessible to malls, airport and seaport. CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
General Santos Tourist Spots
Here are some of the best attractions in Gensan that you shouldn’t miss. If you’re in the city for travel, head to these tourist spots and enjoy. If you’re a business traveler, make sure you allot extra time or squeeze in your schedule to visit these places.
Gensan Fish Port Complex
Your first stop in the morning is the Gensan Fish Port Complex located in Brgy. Tambler on the shore of Sarangani Bay. Gensan is known for its abundant supply of tuna so expect to witness the fish trade in action. If you have the budget, you can even score a good deal here.
All in all just enjoy the experience and by amazed with the sight of huge tunas lined up ready for sale.
Sarangani Highlands Garden
Sarangani Highlands Garden will give the best and most stunning view of the Sarangani bay, while enjoying a relaxing and peaceful surrounding.
Photo Credit: Agoda
The place is so serene that it is filled with flowers and nature. You can enjoy a cup of coffee or a sumptuous meal at the dining area.
Tiongson Seafood Night Market
Experience the dampa-style of food trip at Tiongson Arcade. Aside from the local ambiance of the place, what’s the best thing here is the delicious seafood that they offer. It is assured that you will love the taste and aroma of the food here because these are all fresh. Just choose your seafood then tell how you want it to be cooked either grilled or even sinigang-style. Delicious!
This is an enjoyable experience in Gensan especially if shared with family and friends. This is also a chance to meet new friends and interact with the locals.
2 Comments
Ristel
April 13, 2019 at 5:08 pmThis is really helpful! Thanks a lot ☺️ Also i agree with your perception about Davao’s discipline and orderliness 👍🏼
Jon Espina
April 14, 2019 at 4:23 pmThanks for reading Ristel. Yes, agree ako sa discipline ng mga taga Davao 🙂