Mention General Santos and the first thing that would come to mind is tuna and Manny Pacquiao. But General Santos has much more to offer its travelers including beautiful reefs for diving, beautiful highlands and even a heritage beach.

Best time to fly from Cagayan de Oro to General Santos

The temperature in General Santos is hot all year round and does not vary much. Though, the best time to visit General Santos would be from February to March, which is when the winds are calm and there is less rain. For travelers trying to avoid the rain, August is the month to try and avoid.

Main airports available in Cagayan de Oro and General Santos

Laguindingan Airport (CGY) – Located 46 kilometers away from Cagayan de Oro, the Laguindingan Airport is the main airport that serves the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao. The airport opened in June 2013 replacing both Lumbia Airport and Maria Cristina Airport. Laguindingan airport is the sixth busiest airport in the Philippines. There are various ways to get to and from Cagayan de Oro city from Laguindingan Airport. The cheapest and most common way to get to the airport is by van. The van offers travelers comfort, convenience, safety and a quick route of only around 45 minutes to the airport. The fare to and from the airport is only PHP199 per person, per trip. The second option to getting to and from the airport if via metered taxi. A journey from Cagayan de Oro to the airport will cost around PHP 400 to PHP 450. There are also Jeepneys and busses to the airport but are not as recommended due to the unpredictable timing and also the hassle of having to catch a connecting shuttle to get to the airport.

General Santos International Airport (GES) – Located approximately 14 kilometers from General Santos's central business district. The airport serves the greater area of General Santos. As the airport is quite a small airport, the facilities are quite limited. Travelers will be able to find duty free shops and other shops throughout the airport. There is an air-conditioned restaurant on the second floor of the airport. The airport is reported to close off at night. Therefore, travelers are advised to secure a method of transportation from the airport before the airport closure time. Travelers can easily hail a taxi within the airport grounds. Taxis to and from the General Santos International Airport will cost approximately PHP243 per trip.

Climate pattern in Cagayan de Oro and General Santos

Even though located almost 400 kilometers south from Cagayan de Oro, both General Santos and Cagayan de Oro share the same tropical climate. However, the rainfall in General Santos is considerably much less compared to the rainfall in Cagayan de Oro. The average annual rainfall in General Santos is only 1052mm while is Cagayan de Oro it is 1771mm.

Highlights attractions in General Santos

• Sarangani Highlands Garden – If ever you are in General Santos, do make a short trip to Sarangani Highlands Garden where you will get the perfect balance between good food served in a serene hilltop ambiance and attentive service with a reasonable value. Visitors here will also be able to visit the Sarangani Bay, view the skyline of the city and enjoy the various flowers and trees in the garden.
• PacMan Tour– Coming to General Santos without taking to the PacMan Tour would almost be incomplete. During the tour, you’ll be taken to see the PacMan Gym, the gym, owned and used by to train by world-famous boxer Manny Pacquiao himself. You’ll also be brought to the PacMan Resort, Manny Pacquiao’s two mansions and stadium. If you’re lucky, you might bump into the PacMan himself.
• Fish Port Complex – Known for its Tuna, the fish port complex is where all the magic or the fish trade begins. Here you will be able to catch local fisherman unloading and to sell their catch. Fish trade here is much different to what we are used to in local markets and is something not to be missed.