Cotabato is a Filipino city on Mindanao Island. It sits at the heart of an area often skipped by tourists due to political unrest. Those who do venture in are almost always bound for Mt Apo.
Cotabato City is part of Maguindanao Province, a fact that can throw visitors off since Cotabato Province is actually to the east. Tourist facilities in Cotabato City are limited to a handful of hotels and low-key attractions including a few century-old buildings.
The Rio Grande River (Mindanao’s largest) passes through the city, but the greatest natural attraction in Cotabato is Kutang Bato Cave, found squarely in the city center. There are several ways to get inside these urban caverns, which are definitely worth exploring for those spending time in the city.
Cotabato - getting there
Cotabato City operates a provincial airport with limited connections to Manila and Cebu City. From here it is necessary to arrange transport by jeepney or hire car to the neighboring attractions. Flights to and from Manila’s international airport take a little over an hour.
In brief
Worth it? This part of Mindanao is best avoided by tourists due to occasional outbursts of separatist violence.
What to do: view a few pieces of architecture, visit the caves in the heart of the city.
Best time to go: rain falls in every season, but less frequently from November to April.
How long? A few hours is more than enough time.
Trivia: Cotabato comes from the words ‘stone fort’, a reference to Kutang Bato Caves.
Cotabato attractions
- 1 - Kutang Bato Caves: literally located in the heart of the city, this cave is a natural attraction in an urban environment.
- Tamontaka Church: this Spanish colonial structure dates to the late 19th century.
- Old City Hall: constructed in 1936, this unique building is distinctly Malay and was recently declared a heritage site.
Side trips from Cotabato
- 2 - Mt Apo: the tallest mountain in the Philippines stands to the east more than 10,000 feet above sea level and is open for treks.