Heritage · Cotabato City
Tantawan Park
A small historical park at the foot of Pedro Colina Hill, with a monument to Sultan Muhammad Kudarat.
Best: December 15 to 19, during the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, which re-enacts his arrival
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Nature · Cotabato City
Rio Grande de Mindanao
Also known as Mindanao River.
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The place
Nature in Cotabato City
The second-largest river system in the Philippines, meeting the sea at Cotabato City.
Nature
Traced to its sources since the guide was written.
When to go
December 15 to 19, when the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival holds its boat race on the river.
Safety in Cotabato City
Routinely visited, and the calmest introduction to the region. Checkpoints on the approach roads are normal and quick. Standard city sense applies and little more, though foreign governments still write advisories covering mainland Mindanao broadly, so a traveler on institutional insurance should read their own before booking.
About this place
The Rio Grande de Mindanao drains about 23,169 square kilometres of central and eastern Mindanao, from the Pulangi headwaters in Bukidnon down to Illana Bay. Before it reaches the sea it splits into two arms, the Cotabato and the Tamontaka, separated by a hill.
It has always been the region's road. Farm produce still moves along it, Datu Piang and Cotabato City grew up on its banks, and in Cotabato houses line the riverfront.
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The river is also where the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival holds its boat race and fluvial parade each December.
What to do
Walk the Bai Walk along the river
The river wall in Cotabato City has been turned into a riverside park.
en.wikipedia.orgWatch the boat race at the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival
The festival on December 15 to 19 includes a banca race and a re-enactment of Shariff Kabunsuan's arrival by river.
en.wikipedia.orgArrange a boat trip on the river locally
There is no scheduled tour boat; trips are informal and arranged with boat owners on the riverfront.
From the guide
Before you go
- The riverside neighbourhoods are homes. Ask before photographing people or houses.
- River trips are informal and arranged locally; there is no scheduled tour boat.
Where you’ll be
Cotabato City, Cotabato City
Sources
Crafts made in Cotabato City
Every craft of the region
brassCotabato brasswareCotabato has its own brass-casting tradition, best known for the low, finely hand-engraved garul; in 1994 the CCP Encyclopedia credited it to the Iranun and ranked it second only to Maranao brass. In Cotabato City the Cotabato Brassware Association, whose craftsmen come from the Kalanganan district and nearby Sultan Kudarat, makes traditional brassware for export from scrap bronze.MarkoDalisay · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo by MarkoDalisay, CC BY-SA 4.0. Open the source file.- basketryWater hyacinth craftsWater hyacinth covers much of the Liguasan Marsh and clogs the Rio Grande de Mindanao, and Maguindanaon communities dry, braid and weave its stalks into bags, pouches, slippers, mats and home decor. The BCPCH teaches it in its School of Living Tradition alongside inaul weaving and brassware making.
Where to sleep in Cotabato City
- No photo of this hotel yet
hotel
Alnor Hotel and Convention Center
Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City
Venue of the 18th Regional Travel Fair (TPB, MTIT and DOT), August 2026
bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2026-08 hotel
Alnor Suite Hotel
Brgy. RH IX, Cotabato City
Hotel with the Haraya function halls; hosted the Bangsamoro Writers Workshop, June 2026
bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2026-06- No photo of this hotel yet
hotel
Em Manor Hotel and Convention Center
Cotabato City
Hotel and convention centre used for BARMM ministry events, May 2026
bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2026-05 - No photo of this hotel yet
hotel
KDT Manor Hotel and Convention Center
Cotabato City
Hotel and convention centre; venue of a Bangsamoro Women Commission dialogue, June 2026
bwc.bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2026-06 - No photo of this hotel yet
hotel
Paragon Hotel and Restaurant
Cotabato City
Hotel and restaurant used for BARMM workshops, November 2025
bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2025-11 - No photo of this hotel yet
hotel
Grand Pagana Hotel
Cotabato City
Venue of a book launch by the Bangsamoro Government and the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, June 2026
bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2026-06
Named where a public source names them; no rates or availability. Ask the place directly.
More to see nearby
Everything in Cotabato City
Heritage · Cotabato City
Bangsamoro Government Center
The seat of the Bangsamoro regional government, with the Bangsamoro Museum inside its cultural complex.
Best: Ramadhan, when the annual Ramadhan trade fair fills the centre with halal food, delicacies and crafts (in 2026 it opened on 16 February with 60 exhibitors)
Heritage · Cotabato City
People's Palace
Cotabato City's city hall, a building that mixes neo-classical and Muslim architecture.
Best: June 12 to 25, during Araw ng Kutabato, the city's charter celebration and its biggest festival
Museum · Cotabato City
Old Cotabato City Hall Museum
The 1940s city hall by National Artist Juan Arellano, in Maguindanao-inspired style, now a small museum and visitor centre.