Located in the southernmost part of the Philippines, the islands of Mindanao is the second largest island in the country and is the seventh most populous island in the world. The island group is divided in 6 regions and 28 provinces in total.

It is bordered by the Visayas Islands in the North, Celebes Sea in the South, Philippine Sea and Palau in the East, the West Philippine Sea in the West, and the Island of Borneo in the Southwest. The GPS coordinates of Mindanao are 8°00′N 125°00′E.

The name Mindanao came from the words “Min,” a past tense verb prefix and “Danao / Danaw,” which means ‘lake.’ The word Mindanao means “People of the Lake / Land of the Lake.”

Mindanao is also home to the Philippines’ highest peak, Mount Apo, with a height of 2,954 meters above sea level (9,692 feet) and is found in the tripartite borders of Davao City, Davao Del Sur, and Cotabato Province. Mindanao is also home to the Philippine Eagle, Durian, Tuna, and Colorful Vintas.

Read also: Mount Apo – Exploring the Grandfather of PH Mountains 

The Philippines generally has two seasons, the wet and the dry seasons. In Mindanao, it is best to visit the island during the Dry Season (from November to April) where you can enjoy warm and humid weather and do most outdoor activities. The Wet Season in Mindanao (from May to October) is typically ideal for some waterfalls-watching, white-water rafting, and surfing.

The average temperature range in Mindanao is around 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F) and the warmest months are from April to May, and the cooler months are from December to January.

Being a large island, Mindanao does not run out of options when it comes to accessibility. The island can be easily reached by these options:

The island can be discovered via land through its vast and interconnected road networks within its provinces. The main modes of transportation in the island are jeepneys (in highly urbanized areas), tuktuk or “baobao” (in most of the rural provinces), tricycles (in most cities), and motorcycle taxis (“habal-habal”). The highway network is quite good and generally paved throughout the island.

As of writing, there are 12 active commercial airports found in and around Mindanao. These airports are: Francisco Bangoy (Davao) International Airport (DVO), Laguindingan Airport (CGY), General Santos Airport (GES), Butuan-Bancasi Airport (BXU), Labo (Ozamiz) Airport (OZC), Zamboanga International Airport (ZAM), Awang (Cotabato) Airport (CBO), Pagadian Airport (PAG), Surigao Airport (SUG), Sayak (Siargao) Airport (IAO), Dipolog Airport (DPL), Sanga-Sanga (Tawi-Tawi) Airport (TWT), and an upcoming airport in Bukidnon (to be completed by Q3 2026). They host and ply to different destinations such as Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Clark, and Singapore. Major airlines such as Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Philippines AirAsia, and TigerAir service the island.

There are a number of ports found in the island of Mindanao but some of the major commercial seaports are: Davao Port (Sasa Wharf), Surigao Port, General Santos Port (Makar Wharf), Zamboanga Port, Balingoan Port, and Cagayan De Oro Port. There are numerous trips to and from these ports making the island more accessible to locals and tourists alike.

Land Area	97,530 km² (37,660 mi²) *slightly bigger than the US State of Indiana
Languages / Dialects spoken	Major: Cebuano, Tagalog, English Minor: Maguindanaon, Hiligaynon, Maranao, Tausug, Iranon, Chavacano
Cellular Signal	Globe: Good to Fair (in some major cities) Smart: Fair to Best (in almost all areas) Dito: Poor to Good (in rural areas)
Socket Standard, Voltage (V), Frequency (Hz)	Type A: two flat parallel pins Type B: two parallel pins with a grounding pin Type C: two round pins Voltage: 220 V Frequency: 60 Hz
Modes of Payment	Predominantly CASH – some establishments do Online Transfer (GCash or Maya) – some establishments also accept Wire Transfers (Debit or Credit Cards)
Currency used	Philippine Peso (PH₱)

– Pastil – a common go-to meal in Mindanao mainly composed of steamed rice with beef, chicken, fish, or pork toppings. It sometimes comes with egg and is meticulously wrapped in banana leaves.

– Satti – these bite-size skewers are popular in southern Mindanao, specifically in ZamBaSulTa area. These grilled skewers are often made with chicken or beef cutlets served with a red sweet and spicy sauce.

– Tiyula Itum – this Tausug dish is a braised beef or goat soup with charred coconut meat. The burnt, coconut-y taste makes this dish interesting especially when visiting Mindanao.

– Piyanggang Manok – is another popular Tausug dish made of chicken braised in turmeric, onions, lemongrass, ginger, chili, garlic, coconut milk, and ground burnt coconut.

– Curacha – famous in Zamboanga, curacha is a crab dish steamed to perfection and served with sauce of choice.

– Binaki – this steamed corn delicacy is found mostly in northern Mindanao and is typically wrapped in corn husks which gives it a distinct smell. It is usually sold as go-to food sold in sidewalks or in transport terminals.

– Durian – considered as the “King of Fruits,” Durian is a popular fruit in Mindanao. This fruit is so versatile that it can be made into candies, shakes, and even infused in coffee!

– Dodol – this popular ground sticky rice confection is a Maranao signature delicacy. I first tasted Dodol when I visited Marawi City because of their presentation on the sidewalks of highways. They are wrapped in colorful wrappers and corn husk. I can compare it to the consistency of Ilocos’ tupig, only in cylindrical form.

– Knickerbocker – if you are a sweet tooth like me, you would definitely love tasting the knickerbocker. It is like a variation of the famous halo-halo, only that its ingredients are purely fruits and sweetened milk (or coconut milk).

– Lokot-Lokot – more locally known as Ja’a or Ja’, Lokot-lokot is a popular snack in the Sulu archipelago. I tasted this treat when I visited Lamitan City in Basilan. Its interesting appearance is made from deep-fried rice batter resembling hardened noodles.

– Putli Mandi – these sticky rice cakes are very popular in Mindanao and what makes it interesting is that it is like a mochi cake – slash – palitaw infused into one bite-sized treat. It is commonly served with other Tausug desserts in a set meal (called Bang Bang Sug).

– Pitis – often comes with the putli mandi and other Tausug treats, pitis is like the Mindanao version of Luzon’s suman. With the same consistency and appearance, this native Tausug delicacy is also not to be missed.

Zamboanga Del Norte – Dipolog City Baywalk / Rizal Park and Shrine / Dakak Beach Resort

Zamboanga Del Sur – Pulacan Falls / Dao-dao Island / Merloquet Falls / Grande Santa Cruz Island

Zamboanga Sibugay – Tagbilat Falls / Pandilusan Island / Buluan Island / Ipil Rotunda Obelisk

Bukidnon – Dahilayan Adventure Park / Communal Ranch / Abbey of the Transfiguration

Camiguin – White Island / Mantigue Island / Tuasan Falls / Sunken Cemetery

Lanao Del Norte – Maria Cristina Falls / Tinago Falls / Cathedral Falls / Sta. Cruz Falls

Misamis Occidental – U River / Hoyohoy View Deck / Caluya Shrine

Misamis Oriental – Divine Mercy Shrine / Sagpulon Falls / Claveria View Deck

Davao De Oro – Calamba Farm Sea of Clouds / Tagbibinta Falls / Awao Falls

Davao Del Norte – Biggest Rosary in the World / Kaputian Beach / Island Garden City of Samal

Davao Del Sur – Mount Apo / Philippine Eagle Center / Bemwa Farm

Davao Occidental – Balut Island / Davao Occidental Provincial Capitol / Olavinan Island

Davao Oriental – Pusan Point / Dahican Beach / Cape San Agustin / Aliwagwag Falls

Cotabato – Daday Falls / Asik-Asik Falls

Sarangani – Gumasa Beach / White Water Rafting

South Cotabato – Lake Sebu / Lake Holon / SG Farm / Punta Isla Lake Resort

Sultan Kudarat – Fekung Bula Falls / The Grand La Palmera / Pangadilan Falls

Agusan Del Norte – Butuan Archaeological Park / Vin4 Blue Water Resort / Bood Eco-Park

Agusan Del Sur – Bega Falls / Puting Buhangin Cave / Agusan Marsh

Dinagat Islands – Hagakhak Island / Bitaog Beach / Bababu Beach and Lake / Blue Lagoon

Surigao Del Norte – Siargao Island / Sohoton Cove / Mabua Pebble Beach

Surigao Del Sur – Tinuy-an Falls / Enchanted River / Britania Islands

Basilan – Malamawi Beach / Bulingan Falls / Lamitan City Ecological Park

Lanao Del Sur – Marawi Grand Mosque / Lake Lanao

Maguindanao Del Norte – The Grand Mosque of Cotabato / Timako Hill

Maguindanao Del Sur – Masjid Dimaukom

Tawi-Tawi – Sitangkai / Bud Bongao / Masjid Sheikh Karimul Makhdum

*Sulu – Sani-Sani Beach / Lake Seit / Camp Bud Datu / Sulu Provincial Capitol

Going in and around Mindanao is quite an ease. What I personally like about this island is that every town or city has a dedicated integrated transport terminal which makes transport ideal, but the frequency of trips is also another thing. The main modes of transportation in Mindanao are the tricycles and tuktuks (baobao) in city or town centers, with a minimum fare of ₱ 20-30. There are also jeepneys and multicabs in other provinces, with a minimum fare of ₱ 13-15. For long haul, interprovincial travels, the vans and buses are more ideal, with minimum fare of at least ₱ 30-40.

Road conditions in Mindanao are generally paved and there are only a few portions of land pavements. Their road networks are well-connected within and between provinces, towns, and cities.

To sum it all up, Mindanao is a place you should consider visiting. It is a place full of natural wonders yet to be explored, it just needs you to explore it!

*Note that the places, prices, and information written as of publication date and time are true and are given best during my visit. Changes may occur without prior notice. If you notice any changes to the information given above, you can e-mail me  so we can dish things up!*

We’re born to travel!