How to Go to Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

I toured the two most popular tourist destinations in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato last week. These are Lake Sebu 7 Falls ( story here) and Punta Isla Lake Resort (story here).

One of the 7 falls

Picturesque view at Punta Isla Lake Resort

Going to Lake Sebu is not really difficult but its a bit tiring due to several bus transfers.  Here’s my suggested route when going to Lake Sebu:

From General Santos City:

• From city proper (e.g. Robinson’s Mall) hop a tricycle and go to the public terminal in BULAONG. Fare is about Php 15.00 each.

          From GenSan airport to Bulaong public terminal fixed rate is Php 250.00 all-in.

• At the Bulaong public terminal, ride a Yellow Bus Line (YBL) bus going to Marbel, aka Koronadal City. Fare price varies according to the type of bus, premium bus fare is about Php 83.00.

• From Marbel public terminal, look for the YBL's bus enroute to Surralah. Fare varies according to bus type, premium bus fare is about Php 25.00.

• From Surralah integrated terminal, look for vans going to Lake Sebu.

If you are in a group, better rent the van there and go directly to either Lake Sebu 7 Falls or Punta Isla Lake Resort or both. You can rent the van for the whole day trip or have your group be dropped at Punta Isla for overnight stay. Van rental is according to your agreement with the driver or owner which is also based on your itinerary.

If you will just ride the van, it will go directly to the terminal in the poblacion proper of Lake Sebu.

If you prefer to go directly to 7 Falls, inform the driver to drop you by at the 7 Falls crossing then from there ride a motorcycle in going to the entrance of 7 Falls.

7 Falls crossing
This is along the main highway of Lake Sebu

NOTE :  There are 2 entrances leading to the 7 Falls – the upper and the bottom part of the mountain.

My suggestion - enter at the bottom part of the mountain then walk through the 774 steps leading to the upper part, then from the upper part ride the zip line (Php 250.00) in going back to the bottom.

774 steps which connects the Upper and Bottom part of the mountain

But if you prefer to go first to Punta Isla, refer to the next step.

• From Lake Sebu town proper terminal, hop a motorcycle (“single”) and go to Punta Isla Lake Resort . Fare is about Php 15.00 per head.

TIP - From Surallah integrated terminal, you will pass by 7 Falls first so it is better to tour this place first in the morning then go to Punta Isla later for lunch and overnight stay.

Entrance of Punta Isla Lake Resort

At the main dining area of Punta Isla

This is where we had lunch during our visit.

From Davao City:

• Go to Davao City terminal in Ecoland. Look for the Yellow Bus Line (YBL) buses going to General Santos City (GenSan) or Marbel if there’s any (most often than not, bus with route to Marbel will stop in GenSan and you should transfer to other bus when going to Marbel . Bus fare to GenSan varies according to bus type premium non-stop bus is about Php 255.00.

Travel time is about 4-5 hours better look for the YBL’s NON-STOP AIRCON bus to expedite.

YBL pass by their own small private terminal before going to the public terminal in General Santos City. Always ask the conductor for any clarification.

You may stop at Robinson’s Mall for lunch or snack and then follow the steps “From General Santos City” above.

view of the falls from afar

 Note: There are also other lake resorts in Lake Sebu aside from Punta Isla. Some are newly opened. Punta Isla is one of the pioneering lake resorts in the area.