Glan is considered the “Tourist Capital” in Sarangani Province being the first town to rise to fame due to the Boracay-like shorelines of Gumasa Beach hence the moniker “Glan Tour Town”. This once quaint little town is now sprawling with several beach resorts and has become the must-go-to destination for anyone visiting Sarangani Province. But more than its beaches, I think Glan has many other wonderful things to offer. So on your next visit to the province, make it worthwhile with these interesting things to do in Glan.
1. Go on a Heritage Tour
Not many people know but Glan’s town center is a heritage treasure. Along the town’s main road lines are several heritage houses that are centuries old. Start with the town’s iconic Municipal Hall and Plaza then trace your way to a 7/11 branch. You’ll see restaurants and other establishments taking shelter in these old houses. One look and they would instantly take you back in time. Though the heritage houses aren’t that many compared to those in Vigan, they’ll definitely make you feel nostalgic and give you a glimpse of the past.
2. Have Fun Under The Sun in Gumasa Beach
Your visit to Glan wouldn’t be complete without experiencing its famous beach, Gumasa Beach. Boasting 6 kilometers of powdery white sand shores that can even give Boracay a run for its money, Gumasa Beach is easily the top destination for anyone planning a trip to Sarangani Province. Not only is this beach one of the best, but it’s also home to several different resorts that are ideal for staycation and fun relaxation.
3. Visit Sarangani’s Provincial Capitol
On your way to Glan, you will spot Sarangani’s Provincial Capitol. Clad in all white glory, Sarangani Provincial Capitol is very hard to miss. It is distinct and looks formidable, like some acropolis in Greece. The facade and the bold letters painted in blue containing the capitol’s name give off that captivating Santorini-vibes.
4. Bask at the Beauty of Sarangani Bay
What better way to welcome guests than to offer them the best view there is in town? The Sarangani Bay o Sarbay is an alluring sight and the perfect welcoming present to set the mood for anyone visiting Glan. Getting an unobstructed view of the whole of Sarbay promises an amazing trip experiencing all the great things Glan has to offer.
5. Hunt for Instagrammable Spots
No trip will ever be complete without a selfie next to some iconic spot. As some Gen Z’s would say, “Photo or it never happened.” Not that you really have to prove anything to anyone but if you like keeping mementos of your trip then what better way to do that than to take photos next to IG-worthy spots? In Glan, there are tons that you can find if you know where to look. Try Dale & Jub Beach if you wanna veer from the usual white sandy shores of Gumasa.
6. Experience Burias Floating Cottages
Further South of Glan is Kingkim Beach which is a good alternative to Gumasa Beach for those that are on a budget and would like to avoid the crowd. Kingkim Beach has a long strip of powdery greyish-white sand shores but that’s not the most interesting part about it because it also serves as the jumpoff to Burias Floating Cottages. There are lots of them just off the coast of Kingkim Beach but our favorite was the one found in Rich Blue Lagoon. Only 10 minutes away on a boat, the Rich Blue Lagoon is true to its name with the floating cottage anchored in the middle of Gatorade waters. The place spells fun, adventure, and beauty all at once.
Where’s Glan and How to go there?
Manila – The nearest airport to access Glan is General Santos City. From here, just hop on one of the vans in KCC Mall going to Glan. Travel time is 1 hour.
Davao – Ride a bus or a van from Ecoland Terminal going to General Santos City then ride another van to Glan. Total travel time is 4-5 hours.
North Cotabato – If you’re coming from your visit to Asik-Asik Falls and you’re planning to visit Glan then just ride a van to Marbel and then another van to Gensan. Hop on another van to Glan. Total travel time is 4-5 hours.
There you have it, lovelies. If I missed anything, let me know in the comments. I have only stayed in Glan for 3 days and even that is not enough to unravel what this beautiful town has to offer. I’ll be constantly updating this post and adding other interesting things you can try on your visit. Until next time. Ciao
2 Comments
Very nice travel location, I’ve been in Glan, Sarangani Province many times already and the white beach was amazing. Very small town but rich in People specially Beaches. I hope you’ve been to T’boli as well with Great Zipline of Lake Sebu Seven Falls….
Hey. Thanks for dropping by. Yes. Visited T’boli only to see Lake Holon. Been to Lake Sebu but didn’t get to try the zipline. Maybe on the next visit.