Major city · Philippines
Kidapawan
Spend 1–2 days in Kidapawan as a base for Mount Apo hikes; add a half‑day to see Kansal Falls.
Kidapawan, capital of Cotabato Province, is the main gateway to Mount Apo, the Philippines' highest peak. Buses from Davao take about 3 h, and the town offers budget lodging and tricycle rides for short trips. One night covers travel, a short hike, and a visit to Kansal Falls; a second night allows a longer summit trek.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PHP
- Best months
- Dec–May (dry season, cooler temps)
- avoid July–Sep (heavy rains, trail closures)
- Airport
- DVO
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Philippines ↗Complete the free eTravel registration on the official government site within 72 hours before arrival; ignore lookalike sites that charge.
- Philippines ↗Typhoon season runs roughly June to November: flights and boats are cancelled at short notice; buy flexible tickets and keep a spare day.
- Philippines ↗Carry pesos in small notes; many stalls, jeepneys and taxis are cash-only.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kidapawan117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kidapawan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.Philippines-wide
- SIM or eSIMGlobe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.Philippines-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.Philippines-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if no service charge.Philippines-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Philippines-wide
- SafetyKidapawan is generally safe; stay alert on night buses and keep valuables secure; watch for sudden rain on mountain trails.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsCalled 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.Philippines-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 117 fire/ambulance · 911 National emergency
- Sundays & holidaysHoly Week shuts much; malls open daily; banks closed weekends.Philippines-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckDVO Davao International Airport (Nearest airport; bus to Kidapawan ~3 h, ₱150 (≈ US$3) (check)).
- Getting aroundMotor tricycles charge ₱9 (≈ under US$1) for a 2‑km ride; buses from Davao or Cotabato run hourly (≈3 h, ₱150).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (local café)₱30–₱60 (≈ US$1–2)
- Street or quick mealMeal (budget stall)₱100–₱250 (≈ US$2–5)
- Budget bedBudget inn, a night, per person₱300 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range AC room, a night, per room₱1,300 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedMid‑range AC room, a night, per room₱2,000 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₱350 (≈ US$7) · Mid ₱800 (≈ US$15) · High ₱1,500 (≈ US$30)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DVO Davao International Airport (Nearest airport; bus to Kidapawan ~3 h, ₱150 (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–May. Avoid: Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Aug (15 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kidapawan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Motor tricycles charge ₱9 for a 2‑km ride; buses from Davao or Cotabato run hourly (≈3 h, ₱150).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Apo summit hike
goDoor to door: ≈4 h
Bus from Kidapawan to Digos (≈1 h), then local guide; total door‑to‑door ≈4 h
Two trail options; one‑day hike to Magpet, two‑day to summit. Check weather.
Kansal Falls
goDoor to door: ≈30 min round trip
Tricycle ride ≈15 min from town centre
Water source for the city; good for a quick photo stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Samanthas Travelers Inn
Fan rooms, common bathrooms, ₱300 per night
Midside Pension House
Fan and AC rooms, ₱150‑450, Wi‑Fi
Mount Apo Inn
A/C double rooms, ₱1,000, cable TV
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₱350–₱600 (≈ US$7–11) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₱600–₱1,200 (≈ US$11–25) excl. bed
- High
- ₱1,200 (≈ US$25)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range AC room1 × 1 night × ₱1,300 | ₱1,300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₱800 | ₱1,600 |
| Bus Davao → Kidapawan (one way)2 × ₱150 · check | ₱300 |
| Tricycle ride (2 km)2 × ₱9 | ₱18 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × ₱1,200 · check | ₱2,400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₱562 |
| Trip total≈ ₱3,090 per person per day, bed included | ₱6,180≈ US$110 |
2026 estimate in PHP; flights and long‑distance bus tickets excluded.
Prices of common things
| Tricycle ride (2 km) | ₱9 (≈ under US$1) |
| Coffee (local café) | ₱30–₱60 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Meal (budget stall) | ₱100–₱250 (≈ US$2–5) |
| Bus Davao → Kidapawancheck | ₱150 (≈ US$3) |
| Entrance to Kansal Falls | ₱20–₱50 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus schedules can change; confirm times at the station or with Mindanao Star.
- Mount Apo trails may close during heavy rain; check local advisories.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire/ambulance
- 117
- National emergency
- 911
Pocket card
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KidapawanKidapawan
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Ani nga address, palihugTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire/ambulance117
- National emergency911
Embassy
US consulate in Davao (check address); other embassies in Manila.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Davao → Kidapawan bus: about ₱150 (≈ US$3), 3 h (check)
- Tricycle 2 km: ₱9 (≈ under US$1)
Say or show
- Pasaylo-a ko — Excuse me / Sorry (pasaylo-a ko)
- Salamat — Thank you (salamat)
- Tagpila kini? — How much is it? (tagpila kini?)
- Asa ang kasilyas? — Where is the bathroom? (asa ang kasilyas?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kidapawan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May (dry season, cooler temps) · avoid July–Sep (heavy rains, trail closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a guided Mount Apo summit trek (2‑day) for adventure travelers.
- Develop a short cycling tour of city markets and waterfalls.
Sources
Ask about Kidapawan
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