Known as the Philippines’ Last Frontier, Palawan is an astoundingly beautiful paradise located on the western side of the country. It is the largest province in the Philippines, made of 1780 islands and islets off the coast of the main island. Recent efforts to promote the province’s beauty have brought it to the world’s attention, luring in thousands of tourists every year.
Palawan has remained pristine despite being premier destination in the Philippine islands. Its charm lies in its sugar-fine white sand beaches, challenging nature trails, breathtaking sunsets and countless natural wonders. The people of Palawan are also very welcoming, staying true to the Filipino brand of world-class hospitality.
Getting There
Palawan has three major airports: Puerto Princesa International Airport, Francisco B. Reyes Airport (Busuanga) and El Nido Airport. There are also smaller airstrips in other towns, making it easier for travelers to reach key points in the province. A flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa takes a little over an hour so it is highly possible to arrive in Manila and be in Palawan in a matter of hours.
If time is a luxury that you have, traveling by sea is also a good idea. The province is accessible by boat from Mindoro (San Jose), Panay Island, and Manila. Travel takes about 24 hours so prepare for some downtime along the way. The long journey can also be a good time to try go get as much sleep as you can. You’ll be up to your neck in adventures once you arrive and chances are you would not be getting a lot of sleep during your stay.
Getting Around
The fastest and easiest way to get around Palawan is by hopping on a plane. But this can be quite expensive so if you’re planning to spend more on adventures than transportation, better consider alternatives.
Boat travel is an option especially for those headed to the coastal towns and offshore islands. There are two ferries that travel up and down Palawan: SuperFerry and Atienza Shipping Lines. Also, there are bancas (boats) for hire that can take you through shorter distances along the coast. You can also hire a banca for island hopping tours.
Traveling by land is also possible around Palawan but one has to understand that it can be exhausting and time consuming. On the brighter side, overland travel allows you to see more of the island and if you hired a private jeepney or van, you’d have all the chances to photograph the attractive scenery. There are a lot of vans and jeepneys for hire in major towns and motorcycles can take you through shorter distances.
Tourist Destinations
Almost all of Palawan is picturesque but there are several parts of the province that stand out from the rest. Palawan is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts and beach lovers. A month is not nearly enough to explore the whole province so it is important to plan your itinerary around the most interesting points. Here’s a list of the most popular towns and/or attractions in Palawan:
Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa is an independent city which also serves as the provincial capital of Palawan. The city is located at the heart of mainland Palawan, sandwiched by the South China Sea to its west and the Sulu Sea to its east. The city in itself is an attraction, being known as a highly-urbanized city within a forest. Puerto Princesa is teeming with natural and manmade attractions that never fail to impress every visitor.
It is home to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park which was declared as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Thousands (if not millions) of local and international tourists come to the city to marvel at the astounding beauty of the river that runs to the sea. The formations under the limestone caverns are also a sight to behold.
Another prominent attraction in Puerto Princesa is Honda Bay and its islands. It is located off the city’s mid-eastern coast and boasts of a number of islands that can be explored on an island-hopping tour. There are plenty of white sand beaches where you can swim, snorkel, scuba dive or simply sunbathe. Spectacular underwater wonders are abundant within the bay, including reef sharks, tropical fishes and different coral species.
Coron Reefs and Coron Bay
Coron is a town in the Calamian Group of Islands located in northern Palawan. It is an extremely popular destination for wreck divers due to a good number of Japanese warships sunk during WWII. In fact, the wreck just off the coast of Coron Island were named as one of the 10 best scuba diving spots in the world by Forbes Traveler Magazine. There are no beaches in the town itself but it is an excellent base for island hoppers looking for a peaceful sand strip.
Coron is home to seven lakes, two of which are open to the public: Kayangan and Barracuda. You will also see towering limestone cliffs jutting out of picturesque lagoons. Coron is a Philippine marine reserve so expect to see multi-colored fishes and other endemic marine creatures once you take the plunge. There are plenty accommodations available in the main island but outdoor lovers prefer camping for the sheer pleasure of waking up to a stunning paradise on all corners.
Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
Located just off Busuanga Island, Calauit Island is home to hundreds of wild animals of varied species that thrive within the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary. African gazelles, bushbacks, waterbucks, impalas, zebra and giraffes live together with Palawan endemic species like mouse deers, Calamian deers, bear cats and Palawan peacock pheasants. These animals live in a natural environment with as little human intervention as possible. There are allowed to hunt, mate and survive within a vast expanse of open spaces, forests and water forms. Visitors to the wildlife sanctuary are toured around the extensive property on board a tall bus. On some days feeding the giraffes is allowed.
El Nido
El Nido is another one of the most-visited towns in Palawan. It is located on the northernmost tip of mainland Palawan and is considered as the gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago. El Nidofeatures some of the most stunning beaches in the world, mysterious lagoons, majestic limestone formations and abundant marine life. Not only is it a favorite destination of the wealthy due to its world-class resorts, it is also a backpacker’s haven. There are a lot of budget accommodations scattered all over town. There is also no shortage of adventures in El Nido: island hopping, scuba diving, underwater photography, fish feeding, spelunking, windsurfing, cliff climbing, and camping, among others.
When you get tired of all the physical activities, you can take a break at any one of the spas that offer the ultimate relaxation. El Nido is also home to a lot of restaurants that serve the best culinary delights that Palawan has to offer.
Tubbataha Reefs
The Tubbataha Reefs is perhaps every diver’s dream due to its amazing underwater scapes. It is one of world’s largest marine reserves, second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tubbataha is essentially a long reef exposed when the tides are low. It has sandbars and islets where birds and sea turtles take refuge. These sandbars however are off limits to humans. They can only be viewed aboard boats on your way to the dive spots. The best time to explore the reefs is during the months of April through June. This is when the waters are at their calmest.
Environmental Issues
Palawan is teeming with natural wonders but this piece of paradise is also facing threats to its environment. Being a land so rich in land and aquatic resources, Palawan is susceptible to commercialism and destructive development. At the present time, the province is facing environmental destruction due to mining and kaingin (slash–and–burn farming). Advocacy groups are lobbying to stop these activities to preserve the natural beauty of Palawan. And it is equally important for visitors to understand these efforts. Tourists are also encouraged to take part through simple gestures like not throwing trash anywhere and paying environmental fees.
There are hundreds of reasons why tourists from all over the world are enamored by the mysterious beauty of Palawan. The miles of white sand beaches, the secret coves, the picturesque lagoons, or the famous underground river may be it. It can also be the limestone cliffs, the busy underwater world, or the lush forests. For some, it might be the rustic beauty of the towns, the wonderful food, or the warmth of the people. It can be all of these and more. Palawan is indeed a paradise like no other.
