Palawan – Philippines’ most beautiful island
Experience the ultimate island life in Palawan, the Last Frontier of the Philippines. Palawan is consistently ranked as one of the best islands in the world due to its white sand beaches, clear blue waters, spectacular marine life, shipwreck sites, and majestic limestone cliffs. If you enjoy swimming, island-hopping, and diving, Palawan, the largest island province in the Philippines, should be on your travel bucket list. Palawan boasts over 1,700 pristine islands and islets scattered across its four main destinations: El Nido, Puerto Princesa, Coron, and San Vicente. One of Palawan’s top destinations is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, also known as the Underground River. El Nido is renowned for its stunning beaches and islands, making it the ultimate tropical paradise. At the northern end of Palawan island lies Coron, famous for its shipwrecks and crystal-clear lagoons.
Attractions
Curise along the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is one of the world’s most complex cave systems, covering 220 sq km and featuring 8 km of underground rivers. The site boasts a full mountain-to-sea ecosystem, which is home to a wealth of fauna and flora. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. It boasts a limestone karst landscape and some of the largest cave rooms in the world. Tours to this unique site are readily available from Puerto Princesa.
Discover the El Nido Marine Reserve Park
The El Nido Marine Reserve Park is renowned for its limestone cliffs, 50 beaches, 3 major marine habitats, 5 types of forest, and abundant fauna and flora, including over 20 endemic species. Located in the north-eastern tip of Palawan Island, this iconic reserve is approximately 240 km away from Puerto Princesa, the capital city of the province. El Nido Marine Reserve Park is named after the sea turtles that regularly nest on its protected beaches. ‘El Nido’ means ‘the nest’ in Spanish.
Swim in the Barracuda Lake
Barracuda Lake is a stunning site with emerald-green brackish waters surrounded by impressive limestone karst formations. It is located on the northwest coast of Coron Island and offers not only a splendid place to visit but also one of the most unique dive sites in the region.
Dive deep into the shipwrecks of Coron Bay
The shipwrecks located in Coron Bay are some of the most popular dive sites in the Philippines. At the bottom of the ocean, there are 12 war wrecks resulting from an attack on the Imperial Japanese Navy by US Navy aircraft during the Second World War. These wrecks are encrusted with coral and are home to abundant marine life, making diving them a thrilling activity that requires special certifications. Coron Town and the surrounding islands have numerous dive centres that offer a variety of day trips and courses to explore the area’s fascinating remains.
Get close to the animals in the Calauit Safari Park
Calauit Safari Park is a wildlife sanctuary covering 37 sq km on Calauit Island just north of Busuanga Island and Coron, provides the opportunity to see waterbucks, deer, crocodiles, monkeys, zebras, and other wildlife. Although these animals are far from their country of origin, they can still live comfortably due to the region’s climate resembling that of Kenya. Day and overnight trips to Calauit Safari Park are available from Coron Town.
Explore the Tubbataha Reef National Park
Tubbataha Reef National Park is a marine and bird sanctuary that spans a 97-square-kilometre area, including two large atolls and the Jessie Beazley Reef. Situated in the middle of the Sulu Sea, approximately 150 km southeast of Puerto Princesa, Tubbataha Reef is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier dive sites. It boasts an impressive 360 coral species, hundreds of fish, sharks, dolphins, and whale species, as well as many sea turtles that use this area as a nesting ground. Due to its remote location, Tubbataha Reef National Park can only be accessed by live-aboard boats.
Have fun in Kayangan Lake
Kayangan Lake located in Coron is a crystal-clear freshwater lake that boasts underwater rock formations, caves, and islets. It is said to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines and is a popular spot for photographers due to its up to 10 metres of visibility, which allows non-swimmers to see the untouched rock formations from viewpoints around the lake. A tour guide can take keen hikers to a cave at the top of the mountain.
Kayaking in El Nido’s Small and Big Lagoons
El Nido’s Small and Big Lagoons are adjacent to each other on the northern coast of Miniloc Island. El Nido is renowned for its limestone karst formations protruding from turquoise waters, and these lagoons provide some of the best viewpoints in the Philippines. Sea kayaking and snorkelling are the primary activities available here. These two lagoons are part of the most popular island-hopping day trips, and it takes roughly 20 minutes to reach them from El Nido’s main town.
Stroll around the Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa, the capital city of Palawan, is recognised as one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the Philippines. It offers a pleasant urban environment nestled in splendid natural surroundings that include great beaches and pristine forested hills. However, it is worth staying in the city centre for a night or two. One can explore the local food scene and visit the heritage sites for half a day before continuing elsewhere in the province.
Accommodations
Panja Resort Palawan (Puerto Princesa)
This resort is located within 4.5 km of Honda Bay and offers various recreational opportunities and a garden. The Puerto Princesa resort features an infinity swimming pool and is approximately a 10-minute drive from natural attractions. The Panja Resort Palawan Puerto Princesa has 35 air-conditioned rooms, each with a private balcony and sitting area overlooking the sea. The Panja Resort Palawan Puerto Princesa has 35 air-conditioned rooms, each with a private balcony and sitting area overlooking the sea. Guests can enjoy a cooked-to-order breakfast. The rooftop bar offers spectacular views of the pool, making it the perfect spot to relax during your stay.
Miniloc Island (El Nido)
Miniloc, the Eco-Discovery island resort of El Nido Resorts, offers you a back-to-basics Filipino coastal village atmosphere with rustic or indigenous design. On Miniloc’s house reef, you can swim with 1.5-meter jack fish and get up close and personal with a variety of marine species. Miniloc Island is also a starting point for discovering and exploring Bacuit Bay’s prominent attractions, such as the Big and Small Lagoons and Snake Island.
Lagen Island (El Nido)
Lagen Island is also the Eco-Sanctuary island resort of El Nido Resorts, has the densest forest over limestone of the 45 islands and islets in Bacuit Bay. It is situated between a four-hectare forest and a tranquil, shallow lagoon. Lagen Island is a refuge for numerous species of birds and mammals. Observe and appreciate the various endemic species thriving in their natural habitat. The trail through Lagen’s forest provides a rewarding view of a cove on the opposite side of the island.
Travel Tips
When is the best time to visit Palawan?
The best time to visit Palawan and its destinations is during the dry summer season, which runs from November to May. The warmest months are March and April, which mark the summer season in the Philippines. To make the most of Palawan tours, particularly the Puerto Princesa Underground River tour and island-hopping tours, it is best to visit during the months with warm tropical climate. Palawan experiences rainfall mostly from July to September, with September being the month with the highest rainfall. However, the rest of the year is generally rain-free.
How to get to Palawan?
Flight: Domestic and international flights to Puerto Princesa are available daily. Travel time for flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa is just over an hour, and from Cebu to Puerto Princesa is also just over an hour. The most common way to reach Palawan is by plane, with Puerto Princesa as the main jump-off. Flights are also available to El Nido, Coron, and San Vicente.
Ferry: Palawan, being an island, can also be reached by ferry from Manila. However, the travel time is longer, with ferries departing only on Tuesdays and Fridays, taking almost a day. To ensure a comfortable sea travel, book accommodations in advance.
How to get around Palawan?
Palawan’s top attractions can be reached through various land and sea transfers. To explore Palawan’s leading island destinations such as Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and San Vicente/Port Barton, you have the option to commute, hire private transfers, or rent self-drive vehicles. However, to reach the separate islands of Coron, sea transfer from the main island is the only option.
Do I need a visa when traveling to the Philippines?
To obtain a visa, you can either submit your application online or visit the Philippine embassy in your country if the online application is not available in your region. At the embassy, you must submit photocopies of your documents along with a completed and signed application form. Please refer to this website for further details: https://www.visa.gov.ph/.
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