Destination highlights
Palawan in the largest province of the entire Philippine archipelago, whose capital is called Puerto Princesa. Considered one of the most beautiful geographical areas in the world, it is called the “green jewel” of the Philippines. Palawan Island presents to the tourist spectacular landscapes that have been muse of inspiration for many writers. Characterized by an immense variety of marine flora and fauna, its impenetrable tropical forests and paradisiacal beaches.
In addition, it has two World Heritage sites: the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park. The best time to travel to this island is from November to June, in the fullness of the dry season, preferably between December and March, when the weather is softer and avoiding the high season with greater influx of tourists and the price increase in Traveler services. From June to September is the rainy season.
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Travel tips
International air and national airports in Cebu, Manila and Caticlan (Boracay) through four doors connect the Puerto Princesa Airport. El Nido Airport Airport Puerto Princesa Airport, and César Lim Rodríguez Airport in Taytay and Francisco Reyes Busuanga Airport. Also the boats from Manila to ports in Coron and Puerto Princesa. The main airlines that land and take off in Puerto Princesa are Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines and fly every day. The flight time is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Seaway, every Thursday ships leave from Manila to Puerto Princesa and return on Saturdays. Another solution is the super ferry from Manila to Puerto Princesa every Friday and back to Manila every Sunday. It takes between 18 and 22 hours and includes a stop in Coron.
Palawan is an archipelago of 1,780 islands in the western part. Due to incredible landscapes and great biodiversity, the island of Palawan is known as “The Last Ecological Border of the Philippines.” You can start the tourist adventure in Palawan in Puerto Princesa, its capital, which boasts of being one of the cleanest, greenest and ecological cities in the country in which you can enjoy a few days walking through this colonial city visiting. For example, the Monument Museum of World War II Palawan Special Battalion or taking a walk through its bay, from where you can enjoy a sunset and the night fair that has a small market of handicrafts and street food stalls. The most recommended beach is Honda Bay. From there you can take a trip to the islands near the capital; many local tourism agencies offer a closed tour that includes food on one of the islands.
After visiting Puerto Princesa, it is very convenient and attractive to know Sabang, a tiny and beautiful town within Puerto Princesa where the Subterranean River National Park is located. In addition to having been recognized as a Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, it is qualified currently as one of the new “7 Natural Wonders of Humanity”. From the city of Puerto Princesa you can get to Sabang by bus, by jeep or in a van or van and the journey varies in duration according to the means of transport and the conditions of the roads, especially in rainy season.
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From the port of Sabang can be reached by boat to the National Park and there in small pirogues take 4 passengers inside the cave with helmet and flashlights to observe the natural forms of the cave. Recommended accommodations in Sabang are Robert’s Place, Sunbird & Blue Bamboo Cottages and Restaurant, Dab Dab Cottages & Restaurant and Alpuerto Escapade Resort and Cottages. Following the tour of Palawan, the traveler can go to visit Port Barton, a small fishing village, a few kilometers north of Sabang. This town has generators that generate electricity for 3 hours a day only, specifically between 7 and 10 at night.
You have to make good use of this period to charge phones and prepare to go to bed. Its beaches are very calm, crystal clear waters and its streets are not paved, the places of lodging are simple and it constitutes an ideal landscape to rest, relax, read a book and take walks. From the point of view of international recognition, El Nido is the most prominent place, touristically speaking, of Palawan. It is located almost 240 km from Puerto Princesa and can be reached directly from the capital by bus and the journey can take between 5 and 8 hours, depending on the means of transport used and the state of the roads.
It also has a small airport in the same city and another in the nearby town of TayTay. Located in the archipelago of Bacuit, the main beach of El Nido has an environment with limestones covered with dense vegetation that frame the views and really looks like an image taken from a fairy tale. In addition, you can hire kayaks and excursions to make trips around the island. The ideal of enjoying a stay in El Nido for 4 or 5 days is to take advantage of expeditions to nearby villages on the island, and tours that organize overnight stays on Cadlao Island, a well-known small island located in front of El Nido. It is ideal for those who like hiking, you can take a trip to the Nagkalitcalit waterfalls located 14 kilometers from the city.
Hotel recommendations
The most recommended hotel establishments in Palawan are Cauayan Island Resort (El Nido), Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa, Matinloc Resort, Coron Westown Resort, Sunlight Guest Hotel – Coron, Princess Garden Island Resort and Spa. Also, Two Seasons Coron Town Bayside Hotel, Doublegem Beach Resort and Hotel, Bluewave Hotel, Two Seasons Coron Island Resort and Spa, The Bayview Hotel Resort, The Rio Y Mar Resort and The Nest Resorts Apulit Island – Taytay.
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