Palawan has a lot to offer to local and foreign travelers who want to enjoy, visit and explore its other islands. With its majestic limestone cliffs, wondrous underwater scenes, breathtaking beaches, and eco-luxury resorts, it’s now one of the best travel destinations in the Philippines. In fact, it has received a lot of awards from different travel magazine sites.
Awards Received:
- Lonely Planet’s Best Value Travel Destinations this 2014
- World’s Best Islands 2013 by Travel + Leisure – Rank #1
- Top 25 Best Beaches in Asia by TripAdvisor 2014 Travelers’ Choice Award – Rank #4
- Recognized as one of the world’s best tourist destinations in National Geographic Traveler’s Magazine
- Earned the number four spot in the Top 10 Holiday Destinations category of a worldwide poll by online travel magazine, Smart Travel Asia.
- In 2012, El Nido also topped CNNGo’s list of the Philippines’ best beaches and islands.
As Lonely Planet describes Palawan:
Jungle rivers, limestone cliffs, and awesome beaches – Palawan’s no secret, but it certainly rewards those who visit. This mix, combined with stand-out attractions such as Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Bacuit Archipelago (all available at a competitive price), makes it a great value pick for old Asia hands and novices alike. A journey on from Palawan leads to the Calamian Islands where apparently Alex Garland saw the strip of sand that inspired The Beach. Watch out for the May to October monsoon: it brings heavy rain, usually in the afternoon.
Puerto Prinsesa vs Coron vs El Nido: Which One Will You Choose?
Puerto Prinsesa
It has been named the Philippines’ cleanest and greenest city and has been internationally recognized for environmental excellence.
Top Attractions in Puerto Prinsesa
1. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (a.k.a. St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park) was chosen as one of the New7Wonders of Nature
Photo Credit: WorklessSmileMore.com
It was recognized as a World Heritage Site similar to the Banaue Rice Terraces. It is the world’s longest subterranean river located in Sitio Sabang, Puerto Princesa.The Underground River features a limestone karsts mountain landscape with an 8.2 Kilometre Underground River that stretches through a spectacular cave flowing directly to the South China Sea. The lower part of the river is subject to tidal influences. Tourist is only allowed to travel for about 1.5 Kilometers which is equivalent to 45 minutes tour.
2. Honda Bay
3. Baker’s Hill Palawan
Photo Credit: Rev Adan Photography
Coron
Photo Credit: Walk with Wendy
How to Get There:
There are direct flights from Manila to Busuanga via Cebu Pacific, Airphil Express and Zest Air
El Nido
How to Get There:
No direct flight from Manila. One has to fly to Puerto Princesa and board a five to six-hour bus/van ride to El Nido. Ferries are also available from Coron and Puerto Princesa at premium prices. Coming from Puerto Prinsesa, El Nido is 5 – 6 hours by van and 6 – 7 hours by ordinary bus
It’s really more fun in the Philippines when you are in Palawan! Exploring this island is an adventure you’ll never forget!
Do you love our list of TOP Tourist Attractions in Palawan? If you have a favorite spot not mentioned here, feel free to share it in the comments box below!
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Cess is the blogger behind JourneyInsider.com. Currently, she works as a full-time SEO Manager. She enjoys being at the beach with the white sand, blue sky, and ocean breeze or having an island-hopping adventure when she’s not working hard!