Palawan is paradise, sanctuary to an amazing variety of fauna and flora found nowhere else in the world. It is blessed with incredibly awesome landscapes that astound even the most indifferent of visitors.
Palawan is the country's biggest province and is composed of 1,768 islands and islets surrounded by a coral shelf with an exceptionally rich marine life. Its steeply sloped mountains are canopied by broad virgin forests. An anchor tourist destination,
Palawan is one of the 7,000 times more islands that make up the Philippine archipelago. It is the perfect playground for the adventurous. Ecology awareness is at a high level throughout the province. Puerto Princesa prides itself as the cleanest city in the Philippines. To protect its megadiversity, only eco-friendly programs are adhered to by tourist establishments. And there are strict ordinances against dynamite fishing, with only net and line fishing allowed. Palawan may have opened itself to tourism but it has also taken serious efforts to preserve this last frontier.
EL NIDO
The most beautiful place in Palawan is the isolated island of El Nido with its incredibly astonishing seascapes. El Nido is a secluded group of islands east of Puerto Princesa, Palawan's capital city, and is virtually cut off from the mainland by three bodies of water - Luzon Sea to the north, the China Sea to the east and the Sulu Sea to the west.
THE UNDERGROUND RIVER
Palawan presents a visual feast not only above the ground but also below it. St. Paul National Park is Palawan's most popular attraction and covers 5,349 hectares of lush forest, dark mountains, caves and white beaches. In the deep recesses of the marble and limestone peaks of Mt. St. Paul flow the Underground River, said to be the longest in the world. It is easily navigable for at least four kilometers. The caves are filled with filigree-like sculptures formed by stalagmites and stalactites. Near its mouth is a beautiful lagoon with crystal-clear water that teems with fish. Also within the park is the Monkey Trail, a series of wooden paths that winds into the forest where monkeys, squirrels, lizards and some 60 species of birds are found. The Park is inscribed in the World Heritage List.
THE TUBBATAHA REEF
Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park is the country's largest marine habitat. It hosts giant manta rays, sea turtles and hundreds of reef fish species. Located at the heart of the Sulu Sea, the marine park is 33,200 hectares of coral atoll, barely emergent islets and open water, and constitutes a unique complete open ocean ecosystem. It is inscribed in the World Heritage List as "rare and superlative phenomena as well as formations, features and areas of exceptional beauty." It is located some 98 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa and is a premier diving destination.
GETTING THERE
By Air:
The fastest way to reach Palawan is by plane.
There are 2 daily flights each fielded by Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines from the Manila Domestic Airport to the Puerto Princesa Domestic Airport in Central Palawan.
Those bound for the Calamian Group of Islands in North Palawan may board the small planes fielded at least once daily by Asian Spirit, Air Ads and Pacific Air from Manila to the YKR Airport in Busuanga. Soriano Aviation flies to the El Nido Airport.
By Sea: There are 2 available ferry lines: WG&A Superferry and Sulpicio Lines.
