Palawan

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (popularly known as Puerto Princesa Underground River), at the St. Paul Mountain Range on the main island’s western coast, some 80 km. from the city center of Puerto Princesa, is the best way to start your Palawan adventure. You can paddle-boat your way through this underground river, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also included in the New7Wonders of Nature. A great side trip to the underwater river ride is a traipse to nearby Ugong Rock. The more adventurous travelers might wish to squeeze through its holes and cracks to reach the top of this 75-foot limestone formation jutting up the sea. Off Coron town in Busuanga Island are the Coron Reefs—ancient limestone cliffs quietly cradling seven lakes. The reefs not only teem with amazing aquatic wildlife but they also offer dramatic dive sites: a dozen World War II Japanese shipwrecks, which Forbes Traveler Magazine selected as among the top 10 scuba sites in the world.

Another unique and exhilarating experience is joining a Dugong or Sea Cow watching tour in Coron, an ecotourism activity where you will have the opportunity of having a close encounter (at 6-10 feet away by snorkeling or scuba diving) with the Philippine Dugong or sea cow, a gentle, shy marine giant (weights about 510-650 pounds and between 8 and 10 feet long). 

When you’re in an archipelago within an archipelago (a quarter of the 7,200 islands in the Philippines can be found in Palawan), you can have your fill of island-hopping, swimming, boating, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, hiking, caving, and camping in the great outdoors. You can go fishing, or pick seashells in the shallows, or harvest seaweeds—and eat them, too. Or watch the locals scamper up sea-battered cliffs to harvest yummy birds’ nests.

Find time to relax and unwind after a whole day of exploration by visiting the hot springs. Maquinit Hot Spring offers relaxing thermal waters in a scenic setting packed with tourists who just want to have a day of calm in hot water.  

If you’re an adventure-seeker who loves community immersion, you may join the TAO Philippines expedition. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will take you to the most remote and beautiful islands and best beaches in Northern Palawan while enjoying the authentic Filipino island life and learning to become a responsible traveler, and promoting community-based tourism. 

Claim your isolated white-sand beach getaway at the El Nido Marine Reserve Park. Sister island resorts offer cottages on stilts, giving you primal views, such as of giant clam gardens, in this faraway paradise.

At the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, giraffes and zebras as well as mouse deer and bearded pigs are among a global mix of wildlife sharing space in this Noah’s ark of endangered species.

The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, a nesting site of marine turtles and migratory birds, is another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Crave for a stunning sunset view as you hike to the top of Mount Tapyas of Coron, Palawan. At the top, you will be able to see a surreal panoramic view of Coron Island and other smaller islands. 

The Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, famously called the country “the pearl of the Orient.” If you don’t know it yet, the best pearl buys are in Palawan. There are also fabulous handicrafts, shell crafts, woodcarvings, and handwoven bags to snap up. Haggling is part of the shopping experience.

Fresh seafood, of course. Lots of Filipino adobo, grilled meats, and vegetable-laden soups. And fresh fruits. Have fun looking for the yummiest coconut flan in Puerto Princesa. A number of European chefs have decided to stay all over Palawan, notably in El Nido, Coron, Port Barton, and Puerto Princesa making the island-province a culinary adventure destination as well.

If you crave a food adventure, then try Palawan’s crocodile sisig. This exotic dish is a variation of the sizzling plate that uses pork, but instead, you get crocodile meat. Surprisingly, the taste is similar to chicken with a mild flavor and firm texture. It is definitely a try to look for a healthy option,  from high protein to low-fat composition. 

This exotic food will broaden the way you think of food. Tamilok, or woodworm, are mollusks harvested from mangrove trees. These worms are edible and taste like oysters. Another item to add to your bucket list. 

End your day with a BBQ dinner on the beach or try its delicious Chicken Inasal (grilled chicken) or pork barbeque (BBQ), marinated in a unique blend of spices and herbs, then grilled until done. Several restaurants in Palawan island serve this delicious special grilled chicken or pork dish.

Try ‘Halo Halo,’ a refreshing Filipino version of a milkshake with a sweet preserved fruit, evaporated milk, and crushed iced topped with ice cream and Leche Flan. 

Craving for seaweeds? Try Palawan’s ‘Lato’ seaweed salad, a sea grape or green caviar, a popular fresh seaweed dish on the island. Its soft and succulent texture is simply mixed with local vinegar, fresh tomato, and onions sprinkled with black pepper and a pinch of salt and a perfect match to any dish especially fried fish. You can find Lato seaweed anywhere in the Philippines, but the best one comes from Cuyo town in Palawan.