PALAWAN

World-renowned for its premier, awe-inspiring underground river and other breathtaking islands,
Puerto Princesa’s tourism has earned a notch higher recognition more and more each year. Puerto
Princesa is the capital metropolitan of the island province of Palawan and has been recognized many
times as the most unspoilt, lush and verdant city in the Philippines. With an extensive anthology of
tourist spots to choose from such as wildlife sanctuaries, hidden caves and relaxing beaches, any
tourist will never run out of a tourist havens to explore and visit. If ever you want to familiarize
yourself with Puerto Princesa upon arrival at the airport, you may visit the Tourist Information Office
just after the entrance hall which gives out maps and brochures about the city’s main tourist
attractions and festivities.

El Nido on the other hand, is a seaside community in Palawan composed of 45 islands exhibiting
numerous limestone crags, creating a Karst panorama that is relatively comparable to that of Ha
Long Bay in Vietnam. El Nido showcases the beyond conventional type of haven to its tourists and
even locals alike. Indeed, its several loads of beaches, tropical rain forests and sheer cliffs all make
up one of the globe’s most breathtaking and picturesque setting. Way back in the past, El Nido’s
tourism wasn’t yet the primary source of income by the government. In the long run, El Nido’s
strong appeal has victoriously captivated the interest of many tourists thus, allowed its tourism
industry to truly flourish.

FESTIVAL:

 Tarek Festival (at Aborlan by the indigenous
Tagbanuas and Batak people) Third week of
January
 Puerto Princesa Foundation Day (celebrated
during the first week of March, this festival
celebrates the birth of Palawan's capital city)
March
 Baragatan Sa Palawan (during the third week
of June, Puerto Princesa comes alive with this
festival celebrating the birth of Palawan's
democratic government) June
 Cuyo Festival (participants blacken their skin
with soot and dance with abandonment in the
city streets to the frenetic percussion of
drummers) August
 Pagdiwata Ritual Festival (this event takes
place during December's full moon cycle and
features a number of traditional rituals that
predate the coming of Christianity) December
1. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park –The Park is located in the Saint Paul mountain range
and the entrance to the underground park is just a short hike from Sabang. This is said to be one of the
longest underground river in the world.

2. El Nido – This is one of the most beautiful places in the whole Philippines and it’s a great best to dive and
snorkel, island hop or just to relax and lie comfortably on the beach.
3. Honda Bay – is just a 30 minutes’ drive from Puerto Princesa. Honda Bay is a must go to place too if you’re
in Palawan. Island hopping is a popular activity in Honda bay among foreign and local tourists alike.

4. Coron – Coron is another gorgeous destination in Northern Palawan. A lot of foreign and local visitors
frequently go here because of the direct flight that it has with Manila. It’s a great place to explore a variety of
island and to snorkel and dive to see sunken ships. Coron is also home to a variety of colourful marine life
which makes snorkelling and diving in Coron so much fun.

5. Sabang – This beach village is the nearest place to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park so
if you’re going there, you’ll surely pass through this town. The beach here is quiet and beautiful and it’s a
great place to relax after your day tour to the underground river. You can also explore the nearby mangrove
forest and learn about the ecosystem that it supports.

6. Batac Tribal Community – An indigenous group of people in Palawan that dwells in the river valley just
north of the provincial capital. Some say that there are only less than 500 of them left and these people are
slowly disappearing.

7. Puerto De Sta. Isabel – also called the Taytay Port is one of the historical places to see in Palawan. The fort
was used as a military station during the Spanish Era. The fort was built under the order of the Augustinian
Recollect Fathers in 1667.

8. Port Barton – a quiet and beautiful fishing village, you can see here white sand beaches and a lot of
beautiful sceneries and attractions. There are some restaurants here too and the place just has a laidback and
relaxing atmosphere, activities are island hopping, snorkelling, swimming and a lot more. When you visit port
Barton, be sure to check out the Pamoayan Falls as well.

9. Tabon Cave – The cave is located in the southern part of Palawan and labelled as the “Cradle of
Civilisation” of the Philippines. This is where archaeologists found a skull cap and other remains of what they
believed as the oldest inhabitants in the country.

10. Calauit Island – Calauit island will come up as a surprise to everyone because the main feature of this
island is the collection of African animals such as giraffes, zebras and gazelles among others that are roaming
freely in the wild. This is in response to an international effort to help save the animals in Kenya during the
70’s. Eight species arrived in Calauit in 1977 which include; impalas, giraffes, zebras, bushbucks, waterbucks,
gazelles, elands, and topis. From then on, the animals proliferated and existed in this island together with
some local species. This island is now a wildlife sanctuary.

BADJAO Seafront Restaurant: perched on a mangrove swamp and is fairly high class in terms of service and
table settings. Eating by the sea, looking to the sky, breathing fresh air.
KALUI: Its like you're in a Balinese Resto. You take your shoes off. The food is good and the service was just
OK.

KINABUCHs Bar and Grill: offers a fusion of mouth watering dishes and fresh seafood. They serve Croc meat
and Tamilok.

Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill and Restaurant: This one is a cheap place with lots of food choices.

Viet Ville Restaurant: Vietnamese Cuisine. This village was made as an asylum for Vietnamese refugees who
fled by boat to Puerto Princesa during the 70's.

Bona’s Chao Long: The mother of all cheapest food in Puerto Princessa.

Lotus Garden: Try their seasfood dinner buffet.

FOOD:

Eel in Coco cream at Kalui, Tamilok, Croc MEat.

 Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm: This place is popular for having inmates that roam free and
even interact with tourists. As part of their rehabilitation process, the inmates have their
own livelihood. Other than farming, some inmates also make handicrafts, which they sell in
the souvenir shop inside the area.
 Baker's Hill: a bakery where you can buy breads and pastries in boxes as "pasalubong". They
also have a souvenir store where you can buy good quality souvenir t-shirts, board shorts,
etc.
 Cora's Palawan Pearls & Souvenir Shop: You may buy the pearls loose or as pieces of
jewelry. The prices are not yet fixed so don't be shy to haggle.
ENJOY YOUR PALAWAN GETAWAY!!!