Two of the most well-liked tourist spots in the Philippines are Palawan and Boracay.

Both islands have

lovely beaches, however depending on what you’re searching for, one can be more enticing than the
other due to various variances between them. However, for travelers looking for adventure, Palawan is
a top-notch destination that combines culture, adventure, and nature. It is renowned for its
breathtaking beaches, profusion of animals, and wide variety of natural treasures, including Kayangan
Lake, the Underground River, and Calauit Safari Park. One of the most beautiful islands in the world,
Palawan is known for its spectacular terrain and seascapes. The lagoons, limestone cliffs, and crystal-
clear blue water are magnificent. Many activities are available on the island, such as canoeing one of the
longest subterranean rivers in the world, diving in World War II wrecks, and discovering old-growth
jungles. Palawan’s charm lies in its natural beauty, cuisine, friendliness of the residents, and overall
value all contribute to its attractiveness. Due to amazing landscapes and high bio-diversity, Palawan
island is known as “The Last Ecological Frontier of the Philippines”. Palawan is regarded as one of the
top travel locations in the planet. Palawan Island has been rated by National Geographic Traveler
magazine as best Southeast Asia region in 2007, and the 13th best island in the world. Travel + Leisure
magazine named Palawan the "Best Island in the World" for the fourth time in 2020, while placing
Boracay at number 14 on the same list. The island came in first place among the top 25 Greatest Islands
in the World after receiving a score of 94.83 in a survey by the renowned travel magazine.

Since it provides a variety of activities including hiking, rappelling, diving, snorkeling, exploring ancient
sites, kayaking and rafting, sport fishing, and island hopping, Palawan is a great place to go on vacation.
Busuanga, Calauit, Coron, and Culion are the four main islands that make up the Calamianes group, and
they all provide a variety of things to do for tourists. The main draw in central Palawan is without a
doubt the Subterranean River in Puerto Princesa. The river widens into a beautiful procession of
limestone cliffs and secret lagoons teeming with marine life after you arrive by boat at the UNESCO
World Heritage site through an interesting inlet. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, often known as
Underground River, is without a doubt the highlight of central Palawan.

Travelers may reach Palawan by air, sea, and land. As more planes arrive here than at other airports,
Puerto Princesa frequently serves as the entry point to Palawan. To discover Palawan’s major
attractions, tourists can take land or city excursions. While going on tours, it’s vital to dress comfortably
and protect yourself from the sun with hats, sunglasses, and comfortable clothing. In case it rains,
visitors should also bring an umbrella. Compared to Boracay, Palawan boasts less crowded beaches,
great landscape, and wonderful beaches. Palawan boasts beautiful coral white and pink beaches with
crystal-clear seas that are excellent for diving and snorkeling possibilities, although it is more relaxed
and less developed than Boracay. The Philippines’ most isolated coves, teaming shipwrecks with aquatic
life, and the Balabac Islands in Palawan

The Tabon and Palawan Museums bring local history to life with their exhibits of ancient antiquities
from the Tabon caverns and objects from the Spanish era. It provides a wider selection of sights and
activities and is well recognized for its natural marvels. It is ideal for tourists looking for a genuine
experience because it offers an unending number of beautiful islands to visit. If you prefer a more laid-
back atmosphere, Palawan's beaches are frequently less crowded than those in Boracay. Nonetheless,
lodging in Palawan is typically more costly than in Boracay. Due to inadequate sewage and waste
management systems, Boracay Island, famous for its stunning beaches and blue seas, has been plagued
by pollution issues.

The fact that there are so many hotels and inns operating on the island has made things worse. A video
that went viral in 2018 depicting black-colored sewage spilling directly into Boracay's lagoon prompted
the federal government to take many actions, including briefly closing the island to tourists.

In Boracay, almost 85% of the residential and commercial properties lacked legal, adequate sewage
systems. Septic sewage that hasn't been treated as a result has been discharged into the oceans. The
island generates a lot of waste every day, but its infrastructure can only hold a little quantity of it. This
reckless behavior is mostly motivated by the fact that it is more cost-effective.

Coral reefs on Boracay Island have decreased by almost 70.5 percent between 1988 and 2018 as a result
of the pollution issue there. Concerned that the island has devolved into a "cesspool," the Philippine
government announced in 2018 a six-month shutdown of the island to carry out a significant clean-up.

Due to the island of Boracay's insufficient sewage and waste management infrastructure, pollution
became one of the primary issues. The fact that there were so many hotels and companies on the island
made things worse. Septic waste was thrown into seas untreated due to inadequate sewage systems. As
a result, coral reefs have declined and water quality has deteriorated. The Filipino government shut
down Boracay Island for six months in 2018 to conduct extensive clean-up efforts in order to solve these
problems.

Palawan offers a more extensive range of attractions and things to do, making it the perfect place for
travelers seeking an authentic experience. Palawan has an endless list of idyllic islands and natural
wonders to explore, such as Coron Island, which is great for diving and snorkeling opportunities. Balabac
Islands in the south of Palawan also offer pristine coral white and pink beaches with crystal clear waters.

Palawan is a clear winner when it comes to adventure activities like snorkeling, trekking, hiking, and
scuba diving sites. Adventure-lovers have a range of hikes, treks, and scuba diving sites to choose from
in Palawan. In contrast, Boracay is very much an R&R destination that’s packed with hotels but hardly
has a touch of its original rainforest or jungle left.
Palawan is also more affordable than Boracay when it comes to accommodation and food. Drinks and
entertainment won’t leave a big hole in your wallet either. Boracay has fancier hotels but can be more
expensive than Palawan overall.

In conclusion, Palawan is a fantastic travel destination because it provides a special fusion of cultural
legacy and natural beauty that is unmatched anyplace else in the world. Palawan offers more diverse
attractions at a lower cost compared to Boracay. Those who wish to enjoy numerous outdoor activities
and the best of nature might consider Palawan as a holiday location. It is one of the most beautiful
islands in the world because to its magnificent beaches and crystal-clear aquamarine ocean. With its
abundance of natural treasures, including Kayangan Lake and Calauit Safari Park, as well as several
outdoor activities including hiking and It is the best holiday destination for those seeking adventure due
to the island hopping. Its four-time selection by Travel + Leisure magazine as “Best Island in the World”
demonstrates that it truly is among the most breathtaking locations in both the Philippines and the
world.