The tropical paradise islands of Palawan are home to exceptional natural beauty with white beaches, sheltered bays and underground rivers. One of the best scuba diving sites in the world, Palawan hosts coral reefs, wrecks, and colorful marine life. These Southeast Asian islands are also an outdoor adventure wonderland with jungles, mountains, underground rivers, magical lakes, and rich flora and fauna just waiting to be explored.
Wildlife & trekking. Palawan is rich in wildlife both above and below the sea surface. Besides pristine beaches, there are mountains, rivers, lakes and virgin rainforests to explore by hiking in Palawan. In the forests and grasslands of Palawan you can spot some unique animals and numerous species of exotic birds and colorful butterflies. In the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary you can see both endemic animals of Palawan, as well as animals of Africa. Birdwatchers will certainly want to visit the small Ursula Island that is home to numerous seabirds and shorebirds. In the crocodile farms of Palawan you can see these dangerous creatures very close.
Puerto Princesa is the busy capital of Palawan with more than 200,000 inhabitants. A business hub of the island province, Puerto Princesa has the best opportunities for shopping in Palawan for skillfully made local handicrafts. The city is also home to numerous bars and clubs. The magical underground river which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in Puerto Princesa, offering exciting caving experiences.
Diving and hiking in Palawan, the islands of white beaches, coral reefs and mountains
The tropical island province of Palawan is located between the South China Sea and Sulu Sea in the Philippines. There are several smaller islands surrounding the main island. Palawan is home to rocky bays and white, sandy beaches great for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. The rich underwater world with its corals, caves, exotic fish species, and other marine life is best explored on snorkeling and diving in Palawan. Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, one of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Palawan is one of the best dive sites in the world. On the white beaches of Palawan you can even spot some endangered sea turtles.Wildlife & trekking. Palawan is rich in wildlife both above and below the sea surface. Besides pristine beaches, there are mountains, rivers, lakes and virgin rainforests to explore by hiking in Palawan. In the forests and grasslands of Palawan you can spot some unique animals and numerous species of exotic birds and colorful butterflies. In the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary you can see both endemic animals of Palawan, as well as animals of Africa. Birdwatchers will certainly want to visit the small Ursula Island that is home to numerous seabirds and shorebirds. In the crocodile farms of Palawan you can see these dangerous creatures very close.
Puerto Princesa is the busy capital of Palawan with more than 200,000 inhabitants. A business hub of the island province, Puerto Princesa has the best opportunities for shopping in Palawan for skillfully made local handicrafts. The city is also home to numerous bars and clubs. The magical underground river which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in Puerto Princesa, offering exciting caving experiences.
Practical information for your stay in Palawan
Palawan has a hot and humid tropical climate ideal for sunbathing and water sports. The pleasant dry season runs from March to early June. This is also the high season for tourism in Palawan. The rainy season in Palawan runs from June to September.
Photo: SaddaGocaraRupa, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
Visitor services. Palawan offers good facilities for visitors, and English is widely spoken on the islands. Many luxurious resorts, lodges and hotels in Palawan are located next to the white-sand beaches, providing breathtaking sea views. In the restaurants in Palawan you can taste freshly caught seafood, local specialties, as well as some international dishes.
How to get there. Palawan is situated approximately 590 km northwest of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The easiest way to travel to Palawan is by air. There are direct flights to Palawan from Manila, which serves flights from all over the world. There are also ferries to Palawan from Manila and the Philippine islands of Panay and Mindoro.
Local transport. Island-hopping by boat is a very good way of getting around in Palawan. Car rental in Palawan is an option if you want to explore the treasures of these paradise islands on your own. As there are only few paved roads, driving can be time-consuming and a 4WD is often needed. You can also get around in Palawan by the local 20-seated jeepneys.
Safety. Palawan can be regarded a relatively safe destination. Due to the unstable political and security situation in the Philippines, tourists visiting Palawan are still advised to exercise caution especially in crowded places and avoid demonstrations. Like in other parts of the country, natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons are not rare in Palawan.
