Palawan consist of 1,780 islands of pristine white beaches, dramatic rock formations, secret coves and underground mysteries. An untamed land, a nature lover’s paradise and an adventurer’s dream: Palawan certainly lives up to its image as the last frontier of the Philippines.
The island province has been declared a nature sanctuary of the world and for good reason. It is wrapped in a mantel of rain-forests, outstanding dive sites, majestic mountains, primeval caves and shimmering beaches. It bursts with exotic flora and fauna and is surrounded by a coral shelf that abounds with varied and colorful marine life.
The long narrow strip of the main island, located southwest of Manila, is around 425 kilometers long and 40 kilometers at its widest. On both sides of a backbone of tall mountain ranges, an irregular coastline meanders in intervals of vertical limestone cliff and sweeping white sand.
This unique topography provides a wealth of diverse pursuits for the traveler to its shores. Palawan was also named “World’s Best Island” by Travel + Leisure for 2013 and included in Condé Nast Traveler’s “Destination to Watch in 2013.”
Puerto Princesa, capital city of, and gateway to Palawan Island, is a paradise destination for tourists in the Philippines.
The City of Puerto Princesa (Filipino: Lungsod ng Puerto Princesa), the capital of Palawan, is a first class city in the Philippines. Recognized as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines, it offers a pleasant urban environment nestled in splendid natural surroundings that include great beaches and pristine forested hills. Puerto Princesa is the main arrival hub by Air and ferry to Palawan Island. Manila, the capital of The Philippines, is just a one-hour flight away. Even before the development foreign inbound tourism that started during the ‘90s in Palawan, Puerto Princesa was already a sought-after weekend or holiday destination for wealthy Manilans.
It is famous for its crocodile farms, underground rivers and dive spots. It is also the largest city in the Philippines in terms of total land area. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation.
Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park– a UNESCO World Heritage Site and New 7 Wonders of Nature featuring a spectacular limestone karst landscape alongside 8.2 kilometres of traversable subterranean river which leads into an underground cavern/lagoon commonly known as the “Cathedral.” A distinguishing feature of the river is that it flows directly into the sea, and the lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences.
