Palawan ‘CAN ’ is 1,780 islands of pristine white beaches, dramatic rock A nature lover ’s paradise and an formations, secret coves and underground mysteries. An untamed CULTURE . The island province of Palawan land, a nature lover’s paradise and an adventurer’s dream: Palawan adventurer ’s dream has much to offer to those who want to get to certainly lives up to its image as the last frontier. LAOAG the heart and soul of the . The more Getting there adventurous traveller can visit one of Palawan’s The island province has been declared a nature sanctuary of the world Palawan Banaue Major Airport Gateways: indigenous people, the Batak, whose settlements and for good reason. It is wrapped in a mantel of rainforests, outstanding Luzon dive sites, majestic mountains, primeval caves and shimmering beaches. , El Nido, Sandoval, Busuanga and PHILIPPINE SEA are on the slope of Cleopatra’s Needle. The Tabon Cuyo. Distance from Manila to Puerto Princesa is and Palawan Museums with their displays of It bursts with exotic flora and fauna and is surrounded by a coral shelf 306 nautical miles MMAMANMANIMANILMANILA prehistoric artifacts from the Tabon caves and that abounds with varied and colourful marine life. Air Transport: items from the Spanish era bring the areas’ local Mindoro The long narrow strip of the main island, located southwest of Manila, Various domestic carriers fly to Palawan's major history to life and are well worth exploring. gateways from Manila (20+ flights daily), Cebu Busuanga Boracay Samar is around 425 kilometres long and 40 kilometres at its widest. On both (flights 4 times a week). El Nido Aklan There is an amazing variety of architecture from Panay Visayas sides of a backbone of tall mountain ranges, an irregular coastline Taytay Iloilo the famous Lighthouses at Poblacion and Brooke’s Water Transport: Palawan Cebu Leyte Point, to the Fort at Cagayancillo and Culion meanders in intervals of vertical limestone cliff and sweeping white Regular commuter ferries from Manila and Mindoro Puerto Princesa CEBUCCECEB Cathedral. For a more lively experience of Palawan sand. This unique topography provides a wealth of diverse pursuits for have scheduled stops to Puerto Princesa, Coron Negros Bohol the traveller to its shores. and Cuyo (Manila - Coron approximately 12 hours, culture, there are numerous colourful and exciting Coron - Puerto Princesa approximately 12 hours). festivals held throughout the year featuring Palawan was also named “World’s Best Island” by Travel+Leisure for 2013 parades, processions, religious ceremonies and Hotels and Resorts and included in Condé Nast Traveller’s “Destination to Watch in 2013.” DAVAO dance displays. Accommodations to suit all budgets can be found in Basilan all major municipalities, and cities and islands. Mindanao ADVENTURE . The opportunities for Puerto Princesa CELEBES SEA adventure in Palawan are endless. The province The capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa is acclaimed as has some of the most exciting and challenging the Philippines’ cleanest and greenest city. It boasts of dive sites in the world with a myriad of marine a multitude of tourist accommodation and facilities that Fast Facts life to view and photograph. Kayaking and rafting can be used as a jump-off to a wide array of attractions, Time Zone: GMT + 8 both within and around the capital. among the spectacular limestone cliffs and the Visa: Only required if staying more than extensive coral reefs provide exhilarating From beaches to wildlife reserves, mountain lakes to 30 days challenges with stunning backdrops. There is also underground rivers, Puerto Princesa is at the heart of Climate: Northeast Monsoon: November sailing, fishing, and canoeing for those who prefer nature at its very best. Within the city itself there are local - Feb Southeast Monsoon: June - October a slightly slower paced activity. Horse riding and markets selling exceptional native products and museums Favourable for sea-travel: March - May showcasing the historical and archaeological features of inland trekking are ‘must- do’s’ with the hilly Rainfalls: June-December the province. terrains of Nagtabon Beach and the El Nido Cliffs Average Year-round: ideal spots for both activities. The city is readily accessible by plane from Manila and 24°C – 32°C other major cities such as Davao, Cebu, Busuanga and El Nido. It is also the jump-off point for islands further Attire: Light casual clothes all year round NATURE . The natural environment of afield, such as the mystical Cuyo island chain or the Money: Philippine Pesos. Check with the Palawan is varied and breathtaking. From game world-famous Tubbataha National Marine Park. local banks for exchange rates. All major credit cards accepted and marine reserves to lakes and subterranean Attractions around Puerto Princesa rivers, coral reefs and fabulous beaches there is Water: Bottled water available in resorts, restaurants and convenience stores much to experience. UNESCO has sited 1. Honda Bay – consisting of several islets with beautiful beaches, Honda Bay is the ideal place to go for and the Saint Paul Subterranean Communications: International and direct swimming, diving, , island hopping and beach dial phone and fax Internet cafes are widely River National Park as World Heritage sites with Philippines Department of Tourism combing. available good reason. There are numerous outstanding 10 -11 Suffolk Street London, SW1Y 4HG 2. Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm – the minimum-security What to Bring: Sun block, tanning lotions, Tel: 020 7321 0668 Fax: 020 7925 2920 seaside areas to explore with Honda Bay, Meara inmates of this prison are not locked up but instead, live in insect repellent , personal medication, Marina, Starfish Island and Snake Island, some of E-mail: info@ itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk dormitories with their families and work on one of the swimwear and accessories, etc. www. itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk the most beautiful places in which to swim, many agricultural projects located within the prison farm. Geography: 1,780 islands and islets and dive. Tourists can buy handicrafts produced by the inhabitants. Calauit National Park Dumunpalit 3. Palawan Wildlife Reserve and Conservation Centre Palawan’s outstanding land and seascapes make it a world- Island underwater Barracuda Cave and the Twin Lagoons Useful Websites for the Region: – the centre is both a tourist attraction and research class cultural, adventure and nature destination. From trekking B USUANGA ISLAND Nanga which are connected by a small underwater Island Tara Palawan facility, with the aim of conducting studies on how best to through the hills, valleys and rivers to snorkeling and diving, to CALAUIT passage where cool, fresh mountain waters mix http://www. palawan.com/ preserve endangered species of crocodiles. It also has a partaking in and celebrating with the locals at some of the Mainit Hot Spring ISLAND Dimakya with the warm and salty waters from the sea. http://en. wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Palawan mini-zoo featuring some of Palawan’s unique endemic diverse festivals held throughout the year, there are truly Island Bantac Culion Coron Lagai Island Island Honda Bay species of animals. remarkable experiences awaiting you in Palawan. Calanhayaun Island Most parts of the island are sacred ancestral http://www. philippinecountry.com/ philippine_beach/ hondabay.html Diving Sites 4. Vietnamese Village – this village was erected to house C ULION 9 Labutglubut Island 1 Okikawa Maru lands belonging to the Tagbanua, a Northern 11 Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park Distances from Puerto Princesa ISLAND Busuanga 2 Akitsushima the "Vietnamese boat people" displaced by the Vietnam War, A http:// whc. unesco.org/en/list/652 I R Palawan tribe. Some areas are not open to visitors, S 3 Taiei Maru Malajon T R and who came to Palawan in the late 70s. Today, the PALAWAN Island I P 4 Irako http://www. pcsd. ph/protected_areas/ stpaul. htm Municipality/City Distance Km (approx) Eli Cave Salvacion 5 Kogyo M aru but despite this, the parts that are open provide residents are part of the local landscape and have integrated 69 km south http://world.new7wonders.com/the-new7wonders-of-nature/ puerto- BUSUANGA 6 Olympia Maru some of the most attractive landscapes in the princessa-underground-river- philippines/ into the cultural fabric of the city. The village offers superb Agutaya 339.3 km east Concepcion ISLAND 7 Tangat Gunboat Linapacan 1 8 Lusong Gunboat Araceli 200.2 km east Lajo entire region. Tabon Caves Vietnamese cuisine. Mt. Cliff 8 Coron 9 Nanshin Maru Balabac 273.7 km south Island 2 http:// whc. unesco.org/en/ tentativelists/1860 El Nido LINAPACAN ISLAND 3 Apo 10 Skeleton Wreck 5. Butterfly Garden – tourists are surrounded by butterflies Manglet 5 Lusong Tangat Island Bocao Point Between Busuanga and Coron Islands is a place Bataraza 227 km south Marine Reserve Island 11 Kyokuzan Maru Island Island 12 18 Iwahig Penal Colony in this garden of exotic Philippine flowering plants. 7 19 14 15 12 Fishing Boat Brooke's Point 192 km south Makalitkalit & Bulalakaw Falls 4 6 17 13 Barge called Siete Pecados – seven islets in a semi- http://www. wirephoto.com/ swallace/ iwahig.files/ Iwahig.html Occasionally, one can witness the emergence of a young El Nido Maquinit Hot Spring Galoc 4 CORON Busuanga 392.67 km north Island 14 Barracuda Lake circular string blessed with a shallow but 10 ISLAND 14a Barracuda Cave El Nido butterfly and other unusual insects. Cagayancillo 329.69 km north N Culion Coron Bay Malampaya 15 Kayangan Lake stunningly beautiful coral garden. Nearby is the http://www. elnidopalawan.com/ Coron 361.18 km north Sound Uson 16 Cathedral Cave 6. Mitra’s Ranch – an ideal picnic spot overlooking Honda Magsaysay CULION Island Delian 17 Dos Islas Reef Maquinit Hot Springs, where visitors can rest tired http:// whc. unesco.org/en/ tentativelists/5034/ Cuyo 308.94 km northeast Mt. Bacalso 13 Island Bay and the soft breeze is refreshing after an entire day of 0 5 10 15Km ISLAND 18 Pinnacle Northern Palawan Calamianes Dumaran 180 km northeast Taytay 16 19 CYC Island Reefs bodies and limbs in therapeutic pools of hot being under the sun. El Nido 273.38 km north Cuyo 0369 Miles http://www. ddivers.com/ Sta. Isabel Fort volcanic water gushing into the open sea. Kalayaan 519.6 km north Pinangyarihan Falls Coron Attractions to the North of Puerto Princesa Linapacan 305.9 km north Port Barton Lake Danao CUYO ISLANDS Calauit Island became home to exotic animals http://www. coronwrecks.com/sites. htm 315.2 km north Araceli 7. Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park Magsaysay BOAYAN IS. Calamianes Islands from Kenya in response to an appeal by the http://www. philippinediving.com/sites. htm Marcos 207 km south San Vicente – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and New 7 Wonders of Mt. Illan International Union for the Conservation of Nature Tubbataha Reef National Park Narra 93 km south Dumaran The Calamianes group consists of 4 offshore. The islands surrounding http://www. tubbatahareef.org/ Nature featuring a spectacular limestone karst landscape Quezon 157 km south (IUCN) to provide a sanctuary for endangered St. Paul DUMARAN ISLAND major islands – Busuanga, Calauit, Coron, Busuanga offer some of the most diverse All Regions alongside 8 kilometres of traversable subterranean river Roxas 142 km northeast Subterranean River African wildlife. Today, one finds herds of giraffe, which leads into an underground cavern/lagoon commonly San Vicente 166.8 km northwest National Park and Culion. Like the rest of Palawan, the eco-systems in the country, and are www. itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/ Roxas zebra and other African animals living side by side known as the "Cathedral." Sandoval/ Taytay 217.3 km northeast Stanlake Island Tabon Bird Sanctuary Calamianes offers a plethora of activities considered to be among the best diving with the local species of animals, like the Useful Contacts: 8. Stanlake Island Tabon Bird Sanctuary – a bird refuge for the adventure-hungry visitor, areas in the Philippines. Calamian deer and the bearcat. The surrounding Department of Tourism Offices: where a number of endangered species can be found. This ADVENTIST ranging from hiking, rappelling, diving, HOSPITAL The islands’ claim to fame are the world- waters are also a refuge for sea turtles, giant clams bird watcher’s paradise requires some traveling by land and S London +44 (0) 20 7321 0668 Honda Bay O snorkeling, archeological exploration, C R famous Coron Wrecks, which are mostly A T and dugongs. info@ itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk sea. Roxas provides the jump-off to this remote island. E PUERTO PRINCESA PUERTO S RECREATION CENTRE kayaking/rafting, sport fishing, beach PRINCESA RD found in varying depths within Coron www. itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk 9. Batac Tribal Visit and Jungle Trek – an endangered Irawan Crocodile Farm CALTEX hopping, tribal encounters and more. Culion, a leper colony in the early 20th century is indigenous mountain-dwelling tribe with a dwindling number CITY M. REYNOSO ST. Bay. During World War II, the area served Manila +63 (0) 2 459 5200 / 524 1969 Salakot Waterfalls PROVINCIAL In the case of this island chain, however, now a first rate town possessing the best medical HOSPITAL T as a secure anchorage for the Japanese lcjurilla@tourism. gov. ph S of less than 500. En route to this remote village, one treks Iwahig Prison Farm R S WESCOM AREA everything is within striking distance facilities in the island chain. It currently has a A A Mt. Aborlan N along virgin forests, untouched for centuries. Overnight V J Fleet. But on 24 September 1944, a US PGO-Tourism Division +63 (0) 48 433 2968 U

L . A A T N S AIRPORT to one another – a mini- Palawan, so thriving research and medical community driven M N [email protected] stays in tents along the fringes of the village are possible. A Navy strike of fighters and dive-

Quezon Mini Aborlan T L . . . A T T

PORT . T B S T S Underground River . to speak.

S

T by its history to be at the forefront of medical S AREA

A A S I O

Z S bombers attacked the Japanese supply City Tourism Office +63 (0) 48 433 2983 C

Victoria Peak A RIZAL AVENUE 10. El Nido Marine Reserve – situated in spectacular Bacuit S O O N C A D G

E PROVINCIAL A X N A L L

O CAPITAL J Tabon Caves E developments. A .

R BUILDING M V M . Bay, many travelers have identified this corner of Palawan Narra . Busuanga is the largest island in the fleet of up to 24 ships. This resulted in E Quezon M Airlines: MANALO ST. EXT as the most beautiful place on earth. It is a popular nature Rizal Rasa Island Bird Sanctuary Calamianes group and serves as the one of the most condensed spectacular The Historical Walk of Culion, which takes one to Philippine Airlines +63 (0) 2 855 8888 spot boasting of extraordinary natural sceneries and (Marcos) Mt. Gantung access-point to the rest of the chain. sites in the world. the Leprosy Museum, The Culion Sanitarium and www. philippineairlines.com ecosystems such as rainforests, , white sand Tubbataha Reef Regular flights land in Busuanga Airport General Hospital is well worth a visit as is the Air Philippines +63 (0) 2 843 7770 beaches, coral reefs, and limestone cliffs. Visitors may even Sofronio Española (not to be confused with www. airphils.com dive amongst the rare aquatic mammal, the Dugong. from Manila, Puerto Princesa or Boracay. Coron town) is also blessed with a wide Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park 45 minutes from the airstrip is the Cebu Pacific +63 (0) 2 636 4938 range of dive sites, ranging from shallow Plaza Avellana- Basa. For the more adventurous www. cebupacificair.com AttractIons to the South of Puerto Princesa Tubbataha Reef The Philippines’ first inscription on Princesa. The optimal season for island capital Coron, providing Brooke’s Point reefs to spectacular underwater caves. visitor, the interior of the island can be accessed Seair +63 (0) 2 849 0100 Bird Islet the UNESCO World Heritage List in visiting Tubbataha is from March to Anchor Area accommodation to backpackers and 11. Tabon Caves – a 138-hectare complex of rugged cliffs Bataraza 1993 was the Tubbataha Reef June in an intensive, immersive Coron is also famous for its seven either by trekking or by bicycle whilst the outer www. flyseair.com National Marine Park in Palawan. It week-long live-aboard journey. adventure seekers at very affordable Island Transvoyager +63 (0) 2 894 5644 and deep slopes. Known as "The Cradle of Philippine Anchor Area LAGOON mountain lakes, which are indeed the fringes of Culion are studded with untouched Civilization," the caves have yielded the fossil remains of Gangub Cave Anchor Area is one of the most outstanding coral The reef offers one of the best diving prices. Coron is a market town where www. elnidoresorts.com SULUSUSULS SEASSE Ranger Station main overland attractions that provide forests waiting to be explored. NORTH REEF reefs in Southeast Asia consisting of in the Philippines, and the hardy the 22,000-year-old Tabon man. Of the 200 caves, seven Amos Rock travelers will find most of their needs Ferries: Anchor Area two coral atolls covering an area of traveler finds an entire range of views of stunning limestone cliffs from are open to visitors, including Tabon Cave, which was used Ursula Island Bird Sanctuary South Rock 33,200 hectares. It contains a very aquatic animals, from huge pelagics before proceeding further afield. WG& A Superferry +63 (0) 2 894 3211 for habitation and / or burial sites by ancient peoples. BUGSUK ISLAND Black Rock the Jurassic era. Among them are SSULUSUSULULU SEASSEA high density of marine species down to the tiniest species. The islets Negros Navigation +63 (0) 2 243 5359 Anchor Area surpassing any reef of the same size also serve as an important refuge for Busuanga’s charms are found all along its Kayangan Lake, which has been adjudged 12. Rasa Island Bird Sanctuary – a spectacular island LAGOON SOUTH REEF anywhere in the world. sanctuary that is home to 87 unique bird species, including BALABAC ISLAND seabirds in Southeast Asia. rugged coastlines and surrounding islets. as the cleanest in all of the Philippines, Other Useful Contacts: Light House the Palawan hornbill. Tours also include visits to waterfalls Balabac Located in the middle of the Sulu Tubbataha's islets are believed to be Some of the most beautiful islands and Barracuda Lake, which is a challenging British Embassy Manila +63 (0) 2 816 7116 Anchor Area Sea, getting to Tubbataha involves a one of the last breeding grounds for Basay Waterfalls British Consulate Cebu +63 (0) 32 346 0525 and mangrove forests. 12-hour boat ride from Puerto a host of endangered bird species. resorts are found just a few minutes dive for those in search of the Melville Lighthouse