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 Banaue and for good reason. It is wrapped in a mantel of rainforests, outstanding Palawan Major Airport Gateways: indigenous people, the Batak, whose settlements , El Nido, Sandoval, Busuanga and PHILIPPINE SEA are on the slope of Cleopatra’s Needle. The Tabon dive sites, majestic mountains, primeval caves and shimmering beaches. Cuyo. Distance from Manila to Puerto Princesa is MANILAMANILA and Palawan Museums with their displays of It bursts with exotic flora and fauna and is surrounded by a coral shelf 306 nautical miles 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 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. Busuanga gateways from Manila (20+ flights daily), Boracay is around 425 kilometres long and 40 kilometres at its widest. On both El Nido Aklan There is an amazing variety of architecture from (flights 4 times a week). Visayas sides of a backbone of tall mountain ranges, an irregular coastline Palawan Taytay Cebu the famous Lighthouses at and Brooke’s Water Transport: meanders in intervals of vertical limestone cliff and sweeping white Puerto Princesa CEBUCEBU Point, to the Fort at Cagayancillo and Regular commuter ferries from Manila and Mindoro 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 the traveller to its shores. culture, there are numerous colourful and exciting and Cuyo (Manila - Coron approximately 12 hours, festivals held throughout the year featuring Coron - Puerto Princesa approximately 12 hours). Palawan was also named “World’s Best Island” by Travel+Leisure for 2013 parades, processions, religious ceremonies and DAVAO and included in Condé Nast Traveller’s “Destination to Watch in 2013.” dance displays. Hotels and Resorts Accommodations to suit all budgets can be found in all major municipalities, and cities and islands. ADVENTURE. The opportunities for CELEBES SEA adventure in Palawan are endless. The province Puerto Princesa has some of the most exciting and challenging The capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa is acclaimed as dive sites in the world with a myriad of marine the Philippines’ cleanest and greenest city. It boasts of Fast Facts life to view and photograph. Kayaking and rafting a multitude of tourist accommodation and facilities that Time Zone: GMT + 8 among the spectacular limestone cliffs and the can be used as a jump-off to a wide array of attractions, Visa: Only required if staying more than extensive coral reefs provide exhilarating both within and around the capital. 30 days challenges with stunning backdrops. There is also From beaches to wildlife reserves, mountain lakes to Climate: Northeast Monsoon: November sailing, fishing, and canoeing for those who prefer underground rivers, Puerto Princesa is at the heart of nature - Feb Southeast Monsoon: June - October Favourable for sea-travel: March - May a slightly slower paced activity. Horse riding and at its very best. Within the city itself there are local markets inland trekking are ‘must-do’s’ with the hilly selling exceptional native products and museums showcasing Rainfalls: June-December the historical and archaeological features of the province. terrains of Nagtabon Beach and the El Nido Cliffs Average Temperature Year-round: 24°C – 32°C ideal spots for both activities. The city is readily accessible by plane from Manila and other major cities such as Davao, Cebu, Busuanga and Attire: Light casual clothes all year round El Nido. It is also the jump-off point for islands further 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 local banks for current exchange rates. world-famous National Marine Park. All major credit cards accepted and marine reserves to lakes and subterranean rivers, coral reefs and fabulous beaches there is Water: Bottled water available in resorts, Attractions around Puerto Princesa restaurants and convenience stores much to experience. UNESCO has sited 1. Honda Bay – consisting of several islets with beautiful Tubbataha Reef and the Saint Paul Subterranean Communications: International and direct beaches, Honda Bay is the ideal place to go for swimming, dial phone and fax Internet cafes are widely River National Park as World Heritage sites with Philippines Department of Tourism diving, snorkeling, island hopping and beach 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, seaside areas to explore with Honda Bay, Meara Tel: 020 7321 0668 Fax: 020 7925 2920 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: [email protected] swimwear and accessories, etc. dormitories with their families and work on one of the 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 snorkel 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 Nanga Island Tara which are connected by a small underwater Palawan facility, with the aim of conducting studies on how best to through the hills, valleys and rivers to snorkeling and diving, to Busuanga CALAUIT Island 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 Island Bantac diverse festivals held throughout the year, there are truly Culion Coron Lagai Island Island species of animals. remarkable experiences awaiting you in Palawan. Calanhayaun Honda Bay Island Most parts of the island are sacred ancestral http://www.philippinecountry.com/philippine_beach/hondabay.html Diving Sites 4. Vietnamese Village CULION 9 Labutglubut Island – this village was erected to house 11 1 Okikawa Maru lands belonging to the Tagbanua, a Northern Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park Distances from Puerto Princesa ISLAND Busuanga 2 Akitsushima A the "Vietnamese boat people" displaced by the Vietnam War, IR Palawan tribe. Some areas are not open to visitors, Malajon S 3 Taiei Maru www.puertoprincesa.ph/ T R and who came to Palawan in the late 70s. Today, the Municipality/City Distance Km (approx.) PALAWAN Eli Cave Island Salvacion I P 4 Irako but despite this, the parts that are open provide http://www.visitpuertoprincesa.com/ residents are part of the local landscape and have integrated 5 Kogyo Maru http://world.new7wonders.com/the-new7wonders-of-nature/puerto- 69 km south BUSUANGA 6 Olympia Maru some of the most attractive landscapes in the into the cultural fabric of the city. The village offers superb 339.3 km east Concepcion ISLAND 7 Tangat Gunboat princessa-underground-river-philippines/ 1 Vietnamese cuisine. Araceli 200.2 km east Mt. Cliff Lajo 8 Lusong Gunboat entire region. Island 2 8 Coron 9 Nanshin Maru Tabon Cave Balabac 273.7 km south El Nido LINAPACAN ISLAND 5 3 Apo 10 Skeleton Wreck http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1860 5. Butterfly Garden – tourists are surrounded by butterflies Marine Reserve Manglet Lusong Tangat Island Bocao Point 11 Kyokuzan Maru Between Busuanga and Coron Islands is a place 227 km south Island Island Island 12 18 7 19 15 12 Fishing Boat in this garden of exotic Philippine flowering plants. 4 17 14 Iwahig Penal Colony Brooke's Point 192 km south Makalitkalit & Bulalakaw Falls 6 13 Barge called Siete Pecados – seven islets in a semi- El Nido Maquinit Hot Spring Galoc 4 CORON http://www.wirephoto.com/swallace/iwahig.files/Iwahig.html Occasionally, one can witness the emergence of a young Busuanga 392.67 km north Island 10 ISLAND 14 Barracuda Lake circular string blessed with a shallow but 14a Barracuda Cave butterfly and other unusual insects. Cagayancillo 329.69 km north N Culion Coron Bay El Nido Malampaya 15 Kayangan Lake stunningly beautiful coral garden. Nearby is the Coron 361.18 km north Sound Uson 16 Cathedral Cave http://www.elnidopalawan.com/ 6. Mitra’s Ranch – an ideal picnic spot overlooking Honda Magsaysay CULION Island Delian Cuyo 308.94 km northeast Mt. Bacalso 13 Island 17 Dos Islas Reef Maquinit Hot Springs, where visitors can rest tired http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5034/ Bay and the soft breeze is refreshing after an entire day of 0 5 10 15Km ISLAND 18 Pinnacle 180 km northeast Taytay 16 19 CYC Island Reefs bodies and limbs in therapeutic pools of hot Northern Palawan Calamianes being under the sun. El Nido 273.38 km north Cuyo 0369 Miles Sta. Isabel Fort volcanic water gushing into the open sea. https://www.palawan-divers.org/ Kalayaan 519.6 km north Pinangyarihan Falls Linapacan 305.9 km north Port Barton Lake Danao Coron Attractions to the North of Puerto Princesa Araceli CUYO ISLANDS Calauit Island became home to exotic animals 315.2 km north BOAYAN IS. http://www.coronwrecks.com/sites.htm 7. Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park Magsaysay Calamianes Islands from Kenya in response to an appeal by the Marcos 207 km south San Vicente Mt. Illan http://www.philippinediving.com/sites.htm – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and New 7 Wonders of International Union for the Conservation of Nature Narra 93 km south Dumaran The Calamianes group consists of 4 major offshore. The islands surrounding Tubbataha Reef National Park Nature featuring a spectacular limestone karst landscape Quezon 157 km south (IUCN) to provide a sanctuary for endangered St. Paul DUMARAN ISLAND islands – Busuanga, Calauit, Coron, and Busuanga offer some of the most diverse http://www.tubbatahareef.org/ alongside 8 kilometres of traversable subterranean river Roxas 142 km northeast Subterranean River National Park African wildlife. Today, one finds herds of giraffe, All Regions which leads into an underground cavern/lagoon commonly San Vicente 166.8 km northwest Roxas Culion. Like the rest of Palawan, the eco-systems in the country, and are zebra and other African animals living side by side www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/ 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 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 Useful Contacts: 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 Department of Tourism Offices: bird watcher’s paradise requires some traveling by land and Honda Bay S O snorkeling, archeological exploration, C

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A famous Coron Wrecks, which are mostly

T London +44 (0) 20 7321 0668 PUERTO PRINCESA and dugongs. sea. Roxas provides the jump-off to this remote island. ES PUERTO RECREATION CENTRE kayaking/rafting, sport fishing, beach RD found in varying depths within Coron [email protected] 9. Batac Tribal Visit and Jungle Trek – an endangered Irawan Crocodile Farm PRINCESA CALTEX hopping, tribal encounters and more. Culion, a leper colony in the early 20th century is CITY M. REYNOSO ST. Bay. During World War II, the area served www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk indigenous mountain-dwelling tribe with a dwindling number Salakot Waterfalls PROVINCIAL In the case of this island chain, however, now a first rate town possessing the best medical HOSPITAL T S as a secure anchorage for the Japanese Manila +63 (0) 2 459 5200 of less than 500. En route to this remote village, one treks Iwahig Prison Farm R SAN JUAN WESCOM AREA everything is within striking distance Mt. Aborlan A facilities in the island chain. It currently has a along virgin forests, untouched for centuries. Overnight V Fleet. But on 24 September 1944, a US L Office +63 (0) 2 890 1014 A AIRPORT to one another – a mini-Palawan, so thriving research and medical community driven Aborlan M stays in tents along the fringes of the village are possible. Quezon Mini Navy strike force of fighters and dive- [email protected] Underground River PORT

BALTAN ST. BALTAN to speak. Victoria Peak AREA by its history to be at the forefront of medical 10. El Nido Marine Reserve – situated in spectacular Bacuit RIZAL AVENUE bombers attacked the Japanese supply City Tourism Office +63 (0) 48 433 2983 PROVINCIAL Tabon Caves CAPITAL LACAO ST. developments. Narra BUILDING Bay, many travelers have identified this corner of Palawan ROXAS ST. Quezon M.JAGOS ST. Busuanga is the largest island in the fleet of up to 24 ships. This resulted in E.VALENCIA ST. E.VALENCIA M.MENDOZA ST. M.MENDOZA Rizal MANALO ST. EXT Airlines: as the most beautiful place on earth. It is a popular nature 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 spot boasting of extraordinary natural sceneries and (Marcos) Philippine Airlines +63 (0) 2 855 8888 Mt. Gantung access-point to the rest of the chain. wreck diving 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 beaches, coral reefs, and limestone cliffs. Visitors may even Sofronio Española (not to be confused with General Hospital is well worth a visit as is the Cebu Pacific +63 (0) 2 636 4938 www.cebupacificair.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 Island Transvoyager +63 (0) 2 894 5644 Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park 45 minutes from the airstrip is the range of dive sites, ranging from shallow Plaza Avellana-Basa. For the more adventurous AttractIons to the South of Puerto Princesa Brooke’s Point Tubbataha Reef The Philippines’ first inscription on Princesa. The optimal season for island capital Coron, providing visitor, the interior of the island can be accessed www.elnidoresorts.com Bird Islet reefs to spectacular underwater caves. Anchor Area the UNESCO World Heritage List in visiting Tubbataha is from March to Air Asia +63 (0) 2 722 2742 Bataraza accommodation to backpackers and either by trekking or by bicycle whilst the outer 11. Tabon Caves – a 138-hectare complex of rugged cliffs 1993 was the Tubbataha Reef June in an intensive, immersive Coron is also famous for its seven www.airasia.com adventure seekers at very affordable Anchor Area LAGOON National Marine Park in Palawan. week-long live-aboard journey. fringes of Culion are studded with untouched and deep slopes. Known as "The Cradle of Philippine mountain lakes, which are indeed the SkyJet Airlines www.flyskyjetair.com Civilization," the caves have yielded the fossil remains of Gangub Cave Anchor Area It is one of the most outstanding The reef offers one of the best diving prices. Coron is a market town where SULUSULU SEASEA Ranger Station main overland attractions that provide forests waiting to be explored. NORTH REEF coral reefs in Southeast Asia 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: Ursula Island Bird Sanctuary South Rock Anchor Area consisting of two coral atolls traveler finds an entire range of views of stunning limestone cliffs from are open to visitors, including Tabon Cave, which was used Negros Navigation +63 (0) 2 243 5359 covering an area of 33,200 hectares. aquatic animals, from huge pelagics before proceeding further afield. ISLAND Black Rock the Jurassic era. Among them are for habitation and / or burial sites by ancient peoples. SULUSULU SEASEA It contains a very high density of down to the tiniest species. The islets SuperFerry http://www.superferry.com.ph Anchor Area marine species surpassing any reef of 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 the same size anywhere in the world. sanctuary that is home to 87 unique bird species, including seabirds in Southeast Asia. rugged coastlines and surrounding islets. as the cleanest in all of the Philippines, Other Useful Contacts: Balabac Light House the Palawan hornbill. Tours also include visits to waterfalls 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 Basay Waterfalls Anchor Area Sea, getting to Tubbataha involves a one of the last breeding grounds for 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