Time has stood still  in  Palawan. Branded as the last frontier, Palawan has managed to preserve its fascinatingly natural  habitat over the years. Situated southwest of Mindoro and north of Malaysia’s Sabah Island, Palawan stands as the country’s largest province with its 1.5 million hectares. More than  a thousand  islands and islets make up  Palawan’s territory making  the province an ideal  breeding  ground for tropical  flora and fauna. Indeed, it is in Palawan where  monkeys, squirrels, bear cats and zebras thrive with wild tropical plants and corals. 

Palawan’s population follows the same pattern. Through the years, the province has attracted peoples of all backgrounds. It is said that today’s Palawenas are the result of 81 different cultural groups. Foreigners, from Swiss to Germans, have also come to love this quiet province.  That’s certainly a  far cry from the renowned Tabon Man, remains  of the province’s first inhabitants unearthed at the Tabon Caves which dates back to 22,000 years ago. 

What is it  about Palawan which attracts all these forms of life? Is it the  fine weather? The  temperate sea? Or maybe, just maybe, it is Palawan’s  almost magical powers of letting time stand  still while each creature find his own place under the sun. 

GETTING THERE
There are twice daily flights from Manila to the province’s capital Puerto Princesa via Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines. The flights  take about one hour.  Puerto Princesa is only about one and a half kilometers from the airport. Daily chartered flights are also available to El Nido, Taytay and Busuanga in Northern Palawan. Flying time is about one hour and forty-five minutes.

STAYING IN
The main hotel in the province is the Asiaworld Hotel located in Puerto Princesa City. There are smaller but equally comfortable accommodations like those at Hillside Inn Puerto Pension. Likewise, there are numerous island  resorts scattered all over the province: El Nido Resort- Miniloc and Pangalusian Island Resort in El Nido; Club Noah Isabelle in Apulit  Island, Tatay and Amanpulo Resort in Pamalican Island, Cuyo, Palawan.

GETTING THERE
Tricycles, motorbikes with two seater sidecars are the most accessible form of transfortation. There are also buses and jeepneys, but they are more often than not, cramped and crowded. Rental cars are available in Puerto Princesa. Go island hoping via pumpboat.

SNAPSHOTS
Calauit Island – Located at the northwestern coast of  Palawan, Calauit Island is a 3,7000 hectare game preserve and wildlife sanctuary. Apart from indigenous species, the island also features African wildlife like giraffes, zebras, and gazelles. Sea turtles, seacows and a variety of  marine life nestle at its shores.

Princesa Subterranean National Park – Beneath St. Paul Mountain lies a quiet underground river  which snakes for about eight kilometers before opening  up into a clear lagoon, then flowing into the south China Sea. The Park also features the exciting Monkey Trail with its series of wooden paths to the forest. The forest itself is a hospital for tropical flora and fauna. Monkeys, lizard and squirrels can be seen scampering away at the sound of human footsteps.

Tabon Caves – Called the “Cradle of Philippine Civilization,” the Tabon caves is the oldest known habitation site in the Southeast Asia. In it was unearthed s skull that dates back to 22,000 years ago.

ISLAND ADVENTURES
Beach combing – If the sun is your master, then Palawan is your refuge. Visit the Balsahan or Tagbarungis Swimming Resort, Kalis Point, or better yet, get a taste of El Nido. An almost utopian island resort, El Nido features black marble caves, tabletop corals, fantastic marine life and the requisite white sand beach. Named after the swallow’s nest, which abound in its mountain caves, El Nido also features one of the most delicious samplings of the freshest seafood in the land.
Diving and Snorkeling - With its numerous islands, Palawaan easily lends itself to diving  and snorkeling. Some of the more popular dive sites are Rita Island at Tres Marias, Pandan Islands, Panglima reefs, and Tubbataha reefs. A startingly beautiful site, Tubbataha’s charm is accented by the giant turtles and flock of birds which come to visit its shores. 
Archeological  Hunts – Though seemingly untouched, Palawan has its share of history. Go down Cuyo Island and visit the Cuyo Spanish Church Fort with its massive walls ten meters high and two meters  wide. Archeologist have also unearthed stone-age tools, Chinese burial jars and ancient ornaments in Palawan’s numerous caves. 
Island Hopping – Palawan consists of about 1,769 islands: the Calamian Island group to the north, the Cuyo Islands to the  northwest; and the Balabac-Bugsuk group to the southwest. For  the less adventurous, hike off to  Honda Bay. From there, you can take your pick  of your own little hideaway from Cowrie Island and Pandan to La Isla Bonita and Isla Nagusuan. Admist these islands lie lovely white sand beaches, exciting dive sites, or just a quiet refuge to get away from it all.

If you want to know more about Palawan please feel free to email us [email protected]  and we will respond to you freely for bookings, hotel accomodations, and more….