Are you about to sample the charms of the Philippines, especially the Palawan archipelago? Here’s where to stay in Palawan!
An archipelago of 7,641 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, the Philippines has become a major tourist destination despite its reputation as a poor, unsavory and even violent country. With its humid tropical climate, the Palawan archipelago alone contains 1,700 islands and is one of the country’s most beautiful areas. There are 430,000 inhabitants on 12,189 km², 450 km of land and an average width of 50 km. The good news is that accommodation in Palawan is inexpensive: there is a wide range of accommodation on offer, and the cost of living is very low compared with Europe. Palawan is home to many endemic species – amphibians and snakes, gecko and spiders – and is an endangered and protected biosphere reserve.
The most touristic area of Palawan is in the north of the island, towards El Nido: the typical Philippine postcard. Elsewhere, from Puerto Princesa to Sabang or Port Barton, here are the towns to stay in Palawan.
El Nido
Photo credit: Flickr – Aleksandr Zykov
In 2007, National Geographic ranked El Nido as one of the world’s top destinations. The area is malaria-free and there is a risk of dengue fever, but if you take the necessary precautions, you’ll drastically reduce the risk of falling ill. During a trip to the Philippines, we were – as an aside – struck by the hospitality and friendliness of the Filipino people. Palawan boasts incredible biodiversity, but this marvel is now threatened by overfishing and pollution. El Nido is a protected area and a world-renowned scuba diving destination. The downside: staying in El Nido is a gateway to Palawan, but it’s a haven for tourists, who come to admire the karst landscapes in the dry season (winter).
Restaurants, bars and travel agencies punctuate life in the area, while the beaches are paradise-like, with resorts and hotels at the foot of the mountains and under coconut palms. For swimming, head for the beaches of Las Cabanas and – the most beautiful – Nacpan Beach, bordered by a belt of coconut palms and drenched by turquoise waters. We recommend renting a scooter or motorcycle to enjoy the freedom of movement and contemplate the lush Philippine countryside: rice paddies, buffaloes and herons, coconut palms.
Sabang
Photo credit: Flickr – Göran Höglund (Kartläsarn)
Sabang is a small village north of Puerto Princesa, world-famous for being built on an underground river: the Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. To see the river, you’ll need to take a short hike through the village, part of the Cabayugan municipality. The river is very popular with tourists, and with good reason: the underground cavity is over 24 kilometers long, and the river flows for 8.2 km – the longest underground river in the world – before emptying into the South China Sea. Numerous stalactites and stalagmites can be seen in numerous chambers. Choose to stay in Sabang when you arrive in Puerto Princesa on your first day.
Port Barton and Cagnipa Island
Photo credit: Flickr – Dennis Orita
Port Barton is a small fishing village in the north of Palawan. Access is difficult, as there is only a small road leading to it. It’s an excellent port of call in Palawan if you want to relax on the beach and do nothing. Off the coast of Port Barton, the island of Cagnipa is simply heavenly, a must for tourists looking for accommodation in Palawan: idyllic beaches, snorkeking and photos of coconut palms, a postcard setting!
Puerto Princesa
Photo credit: Flickr – rhoelilagan
Puerto Princesa is the main entry point to the Palawan archipelago in the Philippines. It is the largest airport in the region, although it is actually tiny. If you arrive in Palawan late at night or need to leave early in the morning, you can spend a night in Puerto Princesa. The town doesn’t really have any special attractions, although you can go and relax at Honda Bay, a 30-minute drive from Puerto Princesa. From here, you can take a day trip by boat to the surrounding islands of Starfish Island, Luli Island and Cowrie Island.
Main photo credit: Flickr – Jack Versloot