All in length, in the west of the archipelago of the Philippines, Palawan is the wildest, most preserved and least populated island of the archipelago. With its beauty and natural assets, rocky mountains, lush forest and seabed, it has become one of the most popular islands in the Philippines for tourists. Fine sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons, sumptuous underwater fauna. Might as well say that the destination is worth the detour
In the southwestern Philippines, 568 km from Manila, the island of Palawan stretches between the island of Mindoro and northern Borneo. It has a slender shape, bordered by turquoise waters, and separates the China Sea from the Sulu Sea. Palawan is 425 km long from north to south and 40 km wide. It is one of the 1,768 islands and islets that make up the province of the same name, the largest province in the Philippines. Palawan has a population of about 460,000, of which at least 60,000 are ethnic minorities. It is characterized by many cultural and tribal groups. Palawan remains sparsely populated due to its remoteness from the country's other islands, away from industrial progress and modern tourist infrastructure. The flora is very dense, making any road infrastructure project complicated, even though it has improved a great deal in recent years. However, the smallest journey is always a small adventure.
To the origins of this dream island
Centuries ago, Palawan was connected to Borneo by a now submerged strip of land. When the Spaniards arrived, the island was under the control of the Sultans of Jolo and Borneo. For Pigafetta, the historian of Magellan's expedition, who discovered it in the 16th century, Palawan is "the beautiful and safe promised land"
The name Palawan comes from the Chinese expression pa lao yu which means "land of asylum". At that time, the island was inhabited by settlers of proto-Malayan origin, including the Bataks, Pala'wans, Negritos and Tagbanuas. The island became famous in 1978 when a very ancient tribe, the Taut-Batus, was discovered in the south, isolated for thousands of years and now protected.
The wild island par excellence
Nicknamed "the Last Frontier" because of its geographical configuration, Palawan is, by its small population and its appearance of an unexploited paradise, the wild island par excellence, a true ecological reserve, covered by an impenetrable tropical jungle that has remained intact. It is appreciated for the beauty of its landscapes and the splendour of its seabed. It is traversed throughout its length by a fairly high mountain range (1,000 m in altitude on average), from which rivers and streams flow. Strange names are given to its peaks: Cleopatra's Needle, the Teeth or Thumb Peak. Its highest point, Mount Matalingahan, rises to 2,086 m in the south of the island.
Palawan is divided into four regions that can be reached by boat from north to south: Coron (the most fantastic natural area), El Nido (the most touristic), Port Barton (the quietest village) and Puerto Princesa (the largest city on the island). Rent a scooter and ride along the main road, along the rice fields and beaches, to take time to enjoy your discovery. No Internet connection in Palawan, you have to know that! This can be an opportunity for a real disconnection from digital life and social networks. You can sleep in guest-houses or guest houses and small hotels. To dive and discover the marine and underwater treasures, you must be accompanied by a local accredited guide. Diving in Palawan is an unforgettable experience. You will discover an underwater landscape populated with exotic and colourful fish, worthy of the most beautiful tourist brochures.
Excursions and visits in a mess
Be inspired by the famous explorer Jacques Cousteau, who considered the island the most beautiful place in the world, just for that alone!
Today, the north of the island is becoming more and more crowded. The islands of Taytay Bay, north of Puerto Princesa, and especially the crystalline waters of the Bacuit Archipelago off the large village of El Nido are enchanting. The Calamian Islands, especially Coron Island, is certainly one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. They remain very well preserved and are the perfect place for adventure lovers, especially for diving.
You can also visit Puerto Princesa, the capital of the island, with its provincial town look, its fish market and its fishing village on stilts with dried fish shining in the sun. But it is above all the starting point to go to Sabang, to discover the underground river of Saint-Paul. You can visit this natural monument by sinking in a small boat into the Cretaceous limestones, among bats and salanganes. The river flows into a turquoise-blue lagoon, where fresh and salt water mix before flowing through a narrow channel into the China Sea.
The south of the island, less touristic, ends with a string of islets, accessible by banca from the coast.
Palawan has become much more familiar to the French since the 2007 edition of the television programme Koh Lanta was produced there.
Fauna and Flora, a paradise to be protected
Geologically linked to Borneo, to which it was attached by land 20,000 years ago, it is therefore also geologically linked in terms of fauna and flora.
Palawan with its many endemic species is a paradise for the botanist or naturalist, a fascinating world for the explorer and adventurer. Its fauna, whether terrestrial or marine, is very abundant and varied. The coral reefs and transparent waters are a delight for snorkelers, divers, photographers and biologists. Since 1967, the entire province has been declared an animal sanctuary. It is considered to be the largest marine and terrestrial nature reserve. The cliffs of El Nido and the caves of the Coron and Pabellones Islands are home to innumerable swallow nests, an ingredient for the king's dish that is the oriental soup of the same name. In the forest, there is a huge variety of animals that are still poorly known. It is also home to superb species of butterflies, the most spectacular being the Papilio trojano, a giant only found in Palawan. Exploring the waters of Palawan has other emotions in store: the wrecks of the Second World War surrounding Busuanga Island, especially in Coron Bay, are one of the jewels of scuba diving in the Philippines.
In Palawan, environmental activists are fighting to save their paradise by opposing loggers who practice deforestation and illegal logging. Unarmed, the environmental militia known as PNNI confiscate chainsaws and machetes from their opponents, sometimes at the risk of their lives. In 2018, with 41 homicides, the country had the second highest crime rate against environmental activists among nations
Smart info
When? The peak tourist season, and the best time to go to the Philippines and Palawan in particular, is from early November to late February/early March and during Holy Week (March-April). The low tourist season runs from June to October (lower rates most often). During this monsoon period, about twenty typhoons cross the country
Getting there. Puerto Princesa is the main point of entry into the province and is served by major Philippine airlines. We can't fly south any further. Flights from Manila to Palawan are frequent, reliable and rather cheap. It takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to fly to Puerto Princesa.
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