Palawan is the largest province in the Philippines located in the Mimaropa region. It is known for its strict wildlife protection laws and natural attractions like Puerto Princesa Underground River, Tubbataha Reef, Honda Bay, and El Nido's lagoons and beaches. The province is a nature lover's paradise with various activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking and island hopping. It has several high-end resorts and hotels located near beaches and natural sites that provide amenities and access to the province's attractions.

1. Its more fun in the
Philippines
Module 7
P a l a w a n

2. Palawan
Palawan is an island province of
the Philippines that is located in
the Mimaropa region
It is the largest province in the
country in terms of total area of
jurisdiction
The coastline serves as an
alternative highway ferrying
travellers between fishing villages
and tourist-friendly towns

3. About Palawan
‣ Palawan is composed of the long and narrow Palawan Island, plus a number of other smaller islands
surrounding the main island
‣ Palawan Island measuring about 450 kilometres (length) and and 50 kilometres (width)
Palawan

4. ‣ After Ferdinand Magellan's death, his remaining fleet landed in Palawan where they were saved by the
abundance of nature there
‣ They named it the Land of Promise
Palawan

5. About Palawan
Palawan is known for its strict
adherence to wildlife preservation
and protection, having more
protected areas than any other
province in the country.
It has been declared as a nature
sanctuary of the world

6. About Palawan
Puerto Princesa is the capital of
Palawan
The city’s main attractions are largely
its natural wonders
It’s been named the Philippines
cleanest and greenest city, and has
been internationally recognized for
environmental excellence
It has a wide range of attractions
ranging from beaches to wildlife
reserves, Puerto Princesa is a nature
lover's paradise

7. About Palawan
Waves of migrants from other
Philippine provinces, and even
other countries, have turned
Puerto Princesa into a melting pot
of various cultures

8. Getting Around
The jeepney is a popular fixture in the
public transport scene in Palawan
There are jeepneys that serve all the
main highways of the province, taking
in passengers along the way
Larger jeepneys regularly travel from
the small towns of the island going to
Puerto Princesa

9. Tricycle rickshaws and taxis
provide another viable
transportation option in Palawan
The rickshaws can be hailed in the
main as well as other cities in the
island
Tricycle rickshaws are available for
hourly rentals for pleasure
sightseeing tours
Getting Around

10. If you want to save some money and
also avoid the discomforts that come
with travelling by road, then you
should take a boat.
Three ferries operate along the island
province
1. Super Ferry connects Coron and
Puerto Princesa
2. Atienza Shipping Lines runs
between Coron, Liminancong and El
Nido
3. San Nicolas Line connects Manila to
El Nido and Coron
Getting Around

11.
One can also hire a boat on an
hourly or daily basis for journeys
between offshore islands and the
main island or for island hopping
Boat services are easily accessible;
signs are advertised while walking
the main beach of El Nido
Getting Around

12. Exploring Palawan
As we discussed in Module 1, Philippines is a delight for tourists. We will now focus our attention on the
same elements. So let’s look at the main attractions that would appeal to the Indian tourists.
Shopping Night Life
Beaches &
Natural Beauty
Casinos
Historical
Heritage
Amazing
Hotels

13. Shopping

14. El Nido Boutique
El Nido Boutique has everything a
tourist needs from T-shirts printed in
their in-house artshop to local
handicrafts, snorkeling equipment,
beach wear and snack
You will certainly find a suitable
souvenir to bring home from El Nido
El Nido Boutique has its own boats
and departure piers

15. Tiangge Tiangge
Tiangge Tiangge is a great place to visit
for shopping during your visit to Palawan
Visitors can find a range of souvenir items,
fancy jewelries, clothes and pasalubong
items
Pasalubong is the Filipino tradition of
travelers bringing gifts from their
destination to people back home
If you are thinking of shopping at Tiangge
Tiangge, one needs to understand that
the prices of the items are not fixed.
Hence bargain a lot

16. Robinsons Place
Robinsons Place is the first full
service mall in Palawan to cater
to both residents and tourists
Only 15 minutes from the
airport and seaport of Puerto
Princesa, the mall is very close
to other public markets too
It is conveniently located and is
en route to most popular tourist
attractions like Butterfly
Garden, Honda Bay, Crocodile
Farm, etc

17. What to Buy?
The must-buys in Palawan include
freshwater pearls, dried or fresh
seafood, woodcarvings, and
paintings from Kamarikutan
Gallery
If the paintings are too expensive,
then buy the shirts!
For those with a sweet tooth,
take home some cashew nougat,
yema or other sinfully sweet
pasalubong

18. Kaingud Arts and
Crafts Makers
Kaingud Arts and Crafts Makers are
makers of unique handicrafts and
jewelry
They specialize in tribal jewellry as
well as decorative items
The other products available here
are wall hangings, lamp shades,
wind chimes and much more

19. Nightlife

20. KaLui
Kalui is a must visit place for
tourists
Kalui Restaurant is entirely made
of native wood
Its floor is clean and well-polished,
you have to walk barefoot because
footwear has be left outside
entering the restaurant
Your footwear will be kept safely in
small lockers

21. KaLui
It is about 15 minutes away from
the Puerto Princesa Airport and
you MUST call first for
reservations
They offer a wide variety on
their menu, which depends on
the fresh catch of the day
Everything on the menu is either
seafood or vegetarian

22. Bilao
Bilao at Palayok is a must try for
those who visit the city
It is an open air native Filipino
restaurant made of bamboo
The interior, ambience and feel
looks expensive but the Bilao at
Palayok dining experience
is affordable!
Specialties are sizzling grilled
tuna, steamed prawns, pinakbet,
and kare-kare

23. Kinabuchs
This is a relatively new
restaurant in Puerto Princesa,
but already has made a name
through word-of-mouth
The service is good, prices are a
bit high but worth it
The ambience is perfect with a
huge outdoor seating area
The food served is good and
has a lot of the local Philippines
delicacies

24. This is a quiet little place with a little
of everything
‣ Food, for the body, in distinct &
delectable cuisine
‣ Feast, for the soul, in visual treats
of artworks by local artists
‣ Soothing melodies by local
musicians, which make easy
listening
All this can be enjoyed al fresco
(open air) under starry, moonlit
island skies
Gypsy's Lair Art
Cafe

25. Bruno’s Swissfood
and Deli
Bruno’s Swissfood and Deli is a
wine and delicatessen store
popular with Europeans
They carry a wide selection of
wines, European cold cuts,
condiments and sweets
Their stew is perfect and their
baked spaghetti is a very
popular item

26. Badjao Seafront
Badjao Seafront is an open air
restaurant built on stilts nesting
on a cluster of mangroves right
on the water
Their specialties include a large
range of fresh seafood cooked
Filipino style
Their rich seafood is surprisingly
and pleasantly lighter than normal
During the day, you can see the
water, and at night, the yellow
light and interiors contribute to
the ambience

27. La Terasse
La Terasse is among the best
fine-dining restaurants in the city
Ideally located near the airport,
La Terrase is easily accessible and
worth a visit
The restaurant is surrounded by
bamboos giving it a peaceful
vibe
In terms of decor, cuisine and
creativity, La Terasse is
influenced by Palawan

28. Balay Tubay
Balay Tubay, in El Nido, is actually
two distinct establishments: Home
of Arts and Music and the Bistro
Home of Arts and Music, is an
artsy pub that offers live music
Bistro, is a cozy restaurant and
their specialty is fresh seafood
Local musicians gather here
every night to perform western
and local favorites up into the
wee hours of the morning

29. Tom-Toms
Tom-Toms is located in Manalo
Extension and all the locals know
this place
A good selection of beers, wines
and spirits is available here as
well as some very good food
The bar normally opens up
around 5 pm and closes after
midnight
Live music can also be heard on
different nights of the week

30. City Baywalk
Puerto Princesa City Baywalk is
Palawan’s very own version of
Manila Baywalk
It’s located beside the port area
and is walking distance from the
public market
The baywalk is a developed
seafront strip providing a scenic
place to view the sunrise or the
beautiful sunset
There are a lot of food stalls and
restaurants along the baywalk and
a designated area for bike rides

31. Beaches and Natural Beauty

32. Tubbataha Reef
The Tubbataha Reef is situated on
the Cagayan Ridge, made up of
extinct underwater-volcanoes
It was declared a World Heritage
Site by the UNESCO
Over 1,000 species of marine life
inhabit the reef with many
considered as endangered
Animal species found
include manta rays, lionfish, sea
turtles, clownfish, and sharks

33. Tubbataha Reef
Tubbataha is a popular site for
seasoned sport divers because of its
coral walls where the shallow coral reef
abruptly ends giving way to great
depths
It is considered as one of the best dive
sites in the world according
to CNN Travel
Trips to Tubbataha National Marine
Park from Puerto Princesa operate
during the diving season from mid-
March to mid-June, the period where
the waves are calmest, skies clear and
water visibility of about 30 to 45
metres (98 to 148 ft)
The park is about ten hours by boat
from the city

34. Honda Bay
Honda Bay is a bay on the eastern
shore of the island, near Puerto
Princesa City
The bay is used for fisheries and
recreation
Boats can be rented for the day
and used for travel to nearby
islands, many less than 45 minutes
from the shore
Honda Bay is ideal for snorkeling
Starfish are commonly found near
the Starfish Island

35. Secret Lagoon
Secret Lagoon is located in a small
island surrounded by limestone
karst cliffs
As you enter into a small hole, you
will see a cave, which collapsed and
now is surrounded by karst cliffs
You enter the secret hidden lagoon
by swimming through a small hole
in the cliffs
The water inside the Secret Lagoon
is mainly rainwater collected by the
towering cliffs that surround it

36. Small Lagoon
The Small Lagoon is located on
the cove of Miniloc Island
You enter the small lagoon, either
through a kayak or swim in
Once inside, you will see
the tranquil turquoise-green
waters of the lagoon with orchid-
lined limestone walls
It is a magnificent showcase of
marine life

37. Big Lagoon
A visit to Big Lagoon is a running
tour on outrigger boats
You approach the lagoon in the
middle of karst limestone
formations and are welcomed by
water that is clear and full of
marine life
Big lagoon is a breeding ground
for fishes and crabs

38. Puerto Princesa
Subterranean River
National Park
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean
River National Park is one of the
most important biodiversity
conservation areas of the Philippines
It features a spectacular limestone or
karst landscape that contains an 8.2
km long underground river

39. Puerto Princesa
Subterranean River
National Park
A distinguishing feature of the river is
that it flows directly into the sea
The Puerto Princesa Underground
River is the longest navigable
underground river in the world

40. Puerto Princesa
Subterranean River
National Park
It is one of the few rivers which the
public can easily access, experience
and appreciate
The main area of the river within the
park is covered by primary forest,
which is home to many species of
animals and plants

41. Hiking
Palawan has mountains, mangrove
forests, lakes, rivers, sheltered
bays, secluded white beaches just
waiting to be explored on foot
Palawan has also unique flora and
fauna
There are hikes suitable for all ages
on the island
There are several operators
organizing hiking trips in Palawan,
or you can go hiking on your own.

42. Amazing Hotels

43. Sheridan Beach
Resort & Spa
Within easy reach of Sabang
Boat Terminal and Puerto
Princesa Subterranean River
National Park, this resort is on its
own private beach
It has a private beach and you
can pamper yourself at the full-
service spa, or enjoy surfing

44. Balay Tuko Garden
Inn
Situated near the airport, in Puerto
Princesa, this hotel is close to
Robinsons Place Palawan
At Balay Tuko Garden Inn,
recreational amenities include an
indoor pool and a children's pool
The hotel also features a shuttle
from the airport to the hotel and a
bar/lounge

45. Amanpulo
Amanpulo, which means peaceful
island, is rimmed by seven square
kilometres of pristine reef
It is set on a private island and can
be reached only by a private
charter
It is surrounded by clear waters
and the coral reef is just 300 m
from the shore
The resort offers a variety of water
sports including diving

46. Deep Forest
Garden Inn
Deep Forest Garden Inn features
an outdoor swimming pool and a
restaurant with air-conditioned
rooms that gives guests a garden
view
Guests can relax with a massage
in the comfort of their own rooms
Other facilities include car and
bicycle rentals and a mini-mart
Deep Forest Garden Inn is a 5-
minute drive from Puerto Princesa
International Airport

47. Blue Lagoon Inn &
Suites
The Blue Lagoon Inn & Suites is
located just 5-minutes away from
Puerto Princesa International Airport
Guests at Blue Lagoon can unwind
amidst its lush green garden or relax
by the terrace
Rooms also feature a balcony
overlooking the pool and garden
The Blue Lagoon Restaurant serves
local cuisine while KaLui Restaurant
and Kinabuch Restaurant are both a
3-minute walk from the property

48. Aziza Paradise
Hotel
Featuring an outdoor pool and a
garden, Aziza Paradise Hotel offers
modern accommodation in Puerto
Princesa
The property provides evening
entertainment, such as DJs and
stand-up comedy nights
On site, Voda Bar specializes in
cocktails and alcoholic beverages
Aziza Paradise Hotel is a 10-minute
drive from Robinson’s Place Palace,
while Puerto Princesa International
Airport is 25 km away

49. Microtel Puerto
Princesa
Microtel Puerto Princesa offers
beachfront accommodation with
balconies on Emerald Beach
Guests can take a city tour, go
island hopping or snorkeling
Massage services are available
Microtel Puerto Princesa is a 20-
minute drive from the city centre

50. El Nido Four
Seasons Beach
Resort
It is located on the beach, 3 km
from the town centre
Located in a quiet area, with a
spectacular view of both Miniloc
and Helicopter Islands, it offers
the best view in town for El Nido's
magnificant sunsets
7 Commando Beach is right in
front of the resort and can be
reached by kayak

51. Miniloc Island
Resort
Miniloc Island Resort in El Nido is the
perfect holiday destination for those in
search of a fun and vibrant holiday
The resort is tucked in a beautiful cove
with a backdrop of limestone cliffs.
Built like a coastal village, Miniloc
Island Resort’s charm is enhanced by
its crystal clear waters with vibrant
marine life
At its very doorstep, the long dock
where guests are welcomed, guests
can snorkel among hundreds of multi-
colored tropical fish

52. Miniloc Island
Resort
It offers al fresco dining at the
Clubhouse restaurant and has a
beach bar
Miniloc Island Resort is a gateway
to popular activity sites
With its convenient location, it is a
welcoming and charming
hideaway, allowing for numerous
recreational activities

53. Apulit Island Resort
Apulit Island Resort, located in Taytay,
offers an idyllic tropical paradise style
The resort is set within a pristine cove
with a wide expanse of white-sand
beach lined with coconut trees
It boasts of an unspoiled location and
showcases a wealth of wildlife, colorful
tropical fishes, and scenic landscapes
Apulit Island Resorts’ 50 over-water
cottages, built in traditional
architecture mixed with contemporary
design, invite guests to simply relax
and bask in the serenity of the island

54. Lagen Island Resort
Nestled between a lush four-hectare forest
and a calm, shallow lagoon, Lagen Island
Resort in El Nido is an ideal destination for
those seeking a relaxing holiday on a private
and tranquil island
The resort offers a magnificent view of
Bacuit Bay and the El Nido sunset
The surrounding forest and the breathtaking
limestone cliffs are natural attractions that
also serve as a sanctuary for a diverse
variety of birds and mammals
Lagen Island Resort offers 50 modern rooms
that exude an air of subdued elegance

55. Historical Heritage

56. Palawan Museum
The Palawan Museum was
created in 1991 with a vision of
serving as a center and
repository of relics and artifacts
in Palawan
It is a genuine source of the rich
natural and historical legacy of
Palawan
It has a growing collection and
reference on Palawan’s cultural
heritage

57. Palawan Heritage
Center
The Palawan Heritage Center or
PHC hopes to preserve and to
promote the rich cultural heritage
of the province that has evolved
through time, considering that
Palawan is home to its different
ethnic groups
The PHC showcases the life,
culture and history of the proud
Palaweños, who considered
Palawan to be their home

58. The PHC is educational, highly
informative, and entertaining
It contains artifacts as old as
300 years, old photos, life sized
dioramas, interactive modules,
information kiosks and learning
stations that make it interesting
venue for the local and
international visitors
Palawan Heritage
Center

59. Palawan Wildlife Rescue
& Conservation Center
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and
Conservation, formerly known as
Crocodile Farming Institute, is
located about 40 minutes from the
city
The Philippine Crocodile is currently
included in the endangered species
list and the conservation center is
making ways to increase the
number of the species

60. Apart from crocodiles, the center
takes care of other animals like
ostriches and bearcats
The main attractions include a
huge skeleton of a crocodile and
its leatherette skin, baby
crocodiles, and the resting adult
crocodiles
Palawan Wildlife Rescue
& Conservation Center

61. Let’s Recap
‣ Palawan is the largest province of the Philippines, located in the Mimaropa region
‣ After Ferdinand Magellan's death, his remaining fleet landed in Palawan where they were saved by the abundance of nature
here, they named the place Land of Promise
‣ El Nido Boutique has everything a tourist needs from T-shirts printed in their in-house artshop to local handicrafts
‣ The Tubbataha Reef is situated on the Cagayan Ridge, made up of extinct underwater-volcanoes, it was declared a World
Heritage Site by the UNESCO
‣ The Puerto Princesa Underground River is the longest navigable underground river in the world
‣ Palawan has mountains, mangrove forests, magical lakes, rives sheltered bays, secluded white beaches waiting to be explored
on hiking