Palawan is one of the most popular travel destinations of both local and foreign tourists. The Province of Palawan as it is officially known, is located in the MIMAROPA Region. It has consistently gotten the nod of tourism industry authorities thus ensuring a continuous stream of visitors eager to discover what the island offers. The province has kept up with tourism demands, too, so there are now a lot of new boutique hotels in Palawan that can take on more and more visitors. If you want to save, you can book using online booking sites like Traveloka since they have promos. Make sure to do it in advance, too, so you can score bigger savings.

There are many reasons that can explain the great interest of travelers to visit Palawan but let me name the top three:

Abundance of Natural Beauty

Palawan Island was voted “The Most Beautiful Island in the World” , according to readers of Conde Nast Traveller and Travel+Leisure. The former is a luxury travel magazine published in London, catering to upmarket travelers while the latter is a travel magazine based in New York City, boasting of almost 5 Million readers. National Geographic Traveler Magazine has also previously cited Palawan for its “incredibly beautiful natural seascapes and landscapes” Being recognized by these competing publications for being the most beautiful island in the world proves just how exceptional its natural beauty is. The existence of many beautiful islands on earth is no secret and to be adjudged number one is certainly commendable.

The island’s coastline is dotted with thousands of islets, rocky coves, and white sandy beaches. Virgin forests and mountain ranges comprise a big part of its land area. There are thousands of square kilometers of coral reef found beneath its seas. Adding to its beauty is the presence of endemic species of flora and fauna. The preservation of its beauty is properly addressed by the sustained interest in conservation development.

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Exceptional Attractions and Excellent Accommodation Facilities

One advantage of choosing Palawan as a travel destination is its long list of attractions and accommodation facilities. Most travelers would prefer to maximize the experience by doing everything that can be done during the visit. This is especially so if a guest traveled much distance to reach the place where return visits would require extensive planning and costs. Travelers who would like to go snorkeling, island hopping, dolphin watching, bird watching, fishing, kayaking, kiteboarding, or diving will definitely have no problems in enjoying these activities.

For travelers who would rather rest or simply enjoy the luxury of doing nothing inside the guest room, excellent accommodation facilities are many. One of the most popular, specifically in Puerto Princesa is Dos Palmas Island Resort and Spa. This 20-hectare private island getaway is nestled in the tropical waters of Honda Bay. Guests do not simply occupy a room but a choice of villas overlooking the Sulu Sea. Most hotels and resorts offer beachfront advantage since the beach is obviously a major selling point in the choice of accommodation.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is admittedly a plus factor when it comes to attracting travelers to visit. Puerto Princesa Underground River in Puerto Princesa, Palawan holds the distinction of an officially declared heritage site since 1999. It is considered a natural wonder with its subterranean river said to be the longest in the world at 8.2 kilometers. The rainforest of the park is the natural habitat of many endemic species of Palawan. Visiting the site when in Palawan is considered a must to truly complete a visit to the island.

There is another site in the island which got a similar inscription – the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park in South Sulu Sea, Palawan. It was given the recognition in 1993.  The Reef is the only national marine park in the Philippines. It is home to hundreds of species of marine life while also serving as a nesting place for birds and marine turtles. The reason for its inscription is its being an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species. Its ideal location of being away from populated islands is the main reason why it has not been over-exploited. Over-exploitation is something the Palawan government is trying hard to prevent as these two UNESCO World Heritage Sites serve as magnets for making Palawan a must-stop for a visit to the Philippines.

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My Say

Palawan is endowed with such exceptional beauty that it is unthinkable for Filipinos not to grab the chance to see it. Travelers coming from different parts of the world have made it an indispensable item in the itinerary in getting to know our country’s offering when it comes to natural attractions. The reasons above that make Palawan a preferred travel destination provide just a tip of the iceberg. This world-renowned island awaits further discovery and appreciation.