In which town house in Palawan?

Are you going to taste the charms of the Philippines and especially the Palawan Archipelago? This is in which city to stay in Palawan!

Archipelago consisting of 7,641 islands located west of the Pacific Ocean, Philippines have become a leading tourist destination despite its reputation as poor, malfame and even violent countries. With a tropical wet climate, the Palawan Archipelago alone contains 1,700 islands and is one of the most beautiful areas in the country. There are 430 000 inhabitants on 12 189 km2, 450 km of land for an average width of 50 km. Accommodation in Palawan will be, good news, cheap: the offer of accommodation is vast and the cost of living is very low compared to Europe. Palawan contains many endemic species – amphibians and snakes, gecko and spiders – it is also a threatened and protected biosphere reserve.

The most touristic area of Palawan is north of the island, towards El Nido: the postcard typical of the Philippines. Elsewhere, from Puerto Princesa to Sabang or Port Barton, these are the cities where to stay in Palawan.

El Nido

In 2007, National Geographic classified El Nido as one of the best destinations in the world. The area is impaluded and the risk of dengue exists, but taking the necessary precautions, you will drastically limit the risks of getting sick. On a trip to the Philippines, we were struck by the hospitality and benevolence of the Philippine. Palawan has an incredible biodiversity but this wonder is now threatened by overfishing and pollution. El Nido is a protected area and is a world-renowned place for scuba diving. The flat: staying at El Nido is a gateway to Palawan, but it is a tourist nest that comes to admire the karst landscapes in the dry season (in winter).

Restaurants, bars and travel agencies rhythm the life of the neighborhood. The beaches, paradise, are full of resorts and hotels at the foot of the mountains and under the coconut trees. To swim, go to the beaches of Las Cabanas and – the most beautiful – to Nacpan Beach, lined with a coconut belt and wet by turquoise waters. We recommend renting a scooter or a motorcycle to be free in your travels and contemplating the Philippine countryside, lush: rice fields, buffalo and herons, coconut trees.

Sabang

Sabang is a small village located north of Puerto Princesa, known worldwide to be built on an underground river: the National Park of the Underground River of Puerto Princesa has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999. To see the river, a short hike in the village, attached to the commune Cabayugan. The river is very frequented by tourists, and for cause: the underground cavity has a development of more than 24 kilometers and the river flows on 8.2 km – the longest underground river in the world – before throwing into the South China Sea. Many rooms allow you to see many stalactites and stalagmites. Choose to stay in Sabang when you arrive in Puerto Princesa on the first day.

Port Barton and Cagnipa Island

Port Barton is a small fishing village located north of Palawan. Its access will be difficult, there is only a small road that leads to it. It is an excellent home port where to stay in Palawan if you want to bubble on the beach and do nothing. Off Port Barton, the island of Cagnipa is simply a paradise, an immanquable tourist to stay in Palawan: fierce, idyllic beaches, snorkeking and coconut pictures, a postcard decor!

Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa is the main entry point of the Palawan Islands in the Philippines. It is the largest airport in the region, although it is actually tiny. If you arrive in Palawan late in the evening or have to leave early in the morning, you can spend a night in Puerto Princesa. The city doesn’t really have a special appeal, although we can go relax in Honda Bay, a 30-minute drive from Puerto Princesa. From there you can go on a day by boat to the surrounding islands of Starfish Island, Luli Island and Cowrie Island.

Main photo credit: Flickr – Jack Versloot