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Looking for your next island vacation? Visitors almost universally refer to these islands as a beautiful tropical paradise.
Palawan is a rich and fascinating island archipelago with beautiful beaches, breathtaking landscapes and 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. And it explodes!
More than one million travelers visited Palawan in the first half of the year, according to the Provincial Tourism Promotions and Development Office. (PTPDO).
The same report also found that the highest percentage of international tourists to the island came from the US
Here’s why American travelers flock to this island paradise:
Why visit Palawan?
Palawan is not just one island.
This incredibly popular hotspot in the Philippines is actually an archipelago consisting of 1,780 islands and islets. This means that you will quickly find your own definition of paradise here.
But the main island is the 5th largest island in the Philippines, and this is where the vast majority of tourists choose to settle when they visit Palawan.
Time for a quick geography lesson!
Palawan is actually as close to Borneo as it is to Manila and this explains why it feels different from the rest of the Philippines. It also has several cultural influences.
The main attraction of Palawan is how beautiful it is: it really has to be seen to be believed!
Think lush and dense rainforest interior, then sugar-white beaches edged with crystal clear waters.
If you are interested in beaches, the city of El Nido is the place to be.
Besides the obligatory white sand and gently lapping waters, you’ll also find towering limestone cliffs at the back of the beaches and an abundance of marine life in the water.
El Nido Paradise offers diving trips and boat trips of the smaller islands surrounding El Nido.
An island hopping tour costs P9,600 ($170) and this includes the convenience of a hotel pick-up.
For thrill seekers, Tubbataha Reef is the best place in Palawan for divers.
It is home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world and is considered the best diving spot in the Philippines.
A fascinating cultural heritage
It’s so easy to get distracted by Palawan’s exceptional natural beauty: it’s like paradise on earth.
But what makes Palawan unique compared to other beautiful islands is its unique cultural heritage.
Take a trip to Fayu Temple, a Chinese Buddhist temple in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. There are only two Fayu temples in the Philippines: the other is in Manila.
Palawan has a rich Chinese culture and this is a great place to explore it. As an added bonus, admission is free, making it a great beach getaway for travelers on a budget.
Perhaps the most famous cultural attraction in Palawan is the Tabon Caves. This mega cave complex consists of 225 caves and 8 of them can be visited by tourists.
As important as they are beautiful, these caves are considered the “Cradle of Civilization” for the Philippines thanks to the number of powder graves and prehistoric human remains found here.
The water is clear blue and the cave structure itself is fascinating.
It is also worth noting that the people of the islands are warm and hospitable to tourists.
The people of Palawan are relaxed, easy-going and enjoy sharing their culture. They will play a key role in making your holiday both interesting and stress-free.
Travel to Palawan
The best time of year to visit Palawan is during the island’s dry season.
This runs from November to April, which means it’s the perfect time to plan your trip!
And I’m not going to lie and say it’s easy to get to Palawan: there’s no direct flight from the US. But it’s not difficult either!
You just need to fly to Manila and from there take a flight to Puerto Princesa International Airport.
Despite having an international name, Puerto Princesa International Airport mainly serves domestic routes, with Manila as its main route.
A A sample flight has you flying from LAX to Manila with Philippine Airlines.
You will then have a short layover in Manila before flying to Puerto Princesa International Airport.
From November 1 to 9, an economical roundtrip flight on this route costs $1,266.
Although flights are not cheap, once you get to the island it is considered a very affordable destination for travelers on a budget.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
