While knee-deep in
vacation planning, do you ever think about possibly having nothing to do when
in a new place? It’s a valid concern—we’ve all been there!—but
you will never have to worry about that when planning a visit to Palawan. Known as the
Philippines’ Last Frontier, Palawan is chock-full of activities. Exploring its
entirety may take a lifetime, but here are some must-do’s that can easily fill
up a week or two of your well-earned trip.
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| Matinloc, El Nido |
1 Dive
deep under its waters
If you thought
Palawan is beautiful above ground, just wait until you see it from underwater.
It’s a whole new world down there. One dip and you will be preaching that it is
indeed better down where it’s wetter.
The Tubbataha Reef
down south and the top ten scuba dive spots in Northern Palawan
are absolute heavens for diving enthusiasts. The waters in these areas are
always crystal clear, and the corals and fish so very colorful and bright.
Embark
on a tour of Puerto Princesa City
A lesson in history
is not what one first thinks about when envisioning a trip to Palawan, but the
rich past of its capital will definitely beg you to reconsider.
Puerto Princesa City
is nearly 150 years old, and it has seen everything from Spanish conquistadors
to both American and Japanese soldiers, and even some Vietnamese refugees. Go
back in time as you go around and appreciate the sights of the only city on the
island.
Greet
crocodiles at the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
There are a lot of
crocodiles in the untouched jungles and swamps of Palawan, but you don’t have
to go that far to meet one up close and personal!
The Palawan Wildlife
Rescue and Conservation Center is a local effort to care for and study some of
the island’s most feared inhabitants, and work on a way to keep them safe for
the years to come.
Go
horseback-riding at Mitra’s Ranch
With a great view and
a wide and open field, you will not ask for more when visiting Mitra’s Ranch in
Barangay Santa Monica. It will give it to you, anyway!
Cows and horses are
but a few of the locals that live on this private farm. Here, you can ride one
of the horses down the ranch’s rolling hills and live the telenovela fantasy of your dreams!
Watch
fireflies light up the Iwahig River
In a city that is
filled with things to do, you would think there’d be nothing left when the sun
goes down. That is where you’re wrong.
The mangroves of the
Iwahig River are home to thousands and thousands of fireflies. At night, they
rival the Christmas lights we put up on our trees. It is a sight not to be
missed when in Palawan!
Party
it up at Tiki Resto Bar
The locals have been
partying it up at this bar even before tourism boomed on the island. Now, they
are inviting you to come and join them.
The nightlife in
Puerto Princesa City has been on fire for the past few years. The once quiet
town now hosts a variety of restaurants and bars. Tiki Resto Bar is what started
it all and dropping by for a drink here is a requirement!
Shop
‘til you drop at one of the souvenir centers
There is so much to
do in Palawan. Puerto Princesa City is just your starting point. As the
province’s capital, though, it’s also the best place for you to get your
souvenirs.
Prices are relatively
lower here compared to farther up north or south. Shops are also lumped
together for your convenience. If you are on the lookout for a pearl to bring
home, the best deals for genuine South Sea pearls can be found right here.
Venture
into one of the local markets
Souvenir centers are
for tourists. Local markets are for true blue Palaweños. It’s a crazy, crazy world whenever you’re
inside one of them, but nothing can really bet the New San Jose Market.
This is where the magic happens in Puerto Princesa City.
Fruits and vegetables are the freshest when here. Meat and fish as well. Join
in the commotion and leave with a basket full of goodies, and hardly a dent in
your pocket.
Drive
through the National Highway
This is not an
understatement: Palawan is huge. It
is a total of 450 kilometers long from the very top down to its most south.
While driving through
the National Highway is necessary to get from one point to another, why not
have some fun while you’re at it? We dare you to blast a motorbike through that
long, uninterrupted road. Hop on board a jeepney like some of the locals do.
The best seat is not inside it, but above.
Cycle around Palawan’s long
roads
Palawan’s rugged
terrain is not for everyone, but there is a path for every single type of
bicycle rider in this province.
Cycling is not an
activity most tourists engage in. You will most likely find yourself alone with
locals if you choose to engage in this activity. Do it, though. You will be
pleasantly surprised at where you will end up!
Zipline through the forests
and oceans
Here’s an activity
for the adrenaline junkies out there. Ziplining is nothing new. You can zipline
through cities and jungles alike. But, have you ever sped your way above the
only truly virgin forests left in the country?
Palawan takes the
activity of ziplining to a whole other level. Further up north, there are
ziplining stations set up in between actual
islands. It really is up to you as to what adventure you choose when you’re
here!
Trek up one of Palawan
Island’s mountains
Palawan is not all
about sand and sea. There are nearly a dozen mountains on Palawan Island alone,
and each one is undoubtedly a sight to behold.
There are mountains
that can be conquered in hours, and there are peaks that will take days to
reach. Choose your poison, they say. Whether you opt for the limestone cliffs
of Mt. St. Paul or the more forgiving terrain of Mt. Kalbo not too far away
from it, the views when you reach the top will surely be breathtaking.
Chase a hidden Palawan
waterfall
Why stick to the
rivers and the lakes that you’re used to when you can chase the pristine
waterfalls that fall off the edge of Palawan Island’s mountains and hills?
Tucked inside the
nooks and crannies of Palawan Island are multiple waterfalls with deep blue
pools that are waiting for you to wade in. Estrella Falls in the town of Narra
is a local favorite. Check it out, and then check the hundred or so more
waterfalls on the island afterward!
Explore the many caves of
the island
With so much land,
the Philippines’ biggest province is bound to have a few hidden secrets here
and there. Its caves have been around even before humans have. In fact, some of
the earliest recorded human activity in the entire country can be traced back
to the Tabon caves of Southern Palawan.
A not-so-hidden
secret nowadays is the natural wonder that is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean
River. Cruise through the kilometers-long underground waterway, and marvel at
the many rock formations it holds. There is nowhere else quite like it in the
world!
Discover the uniquely
delicious Palaweño cuisine
With Palawan’s rich
history and natural wonders, it’s easy to forget that the food being offered up
in the province is also incredibly noteworthy. Would you care for some
crocodile sisig? It tastes earthy to
some, but we were sure taken away by its taste!
Both the West
Philippine Sea to its left and the Sulu Sea to its right are its markets. That
is why seafood is served so fresh in Palawan, and so delicious however way it’s
cooked!
Catch some really, really fresh seafood
If you want to see
how most locals make a living, why not ask for a demonstration on how to fish?
Filipino people are friendly. Palaweños, even more so!
While not everyone may get to go out into the sea to catch
fish, some sea critters you may just come across while walking. Watch out for
those sea urchins! Though they may be poisonous when not handled well, their
insides are finger-licking good when served.
Island hop all over Palawan
Now we’re at the main
event. Its gorgeous islands are what Palawan is most known for. Of the 7,107
islands in the Philippines, there is no doubt that the best of them all are in
the Palawan province.
Try out all Tours A,B, C, and D in El Nido, play it safe in Honda Bay, or dare to go down south and
explore the islands in Balabac. You will not be disappointed with whatever
island adventure it is you choose.
Kayak to its beaches and
lagoons
If an intense island-hopping
schedule is too much for you to handle, explore Palawan’s beaches and lagoons
in a laxer way—by
kayaking.
It will take longer,
for sure, but there’s no rush when all you are set out to do is appreciate
nature at its finest. Paddle away in the search for your own personal paradise.
Camp underneath the stars
When you are far away
from the hustle and bustle of city life, the lights that will shine amidst the
dark of the night are that of the stars and not traffic signs.
Find a secluded
beach, and then set up camp.
Become a beach bum
While we’re on the
topic of beaches, why don’t we take some time to appreciate the best out of all
of the hundreds of beaches in Palawan?
The white beach of
San Vicente is a whopping 14 kilometers long, but that’s not the beach we are
referring to. We are talking about our very own Binga Beach.
Binga Beach Resort is
the perfect island getaway for anyone who is looking to soak in all of the best
that Palawan has to offer. It has its own private stretch of white sand in its
front yard. If there is any place to hide away from the world and become a
beach bum, it is right here.
CONCLUSION
There are a million
things to do in Palawan, and there are a billion more that makes it so good.
The items that we have listed here are but twenty of those.
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| Binga Beach Resort's Beachfront |
Say goodbye to
whatever worries you may have had about that potential trip to Palawan. There
are so many things to do here! For an unforgettable experience when in this
part of the globe, head on right over to the Binga
Beach Resort - a 45-minute drive north of San Vicente.
