Palawan

Beautiful landscapes

The province of Palawan is one of the most attractive regions of the country. Not only the 1770 small islands, but also the main island Palawan! Beautiful landscapes on this 425 km long and 40 km width island are like a paradise on earth for nature lovers. For 'nature lovers' and 'adventurers, the coasts on the west side of the island with their rock formations and the underwater river near Sabang, are real attractions. Palawan island distinguishes itself too by its tropical forests.

Discover the tropical rainforest of Palawan!

For an adventure in the tropical jungle you should visit Palawan. The rainforest on the island is well known because of its huge trees. Many are rare. You can only find them on this island! With a little bit luck, you'll meet some of the typical tropical animals, who live in this still original tropical rain forest. Almost 25 percent of all the animal species in the Philippines live only on Palawan. Among these rare animals are the Cobra king and many butterflies, some of them as big as your hand

Campaign to save the forest successful!

Logging is the threat of all rainforests in the Third World. In the Philippines too. Much of the forest has already been lost because of logging.

Many ancient trees have been cut down. For many years already there were campaigns of action groups against the illegal logging. At last they were successful on Palawan. The Philippine government took the necessary measures to halt large-scale logging. Even the former logging bosses now profess to be environmentalists. In other parts of the Philippines however, the government didn't succeed yet to prevent all illegal cutting of the tropical giants.

A must for physical geographers and geologists

In the Northern part of Palawan the fishing-village El Nido is located in a picturesque bay. High and steep marble rock formations give shelter to the settlement and offer a splendid landscape scenery. Trips into the blue lagoons by boat gives a good possibility to explore the steep rock formations. The white sandy beaches and the nearby colorful coral reefs give this place a little bit the idea of a little paradise on earth.

The underground river

For many foreigners a visit to the underground river near Sabang on the west coast, is a sensational adventure. After a walking-tour of several hours through the rainforest, you'll arrive to the cave. From there, canoes will bring you for a stay of proximately four hours in the darkness of the cave. Only the light of the electric torches of the guides will give you the opportunity of seeing the presents of the bats and the stalactites (hanging from the roof of the cave) and stalagmites (rising from the floor of the cave). Water in the river is bubbling while the canoes are slowly gliding in the cave.

The underwater world of the coast waters of Palawan

Last but not least, Palawan main island and many of the small islands in the province of Palawan, offer sun, sea and white beaches. Diving, snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach or in the accommodations of one of the resorts. This is what many tourists wish when they travel to a tropical country. When you visit Palawan, you can make a nice combination of adventure with relaxing near or on the beaches and the sea. The Palawan province offers it all.