Palawan Places of Interest

Places of Interest


amanpulo

amanpulo was created for travelers seeking the idyllic beauty of an exclusive tropical island.  Situated on the private island of Pamalican, 200 km east of Palawan in the Philippines, the 220 acre isle is surrounded by white sand, crystal clear sea and well preserved coral reefs (50-300 m. offshore).  Guests arrive from Manila by chartered plane which lands directly on Pamalican

The surrounding waters yield a wide variety of marine life and dive sites.  The average temperature is 26 deg. C with underwater visibility ranging between 15-30 m., superb for all water activities: swimming, sailing (hobiecats, lasers and windsurfers), rowing, fishing, boat trips, snorkeling and scuba diving, ranging fro introductory to advanced, are also available (some with certification).

In addition to watersports, Amanpulo offers guided eco-walks, cycling, tennis, picnicing, and massage in the privacy of one's casita.  

The resort's main building, The Clubhouse, contains The Restaurant and its terrace, The Lobby and Bar, The Library, Art Gallery and Boutique. The Beach Club is a short walk away. All watersport facilities, except scuba diving, are available from the Beach Club. The Dive Shop is a five-minute golf cart ride from The clubhouse.  

40 airconditioned casitas are set amongst beachfront or hillside vegetation.  Designed as a Filipino bahay kubo, all casitas feature polished timber floors, kingsize beds, window divans, CD players, spacious bathroom and dressing areas, sunken baths, and private outdoor terraces for lounging and dining.  Each casita comes with its own battery operated cart for traveling around the island.  
   
Guest facilities include a restaurant; bar; lobby lounge with antique panolongs from Mindanao; library with a large selection of books, magazines, CD's and boardgames; boutique and art gallery featuring Filipino artifacts, antique jewelry and clothing; meeting room; picnic grove; beach club; swimming pool; day and night all-weather tennis courts; and 24-hour room service.  

 The island's weather is tropical, with a dry season from November to May and scattered rain showers from June to October. The mean annual temperature is 27.2oC (81oF). January is the coolest month, with an average temperature of 25.5oC (78oF) and May the hottest at 29oC (84oF).   

Time Difference Pamalican Island is eight hours ahead of GMT and the same time zone as Manila. Language Filipino (Tagalog) is the official language. English is used for business and legal transactions and is spoken almost everywhere.

Guests are met at Manila's international airport and taken by complimentary cartransfer to Amanpulo's lounge. From there, they are flown by private charter directly to Pamalican Island. Visitors to the Philippines must have a valid passport. Most passport holders are allowed entry without a visa for up to 21 days provided they have valid return tickets. 


El Nido

El Nido, was one of the nicest place i've been. Simple living, great landscape & seascape with hospitable people. Around 1:15 hr ride on a 19 seater plane, half an hour land travel to El Nido town.
You can't compare the beauty of El Nido to Boracay I assure you it's different. It is somewhat similar to the virgin islands of Camiguin You'll need to ride a boat and wander the islands of El Nido! It is really a beauty! Plus you will love the sea foods! It's very fresh!
We stayed at a family friend's house. The weather was not good when we came here thats why almost all of my shots were gloomy.
I would like to give thanks again to Tito Moro & Tita Emy for treating us, as if we are part of their family! Im sure that we will come back to this paradise and I hope that next time we will be blessed with a nicer weather!


St. Paul's Underground River

The St. Paul Subterranean River in Palawan is one of the country's original ecotourism destinations even before the eco- term became popular.  It was a destination for intrepid travelers willing to brave long, rough roads and primitive accommodations to enjoy a place untouched by time.  The nearby village of Sabang was synonymous with palm-shaded beaches ringed with simple huts far from the beaten path.  The underground river and surrounding landscape was recognized as a unique natural resource and received national park status in 1971.  Some thirty years later, the road to Sabang is partially paved although there is enough bone-jarring stretches to make it a destination only for true lovers of nature.  Sabang is still a sleepy sea village but there is a wider choice of resorts and disco or karaoke bars to add a little life to the nights. 


 Tubbataha Reef Marine Park



The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park covers 33,200 ha, including the North and South Reefs. It is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species; the North Islet serveing as a nesting site for birds and marine turtles. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands.





Honda Bay 

Framing the rocky and fascinating coastline of the capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa City is Honda Bay. Its blue cool waters are scattered with islands that guarantee one of a pure-pleasure experience. From snorkeling in its clear waters to the more adventurous island hopping within its districts to simply having a picnic in the fine sand of its beach areas, Honda Bay is sure to leave a lasting impression on the visitor.

One of the Philippine's premiere tourist destinations, Honda Bay, Palawan island is also known as the "The Last Frontier". It is host to several of the most exclusive resorts in the country. With its white sand beaches, magnificent landscape, fishing villages and rainforests, it is a favorable destination of adventurers and nature lovers. The province has several sites that attract divers from various parts of the world. In the city center of Puerto Princesa, hall of fame awardee for the cleanest and greenest city in the country, several tourist spots can be seen in a one day tour. This would include Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, the world's largest prison "without bars", and the Kamarikutan Gallery. The city's best offering is the St. Paul Subterranean National Park that is famed for its 8.2 kilometer log river, said to be the longest of its kind in the world.

Regardless of its dazzling natural beauty, Palawan's 1,770 islands has been one of the least developed holiday destinations in Southeast Asia aside from the well-known El Nido Beach Resorts. So far the lack of commercialism has made Palawan very special, but it is becoming more popular mostly for international divers, as well as adventurers.

The perfect place for sun questers and loves snorkel diving is Honda Bay. HONDA BAY is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines and the best place around. It has been known to be the best dive spots in the Philippines.

Honda Bay is comprised of several islets with shallow reefs bordering wonderful beaches which have become the much loved swimming, snorkeling, and diving destinations of local residents and tourists. The best recognized islands of Honda Bay are Cowrie and Bat named because of the large fruit bats coming out of their holes at sundown for their evening feed. Another is Snake island, of curvaceous tongue shape like a snake and with a white sand beach noted for large and lovely shells. Other interesting islands are Canon, Pandan, Starfish, Lu-Ii Island (derived from the word ""lulubog-lilitaw"", meaning floating and sinking island, is visible only during low tide), Señorita Island (the breeding site of lapu-lapu fish). and Meara Marina. Starfish Island, with coral reefs breaking crystal clear water onto empty, fine white sand beaches and clear water that teems with starfish. Arreceffi Island contains the luxury Dos Palmas Beach Resort, while lesser accommodation can be found on other islands, or stay at Puerto Princesa Beach resort and take a half hour boat trip to your much loved deserted beach. Lodging facilities are available for overnight stays in the islands of Meara Marina and Starfish (Sandbar Resort).

Palawan also offers the Philippines' best dive spot at the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, a World inheritance Site. Dive boats operate from March to May and can be arranged at Puerto Princesa, Palawan's capital. The city also offers all kinds of jungle eco-hikes and an 8.2 km underground river trip. Best is between December to May. A possible heavy rain is between June to November, but not necessarily.


Palawan Museum.

Under the management and supervision of the Natural Historical Foundation of Palawan and City of Puerto Princesa, Inc., it is an institution that showcases the history, culture, music, arts, and crafts of Palawan. Its exhibit shows the archeological, ethnological collections, such as jars and porcelain, hunting and trapping tools used by the early ancestors, musical instruments, brassware, and some artifacts from the Tabon Caves and antique diggings from Cuyo during the Spanish Era. The museum is also provided with a library where books on Philippine and Palawan history, anthropology, archeology, entomology, literature, and flora and fauna can be found. There are also magazines, pamphlets, write-ups, and other publications about Palawan, which are helpful to researchers’ works. It is located in the city proper of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.


Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

A world heritage site, this natural wonder features an 8.2 kilometer navigable underground river, reputed to be the world's longest, that winds through a spectacular cave before emptying out in to the South China Sea. This river flows within a deep cavern under rugged limestone and marble cliffs, special features of the park. Known as one of the world's wonders, this river stretches eight kilometers deep into an underground lagoon with crystalline waters. Within the hallowed recesses, one winds through the tunnel aboard a paddle boat with outriggers to be enthralled at every turn which reveals stalactite pillars, rock formations, and domed amphitheaters. The park is located in Bahile, Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Located 81 kilometers from the city proper, the place can be reached through Barangay Cabayugan to Sabang, from where one could take a pumpboat ride to the Underground River, or hike through a monkey trail. An alternative way to reach the river is through a hired pumpboat ride from Bahile wharf. Travel time through Barangay Cabayugan is 1 1/2 hours' jeepney ride and 10 to 15 minutes’ pumpboat ride or 1 1/2 hours’ hike.


Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm.

The colony encompasses a 37-hectare scenic farm planted with coconut palm trees, rice, and other crops cultivated by the prisoners and their families. The prison has about 4,000 population and many inmates live with their families in so-called rehabilitation areas. Within the farm is Balsahan River, known for its cascading waters coming from the nearby mountain. Iwahig is more like a modern farm, rather than a prison, where prisoners toil their farms unguarded and are allowed to earn an income by working in the many shops which turn out various handicrafts, most popular of which are the handcarved items made of mahogany wood. The farm is definitely a good shopping stop for tourists. It is located in Barangay Iwahig, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, 35 minutes by tricycle from the city proper. One can take a jeepney along Valencia Street or may hire a tricycle/private vehicle going to the penal farm. It is located 16 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa.