Boykano Travels

According to the world famous travel magazine Conde Nast, Palawan is the most beautiful island in the world twice in a row for 2014 and 2015. First of all, Palawan is the name of the biggest island in the province of Palawan which consists of a total of 1,780 islands which is 25% of all the islands in the Philippines (The Philippines has 7,107 islands). So in retrospect, Palawan is the most beautiful “GROUP” of islands in the world instead of just being the most beautiful island.

My connection to Palawan is not just merely because of my amazement and beauty with it but also with my family’s history. My grandfather was a government health inspector which was based in in a small town called Aborlan, which is about 100km south of Palawan’s capital, Puerto Princesa. My grandfather, grandmother, my mother and 2 aunts moved to Palawan from Manila in 1955. My 3 other aunts and 1 uncle were born in Palawan and my mom told me that it was the best time of their lives living in Palawan compared to living in Manila. My grandfather was a very kind and adventurous man as he would travel to the far reaches of the island to check on the indigenous tribes’ health and welfare making him very famous in the whole region. My grandmother would tell me stories of constantly getting gifts from people comprising of rice, vegetables, livestock and seeds of different plants. Unfortunately in 1966 my grandfather, while traveling on his motorcycle got into a accident which paralyzed him. He eventually died of health complications and lack of modern medical equipment. My grandmother had to sell their land and leave everything behind to go back to Manila with all of her 7 children. My mother told me that if my grandfather didn’t die, they would still be living in the most beautiful island in the world.

Where my mother grew up

The first time I went to Palawan was in 2009 with my mom and my cousin. We flew to the northern tip of Palawan called Busuanga which is a 1 hour flight from Manila. Busuanga is the largest island in Calamianes Islands group. Coron is the main town of Busuanga which is in a protected bay full of private white sand beaches, coral reefs and limestone cliffs.

Coron Island Beach

The smaller island also named Coron is an ancient volcano comprised of numerous lagoons and fresh water lakes which are breath taking and beautiful One of the most famous pictures of Palawan is actually taken the cliffs of Coron island called Ugong rock.

Ugong Rock, Coron, Palawan

Coron is also famous for scuba diving as it was listed on Forbes Traveler magazine back in 2007 as one of top 10 best scuba diving spots in the world. There are 8 sunken Japanese ships from World War 2 scattered around Coron Bay making it ideal for wreck diving. It is also considered one of the best spots to learn how to scuba dive as there are countless reefs and wrecks to explore at a fairly shallow depth.

Japanese ship wreck

Coron is also famous for its bounty of seafood. The local fish market is always full of fish considered to be rare and expensive. Wild Grouper fish (Lapu-Lapu), Parrot fish, Yellowfin Tuna and Ocean halibut is a normal site. The fish market opens early in the morning and the fishermen bring in their fresh haul to be consumed by the whole town.

Coron Fish Market

Another great destination in Palawan is El Nido, it is located 230km north of Puerto Princesa  and is at the northern tip of the main island of Palawan. I went there in February 2013 by flying from Manila to Puerto Princesa which takes an hour an a half and taking a 6 hour van ride.

The beachfront of the small town of El Nido

El Nido is in Bacuit Bay, which is a bay comprised of 45 islets and islands that has around 50 white sand beaches, a couple sand bars, crystal clear lagoons, towering limestone cliffs, countless caves and stunning coral reefs. Conde Nast lists it as the best of the “Top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world for 2016“.

Shimizu Island in El Nido

The best part of El Nido might be the sunset. Piercing through the clouds and shining through the limestone cliffs of the beautiful islands around Bacuit Bay.

Sunset in Seven Commandos Beach in El Nido

Palawan is also home to one of the New Seven Wonders of the Natural World. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, which is located 80 km north of Puerto Princesa is an astounding 24km long underground river cave which flows from the mountains all the way into the ocean. It has spectacular cave formations that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. The river is navigable up to 8km in the cave, but tourists are only allowed to go half way in to protect the fragile ecosystem in the cave.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River

Palawan is and will always be on the top of my list. I would love to come back here and explore so many other hidden gems in this place. A part of my heart will always stay here. Back in 2013 my best friend Dax, his wife Paola and my mother came to Palawan, we were able to create a short video of our trip. Enjoy!