Named one of the Seven Wonders of Nature, the Puerto Princesa Underground River has put the Philippine island of Palawan on the world tourism map. Not that the island doesn’t have other breathtaking attractions, but travelers’ eyes were not always focused on this part of the planet or even the country. Until a few years ago, the few Brazilian tourists who landed in the Philippines had Boracay, better known as the Philippine Caribbean, as their practically certain and only destination. But things have changed for the better, and thanks to the underground river, the must-do things to do in the Philippines have multiplied!
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The province of Palawan has become one of the most sought after destinations not only in Philippine tourism but in the world. There are located not only the river of Puerto Princesa but also El Nido and Coron, two regions with so many attractions that it is even difficult to make a selection. There are lagoons, beaches, snorkeling spots and islands everywhere, whether they are openly beautiful or hidden among the famous black rocks that form the surreal landscape of this part of the planet. All in shades of blue and green that are hard to find anywhere else, even in famous Southeast Asian neighbors like Thailand.
But everything is also served by a rather lame structure, so to speak. Palawan is still adapting to the fact that it has arrived on the traveler’s route to stay, and much works on the fly as possible in a country as poor as the Philippines. The tours are almost all made in wooden boats previously used for local fishing. Some hotels do not have wooden or stone walls, but bamboo, as is typical on the island. Some transports are made in vans that must be due for some years of maintenance. But none of that frightens anyone who lays eyes on the local beauties. Check out 9 unmissable things to do in the Philippines:
What to do in the Philippines 1 – Lake Barracuda
Lake Barracuda is located on Coron Island, which is in the Province of Palawan and just across from the city of Coron, which has the same name but is not on the same island, but on Busuanga (it’s a little confusing at first, but you get used to it, hehe). Barracuda is just one of 11 lakes on the island, but by far the most beautiful! Its deep blue waters are surrounded by black limestone rocks carved by time and climate, in a geological formation called ‘karst’. Diving and snorkeling is possible in the lake, which is accessed only by a tiny wooden platform perched on the rocks.
There are two ways to get to Lake Barracuda. The first is to join one of the popular Coron Island tours, which depart from the Coron City Pier by the dozens each morning. This tour lasts all day and visits several other attractions on the island, such as beaches, snorkeling spots (there are many sunken World War II ships in the vicinity) and other lakes. The second is to hire a private boat and make your own route, but of course this option costs more. Once docked in the bay that gives access to the Barracuda, just go up a short staircase and you’ll be at the lake in five minutes.
What to do in the Philippines 2 – Malcapuya Island
As if the beauty of the lagoons on Coron Island were not enough, the region is also adorned with beautiful beaches. Among them is Malcapuya Island, located over an hour and a half by boat from the pier in Coron City. This island is so small and remote that you can’t find much about it by searching the internet. But we can say with certainty that it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Composed of a narrow strip of very white sand, it is bathed by calm, fluorescent blue waters, shaded by some palm trees and adorned by rocks at the ends, where you can climb to have a full view of the island.
There are some hammocks for rent on the beach, as well as a small tent selling drinks and small snacks (chocolates, snacks, etc.). There are two ways to get to Malcapuya. The first is to join one of the popular beach tours in the area that leave from Coron City Pier by the dozens each morning. This tour lasts all day and also visits Bulog and Banana Islands. It allows you to spend about an hour on the beach. The second is to hire a private boat and make your own route, but of course this option costs more. There are even some agencies that sell tours where you can sleep on the island – which is not inhabited.
What to do in the Philippines 3 – Tour A of El Nido
Like the region of Coron, El Nido, located in the north of the island of Palawan, in the province of the same name, is full of tourist attractions and unmissable things to do in the Philippines. All of them at sea, of course. To make the traveler’s life easier, tourism companies in the region have created three circuits that include the main local attractions in tours that last all day. They are called tours A, B and C. Although it has its attractions, the B is unnecessary, since the most interesting places to visit are concentrated in the routes A and C. If you have little travel time or limited budget, this is the best option to get to know El Nido quickly and economically.
Some agencies even give a discount for those who buy the A + C combo. If not, you can use the tours as a way to learn about the beauties of the region and, later, rent a private boat to spend a whole day or at least more time. at the points you liked. There are variations from company to company, but most A tours go to the Big, Small and Secret lagoons, all located on Miniloc Island; then, lunch is served on Shimizu Island and, finally, the boat takes a break to hit the sand and drink a beer at Praia dos Sete Comandos (‘7 Commando Beach’).
What to do in the Philippines 4 – Kayangan Lake
Lake Kayangan is located on Coron Island, which is in the Province of Palawan and just across from the city of Coron, which has the same name but is not on the same island, but on Busuanga. Kayangan is just one of 11 lakes on the island, and while it’s not as impressive as Barracuda, it’s also very beautiful and has a much larger recreational area to enjoy. Its green and transparent waters are surrounded by mountains. It is possible to go diving and snorkeling in the lake, which is accessed by a wide wooden platform set up on its banks. There are two ways to reach Lake Kayangan.
The first is to join one of the popular Coron Island tours, which depart from the Coron City Pier by the dozens each morning. This tour lasts all day and visits several other attractions on the island, such as beaches, snorkeling spots (there are many sunken World War II ships in the vicinity) and other lakes. The second is to hire a private boat and make your own route, but of course this option costs more. Once docked in the bay that gives access to Kayangan, you will have to climb a steep staircase for about 10 minutes, but not too difficult. Stop midway to catch your breath and take some pictures of the bay behind you. This is one of the most photographed sights in Coron!
What to do in the Philippines 5 – Banana Island
Among the beautiful beaches in the Coron region is Banana Island, located over an hour and a half by boat from the city pier. Just like Malcapuya – which is right next door – this island is so small and remote that you can’t find much about it by searching the internet. Composed of a narrow strip of very white sand, it is bathed by calm, deep blue waters and shaded by several trees and palm trees. You can spread out your yoke between them or even sit at the picnic tables scattered along the beach. There are nets and snorkel gear for rent.
There are also some stalls selling drinks and small snacks (chocolates, snacks, etc.). There are two ways to get to Banana. The first is to join one of the popular beach tours in the area that leave from Coron City Pier by the dozens each morning. This tour lasts all day and also visits Bulog and Malcapuya islands. Banana is where the boats stop to make lunch for tourists, so you get to spend about an hour and a half on the beach. The second is to hire a private boat and make your own route, but of course this option costs more.
What to do in the Philippines 6 – Puerto Princesa Underground River
Voted one of the Seven Wonders of Nature, the Puerto Princesa Underground River has put Palawan Island on the world tourism map and is definitely one of the must-do things to do in the Philippines. The river is located in the national park of the same name and which is 80 kilometers from Puerto Princesa, the city used as the base for the tour. It is not possible to visit the river on your own, as this is a nature conservation area that is extremely controlled by the Philippine government. You need to hire a tour and the company will collect a ticket so you can enter the park – tickets are limited to a certain number each day.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you book the tour at least one month in advance, especially if you are traveling in the high holiday season (December-February or June-August). You can contact your hotel to make the reservation or refer you to an agency that can do this. Once you have purchased the tour, you will be taken from Puerto Princesa to Sabang Pier, from where boats depart for the part of the park where the river entrance is located. Each guide takes a password and the group waits in a queue that can last more than an hour until it’s their turn to board.
Having reached the river, you will be placed in a canoe with about 10 other people that will travel 1.5 kilometers into the cave (its total length is more than 8 kilometers, being the second longest underground river in the world). The tour lasts 45 minutes and passes through rock formations that resemble Jesus and the Titanic (pictured) among other things, huge caves and lots of bats – which don’t get close to the boats, don’t worry. There is no lighting inside the cave, so taking pictures on the moving boat can be a bit tricky.
What to do in the Philippines 7 – Bulog Island
Another of the beautiful beaches in the Coron region, Bulog Island – or Bulog Dos – is so small that it can only be visited at low tide, as it disappears at high tide. Located over an hour and a half by boat from the city pier, it is very close to the Malaroyroy Peninsula, on Bulalacao Island. So close that it is possible to see the Two Seasons Coron Island Resort & Spa , which is located in Bulalacao and is one of the most expensive and exclusive hotels in the region. Composed of a narrow strip of very white sand and a small rock, Bulog is bathed by calm and very blue waters.
But there is nothing else on the island: no services of any kind other than a few withered trees that cast little shade. For this reason, boat stops there are usually short, about half an hour. There are two ways to get to Bulog. The first is to join one of the popular beach tours in the area that leave from Coron City Pier by the dozens each morning. This tour lasts all day and also visits the Banana and Malcapuya islands. The second is to hire a private boat and make your own route, but of course this option costs more.
What to do in the Philippines 8 – Twin Lagoons
The ‘Twin Lagoons’, or Twin Lagoons, are located on Coron Island, which is in the Province of Palawan and just in front of the city of Coron, which has the same name but is not on the same island, but on Busuanga. Despite the name, they are not exactly lagoons, but two arms of the sea – one very green, the other very blue – surrounded by the famous black rocks that adorn the local landscape. The Twin Lagoons can only be accessed by boat. The boats stop at the first lagoon, from where tourists swim to the platform on the rocks that gives access to the second lagoon, or even dive under the rocks.
There are no other support points in the lagoons other than the rocks, so be in shape to swim or wear a life jacket. There are two ways to get to Twin Lagoons. The first is to join one of the popular Coron Island tours, which depart from the Coron City Pier by the dozens each morning. This tour lasts all day and visits several other attractions on the island, such as beaches, snorkeling spots (there are many sunken World War II ships in the vicinity) and other lakes. The second is to hire a private boat and make your own route, but of course this option costs more.
What to do in the Philippines 9 – El Nido Tour C
As we said above, tour companies in the El Nido region have created three circuits that comprise the main local attractions in tours that last all day. They are called tours A, B and C. Although it has its attractions, the B is unnecessary, since the most interesting places to visit are concentrated in the routes A and C. If you have little travel time or limited budget, this is the best option to get to know El Nido quickly and economically. Some agencies even give a discount for those who buy the A + C combo.
If not, you can use the tours as a way to learn about the beauties of the region and, later, rent a private boat to spend a whole day or at least more time in the spots you liked. After taking the A tour, embark on the C tour which is really the champion of attractions. You will pass by Helicopter Island, which got its name due to its aircraft shape, you will make a stop at the Matinloc Memorial, from where you have a beautiful view of the region; and you will discover three amazing beaches: Star, Hidden and Secret. Note that the tide can change the itinerary of the tour, since, when it is high, it closes some accesses, such as the entrance to Hidden Beach, for example.
