Palawan overview

As the rest of the Philippines steamrolls towards modernisation, the finger-shaped island of Palawan remains an untouched wilderness, triumphantly touted as the last frontier of the notoriously westernised country. Tourism has yet to destroy the tropical paradise which is more akin to the tropical jungles of Borneo than the urban jungles of Manila. Teeming with wildlife not found elsewhere in the Philippines, Palawan offers exceptional diving and snorkelling across 1,780 coral fringed islands, limestone karst peaks and a bounty of pristine beaches. The lone urban capital of Puerto Princesa exemplifies the environmentally conscious Palawan, where loggers, hunters and developers are all shunned by a fiercely proud nature-loving local community. More attractive to backpackers and adventurous travellers, few luxuries exist outside of Puerto Princesa, so stock up on food and cash here before exploring the flora and fauna. Palawan is perhaps Asia’s best adventure tourism destination.