When ask, “What’s the best place you’ve been to in the Philippines?” Hands down I will say PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES- the Last Frontier.
Nagtabon Beach photo by Renwick
It was 2003 when I got hit by the travel bug, back then my list was just
- Palawan. This being separated to mainland Luzon I heard stories of untouched paradise, virgin beaches, mesmerizing coves and diverse flora and fauna. I want to make the last frontier my first priority
- Cebu. This being the oldest city in the Philippines and the center of the Philippines I believe.
- Romblon. I’m fascinated by the egg marbles my grandfather use to give as “pasalubong” back in my elementary years and I want to see first-hand how it was made.
I said, “if I’m able to set foot on these islands, I’m done.” I was able to see Romblon (2003), Palawan and finally Cebu (2008). Guess what? I ate my words and told myself, “I think I’m just starting out.”
Since then I have traveled a third of the country. Very seldom would I come back to a place I’ve once set foot on. Yet Palawan, specifically, Puerto Princesa City is a different story. I can’t count the times I’ve bought tickets to and from Puerto Princesa City. A fitting song would be, “And your face is tattooed on my mind. And I can’t get you out of my dreams..Yes I know you’re tattooed..On my mind you’re tattooed.” Really, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan is on my mind, yes, even in my heart. But why it’s the best place ever?
- I call it my home. Puerto Princesa City is family to me. I have considered a lot of people there a family. I have developed good and lasting friendship to a lot when I stayed there for almost a year.
- I know a secret place by river where I can unwind forever. This place has been my refuge, a place where I reflected about my life and purpose. A place of prayer, a place to have a retreat. A place of solace, maybe not because you’re with the birds, the fish, the insects, the mangroves and the sweet breeze of the nearby sea. I was thinking of asking the owner if the Pinoy Travel Bloggers can visit sometime to relax and enjoy God’s nature. Hmmmm?
- I love the food, especially the fresh seafood. I miss my Palawan days when after a morning run at Baybay, I would just walk towards the public market and buy some fresh tuna or tanigue so I can have some a hearty grilled breakfast. That would just cost me less than PhP50. I have Top 10 Must-Try Foods while in Puerto Princesa, be sure to check it out too.
Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill is my fave restaurant (Note: This is not mentioned in Lonely Planet but as a local this is the best) which is located in Rizal Ave. I was trying a local delicacy “tamilok,” (an edible wood worm found in dead mangrove trees) in the lower right photo. It was slimy and fishy, a perfect beer match.
- It’s a backpacker’s paradise and I want it stay just like that. Backpackers from all over the world has been raving Palawan for years and I hope that Filipinos have time and money to spare to see this spot. Here you will see nature at its outrageously best. The Palawan Underground- the second longest navigable underground river measuring 8 kilometers, home to bats and balinsasayaw birds famous for its nest which is made soup, the most expensive soup in the world.
- I love the islands, Pandan Island to be exact. Of the 7,107 islands of the Philippines, I’m in awe of the in Honda Bay called Pandan Island. Not only that its white, not only that its corals and diverse school of fish are colorful but because the locals are my friend. I was able to spend a night in the island for free just using my hammock. And I can still remember when a teenager brought me to the inner island to harvest some eggs from birds that build their nest about 5-7 feet under the sand.
- I love the vibe, chillax and not fast-paced. Ohhh yeah, I’m a surfer wannabe. But because there are no surfboards in Palawan, I was contented with skimboard. That’s me skimboarding in a hidden cove. What does skimboarding and surfing have to do with the chillax vibe? Reggae dude! Just don’t ask. Relax after a tiring day at the beach.
Ask me anytime of the day what’s the best place in the Philippines, no thinking twice, I will forever say PUERTO PRINCESA CITY in PALAWAN. The first in my list, the last frontier, the city in the forest, the untouched paradise, the place I call HOME.
Not only that this place is the most stunning island I have ever seen, but because this place is blessed with people with warm and good heart. Puerto Princesa City has been a benchmark of what paradise is. This is a place where I want to retire, a place I can call heaven on earth. Btw, I already chose an island where me and my future wife can have our wedding ceremony. I hope that she likes the idea.
This is my entry to Pinoy Travel Bloggers Blog Carnival, a collection of blogs tackling “The Best Place that You’ve Been to in the Philippines.” How about you? What’s the best place you’ve been to?
travel to palawan next year. noted! =)
great! you will love and enjoy the island
it has been a long time dream for me to visit Palawan… I hope by next year I could eventually set foot on it this majestic place… thanks for sharing… happy trip!
mervs, majestic island talaga. will be going back again. haaay, i miss this island so much
la ako masabi…. WOW PHILIPPINES!!!
ganda talaga!
WOW, Kay Ganda?
Gusto ko ring makabalik jan. When I was there, I was even thinking already of staying there for good!
Wow Philippines, kay ganda!
same sentiments! let’s stay in this island for good.
Have yet to tick this off my travel list. And your pictures only prove further na isa nga sya sa pinakamagandang destinations sa Pinas.
hurry and tick palawan off! warning lang, you might think of settling in this island for good
james bro tour mo ko ahh..hope to visit palawan pagdating ng gf ko from US…tenx,,, God bless…
sure, lemme know asap ha. sagot nyo ba fare? hahaha
Sweet, that’s just what I was scanning for! Your article just saved me alot of looking around
I’ll make sure to put this in good use!
first time visitor. i am dreaming of palawan too. i have read so many posts from bloggers singing the praises of this last frontier.
thanks for visitin’! indescribable palawan
tara palawan tayo… end to end, jeep lang! hehehe
Ron
game ako dyan! you like, bike lang? h
“Very seldom would I come back to a place I’ve once set foot on.” – me too!
We lived in Puerto Princesa for a year when I was in 3rd grade but we only visited a few places, and the memories are vague to me now. Should go back soon!
wow, so you have to bring back those childhood (vague) memories. tara na!
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I also believe that this is the most beautiful place and/or island in the Philippines.
I am hoping to visit it next year!
question, dito mo rin balak mag-retire soon noh? ganda nga!!! parang relaxed at walang kaproble-problema buhay dito!
yes, hopefully! as of now, i cant think of a better place compared to palawan
nice
hay ang ganda talaga ng palawan
kaya nga tumira ako dun
that’s just a fraction of what you can see and experience.
while i was on my way to ppc on board cebu pac, i was browsing their mag and stumbled on an article/item or something about you and then i remembered that you were also featured on tv( cant remember what program), so here i am, reading more about your adventures. anyway, cheers to you and more power! btw, this is my 2nd trip here in ppc and now i know where to go and what to do.
hmmm… buti nalang may recall. haha yes, it was on jessica soho, summer special. thanks for reading (and sharing to your friends too)!
i hope you are enjoying my 2nd home, i really miss puerto princesa city. and the beach!
A VERY nice blog post.
thanks ybiang! hope it helped you.
i love palawan!
need tips on going to palawan, planning to go there before the year end
I always wanted to explore Palawan solo without the tour packages offered by the agencies. There is a certain fulfillment in doing it your own and eventually learning from them. Nice post!
thanks byron, you can definitely do so. palawan w/o the package tours is recommended! hope you can do that very soon!
Hi!!
Great blog and great information! Congratulations!!
Im going to be in Puerto Princesa for a couple of days, could you recommend me a nice beach? I would need something close to the city since I have really few time!
Thanks a lot!!!
i can think of honday bay- its actually an island hopping experience, the trip to the wharf is just 30minutes. then the island hopping tour is 4-6hours.
you can also stay at microtel inn, its beach front
hope this helps isabel!
and thanks for the warm words
thanks a lot for your quick reply!!! I´m looking foward to be there! Your blog has helped me a lot! great job!
planning to visit puerto princesa this april. thank you for the info you posted…
pleasure is mine Jean! glad it was of help, enjoy my second home.
Agree ako sa article na to. I know James kung bakit binabalik-balikan mo ang Palawan, hindi mo ata na-mention dito hehehe…Dapat daw kasi humalik ka sa malalaking puno, pag di mo ginawa yun; babalik at babalik ka dun hehe. My dream to have a vacation house there. Ansarap ng buhay dun.
why? yaan lang reasons ko… lovelife ba?hahaha
can i crash your couch when you get a vacation house in palawan? or i can always bring my hammock, i just need two posts to hang them.
Ako, El Nido.
Haha. Anyways, konti palang nappuntahan ko. Haven’t been here sa Puerto Princesa. But I have tickets to PPS Jan 19-23 2012. Do you have contacts here? I’ll be travelling solo. 
Thank you.
nope, i dont have contacts. sorry, but you can just ask around.
Hi! I’m planning to go to Palawan this Aug. And naguguluhan ako if should I stay in the city proper or sa isang beach front hotel. Any suggestions kung saan mas ok? I’ll be traveling alone.
why not try both? di ka naman overnight lang sa palawan dba?
I just read your interesting blog. Having been to Palawan in 1997, I can’t agree with you more. I had a lovely week in Palawan traveling solo those days. I treasure the memories of that travel. Nagtabon was mesmerising. It was a coincidence that when I was trying to see more pictures of Nagtabon on the web, I saw your lovely blog. Great that your blog carried me back to that paradise.
wow, that was long ago. thanks mahesh! hope you go back to nagtabon beach
Agree with you 100%! For me, it was Palawan which really inspired me to see more of the country. Haven’t seen any place like it! I just hope it doesn’t get overrun with tourists
its is being overrun by tourists, sadly. building everywhere.
tnx for sharing..il be in Palawan by September and so excited about it..I’l be traveling alone….your blog will help me a lot…any itinerary you want to share for me to thread before my visit/adventure?
google “Do-it-yourself Puerto princesa city tour” it should bring you to my blog about it
Your Do-it-yourself Puerto princesa city tour was my guide as I booked my first Palawan flight early this year. True enough, I am now in love with PPC as much as you do. I met Renwick too who happens to be a really cool dude. I hope to spend even just a year in my life in that paradise.
thats good news natthan! glad you enjoyed my fave city!
Hi there! Walang magawa so napadpad na naman ako sa blog mo. My third favorite photo of yours yang pinakahuli. Ang sexy-sexy mo. haha. PP and El nido is inviting me to visit them soon.:)
thanks baby! sana wala ka magawa palagi para maka-visit ka sa blog
PP and El nido are* inviting me to visit them soon.:)
Bakit walang edit button dito? argh!
Hi! Been reading your blog for a few hours now while at work. I already booked the tickets to Palawan with my boyfriend for 4 days and 3 nights. Unfortunately, our arrival is 5:30 PM which is kind of late to do some beach activities. Can you suggest some place or restaurant that we can go to at this hour? I want to maximize our stay in Palawan. Thanks!
check 10 masabor foods to try in palawan by journeyingjames
There are only tourists in the tourist places on Palawan, if you head South from Puerto Princesa, you will see none, nor a single white face in all your holiday! They are all in the North and around Puerto.
i have yet to explore the southern portion of palawan ian. thanks for reminding me
it has come to my knowledge na dapat pala ng online booking to visit underground river is it true?
it is not stated in the blogs that we have read kasi..
now, got a feeling na this trip will put into waste as there’s a flimsy chance of exploring the river.. is there any other way?
no online booking yet. booking on agencies lang po for sure slots at least 1 month in advance bec of too much tourist influx.
why not go to el nido instead of going to underground river?
i have been to puerto princesa several times but have not explored it that much…glad i got an advance booking sometime this year for more than a week stay. i would love to go to that “secret place” by the river if you’d care to direct me- and i promise to keep it a secret
Wow! im going to palawan with my friend and your blog just gives me more excitement! thanks for sharing this