Palawan

Mount Magarwak: Stunning Sunrise Hike in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Posted on August 21, 2022

When plans for a Mt. Victoria hike fell through, I decided to look for easy yet rewarding day hikes in Puerto Princesa City, the provincial capital of Palawan. Situated only 17 km north of the city center, Mount Magarwak is one of the most accessible hiking trails. Popular among local hikers and off-road bikers, this row of forested hills in Barangay Bacungan rises only a little over 300 masl but offers impressive views overlooking Honda Bay and the lush mountainsRead More→

Malampaya Sound: Watching Rare Irrawaddy Dolphins in Taytay, Palawan

Posted on July 28, 2022

After spending an incredible week in El Nido, I decided to revisit Taytay before continuing further south to Puerto Princesa City, the capital of Palawan, Philippines. I’ve been to this quiet coastal town a couple of times before, as I never tire of visiting the beautiful 18th-century fortification of Fort Santa Isabel. Aside from the heritage sites, I wanted to visit Malampaya Sound for the first time to see a rare marine resident. Declared a protected area in 2000, theRead More→

Dive Sibaltan: Incredible Manta Ray Encounters in El Nido, Palawan

Posted on July 23, 2022

Scuba diving in El Nido, Palawan has long centered only around Bacuit Bay, off the coast of the town center, where divers can encounter sea turtles, giant pufferfish and schools of yellow snapper above a large patch of cabbage coral. More adventurous diving experiences, however, can be had along the less-visited eastern side of El Nido. Established in 2017, Dive Sibaltan pioneered scuba diving in Imorigue Bay, off the coast of Sibaltan village, 41 km northeast of El Nido town.Read More→

Eco Sanctuaries El Nido: Secluded Seafront Villas at Nacpan Beach

Posted on July 20, 2022

(As of December 2022, Eco Sanctuaries already offers satellite wifi, 24/7 electricity, and in-house dining at their new restaurant .) Tourism in El Nido, Palawan centers around its town proper, the jumping off point for island-hopping tours of Bacuit Bay. This marine reserve is one of the most beautiful seascapes in the entire Philippine archipelago. While the cliff-hemmed beaches and lagoons are absolutely stunning, they can get busy, especially during the peak season. So if you’re looking to escape theRead More→

7 New Places to Eat & Drink in El Nido, Palawan

Posted on July 19, 2022

The scenic beach town of El Nido in northern Palawan attracts tourists far and wide with dramatic karst seascape of limestone islands, secluded beaches and amazing scuba diving sites. Over the decades, the jumping off point to Bacuit Bay has cultivated a cosmopolitan palate, opening restaurants, cafes and bars that mostly cater to foreign visitors.  Until the sudden pause of the COVID-19 lockdowns, new dining establishments have been popping up every few months. As the town welcomes visitors again, hereRead More→

Palawan Divers: Amazing Scuba Diving in El Nido, Palawan

Posted on July 14, 2022

Travelers are chiefly drawn to El Nido – a five-hour drive north of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – to explore the dramatic seascape of Bacuit Bay, comprised of 45 islands and islets. The scenic beach town is the jumping off point for island-hopping boat tours that take tourists around the bay, visiting lagoons, hidden beaches and snorkeling sites. The breathtaking beauty of Bacuit Bay, however, extends far beneath its crystalline shallows. Declared a marine reserve since 1991, Bacuit Bay alsoRead More→