cuyo island

Cuyo Island, Palawan: Best Kitesurfing and Kiteboarding in the Philippines

Posted on December 24, 2014

Cuyo Island, Palawan is reputedly the best place for kitesurfing or kiteboarding in the Philippines, so I did not want to leave the island without giving this extreme water sport a try. Before departing by ferry to Puerto Princesa, I was able to squeeze in an exciting three-hour basic lesson on kitesurfing with local kiter Jing Tabangay at the top spot on the island, Capusan Beach. According to Jing, Cuyo Island is the best spot to kitesurf in the Philippines,Read More→

Cuyo Island, Palawan: “Ploning” Motorcycle Tour of Magsaysay

Posted on December 24, 2014

After taking in the top attractions of Cuyo Island, Palawan such as the fortress-church of Cuyo and Capusan Beach, I went on a motorcycle tour of Magsaysay, a municipality which occupies the eastern half of the island. My impromptu tour guide was Ronald Palay, a local photographer and businessman introduced to me by former tourism officer Ramil Ceralbo who I met at the municipal hall. Aboard his motorcycle, we visited the lesser-known parts of the island, many of which wereRead More→

Anino Kite Resort: Best Beach Resort on Cuyo Island

Posted on December 10, 2014

Anino Kite Resort (formerly Anino Retreat and Quijano Windsurfing Retreat) is the best beach resort on Cuyo Island, Palawan. The beach resort is located only a few kilometers from Cuyo Airport (serviced by twice weekly flights from Puerto Princesa) or 20-minutes by tricycle from Cuyo Port. I enjoyed a two-night complimentary stay at this seaside hideaway during my stay on the island. Built on a verdant hillside along the quieter eastern coast of the island, this secluded beachside retreat consists of only three native-styleRead More→

Cuyo Island, Palawan: Cuyo Fort and St. Augustine Parish Church

Posted on December 9, 2014

The most impressive structure on Cuyo Island is the 17th century Cuyo Fort lording over Cuyo town, the oldest colonial settlement and second capital of Palawan province – after Taytay – from 1873 to 1903. Spanish missionaries arrived in Cuyo Island in 1622 and, surprisingly, faced no resistance from the natives. They were able to convert them to Roman Catholicism, baptizing over 500 Cuyonons on their first mission. In 1636, a Moro fleet from Mindanao raided the villages on Cuyo Island,Read More→

Cuyo Island, Palawan: A Travel Guide

Posted on December 8, 2014

The Cuyo Archipelago (also known as the Cuyo Islands) are a group of small islands located in the middle of the Sulu Sea between Palawan and Panay. The administrative and commercial center of the islands is Cuyo town on the western half of Cuyo Island. Pamalican Island, where the exclusive luxury resort of Amanpulo is located, is the northernmost island belonging to the municipality of Cuyo.  The eastern half of Cuyo Island belongs to the municipality of Magsaysay, where Cuyo AirportRead More→