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Region IV-B Palawan

Province of Palawan

Palawan is one of the province in the Philippines situated in the MIMAROPA Region in the island of Luzon. The province of Palawan is widely regarded as one of the world's best island destinations, famous for El Nido, Coron, and the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The province is known for its crystal-clear waters, towering limestone cliffs, and incredible marine biodiversity. Its breathtaking natural beauty makes it one of the Philippines' top travel destinations.

Aborlan

Aborlan is known for its wide agricultural lands, forests, rivers, and access to coastal areas along the Sulu Sea. The municipality is also home to Irawan Eco-Park and other nature destinations where visitors can enjoy forests, rivers, and mountain scenery. Its large territory stretches from lowland farms toward rugged interior hills.

Agutaya

Agutaya is an island municipality known for its white-sand beaches, clear waters, coral reefs, and small islands. The surrounding waters are suited for snorkeling, diving, fishing, and island hopping, with relatively quiet beaches compared with Palawan’s major tourist centers. Its communities are spread across several islands surrounded by rich marine habitats.

Araceli

Araceli is known for its beaches, islands, mangrove areas, and clear coastal waters that offer opportunities for island hopping and snorkeling. The municipality also has quiet rural communities and fishing villages that give visitors a glimpse of everyday island life. Forested hills, farmland, and long coastlines shape its landscape.

Photo by Joseph Emmanuel Magallanes

Balabac

Balabac is famous for its remote islands, white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and rich marine life, including the Philippine dugong and sea turtles. Popular destinations include Onuk Island, Candaraman Island, and the surrounding sandbars and reefs. The municipality lies at the southern end of Palawan and is made up of many islands and coastal communities.

Bataraza

Bataraza is known as a gateway to the southern islands of Palawan and for its beaches, islands, and marine areas. The municipality is also home to the Rio Tuba nickel mining area, one of the country’s major nickel operations. Its landscape ranges from coastal plains and mangroves to forested mountains and island waters.

Brooke's Point

Brooke’s Point is known for its beaches, waterfalls, hot springs, and the dramatic Mount Maruyog and Mount Mantalingahan landscapes. Puring Hot Spring and the coastal areas around Sicsican are among the natural attractions found around the municipality. Its large territory includes fertile plains, rivers, forests, and rugged mountains.

Busuanga

Busuanga is best known as the main gateway to Coron’s famous island and diving destinations, with wreck diving, limestone cliffs, lagoons, and clear waters attracting visitors from around the world. The municipality itself also has beaches, mangroves, hot springs, and wildlife areas, including the Calauit Safari Park. Its landscape combines rolling hills, forests, islands, and sheltered bays.

Cagayancillo

Cagayancillo is known for its remote island setting and its location within the protected Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding reefs are famous for exceptional marine biodiversity, diving, and clear waters, while the municipality has a historic Spanish-era fort on its main island. Its isolated location and extensive marine environment give it a distinctly wild character.

Photo by Yasintha Perera

Coron

Coron is world-famous for its limestone islands, clear lagoons, beaches, and World War II shipwrecks, making it one of the Philippines’ top destinations for diving and island hopping. Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, and the surrounding island scenery are among its best-known attractions. The area is also part of the ancestral homeland of the Tagbanwa people, whose culture remains an important part of Coron’s identity.

Photo by Michael Maga-ao

Culion

Culion is known for its beautiful islands, beaches, coral reefs, and historic connection to the former Culion leper colony. The Culion Museum and Archives preserves important records and objects from that period, while the old Culion Sanatorium and historic church form part of the town’s heritage. Today, clear waters, diving sites, and island scenery are drawing more visitors to Culion.

Cuyo

Cuyo is known for its historic Spanish-era fort, old church, beaches, and traditional culture that developed on the islands over centuries. Cuyo Fort and St. Augustine Church form one of the Philippines’ notable surviving fortified church complexes. The municipality is spread across islands with quiet beaches, coral reefs, and fishing communities.

Dumaran

Dumaran is known for its islands, beaches, mangroves, coral reefs, and rich marine environment. The municipality has several quiet coastal destinations that are suited for snorkeling, fishing, and island hopping. Its landscape includes forested mainland areas, agricultural land, and scattered islands.

Photo by Alejandro Luengo

El Nido

El Nido (Bacuit)

El Nido is one of the Philippines’ most famous island destinations, known for dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, white-sand beaches, and rich marine life. Bacuit Bay is the center of the classic island-hopping experience, with places such as Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Nacpan Beach among the best-known attractions. The area is also part of a protected natural landscape that helps preserve its forests, reefs, and coastal habitats.

Kalayaan

Kalayaan is known for Pag-asa Island and its remote location in the West Philippine Sea. The municipality is made up of islands and reefs surrounded by clear tropical waters and important marine habitats. Its isolated setting gives it a very different character from Palawan’s main tourist destinations.

Linapacan

Linapacan is known for its clear waters, limestone islands, white-sand beaches, and quiet coastal villages. The municipality has become increasingly popular with island-hopping and diving trips between El Nido and Coron. Its rugged islands and relatively undeveloped coastline provide a more remote alternative to Palawan’s busier destinations.

Magsaysay

Magsaysay is known for its quiet islands, beaches, coral reefs, and fishing communities along the Sulu Sea. The municipality offers opportunities for snorkeling, diving, boating, and exploring coastal villages away from the major tourist centers. Its landscape combines forested mainland areas with scattered islands and long stretches of coastline.

Narra

Narra is known for its agricultural lands, coastal areas, and access to several nature destinations in southern Palawan. The municipality has beaches, rivers, waterfalls, and forested areas that provide opportunities for outdoor trips. Its wide plains support rice and other crops, while the surrounding hills remain largely green and forested.

Photo by Elaine Ore

Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa is an eco-tourism paradise that houses the world-famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and New 7 Wonder of Nature. Visitors come to explore pristine islands, clear blue bays, and local eateries serving fresh seafood like tamilok (woodworm delicacy).

Quezon

Quezon is a coastal municipality famous for housing the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site at the Tabon Caves, known as the cradle of Philippine civilization. Its rugged terrain blends coastal mangrove shores with steep limestone hills.

Rizal

Rizal is an interior upland municipality known for its rich indigenous culture, particularly home to various indigenous communities like the Palawâ. Its rugged topography features dense forests and sweeping mountain ranges.

Roxas

Roxas is a bustling coastal town known as the Cashew Capital of the region, famous for its sweet cashew nuts and active local fishing industry. Its flat coastal terrain supports busy port commerce and scenic bay views.

Photo by Geio Tischler

San Vicente

San Vicente is a premier eco-tourism destination famous for housing the longest white sand beach in the country, stretching continuously for over 14 kilometers. Its coastal topography blends pristine shores with rolling hills and lush green forests.

Sofronio Espanola

Sofronio Espanola

Sofronio Espanola is an interior agricultural town known for its rich mineral deposits, rubber plantations, and quiet rural farming communities. Its rolling terrain features green hills and winding river systems.

Taytay

Taytay is a historic coastal town famous for housing the majestic Spanish-era Fort Santa Isabel, which overlooks beautiful island-studded waters. Its scenic terrain blends historic fortifications with pristine marine eco-tourism spots.