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9 Unexplored Tourist Spots in Palawan to See Before Anyone Else
Check out these unspoiled destinations for your following Palawan itinerary!
By: Keith Anthony S. Fabro | January 01, 2023
Palawan has many places to visit aside from Coron and El Nido, like Balabac!
Image: Unsplash
Palawan Island is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the country. There is much more to the island than the famed El Nido and Coron. There are many different options for tourist spots in Palawan that are just as incredible.
In a one to four-hour boat ride alone, you can reach the quaint island towns of Culion and Linapacan, which are also epitomes of paradise. Meanwhile, in Puerto Princesa City, you can hop on a yacht going to Cagayancillo’s Tubbataha Reefs and scuba dive to witness its natural grandeur. For a different Palawan experience, you can travel down south for eco-adventure activities such as waterfalls, mountaineering, caving, and farm immersing in Narra, Quezon, Rizal, and Brooke’s Point towns. Read on for more details about the other magnificent tourist spots in Palawan for your following Palawan itinerary!
1. Bataraza
Bataraza’s Lalatuan and Kapangyan Falls are definite sights to be seen.
Images: Keith Anthony S. Fabro
Bataraza town is known for its Lalatuan and Kapangyan Falls, two of the most stunning waterfalls in southern Palawan. Their refreshing plunge pools are perfect for dipping on scorching hot summer days. Going to these waterfalls nestled in the verdant mountains of Barangay Malihud is an adventure as the challenging journey involves trekking through the river dotted by boulders and rocks.
Along the way, you’ll also chance upon four minor cascades, including the must-sees Tutuntunan and Shower Falls. If chasing waterfalls isn’t your thing, try visiting Barangay Sandoval’s Gangub Cave which can be easily accessed by vehicles.
2. Brooke’s Point
Experience farm life at the foot of the iconic Mt. Maruyog in Brooke’s Point.
Image: Krist Joseph Jagmis Cadlaon
Suppose you wish to have a rural life vacation in Palawan; Brooke’s Point town is a place to be when you want to experience that. As an agri-tourism powerhouse, it plays host to a couple of farm resorts that are equally beautiful in their rights..
Recently, the municipal government opened its flagship farm tourism site AgriWorld in Barangay Pangobilian, where you can taste the farm life. Among the activities, you can do there are carabao riding, organic vegetable picking, and many more. Another attraction in this southern Palawan town is its Ecological Park, which offers panoramic views of the Sulu Sea.
3. Quezon
Sarang Cave in Tabon Cave Complex is among the 219 caves in the area.
Image: Keith Anthony S. Fabro
You’ll find the Tabon Cave Complex in Quezon town, a group of 219 archaeologically-important caves tucked in the 138-hectare Lipuun Point Reservation. Apart from harboring exquisite flora and fauna, it is worth visiting since it is labeled as the country’s cradle of civilization.
In this very cave, archaeologists were also able to excavate the Philippines’ earliest human remains, known as Tabon man. Aside from the Tabon man, other notable artifacts found in the cave include the iconic Manunggul Jar, which can now be found at the National Museum. Meanwhile, beach bums could enjoy the town’s island hopping tours, including white sand bars and pristine islands.
4. Narra
Narra has 100 waterfalls you can explore.
Image: Narra Municipal Tourism Office
Narra is famous for its chasing waterfalls activity. If you’ve already visited the town’s famed Estrella Falls in Barangay Estrella, you can hike up further for three days to see 63 more awe-inspiring waterfalls. With a hundred waterfalls to choose from, you won’t get bored when you spend the summer in this southern Palawan town.
In Barangay Dumangueña, another waterfall becoming a tourist spot in Palawan is the three-tiered Inuman Banog Falls. Come summertime, seasoned, and even newbie hikers can also visit the town to scale Mt. Victoria, the province’s third-highest peak.
5. Rizal
The Panoramic views atop Mt. Mantalingahan in Rizal are breathtaking.
Image: Joan Grace Atienza Buaga
Mountaineers love going to Rizal town to reach Mt. Mantalingahan’s summit, the province’s highest peak. Whether you’re a wildlife specialist or just an enthusiast, you will find delight in visiting this protected landscape that harbors 861 plant and 169 animal species.
As southern Palawan is mountainous, expect Rizal to have its fair share of waterfalls. The multi-leveled Turbong Falls in Barangay Baja and the Mantayob Falls in Barangay Bunog are some must-visits. You can also spend a day or two in Barangay Ransang’s Singnapan Valley to learn about the rich indigenous culture of the cave-dwelling Tau’t Bato.
6. Cagayancillo
Vibrant marine life can be witnessed in Cagayancillo’s Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
Image: @hyemooni
Your following Palawan itinerary can be Cagayancillo. Located southeast of Puerto Princesa City, the island town of Cagayancillo is famous for the world-renowned Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. This protected area sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle, considered the “global center of marine biodiversity.” The park serves not only as a “model for coral reef conservation” but also as a “mecca for scuba divers.”
Diving in this underwater nature reserve promises an encounter with 600 fish species, 360 coral species, about half of all coral species worldwide, 11 shark species, 13 dolphin and whale species, and 100 bird species, among others.
7. Balabac
Blindingly white sand and clear waters can be experienced on Onuk Island.
Image: Harley Sanchez
Balabac, an island town in Palawan’s southernmost part, is high on every traveler’s bucket list. Dubbed the “Maldives of the Philippines,” Balabac boasts crystal-clear turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. You can feel the castaway vibe once you set foot on its impressive remote islets and islands, particularly on the tourists’ favorite, Onuk Island.
Other islands you can visit are Pulao Bato, Candaraman, Canibungan, Sicsican, Camiaran, and many more! Of course, no Balabac trip is complete without seeing the historical Cape Melville, more than a century-old lighthouse.
8. Culion
Culion’s La Inmaculada Concepcion Church is one of the must-visits in the town.
Image: Arnold Calalin Valdez Jr.
Culion was once dreaded for being the world’s largest leprosaria. After its leprosy-free declaration in 2006, Culion’s image has changed for good. Through the years, it has become an alternative destination for those wanting to skip the hustle and bustle of touristy El Nido and Coron.
Besides its spectacular islands included in island hopping tour packages, visitors are transported back in time in the “Historical Walk” or a tour of historical structures, such as the town leprosarium, church, and fortresses. This island town which forms part of the Calamianes also hosts eco-friendly luxury resorts and a pearl farm—an ideal spot for your next vacation in Palawan!
9. Linapacan
Linapacan’s waters were named the world’s most apparent.
Image: @laura__delorian
Among the lesser-known island towns deserving of a visit is Linapacan. Linapacan has everything you’re looking for in an island paradise—unspoiled white sand beaches free from rowdy crowds, crystal clear waters, and more! Every visiting wandering soul would tell you it’s a piece of heaven on earth.
In fact, in 2013, a US-based news site even hailed it as the top one out of 35 destinations with “clearest waters in the world to swim before you die.” Aside from beach bumming, activities you can try while here are island hopping, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Which of these Palawan towns piqued your interest? Schedule your trip now and explore the other stunning places Palawan has to offer!
Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more stunning places to see in Palawan!
Stay safe as you travel! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions. Have a great trip!
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on April 19, 2019.
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About Keith Anthony S. Fabro
Keith Anthony Fabro is a freelancer based in Narra, Palawan. He explores the great outdoors, talks to strangers, and designs promotional materials for a living. In his free time, he practices mindful meditation or reads anything about personality psychology and the natural environment, all while listening to mellow music. When inspiration strikes, he writes spoken poetry. He can live with just water and chocolates.
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