SimplyAbuDhabi XL

T he Province of Palawan is part of what is known as the MIMAROPA region. This acronym stands for its constituent provinces: Mindoro (divided into Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro), Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan, which is where we’ll start our tour, moving southwest from Manila. The home to a number of indigenous cultures, Palawan has a remarkable history – there is evidence that humans have lived in Palawan for over 50,000 years! To this day, the sea remains the defining feature of the province: its 1959 km of coastline features countless caves, small islands, rock formations, and white-sand beaches. What’s more, Palawan’s biodiversity is exceptional – you’re sure to see some of the province’s 200 species of birds and 600 species of butterfly – it’s a nature lover’s paradise! No wonder Palawan is the site of a premier ecotourism circuit. The must-see destinations in the province include El Nido andCoron, with exceptional opportunities for thosewho love the sun, the beach, and witnessing the incredible local flora and fauna, as well as capital city Puerto Princesa. The stunning marble cliffs and lagoons of El Nido and Coron are surrounded by sugar-white sandy beaches, prehistoric caves and waterfalls, set around the edges of jungle and mangrove forests. The rich biodiversity lends itself to some of the region’s unique tourism attractions, such as the “Home of the Fireflies” tour on the Nagsagipi River, where you can also find bird watching, boating or kayaking, and swimming. In Palawan’s capital, Puerto Princesa, you can visit the Crocodile Farm and Nature Reserve, or tour the remarkable Subterranean River National Park. Image: Erwin T. Lim Image: Erwin T. Lim Simply Abu Dhabi | 101