The exotic island Palawan, the paradise of the Philippines

The Philippines are in the Western Pacific Ocean and belong to YOU. Asia. Name "Philippines"Comes from Spanish «The Philippines"Which was given by the Spanish explorer islands (16^th ), Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, in honor of king of Spain Philip II’. Until the 1898 It was a colony of Spain and then ceded to USA. The 1946, after World War II and the Japanese occupation, It became an independent country.

It is as a group of islands known Archipelago of the Philippines. Specifically comprises 7.107 islands of which 4.600 They have a name, the rest are smaller islets and on the whole inhabited around 1.000. Separated in 3 independent administrative island groups, Archipelago Luzon (Luzon), Archipelago Visayas (Visayas) and Archipelago Sulu (Sulu).

The capital of the country is Manila (Manila) and the largest city in Kouezon. The official languages ​​are Philippine (dialect of Tagalog) and English. In the Philippines the educational level is high enough and the American model is followed. Most schools and colleges are private.

years 1595 and 1611, when the Philippines was a Spanish colony, founded University of San Carlos (University of San Carlos), in town Cebu the islands of Visayas and University of Santo Tomas (University Santo Tomas), at Manila.

The country is the only Christian country in Asia with most Roman Catholic inhabitants living mainly on the islands of Luzon and Mindanao (Mindanao). In Mindanao also live and most Muslims. The Philippine archipelago is regularly hit by earthquakes as it lies in the so-called "fiery volcanic cycle". The biggest problem of the country is the destruction of the natural environment. Most tropical forests were cleared of islands and coral seas and lagoons wiped. The fishermen using uncontrollably dynamite, to distract the fish from coral found shelter, largely destroyed this natural wealth.

ISLAND PALAWAN PHILIPPINES

The island Palawan belongs to Archipelago Sulu Filipino and is the largest cluster. Surrounded by the sea Sulu and the South China Sea. The island's capital is Puerto Princesa (PPS), which is administratively an independent city. The Palawan island surrounded by a cluster 1.780 smaller islands belonging to this administrative. At the southern end of the island there is a cluster of 31 small but beautiful islands, the Islands Balabac. It is one of the few islands that still have virgin forests and coral reefs at the bottom. In Palawan you will find large areas of virgin forest, rich fauna mainly endemic bird species. According to the WWF on the island there are about 23 bird species not found anywhere else in the country, as the Palawan peacock-pheasant, deer Pecawan bearcat and the Calamian deer.

SIGHTSEEING IN PALAWAN

• Puerto Princess (Puerto Princesa)

It is the capital of the island Palawan in about 255.000 residents. The name comes from a Spanish princess and is a beautiful city with many attractions.

The main street of the city called Rizal, in honor of Jose Rizal (19 June 1861-30 December 1896) doctor, writer and national hero of the Philippines. He founded the political party Philippine Association (1892) for which he was accused as a rebel and exiled in Ntaptan (Mindanao). The day passed away Jose Rizal, at 30 December, is a public holiday in the Philippines.

In Puerto Princesa we recommend you do the following:

• browse to the capital along the Rizal Ave starting from the Puerto Princesa Airport and ends in port.
• to see Cathedral of Immaculate Conception (1672)
• National Park Puerto Princesa Subterranean River or Puerto Princesa Underground River (Puerto Princesa Underground River).

it is 2^th longest underground river in the world which is open to visitors. belongs to World Heritage of UNESCO and list in New 7 Wonders of Nature (7 New Natural Wonders of the World), it came after vote (28-1-2012). The National Park is located in the mountains in West Saint Paul. coast and is about 1 hour from Puerto Princesa (50 km).

You can make an underground river tour Puerto Princesa taking a boat that starts from the beach Sabang (during an excursion organized, about, 4 hours return). Within the underground river there are small waterfalls falling from the highest point of the river. The deeper parts remain unexplored by geologists as the lack of oxygen makes it impossible.

• visit Palawan Museum, the old Town Hall near Park Mendoza Chinese ceramics and features exhibits and finds from the archaeological site Tabon. Interestingly, a skull from the Paleolithic era, about 22.000 years ago (Valencia street, Puerto Princesa, input P50).
• hiking up their waterfalls etiquette, Olanguan, Salakot and Kayulo.
• cruise Islands Luli, Starfish, properties and Cowrie, here where you will have time to swim in the beautiful beaches.

The island Cowrie It is a strip of white sand that changes shape with the tides.

• day trip to Honda Bay Islands,scattered in many small islands which are ideal for swimming, canoe kayak, diving etc.. You can rent a boat for the day.

• go for spa in luxury of Palmas Island Resort & Spa on the island Arreceffi, the islands of Honda Bay (www.dospalmas.com.ph ).

• Resort The Nest

The resort is in El Nido northernmost tip of Palawan Island is known for its exotic beaches and limestone cliffs.

What to do :

• walk in the inner part of the El Nido to see Church of Our Lady Matinloc
• enjoy the sunset along the beaches Funnel–Funnel Beach and Marimegmeg Beach.
• canoe kayak in the lagoons Small Lagoon,Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon

SMALL LAGOON

BIG LAGOON

• swim in twin beaches Nacpan and Calitang, of El Nido, where you will arrive after a journey 1,5 hour bicycle or tricycle.
• discover the "secret beach", Hidden Beach, a small beach hidden between limestone cliffs.
• diving in the islands Bacuit archipelago.
• diving for fishing in "tunnel». It is an underwater site 12 m. below the sea surface by a length 40 m. the islet Dilumacad (island Helicopter, because of the rock shape).
• hiking 1-2 hours until the waterfalls Nagkalit–toughen, where the water falls from height 1The m. forming a small lake where you can swim.
• trip to island Simizu to see the impressive limestone cliffs.

• climb to the top see, height 250 m. for the best view in Bacuit Bay (during ascent, with a refund, about 2 hours)
• day trip to Las Cabana Beach daily boat from El Nido.

To reach the northern end of the island in El Nido will follow a road trip, 235 km (about 5-6 hours) the capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa.

By airplane Airport Puerto Princesa (PPS), Airport Lio, of El Nido (duration flight 1,5 time). The distance from the airport to the town of El Nido is about 20 minute tricycle. You can get to El Nido directly from Manila (duration 1 time), the Cebu or Boracay–Caticlan, with Air Asia and Cebu Pacific . The Swift Air is the airline that serves the El Nido Palawan, flights are to ATR planes 50 positions.

By plane to the islands and Balabac Airport Coron–Busuanga (BELIEVE) and then continue towards the Palawan and El Nido boat. You can rent a boat from Coron to El Nido, enough to weather permitting (cost, about R1800).

• tubbataha Reef & Islands Cagayancillo

To Tubbataha Reef National Park is the farthest island in A. Palawan and is about 150 km from the Puerto Princesa. It's a great reef in the middle of the Sulu Sea. It is essentially two large atolls, B. Ari and N. Atoll. occupies 970 km² and is the most rich and rare marine park in the world.

You can reach by boat from Puerto Princesa but as the night ferries arrive at Tubbataha Reef the next morning. To Tubbataha Reef belongs to directory world Heritage of UNESCO (1993) like the Puerto Princess Underground River. The 2008 the reef was passed in New 7 Wonders of Nature. There is also a smaller coral reef Jessie Beazley Reef about 20 km Β. the two atolls.

the reefs Tubbataha Reef and Jessie Beazley Reef and the uninhabited islands that surround them belong to Islands Cagayancillo, 130 km at BA. the great reef.

To the Philippines largest natural park is Apo Reef (ARNP) Mindoro Island. Here there is a greater concentration of corals worldwide and acceding landscapes World Heritage UNESCO.

• Quezon & Tabon Caves

The city Quezon of Law. Palawan is the capital Puerto Princesa 148 km (drive about 3 hours). From the port San Jose will take the bus to Quezon. The Tabon Caves It is a great place to explore the cave formations and learn about the excavations in Archaeological Area Tabon.

For the tour you will rent a boat to get around the caves (takes around 30-45 minutes) but to enter into and to explore should you get permission from the national Museum Quezon. If you want to swim in small islands located around the Tabon Caves you will find beautiful beaches.

• Islands Coron, Busuanga Island & Calamian (Islands)

What to do :

• diving in seabed with old wrecks from World War II, like the shipwrecks Iraqi, Akitsushima & Skeleton.
• swimming and water sports

• exploring the coral seabed with underwater fishing.
• tour the lakes and lagoons such as Kayangan lakes and Baracuda.
• hiking in the rainforests, among coconut palms and lagoons.

• visit Calauit Safari Park in the island Calauit. The park is a haven of wildlife African animals and has been declared a protected area.

• admire the sunset on the hill Mt.Tapyas or at Charles Park.

islands Linapacan

It is a group of islands between El Nido and Coron and are the unexplored beauty of Palawan. To reach islands Linapacan, or will come from Coron, which is closer to the northern islands, or from El Nido, which is closer to the southern islands. From Coron, traveling by ship to San Miguel Island, cluster Linapacan islands (length about 4 hours).

Also from Sibaltan Beach located in A. coast of El Nido, you can rent a boat to islands Maosonan and Magransing (length about 3 hours).

Taytay

The settlement of Taytay Palawan is approximately 1 hour N. of El Nido. You can reach the Puerto Princesa located 180 km (about 4 h by car) or the EL Nido by local bus. From El Nido you can also rent a tricycle as closest to Taytay.

You will see the Fortress Taytay (Santa Isabel force), one of the best preserved Spanish colonial fortresses that remain in the Philippines.

You can swim in the numerous small islands of Taytay, which are still largely unexplored and untouched by mass tourism.

San Vicente Long Beach & Port Barton Palawan, Philippines

The city San Vicente Located in the hinterland of Palawan, on the road between Puerto Princesa and El Nido.

The Port Barton It is a quiet village full of small pristine unexplored islands with blue water and white sand.

To get to San Vincente and Port Barton who are around 4 hours from the Puerto Princesa or El Nido. You can come directly to local bus or van from San Jose the Puerto Princesa to San Vicente or Port Barton. From El Nido, will start from the station Roxas and with a bus or mini bus will arrive in both regions (duration, about 2 hours).

Also from San Vicente Poblacion and Long Beach, you can rent a boat to get to Port Barton (duration, about 1 time).

GREENVIEWS RESORT, PORT BARTON

archipelago Balabac

ONUK ISLAND

It is the southernmost islands in Palawan and make up Archipelago Balabac. Consists of 31 small and large islands, with virgin forests and exotic beaches, all with blue water and white sand. Balabac Islands because it is the most remote of Palawan prefer guests not particularly want tourist places for their holidays.

We suggest you:

• walk to the old city with its Spanish buildings and lighthouse Melville
• take a trip the southern tip of the island Bugsuk to resort Punta Sebridag. The beach is one of the most beautiful of Palawan with special feature of the white and very fine sand.
• go to the nearby islands of the Archipelago Balabac, Bugsuk, Onuku, Candaraman and Sicsican, Nasubata, Matangala, Canabungan, Ramos, Bowen, jam, Secam, Patongong, Fndnn, Lumbucan, Salingsingan, Mangsee, Camiaran.

• Visit the beach with the pink sand fAREWELL Island
• admire the sunset island Canabungan
• hike through the rainforests and observe the nature, birds and animals

To get to Balabac from Puerto Princesa to go to port Rio Tuba, the city Bataraza, where you can take the passenger ferry or rent a boat (costs about, P350) to Bancalan Port, the islands of Balabac (length about 4 hours). The Rio Tuba is 4 – 5 hours south of Puerto Princesa through the main street of the island Palawan. You will take the local bus or van (truck) the terminal station in San Jose Puerto Princesa to Rio Tuba. In total will be required 1 day to make the journey to and from the islands of Balabac, so you must stay overnight in Balabac.

ACCOMMODATION

• In the Puerto Princess We mention the following :

Casa Linda Inn, Banwa Pension (www.banwa.com, Livanogkon), Hotel Flueris (Lacao street, www.hotelfleuris.com), Puerto Pension, Duchess Pensio, Lola Itang Inn,Badjao Inn, Beautiful house.

• In the The nest and in the region there are many hotels. Indicatively we mention the hotel chain El Nido Resorts, which has hotels in several islands of Palawan.

Other hotels in the area : El Nido Garden Beach Resort, El Nido Hotel, Matinloc Resort (11,6 km from El Nido with private beach), Orange Pearl Beach Resort, El Nido Cove Resort, El Nido Coco Resort, Lally και Abet Beach Cottages, Cadlao Resort, Ipil Suites, Pangulasian Island Resort, Dayunan El Nido Tourist Inn and more.

• In the Coron, το Balinsasayaw Resort, Mount Tapyas Hotel (tel.: +63 917 500 5566)
• In the Port Barton, Greenviews Resort, tel. : 0916 403 7788 and 0929 268 5333
• In the San Vicente, Your indicatively mention : Club Agutaya Resort, Ausan Beach Frout Cottages, Peace and Love Resort, Mermaid Paradises JR Resort.

DIET

There are many seafood restaurants in Puerto Princesa along Rizal Ave, like KaLui, Kinabuch, Bario's Sari, Jollibee, Dang Maria's Dos etc..

Try other than fish and rice the special flavors of the Philippines, such as :

funicular (a kind of large squid), innate (chicken Palawan), crocodile headcheese, sausage (sausage), kare-kare (meat with tomato sauce), larded (beef in soy and tomato sauce), I hamonado (pork sweet pineapple sauce), porridge ( meat or seafood in sour broth), pancit (noodles), bird and nests Spring Rolls (fresh or fried chips).

SHOPPING

Central Public Market Food, Burgos street, Puerto Princesa

Asian Shopping (baskets, jewelry and woodwork)

NCCA Mall , Lacao street, Puerto Princesa (indoor mall with supermarkets).

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN PALAWAN

• FESTIVAL BARAGATAN

In Puerto Princesa is the Baragatan Festival performed by the 23 May to 23 June. The festival is a social, cultural and sporting event with many events, as parade floats, running games, demonstrating local costumes, pageant women, dancing and singing in the street etc.. Also within the Festival Gastronomy Festival is a lot of food and drink. Many shops in the stalls selling all kinds of local products, such as vegetables and fruits and handicrafts.

• FESTIVAL ARAWEDAN

The festival takes place in Port Barton of San Vincente, at 23-24 January. It is for the promotion of local tourist attractions including natural resources, as rivers, lagoons etc..

• FESTIVAL mosquito net

The Kulambo Festival the city took place in El Nido 15-18 Of March. It is a parade where people sing and dance in the streets using 'mosquito net», (mosquito net) or local garments and offered plenty of food.

• TRACK YTHE KAGUEBAN

It is the Feast of the Forest which are planting trees for nature protection. The events that are involved in forest residents and visitors.

• FESTIVAL Bcollaborative

It is to highlight the local drink of Palawan, to Cherry Blossoms.

• FESTIVAL PASINGGATAN

performed by 1-3 May a number of events, dancing and singing.

• DAY OF THE FOUNDATION PUERTO PRINCESS, at 4 March of each year is celebrated the designation of the site in city.
• CHRISTMAS

Each year, 1^or December residents a large Christmas tree lit in Puerto Princesa Baywalk followed feast, with a parade and participating choirs from students, students and associations.

• VALENTINE'S DAY

At 14 February is celebrated the feast of love with mass weddings, Teddy bears, sweets etc..

• TAYTAY TOWN FITAYTAY CITY FIESTA

City Taytay, at 27 August

• Tahriangayaan

in Coron, at 28 August for the feast of the patron saint San Agustin.

ACCESS TO THE PALAWAN

BY AIR

• international Airport Puerto Princess, Palawan is located in the capital Puerto Princesa. There are direct flights from Manila to Palawan (duration, about 1 time). The Puerto Princesa Airport serves direct flights from Manila, in Cebu, the Iloilo, the Clark and Davao, with companies Philippine Airlines (philippineairlines.com, tel. :8558888), Air Philippines ( www.airphils.com, tel. : 8559000), Cebu Pacific (www.cebupacificair.com, tel. : 6364938) and AirAsia (www.airasia.com).
• to B. part of the island Busuanga, is the Regional Airport YKR serving Coron and resorts in Archipelago Calamian flights from Manila (duration flight, about 1 time).
• The El NIdo has Regional Airport that serves the Bacuit Archipelago (SEAIR, flyseair.com).
• The Sandoval Airport, about 30 km Β. of Taytay town, It serves as an alternate point of entry for B. part of Palawan.
• The Balabac has 2 airports, Bugsuk the island and the island Candaraman.
• Airmail is no connection from Malaysia with Maswings flight(www.maswings.com) from Kota Kinadalu the airport Puerto Princesa.

FERRY

• There is a connection by ferry from Manila to and from the Palawan, (www.negrosnavigation.ph, tel. : 2455588 and WG&A, tel. : 5287000)
• sailboats formula boats linking Manila to Coron and Puerto Princesa (duration 24 hours) San Jose Shipping
• There are also routes slow ships linking the El Nido to Coron (superferry.com.ph).
• The Shipping Company Atienza running Liminancong-El Nido-Coron-Manila route.
• The connection between Iloilo (in Panay, Visayas islands) and Puerto Princesa, with a stop in Cuyo Islands is the company Iloilo Milagrosa Shipping, once a week.
• The connection between San Jose (in Mindoro) to Coron made by the company San Nicolas Shipping week
• The eastern Malaysia linked the city – port Sabah, the Borneo island is the closest group of islands in Balabac than the Puerto Princesa of Palawan. Specifically, from the Ferry Brooke's Point in Kudat (Sabah).

ACCESS FROM ATHENS TO THE MANILA PHILIPPINES AND THE PALAWAN

By plane from Athens to Manila:

• Aegean Airlines company (www.aegeanarlines.gr) and Gulf Air, with 2 stopovers in Beirut and Bahrain and the final destination Manila (Manila)
• company Turkish Airlines and Philippine Airlines (philippineairlines.com), with 1 stop in Istanbul and final destination Manila (Manila)
• Aegean Airlines and Emirates company (www.emirates.com), with 2 stopovers in Beirut and Dubai and final destination Manila
• Alitalia company (www.alitalia.it) and China Eastern (www.chinaeastern), with 2 stopovers in Rome and Shanghai and final destination Manila (Manila)
• Etihad Arways company (www.etihad.com), with 1 Stop in Abu Dhabi and the final destination Manila (Manila).

USEFUL ADDRESSES

• Regional Tourist Office, Located next to the arrivals hall at Puerto Princesa Airport, (8AM-noon & 1-5pm). He has maps of Puerto, but these are not particularly useful.
• Regional tourist office (Provincial Capital Bldg, Rizal Ave, 8a.m- noon & 1-5pm Mon-Fri)
• Tourist Information Agency & help, located in Airport Puerto Princesa Airport.
• Travel agencies for ticketing, www.wgasuperferry.com and www.lak-bay.net.ph)
• Ninoy Aquino International Airport Philippines (NAIA II), tel. : +63 2 8771109 International Airport Manila Domestic Airport, Philippines, for domestic flights
• Puerto Princesa International Airport, Street Rizal Ave, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, tel. : +63 48 433 4965
• El Nido Airport, Town El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
• Francisco B Reyes Airport, Coron Island, Palawan, Philippines, tel. : +63 48 7232886
• Inaec Hangar Lio Airport, Town El Nido, Palawan
• General Hospital, Malvar Road, Puerto Princesa Palawan, tel.: +63 48 434 8339
• Pets United Veterinary Clinic, Sta Monica, Puerto Princesa Palawan, tel.: +63 48 433 7387

For your convenience in your Palawan phones provide some people may find useful during your stay on the island :

until they, assistant tourism in Balabac, tel. : 0949 424 1605
brother Onyok / Boboy, boat operators, tel. : 0936 398 8961
brother Fidel, board operator, tel. : 0999 561 4998
brother Jerry, shuttle service from the Puerto Princesa-Rio Tuba, tel.: 0927 705 5910 – 0946 260 6260

useful information

• Coin : Philippine peso (PHP or P)
• Weather : To get to Palawan Archipelago Holiday select the months that there are no big waves on beaches.

The BA. wind Balabac, Palawan: FAQ SectioAs far as I know, summer is the best time to visit hereAmihan (Amiens = bird in Philippine) blowing in the area from December to March causing large waves on beaches and gently pouring the island temperature. The Philippines suffer mainly from SW. winds Habagat (monsoons) causing rainfall, humid atmosphere and high temperatures. Switching from the weather Amihan in Habagat is short and needs attention.

• Money : You will find several banks along Rizal Ave, in Puerto Princesa.
• phones : Mobile phones have pretty good coverage in Palawan.
• Health : You should know that the islands of the Archipelago Palawan have many mosquitoes, these lagoons. Also you should have with you some general medicines and relief ointments because the routes are quite large and long hours, up pharmacies in Puerto Princesa, The nest, San Vicente, Coron.
• Security : Beware of your money for your adventures in tropical forests should bring along a local guide.

EMBASSY OF GREECE IN MANILA PHILIPPINES- Embassy of Greece in Manila, Rada street 120, Legaspi Village, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines, tel. +63 2 8174444 and +63 2 8173417, fax : +63 2 8120202, Emergency tel.: +63 9165103847.

PHILIPPINES EMBASSY IN GREECE, Flower street, eucalyptus, Upper Psychiko Attica, tel. : 210 6721837.