Palawan is one of the most beautiful islands in the world, and a popular destination for tourists who want to experience its pristine beaches, translucent water, vast limestone formations, and breathtaking underworld. Palawan is also a wildlife sanctuary, where diverse flora and fauna thrive in its virgin forests, coral reefs, and mangroves. In this essay, I will explore some of the reasons why Palawan is a must-visit place for anyone who loves nature and adventure.
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Palawan has many natural wonders that make it a unique and fascinating place to visit. Some of the most famous ones are:
- The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, also known as the Underground River, which is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. It is a 8.2-kilometer long river that flows inside a cave system, where visitors can see stunning rock formations, stalactites, stalagmites, and various animals such as bats, birds, reptiles, and fish[^1^].
- The El Nido Marine Reserve Park, which is a protected area that covers 96,000 hectares of land and sea. It is home to more than 800 species of fish, 120 species of coral, 45 species of birds, and 5 species of marine turtles[^2^]. It also has more than 50 white sand beaches, lagoons, coves, and islands that offer spectacular views and activities such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, hiking, and island hopping.
- The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. It is a marine sanctuary that covers 97,030 hectares of coral reefs, atolls, and islets. It is considered as one of the best dive sites in the world, where divers can encounter more than 600 species of fish, 360 species of coral, 11 species of sharks, 13 species of dolphins and whales, and 100 species of birds[^3^].
- The Calauit Safari Park, which is a wildlife reserve that covers 3,700 hectares of land. It is a unique place where African animals such as giraffes, zebras, impalas, waterbucks, and gazelles coexist with endemic Philippine animals such as Calamian deer, Palawan bearcat, Palawan peacock-pheasant, and Philippine crocodile. Visitors can feed the giraffes and zebras, observe the other animals in their natural habitat, and learn about conservation efforts.
Palawan is not only rich in natural resources but also in cultural heritage. Palawan has a diverse population of indigenous peoples who have preserved their traditions and way of life for centuries. Some of the ethnic groups that live in Palawan are:
- The Tagbanua, who are one of the oldest groups in the Philippines. They live mainly in the central and northern parts of Palawan. They have their own language, writing system, customs, beliefs, and rituals. They are known for their skills in weaving baskets and mats from pandan leaves and rattan.
- The Palaw'an (or Palawano), who are a group of hunter-gatherers who live in the southern part of Palawan. They have their own language and culture that are distinct from other groups. They are known for their skills in making blowguns and darts from bamboo and poison from plants.
- The Batak (or Tinitianes), who are a group of forest dwellers who live in the northeastern part of Palawan. They have their own language and culture that are influenced by Malay and Indonesian elements. They are known for their skills in making musical instruments such as flutes and drums from bamboo.
- The Cuyonon (or Cuyunin), who are a group of seafarers who live mainly in the islands off the coast of Palawan. They have their own language and culture that are influenced by Spanish and 8cf37b1e13