Palawan know the world over as the Philippines' last ecological frontier, the province of Palawan harbors vast tracts of tropical rainforests and huge expanse of marine wilderness. Thick canopies of trees carpet mountain ranges running the length of the mainland. Fringing reefs and coral atolls open a new realm to discover under the clear waters surrounding this archipelago of more than 1,700 islands. Ribbons of meandering streams and rivers wind through the mountains, nurturing robust stands of mangrove in the lowlands before flowing out to the sea.

Palawan probably has more protected areas than any other province in the Philippines. The Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary in the northern Calamianes islands is home to exotic and endemic species of animals that roam freely in its verdant hills and plains. On the northern coastline, the El Nido Protected Area is noted for its edible birds' nests and limestone cliffs. In the middle of the Sulu Sea lies the Tubbataha Reefs, a pair of coral atolls recently named as a World Heritage Site for its highly diverse collection of fishes and other marine life. Along the west coast, the St. Paul Subterranean National Park features old-growth forests, cathedral caves, white sand beaches and one of the longest underground rivers in the world. In the south, Ursula Island is a haven for migratory and resident birds.

The entire province was proclaimed as Fish and Wildlife Sanctuary in 1967. Palawan is the habitat of 232 endemic species. Some of these unique creatures are the metallic-colored peacock pheasant, the shy mousedeer, the cuddly bearcat, and the reclusive scaly anteater. In the forests and grasslands, the air resonates with the song of more than 200 kinds of birds. Over 600 species of butterflies flutter around the mountains and field of Palawan, attracted to some1,500 flowering plants found here. Endangered sea turtles nest on the white sand beaches, and the gentle dugong feeds on the seagrass that abound Palawan waters.
 

Getting There

By flight Schedule:  Approximately 1 hour flying time.  Asian Spirit  Manila-Busuanga   Busuanga-Manila    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA 1  6K545   MO/WE/FR/ SA/SU 0720 0820    6K544   MO/WE/FR/ SA/SU 0840 0940    Seair  Manila-Busuanga   Busuanga-Manila    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA 1  DG461   SAT. 0620 0730    DG432   DAILY 0850 1000 2  DG431   TUE. 0620 0730    DG462   SAT. 1245 1355 3  DG431   DAILY 0710 0820    DG742   THURS. 1250 1400 4  DG747   SAT. 1050 1200    DG746   THURS. 1505 1615 5  DG745   THURS. 1100 1220    DG464   TUE. 1615 1725 6  DG455   MO.WE.FR.SU 1510 1620    DG456   MO.WE.FR.SU 1650 1800  Manila-El Nido   El Nido-Manila    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA 1  DG461   SAT. 0620 0825    DG462   SAT. 1140 1355 2  DG463   TUE. 0620 0825    DG746   THURS. 1400 1615 3  DG745   THURS. 1110 1330    DG464   TUE. 1510 1725  Manila-Taytay   Taytay-Manila    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA 1  DG403   DAILY 0640 0810    DG404   DAILY 0900 1030      Philippine Airlines  Manila-Puerto Princesa   Puerto Princesa-Manila    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA 1  PR195   DAILY 0800 0915    PR196   DAILY 1015 1125    Cebu Pacific  Manila-Puerto Princesa   Puerto Princesa-Manila    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA 1  5J637   DAILY 0820 0935    5J638   DAILY 1005 1120    Air Philippines  Manila-Puerto Princesa   Puerto Princesa-Manila    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA    FLT NO. FREQ ETD ETA 1  2P213   DAILY 0915 1025    2P214   DAILY 1100 1210