On October 22, 2014, the breathtaking Palawan was named the best island in the world, and bagged the Condé Nast Traveler´s Reader´s Choice Award for 2014.

Palawan Island has crystal clear waters and fine white sand, iridescent coral reefs perfect for snorkeling and diving, hidden caves and lagoons, and wonderful karst limestones. It has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Tubbataha Reef Marine Park. In 2012, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park made the list of New Seven Wonders of Nature.

The following photos are from my files.

Stalactite formations inside the cave that houses the Puerto Princesa Underground River

From the underground river, I walked my way back to Sabang through a dense forest. This is one of the surprises that awaited me when I emerged from the forest.

The beautiful El Nido

An isolated area in El Nido with the finest white sand I have walked on.

The view from the isolated area

The seemingly unending sandbar as viewed from the top of one of the islands of El Nido

Some of 45 islands and islets of El Nido

One of the caves I entered while island hopping in El Nido

Aboard the boat that took us to more than a dozen islands of El Nido.

I am including Coron Island because of Gunter’s Cave, Barracuda Lake and the view Kayangan Lake provides its visitors.

Captivating Coron

Verdant Coron

Boats waiting for their passengers to resurface from one of the underwater entrances to the cave

Having fun in Coron

Travelling within the mainland can be time-consuming as the Puerto Princesa Underground River and El Nido are five hours away from each other, but the aching muscles and numb behind are worth the trip. Coron is an entirely different matter because it requires a 7-hour boat ride from El Nido. I did my trips in different occasions to enjoy the islands to the hilt and not be dog-tired towards the end of my travel.

The people of Palawan are warm and helpful. The entire area is pristine, with the locals telling the visitors to pick up after themselves. Seafood is fresh and delicious, and cashew is not that expensive in Coron.

For more information about Palawan being the best island in the world, please visit: http://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-10-10/palawan-why-you-should-visit-this-natural-wonder-in-the-philippines