Palawan, considered as the Philippines' last frontier, has captured the imagination of travelers, local or foreign. The island-province is very popular, especially for the diving and snorkeling sites, and the jungle trails. There are also two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Palawan: the world-famous diving destination the Tubbataha Reef and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Despite its distance from the rest of the country, Palawan is not that difficult to reach, given its ferry and plane connections to different airports and seaports.
The provincial capital Puerto Princesa is a popular starting point for tourists before exploring its islands. The city offers a number of urban amenities such as amusement parks, spas, and resorts. There is also the Palawan Museum, where visitors can survey ancient artifacts, even those found in "The Cradle of the Filipino Civilization," the Tabon Cave, where 2,000-year-old human bones were found.
The northern region of Palawan offers a number of pristine beaches and forests. The islands of Calamian Archipelago offer scenic views of the surrounding seas. Tourists can enjoy that magnificent sight while having a picnic near the limestone cliffs. The underwater wreckage of Japanese ships near Coron has made it one of the top 10 best scuba-diving sites recommended by respected magazines. To the south of the mini-archipelago is El Nido, famed for the immaculate beaches, splendid diving sites, and a grand vantage point of the limestone islands.
A good way to end a weekend in Palawan is by going to a Sunday tabuan (market day) in Aborlan. Any tourist will definitely have an unforgettable experience moving around the market, inspecting local handicraft, agricultural produce, and even rattan (a type of palm that resembles wicker) brought from the nearby communities to the town.