Palawan

Palawan is Philippines' last frontier — population 940,000 island province in western Philippines (1,780 islands forming the archipelago), often voted World's Best Island multiple years (Travel+Leisure 2013-2017, 2020). Long thin island stretching 600km from north tip (El Nido) to south (Bataraza) + width only 40km at widest.

Capital Puerto Princesa is the entry point (international flights from Manila/Cebu/Korea). Most travelers head north to El Nido (5h drive, 1h flight) for limestone karst lagoons OR Coron (4h ferry north, WWII shipwreck diving + Kayangan Lake — Philippines' cleanest lake).

Mainland Palawan attractions: **Puerto Princesa Subterranean River** (UNESCO World Heritage 1999, longest navigable underground river in world at 8.2km — included in 7 New Wonders of Nature 2012, riverboat through massive cave system + bats overhead). **Honda Bay** island hopping (Cowrie + Pandan + Luli + Snake Islands — half-day from Puerto Princesa, snorkeling + lunch on Pandan Island). **Iwahig Firefly Watching River** (mangrove boat at night + thousands of fireflies). Cheaper alternative to El Nido as base.

Beyond mainland: El Nido (north tip — limestone karst lagoons paradise, 4 standardized Tour A-D options), Coron (north — WWII Japanese shipwrecks + Kayangan Lake), Port Barton (3h north — quieter alternative to El Nido), San Vicente (Long Beach — Philippines' longest white sand beach 14km).

Iconic Filipino cuisine: Adobo (chicken/pork stewed in soy + vinegar, $4-8), Sinigang (sour tamarind soup, $4-8), Lechon (whole roasted pig, $10-20), Halo-halo (shaved ice + sweet beans + ube + flan, $3-5), Tamilok (woodworm — Palawan delicacy, divisive), Calamansi juice ($1-2 — Filipino lime), San Miguel beer ($1-3).

Bottom line: Palawan is canonical Philippines bucket-list + World's #1 island + Underground River UNESCO + El Nido/Coron gateway. 5-7 days minimum to do justice (mainland + El Nido + Coron).