Experience Tranquility...Experience Palawan

When is the best time to go to Puerto Princesa and Palawan?

The dry season is from October to May with temperatures above 30 degrees centigrade and rain is rare.

How do we get there?

Palawan and/or Puerto Princesa (a city in the forest where the famous and longest navigable underground river in the world can be found) are two of the most accessible destinations in the Philippines. From the capital Manila, various airlines offer daily domestic flights and shipping companies have regular boat trips of at least 3 times a week. It is also possible to set out from either Cebu or Iloilo, two of the major cities in the Visayas, the central part of the country.

A number of travel agencies and the hotels/resorts in Puerto Princesa and Palawan also offer various tour packages that cover both the travel and lodging arrangements.

What activities and adventures does Palawan and Puerto Princesa offer?

Name it and they're most likely to have it – historical sights, cultural experiences, wonderful beaches, eco-tourism spots for diving, snorkeling, trekking or just simple nature-tripping.

What safety/security concerns should we consider when in Palawan?

Palawan has one of the lowest crime rates in the country and visitors can expect the warm hospitality that Filipinos are known for.

What health measures should we take before going and while in Palawan?

Unless you are going on a trek to some of the more remote mountains and forests in the province, the threat of diseases such as malaria are not widespread. Nonetheless, travelers are advised to take the necessary medical precautions.

For emergency situations, the hospitals and health centers in Palawan are also prepared to extend assistance. Under the new generation of Hospitals and Clinics of Palawan Programme, the provincial government completed the Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital in Brooke’s Point and the construction of the North Provincial Hospital in Taytay is ongoing. The plan includes the establishment of a new medical center in Puerto Princesa City with provisions for medical tourism.

A total of nineteen (19) hospitals provide hospital and medical care province wide, twelve (12) of which are government operated. Nine (9) of the twelve (12) government hospitals are provincial government operated, two (2) DOH-managed, and one (1) AFP- operated.
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Are banking and communication facilities readily available in Palawan?

Most major banking and communication companies have offices in the capital Puerto Princesa. Cellular phone networks have province-wide coverage.

Directory of banks in the province:
BANK OF PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City &
San Juan Bldg., San Pedro, National Highway, Puerto Princesa City
Tel. 433-2874 / 433-2875

CHINA BANK
Malvar St., Puerto Princesa City
Tel. 434-9891

DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES
Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City
Foreign Currency Deposit / Foreign Currency Remittance
Tel. 433-2538 / 433-2358

BANCO DE ORO
Rizal Ave., Puerto Princesa City
Accepts Foreign Exchange (VISA, MASTERCARD, JCB)
Accepts Travelers Check in US Dollar
Tel. 434-4244 / 433-2679

FIRST CONSOLIDATED BANK
National Highway, San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City
Foreign Exchange
Tel. 433-9230 / 433-9231

LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES
Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City
Tel. 433-2820 / 433-2823
Field Offices - Coron & Brooke’s Point
Foreign Exchange, Foreign Remittances, Foreign Currency Deposits

METROPOLITAN BANK AND TRUST CO.
Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City
Dollar Exchange, Travellers Check
(Requires photocopy of Purchase Receipt, Passport)
Tel. 433-9914 / 433-2779

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK
Rizal Avenue corner Valencia St., Puerto Princesa City
Foreign Currency Exchange
Tel. 434-3742 / 433-2421

RIZAL COMMERCIAL BANKING CORPORATION (RCBC)
Rizal Ave., Puerto Princesa City
US Dollar Exchange, RCBC Credit Card
Tel. 433-2091 / 433-2693

VETERANS BANK
Rizal Ave., Puerto Princesa City
Accepts Visa card Processing
Tel. 433-7842
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MONEY CHANGERS:
A.S. MONEY CHANGER
298 Rizal Ave. , Puerto Princesa City
Tel. No. 433-5105

BONITO MONEY CHANGER
#160 Rizal Ave., Puerto Princesa City
Tel. No. 434-2226
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Telecommunications companies:

PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE (PLDT)
42 Roxas St., Puerto Princesa City
Tel. 433-2345 (Manager)
Long Distance Calls - 109
Overseas Call - 108

TELECOM (Provincial Telephone Line)
Burgos St., Puerto Princesa City & in the Municipalities
Tel. 433-4067

SMART COMMUNICATION (Mobile Phones)
NCCC Bldg., Lacao St. Puerto Princesa City
Network Area of Coverage: Provincewide

GLOBE COMMUNICATION (Mobile Phones)
Pacific Plaza Bldg., Rizal Ave., Puerto Princesa City
Network Area of Coverage: Provincewide

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park formerly St. Paul National Park is Palawan's most popular attraction and covers 5,349 hectares of lush forest, dark mountains, caves and white beaches. In the deep recesses of the marble and limestone peaks of Mt. St. Paul flows the 8.2 km. long Underground River, said to be the longest navigable underground river in the world. The caves are filled with filigree-like sculptures formed by stalagmites and stalactites. Near its mouth is a beautiful lagoon with crystal-clear water that teems with fish. Also within the park is the Monkey Trail, a series of wooden paths that winds into the forest where monkeys, squirrels, lizards and some 60 species of birds are found. The Park is inscribed in the World Heritage List.

It is a core area for the Palawan Biosphere Reserve and is designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA). It was also declared as a National Geological Monument. In recognition of global significance, the PPSRNP has been inscribed to the list of natural World Heritage Sites.

As a natural area, the Park has attracted an increasing number of hikers, biologist, photographers, students and nature lovers. It is a source of pride and a key element in the identity of the people of Puerto Princesa in particular and of the Philippines as a whole.

Support the world's longest navigable underground river for the search of the world’s new seven wonders selection. Vote at http://vote.puerto-undergroundriver.com/