Things to see and do Mimaropa

The handy all-in-one address! For up-to-date information on accommodation and transportation. To book a whole range of excursions: island tours, kayaking, hiking or fishing. For a nice souvenir store, welcome to the Art Café. Because they also serve as a currency exchange office. And the restaurant serves vegetarian dishes. All in all, it's the place to go to plan your stay if you haven't planned ahead.

It is a long white sand beach quickly accessible from the center of El Nido, by tricycle or even on foot. There are a lot of boats and swimming is not ideal, especially at low tide, but people come here mostly for the beautiful sunsets, the picturesque view of the surrounding islands and its length, more than 600 meters, is conducive to a pleasant stroll. However, several restaurants, bars and hotels have settled along the beach. It remains a beautiful beach where it is interesting to make a stop.

It can be reached in five minutes from the centre of the city. Tables and benches are installed for picnic. It is a superb beach of fine sand, ideal for bathing or snorkeling.

The main reason travelers come to Coron (Busuanga) is to discover the surrounding islands, such as Coron Island, considered one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines (would it be an exaggeration to say in the world? We'll let you be the judge). Between lagoons, lakes, turquoise waters and karst cliffs, the landscapes are majestic and of rare beauty. The most beautiful sites open to the public are the Small and Big Lagoon (Twin Lagoon). The water is cold on the surface, but warm at depth due to the presence of numerous underwater hot springs. Snorkelers can set their sights on the Siete Pecados spot (100 PHP entrance fee). Beautiful coral and plenty of fish. One of the region's major attractions are the crystal-clear lakes of Barracuda and Kayangan. Barracuda is an excellent site for scuba diving and snorkeling - you can expect to see... barracudas, of course! Admission costs 150 PHP. To get to Kayangan, it's a bit of a climb, but you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of Coron Bay. And the water is unbelievably pure - it's said to be the cleanest lake in the country. A magical site. The other lakes are off-limits to visitors, out of respect for the indigenous Tagbanua tribes who live on Coron. For snorkeling, we recommend Balinsasayaw Reef, a spot where you can observe magnificent corals and a host of multicolored fish, including clownfish playing in their anemones. A magical place.

As in El Nido, island hopping is the best way to see as many sites as possible in a single day. All hotels and agencies in Coron offer them. These group tours last around 8 hours and include lunch, entrance fees to the sites and transfer from the hotel. The tours are fixed; here are a few examples:

The Coron Island Super Ultimate Tour: the most comprehensive, we'll see the seven most beautiful sites: Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Peaks Coral Garden, Beach 91, Balinsasayaw Reef, CYC Beach and Twin Lagoon. Approx. PHP 1,800.

Coron Island Ultimate Tour C : Siete Pecados, Kayangan Lake, Skeleton Wreck, white sand beach (Banol, Atwayan, Smith or Beach 91), Twin Lagoon, Coral Garden and Cyc Beac. Approx. PHP 1,700.

Coron Tour B: Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, a white-sand beach (Banol, Atwayan, Smith or Beach 91), Skeleton Wreck and Reef Garden. Approx. PHP 1,400.

Please note. All the boats leave at the same time in the morning, and we regret the crowds at the sites, although we understand them (we come to Coron mainly for island hopping). Rest assured, however, that the crowds in no way detract from the spectacular beauty of the scenery and the magic of the experience.

For greater peace of mind, autonomy and flexibility in choosing which sites to visit,opts for a private boat tour. Approx. PHP 4,000/person. This also allows you to request an early morning departure and avoid the crowds at the sites.

Smart tip : all agencies in Coron Town offer roughly the same services, so don't hesitate to negotiate prices a little. Another tip is to bring your own mask and snorkel (rental available), as well as a waterproof pouch to carry your phone to the various sites. Last but not least, protect yourself from the sun if you don't want to end up a crayfish at the end of the day.

The one and only, the underground river of Puerto Princesa! Listed since 1999 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and designated as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature since 2012. It is one of the most spectacular caves in the world, which you can explore by canoe. An out of the ordinary experience guaranteed! After being dropped off by the boat at the entrance, you will be given a life jacket and a helmet. A guide takes the visitors on a small boat. The trip on the river lasts 45 minutes. Armed with a flashlight, the driver paddles around in the back of the small boat and jokes about the shapes of the stalagmites and stalactites. Visits to the cave take place between 8am and 4pm. When it rains, the water becomes murky, even muddy, and the visit is less pleasant. Therefore, if you can, you should choose a day with dry weather. For those who are passionate about the river, it is recommended to ask for an in-depth visit of the river beforehand.

Practical. If you don't want to go through an agency that takes care of the excursion from A to Z from Puerto Princesa, it is possible to go to the underground river alone. In this case, it is necessary to buy a permit, if possible a day earlier, at the Underground River Booking Office in Puerto Princesa (250 PHP). Once at the Sabang pier, you take a boat to the river (15 minutes). The more adventurous can also reach the entrance on foot via the Jungle Trail (5 km, 2 hours).

Classified by Unesco, the Apo Reef is the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world (after the barrier reef in Australia) and the largest in the Philippines. It is to dive in the heart of this magnificent natural park that one goes to Sablayan essentially. The reef consists of three islets, Apo Island, Apo Manor and Cayos del Bajo, surrounded by white sand beaches. On Apo Island, a lighthouse offers a 360 degree view, it is superb. Nearly 400 species of fish including sharks, manta rays and giant napoleons - one of the largest fish, which can reach 2 meters, live more than 30 years and is part of those fish that change sex during their life, they are born female before becoming for some males. But also, there are more than 200 species of corals that inhabit these dizzying seabeds. Located at 34 kilometers from Sablayan, it takes about two hours by banca to reach Apo Reef. Since Apo Reef is very exposed to the weather, it is sometimes impossible to get there, especially during the rainy season. Therefore, prefer the season from October to May. If the reef is renowned among divers as one of the most beautiful dive sites in the country. Apo Reef is also a natural paradise for all others, as walking on the white sandy beaches of Apo Island, watching the birds, climbing the lighthouse, swimming in the crystal clear waters or kayaking are all forms of enchantment.

It allows you to observe a multitude of Philippine butterflies and to discover other species such as praying mantises and giant scorpions. It is best to go on a sunny day. The guides present on the spot give a lot of information on the importance of protecting these species and their environment. Indeed, most of them are endangered like the Palawan bearcat (a kind of cat...bear) or the saltwater crocodile. On site, it is also possible to meet members of an indigenous tribe and learn more about their way of life.

These islands are an ideal place for a day trip. The bay is located in Santa Lourdes (Tagburos), on the east coast of Palawan, 10 km from the capital's docks, and is made up of several islets with outcropping reefs bordering beautiful beaches, favorite spots for swimmers and divers. These lands are called Cowrie Island (shells); Bat Island, home to bats that hang in the mangroves; Lu-Li Island, visible only at low tide (derived from lulubog-lilitaw meaning "floating" and "sinking"); Meara Island, a peaceful private island; Starfish Sandbar Resort, known for its white sandbar and clear waters with starfish (you can camp there if you have your own equipment); Snake Island and its long stretch of white sand in the shape of a snake; Pandan Island with its white sand and coral reefs; Senorita Island, a place where lapu-lapu fish are bred; Arrecife Island, with its white sand and luxury hotel (the Dos Palmas Island Resort).

Getting there. Jeepneys and tricycles run the Puerto Princesa-Tagburos route daily (40 minutes). At the Santa Lourdes de Tagburos port (10 km north of Puerto Princesa), fishermen rent their motorboats for islandhopping. The nearest one can be reached in 30 minutes. All travel agencies in Puerto Princesa also organize day trips to Honda Bay: it's not expensive and everything is included!

Nagtabon Beach is a beautiful stretch of white sand, more than 800 meters long and surrounded by crystal clear waters. It is located at one hour drive from Puerto Princesa. Still preserved from the influx of tourists, it reigns there a certain softness of life which invites to the relaxation and the contemplation. That of marvelous sunsets, for example. Be careful between October and February, the waves are too strong but otherwise it is possible to swim and surf. A camping site is not far away for those who want to prolong the pleasure.

Its rich forest and splendid views of El Nido sunsets characterize it. The island of Lagen is home to a trail that leads across the island: you can see varans, macaques and snakes! It is also an island of majestic calaos.

It has many small bays along its coral-lined coastline, including Calmung bay in the East. There are good spots throughout the coast for snorkeling. You can also venture to Secret Beach, a beach that you can only swim through through a hole in the cliff: careful attention to the rise of water.

It is considered a real paradise. Two huge rocks climb the guard on each side of the island, crowned with palm trees and tropical plants that adorn a beautiful beach.

This beautiful island offers visitors a short walk to reach a beautiful point of view. Birds can be observed early in the morning or late in the day. The beach is ideal for sunbathing and it is an area suitable for snorkeling.

Banking agency with a DAB. 

The main characteristic of this mushroom-shaped island lies in its cave, which turns into a cathedral and is illuminated by its breakthrough nave.

Its coral gardens are among the most beautiful in the vicinity of Palawan and make it one of the divers'favourite destinations. In the mysterious cave of the Palace of Neptune to the west of the island, stalagmites and stalactites parallel other strange formations.

It is the twenty-third highest peak in the Philippines, 30 kilometers southwest of Calapan. It is 2,616 meters high, which makes it also the highest point of the whole island of Mindoro. It offers superb panoramas and can be climbed in seven days (round trip), but it is an ascent reserved for seasoned hikers. It can be reached by Jeepney from Puerto Galera in about 2 hours. It is home to an extremely rich biodiversity, and is a favorite habitat for the Alagan tribe and for the endemic and endangered tamaraw.

It is the highest peak of the island. To get a glimpse of the surrounding islands, you don't have to climb it. Just take the road to the International Telecommunications (ITT), which rises to 600 m above sea level. The walk is pleasant from Lonos, through the fields. You can go down directly to the town of Romblon. The military takes care of this weather station, monitors the satellite transmitter and solar energy. When the sky is clear, early in the morning, you can even see the Mayon volcano.

From Sabang, there is a hiking trail of just over 5 kilometers, the Jungle trail, for those who wish to walk to the entrance of the river. It is reached by walking along the beach of Sabang after the Daluyong. It is forbidden to enter the trails after 3pm. Count about 2 hours to reach the entrance of the river. You can also choose to take the boat to go and return on foot or vice versa. In any case, it is advisable to pay the entrance fee at the office of the pier of Sabang before starting the walk.

Its deep coastline leads to remarkable inner lagoons, often accessible only by boat. You can reach the famous Small lagoon only by swimming or kayaking. It is surrounded by cliffs interspersed with vegetation, while changing in almost artificial waters. The entrance to the Big Lagoon is very impressive: The waters are very shallow, once inside, the depth gives this time a deep green colour to this almost perfect circle surrounded by cliffs. This island is an inescapable one.