Things to see and do Taytay

This is one of the things to do when you stop in Taytay for a day or two. Go to the port, where traditional bancas can take you for a day to discover the beautiful islands of Taytay Bay, each one more beautiful than the other. Elephant Island is known for its lagoon hidden in a cave and in which it is possible to swim. Isla Banca is surrounded by crystal clear waters and a breathtaking coral garden. You may be lucky enough to be alone on these islands.

Located halfway between El Nido and Taytay, the Kuyawyaw Falls are mostly popular with Filipino tourists but not with foreign tourists because the place is not mentioned in guidebooks. It takes 30 minutes by scooter from Taytay. A guide is compulsory (which we regret a little because it is not necessary and it is quite expensive). You just have to follow the course of the river to reach the 3 waterfalls opened to the public. This quick excursion can be a refreshing stop before reaching El Nido.

It is possible to organize a visit of Barangay Polaraquen, formerly called Canique. A true ethnological discovery of its inhabitants. Most circuits are satisfied however to visit the waterfall, to 6 km of the center of the community (one goes there by motorbike or tricycle). One can swim there. A guide is essential (and required, moreover).

Malampaya was used by the Tagbanuas to mean "rich in fish". Another recommended excursion (preferably in the early morning or late afternoon) is to the Malampaya Sound, a protected area since 2000, on the west coast on the way to El Nido. There you can observe Irrawaddy dolphins, close relatives of the orca. The species, according to the WWF, is in critical danger of extinction. Threatened by pollution and fishing nets, their population is estimated at about thirty individuals.

Lake Danao (also known as Lake Manguao) was formed by the subsidence of a volcano and is filled with fresh water from which some islands emerge. With an area of 6.7 hectares, it is the largest freshwater lake in Palawan. It is a birdwatcher's paradise where more than 120 species of birds can be observed. It takes about two hours to get there and you can choose between a hike in the surrounding jungle, a boat ride on the lake (about 1,500 PHP) and a picnic. It is a nice place for a quiet break in the middle of nature.

The town is famous for its 300-year-old church and its Augustinian fort Santa Isabel, built by the Spanish in 1667, completed in 1738 and transformed into a military post during the American occupation. It contains a small chapel, an intact cannon and a beautiful garden. The church is a three-minute walk from the fort. Beautiful panorama on the port, the city, the letters "TAYTAY" which remind those of Hollywood (same dimensions, by the way!). Superb at sunset.