Why This Philippines Destination Is The Beach Getaway Of Your Dreams

@8dayspalawan

Beach people: when it comes to planning your next vacay, you might be inclined to go back to your favorite Carribean island, just because you know it’s a good time, right? It’s time to branch out though and treat yourself to something totally new. There’s a beach in the Philippines that’s the perfect change of pace and you may find it’s your new favorite.

Palawan, a Philippines island, is an underrated destination. In fact, it really only hit the radar in 2013 when Travel and Leisure named the island the best in the world. In 2016, it claimed the top spot on the same list. Palawan has received numerous other honors in recent years.

So, what’s so great about the island, exactly? Well, first, just take a look at this:

A post shared by Jérémy Koh-Lanta Cambodge (@jeremykohlanta) on May 2, 2017 at 8:15am PDT

Have you seen such beautiful waters?

You can’t go wrong with this prime destination. There are a million reasons why it’s a special place, but here are some highlights:

1. The history is insane.

Palawan is described as the “last frontier” because it has artifacts that date back to over 50,000 years ago. History is all around you, and researchers are still making new exciting discoveries. You can explore what they’ve found so far at the Palawan museum. If you’re a history buff, you’ll definitely get your fix here.

2. The outdoor activities are endless.

A post shared by GORDON DEGEORGE (@everywhereclub.co) on May 3, 2017 at 12:54pm PDT

Island hopping is a tourist fave. You can explore the Bacuit archipelago while snorkeling through lagoons and sinkholes. Cliff jumping is also a huge thing if you’re feeling brave (we promise you’ll get a bomb Insta pic). Perhaps the most popular attraction is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which is an underground river system you can float through on riverboats.

3. Relaxation is a must.

There are a number of luxury hotels like Coron, as well as extremely affordable accommodations like the $19-a-night rooms at Casa Mila Inn. You can immerse yourself in Palawan’s culinary culture by heading to its many incredible restaurants like KaLui. The best part: the white sand beaches stretch as far as the eye can see. It’s impossible not to relax here — I mean, look at this:

How To Get There

You can access Palawan by taking a small plane or boat from Manila, which is about an hour and a half away. The best time to go is between October and May.