Posted on 10/22/2015 11:59:42 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
For the second year in a row, the island of Palawan was recognized as Best Island in the World by leading US travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler in its Readers’ Choice Awards 2015.
Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Secretary Arturo Boncato Jr., in a text message to the Philippines News Agency said that the department was delighted about the recognition given to Palawan by Conde Nast.
“The DOT is continuously focused on developing destinations in the country together with all stakeholders: NGAs, LGUs, private sector, and all our much-valued markets; to exceed expectations in many fronts,” Boncato said.
“…Accolades such as this always comes as a pleasant surprise. And a great push to continue working for the industry and the country,” he added.
Palawan received the highest readers’ overall rating of 85.937 for it being “home to one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River.”
“Palawan’s natural wonder is one of the longest underground rivers in the world, traveling five miles through a subterranean cave system,” Conde Nast pointed out.
“Guided boat tours take visitors down a portion of the waterway, where karsts, natural rock formations created by dissolving limestone, loom in every direction,” it added.
The magazine meanwhile took note of the island of Boracay in the Philippines being “as close to the tropical idyll as you’ll find in Southeast Asia, with gentle coastlines and transporting sunsets.”
It also mentioned Boracay’s “thriving nightlife scene”, and its White Beach, which was described as “Boracay’s main draw with powdery white sand and shallow azure water ideal for swimming and snorkeling.”
Conde Nast also gave credit to Cebu for being famous for its beaches and for being “more personal, with plenty of up-and-coming restaurants and shopping.”
It further said that Cebu was the best island “to get a true taste of island life.”
The top 20 Best Islands in the World according to Conde Nast’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2015 are:
1. Palawan, Philippines
2. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
3. Moorea, French Polynesia
4. Waiheke Island, New Zealand
5. Bermuda
6. Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands, Australia
7. Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
8. Bali, Indonesia
9. Santorini, Greece
10. Tasmania, Australia
11. Cook Islands
12. British Virgin Islands
13. St. John, USVI
14. Mykonos, Greece
15. Boracay, Philippines
16. Maldives
17. Orkney Islands, Scotland
18. Sta. Lucia
19. Cebu, Philippines
20. Hvar & Dalmatian Islands, Croatia
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey started in 1988 while the magazine itself began traveling the globe tracking down journeys since 1987.
Its website, CNTraveler.com also allows readers to tap into a living global archive of the very best hotels, restaurants, shops, itineraries, beaches, villages, and villas.
Just looked it up, the pics are gorgeous.
One major problem, all of the airlines that fly in there are on my personal no fly list.
(AirAsia Zest, Air Juan, Cebu Pacific , Philippine Airlines)
I don’t know, I heard good things about CEBU PACIFIC AIR from Aussie friends who traveled there.
Isn’t there a Muslim uprising in that area?
Palawan better than Cebu?
Better than Cebu?
RE: Better than Cebu?
Cebu is on Conde Nast Traveler’s top 15 list (List in the article ).
If you want a bigger, nosier nightlife, Cebu would be better of course. It’s the third most populous city in the Philippines.
No, that’s the southern island of Mindanao.
I think there are a few muzzies at the far tip of Palawan, but the militants don’t usually operate that far north.
BS...no mention of Marathon in the middle Keys????
No idea. Mark?
I have not been to Palawan yet. The mayor of Puerto Princesa is like Duterte, so I am sure it is nice. Boracay is nice too, but I have friends who have been to Boracay and Samal Island (Davao City) who tell me they preferred Samal Island, so there are differing opinions. I fly Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines all the time. 😆😂🇵🇭
They are all nice. As mentioned, I have friends who preferred Samal over Boracay, so each person probably has a different opinion on which is the best. The muzzies are mostly in western Mindanao. Places to avoid out there, are Zamboanga, North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan, Jolo and Tawi Tawi. Don't go there.
The missionary couple, the Burnhams, were kidnapped in Palawan and taken to Basilan, hundreds of miles of open ocean. It's a wonder that anyone survived that trip. I am not positive, but I think Puerto Princesa has a new mayor, similar to Duterte, and they just don't tolerate any BS from the locals, so Palawan is a very safe place to go. Much safer than LA, Detroit, Chicago, New York etc.
I go say hello to the muzzies all the time. Sometimes they actually say hello, most of the time, they just ignore me, but that is ok. 😂😀😄
Liza says Palawan is a very expensive tourist spot
Great, thank you. Been to Philippines twice on short term missions. Great place. Want to take my wife there some day...
Most of these tourist spots are VERY expensive. I think in many ways, they somewhat cater to the foreigners, who have the cash. Even Samal is not cheap. It is not like Palawan and Boracay, but it is not cheap. The outrigger ride to Samal, is exciting, and is very cheap. 😆
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.