Palawan, the world’s top 4 trending destination

Palawan is the top 4 trending destinations in the world for 2024, according to TripAdvisor. This comes from their Traveler’s Choice survey, under Best of the Best Destinations. I’d say the respondents answered accurately. This island, part of Luzon’s Island Group, is easily qualified as one of the world’s best beaches, as it is known for its biodiversity and beautiful landscapes, making it a popular destination for tourists seeking pristine beaches, aquanaut excitement (UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Tubbataha Reefs, is a premier diving destination), rich cultural experience, and unique natural attractions.

The Funny Lion’s industrial exteriors are softened by the lush landscape and natural materials

As for accommodation favorites, the most popular boutique hotel resort in Palawan is The Funny Lion, with branches in Coron, El Nido, and the recently opened, Puerto Princesa. The resort’s safari-themed interiors and cool container villas appeal to modern-day travelers, plus their unforgettably delicious food and thoughtful amenities. Here’s a list of the ones that personally brought me much delight:

• Smart cable TV (I enjoyed casting my smart phone to wind down with my Netflix favorite shows)
• Mini-fridge that gets replenished with free refreshing drinks on the daily (their fruit juices are so good!)
• Organic shampoo and soap in the bath that lather well and nourish the skin without harming the environment
• High-speed Wi-Fi internet so I can work and play even while I’m away

The 36-sq ft Mara Room faces the pool with a king-sized bed that’s lavishly spacious for 2

Of course there’s the usual air conditioning, hot coffee and tea station, in-room safe, hot and cold shower, hair dryer, and high quality toiletries. Their breakfast buffet is definitely something that thrilled my island mornings, and their cocktails are the perfect bevies to sip on as the sun goes down. My room was right in front of the resort’s lap pool, with comfortable bean bags for easy chilling and lounging.

Just a 30-minute land transfer from Busuanga Airport, the 46-room boutique resort also offers exciting excursions that will effortlessly enchant you with Palawan’s natural wonders. In partnership with a local travel tour, The Funny Lion aims to give a full island experience to their adventurous and nature-loving guests. These activities will surely cast a spell on the goers that will forever make them cherish their Palawan travel memories.

Coron Port was impressively clean, and organized, with a secure and stable floating bridge

After feasting on their mouth-watering tapa (with a side of over easy eggs) for breakfast, we were transported to Coron Port where our boat awaited us, and upon embarking, we were set to cruise. The first stop was at Sunset Beach, with turquoise green seas, white sands, and native huts for relaxation. We stayed and swam (more like kwentuhan (light conversations) in the ocean), and made our way for more island hopping and sight-seeing.

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Sunset Beach, a calm and secluded spot to ease in travelers for what’s to come for an adventure-filled day

After sailing around other beaches that surrounded Busuanga, we stopped at Reef Garden, where we snorkeled and enjoyed our underwater views with colorful marine life. The ocean’s visibility that day was so crystal clear, and we all thoroughly delighted in our semi-aquanautic viewing beneath sea level. After a fun-filled morning, our boat stopped in the middle of the ocean so we can have a hearty kamayan (boodle) feast with a grilled spread that’s enough to make you salivate instantly. The food was clean, well-prepared, and absolutely palatable, with fresh crabs and shrimp, too! We all know it ain’t a complete island lunch without seafood!

A traveler’s feast

To burn off the calories, we headed to Kayangan Viewpoint and Kayangan Lake. The 167-step hike up to the viewpoint may seem daunting, but it is very much doable even for a plus-sized woman like me. I had to be careful because the steps were rocky and uneven, but the gorgeous and breathtaking sights of the Twin Lagoon made it a hundred percent worth the sweat (and obligatory Instagram photo, too!) After taking in all the mesmerizing natural scenic beauty, we made our way to Kayangan Lake, which was 207 steps down. What made it extra fun is encouraging other travelers who were grumbling with huffing and puffing on their way up, as I cheered them on and bantered a little.

What you’ll see at Kayangan Viewpoint

Kayangan Lake is a natural wonder

Kayangan Lake is one of the cleanest in the world, and I’m so amazed at how the authorities in Palawan were able to preserve its majesty. It’s so vividly clear and pristine, with a Gatorade blue hue. The fish swam near us and didn’t seem to fear human interaction, as some of them playfully nipped on and swirled around us. The relaxation the lake offers is soul-deep, making me feel recharged after the tiring trek prior. We also had a good conversation with our tour guide who further told us magical legends of the popular spot. After a solid hour, we went to our final destination, one of the world’s most photographed tourist attractions, the Twin Lagoon.

The scenic island-hop is a definite must when in Coron.

We were assisted by our tour guides as we settled into the kayak that will take us to this glorious lagoon, and we were instructed to lay on our backs. We limbo-rocked to make our way inside the small limestone opening. After our entrance, we were welcomed by the awe-inspiring natural giants. This fantastic spot is a lagoon formed by two water bodies divided by wondrous limestone cliffs, situated on one of the numerous islets comprising the Calamian Archipelago in Palawan. It showcases some of the area's most remarkable geological features, and its stunning scenery and unparalleled natural allure has made it a must-see destination when in Palawan. During the summer, the tranquility and cleanliness of the water are attributed to the rocky cliffs that serve as a natural barrier. This stops strong currents from forming, making it a perfect environment for swimming and kayaking.

Twin Lagoon

After a grand time, we headed back into The Funny Lion where my suite offered utmost comfort and quality rest, with a neatly made-up room, and replenished refreshments ready for consumption in my mini-fridge. Their turn down service is so thoughtful and sweet, with notes and delicacies from the staff. It was the absolute perfect accommodations to end an action-packed adventure, thanks to their warm and superb Filipino hospitality that makes one want to come back time and time again.

The Funny Lion’s turn down service and overall hospitality and experience proves why they continue to be Palawan’s number 1 boutique hotel brand

Check out The Funny Lion’s website here. Follow them on Instagram @thefunnylioncoron. Note: Excursion rates vary depending on size of group and inclusion of activities.

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