Palawan ranks top in World’s Best Island by Travel + Leisure

PALAWAN, Philippines – Palawan scored top rank in the latest Travel + Leisure World’s Top 25 Islands in the World.

Also known as Philippines’ Last Frontier and one of the country’s best islands, Palawan was described by Travel + Leisure  as “dramatic at sea level, with mountains rising directly from the ocean palm-edged beaches.”

It also said: “Though it’s difficult to reach from many parts of the world, once travelers get there they can dive in World War II wrecks, explore old-growth rain forests, and paddle one of the world’s longest subterranean rivers at Puerto Princesa.”

Travel + Leisure also quoted a fan who said that the landscape and scenery of Palawan are gorgeous and that “it offers the most beautiful beaches, resorts, and scenery anywhere.”

In line with its latest feat, the Department of Tourism (DOT) wrote a celebratory post on its Facebook page on Thursday.

“Palawan reclaimed its rightful place in the World’s Best Awards. The citation as the Best Island in the World is all the more important because this is voted upon by the readers of the prominent Travel + Leisure magazine,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

“It’s wonderful to see that our rehabilitation and sustainable development efforts last year, especially in El Nido and Coron, were well-received by tourists everywhere,” Puyat added.

Boracay Island is also on the list at 14th spot.

Meanwhile, two of Thailand’s best islands made it on the list – Koh Lanta (5th place) and Koh Samui (23rd place).

According to Travel + Leisure, the World’s Best Awards survey closed on March 2, just before the outbreak of Covid 19. The readers voted for their favorite islands “according to their activities and sites, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.”

The Top 25 Islands in the World are:

1. Palawan, Philippines
2. Paros, Greece
3. Milos, Greece
4. Sri Lanka
5. Koh Lanta, Thailand
6. Mauritius
7. Anguilla
8. Langkawi, Malaysia
9. Sicily, Italy
10. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
11. Azores, Portugal
12. Maui, Hawaii
13. Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands, Crotia
14. Boracay, Philippines
15. Crete, Greece
16. Cook Islands
17. Bali, Indonesia
18. Moorea, French Polynesia
19. Tasmania, Australia
20. Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia
21. Ischia, Italy
22. Mallorca, Spain
23. Koh Samui, Thailand
24. Kauai, Hawaii
25. Bora-Bora, French Polynesia

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Lorenzo Caballes, Jr.

Lorenzo is a full time English Language Teacher to high school students in Phitsanulok. He reads and travels for self-enrichment. He also writes at khunkrupinoy.com where he shares his struggles and joys of being a teacher in Thailand for almost a decade now.

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