CNN Travel: Palawan among world’s beautiful islands

MANILA, Philippines — Palawan was again voted as one of the world’s most beautiful islands.

“Protected within the UNESCO-listed Palawan Biosphere Reserve... the island is a gorgeous haven of pale sand and clear water,” CNN Travel’s Jen Rose Smith said.

“Rugged cliffs and mangroves are scenic foils for Palawan’s many secret beaches from the coves of El Nido to this exclusive paradise getaway,” Smith added.

CNN Travel said the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is Palawan’s “most remarkable hiding place.”

“Our rehabilitation efforts to preserve the beauty of Palawan did not go unnoticed. We are grateful for this CNN citation,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

Milos in Greece, Bartolome in Ecuador, Fregate in Seychelles, St. Lucia in Lesser Antiles, Jura in Scotland, Komodo in Indonesia, Senja in Norway, Mo’orea in French Polynesia and Kaua’i in the United States are the other islands in CNN Travel’s list.

Early this year, Palawan was voted second best island in the world by readers of international travel magazine Travel+Leisure. It was also named the best island in the world in 2013 and 2017.

Palawan also ranked second on the list of best islands in Asia. Cebu and Boracay were seventh and ninth, respectively.

Boracay and El Nido were among the best beaches in Asia in Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards this year.