MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine island has been cited by a California-based travel website as among the top places to visit this year.
The Venue Report urged its readers to visit El Nido in Palawan, adding that it is an alternative to the popular Bali in Indonesia.
“The beaches of the Philippines are at the top of our explore list for 2018,” the Venue Report said.
“With incredible rock formations, stunning reefs and white sandy beaches, this is the ultimate beach destination,” it added.
El Nido was among the destinations cited by the travel website in its 18 Places That Are Seriously Trending for 2018 (& Where to Go Instead) list.
The travel website named destinations that offer the same breathtaking views as classic tourist spots, but with less crowds.
Other less-crowded destinations cited on the list are Sri Lanka as an alternative to Thailand and Seychelles instead of Maldives, among others.
Palawan was earlier recognized by readers of international magazine Travel+Leisure as the sixth best island in the world this year.
While Palawan is no stranger to the list, having been named the best island in the world in 2013 and 2017, it was overtaken by a number of surprise entries this year.
“It remains in fine company, voted in along with its sister island Cebu,” Travel+Leisure said, adding that Cebu placed eight on this year’s list.
Travel+Leisure earlier included El Nido in its list of 15 Best Beach Destinations to visit in January.
The travel magazine cited that Palawan offers the same stunningly beautiful scenery as other popular Southeast Asia destinations, but with just a fraction of the crowds.
“Join a boat tour in El Nido to hop around the Bacuit archipelago. You’ll sail through crystal-clear blue lagoons flanked by emerald karst cliffs, then kayak to secluded powdery white beaches,” Travel+ Leisure earlier said.
“In January, the seas are clear and calm: perfect for snorkeling and diving around coral reefs,” it added.
The magazine also cited Palawan as one of the 13 places to see the bluest water in the world.