Blessed with rich history and culture, unexploited islands and islets that are decorated with white sand beaches and built by waves and strong winds is Cuyo, a group of island under the jurisdiction of the province of Palawan that sits amid the vast Sulu Sea.

It is a small community that punches above its weight and carried great importance in the province of Palawan during Spanish colonization of the Philippines. Being the oldest town in the province, it served as its second capital from 1873 to 1903, influenced the culture, language and tradition of the whole province. Cuyunon, its native dialect is still widely spoken by the elders in the mainland Palawan today.

It is bounded by Quiniluban Group of Islands to the north, where the Pamilacan Island’s Amanpulo Resort is located. To its south is the town of Cagayancillo and the reefs of Tubbataha. Panay Island lies on the east while the mainland Palawan is on its west.

It is composed of three municipalities – Cuyo, Agutaya, and Magsaysay. Its Spanish fort was constructed in 1677 to protect the town from Moro Pirates.

Cuyo is more than Ploning. It has distinct and appealing charm. Its remoteness makes the island less appealing to tourists but a blessing in disguise for it has maintained and preserved its beauty.

How to Get There

There are two possible ways of going there. The easiest is to ride the plane that directly lands to Cuyo Airport. Unfortunately however, SEA Air, the lone airline serving Manila-Cuyo route ceased its operation in 2008. So the option is to ride the boat from either Puerto Princesa or Iloilo.

Going there by boat is already an adventure. There are two ferry companies serving Puerto Princesa – Cuyo – Iloilo (and vice versa) routes – Montenegro Shipping Lines and Milagrosa Shipping Lines. The following schedules are as of February 2010.

Montenegro Shipping Lines

Montenegro Shipping Lines has Ro-Ro vessels serving the route. Based on their website (which I believe is not updated) here are the schedules:

Puerto Princesa to Cuyo: Departs the port of Puerto Princesa every Tuesday t 1800H and arrives at Cuyo the next day at around 0900H. Fare: Economy – P916. Fiesta – P1,099. Mabuhay- P1,374.

Iloilo to Cuyo: Departs the port of Iloilo every Saturday at 0800H and arrives Cuyo at around 1600H of the same day. Fare: Economy – P695. Fiesta – P834. Mabuhay- P1,043.

Cuyo to Puerto Princesa: Departs the port of Cuyo every Saturday at 1800H and arrives at Puerto Princesa the next day at around 0900H. Fare: Economy – P916. Fiesta – P1,099. Mabuhay- P1,374.

Cuyo to Iloilo: Departs the port of Cuyo every Tuesday at 1200H and arrives Iloilo at around 2000H of the same day. Fare: Economy – P695. Fiesta – P834. Mabuhay- P1,043.

Milagrosa Shipping Lines

Milagrosa Shipping Lines has two ferries serving the route twice a week. For more information, you may call their Iloilo office at (033)-3350955 or their Puerto Princesa office at (048)-4334806.

Puerto Princesa to Cuyo:  Departs the port of Puerto Princesa every Sunday and Thursday at 1500H and arrives at Cuyo the next day at around 0700H. Fare (as of August 2009): Economy – P610. De Luxe – P715. Tourist – P860. Admiral – P2,128.

Iloilo to Cuyo: Departs the port of Iloilo every Tuesday and Friday at 1900H and arrives Cuyo at around 0800H of the next day. Fare (as of December 2009): Economy – P450. De Luxe – P540. Tourist – P665. Admiral – P1,600.

Cuyo to Puerto Princesa:  Departs the port of Cuyo every Wednesday and Saturday at 1500H and arrives at Puerto Princesa the next day at around 0700H. Fare (as of August 2009): Economy – P610. De Luxe – P715. Tourist – P860. Admiral – P2,128.

Cuyo to Iloilo: Departs the port of Cuyo every Tuesday and Saturday at 1700H and arrives Iloilo at around 0700H of the next day. Fare (as of December 2009): Economy – P450. De Luxe – P540. Tourist – P665. Admiral – P1,600.

Where to Stay

There are two known pension inns in the town of Cuyo – Nikki’s Pension and Feroland Hotel. Both are located near the port. In the town of Magsaysay is the Quijano Windsurfing Retreat, a resort equipped with cottages and offers windsurfing and kiting.

Nikki’s Pension (Rates and contacts of August 2009)

Aircon Rooms wih T/B:

• Single Bed – P500
• Double Bed – P575
• Family Room w/ TV – P 750

Fan Rooms with Shared T/B :

• Single Bed – P200

Contact Number: +639208760008 / +639153865201

Feroland Hotel

Contact Number: +639217904848

Activities

• Island hopping
• Wind surfing/kiting
• Snorkeling/Diving (bring your own equipment)
• Fishing
• Beach bumming
• Island tour – see the old houses and structures that can be traced back from Spanish era
• See the century old church and fort
• Trek to Mt. Aguado

Tips
The best time to go is during the the dry season or from  November to May, during rainy season, the waves are generally rough. Town Fiesta is celebrated during the month of August with their Pagdayaw Festival in honor of their patron Saint Agustin. The festival features street dancing and performances that showcase the rich history of the island. You will see church goers put blue marks on their faces after the mass. While in the island, don’t forget to buy casuy.

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