CULION PALAWAN: A PARADISE IN WAITING

Culion Town

Culion was called the Island of the Living Dead or the Island of No Return. Once the largest leper colony in the world, it stands today as a stark reminder of life in the Philippines when leprosy was still an incurable disease, and a testament to how leprosy was eradicated not just in the Philippines but in the entire world, and how technology and advances in medicine have improved and changed the way we live today.

Culion Museum

The world class Culion museum is detailed, old style and a fascinating record of the research into leprosy. Stuffed with artefacts, it is also a moving history of the poor souls who were settled here against their wills from all over the Philippines. There were 16,138 patients on Culion town making it the largest leper colony in the world.

Museum fees are Php250 for foreigners, Php100 for non-locals, Php50 for locals, and Php20 for students with IDs.

Culion Church

WHERE TO STAY

Isla Culion offers only modest accommodation. Hotel Maya, a recently established social enterprise, is the best bet. As the island only has electricity for 12 hours a day, Hotel Maya is equipped with a generator and 13 solar panels. 

Hotel Maya

Some information credit to Ivan Henares