A New Rhythm of Island Hospitality in Busuanga
There is a quieter, more raw side to Busuanga Island, along the coast of Busuanga municipality. The landscape is unmistakably Palawan, with clear waters, forested mountains, remote islands and abundant marine life. But here, the scenery unfolds alongside fishing communities, everyday island life and stretches of nature that still feel wonderfully untouched.
A new kind of hospitality is emerging here too, rooted in the landscape and connected to the people around it. Yunara Resort Busuanga, formerly Angel Garden Resort, is a coastal resort being reimagined around the idea of finding a personal rhythm.
Here, that rhythm begins at the resort. Mornings begin with coffee and views of the sea, afternoons invite a swim, some time by the pool or simply settling in with a good book, while evenings call for cocktails at sunset, followed by fresh seafood and Filipino flavors.
That same feeling carries through outside the resort. It comes alive in conversations with people who call Busuanga home, on remote islands, and out on the water in search of dugongs and sea turtles.
You in Nature, A Rhythm Awakened
Set along the northeastern coast of Busuanga Island, Yunara is surrounded by a community and green landscape, with the Mindoro Strait stretching out toward the other islands of the Calamian Group.
Yunara is still a young resort, with spaces being refined and new experiences gradually taking shape. The name itself sets the tone. “Yun” stands for “you in nature,” reflecting the connection between guests and the sea, land and surroundings. “Ara” means “a rhythm awakened,” a nod to renewal, mindful living and rediscovering a natural pace.
“We knew we had something very unique and something very different, something that’s undiscovered,” says Chris Gubalia, managing director of Approche Hospitality Management, which manages Yunara. “We want guests to really escape, to be closer to nature, to have a very restful vacation, to disconnect, relax, recharge and be one with nature.”
That sense of place carries into the rooms. Yunara has 136 rooms, from Deluxe Rooms and Deluxe Sea View Rooms to Two-Bedroom Suites. In rooms facing the sea, the day can begin with the sunrise right from the balcony, while windows on the other side of the property open toward the mountains, offering a different perspective of Busuanga.
There is a ground-level pool beside the sea and a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the coastline. KTV rooms offer another option for a livelier evening, while a function room is available for meetings, celebrations and other gatherings.
Dining adds another layer to the stay. Aurora, the resort’s modern Filipino seafood restaurant, is being developed around the seafood and other ingredients available in Busuanga. Briza Bar and Bistro offers a more relaxed setting, from morning coffee and casual daytime meals to drinks as the day winds down.
The character of Yunara also comes through in its people. Almost all of the resort’s staff are from Busuanga, bringing a warmth and attentiveness that's natural to the place. From welcome drinks on arrival to cold towels after island hopping and a friendly wave until the very last moment, the service is expressed through small, thoughtful gestures that make guests feel genuinely looked after.
A rooftop bar, gym and spa are in the works, adding more options for guests to enjoy during their stay.
The Rhythm of Community
The experience does not end at the resort. It extends into the community around it, onto the waters beyond its shores and into the landscapes that have long been part of everyday life in Busuanga.
Located about a five-minute walk from the resort is CAFA Ecoworld.
CAFA or the Cheey Aquaculture and Fisherfolk Association, is a community-run initiative of fisherfolk and residents that brings together livelihood, conservation and tourism. Its five-hectare aquaculture and ecotourism site is home to crab, clam and bangus production, while part of the community’s work is dedicated to caring for the environment through mangrove rehabilitation and regular river and coastal cleanups.
Visitors can kayak through the mangroves, take a leisurely river cruise on a balsa or raft, or join a guided hike, before sitting down to a meal made with ingredients from the area.
Among the dishes are CAFA’s Sinugbang Alimango, or mud crab grilled with garlic, cheese, lemongrass and other local herbs; Savoury Kibaw Sinugba, or grilled mangrove clams; and Ecoworld’s Healthy Blue Salad, made with butterfly pea flowers. They also serve nipa shake, made from the native mangrove palm.
The Rhythm of the Sea
One of Yunara’s advantages is its proximity to Calauit Island. Island-hopping trips can set out directly from the resort, making it convenient to spend the day exploring the coast, snorkeling and looking for marine life. Boatmen who grew up on these waters guide the way and share a place they know and call home.
Around Calauit Island, the waters are home to wild dugongs, including two frequently sighted near Barangay Aban-Aban. One is Aban, named after the area where he is regularly seen, while another is Pingas, named for the distinct mark on his tail.
Dugong watching here is guided by the Bantay Dugong, community-based marine rangers who monitor and protect the animals and their habitat. The Tagbanua community helps enforce strict rules around encounters, including limiting the number of boats and people in the water, prohibiting anchoring, maintaining a safe distance, and never touching or chasing the dugongs. Only the Bantay Dugong are allowed to dive to take photographs. These guidelines help make the encounter a more respectful one, allowing the animals to remain undisturbed in their natural environment.
The waters around Dimipac Island offer another glimpse of the marine life that thrives around Busuanga. The reef can be explored while snorkeling, with sea turtles often easy to spot along the way. There is no need to venture deep underwater to see the richness of life beneath the surface.
Another stop is Maltanobong Island, where Yunara serves an array of grilled dishes and fresh seafood, laid out across the table against the island’s natural backdrop. It is the kind of island lunch that makes a day on the water feel even more memorable.
Finding the Island’s Rhythm
For travelers coming from Metro Manila, the journey to Yunara begins at Clark International Airport, an easy and convenient gateway to Busuanga. From there, the city gradually gives way to island life.
Sunlight Air then takes travelers from Clark to Busuanga’s Francisco B. Reyes Airport in a little over an hour.
From the airport, it is another roughly 45-minute drive through scenic countryside and rural communities before the coastline comes into view. By then, the landscape has begun to change and the pace has softened, with Yunara just ahead.
For room rates, availability and reservations, contact Yunara Resort Busuanga at:
Contact Number: (0917) 779-3404
Website: www.yunarahotel.com
Email Address: operations@yunararesort.com
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