Island Paradise
UNESCO Heritage

Palawan

"Last Frontier" Paradise

2.2M Area (hectares)
1,780km Island chain
$50–$150 Daily budget
Nov–May Best season
Pristine Waters

Why Visit Palawan?

Palawan is the Philippines' crown jewel — a long island chain stretching toward Borneo that possesses some of the world's most untouched natural beauty. The Underground River is UNESCO-listed. Coron's limestone islands are a diver's paradise. El Nido is postcard-perfect. And the town of Puerto Princesa is a laid-back tropical base.

Puerto Princesa is the capital and gateway, a charming port town. From here, everything is reachable: limestone caves, pristine beaches, underwater wrecks, and island chains that appear on no other island in the Philippines.

💡 Best time:Mejor época: November–May (dry season) — calm seas, clear visibility, perfect weather. June–October is wet and unpredictable, with occasional typhoons.

Top Attractions

Puerto Princesa Underground River

UNESCO site. Subterranean river through a limestone cave system. Truly extraordinary.

🌟 UNESCO

El Nido Lagoon & Islands

Postcard-perfect limestone cliffs and turquoise lagoons. Island-hopping and snorkeling.

🏝️ Paradise

Coron Diving & Wrecks

WWII shipwrecks, limestone walls, world-class diving sites.

🤿 Diving

Taal Island Tours

Island hopping with beaches, coves and fresh water lagoons.

Snorkeling

Barracuda Lake

Hidden freshwater lake with stunning views and snorkeling.

Unique

Snake Island

More snakes promised than exist — but beautiful island and coral reefs.

Optional

Neighborhoods

beach

Puerto Princesa

Gateway town

Capital, airport hub, port. Laid-back, good restaurants, organized tour operators.

island

El Nido

Paradise village

Dramatic limestone setting. Expensive but stunning. Island-hopping and resort base.

diving

Coron

Dive capital

Wreck diving capital. Limestone scenery. Budget-friendly but crowds.

nature

Taytay

Quiet beach

Quieter alternative to El Nido. Fishing town vibes, similar island-hopping.

Safety

⚠️ Palawan safety: Very safe for tourists. Remote areas have occasional robbery on tours — book with reputable operators only. Watch belongings on boats. Bring reef-safe sunscreen.
Safest Areas
  • Puerto Princesa city: Safe, normal tourist precautions
  • El Nido beaches: Safe, well-traveled by tourists
  • Coron town: Safe, laid-back vibe
  • On the water: Tours are safe with licensed operators
📋 Book ahead: Book all tours and boat trips through your accommodation or established tour companies. Lone travelers are sometimes overcharged. Be wary of unofficial guides.

Costs

Item Cost Range
Hostel ₱500–800/night Low
Beachfront bungalow ₱1,500–3,000/night Mid
Upscale resort ₱4,000–8,000/night High
Island-hopping tour ₱1,500–2,500 Mid
Underground River tour ₱1,800–2,200 Mid
Diving (1 dive) ₱2,500–3,500 Mid
Restaurant dinner ₱600–1,200 Mid

Best Time to Visit

☀️
Dry
Nov–May
Best weather. Calmest seas. Clearest visibility. Peak prices.
🌧️
Wet
Jun–Oct
Afternoon rains. Rougher seas. Lowest prices.
⛈️
Typhoon
Jul–Sep
Occasional storms. Many tours cancelled.
🌊
Calm
Dec–Apr
Perfect for water activities and diving.

Getting Around

✈️

Puerto Princesa airport

Daily flights from Manila, Cebu. Hub for Palawan.

🚌

Bus to El Nido

5-hour journey from Puerto Princesa (scenic coastal route).

🚤

Ferries

Boats connect Puerto Princesa, Coron, El Nido.

🚲

Local tricycles

Cheap transport within each town.

Food & Drink

Must-Try Foods

Tiwala — local fish dish with ginger and turmeric.
Lapu-lapu grilled — local barracuda, fresh and simple.
Adobong alimasag — crab adobo, sweet and savory.
Kinilaw na tuna — fresh tuna cured in vinegar and coconut.

Drinks

Tuba — fresh coconut wine from local vendors.
Fresh coconut water — straight from the coconut.
Mango shake — blended mango, milk and ice.
🍽️ Palawan tip: Fresh seafood is incredibly cheap. Order fish of the day grilled. Ask for it "inihaw" (grilled) not fried.

Day Trips & Excursions

Calauit Island (north) — animal sanctuary with zebras and endangered species.
Sabang — beach village, hot spring, nearby cave hikes.