Palawan is consistently voted one of the best islands in the world — and once you see the towering limestone cliffs rising from impossibly clear water, you'll understand why. The province stretches over 1,700 islands between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea, offering everything from world-class diving at Tubbataha Reef to the jaw-dropping lagoons of El Nido and Coron. Whether you're kayaking through secret lagoons, swimming with sea turtles, or watching a sunset from Nacpan Beach, Palawan delivers the kind of scenery most people only see in desktop wallpapers.
Best Time to Visit
November to May is the dry season and peak travel window. December to February is the sweet spot — warm, dry, and slightly cooler than the blazing April heat. The wet season (June–October) brings occasional typhoons and rougher seas that can cancel island-hopping tours, but also emptier beaches and lower prices.
How to Get There
Most travellers fly into Puerto Princesa (PPS) from Manila (1 hr 20 min) or Cebu. From Puerto Princesa you can take a 5–6 hour van ride to El Nido, or fly directly into El Nido's Lio Airport on AirSWIFT from Manila. For Coron, fly into Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU) from Manila. Budget airlines like Cebu Pacific and AirAsia frequently run promos — book 2–3 months ahead for the best fares.
Getting Around
Tricycles are the main transport within towns (₱10–50 per ride). For El Nido to Puerto Princesa or vice versa, shared vans (₱500–700) run daily. Rent a motorbike in El Nido or Port Barton for ₱500–700/day to explore at your own pace. Island-hopping tours are booked through local operators and include boat, guide, lunch, and gear.
Where to Stay
El Nido town has the widest range — from ₱500/night fan rooms in Corong-Corong to ₱5,000+ boutique resorts along Lio Beach. For mid-range, expect ₱1,500–3,000 for a clean A/C room with breakfast. In Puerto Princesa, options are cheaper and more spread out. Port Barton has limited but charming beachfront huts. Book ahead in December–April; many places sell out.
Food & Drink
Fresh seafood is king — grilled tuna, kinilaw (Filipino ceviche), and garlic butter shrimp are on every menu. El Nido's restaurant scene has grown significantly, with good pizza, Thai, and Mexican options alongside local dishes. Budget meals run ₱100–200 at carinderias (local eateries). Don't miss a mango shake — Palawan mangoes are some of the sweetest in the Philippines.
Budget Tips
Shared vans are much cheaper than private transfers. Book island-hopping tours directly at the port rather than through hotels (saves 20–30%). Eat at carinderias for ₱80–150 meals. Bring reef-safe sunscreen from Manila — it's 2–3x more expensive in El Nido. Visit during shoulder season (November or May) for lower prices and fewer crowds.
Things to Do in Palawan
1Island Hopping in El Nido
El Nido's island-hopping tours are legendary. Tour A takes you to the Big and Small Lagoons (paddle through a narrow cliff opening into an emerald pool), Shimizu Island for snorkeling, and Secret Lagoon — a hidden pool accessed through a crack in the rock face. Tour C is the snorkeling tour, covering Helicopter Island and the crystal-clear waters of Matinloc Shrine. Most tours cost ₱1,200–1,500 per person including lunch.
2Puerto Princesa Underground River
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an 8.2 km navigable underground river — one of the longest in the world. You'll drift through a cathedral-sized cave on a paddle boat while your guide points out stalactites shaped like vegetables and a chamber full of bats. Book your permit in advance through the Puerto Princesa tourist office or your hotel; slots fill up during peak season.
3Nacpan Beach
A 4 km stretch of golden sand and coconut palms about 45 minutes north of El Nido town. Unlike the busy town beach, Nacpan stays quiet even in high season. Grab a bamboo lounger, order fresh coconut from a beachside stall, and stay for the sunset. Some travellers rate this as the best beach in all of the Philippines.
4Diving and Snorkeling
Palawan is a world-class dive destination. Tubbataha Reef Natural Park (liveaboard only, March–June) is a bucket-list site with massive schools of fish, mantas, and hammerheads. For day diving, El Nido and Coron have excellent sites — Coron is famous for WWII Japanese shipwrecks you can swim through. Snorkeling is great pretty much everywhere; most island-hopping tours include stops at coral gardens.
5Port Barton
If El Nido feels too busy, Port Barton is its laid-back cousin. This small fishing village has no ATMs and limited Wi-Fi — which is exactly the point. Island-hop to pristine reefs, hike to a waterfall, and eat fresh seafood on the beach. It's a 3–4 hour van ride from Puerto Princesa.
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