Traveling to Palawan is practically a must for anyone thinking about traveling to the Philippines. It’s no surprise: thousands of websites call it the country’s “jewel,” and with good reason. Its dark limestone cliffs and the turquoise waters lapping against them create one of the most breathtaking scenes in the Philippines. El Nido is the province’s best-known spot, but there’s much more to see in Palawan, Philippines.
If you want the full experience, keep reading, because we’ll cover everything you need to travel to Palawan without missing a thing. Along with a list of the best places to visit, we’ll share some practical information to serve as your guide to these islands, which we’ve been exploring since 2010.
Where is Palawan, Philippines?
Before we get into that, the first thing to clarify is that Palawan is both an island and a province. In other words, the province of Palawan also includes more than 1,700 islands and islets, including the Calamian Islands (which include Coron), Bugsuk and Balabac, Dumaran, and the Cuyo Archipelago.
Palawan belongs to the MIMAROPA region and is the westernmost island in the Philippine archipelago. It’s very close to the Malaysian part of the island of Borneo, and for this reason and because it’s one of the places with the greatest biodiversity in Southeast Asia, it’s known as the Philippines’ “Last Frontier”.
⭐ The capital of Palawan is Puerto Princesa.
Palawan has several airports: El Nido, Puerto Princesa, Busuanga (Coron), San Vicente, and Taytay (which has no commercial flights). There are also many ports, with Puerto Princesa, El Nido, Coron, and San Fernando (Sibaltan) among the main ones.
When to travel to Palawan?
If you want to travel to Palawan, Philippines, you need to consider the best time of year to go. Palawan has 2 distinct seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.
The dry season in Palawan usually runs from December to May, with April and May being the driest and hottest months (known as “summer”). The rainy season in Palawan typically runs from June to November. Typhoons rarely hit the province directly, but you should keep an eye on the weather roughly between July and October. As we explain in When to travel to the Philippines?, this isn’t an exact science. The Philippines has a tropical climate, which means it can rain at any time of year and that, even during the rainy season, you might get gloriously sunny days.
We’ll never be able to tell you whether it will rain during your time in Palawan in July, November, or January, for example. It’s impossible to predict.
In any case, even during Palawan’s monsoon season, you can expect highs of around 33ºC. You should also keep in mind that Palawan receives fewer visitors from June to November, and the low season also gives you the chance to find better prices on flights and hotels.
Nacpan Beach (El Nido)
How many days do you need to see Palawan?
The million-dollar question… How many days do I need? Well, we don’t mean to discourage you, but you could spend weeks in Palawan, which is why we’ve been back so many times. That said, around 10-12 days will let you see the area’s essentials: Coron, El Nido, and Port Barton. By choosing between them or adding a few more days, you could go for the expedition between Coron and El Nido (amazing) or Balabac.
If you only have one week, we’d go with the winning combination: El Nido + Port Barton.
Want some examples? Here are 3 itineraries focused on Palawan: One week in the Philippines, 10-day Philippines itinerary and 13-day Philippines itinerary.
What to see in Palawan: popular tourist spots and lesser-known places
There are lots of places to see in Palawan and, as always in the Philippines, some spots are more touristy, while others get no visitors at all. What’s more, even in the most visited places, there are always tricks for escaping everyone else and getting the most out of your trip. That’s why, when people say “Palawan is just so touristy,” we think it’s a whopping lie. Nothing beats firsthand advice from this pair of travelers who are in love with the Philippines.
Here we’ll share the best places to visit on a trip to Palawan, from the best-known spots to a few hidden gems that no one visits.
1. El Nido, the most famous place to see in Palawan
For many people, thinking about traveling to Palawan means thinking only of El Nido. It’s understandable: it’s Palawan’s “crown jewel”, and its scenery is breathtaking and almost unique to this part of the country. Although El Nido town is pretty unattractive, what awaits you in the Bacuit Archipelago when you take a tour to go island hopping is beyond compare. From El Nido, you can also visit beautiful beaches such as Nacpan Beach, Duli Beach, or Las Cabañas.
There’s no denying that its popularity has outpaced its capacity in recent years and that, during busy periods, there’s a degree of overcrowding from tourism. But the truth is that El Nido is one of the best places to see in Palawan and is absolutely worth it. As we explain in our guides to Things to do in El Nido and Island hopping in El Nido, the best way to avoid the crowds at certain tour stops is to book a private tour. In fact, if you follow our advice and take your tours this way, we promise you’ll get plenty of places all to yourself.
What’s the minimum number of days in El Nido? At least 3 full days, excluding travel days.
Which places are absolute must-sees in El Nido? Seven Commandos Beach, Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Matinloc Shrine, Nacpan Beach, Las Cabañas. You can read more in Best beaches in El Nido.
Where to stay? As a tourist destination, it has a huge range of accommodations. From simple hotels such as South Anchorage Inn to resorts such as Last Frontier. In El Nido, it’s very important to consider which area you stay in; in Where to stay in El Nido we explain the pros and cons in detail. Don’t wait too long to book your accommodations: value for money is pretty poor, and the best places fill up quickly.
How to get there? Find out everything in How to get to El Nido.
Shimizu Island (El Nido)
2. Coron and the rest of the Calamian Islands
If El Nido’s scenery left you speechless, Coron’s will too. Coron Island is one of the islands known as the Calamian Islands. This group of islands lies north of Palawan, and of all of them, Coron Island is the most visited. Even so, you’ll most likely base yourself in the rather unappealing Coron Town, on the island of Busuanga. Either way, the island hopping tours in Coron are incredible. You’ll visit lakes and lagoons surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, snorkeling spots teeming with marine life, shipwrecks, and outrageously beautiful beaches.
What’s more, from Coron Town you can also take boats to other islands in the Calamian group, such as Malcapuya, Pass Island, Black Island, Bulog Dos… In our guides to Things to do in Coron and Island hopping in Coron you’ll find a list of these island hopping tours, their prices, and the best way to take them.
Although Coron gets slightly fewer tourists than El Nido, it has become very popular in recent years. Another way to explore the island on your own terms is to go island hopping on a private tour, and we also have trusted contacts who will take you to the best spots while avoiding the other boats.
Coron is also one of the best places to go diving in the Philippines. 24 ships from a Japanese World War II fleet sank in Coron Bay, and diving down to visit them is quite an experience. Without a doubt, one of the best things to see in Palawan. If you love animals, another experience you can’t miss is swimming with dugongs in Coron.
What’s the minimum number of days in Coron? At least 2 full days for a couple of tours, but we recommend allowing at least 1 more day to explore the surrounding area. If you plan to dive in Coron, try to set aside 1 more day.
Must-sees in Coron: Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Siete Pecados, Mount Tapyas, Banul Beach, Pass Island, Waling Waling Island, Malcapuya Island…
Where to stay? Although Coron’s range of accommodations is gradually growing, the best places still fill up quickly. In recent years, new hostels with a great vibe, such as Dayon Hostel, and fantastic hotels with pools, such as The Funny Lion, have opened, but just like in El Nido, it’s best to book early. In Where to stay in Coron you’ll find all the info.
How to get there? In How to get to Coron you’ll find all the details you need.
Twin Lagoon (Coron)
3. Linapacan, Culion, and all the islands between El Nido and Coron – EXPEDITION
We did warn you: there’s more to traveling to Palawan than El Nido and Coron. In fact, between El Nido and Coron, there are lots of islands to visit that hardly anyone goes to. Some companies connect the two destinations on 3- or 4-day trips, stopping overnight in tents or small cabins. Prices range from $400 to $880 per person, depending on the number of days, the quality of the service, the boats, and the camps.
It’s not cheap, but the experience is incredible, and we’d say it’s one of the best we’ve had while traveling around the Philippines. You can read all about it in Coron to El Nido expedition or, if we’ve convinced you, go straight to booking through this link for the 4-day trip or through this link for the 3-day trip. For the second option, given that the owner is our colleague, he’s given us a code that gets you a 1,000-peso discount: TRAVELPHILIPPINES.
A heads-up: since 2023, this has become hugely popular, and you’ll need to book weeks or even months in advance. Don’t worry, you won’t find crowds; fortunately, only a few companies operate this route for now.
4. Port Barton, the most charming village to visit in Palawan
As soon as we first set foot in Port Barton in 2015, we knew this was “our village in the Philippines”. For us, this is one of the best places to see in Palawan, and that’s why thousands of travelers can’t help extending their stay in Port Barton. That said, keep in mind that Port Barton is no longer a secret and is gradually becoming another tourist destination.
It may not have the scenery of Coron or El Nido, but the good vibes in this village of sandy little streets draw you in. What’s more, very close by is one of the best beaches in the Philippines, White Beach. And that’s without even mentioning that island hopping in Port Barton will take you to beautiful, much quieter islands and give you the chance to say hello to a sea turtle or two.
What’s the minimum number of days in Port Barton? We’d say 2 full days (excluding travel), but you’ll probably regret not staying longer.
Must-sees in Port Barton: White Beach, Coconut Beach, Pamuayan Falls, German Island… In Things to do in Port Barton and Best beaches in Port Barton you’ll find absolutely eeeeverything you can’t miss.
Where to stay? Although the hotels are nowhere near El Nido’s level and everything is a little more rustic, there are some cute places to stay in Port Barton from just $10 a night. You can stay right on the beach at Ausan Beach Front Cottages or meet people at modern hostels such as CocoRico.
How to get there? Find out all about How to get to Port Barton.
Coconut Beach (Port Barton)
5. Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan
Let’s be honest: Philippine cities aren’t exactly beautiful, and Puerto Princesa doesn’t stand out for its attractions. Still, the capital of both the island and the province has some interesting places to see in Palawan, such as the historic site of Plaza Cuartel or Baywalk Park.
Even so, there are several things to do in Puerto Princesa or the surrounding area that make a good excuse to stay at least a couple of days. For example, you can take a boat tour around Honda Bay, explore the caves at Ugong Rock and ride the zipline, see fireflies on the tour called Iwahig Firefly Watching or, best of all, swim with whale sharks. Yes, in season (roughly from mid-April to mid-October), Puerto Princesa is one of the places to swim with whale sharks in the Philippines in a respectful way.
Puerto Princesa can also be your base for the Underground River tour or a visit to Nagtabon Beach. We’ll share more information about both places below.
What’s the minimum number of days in Puerto Princesa? It depends on the activities you plan to do.
Recommended places in Puerto Princesa: Casa Cuartel, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Honda Bay, Nagtabon Beach…
Where to stay? Puerto Princesa has an international airport, so you’ll probably stay somewhere nearby. If you’re traveling solo or on a moderate budget, take a look at Guni Guni Hostel. Since there isn’t a nice beach in Puerto, this hotel with a pool will win you over. In Where to stay in Puerto Princesa you’ll find all the info.
How to get there? You’ll find several options explained in How to get to Puerto Princesa.
Puerto Princesa Baywalk
6. Puerto Princesa Underground River
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, this attraction always appears on lists of places to see in Palawan. It’s a 25-kilometer river, 8 kilometers of which are entirely underground, that you’ll explore in small boats. Although we’ve been several times and aren’t particularly big fans of the Underground River, we do acknowledge that the scenery is beautiful and that, if this is your first time visiting a cave like this, it’s a place you have to include on your trip to Palawan.
The easiest way to take an Underground River tour is to base yourself in Puerto Princesa, where the agencies will pick you up. Another option is to go to Sabang, the village where this natural wonder is located, and spend a night there.
Book the Underground River tour with KLOOK
Book the Underground River tour with Civitatis
Entrance to the Puerto Princesa Underground River
7. Balabac, Palawan’s new star
Off the radar for many years due to past safety issues, Balabac shows promise and is quickly becoming one of Palawan’s new star destinations, thanks to the photos and videos of this part of the archipelago circulating on social media. We’re not surprised: Onok Island, its main destination, is one of the most beautiful islands we’ve ever seen, with turquoise waters lapping at its shores of fine sand, slender palm trees, and turtles everywhere.
Getting here can be tiring, but more and more companies are organizing 2-, 3-, and 4-day boat trips from Puerto Princesa. Over the course of the trip, besides visiting fabulous Onok, you’ll enjoy plenty of other paradise islands such as Patawan, Sicsican, or Canimeran, 3 of our favorites. Just forget about creature comforts, fast internet, and partying. Although we’re gradually seeing signs of tourism development (including a future airport), Balabac is still an unspoiled destination.
What’s the minimum number of days in Balabac? We recommend at least 4 days and 3 nights.
Must-sees in Balabac: Onok, Patawan, Sicsican, Canimeran… Don’t worry, in Island hopping in Balabac you’ll find all the information you need to plan your visit.
Where to stay? Although you can spend the night on Balabac Island itself, we think the experience is much better if you stay on one of the surrounding islands. The expedition companies will take care of this too.
How to get there? Find out all about How to get to Balabac (coming soon).
Onok Island (Balabac)
8. Sabang Beach, an overlooked place to see in Palawan
Completely overshadowed by the beaches of Port Barton and El Nido, Sabang Beach is one of the overlooked places to see in Palawan. This quiet beach only gets a little lively in the morning, when tours arrive from Puerto Princesa to visit the Underground River. If you want to combine a visit to this “natural wonder” with some beach time and adventure, spend at least one night in Sabang.
Besides enjoying Sabang Beach, you can visit nearby places such as Isla Rita, get an adrenaline rush on the Sabang X Zipline, take a walk through the mangroves, or cool off in the fresh water at some nearby waterfalls. In our guide to Things to see and do in Sabang you’ll find all the information.
What’s the minimum number of days in Sabang? At least a couple.
Where to stay? Sabang has fantastic hotels such as Daluyong Mountain Beach Resort or much more modest places such as Café Sabang.
How to get to Sabang? It’s as easy as taking one of the many vans from Puerto Princesa to Sabang (about 90 minutes) or a jeepney from the San Jose terminal in Puerto Princesa (around 3 hours).
Sabang Beach
9. Nagtabon Beach
Until a few years ago, this was one of those little secret spots to see in Palawan. Now, while still nowhere near crowded, Nagtabon Beach receives daily visitors from Puerto Princesa and the occasional adventurer who wants to spend the night at one of the handful of hotels in the area. The beach is truly beautiful, and there’s not much else to do besides enjoy it.
If you feel like it, you can also visit Talaudyong Beach on the same day, as it’s not far away. The best way to do this is to rent a motorcycle in Puerto Princesa, since public transportation in the area is scarce.
What’s the minimum number of days at Nagtabon Beach? Anywhere from a few hours on a trip from Puerto Princesa to several days.
Where to stay? There aren’t many options; Playa Paraiso Nagtabon Beach is the best.
How to get to Nagtabon Beach? The easiest way is to rent a motorcycle in Puerto Princesa. Another option is to take any bus, van, or jeepney heading toward El Nido, Roxas, or Taytay and ask to be dropped off in Bacungan. From there, you’ll need to find a tricycle to take you to the beach or, like us, walk or hitchhike.
Nagtabon Beach
Less touristy places to see in Palawan
The places above (especially El Nido, Coron, Port Barton, and the Underground River) are the most visited by people who decide to travel to Palawan, but, as always, the list doesn’t end here. There are many more places to see in Palawan that hardly anyone visits, but that doesn’t make them any less interesting.
10. Darocotan
We weren’t sure whether to include it among the less touristy places or the more popular ones, because since late 2022 we’ve noticed huge interest among travelers in visiting this island at the very northern tip of Palawan. Its proximity to El Nido (you can be here in just 1 hour) makes it an accessible place to see in Palawan while still giving you that “castaway” experience so many of us picture when we think of the Philippines.
You get around the island on foot; in fact, it has neither roads nor marked paths. There’s a shipwreck just a few meters offshore teeming with marine life, and there are beaches that easily rank among our top favorites in the country. There are no concrete buildings either, just small camps of adorable wooden or bamboo cabins, making the Wilson-style experience even more complete. So, although you can visit on a day trip from El Nido, we strongly recommend staying 1 night—or 2, which would be much better. It really could be one of the stops that define your trip.
You can read much more in our Darocotan guide.
What’s the minimum number of days in Darocotan? We recommend at least one full day, but two is much better. You can also make a day trip from El Nido.
What to do in Darocotan? Enjoy the beaches, explore the island on foot, and snorkel around the shipwreck.
Where to stay? There’s no question here: Dryft Darocotan.
How to get to Darocotan? The hotels offer transfers, but you can also make your own way to Teneguiban port by motorcycle or take a tricycle from El Nido (45 minutes) and negotiate a small boat ride (15 minutes).
Darocotan Island
11. Sibaltan, a little-known place to visit in Palawan
North of El Nido is this small, quiet village that’s gaining a tiny share of Palawan’s spotlight. Sibaltan is a barangay (neighborhood) of El Nido, located about 45 kilometers away. The two places are roughly an hour apart along winding roads, but they’re completely different.
If you decide to explore Sibaltan, you can spend a few days in a beachfront bungalow for very little money and divide your time between relaxing on the beaches (Bulang Beach, Bayog Beach, and Sibaltan Beach), diving with manta rays, snorkeling, kayaking to Bubog Island, or, best of all, going island hopping around nearby islands that hardly anyone visits, such as Maosonon, Little Maosonon, Magransing, Pical, Binulbulan, or Batas. This usually costs around 1,500 pesos per person.
You can read all the details in Things to do in Sibaltan.
What’s the minimum number of days in Sibaltan? We recommend at least two full days.
What to do in Sibaltan? Relax on the beaches and go island hopping around the neighboring islands. In season, it’s also one of the most famous places in the Philippines for kitesurfing.
Where to stay? Although the selection is gradually growing, you won’t find many places to stay in Sibaltan. There are simple but charming options such as Erlittop Garden Eco Lodge or, if you want something a little nicer, take a look at Ursula Beach Club, where we stayed.
How to get to Sibaltan? You can get there on your own motorcycle (always ride carefully) or take one of the vans that leave frequently for Sibaltan from the El Nido bus terminal. Prices are around 300 pesos.
Beaches on the Sibaltan island hopping tour
12. Taytay and the surrounding islands
Did you know that one of the things to see in Palawan is a Spanish fort? Yes, the Palawan city of Taytay is home to Fuerza de Santa Isabel, a fort built in 1667 during Spanish colonization. The building is very well preserved, and the views from it are spectacular too.
We get it: you’re not going to come to Taytay just to see a building, right? Well, although it’s a little-known place, there are actually several interesting things to do from Taytay. First, you can visit Kuyawyaw Falls, a 3-tier waterfall about 25 kilometers from town. There are other nearby waterfalls too, such as Canique Waterfall, in the barangay of Polaraquen. Another attraction is the chance to spot the little-known Irrawaddy dolphins, endemic to Malampaya Sound, a nature reserve you can visit by boat.
But what should really draw you to Taytay is the island hopping around its neighboring islands, which hardly anyone knows about. Nabat Island, Malutamban Island, Isla Blanca, Dinamayan Island, Elephant Island, and Castle Island are some of the best known. There are also islands with resorts you can visit for the day (you’ll have to pay an entrance fee), such as Flower Island Resort or Apulit Island.
How many days in Taytay? At least a couple.
What to do in Taytay? Visit Fuerza de Santa Isabel and take at least one trip to go island hopping.
Where to stay in Taytay? Casa Rosa is great and a good place to arrange island hopping from Taytay. For something really special, head to El Nido Resorts Apulit Island.
How to get to Taytay? You can take one of the buses or vans from Puerto Princesa or heading toward El Nido and get off in Taytay. The journey from Puerto takes about 3 hours.
Taytay Fort
13. Roxas, Palawan
Another place hardly anyone thinks of when traveling to Palawan is Roxas. This is a city halfway between El Nido and Port Barton where you’ll also find things to do with almost no one else around.
For example, you can visit several waterfalls: Matalangaw, Maqueregaen, and Umalad Falls; go to Tumarbong Beach; and, best of all, do some island hopping or simply spend the day at Modessa Island Resort, which has spectacular beaches.
Modessa Island
14. San Vicente and its Long Beach
Also accessible from Port Barton, one of the places to see in Palawan if total peace and quiet is your thing is Long Beach in San Vicente. It’s known as “the longest white-sand beach in the Philippines,” and you can ride a motorcycle along it (best at low tide…) for 15 minutes without stopping. It measures no less than 14 kilometers. From San Vicente, you can also enjoy the same island hopping tours as from Port Barton.
What’s more, the viewpoint here is the most Instagrammable in the Philippines: Bato ni Ningning. You can surf, watch turtles nesting, and, above all, enjoy a place that reminded us of the early days of the unspoiled Port Barton we fell in love with. You’ll find all the information in our guide to Things to do in San Vicente.
How many days in San Vicente? At least 2.
What to do in San Vicente? Relax, explore the different beaches by motorcycle, and, if you feel like it, do some island hopping.
Where to stay in San Vicente? See if they have rooms at Club Agutaya—go for it!
How to get to San Vicente? Cebu Pacific Air has flights from Cebu several days a week. You can also get there by van from Puerto Princesa. The journey takes between 4 and 5 hours, and the last vans usually leave at 5:00 p.m. You can also get there by tricycle or boat from Port Barton.
Long Beach (San Vicente)
15. Cuyo Island
The Cuyo Islands are a group of islands halfway between the island of Palawan and Mindoro. Since they belong to the province of Palawan, we’ve included them in this list of places to see in Palawan. Cuyo is also the only stop on the boat routes connecting Iloilo (Visayas) with Puerto Princesa, so if you’re thinking of taking this route, give it a chance.
Because of their location, the Cuyo Islands receive hardly any tourists, but they do have some attractions. Among them is a fort built during the Spanish period that still stands today. Inside Cuyo Fort is the Church of San Agustín, a religious building from the early 18th century. These islands are also some of the best places to go kitesurfing in the Philippines, especially from October to April.
They also have beautiful beaches such as Capusa Beach or Lugbuan Beach, and you can spend an entire day island hopping to discover islands such as Pandan, Bisucay, Barrin, Capnayan, Quiminatin, Malcatop, Imalaguan, or Silat.
How to get to Cuyo? The only option is to travel by boat from Puerto Princesa or Iloilo with Milagrosa Shipping and Montenegro Shipping.
16. Ocam Ocam Beach and Black Island, two little-known places on Busuanga Island (Coron)
Although we’ve briefly mentioned Busuanga Island, the island where Coron Town is located and therefore the departure point for island hopping to Coron, we’ve really only scratched the surface. Busuanga is huge, and of course, there’s a lot to see. Besides Cabo and Bali beaches (near Coron Town) and Marcilia Beach, if you’re up for it, one of the spots to see in Palawan lies on the eastern side of the island.
Ocam Ocam is still an unspoiled beach. You won’t find white sand but rather golden sand, and the palm-filled scenery is beautiful. The 2 hours it takes to get there and the lack of public transportation mean it still gets hardly any tourists. You can visit on a day trip from Coron, but if you like discovering places without other people around, we recommend staying overnight. From Ocam Ocam, you can also reach Black Island (or Malajon Island), another of the Calamian Islands, known as a little “Coron Island.”
By the way, you can also get to Black Island from Salvacion or Concepcion, two towns on Busuanga where boats leave for other neighboring islands such as Pass Island.
Where to stay? Ocam Ocam has a few very basic bungalows starting at 500 pesos; you can also book these little cabins.
How to get there? There is no public transportation to Ocam Ocam Beach. The farthest you could get by van is New Busuanga, where you’d then need to hire a tricycle. The easiest option would be to rent a motorcycle (we recommend it, as the route is beautiful) or hire a car with a driver to take you there.
Ocam Ocam Beach
17. Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park
The crown jewel of diving in the Philippines belongs to Palawan and is called Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. Whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, manta rays, all kinds of turtles… You name it, it’s there! However, getting to this 32,000-hectare marine park isn’t easy. Located 150 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princesa, it’s only accessible by boat, and those that usually venture out there are liveaboard boats, which run diving expeditions where you spend several days (in this case, 7 to 9 days) enjoying the wonders beneath the sea.
We’d love to tell you we’ve been, but unfortunately, we haven’t yet had the chance to shell out the more than $2,000 the expedition usually costs. Also, keep in mind that you can only go between March and June.
Map of places to visit in Palawan
Get a sense of where the places we’ve mentioned are located on this map:
How to get to Palawan?
There’s no single answer to this question, since you can begin your trip to Palawan, Philippines, in different places. To sum it up, you can get to Palawan via:
- Coron: on a direct flight from Cebu or Clark, or by boat from Manila or San Jose (Mindoro). In How to get to Coron you’ll find all the information.
- El Nido: on a direct flight from Cebu, Clark, Boracay, Coron, or Bohol. You can also travel overland from Puerto Princesa or Port Barton. In How to get to El Nido you’ll find up-to-date information.
- San Vicente: on a direct flight from Cebu. Only Cebu Pacific Air operates these flights, a few times a week. Read How to get to San Vicente for more info.
- Puerto Princesa: on a direct flight from many airports in the Philippines or by boat from Iloilo. In How to get to Puerto Princesa you’ll find more detailed information.
Since March 2026, there have been no direct flights to Coron or El Nido from Manila. These now operate from Clark Airport, located 3-4 hours from Manila by road.
Book flights in the Philippines
White Beach (Port Barton)
How to visit Palawan? How to get around Palawan?
As you’ll see below, there’s a lot to see in Palawan, so the best way to get around the province depends on the places you plan to visit. In our opinion, the best way to visit Palawan is to use public transportation and, once at each destination, rent a motorcycle or take tricycles.
For example, there are buses and vans connecting destinations on the island of Palawan itself. There are also boats and flights between El Nido and Coron, as well as between destinations along the way, such as Linapacan or Culion.
Book ferries, buses, and vans in Palawan here
In El Nido, Coron, Port Barton, and Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s main tourist destinations, you can rent motorcycles if you want to explore the surrounding area. Motorcycle rentals usually cost around 450-500 pesos per day. If you rent for several days, you’ll also find prices around 350 pesos.
Another way to get around Palawan is by renting a motorcycle or a car in Puerto Princesa. We only recommend this option if you have plenty of time or really feel like exploring lesser-known corners.
Keep in mind that this option is usually less economical than public transportation because you’ll need to rent for quite a few days if, for example, you’re going to El Nido or Port Barton. In these destinations, your vehicle will also spend a lot of time parked, since you’ll mostly be taking tours and won’t need it at all. You should also bear in mind that some stretches of road in Palawan aren’t in very good condition. This is especially important if you’re thinking of renting a motorcycle. Never do so unless you have riding experience and a license valid for riding in the Philippines; you’ll also need to rent a motorcycle with a sufficiently powerful engine. The journeys are very long.
There’s also a seriously cool option for traveling between Coron and El Nido, and it’s one of the best things we’ve done since we started exploring the Philippines in 2010: the Coron to El Nido expedition (or vice versa). Don’t worry, we’ll tell you about it later.
The iconic tricycles
Where to stay in Palawan?
The area we recommend staying in depends on where you plan to travel in Palawan. In other words, if you’re planning to visit El Nido, we absolutely wouldn’t recommend staying in Coron, Puerto Princesa, or Port Barton, or vice versa. The distances between all the destinations in the province are long (several hours), so we recommend using several bases rather than just one.
If you’re traveling to Palawan, Philippines, you’ll find hotels for every budget. That means everything from very basic places where you can pay $15 per night (take a look at our guide to the best hostels in El Nido, for example) to fabulous hotels offering pure luxury, such as Cauayan Island Resort and Spa, one of the best resorts in the Philippines.
That said, Palawan is one of the most touristy places in the Philippines, and good value for money is pretty hard to find in El Nido and Coron. Prices are skyrocketing, and if you don’t want to be left with the worst options, we recommend booking as soon as possible. This is especially important during busy periods such as Holy Week, Christmas, Chinese New Year, or the month of May.
Here are some recommendations for hotels that offer good value for money in Palawan’s main tourist destinations:
- El Nido: Bulskamp Inn | Spin Designer Inn | More places to stay in El Nido
- Coron: Bay Area Lodge | The Funny Lion | More places to stay in Coron
- Port Barton: Russel Place | Parrots Boutique Resort | More places to stay in Port Barton
- Puerto Princesa: Wilnags Inn | Golden Pension House | More places to stay in Puerto Princesa
- Sabang: Hill Myna Beach Cottages | Four Points By Sheraton | More places to stay in Sabang
A few fun facts about Palawan
- Did you know that Alex Garland, the author of the book “The Beach” and the later film shot on Koh Phi Phi (Thailand), was inspired by Palawan, and more specifically, El Nido?
- Palawan used to be called La Paragua because of its umbrella shape. If you don’t believe us, take a look at the map!
- The languages with official status in Palawan are Tagalog, Ilongo, Tausug, Batak, Tagbanua, Palaweño, and Cuyunon. How about that!
- Many Vietnamese war refugees sailed without a set destination until they came across Palawan and settled there. That’s why one of Puerto Princesa’s traditional dishes is chao long, a Filipino version of the soup called Phở.
Frequently asked questions about Palawan
Before we go, we want to answer the questions travelers have asked us most often over the years:
How many days do you need to see Palawan?
Obviously, the more days, the better. In our experience, you need at least 9-10 days to explore the essentials (Coron, El Nido, and Port Barton). If you want to do the Coron-El Nido expedition, go to Balabac, or try your luck with whale sharks in Puerto Princesa, you’ll need to add at least a couple of extra days.
What is the most beautiful part of Palawan?
If we have to choose just one place, El Nido, without a doubt. This is where you’ll take the most beautiful island hopping tours (boat tours) in the entire Philippines.
When is the best time to go to Palawan?
The dry season runs roughly from mid-November to June. That said, you can visit Palawan all year round.
What to see in Palawan in 5 days?
If you only have 5 days, we’d focus on El Nido. On one of those days, you can slip away to beautiful Darocotan Island.
What are the most famous places in Palawan?
Without a doubt: Coron, El Nido, Port Barton, and the Puerto Princesa Underground River.
Which places in Palawan are less touristy?
There are so many: the whole island of Busuanga (except Coron Town) and surrounding islands such as Pass Island or Black Island; the San Vicente area; the Taytay area; Nagtabon Beach; even Balabac still gets few tourists.
That wraps up this “mega-guide” to places to see in Palawan. Of course, this is just a small selection. We know there are many, many more. In fact, we’ll soon expand the list for everyone who wants to get off the beaten path, like us.
Did you enjoy this list of places to see in Palawan? We hope so! If you have any questions, ask us in the comments!
