Traveling to Palawan is almost a must for everyone thinking about traveling to the Philippines. It’s normal; in thousands of places you’ll see it called the country’s “jewel” and, with good reason, the dark limestone walls together with the turquoise waters that bathe them make for one of the most impressive postcards in the Philippines. El Nido is the province’s best-known corner; however, there is much more to see in Palawan, Philippines.
If you don’t want to miss out, keep reading, because here we’re going to tell you everything so you can travel to Palawan without missing a thing. Besides giving you a list of the best places to visit, we’ll share some practical facts that will be your guide around these islands, which we’ve been exploring since 2010.
Where is Palawan, Philippines?
Before delving into this, the first thing we need to clarify is that Palawan, besides being an island, is a province. That is, the province of Palawan also includes more than 1,700 islands and islets, among which are the Calamianes Islands (which include Coron), Bugsuk and Balabac, Dumaran, and the Cuyo archipelago.
Palawan belongs to the MIMAROPA region and is the westernmost island of the Philippine archipelago. It is very close to the Malaysian part of the island of Borneo and, for this reason and for being one of the places with the greatest biodiversity in Southeast Asia, it is known as “the Last Frontier” of the Philippines.
⭐ The capital of Palawan is Puerto Princesa.
There are several airports in Palawan: El Nido, Puerto Princesa, Busuanga (Coron), San Vicente, and Taytay (does not receive commercial flights). There are also many ports, among which Puerto Princesa, El Nido, Coron, and San Fernando (Sibaltan) stand out.
When to travel to Palawan?
If you want to travel to Palawan, Philippines, you need to consider the time of year when it’s best to do so. In Palawan there are 2 seasons: the dry and the rainy.
The dry season in Palawan usually runs from December to May, with April and May being the driest and hottest months (what’s known as “summer”). The rainy season in Palawan tends to run from June to November. Typhoons rarely hit the province directly, but you should keep an eye out roughly between July and October. As we tell you 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 in rainy season you may get super sunny days.
We can never tell you whether in July, November, or January, for example, it will rain on you in Palawan or not. It’s impossible to predict.
In any case, even in monsoon season in Palawan you’ll have maximum temperatures around 33ºC. You should also consider that from June to November Palawan receives fewer visitors and that low season also gives you the chance to get better prices on flights and hotels.
Nacpan Beach (El Nido)
How many days to see Palawan?
The million-dollar question… How many days do I need? Well, without wanting to discourage you, you could spend weeks in Palawan and that’s why we’ve come so many times. That said, with about 10–12 days you can see the basics of the area: Coron, El Nido, and Port Barton. Choosing between some of them or adding a few more days, you could go for the expedition between Coron and El Nido (top) or Balabac.
If you only have one week, we would go for the star combo: El Nido + Port Barton.
Want examples? Here are 3 routes focused on Palawan: One week in the Philippines, 10-day itinerary in the Philippines and 13-day itinerary in the Philippines.
What to see in Palawan? Tourist places in Palawan and lesser-known spots
There are many places to see in Palawan and, as always in the Philippines, there are more touristy places and places no one visits. Plus, even in the most visited places there are always tricks to get away from everyone else and squeeze the most out of your trip; that’s why when people say “Palawan is so touristy”, it seems like a total lie to us. Nothing like first-hand information from this pair of travelers in love with the Philippines.
Here we’re going to tell you the best places to travel in Palawan, both the best known and some hidden gems that no one visits.
1. El Nido, the most famous place to see in Palawan
Many people, when they think about traveling to Palawan, think El Nido is the only place. It’s normal; it’s “the crown jewel” of Palawan and its landscapes are stunning and almost exclusive to this part of the country. Although the town of El Nido is pretty ugly, what awaits you in the Bacuit Archipelago through its island-hopping tours is incomparable. Likewise, from El Nido you can visit gorgeous beaches such as Nacpan Beach, Duli Beach, or Las Cabañas.
We won’t deny that in recent years its fame has overtaken it and in very busy periods you can talk about a certain degree of overcrowding, but the truth is that El Nido is one of the best places to see in Palawan and is totally worth it. As we explain in our articles Things to do in El Nido and Island hopping in El Nido, the best way to avoid those crowds at certain tour stops is to book a private tour. In fact, if you follow our advice and do it this way, we promise you’ll be alone in tons of spots.
Minimum days in El Nido? At least 3 full days, not including travel days.
Which places should you definitely see 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? Since it’s a tourist spot, the hotel offer is huge. From simple hotels like South Anchorage Inn to resorts like Last Frontier. In El Nido it’s very important to consider the area where you stay; in Where to stay in El Nido we explain in detail the pros and cons. Don’t sleep on booking accommodation; value for money is quite poor and the best places sell out fast.
How to get there? Discover everything in How to get to El Nido.
Shimizu Island (El Nido)
2. Coron and the other Calamianes Islands
If El Nido’s landscapes left you open-mouthed, Coron’s won’t do any less. Coron Island is one of the so-called Calamianes Islands. This group of islands is located in northern Palawan and, among them all, the island of Coron is the most visited. Even so, it’s most likely that your base will be the not‑so‑appealing Coron Town, which is located on Busuanga Island. Be that as it may, the island-hopping in Coron is impressive. You’ll visit lakes and lagoons embraced by huge limestone walls, snorkeling spots with lots of marine life, shipwrecks, and spectacular beaches.
In addition, from Coron Town there are also boats to other islands in Calamianes such as Malcapuya, Pass Island, Black Island, Bulog Dos… In our article on 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 do them.
Although the level of tourism in Coron is somewhat lower than in El Nido, the truth is that in recent years it has become very fashionable. Another way to explore the island your way is by doing a private island hopping and, in addition, we have trusted contacts who will take you to the best spots while avoiding the other boats.
On the other hand, Coron is one of the best places to go diving in the Philippines. Twenty‑four ships from a Japanese fleet in World War II sank in Coron Bay, and visiting them by diving is quite an experience. Without a doubt, one of the best things to see in Palawan. If you like animals, another thing you can’t miss is swimming with dugongs in Coron.
Minimum days in Coron? At least 2 full days to do a couple of excursions, but we recommend giving yourself at least 1 more day to discover the surroundings. If you plan to dive in Coron, try to add 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 the hotel offer is growing little by little in Coron, the best places fill up fast. In recent years cool hostels like Dayon Hostel have appeared, as well as great hotels with pools like The Funny Lion, but, just like in El Nido, it’s better to book quickly. In Where to stay in Coron you’ll find all the info.
How to get there? In How to get to Coron you have all the data you need.
Twin Lagoon (Coron)
3. Linapacan, Culion and all the islands between El Nido and Coron – EXPEDITION
We warned you: when it comes to traveling to Palawan, it’s not all El Nido and Coron. In fact, between El Nido and Coron there are loads of islands to visit and almost no one goes to them. There are companies that link both destinations with a 3‑ or 4‑day route, stopping to sleep in tents or small huts. Prices range from €250–€550 per person, depending on the number of days, quality of service, boats, and camps.
It’s not cheap, but the experience is amazing and we’d say it’s one of the best we’ve had 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 book via this 4‑day one or via this 3‑day one. For the second one, since the owner is Spanish, he’s given us a code that gets you a 1,000‑peso discount: TRAVELPHILIPPINES.
We warn you that since 2023 it has become super popular and that it’s necessary to book weeks or even months in advance. Don’t panic, you won’t find crowds; it’s just that, fortunately, there are few companies operating this route for now.
4. Port Barton, the most charming town to visit in Palawan
As soon as we set foot in Port Barton for the first time in 2015, we knew this was “our town in the Philippines”. For us, this is one of the best places to see in Palawan and, for that reason, thousands of travelers end up lengthening their stay in Port Barton. That said, keep in mind that Port Barton is no longer a secret and, little by little, it’s becoming yet another tourist spot.
It may not have the landscapes of Coron or El Nido, but the good vibes in this sandy‑laned town will grab you. Plus, very close to it is one of the best beaches in the Philippines, White Beach. All this without counting that the island hopping in Port Barton will take you to beautiful, much quieter islands, with the chance of greeting a sea turtle or two.
Minimum days in Port Barton? We’d say 2 full days (without transfers), but you’ll probably regret not staying longer.
Musts 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 everything you can’t miss.
Where to stay? Although the hotels don’t reach, by any means, El Nido’s level and everything is a bit more rural, the truth is there are 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 in modern hostels like CocoRico.
How to get there? Learn 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. However, the capital of the island and the province has some interesting places to see in Palawan such as the historic enclave of Plaza Cuartel or Baywalk Park.
Even so, there are several things to do in Puerto Princesa or nearby that are a good excuse to stay at least a couple of days. For example, you can take a boat trip around Honda Bay, check out the caves of Ugong Rock and ride the zipline, see fireflies with the Iwahig Firefly Watching tour 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 where you can swim with whale sharks in the Philippines in a respectful way.
On the other hand, Puerto Princesa can also be your base to do the Underground River excursion or to visit Nagtabon Beach. We’ll give you more info on both places below.
Minimum days in Puerto Princesa? 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 near it. If you’re traveling solo or on a moderate budget, take a look at Guni Guni Hostel. Since there’s no nice beach in Puerto, this one with a pool will win you over. In Where to stay in Puerto Princesa you have all the info.
How to get there? You have multiple options explained in How to get to Puerto Princesa.
Puerto Princesa Baywalk
6. Puerto Princesa Underground River
Declared 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 is a 25-kilometre river, 8 of which are completely underground and which you will travel in small boats. Although, despite having gone several times, we are not particularly fans of the Underground River, we do acknowledge that the scenery is very beautiful and that, if it is your first time visiting a cave of this kind, it is a place you should include in your trip to Palawan.
The most convenient way to do the Underground River excursion is to base yourself in Puerto Princesa, where the agencies will pick you up. Another option is to go to Sabang, the town 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 rising star
Off the radar for many years due to old security issues, Balabac is making waves and is quickly becoming one of the new stars to see in Palawan thanks to the images and videos of this part of the archipelago circulating on social media. We are not surprised: Onok Island, its main draw, is one of the most beautiful islands we have ever seen, with turquoise waters lapping its fine-sand shores, slender palm trees and turtles everywhere.
Getting here can be tiring, but more and more companies are organizing 2-, 3- and 4-day boat expeditions from Puerto Princesa. Over these days, besides visiting fabulous Onok, you will enjoy many other paradise islands such as Patawan, Sicsican or Canimeran, three of our favourites. That said, forget about great comforts, fast internet and parties. Although we are gradually seeing steps in tourism development (including a future airport), Balabac is still a virgin destination.
Minimum days in Balabac? At the very least, we recommend 4 days and 3 nights.
Musts in Balabac: Onok, Patawan, Sicsican, Canimeran… Don’t worry, in Island hopping in Balabac you will find all the information to plan your visit.
Where to sleep? Although it is possible to spend the night on Balabac Island itself, we believe the experience is much better by staying overnight on some of the surrounding islands. The expedition companies will take care of this.
How to get there? Learn all about How to get to Balabac (coming soon).
Onok Island (Balabac)
8. Sabang Beach, an often-overlooked place to see in Palawan
Totally overshadowed by the beaches of Port Barton and El Nido, the truth is that Sabang Beach is one of the forgotten spots to see in Palawan. This peaceful beach only has a bit of buzz in the morning, when tours arrive from Puerto Princesa to see the Underground River. If you want to combine a visit to this “natural wonder” with a bit of beach and adventure, spend at least one night in Sabang.
Besides enjoying Sabang Beach, you can visit nearby places such as Rita Island, get your adrenaline pumping on the Sabang X Zipline, take a stroll through the mangroves or cool off in fresh water at some nearby waterfalls. In our article What to see and do in Sabang you will find all the information.
Minimum days in Sabang? At least a couple.
Where to stay? In Sabang there are top hotels such as Daluyong Mountain Beach Resort or much more modest places such as Café Sabang.
How to get to Sabang? It is as easy as taking one of the many vans that go 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 the little secret spots to see in Palawan; now, without being at all crowded, Nagtabon Beach receives daily visitors from Puerto Princesa and the odd adventurer who wants to spend the night in one of the few hotels in the area. The beach is truly beautiful and there is not much more to do than enjoy it.
If you feel like it, you can also visit Talaudyong Beach on the same day, which is not far away. The best way to do so is by renting a motorbike in Puerto Princesa, as public transport in the area is scarce.
Minimum days in Nagtabon Beach? From a few hours coming from Puerto Princesa to several days.
Where to stay? There are not many options; Playa Paraiso Nagtabon Beach is the best.
How to get to Nagtabon Beach? The easiest way is to rent a motorbike in Puerto Princesa. Another possibility is to take any bus, van or jeepney heading to El Nido, Roxas or Taytay and ask to be dropped off in Bacungan. From there you will have to look for a tricycle to take you to the beach or, like us, walk or hitchhike.
Nagtabon beach
Less touristy places to see in Palawan
The ones above (especially El Nido, Coron, Port Barton and the Underground River) are the most visited places for people who decide to travel to Palawan, but, as always, the list does not end here. There are many more places to see in Palawan that almost nobody usually goes to, but they are no less interesting for that.
10. Darocotan
We hesitated whether to put it under less or more touristy places because since the end of 2022 we have noticed enormous interest from travellers in visiting this island located at the very northern tip of Palawan. Its proximity to El Nido (in just 1 hour you will be here) makes it an accessible place to see in Palawan and at the same time gives you that “castaway” experience many of us imagine when we think of the Philippines.
The island is explored on foot and, in fact, it has neither roads nor signposted paths. It has a sunken boat a few metres from the shore teeming with marine life and beaches that easily make our podium of favourites in the country. It also has no concrete buildings, but small camps of wooden or bamboo huts that are truly cute, so the Wilson-style experience is even greater. Therefore, although it is feasible to visit it in a day from El Nido, we strongly recommend giving it 1 night or, much better, 2. It really can be one of the stops that marks your trip.
You can read much more in our Darocotan Guide.
Minimum days in Darocotan? We advise at least one full day, but it is much better if it is two. You can also go there and back from El Nido in the same day.
What to do in Darocotan? Enjoy the beaches, explore the island on foot, and snorkel at the sunken boat.
Where to sleep? No doubt about it, at Dryft Darocotan.
How to get to Darocotan? Hotels offer transfers, but you can also make your own way by motorbike to Teneguiban port or by tricycle from El Nido (45′) and negotiate a small boat (15′).
Darocotan Island
11. Sibaltan, a little-known place to visit in Palawan
North of El Nido lies this small and peaceful village that is gaining a tiny bit of Palawan’s spotlight. Sibaltan is a barangay (neighbourhood) of El Nido and is located about 45 kilometres from it. Roughly an hour of winding roads separates one place from the other, yet they are completely different.
If you feel like discovering Sibaltan, you can spend a few days in a seafront bungalow for very little money and split your time between relaxing on the beaches of Bulang Beach, Bayog Beach and Sibaltan Beach, diving with mantas, snorkelling, kayaking to Bubog Island or, best of all, doing island hopping to 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 What to do in Sibaltan.
Minimum days in Sibaltan? We recommend at least two full days.
What to do in Sibaltan? Relax on the beaches and go island hopping to the neighbouring islands. In season, it’s also one of the most famous kitesurfing spots in the Philippines.
Where to sleep? Although the offer is gradually growing, you won’t find many accommodation options in Sibaltan. There are basic yet charming places such as Erlittop Garden Eco Lodge, or, if you want something a bit nicer, take a look at Ursula Beach Club, where we stayed.
How to get to Sibaltan? You can arrive on your own motorbike (always with caution) or take one of the vans that frequently depart to Sibaltan from El Nido’s bus terminal. Prices are around 300 pesos.
Beaches from Sibaltan island hopping
12. Taytay and the surrounding islands
Did you know that one of the things to see in Palawan is a Spanish fort? That’s right: in the Palawan city of Taytay stands Fuerza de Santa Isabel, a fort built in 1667 during the Spanish colonisation. The building is in a very good state of preservation and, in addition, it offers spectacular views.
We get you—you’re not going to come to Taytay just to see a building, are you? Well, although it’s a very little-known place, the truth is there are several interesting things to do from Taytay. First, you can head to the Kuyawyaw falls, three-tiered waterfalls located about 25 kilometres from town. There are also other nearby waterfalls 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 natural reserve you can visit by boat.
However, what should draw you to Taytay is the island hopping around its surrounding islands that hardly anyone knows about. Nabat Island, Malutamban Island, Isla Blanca, Dinamayan Island, Elephant Island and Castle Island are some of the best known. In addition, there are also islands with resorts where you can go 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 do at least one island hopping.
Where to sleep in Taytay? Casa Rosa is great and a good base to organise island hopping from Taytay. For something super cool, go for El Nido Resorts Apulit Island.
How to get to Taytay? Take one of the buses or vans from Puerto Princesa or heading to El Nido and get off in Taytay. The journey from Puerto takes about 3 hours.
Taytay Fort
13. Roxas, Palawan
Another place hardly anyone considers when travelling to Palawan is Roxas. This city sits halfway between El Nido and Port Barton, and you’ll also find things to do almost in solitude.
For example, you can visit a few 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
Although also accessible from Port Barton, if total peace is your thing, one of the places to see in Palawan is San Vicente’s Long Beach. Dubbed “the longest white-sand beach in the Philippines,” it’s possible to ride a motorbike along it (best at low tide…) for 15 minutes without stopping. It measures no less than 14 kilometres. From San Vicente, you can also do the same island hopping trips as from Port Barton.
Plus, this is home to the most instagrammable viewpoint in the Philippines, Bato ni Ningning; you can surf, see turtles nesting and, above all, enjoy a place that reminded us of the early days of that untouched Port Barton we fell in love with. You’ll find all the information in our guide Things to do in San Vicente.
How many days in San Vicente? At least 2.
What to do in San Vicente? Relax, ride along the different beaches by motorbike and, if you feel like it, do some island hopping.
Where to sleep in San Vicente? Check if Club Agutaya has rooms—awesome!
How to get to San Vicente? Cebu Pacific Air has flights from Cebu several days a week. You can also arrive from Puerto Princesa by van. The journey takes between 4 and 5 hours and the last ones are usually at 17:00. You can also get there by tricycle or by boat from Port Barton.
Long Beach (San Vicente)
15. Cuyo Island
The Cuyo Islands are a group located halfway between the island of Palawan and Mindoro. As they belong to the province of the former, we’ve included them within this list of places to see in Palawan. In addition, Cuyo is the only stop for the boats connecting Iloilo (Visayas) with Puerto Princesa, so if you’re thinking of doing this route, give it a try.
The Cuyo Islands, due to their geographical position, receive hardly any tourism, but they have some attractions. Among them is a fort built during the Spanish period that still stands. Inside Cuyo Fort sits the Church of San Agustín, a religious building from the early 18th century. On the other hand, these islands are one of the best places for kitesurfing in the Philippines, especially from October to April.
They also have beautiful beaches such as Capusa Beach and Lugbuan Beach, and you can spend a whole day island hopping to discover islands like Pandan, Bisucay, Barrin, Capnayan, Quiminatin, Malcatop, Imalaguan and Silat.
How to get to Cuyo? The only option is 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 already briefly mentioned Busuanga Island—the island where Coron Town is located and therefore the starting point for Coron island hopping—we actually skimmed over it. Busuanga is huge and, of course, there’s a lot to see. In addition to the beaches of Cabo and Bali (near Coron Town) and Marcilia Beach, if you’re up for it, one of the places to see in Palawan lies on the east of the island.
Ocam Ocam is still a virgin beach. You won’t find white sand, but rather golden, yet the palm-studded scenery is gorgeous. The 2 hours it takes to get there and the lack of public transport mean it remains a spot with hardly any tourism. You can do it as a day trip from Coron but, if you like discovering quiet places, we recommend spending the night. Plus, from Ocam Ocam you can reach Black Island (or Malajon Island), another of the Calamian Islands known for being a small “Coron Island.”
By the way, you can also get to Black Island from Salvacion or Concepcion, two towns in Busuanga from where boats depart to other neighbouring islands such as Pass Island.
Where to sleep? In Ocam Ocam there are a few very basic bungalows starting at 500 pesos; you can also book these little cabins.
How to get there? There is no public transport to Ocam Ocam Beach. The furthest you could get by van would be New Busuanga and then hire a tricycle. The simplest option is to rent a motorbike (we recommend it, as the route is beautiful) or a car with a driver to take you.
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, hammerheads, mantas, all kinds of turtles… everything you can think of is there! However, reaching this 32,000-hectare marine park is not easy. Located 150 kilometres southeast of Puerto Princesa, the only way to get there is by boat, and those who usually venture out are liveaboard boats, that is, diving expeditions to 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 it can only be visited between March and June.
Map of places to visit in Palawan
Get a sense of where the places we’ve mentioned are on this map:
How to get to Palawan?
There isn’t a single answer to this, since you can start travelling to Palawan, Philippines, from different places. In short, you can reach Palawan via:
- Coron: on a direct flight from Cebu or Manila, or by boat from Manila or San Jose (Mindoro). In How to get to Coron you have all the info.
- El Nido: on a direct flight from Cebu, Manila, Boracay, Coron, Clark or Bohol. You can also go overland from Puerto Princesa or Port Barton. In How to get to El Nido you’ll find updated information.
- San Vicente: on a direct flight from Cebu. Only Cebu Pacific Air operates them 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 have more detailed information.
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 depending on the places you plan to visit, it’s worth moving around the province in different ways. In our opinion, the best way to visit Palawan is by public transport and then, within each destination, rent a motorbike or take tricycles.
For example, there are buses and vans connecting destinations on Palawan island itself. Likewise, there are boats and flights between El Nido and Coron and also between intermediate destinations such as Linapacan or Culion.
Book ferries, buses and vans in Palawan here
In El Nido, Coron, Port Barton and Puerto Princesa—the main tourist areas of Palawan—you can rent motorbikes if you want to get around the surroundings. In that case, motorbike rental prices are usually 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 motorbike or a car in Puerto Princesa. We advise opting for this only if you have plenty of time or you’re keen to get lost in lesser-known corners.
Bear in mind this option is usually less economical than public transport because you have to rent it for quite a few days if, for example, you’re going to El Nido or Port Barton. In these destinations, you’ll also have the vehicle idle for long stretches, as you’ll mostly be doing tours and won’t need it. On the other hand, consider that some road sections in Palawan aren’t in great condition. This is especially important if you plan to rent a motorbike. Never do it if you don’t have experience, the valid licence to do so in the Philippines and, in addition, you’ll need to rent a motorbike with decent displacement. The journeys are very long.
Finally, there’s a super cool option to travel between Coron and El Nido and one of the best things we’ve done since we started exploring the Philippines in 2010: the Coron to El Nido Expedition (and vice versa). Don’t worry, we’ll talk about it later on.
The iconic tricycles
Where to sleep in Palawan?
The area we recommend staying in will depend on the places you’re going to travel to in Palawan. In other words, if you plan to visit El Nido, we don’t recommend at all staying in Coron, Puerto Princesa or Port Barton (or vice versa). Distances between all destinations in the province are large (several hours), so we don’t suggest making just one base, but several.
If you’re travelling to Palawan, Philippines, you’ll find hotels for every budget. That is, from very basic places where you can pay 10€ per night (check our article on the best hostels in El Nido, for example) to pure-luxury hotels like 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 the value for money in El Nido and Coron leaves a lot to be desired. Prices skyrocket and, if you don’t want to end up with the worst of the bunch, we recommend booking as soon as you can. This is especially important during high-demand periods such as Easter, Christmas, Chinese New Year or the month of May.
Here are some recommendations for hotels with good value for money in the main tourist spots of Palawan:
- 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
Some curiosities about Palawan
- Did you know Alex Garlan, the author of the book “The Beach” and the later film shot in Koh Phi Phi (Thailand), was inspired by Palawan—more specifically, El Nido?
- Palawan used to be called La Paragua because of its umbrella shape. If you don’t believe us, check the map!
- The official languages of Palawan are Tagalog, Ilonggo, Tausug, Batak, Tagbanua, Palawenyo and Cuyunon—how about that!
- Many Vietnamese war refugees drifted until they came across Palawan and settled there. For this reason, one of Puerto Princesa’s typical dishes is chao long, a Filipino version of Phở soup.
Frequently asked questions about Palawan
Before we go, we want to answer the most common questions travellers have asked us over the years:
How many days to see Palawan?
Obviously, the more days the better. From our experience, to explore the basics (Coron, El Nido and Port Barton) you need at least 9–10 days. If you want to do the Coron–El Nido expedition, go to Balabac or try your luck with the whale shark in Puerto Princesa, you’ll have to add at least a couple of extra days.
Which is the most beautiful part of Palawan?
If we had to choose just one place, it would undoubtedly be El Nido. Here you’ll do the most beautiful island hoppings (boat tours) in all of the Philippines.
When is the best time to go to Palawan?
The dry season runs roughly from mid-November to June. That said, Palawan can be visited year-round.
What to see in Palawan in 5 days?
If you only have 5 days, we’d focus on El Nido. One of those days you can escape to the 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 are less touristy in Palawan?
There are loads: 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; and even Balabac still receives little tourism.
And that’s the end of this “mega guide” to places to see in Palawan. Of course, this is just a small selection. We’re aware there are many more. In fact, we’ll soon expand the list for those who want to get off the usual routes—like us.
Did you like this list of places to see in Palawan? We hope so! If you have any questions, ask us in the comments!
