Having visited this province many times over the years, I can say it never loses its sense of discovery. Every return reveals another island, beach, mountain, waterfall, or small town waiting to be explored, adding yet another unforgettable experience to the journey. Taking a deep-dive into Palawan—often called the Philippines' Last Frontier and recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1990—is not a trip you can complete in a single visit. It is a destination best experienced through countless journeys, each one revealing another reason to come back.
Palawan Travel Guide: A Quick Introduction to the World's Best Island
Palawan asks travelers to slow down. Beyond its celebrated beaches lies a province where jagged limestone cliffs, underground rivers, archaeological treasures, centuries-old weaving traditions, and far-flung islands tell a story: one shaped as much by culture and conservation as by its extraordinary landscapes.
Whether you're discovering the well-trodden destinations of the north or venturing into the off-the-beaten paths of the south, this guide brings together everything you need to plan a journey that goes beyond the usual itinerary: one that invites you to experience Palawan not just as a destination, but as a place best understood through its people, heritage, and wild spaces.
Why Visit
If you want to see the world's most beautiful beaches and islands, need I say more, you have to go to Palawan.
Quick Facts
How to Get There
By Air
Fly directly via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air to Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) from Manila or Cebu. For northern destinations, book flights into Busuanga Airport (USU) for Coron and Culion, or Lio Airport (ENI) for direct access to El Nido.
[Cebu Pacific also flies to Puerto Princesa from Clark, Iloilo, and Davao. Meanwhile, PAL Express and Sunlight Air serve Busuanga (USU) from Cebu and Clark, while Cebgo operates flights to USU from Clark, Cebu, Caticlan, Tagbilaran, and El Nido.]
By Land & Sea
Shared air-conditioned passenger vans connect Puerto Princesa to El Nido (5–6 hours) and Port Barton (3–4 hours) daily along the central highway. Passenger fast ferries seamlessly link El Nido and Coron across the Linapacan Strait in approximately 3.5 hours.
[2GO Travel sails from Manila to Puerto Princesa twice weekly and to Coron three times a week.]
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit window spans from late November through May. During these dry months, sea swells remain low, making long outrigger ocean crossings to remote islets safe and comfortable.
Tourist Spots
From the capital to the far north and deep south, Palawan’s attractions are spread across vast geographical area.
Puerto Princesa & Central Palawan
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring an 8.2-kilometer navigable underground river flowing directly into the sea. Optional: Take the jungle trail leading to the Underground River and cruise the nearby Sabang Mangrove Forest.
Honda Bay: Just minutes from the city center, a classic island-hopping launchpad featuring starfish-dense sandbars and pristine snorkeling spots.
Iwahig River Firefly Cruise: Experience a magical night-time ride through a mangrove forest illuminated by thousands of synchronous fireflies.
San Vicente Long Beach: Counting secluded strides along the Philippines' longest white sand beach, stretching a massive 14 kilometers of raw, undeveloped coastline.
Nagtabon Beach: Unknown to many, this surfing spot in Palawan is starting to attract surfers from around the world.
Aborlan: Underrated coastal town where Indigenous Tagbanua traditions, farm-to-table experiences, and community-based tourism offer a refreshing glimpse of Palawan beyond its famous island-hopping destinations.
Puerto Princesa City Tour: Blends historic landmarks, engaging museums, local markets, and waterfront attractions, making it the perfect introduction to Palawan's culture and heritage.
Southern Palawan Frontier
Tabon Cave Complex, Waterfalls and Islets: Home to the Tabon Caves, where evidence of some of the Philippines' earliest inhabitants was discovered, and offers outrigger boat trips to the unspoiled beaches of Tataran and Sidanao Islands. Also check out the National Museum of the Philippines - Tabon Cave located near the jump-off to the caves and Tumarbong Falls.
Brooke's Point Banig Weavers: On the road in Palawan, meet the indigenous master weavers crafting intricate, geometric sleeping mats from wild sodsod grass.
El Nido & The North
Nacpan and Calitang Beach: While this place brought me a bittersweet memory, it remains as one of the best beaches I've been to in El Nido.
Karst Lagoons (Tours A, B, C): Join El Nido's renowned island-hopping Tours A, B, C, and other excursions for a front-row view of towering limestone karsts, hidden turquoise lagoons, and secluded beaches, including Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Hidden Beach.
El Nido Town: Even as an extreme introvert, I found El Nido Town's nightlife surprisingly enjoyable. Between cozy cafés, lively bars, and multi-cuisine restaurants, evenings here are best spent over cold beer, good food, great music, and unhurried conversations with friends. Just don't overdo the drinks—you'll want to be in good shape for the climb up Taraw Cliff the next morning.
Coron & Culion
Coron Island Lakes & Lagoons: Few island-hopping experiences in the Philippines rival the Coron Loop. It takes you to unforgettable destinations such as Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Coral Garden, Skeleton Wreck, CYC Beach, and more—each one showcasing Coron's dramatic limestone landscapes and crystal-clear waters. It's a journey best shared with someone special. I should know, went here twice, first with my then girlfriend Marianne, and a few years later, with then girlfriend Lauren. Memories indeed.
.JPG "Swimming in Barracuda Lake in El Nido")
Culion Island: A deeply moving historical town and former leper colony featuring coral-stone forts, churches, and a curated heritage museum.
Malcapuya Island: Boasting powdery white sand that rivals Boracay, located a two-hour boat ride away from Coron town proper. Great for a separate day-tour to maximize beach bumming experience.
Things to Experience
.jpg "Tabon Caves spelunking")
.jpg "Underground River in Palawan")
Local Food
Tamilok (Woodworm Delicacy): A famous local delicacy harvested from decaying mangrove trees, served raw with vinegar, chili, and calamansi akin to ceviche.
.jpg "tamilok in palawan")
Cuyonon Chao Long: A Vietnamese-influenced savory broth with rice noodles, bean sprouts, and mint, introduced by 1970s refugees fleeing the Vietnam War.
Sample Itineraries
Route I: 9-Day Puerto Princesa to Balabac Expedition
This is based on my experience exploring Puerto Princesa down to Bataraza minus Balabac Islands (which I've yet to visit). Read our full 9-Day Southern Palawan & Balabac Itinerary for complete transit details.
Arrive in Puerto Princesa. Hike into the Underground River caverns and spend the evening on an Iwahig River Firefly Cruise.
Morning island hopping across Honda Bay. Afternoon van transit south to the coastal municipality of Quezon.
Explore the prehistoric Tabon Cave Complex, followed by a quiet outrigger trip to Tataran and Sidanao Islands.
Meet the master sodsod grass banig weavers in Brooke's Point before continuing to Bataraza (Rio Tuba) to prep for your sea crossing.
Cross the channels into Balabac. Spend days marveling at the infinite white sandbars of Onuk, Candaman, and Mansalangan.
Board the morning outrigger back to the mainland, catching your north-bound van back to Puerto Princesa for departure.
Route II: 4-Day El Nido & Nacpan Beach Loop
The normal El Nido loop but feel free to add more days to complete the basic Tour A, B, C around El Nido.
Arrive in El Nido via Lio Airport (ENI). Settle into your resort, walk the bohemian town grid, and catch the sunset at Las Cabañas Beach.
Charter an outrigger to thread Bacuit Bay. Kayak Big Lagoon, swim into Secret Lagoon, or explore Matinloc Shrine and Hidden Beach.
Travel 45 minutes north to the four-kilometer golden arc of Nacpan Beach. Relax by the surf, visit Calitang Beach, and dine on fresh seaside grill.
Hike the Taraw Canopy Walk for a panoramic view over Bacuit Bay before securing your airport transfer.
Route III: 4-Day Coron & Culion Island Loop
Another basic Coron itinerary for those on a long-weekend trip. Better to split Culion and Malcapuya Island into two days if you have extra days.
Fly into Busuanga (USU). Late afternoon, climb the 750 steps of Mount Tapyas for sunset, followed by a restorative dip in Maquinit Hot Springs.
Swim the immaculate thermocline waters of Kayangan Lake, dive Barracuda Lake, and drift through the aquatic partitions of Twin Lagoon.
Take a boat to Culion Island to explore its deeply moving historical archives and fort. Afterwards, head to Malcapuya Island to enjoy powdery white sands.
Shop for local pearls and roasted cashews in Coron town proper before heading back to the airport.
Budget Guide
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Backpacker (Guesthouses / Shared Boats) | ₱1,800 - ₱2,800 / day |
| Mid-Range Traveler (Boutique Stay / Private Loops) | ₱4,500 - ₱8,000 / day |
| Balabac Expeditions (Multi-Day All-Inclusive) | ₱12,000 - ₱18,000 total |
Where to Stay
From heritage luxury to eco-centric domes, here are highly recommended basecamps across the province:
Puerto Princesa and nearby towns
The Dome Hotel Puerto Princesa: After two stays, The DOME has become my favorite place to stay in Puerto Princesa, thanks to its private geodesic domes, relaxed atmosphere, and excellent food.
Hue Hotels & Resorts Puerto Princesa: A stylish, design-forward lifestyle hotel featuring a rooftop pool, craft dining at LA-UD Restaurant, and quick airport proximity.
Wanderlust Bed & Breakfast: This boutique hotel offers a homey atmosphere, a prime city location, and a cozy café and restaurant on the ground floor.
Funny Lion Puerto Princesa: Just as I experienced on a writing trip with asianTraveler, this stylish boutique hotel with resort-style comforts brings forth excellent dining and spacious grounds perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.
Surya (Aborlan): This beachfront retreat with just a handful of rooms offers privacy, uninterrupted sea views, and a peaceful escape in southern Palawan.
Pandora Glamping (Quezon): A favorite of Italian tourists according to the staff, this glamping spot sits just beside Tumarbong Falls in Quezon. A perfect nature and wellness retreat.
.jpg "Funny Lion Puerto Princesa")
El Nido
Lihim Resorts: A deeply secluded, ultra-luxury retreat hidden within the karst forests, offering unparalleled privacy.
Seda Lio: An upscale beachfront resort in Lio Tourism Estate offering modern eco-luxury, private beach access, and seamless proximity to Lio Airport.
Lagen Island: Located on a four-hectare property on an island surrounded by limestone cliffs. This is one of the luxury properties of El Nido Resorts, alongside those on Pangalusian, Apulit, and Miniloc Islands.
.jpg "Seda Lio El Nido")
Coron
Sunlight Guest Hotel Coron: A premium bayside property with excellent culinary offerings and easy access to the harbor.
Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel: A luxury waterfront property boasting floor-to-ceiling glass bay views, infinity pool access, and easy harbor connectivity for island hopping.
Culion / Calamianes
Sunlight Ecotourism Island Resort (SETIR): Overwater Maldivian-style villas spread across a massive marine sanctuary.
Hotel Maya Culion: A historic hilltop lodge providing panoramic harbor vistas, quiet heritage charm, and immediate access to Culion's town center.
Where to Eat
Discover top dining hubs grouped across Palawan’s primary destination gateways:
Puerto Princesa and nearby towns
Kalui Restaurant: A legendary barefoot dining institution serving fresh daily catches, local seaweeds, and tropical fruits inside a traditional wooden pavilion.
Badjao Seafront Restaurant: A romantic stilt restaurant built over serene coastal mangroves, offering panoramic ocean sunset views and Filipino seafood feasts.
Mango Guesthouse (Aborlan): Doubling also as a homestay, they also serve best lunch options such as my favorite, the chicken kebab.
Rooted Coffee and Cacao Farm: Also in Aborlan, this farm slash cafe does not only serve great coffee and pastries, it also dishes a farm experiential tour for visitors to learn about the basics of coffee farming.
Cafe Atreyu in Quezon: A garden restaurant with numerous cozy and pretty corners perfect for a peaceful contemplation with a hot coffee or a meaningful conversation with friends over a shared meal.
Paruparung Bughaw: Also in Quezon, this is another bed and breakfast set in a beautiful home that serves homecooked meal. The shrimp paella I had here was something to write home about - or in today's time, one to blog/vlog about.
.jpg "Cafe Atreyu Quezon Palawan")
El Nido
Trattoria Altrove: Renowned for authentic wood-fired thin-crust brick oven pizzas and homemade pasta served in a cozy, barefoot second-story loft. This has been my favorite since my first trip to El Nido in 2012.
Happiness Beach Bar: A vibrant Mediterranean eatery and cocktail lounge featuring fun swing seats at the bar, excellent falafel pita pockets, and lively oceanfront energy.
Henri's: Netflix trivia: this is where the gang of the Filipino hit series "Incognito" converged as the group's secret headquarters. In reality, this is where I had a fine dining experience during our stay at Lihim.
Treehouse Beachclub: Best for sunset views, wellness, drinks and food. Oh, another familiar spot thanks to being one of main shooting locations in El Nido of "Incognito".
Coron
Hermanos Tapas Bar & Grill: A top-rated dining venue offering authentic Spanish tapas, grilled premium steaks, and refreshing craft cocktails near the harbor.Lobster King: A casual open-air dining hall famous for fresh live seafood, garlic-butter lobsters, ocean crabs, and savory Filipino barbecue skewers.
Festivals & Cultural Practices
Immerse yourself in Palawan's rich indigenous heritage and annual celebrations:
Travel Tips
Essential advice for a smooth and sustainable journey through the province:
Cash Preparedness & ATMs: Always carry sufficient physical Philippine Peso cash when leaving Puerto Princesa or Coron, as ATMs in smaller towns (e.g., Port Barton, Balabac, Quezon) can run out of cash or experience power outages.Frequently Asked Questions
The north focuses on dramatic limestone towers and tourist hubs. The south offers raw, changing terrain to high-rise mountains featuring archaeological caves, cultural weaving, and long sandbars.
Yes, but coordination with municipal tourism officers, coast guard units, and certified local boat captains is mandatory for all open-sea transits.
Nearby Destinations
Extend your itinerary with side trips to Linapacan's ultra-clear marine channels or embark on a liveaboard dive safari to the UNESCO World Heritage Nature Site Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
Nomadic Experiences Take
If Palawan were a person, I'd call it a repeat offender—guilty of making me fall in love with it over and over again, despite my best intentions not to. Perhaps one day I'll finally give in and call this island home. Until then, I look forward to every return, knowing each visit brings new places to discover and another chance to relive the memories that first made me fall for the Philippines' Last Frontier.
