Palawan

Paradise of Lagoons and Limestone Cliffs

Palawan stands out for its clear turquoise waters and limestone cliffs that rise along the coast. The island’s beaches are wide with soft sand and tide pools reveal colorful marine life during low tides. Rainforests cover much of the interior, home to unique plants and birds rarely found elsewhere. Small fishing villages dot the shore where locals fish using traditional methods passed down through generations. At night, the sky often shows bright constellations away from city lights making stargazing simple and enjoyable for visitors seeking calm surroundings.

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Island in Philippines

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.3

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	5

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, tour agencies, and restaurants, especially in big towns. In rural areas, locals may understand basic English but you’ll get extra smiles if you try a bit of Filipino.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Palawan Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
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Read how our scores work

World-class for tropical islands and clear waters. Go island hopping, snorkel coral reefs, kayak through lagoons and relax on remote white-sand beaches.

Place score

8.2

Best at:

Islands

Beaches

Natural sites

Sea

Diving

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 10

Couples

💻 9

Digital Nomads

Philippines – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Philippine Peso (PHP) £1 ≈ ₱85.07
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are increasingly common, especially in larger cities and tourist areas, but cash is still widely used in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in the Philippines, but it is appreciated. 10% is standard in restaurants. Small tips are welcome for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited in many areas, but alcohol consumption is allowed in licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but smoking indoors in public spaces is generally prohibited.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Grab
Other:	The Philippines is known for its stunning beaches, unique wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. Be mindful of the weather, as typhoon season can affect certain regions.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Palawan, Philippines

🌦️

Jan

🔥

Feb

🔥

Mar

🌦️

Apr

🌦️

May

🌦️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

🌦️

Oct

🌦️

Nov

🌦️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Dec.
Shoulder season:	May, Nov.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Dry season November to May; southwest monsoon June to October brings rough seas and cancelled boat tours

Puerto Princesa Underground River permits sell out weeks ahead from December to May

Flights and ferries to El Nido and Coron are often disrupted by weather from July to October

Don't miss

⛵ Sail through the limestone cliffs and lagoons of El Nido
🛶 Explore the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
🏝️ Go island hopping around the turquoise waters of Coron Bay
🤿 Dive among vibrant coral reefs and Japanese shipwrecks in Coron
🌅 Watch the sunset over Las Cabanas Beach with a tropical drink

You've been here?

Why travel to Palawan?

If you need a reason to visit Palawan, just picture kayaking into hidden lagoons, snorkeling in some of the richest reefs in Asia or winding down with a coconut on sand so soft it squeaks beneath your feet. Beyond the famous waters of El Nido and Coron lie secret coves, blue holes and sleepy fishing villages where time seems to slow down. It’s not just scenery – this island is a mix of adventure, wildlife and laid-back local charm. But honest heads-up: Typhoon season can bring heavy rain (June–November), roads are rough outside main towns and mosquitoes love tourists almost as much as you’ll love the island. Stick to the main areas for best safety, especially at night.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
2 Port Barton
3 El Nido
4 Tubbataha North Reef
5 Starfish Island
6 Puerto Princesa Subterranean River
7 Tabon Caves
8 Long Beach
9 Bankil Island

🎡Places for activities

1 Honda Bay
2 Snake Island
3 Small Lagoon
4 Secret Beach

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
2 Big Lagoon
3 Estrella Falls
4 Nacpan Beach
5 Nagtabon Beach
6 Boayan
7 Puerto Princesa Subterranean River
8 Mount Mantalingajan
9 Secret Lagoon

🛍️Shopping

1 Binuatan Creations
2 SM City Puerto Princesa
3 Kaingud Arts and Crafts
4 Kalye Artisano

🎈Events

Balayong Festival
Kulambo Festival
Pangalipay sa Baybay
Cuyo Fiesta
Tarek Festival
Pagdiwata Tribal Ritual
Palawan International Film Festival
El Nido's Barotuan Festival
Puerto Princesa City Foundation Day
Kasadyaan Festival
Baragatan Festival (June, Puerto Princesa)
Balayong Festival (March)
El Nido Art Festival
Puerto Princesa Underground River Day
Coron Festival
Palawan International Bird Festival
Padyak para sa Kalikasan Bike Ride
Pagdiwata Ritual (indigenous)
Flower Festival of San Vicente

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Knowledge before you go

Best time to visit is dry season from October to June
Choose eco-friendly tours and respect marine life and reefs guidelines
Pack reef-safe sunscreen to protect corals and minimize chemical exposure
Consider staying in remote areas like El Nido or Coron for pristine island-hopping experiences and fewer crowds

How to travel to Palawan

Fly directly to Puerto Princesa International Airport for central Palawan or Busuanga (Coron) or El Nido (Lio) airports for easy access to top tourist areas. Ferries connect Coron, El Nido and a handful of smaller islands. Most long-haul international flights connect via Manila or Cebu. Bus and van networks cover major towns, but book ahead in peak season.

Access summary

From Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS): Short taxi or tricycle into town, about 10–20 minutes.
From Manila or Cebu: Direct flights to Puerto Princesa or El Nido, around 1–1.5 hours.
From Manila by ferry: Long overnight sailing to Puerto Princesa, roughly 18–22 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Palawan

You’ll find everything from beachfront hostels and bamboo guesthouses to five-star eco-resorts perched above turquoise lagoons. El Nido and Coron have the widest range, but even smaller towns offer cozy inns and eco-lodges. For a splurge, try an island resort – just book well ahead! Camping is possible on some beaches, but always check regulations first.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Astoria Palawan Resort

9.1

Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa Managed by HII

9.1

Seda Lio El Nido Palawan

9.1

Cuna Hotel

8.6

Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa

Blue Lagoon Inn & Suites

8.2

Costa Palawan Resort

8.6

Go Hotels Puerto Princesa

8.5

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Palawan

Traveling between towns means ferries, minivans or buses – roads can be bumpy and slow but the views are always good. In El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa, tricycles and motorbikes are everywhere. For island hopping, join group boat tours or hire your own for a day. Taxis are rare, apps like Grab don’t work in most areas. For remote locations, be ready for less frequent connections and some bumpy rides.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-70 %

Daily expenses in Palawan are around 70% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-19 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to PHP) is 19% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£29	£63	£160
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£38	£90
🍝 Food per day	£11	£22	£63
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£7

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£10.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3
🍟 Fast food combo	£3
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.40
☕ Cappuccino	£2
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.85

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.48
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£3.80
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.70

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.90
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£9.50
🤧 Cold medication	£4.10
💇 Basic haircut	£2.80

Safety information overview

General safety

Palawan is generally very safe, with low crime rates – main issues are petty theft and overcharging. Stick to main tourist areas after dark and always use registered tour operators. In remote areas, watch for currents and weather warnings.

Health & Medical

Basic clinics are in all tourist towns, but for anything serious, Puerto Princesa has the best hospitals. Bring mosquito repellent – malaria is rare but dengue exists. Drink bottled water and bring a basic first-aid kit for cuts and sunburns.

Accessibility

Most towns are flat and easy to walk, but not very wheelchair-friendly. Island hopping requires climbing in and out of small boats. Big hotels may be accessible, but some beach areas and markets have uneven paths (be prepared for some steps and sand).

Tap water

Tap water isn’t safe to drink; always use bottled or filtered water, which is sold everywhere. Few public fountains – fill your own bottle before heading to the beach or on boat trips.