Quick Answer
Palawan is famous for its dramatic limestone karst seascapes, clear turquoise lagoons, and the underground river in Puerto Princesa. Hotels start from $85/night. The driest and calmest weather runs from November through May, making that window the most reliable time to visit.
Explore Palawan in Detail
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Top Tours in Palawan
Puerto Princesa Underground River Full-Day Tour
Guided boat ride through the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River cave system with permits included, plus a stop at Sabang Beach and a seafood lunch near the ranger station.
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El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Snorkeling
Shared bangka boat tour covering the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon in Miniloc Island, with snorkeling stops and a beachside lunch included.
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Coron Shipwreck Snorkel and Kayangan Lake Day Trip
Explore the shallow sections of WWII Japanese wrecks by snorkel and hike to the freshwater Kayangan Lake, widely regarded as one of the cleaner inland lakes in the province.
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The experiences travelers come back to Palawan for, year after year.
Itineraries for Palawan
Day-by-day plans built by travelers who actually went.
Palawan in 3 Days
The essential first-time itinerary — the must-sees you came for, plus the local moments you came home talking about.
Palawan for Couples
Quiet mornings, slow dinners, and the views the brochures don't show. Built for two.
Palawan with Kids
Activities everyone enjoys, restaurants that welcome little ones, and downtime built into the plan.
Getting Around Palawan
Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Palawan at your own pace. Compare rates from all major suppliers in one search.
Best Time to Visit Palawan
Best months to visit Palawan: April–June and September–October offer mild weather and fewer crowds. July–August is peak season. December–February is coldest but cheapest.
Why Visit Palawan?
Palawan stretches across the western edge of the Philippines and pulls travelers in with a landscape that feels genuinely different from the rest of Southeast Asia. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a navigable underground river cutting through cathedral-sized cave chambers, sits about 80 kilometers north of the city center and can be visited on a guided boat tour typically priced around $35 to $50 including permits. The city itself, along with Rizal Avenue and the bayside Baywalk area, gives travelers an easy base with decent restaurants and local markets before heading further into the archipelago.
El Nido, roughly 240 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa, is where most visitors spend the bulk of their time. Island-hopping tours labeled Tour A through Tour D cover different clusters of islands and lagoons, with the Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon in Miniloc Island being consistent highlights. Prices for a shared island-hopping boat run around $15 to $25 per person depending on the route, while private boat charters run considerably higher. Coron, on the northern tip, draws a different crowd with its WWII Japanese shipwreck dive sites sitting at depths between 10 and 40 meters, along with the freshwater Kayangan Lake perched above the sea inside a limestone bowl. Divers and snorkelers both find reasons to linger there for several days.
Food in Palawan leans heavily on seafood given the geography. Travelers find grilled tuna jaw, kinilaw na tanigue (a local ceviche-style dish made with Spanish mackerel), and fresh oysters commonly served at open-air restaurants near El Nido’s Calle Hama strip for very reasonable prices, often under $8 per dish. Palawan honey, sourced from stingless bees, shows up at local markets in Puerto Princesa near the Palawan Public Market and is worth picking up as a souvenir. The range of experiences here spans budget backpacker to high-end overwater villa, and that range is reflected in accommodation options starting around $85/night for solid mid-range properties.
Frequently Asked Questions — Palawan
How much do hotels in Palawan cost?
Budget guesthouses and hostels in Puerto Princesa or El Nido town proper typically run $20 to $60 per night. Mid-range hotels with air conditioning and private bathrooms start around $85/night. Luxury island resorts, particularly in El Nido and Coron, can reach $400 to $700 or more per night depending on the property and season.
When is the best time to visit Palawan?
November through May is the dry season and the most practical window for island hopping and diving, with calmer seas and lower rainfall. December through February brings the coolest temperatures. June through October is typhoon season, and some island-hopping boats and resorts close entirely, particularly in El Nido, so it's worth checking ahead if you plan to travel then.
How many days do I need in Palawan?
A week gives you enough time to cover Puerto Princesa and one additional destination like El Nido or Coron comfortably. Trying to visit both El Nido and Coron in a single trip works better over 10 to 12 days given travel times between them. Two or three days in Puerto Princesa, four in El Nido or Coron, is a workable itinerary for a first visit.
Is Palawan safe for tourists?
Puerto Princesa, El Nido town, and Coron town are generally considered safe for tourists with standard travel precautions. Petty theft can occur in crowded market areas like the Palawan Public Market, so keep valuables secured. Water safety is worth attention on island-hopping days since sudden weather changes do happen, and reputable operators with life jackets and safety equipment are worth choosing over the cheapest option available.
What area should I stay in?
Puerto Princesa is the provincial capital and the main entry point with the only major airport, making it a practical base for the underground river tour. El Nido town center, particularly around Calle Hama, puts you close to island-hopping departure points and has the widest range of restaurants and accommodation. Coron town is the right base if diving wrecks or visiting Kayangan Lake is the main goal.
How do I get around Palawan?
Tricycles are the standard short-distance transport in Puerto Princesa and cost roughly 10 to 20 Philippine pesos for in-town rides. Shared vans called AUVs connect Puerto Princesa to El Nido in around five to six hours for about $10 to $15 per seat. Between El Nido and Coron, most travelers take a ferry service like Montenegro Lines, which takes roughly four hours on the fast craft. Bangka outrigger boats are used for all island-hopping tours.
What food should I try in Palawan?
Kinilaw na tanigue, a local ceviche made with Spanish mackerel cured in vinegar and ginger, is common at seafood restaurants in El Nido and Puerto Princesa. Grilled tuna panga (jaw) is a filling and affordable option available at most paluto-style restaurants where you choose fresh fish and pay to have it cooked. Palawan honey from stingless bees is sold at the Palawan Public Market and is a distinctive local product. Fresh tahong mussels and oysters from nearby coastal waters also appear regularly on menus.