Palawan Travel Guide and Tourism

Palawan stretches over 400 kilometres from north to south and is often described as the last ecological frontier of the Philippines. Its biodiversity is staggering, with dense rainforests, coral-rich seas and mangrove ecosystems that shelter thousands of plant and animal species. The island is divided broadly into three key tourism zones that most travellers tend to focus on: Puerto Princesa in the south, El Nido in the north and Coron in the northeastern tip. Each of these areas has its own personality and its own set of experiences that you simply cannot replicate elsewhere.

El Nido is the one that tends to steal the spotlight. Positioned at the northern tip of mainland Palawan, the town sits surrounded by dramatic karst limestone formations rising from turquoise waters, with hidden lagoons tucked behind them that feel almost impossible to believe. Island hopping tours are the essence of El Nido tourism, and there are four main tour routes that cover different clusters of islands and beaches. The Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Matinloc Shrine are some of the highlights that regularly make it onto travellers' lists. If El Nido is high on the itinerary, the El Nido 7 nights 8 days itinerary gives a solid blueprint for how to pace the stay and make the most of every day without feeling rushed.

Coron, on the other hand, is in a league of its own when it comes to diving. The area is world-famous for its WWII Japanese shipwrecks that now rest on the seabed and have transformed into thriving artificial reefs. Divers from across the globe come specifically for these wrecks, with the Okikawa Maru and Irako wrecks being among the most visited. Even beyond the wrecks, Coron's Kayangan Lake, declared the cleanest lake in Asia, is a must-visit for anyone passing through. The Twin Lagoon, where saltwater and freshwater meet in a magical blend of temperatures, is another experience that stays with visitors long after they leave. The Coron tour packages include all of Coron's activities, from kayaking and snorkelling to hiking up Mount Tapyas for sweeping views of the bay.

Puerto Princesa is where most travellers land and it holds its own as a destination too. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, runs for over five kilometres through a spectacular cave system before emptying into the South China Sea. Boat rides through the cave are guided, and permits need to be arranged in advance since daily visitor numbers are capped. Outside of the underground river, Puerto Princesa is also the base for trips to Honda Bay, firefly watching in the mangroves of Iwahig and visits to the nearby crocodile farm. The city itself is one of the cleanest in the Philippines and has a well-earned reputation for environmental awareness.

The range of activities in Palawan is wide enough to keep both adventure seekers and those looking for a slower, more relaxed trip completely satisfied. Diving and snorkelling are obvious highlights given the quality of the marine environment, but island hopping tours are equally popular across all parts of Palawan. Kayaking through lagoons, trekking through forest trails, cliff jumping and watching the sunset at Nacpan Beach are among the experiences that repeat visitors keep coming back for. Nacpan Beach in particular is one of the most beautiful twin beaches in the whole country and is often described as what Palawan looked like before tourism arrived. The best Philippines islands go into more detail about how Palawan compares to the other top island destinations across the archipelago, which can be helpful when deciding how to split the trip.

For couples visiting Palawan for a romantic getaway, the island truly delivers. Sunset dinners by the water, secluded beaches, luxury eco-resorts, private island tours and world-class diving together make for an incredibly memorable experience. Palawan has been consistently voted one of the most romantic island destinations in Asia and it is easy to see why. Detailed options for combining Palawan with other romantic stops like Coron, Boracay and Manila are available on the Philippines honeymoon tour packages.

The ideal time to visit Palawan is between November and May, which covers the dry season across most of the island. December through February offers the most comfortable temperatures and the calmest sea conditions, making it the best window for island hopping, snorkelling and open-water diving. The Tubbataha Reef, located southeast of Palawan in the Sulu Sea, has its own specific diving season that runs from mid-March to mid-June, making the Philippines in june a ideal time for divers visiting during the first half of the month.

Palawan has no international airport. Puerto. Puerto Princesa International Airport is an airport serving the general area of Puerto Princesa, located in the province of Palawan in the Philippines.

For travellers who want to combine Palawan with other popular stops across the Philippines, the 8-day itinerary to Manila, Palawan, Boracay and Cebu is a very well-paced route that takes in the best of the archipelago without feeling overwhelming.

Puerto Princesa International Airport operates international flights across various cities across South East Asia.

There are public buses available to get around the city. The bus service is from 6 am -6 pm. Every two hours you can find a bus.

There private cab agencies in palawan. You can hire a cab to go around the island. Nacpan Beach Shuttle Service, Nacpan Beach Van Transport and APLEJ Transport Services are the few taxi services in Palawan island.

There are no transport or city passes in Palawan since its an island most of the transfer takes place thorugh ferry.

There are no car rentals in Palawan island. However you can hire a cab to go around Palawan.

One of the best things about Palawan is how well it pairs with the rest of the Philippines. Travellers often combine it with a few days in Manila for history and food, a stint in Boracay for beach and nightlife, or a stop in Cebu for waterfalls and whale sharks. The combination works because each destination has a completely different feel, and the domestic flight network across the Philippines makes it logistically manageable. The Philippines adventure tour packages are worth browsing for anyone who wants to add Palawan to a broader active holiday that goes beyond beach lounging. The Philippines tourism guide covers transport and practical planning tips that apply across the whole country.