Palawan Travel Guide 2026
Palawan has been voted the world's best island by Travel + Leisure readers multiple times, and one visit makes it clear why. This long, narrow island stretching 425 km through the western Philippines contains some of the planet's most spectacular scenery: the towering limestone karsts and secret lagoons of El Nido, the WWII shipwreck diving paradise of Coron, the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Underground River, and hundreds of uninhabited islands with beaches that look like screensavers come to life. Palawan is the Philippines at its most magnificent.
Three Destinations, One Island
Palawan has three main tourist areas, each with distinct character:
| Destination | Best For | Days Needed | Getting There |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Nido | Lagoons, beaches, island hopping tours | 3-5 days | Direct flight (AirSWIFT) or 5h van from PPS |
| Coron | Shipwreck diving, lakes, hot springs | 3-4 days | Fly to Busuanga (USU) from Manila |
| Puerto Princesa | Underground River (UNESCO), city base | 1-2 days | Fly to PPS from Manila/Cebu |
El Nido
El Nido is Palawan's crown jewel and possibly the most beautiful place in the Philippines. Dramatic limestone cliffs rise vertically from the emerald sea, hiding secret lagoons, hidden beaches and pristine coral reefs. The town offers four standard island hopping tours:
- Tour A (₱1,200) — Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island, 7 Commando Beach. The most popular — book first.
- Tour B (₱1,300) — Snake Island sandbar, Pinagbuyutan Island, Cathedral Cave, Cudugnon Cave.
- Tour C (₱1,400) — Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach. Best snorkelling.
- Tour D (₱1,200) — Cadlao Lagoon, Pasandigan Beach, Nat-Nat Beach. Least crowded.
Add ₱200 environmental fee + ₱200 Big/Small Lagoon fee (Tour A). Beyond the tours, ride a motorbike to Nacpan Beach (4 km of golden sand, 45 mins north) and zipline at Las Cabanas Beach at sunset (₱500). See our detailed El Nido guide.
Coron
Coron is the diving capital of the Philippines, famous for its WWII Japanese shipwrecks now teeming with marine life. But you do not need to dive to enjoy Coron — the island hopping is equally spectacular:
- Kayangan Lake — Crystal-clear water surrounded by limestone karsts. Climb 300+ steps, swim in water so pure you can see the bottom 15 metres down. Often called the cleanest lake in Asia.
- Twin Lagoon — Swim or kayak through a narrow opening between two enclosed lagoons. Warm freshwater mixes with cool seawater.
- Barracuda Lake — Thermocline lake for divers with dramatic temperature changes.
- Maquinit Hot Springs — One of few saltwater hot springs in the world. Perfect at sunset (₱200 entry).
- Shipwreck diving — 12 Japanese warships sunk in 1944 now form one of the world's top wreck diving sites. 2-dive trips from ₱3,500.
See our detailed Coron guide.
Puerto Princesa
The capital of Palawan serves as the gateway for most visitors. The main attraction is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) — an 8.2 km underground river navigable by boat through a limestone cave system filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Only 1.5 km is open to tourists but the experience is unforgettable. Book in advance through your hotel (₱1,500-2,500 for tour including transport, permit and boat). Limited daily permits mean this often sells out.
Other Puerto Princesa activities: Honda Bay island hopping (₱1,500, visit Starfish Island, Luli Island and Cowrie Island), the Iwahig Firefly Watching tour (₱800, paddleboat through mangroves at night) and the Ugong Rock caving and zipline adventure (₱500).
Getting There
| Route | Method | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manila to Puerto Princesa | Cebu Pacific / PAL flight | 1.5 hours | ₱1,800-4,000 |
| Manila to El Nido | AirSWIFT direct | 1.5 hours | ₱5,000-8,000 |
| Manila to Coron (Busuanga) | Cebu Pacific / PAL flight | 1 hour | ₱2,000-5,000 |
| Puerto Princesa to El Nido | Van/bus | 5-6 hours | ₱400-600 |
| El Nido to Coron | Fast ferry (Montenegro/Buhay) | 3.5 hours | ₱1,800-2,500 |
| Cebu to Puerto Princesa | Cebu Pacific flight | 1.5 hours | ₱2,000-4,000 |
Budget Guide
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation/night | ₱500-1,500 | ₱3,000-7,000 | ₱10,000-50,000 |
| Meals/day | ₱300-600 | ₱800-1,500 | ₱2,000+ |
| Island hopping tour | ₱1,200-1,400 | ₱2,500-4,000 | ₱8,000+ (private) |
| Daily Total | $30-55 | $80-160 | $250+ |
El Nido is the priciest part of Palawan. Puerto Princesa is cheaper. Coron falls in between. 2026 estimates.
Palawan Tips
- Cash is king: ATMs exist in Puerto Princesa and El Nido town but frequently run out. Bring enough cash from Manila. Coron has limited ATMs.
- Reef-safe sunscreen: Palawan's coral reefs are among the richest in the world. Use reef-safe sunscreen without oxybenzone or octinoxate.
- Travel insurance: Essential for activities like diving and island hopping. Medical facilities in El Nido are basic — serious injuries require evacuation to Puerto Princesa or Manila.
- Electricity: El Nido has frequent power outages. Most hotels have generators but don't rely on charging your devices.
- Best combo: El Nido + Coron can be done via fast ferry (3.5 hours) without backtracking to Manila. Allow 3-4 days per destination.
- Underground River permit: Book 1-2 days in advance through your hotel in Puerto Princesa. Limited to 900 visitors per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Palawan Snapshot
- Length: 425 km
- Airports: PPS, El Nido, Busuanga
- Best months: Nov-May
- Budget from: $30/day
- Award: World's Best Island
- UNESCO: Underground River