Palawan
Palawan is an archipelagic province of the Philippines renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, featuring pristine beaches, clear waters, and stunning limestone karsts. It's a must-visit destination for adventure and nature lovers, boasting the Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the biodiverse Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, an underwater sanctuary teeming with marine life.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Palawan in the Philippines largely depends on your priorities regarding weather, crowd size, and local events.
Generally, the dry season from October to May is considered the best time to visit when it comes to weather conditions. The months from December to March are especially recommended as they offer comfortable temperatures averaging around 24-31 degrees Celsius (75-88 degrees Fahrenheit) and less rainfall compared to other months. This period is perfect for outdoor activities such as island hopping, beach lounging, diving, and exploring the famed Underground River.
However, the dry season also coincides with peak tourist season. If you're looking to avoid crowds and potentially get better deals on flights and accommodations, the wet season from June to September might be more appealing, with the caveat that rain could disrupt some outdoor activities. It's worth noting that while there's more rainfall during these months, showers in the tropics are often brief and followed by sunshine.
Additionally, certain festivals like the Baragatan Festival in June can add a unique cultural element to your trip. However, if your main goal is to explore the stunning nature and biodiversity of Palawan, festivals might not be a significant factor in choosing when to visit.
Given all this, the ideal time to visit Palawan depends on balancing your personal preferences for weather, crowd levels, costs, and local events. Always remember to check the latest weather updates, as the Philippines is prone to typhoons, and your plans can be affected.
How to Get There
Getting to Palawan, Philippines typically involves a combination of international and domestic travel, often by air. Here are some general steps:
International Flight to the Philippines: First, you'll need to book a flight to the Philippines. The most commonly used international airports in the Philippines are Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu. There are several airlines offering direct flights to these airports from various cities around the world.
Domestic Flight to Palawan: Once you've arrived in the Philippines, you'll need to catch a domestic flight to Palawan. There are two main airports in Palawan: Puerto Princesa International Airport and Francisco B. Reyes Airport (in Coron). Airlines such as AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines operate regular flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa and Coron. Cebu also has flights to these locations. Travel duration is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from Manila to Puerto Princesa and about 1 hour from Manila to Coron.
If you're aiming for El Nido, a popular destination in Palawan, there are direct flights from Manila and Cebu to El Nido via AirSwift, a boutique airline. Alternatively, you can fly to Puerto Princesa and then take a 5-6 hour land trip (by van or bus) to El Nido.
In Palawan: Once you're in Palawan, you can use local transportation options such as tricycles, jeepneys, vans, and boats to get around between towns and to various tourist spots.
Island Hopping
Palawan is an archipelagic province in the Philippines consisting of numerous islands. Here are some of the most notable ones:
Palawan Island: The main and largest island of the province, Palawan Island, is a nature sanctuary known worldwide for its unique wildlife and beautiful landscapes. It's where you'll find the capital, Puerto Princesa, a city famous for the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Busuanga Island: As the largest island in the Calamian Group of islands in the northern part of Palawan, Busuanga is known for its wildlife sanctuaries, beautiful beaches, and world-class diving spots. Coron town, located on this island, is a popular tourist destination, particularly known for its World War II-era wreck diving sites.
Coron Island: Not to be confused with the town of Coron on Busuanga Island, Coron Island is a separate island and is a part of the Calamian Group of Islands. It's considered sacred by the local Tagbanwa people and is known for its dramatic limestone cliffs, pristine lakes (like Kayangan and Barracuda), and stunning marine biodiversity.
Culion Island: Also part of the Calamian Group, Culion Island was historically known as a leper colony. Today, it is a place of historical interest and natural beauty, boasting some fantastic snorkeling and diving sites.
El Nido (Bacuit Archipelago): While not a single island, El Nido is a collection of islands (Bacuit Archipelago) in the northern tip of Palawan Island. It's a world-renowned tourist spot known for its towering limestone cliffs, crystal clear waters, white-sand beaches, and lagoons. It offers many diving sites and is also home to various species of birds.
Balabac Islands: Situated in the southern part of Palawan, the Balabac Group of Islands is less traveled but boasts pristine beaches and diverse wildlife. These islands are known for their raw and unspoiled beauty.
Tubbataha Reefs: Although not technically an island, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Sulu Sea, off the coast of Palawan. This protected area is a unique underwater sanctuary, home to a rich marine biodiversity, making it a paradise for divers.
Each island has its own unique features and attractions, offering visitors a variety of experiences from serene beaches and clear waters to diverse wildlife and rich cultural history.
Best Beaches
Puerto Princesa:
Nagtabon Beach: This beach is known for its clear waters, white sand, and relatively unspoiled beauty. It's also a popular spot for surfing when the waves are right.
Pristine Beach: As the name suggests, this is a tranquil beach with turquoise waters, away from the city's hustle and bustle.
El Nido:
Nacpan Beach: Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Nacpan Beach offers stunning views, soft sand, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Seven Commandos Beach: Named after seven commandos who lived on the beach after World War II, this beach is famous for its stunning natural beauty and clear waters.
Duli Beach: Known for its surf breaks, this beach is a paradise for surfers between the months of November and March.
Coron:
Banana Island: This beach is known for its beautiful white sand and excellent snorkeling spots teeming with diverse marine life.
Malcapuya Island: Boasting powdery white sands and clear waters, this island is often likened to Boracay due to its beauty.
CYC Beach: A small and charming white-sand beach perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Balabac:
Punta Sebaring: Located on Bugsuk Island, this beach is known for its incredibly fine and white sand.
Onuk Island: Also known as Roughton Island, it has crystal clear waters that give you the illusion of boats floating on air.
Port Barton (San Vicente):
White Beach: As its name suggests, this beach has white sand and clear waters, providing perfect relaxation.
Exotic Island: Known for its great snorkeling opportunities, you can explore colorful reefs and marine life here.
Busuanga:
Banol Beach: This small yet stunning beach on Coron (part of Busuanga) is known for its pristine, crystal clear waters, white sandy beach, and towering limestone cliffs.
Smith Beach (also known as CYC Beach): It is a public beach with clear waters and abundant marine life, making it a great spot for snorkeling.
Pass Island: Located in the north of Busuanga, this remote beach offers beautiful white sand, turquoise waters, and excellent snorkeling opportunities.
Culion:
Bulog Dos Island: This is a small, serene island near Culion, technically part of Coron municipality. It is known for its powdery white sandbar and turquoise waters, offering great views of the nearby islands.
Ditaytayan Island: Also part of the Coron municipality but located near Culion, Ditaytayan Island is famous for its long white sandbar and clear waters.
Culion Town Beach: While not as popular as others in the area, the local beach in Culion town provides a quiet, peaceful experience and gives a glimpse into the daily life of the locals.
Top Attractions
Puerto Princesa:
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an underground river.
Honda Bay: It's a beautiful bay known for island hopping tours with snorkeling and diving opportunities.
Iwahig Firefly Watching: This offers the enchanting experience of watching thousands of fireflies lighting up the trees along the river at night.
El Nido:
Bacuit Archipelago: A group of islands with towering limestone cliffs, clear waters, white sand beaches, and lagoons.
Big and Small Lagoons: Both offer tranquil waters surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Ideal for kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling.
Secret Beach and Secret Lagoon: These hidden spots, accessible only through narrow passages in the limestone cliffs, offer a unique and magical experience.
Coron:
Kayangan Lake: Often referred to as one of the cleanest lakes in Asia, it offers crystal clear waters surrounded by stunning karst formations.
Twin Lagoons: Two beautiful lagoons separated by a towering karst wall with a small underwater passage.
Sunken Japanese Warships: These World War II-era wreck diving sites are a must-visit for diving enthusiasts.
Balabac:
Balabac Island Lighthouses: The old Spanish-era lighthouse and the newer structure both offer incredible panoramic views.
Melville Lighthouse: Another historic lighthouse situated on an islet with stunning surroundings.
Punta Sebaring: The beach here is known for its incredibly fine, white sand.
Port Barton (San Vicente):
Island hopping: There are several beautiful islands and beaches nearby that are included in island hopping tours, such as German Island, Inaladelan Island, and Exotic Island.
Pamoayan Falls: A charming waterfall hidden in the jungle, offering a cool respite from the tropical heat.
Marine Sanctuary: A protected area that offers excellent snorkeling and a chance to see diverse marine life.
Busuanga:
Sunken Japanese Warships: These World War II-era shipwrecks are now a part of the underwater ecosystem, serving as a magnet for divers worldwide.
Coron Island: This island is known for its crystal-clear lakes (like Kayangan and Barracuda Lakes) nestled amidst dramatic limestone cliffs.
Calauit Safari Park: A unique game reserve and wildlife sanctuary on Calauit Island, where African animals like giraffes and zebras coexist with endemic Philippine animals.
Culion:
Culion Museum and Archives: This museum chronicles Culion's history as a former leper colony, making it a place of historical and cultural significance.
Bulog Dos Island: Known for its powdery white sandbar and clear turquoise waters, offering a great spot for swimming and snorkeling.
Ditaytayan Island: Another beautiful island with a long white sandbar and clear waters, perfect for beach relaxation and underwater exploration.
Tubbataha Reefs:
North and South Atolls: These two atolls constitute the major parts of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each offers a unique diving experience, with rich marine biodiversity and pristine coral reefs.
Jessie Beazley Reef: A smaller reef near the Tubbataha Reefs, known for its diverse marine life and excellent diving opportunities.
Bird Islet and South Islet: These are nesting sites for birds and marine turtles, adding to the rich biodiversity of the area. They are strictly protected, and access is limited to research and conservation activities only.
Top 10 Activities
Puerto Princesa:
Underground River Tour: Take a boat ride through the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
Island Hopping in Honda Bay: Spend a day visiting various islands in the bay, each with its own unique features.
Firefly Watching: Experience the magical spectacle of fireflies illuminating the night at Iwahig Firefly Watching River Tour.
El Nido:
Lagoon Kayaking: Paddle your way through the serene waters of the Big and Small Lagoons.
Island Hopping: Explore the stunning islands, beaches, and lagoons of the Bacuit Archipelago.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: Discover the rich underwater biodiversity of El Nido's dive sites.
Coron:
Shipwreck Diving: Dive among the sunken Japanese warships from World War II.
Lake Swimming: Take a dip in the crystal clear waters of Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoons.
Island Hopping: Visit stunning locations such as Banana Island, Malcapuya Island, and CYC Beach.
Balabac:
Lighthouse Visiting: Explore the historic lighthouses of Balabac Island and enjoy the panoramic views.
Beach Hopping: Experience the incredibly fine sand of Punta Sebaring or the crystal clear waters of Onuk Island.
Port Barton (San Vicente):
Island Hopping: Visit the surrounding islands like German Island, Inaladelan Island, and Exotic Island.
Hiking to Waterfalls: Take a trek through the jungle to reach the beautiful Pamoayan Falls.
Snorkeling: Explore the underwater life in Port Barton's Marine Sanctuary.
Busuanga:
Wreck Diving: Explore the sunken Japanese warships from World War II, which have become fascinating diving sites teeming with marine life.
Wildlife Viewing: Visit Calauit Safari Park to see a mix of African and Philippine wildlife.
Island Hopping: Experience beautiful beaches, clear waters, and rich snorkeling spots on islands like Coron Island and Pass Island.
Culion:
Historical Tour: Visit the Culion Museum and Archives to learn about the island's history as a former leper colony.
Beach Relaxation and Snorkeling: Spend time on the stunning beaches of nearby islands like Bulog Dos and Ditaytayan, where you can swim, sunbathe, and snorkel.
Tubbataha Reefs:
Scuba Diving: Experience some of the best diving in the world, exploring the North and South Atolls and the Jessie Beazley Reef, teeming with marine life.
Marine Wildlife Watching: Observe a variety of marine species, including sharks, turtles, and numerous types of fish. You might also see seabirds if you're there during nesting season.
Best Shopping
Shopping in Palawan is quite varied, from malls and markets offering modern goods and souvenirs to smaller shops and stalls selling local artisanal products and handicrafts. Here are some places where you can enjoy shopping:
Puerto Princesa City: Being the capital of Palawan, it offers the most variety when it comes to shopping.
Robinsons Place Palawan: This is a major shopping mall where you can find a wide array of retail shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
SM City Puerto Princesa: Another large mall with a wide selection of local and international brands.
Palawan Special Battalion WW2 Memorial Museum: This isn't a shopping destination, but the museum has a souvenir shop where you can buy World War II-themed memorabilia.
Puerto Princesa Public Market: Here you can find local products, fresh produce, seafood, and local delicacies. It's an excellent place to experience the local culture.
El Nido and Coron: These areas are more known for their natural beauty rather than shopping, but you can find local markets and boutique shops selling beachwear, souvenirs, local crafts, jewelry, and natural products like coconut oil and handmade soaps.
San Vicente and Port Barton: While not shopping hubs, these areas do have local vendors selling handicrafts and souvenirs, particularly items made from local materials like wood, shells, and pearls.
In any of these locations, don't miss out on purchasing local Palawan products such as cashew nuts, wild honey, or hand-woven items.
Local Cuisine
Palawan's cuisine is a delightful mix of traditional Filipino food with unique local touches, heavily influenced by the sea. Here are some signature dishes you should try and the best places to find them:
Tamilok (Woodworm): This is a type of mollusk that lives in mangrove wood, considered a delicacy in Palawan. It's often served raw, marinated in vinegar, chili, and onions. Best tried in local markets or in Kinabuchs Grill and Bar in Puerto Princesa.
Crocodile Sisig: Palawan is home to a crocodile farm, and the meat ends up in various local dishes. Sisig is a traditional Filipino dish usually made from pork, but in Palawan, you can try it made from crocodile meat. It's best tried in places like Kinabuchs Grill and Bar in Puerto Princesa.
Chao Long Noodles: This Vietnamese-inspired noodle dish became popular in Palawan after an influx of Vietnamese refugees in the 1970s. It's a beef stew with rice noodles and is best tried in Bona's Chao Long in Puerto Princesa.
Seafood: Being an island, Palawan has an abundance of fresh seafood. You can try delicious crabs, prawns, lobsters, and various types of fish prepared in different ways. KaLui Restaurant in Puerto Princesa is well-known for its seafood dishes.
Cashew Nuts: Palawan is known for its cashew production. You can buy fresh and roasted cashews almost anywhere, but Baker's Hill in Puerto Princesa is a well-known spot.
In El Nido, you will find a range of restaurants serving both local and international cuisine. Some notable places include Trattoria Altrove for pizza, and Tambok's El Nido for traditional Filipino food.
In Coron, try Winnie's Restaurant for a mix of Filipino and international dishes or Kawayanan Grill for local seafood.
In Port Barton, check out Ausan Beach Front Cottage Restaurant for fresh seafood or Mojitos Resto-Bar for a fusion of Filipino and Western dishes.
Accommodations
Choosing where to stay in Palawan greatly depends on the type of experience you're looking for. Here are some popular areas to consider:
Puerto Princesa: The capital of Palawan and its main gateway, Puerto Princesa has a range of accommodation options from budget to luxury. It's also home to several attractions such as the Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, and Iwahig Firefly Watching. Good places to stay include Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa for a luxurious experience or Canvas Boutique Hotel for a stylish yet budget-friendly option.
El Nido: Known for its stunning limestone cliffs and clear waters, El Nido offers plenty of island-hopping opportunities and water activities. There's a wide range of accommodations from budget hostels to luxury resorts. Consider staying at El Nido Resorts for an upscale experience or Spin Designer Hostel for budget-friendly yet chic accommodation.
Coron: This area is famous for its World War II-era shipwrecks, lakes, and hot springs. Accommodation options range from basic hostels to high-end resorts. Consider Coron Soleil Garden Resort for a high-end stay or Hop Hostel for a budget option with a cool vibe.
San Vicente and Port Barton: These areas are quieter than El Nido and Coron but offer beautiful beaches and a laid-back vibe. Here you can find a mix of budget and mid-range accommodations. Consider Club Agutaya in San Vicente for an eco-friendly luxury resort or Ausan Beach Front Cottages in Port Barton for a budget-friendly beachfront option.
Busuanga: This area includes Coron Town, but also extends to quieter parts of the island. It's a good place to stay for those who want to dive and explore the local nature. Accommodation ranges from budget to luxury. Huma Island Resort and Spa offers a luxury experience in Busuanga.
Itinerary
7-Day Island-Hopping Adventure in Enchanting Palawan
Day 1: Puerto Princesa City Tour
Start your Palawan adventure with a city tour in Puerto Princesa. Visit the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, also known as the Crocodile Farm, and then continue to the Iwahig Firefly Watching for a magical evening experience.
Day 2: Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour
Embark on a full-day tour to the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Enjoy a paddle boat tour through the underground river, marvel at the impressive limestone formations and the array of wildlife.
Day 3: Travel to El Nido
Transfer to El Nido, which will take around 5-6 hours by van. Use the remainder of the day to settle in, explore the town, and relax at the beach.
Day 4: El Nido Island Hopping
Start your El Nido island hopping tour which includes the Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach. Each spot offers a unique setting for swimming, snorkeling, and soaking in the beautiful views.
Day 5: El Nido Island Hopping
Continue your El Nido exploration with a tour visiting Secret Beach, Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, and Star Beach. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the beautiful surroundings.
Day 6: Travel to Coron
Travel to Coron via fast ferry (approximately 3-4 hours). Upon arrival, spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. You may opt to explore the town or relax at your accommodation.
Day 7: Coron Island Hopping
Go on a full-day island hopping tour in Coron. Visit Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Siete Pecados, and Skeleton Wreck. End the day with a relaxing dip in Maquinit Hot Springs.
