Palawan

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

1. 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.