Palawan, one of Philippines most well known islands.
Palawan is a large and diverse island with countless places to explore and is home to some of the most beautiful beaches we’ve encountered while traveling the world. We spent 10 days hopping from one breathtaking location to another, soaking in the crystal-clear waters, incredible scenery, and lively culture. It’s an island that’s easy to fall in love with and is likely to blow you away.
Where is it Located
Palawan is located on the western side of the Philippines. It is a long and narrow island comprised of over 1,500 islands and islets, making it a very exciting and abundant place for adventure.
Places to Visit in Palawan
Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa is known for its subterranean (underground) river and is the most affordable flight hub into Palawan. We used our short time there to explore the main town and prepare for our next destination. You can choose to do the underground tour, visit other nearby islands, or use it as a transit point to make your way up to Port Barton or El Nido, as we did.
Area to stay:
Baywalk park: It’s approximately 10 minutes from the airport and near a small plaza with many local vendors and restaurants.
⇨ Book your Puerto Princesa activities here!
Port Barton
White Beach, Port Barton.
Port Barton is a quiet treasure known for its boat adventures, snorkeling experiences, and hidden waterfalls. The main town is less developed and has a drier climate; however, there are plenty of restaurants and bars to visit overlooking the peaceful waters of the cove. Port Barton’s true beauty lies in all of the places you can explore nearby.
White Beach, Port Barton.
Things to do in Port Barton:
- Go on a boat and snorkeling tour.
- Spend the day at Main beach and White Beach.
- Explore Bigaho and Pamuayan waterfalls.
Pamuayan Waterfall, Port Barton.
Area to stay:
Near Port Barton Beach: Many hotels, hostels, and airbnbs in this area make it an accessible walk to the town and beach.
Looking to book your tour ahead of time? ⇨ Click here to book your boat tour.
Note: Port Barton is located in San Vincente, though they are often confused for one place. When booking, note that San Vicente town is over an hour’s drive away. Popular San Vicente spots include Long Beach and Naonao.
El Nido
Big Lagoon, El Nido.
El Nido is the most touristic destination in Palawan. Known for its water adventures, cliffs, breathtaking island tours, and lagoons. It’s one of Philippines most Instagram-worthy places and should not be missed during your visit to Palawan.
Things to do in El Nido
- Explore El Nido’s small town, filled with restaurants, bars, and shops all along the strip.
- Take a boat tour to Big Lagoon. We selected Tour A, the most popular option, which also includes the option to rent a kayak to explore the big lagoon.
- Visit Corong-Corong and Las Cabañas beach.
Big Lagoon, El Nido.
Area to stay:
- Near El Nido Beach: A central location with plenty of restaurants and shops, ideal for embarking on boat tours.
- Las Cabañas: A quieter area compared to El Nido Beach but still well-known.
⇨ Tour El Nido’s Big Lagoon, book your tickets here!
Big Lagoon, El Nido.
Coron
Coron is known for being a beautiful and less developed island. It was on our list, but we missed it due to a lack of time and planning. It is home to one of the most recommended excursions in Palawan, Boat Expedition between Coron and El Nido.
Click here to learn more about the expedition.
How Much Time to Spend in Palawan
Palawan is an island with endless places to see. While we wished we had more time to explore, we found that 10 well-planned days were more than enough to experience the main activities.
Long Beach, San Vincente.
Transportation
How to get to Palawan From Manila Airport
The most affordable option is to fly from Manila Airport to Puerto Princesa. If you’re only staying in the El Nido region, the most convenient option is to fly directly to the airport there. If you’re visiting Coron first, you’ll likely need to fly into Coron and then take a ferry to Palawan.
Transportation Within Palawan
The best method of transportation within Palawan varies. For long distances, we recommend car or short flights, depending on your location and budget. We only flew to get in and out of the island and used vans and cars to transit within Palawan. For shorter distances, such as traveling from your hotel to nearby beaches and waterfalls, we advise renting a scooter or motorcycle.
If that is not an option, private drivers, local taxis, and tuk-tuks are also available.
Things to Keep in Mind When Visiting Palawan
Boat Trip, Port Barton.
- Vendors: Palawan is a very touristic island, be cautious of vendors overselling their excursions. Always look for guides and tours with reviews or trusted recommendations.
- Animals: There are many stray dogs in the Philippines. In our experience, they were friendly, but be careful when approaching them.
- Drivers: Local taxis will often try to charge higher rates. If traveling on a budget, ask your hotel staff or locals to familiarize yourself with prices for taxis and private drivers ahead of time.
- Expectation versus reality: Although Palawan is one of the most beautiful locations we have visited, we recommend having realistic expectations prior to visiting the island. It is a very “instagrammable” destination, however; drones often capture what our eyes cannot actually see.
Palawan, a Dream Destination
White Beach, Port Barton.
Palawan is a beautiful Philippine treasure. Whether you are hoping to adventure or simply relax, you are sure to find opportunities for both on the island. We highly recommend adding at least one or two boat trips to your itinerary, as they allow you to witness the hidden treasures of Palawan and were some of our most memorable experiences from our time there.
Want to know what other places we recommend visiting?
Here are 10 Countries to Add to Your Travel Bucket List.
Are you ready to explore paradise? Let us know which place in Palawan you are looking forward to visiting the most! Make sure to follow along our journey on Instagram @THETRAVELERINUS
Disclaimer: All the information shared is based on our research and experiences. Please note that we are not travel consultants, tour guides, or financial advisors and are not held liable for any misinformation. We give suggestions, but advise each person to do their own research and make the decision that best suits them. This blog posts also contains affiliate links, by using the links we provide you are helping us at no additional cost to you. Photos on this page belong strictly to The Traveler In Us and are not allowed to be saved or used for any reason unless granted permission so by the owners.
