Best Complete Palawan Guide

What/Where is Palawan?

Contrary to what I originally thought, Palawan is not just one island in the Philippines. It’s a province of the Philippines, and it consists of Palawan (the island) along with around 1,780 other islands. Yep…1,780. Palawan, as a province, is known for its beautiful water, limestone cliffs, and lush jungles—a killer combo in my opinion. Popular spots to check out include Palawan (the island that is home to El Nido), Coron Island, and Busuanga Island. All of which I visited.

Why visit Palawan?

It is spectacular yet feels like nobody knows it. It has that type of water that only someone extremely gifted in Photoshop could recreate. The beaches are quiet with the softest white sand alongside some ridiculous rock formations that make it feel like you’re on the set of Jurassic Park.

To put things in perspective, roughly 10 million visitors visit Cancun annually, yet just over 1/10 of that number visit Palawan. I LOVED Mexico. I lived there for a while, and it has my heart, but damn, the Philippines are beautiful. Just check out some of my pictures below. As of 2025, Palawan has the perfect blend of being able to accommodate visitors, but doesn’t feel “touristy” in the slightest. Get there before it’s too late!

Is Palawan Safe?

Absolutely. Though I made the trip with my boyfriend (and it’s hard to feel unsafe walking around with a large dude), we met a few solo female travelers along the way who felt at ease maneuvering around. Everything that we experienced backed this sentiment up.

The people here are honest and up front about everything. For example, say you give them 500 pesos and the bill is 250, they will state out loud the bill they received and count the change they give back in front of you. This happened 90% of the time we paid for anything. Filipinos are known for their hospitality and kindness to foreigners. A perfect cocktail to feel safe and well looked after while traveling.

However, no place is safe when you’re not keeping your wits about you. Stay alert and aware, and you should be more than okay.

How to get to Palawan, Philippines?

Because Palawan hasn’t fully succumbed to tourism, getting there isn’t easy. It’s not hard, don’t get me wrong, but you may need a few extra days on either end of your trip to get there and get out.

How To get to Palawan Island:

Option 1: Fly into the nearby airport

Fly into El Nido or Puerto Princesa Airport. Both have connecting flights from Manila, Cebu, and Coron.

Option 2: Island Hopping Tour 

Take an island-hopping tour from Coron to El Nido! This is the option we took, and I HIGHLY recommend it. It was one of the highlights of our trip. You can take a 3-day 2-night expedition or a 3-night 4-day expedition. Whatever your time allotment is, I suggest doing it. It’s nothing but crystal waters, gorgeous beaches, and beers with new friends.

Option 3: Ferry

Ferry from Coron Town on Busuanga Island to El Nido. More information HERE. The website states the ferry takes approximately 3 ½ hours; however, those whom we spoke to mentioned the trip took closer to 4-5 hours. Bring a good book.

We opted for the boat trip from Coron to El Nido.

Things to Know before

going to Palawan

• Cash is king. Your VISA with 0 foreign transaction fees will not get you far in this country. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ATMS.
• You will be forced to have a guide for many attractions. (Some are very much needed while others are an annoyance.)
• Rainy Season doesn’t always mean rain and dry season does not always mean dry.

What to do in Palawan

As I mentioned before, this place is the mecca for beaches, pristine water, and soft white sand. With that comes amazing diving, snorkeling, fishing, and more. And when you get sick of the beach, you have endless adventures in the jungles of the Philippines. Take my boyfriend, for instance. He went off into the jungle to do a 3-day bush survival course while I learned how to free dive on the other side of the island. To each their own, am I right?

What to do on Palawan Island?

1. Day Tour from El Nido Town

Tour A- 

The most common with first timers to the Philippines, therefore, the most crowded. The main attractions are the Big Lagoon (an iconic kayaking spot), Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach.

• Known For: Lagoons and beaches
• Downside: Can be very crowded

Tour B- 

Highly underrated. This tour includes caves and beaches and is for the more adventurous type of visitor. People usually choose this option if they’ve already done Tours A & C. The main attractions are Snake Island (very cool), Cudugon Cave, Pinagbuytan Island, and Entalula Beach.

• Known For: Caves and Beaches
• Downside: Less dramatic scenery

*Something to note is that tour B can be combined with tour A for one epic day. You’ll be tired, but you will have “seen it all”.

Snake Island in El Nido.

Tour C- 

The most common with first timers to the Philippines, therefore the most crowded. The main attractions are the Big Lagoon (an iconic kayaking spot), Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach.

• Known For: Photography and less accessible beaches
• Downside: Can be weather-dependent

Tour D- 

The most common with first timers to the Philippines, therefore the most crowded. The main attractions are the Big Lagoon (an iconic kayaking spot), Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach.

• Known For: Chill beaches and a good local vibe
• Downside: Less dramatic

Seven Commandos Beach in El Nido.

2. Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls

My personal favorite waterfall in the Philippines. Though I will say I was not prepared for the trek we took to get there. I was conditioned at this point to be forced to have a guide, but I am very happy we had one for this. The hike took about 30 minutes. Bring shoes you’re okay to get wet. The so-called “trail” involved crossing multiple streams and rivers and cutting across some fields that were private land. I saw our guide slide an old woman tending her chicken a 100 peso bill. I assume it’s to sweeten the deal for having annoying tourists trample her lawn every day.

The waterfall was quiet and beautiful. Even as it poured on us while we were there, I felt like I was in the jungle book.

3. Take a survival Course

My boyfriend had taken a bush survival course while in Cebu and loved it. I haven’t gotten him to stop telling me about knots and tripods. However, with a bit of research, I found that this type of course is available throughout the Philippines, as they are known for their knowledge of the jungle. A few options to look into for Palawan are Desert Island Survival and Amazing Adventures Travel. Just keep in mind this isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ll need a sense of adventure for this activity..

4. Go Scuba Diving

Palawan is one of the premier destinations in the world for scuba diving. It has thriving coral reefs, diverse marine life, and even WWII shipwrecks to explore. My friends in the cast consistently rank the Philippines as one of their favorite diving locations. Look into Tubbataha Reef. It’s known for whale sharks, manta rays, grey reef sharks, whitetip sharks, and more.

5. Visit a Natural Hot Spring

If you manage to visit El Nido or Coron without hearing about the hot springs, I applaud you. It seems to be the taxi driver’s favorite place to suggest visiting. We did not go, but friends we met on our trip said the El Nido Makinit Hot Spring should be enjoyed in the winter, not the summer. The heat is too intense. However, Maquinit Hot Spring in Coron can be enjoyed in the summer in the early morning or around sunset when the sun is least strong.

6. UNESCO World Heritage Site- Underground River in Puerto Princesa

The underground river in Puerto Princesa has not only been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. If you’re interested in unique biodiversity, you should put this on your “Things to do in Palawan” list. It is a complete mountain-to-sea ecosystem that’s exporable by boat tour.

*This is a eco-conscius tourism option

7. Kayak in El Nido Town

Surprisingly, you cannot swim in the El Nido Lagoon, but you can kayak! There are a few businesses that offer one-person and two-person kayak rentals. The prices typically range from 500 to 700 pesos in town. Seeing as this is as expensive as renting a motorbike, potentially out of El Nido town proper, the prices might be a bit cheaper, but we did not have time to investigate. The waters are very calm, so don’t fret about the difficulty. Some great spots to check out include Lapis Lapis Beach, Papaya Beach, and Seven Commandos Beach.

8. Go Ziplining

Maybe not the most culturally significant activity to do in the Philippines, but hey, everyone needs a good thrill of a zipline every now and again. The location is great if you’re looking to grab a (slightly overpriced) cocktail while admiring the sunset afterward. The zipline is 750 meters long and takes you gliding over crystal waters and lush jungle scenery. It drops you in an area known as Marimegmeg Beach. This area is a bit touristy, but the bars and seaside restaurants are cute and worth grabbing a quick beer at afterward. 

Price: 500-1100 Pesos, depending on whether you want to do a round trip or one way ticket

9. Get a Massage

If you do not get a massage while you are here, you are doing yourself a disservice. Especially if you’re coming from the States. The massages in the Philippines are not only cheap (as low as $5 USD), but they are good! I’m not talking good for the price, I mean the massages here are so much better than in the USA. Get one, get two, honestly, get one every single day you’re here. It’s culture. 

Recommendation: Sea Tree Spa El Nido

10. Surf at Duli Beach

Located at the northern tip of Palawan, Duli Beach offers soft golden sand and one of the few places ot surf in Palawan. The waves aren’t crazy and are well-suited to beginners, which is great if you don’t get out on the water too often. Board rentals are around 500 pesos per hour. Just be aware that this beach is undeveloped. You’ll feel like you’re the first person to have discovered this place alongside some locals. With that said, you won’t be able to buy a pina colada here.

11. Fireflies on the Iwahig River

In full honesty, we did not do this activity, and have heard mixed reviews of it as well. Those in favor explain it as a quiet float among the mangroves of Palawan. Iwahig offers a unique experience with nature where every night, along the riverbank, the trees come alive with a magnificent firefly display. It’s located in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The naysayers say it’s a money pit. The price is a bit expensive for activities in Palawan, sitting at around 1,350-1,800 pesos per person. This price includes the cruise as well as a buffet dinner. But if you want to get out of the dinner, you will have to organize a private van (usually included in the price of the ticket if organized by a tour group).

What to do within Palawan Province?

12. Go fishing in Palawan with a local

My personal favorite experience of my entire trip in Palawan. We met our friend the second day in Coron while asking for recommendations for fishing excursions. He volunteered as he said he was going on his off day. He took us to his favorite spot, we had lunch alone on a secluded island, and learned how the locals spend their free time. It was incredible. Contact me if you’re interested and I can pass along his information!

13. Island Hop on a Boat Expedition

One of our favorite activities. I’ll put aside the fact that we were the oldest ones there. Age is but a number! It was amazing. 3 days of nothing but cruising on a boat from Coron to El Nido, snorkeling, sunbathing, reading, and meeting people from all over the world. The nights were filled with laughs and beers and card games. Not to mention amazing accommodation for being on a secluded island. (Think upscaled camping with plumbing.) Perfection all around. We did this during the rainy season (early September) and lucked out with amazing weather.

14. Find the Shipwrecks of WWII

A great option if you’re into free diving or scuba diving. There are multiple WWII shipwrecks to be explored near Busunaga Island (Coron Town). The ship wrecks have a range of depths, making it accessible to those who are new to free diving and offering options for those who are more advanced. It’s incredible to see. Not only were we amazed, but seeing this Skeleton of a boat, reminiscent of so much history, but the marine life was just as impressive.

15. Free Dive in Barracuda Lake

I love this place! Barracuda Lake is one of the few places in the world that has a thermocline with layers of warm freshwater sitting on top of increasingly hotter layers of salt water. It’s indescribable. It feels like an unworldly experience. I can’t count how many times I dove down just to experience this phenomenon over and over again. That, coupled with the fact that the scenery around is incredible.

NOTE: Potentially not worth going if you are not with a free diving tour. The tours that were snorkeling were sectioned off in a small area at the front, while we (the free divers) were allowed to explore the entire lake.

16. Check out Busanga Island

This island is home to Coron Town. This island is worth the visit simply to experience what it’s like to be in a place that is just beginning to support tourism. You’ll be mixed in heavily with the locals and experience what travel is like before tourism takes over these top destinations. The island has some beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and restaurants, but you’ll need a motorbike to get around more comfortably.

Palawan TIPS:

• Ask your local boatman about hidden lagoons or their favorite spots to go. A lot may know of places not on TripAdvisor.
• Wake up early to beat the crowds
• Be okay with basic infrastructure because a lot of these places aren’t glamorous. What’s awe-inspiring is the landscape, not the bathroom.