Best Time to Visit
November to May (dry season). December-February is peak. Typhoons are rare in Palawan but June-October brings heavy rain
Language
Filipino (Tagalog), English widely spoken
Currency
Philippine Peso (PHP)
Time Zone
PHT (UTC+8)
Airport
Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) for southern Palawan; El Nido Airport (ENI) for northern; Francisco B. Reyes Airport Busuanga (USU) for Coron
Population
950,000 (province)
Climate
Tropical, avg 27-33°C year-round. Drier than most Philippines due to western Palawan sheltering effect
Safety Rating
Generally Safe (Level 1). Petty theft precautions on beaches; boat safety varies by operator
The iconic lagoon tours through towering limestone karst formations. Tour A (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon) and Tour C (Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Star Beach, Helicopter Island) are the must-dos. Each tour costs 1,200-1,500 PHP (~$21-27) including lunch, kayak, and snorkel gear. Book through your hotel or at the tourism office on the beach. Tours depart 9AM, return 4PM. Tour A is the most popular — go on a weekday if possible.
A UNESCO World Heritage site — an 8.2km navigable underground river through a limestone cave system (you see about 4km on the tour). Entry: 500 PHP permit + 250 PHP boat fee + 150 PHP environmental fee. Must book at least 1 day ahead through the tourism office or your hotel — daily visitor cap of 900. The 45-minute boat ride through cathedral-sized caverns with stalactites and bats is otherworldly. 80km from Puerto Princesa (2-hour van ride). Allow a full day.
Coron Bay holds a fleet of 12+ sunken Japanese WWII warships at 10-40m depth — one of the world's top wreck diving destinations. Two-dive trips cost 2,500-3,500 PHP (~$45-63) including gear. The Irako (42m patrol vessel) and Akitsushima (seaplane tender) are highlights. Open Water certification required for most wrecks; some are accessible to snorkelers. Visibility: 10-20m. Water temperature: 26-30°C. Book with established operators like Sea Dive or Coron Divers.
Often called the cleanest lake in the Philippines — crystal-clear freshwater surrounded by limestone cliffs with visibility down to 10+ meters. A steep 10-minute climb from the boat landing (about 160 steps) leads to an iconic viewpoint, then down to the lake. Entry: 300 PHP. Swimming is allowed — the water is an eerie emerald green. Arrive before 9AM to beat the tour groups. Part of most Coron island-hopping tours (1,500-2,000 PHP).
A 4km stretch of golden sand backed by coconut palms — consistently rated among the world's best beaches and far less crowded than El Nido town. 45-minute ride from El Nido (tricycle 500-700 PHP round trip). Beach bar shacks serve fresh fish and cocktails (150-300 PHP). Best for sunset. Camping possible (500 PHP/tent). The twin beach at Calitang is accessible at low tide by walking around the headland. No entrance fee.
A vast turquoise lagoon enclosed by sheer limestone walls — paddle a kayak (included in Tour A) through narrow openings into the lagoon's calm, shallow waters. The water is so clear you can see fish, starfish, and coral below your kayak. Environmental fee: 200 PHP (valid for 10 days). Early morning visits have the flattest water and best reflections. Connected to the Small Lagoon which requires swimming through a narrow gap between cliffs.
Fly into El Nido Airport (ENI) or Puerto Princesa (PPS) and transfer to El Nido. Settle in and explore the beach town.
Arrival and transfer to El Nido(1 hour)
If flying to ENI: 15-min tricycle to town (50 PHP). If PPS: 5-6 hour van ride (500-700 PHP) or 50-min flight. Book van a day ahead in peak season
Check into El Nido hotel(1 hour)
Budget 800-1,500 PHP, mid-range 2,000-4,000 PHP. Stay near the beach for walkability to tour operators
Pay El Nido eco-tourism fee(15 minutes)
200 PHP valid 10 days. Tourism office on the beach
Sunset at Las Cabanas Beach(2 hours)
Zipline across the bay (500 PHP) or just watch the sunset from the beach bar. Cocktails 150-250 PHP. The limestone islands silhouetted at sunset are postcards come to life
The iconic lagoon tour — Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon.
Tour A full day(7 hours)
1,200-1,500 PHP including lunch, kayak, snorkel gear. Depart 9AM, return 4PM. Big Lagoon — kayak through towering limestone into turquoise water. Small Lagoon — swim through a narrow cliff gap. Secret Lagoon — scramble through a rock crevice to a hidden pool. Shimizu Island — snorkeling. Book through hotel or tourism office
Tour C explores the outer islands — dramatic shrines, hidden beaches, and star-shaped islands.
Tour C full day(7 hours)
1,200-1,500 PHP. Hidden Beach (swim through a gap in the cliffs to a white sand cove), Matinloc Shrine (abandoned shrine on a cliff), Star Beach (excellent snorkeling), Helicopter Island (beach and snorkeling). Tour C is less crowded than Tour A and equally stunning
Evening at Art Cafe(1.5 hours)
El Nido's social hub. Pizza (200-350 PHP), cocktails, and live acoustic music. The vibe is relaxed backpacker-meets-boutique
World-class golden sand beach, far from El Nido's crowds.
Tricycle to Nacpan Beach(45 minutes)
500-700 PHP round trip. 4km golden sand backed by coconut palms
Nacpan Beach day(5 hours)
Swim, sunbathe, read. Beach bar shacks serve fresh fish and cocktails (150-300 PHP). Walk to the twin beach at Calitang at low tide by rounding the headland. No entrance fee. Quieter than anything near town
Sunset drinks at Nacpan(1.5 hours)
The west-facing beach gets spectacular sunsets. Stay until the last light
Morning kayak around Cadlao Island and a relaxed afternoon.
Kayak to Cadlao Island(3 hours)
Rent a kayak (500-800 PHP half day) and paddle to Cadlao Lagoon — a hidden lagoon on the island opposite El Nido beach. 45-minute paddle. The lagoon is accessed through a narrow opening in the cliff. Bring reef-safe sunscreen
Lunch at Trattoria Altrove(1 hour)
Italian restaurant with excellent handmade pasta. Mains 350-500 PHP. A welcome change from Filipino food
Free afternoon — rest or massage(3 hours)
Filipino hilot massage on the beach (400-600 PHP per hour). Or rest — you've earned it
Tour B visits Snake Island and Pinagbuyutan, or Tour D combines elements from the others.
Tour B or D full day(7 hours)
Tour B (1,300 PHP): Snake Island (sandbar connecting two islands), Pinagbuyutan Island (pristine beach), Cathedral Cave, Cudugnon Cave (archaeological site). Tour D (1,400 PHP): Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, Bukal Beach, Ipil Beach. Choose based on what you haven't seen
Farewell dinner at Makulay(1.5 hours)
Rooftop restaurant with Filipino fusion. Kinilaw (Filipino ceviche) 250 PHP, grilled squid 200 PHP. Views of Bacuit Bay at sunset
Final morning in paradise.
Sunrise swim at El Nido beach(45 minutes)
The beach at 5:30AM is empty and the water is warmest
Breakfast at Happiness Beach Bar(1 hour)
Eggs, banana pancakes, Filipino coffee. 150-250 PHP
Transfer to airport or van station(30 minutes)
ENI flights are tiny prop planes — book ahead. Or van to PPS (500-700 PHP, depart by 6AM for afternoon flights)
Over 150 nationalities get 30-day visa-free entry to the Philippines. US, UK, EU, Australian, and Canadian passport holders need no advance visa. Indian passport holders need a tourist visa (apply at the Philippine embassy, 30-day single entry). Extend your stay at any immigration office for 29 days (3,030 PHP). Bring return/onward ticket proof.
El Nido to Coron: fast ferry (3.5 hours, 1,600-2,200 PHP) or fly via Manila. Puerto Princesa to El Nido: van (5-6 hours, 500-700 PHP) or fly (50 min, 3,000-5,000 PHP). Puerto Princesa to Coron: fly via Manila only. Within towns, tricycles are the main transport (20-50 PHP per trip locally, 500-700 PHP for longer routes). Book inter-city vans a day ahead in peak season.
El Nido has higher prices than mainland Philippines due to island logistics. Budget guesthouse: 800-1,500 PHP/night. Restaurant meal: 200-400 PHP. Island hopping tour: 1,200-1,500 PHP. Budget 2,500-4,000 PHP/day ($45-72). ATMs exist but frequently run out of cash — bring enough pesos from Puerto Princesa or Manila. Credit cards accepted only at upscale resorts.
Island hopping boats (bangkas) vary widely in safety standards. Choose operators with life jackets for all passengers, a working engine, and a covered sun shade. Avoid overloaded boats during peak season — if a tour puts 25+ people on a small boat, find another operator. Weather cancellations are common during wet season — boats should not go out in rough seas. Pay the extra for a private tour (5,000-7,000 PHP) if seas look questionable.
Some lagoons and marine parks in El Nido and Coron now prohibit non-reef-safe sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate damage coral. Bring mineral/zinc-oxide sunscreen from home — reef-safe options are expensive and hard to find in Palawan. Some tour operators check before allowing you into the water. Rash guards reduce the need for sunscreen entirely.
El Nido charges a 200 PHP eco-tourism development fee (valid 10 days) plus individual island entrance fees. Coron charges similar fees. The Underground River has a permit (500 PHP), boat (250 PHP), and environmental fee (150 PHP). Budget 500-1,000 PHP for fees beyond tour costs. Keep receipts — officials sometimes check. These fees fund conservation of the marine parks.
Travel Guides130-million-year-old rainforest, an underground river through ancient caves, reef systems that rival the Great Barrier, and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Palawan is nature's greatest show.
Travel GuidesEl Nido's lagoons, Coron's sunken warships, an underground river through ancient caves, and a beach so empty it feels illegal. Here's the Palawan list.
StoriesThe lagoons were unreal. The town was chaotic. The power went out twice. And I'd go back tomorrow. A travel journal from Palawan's crown jewel.
