Palawan Island

Beach Coastal Beaches Riverfront

Population: 2 million

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: September to October

Famous For: El Nido limestone cliffs, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, Coron Island wrecks, White sand beaches, Snorkeling and diving, Palawan wildlife and biodiversity, Indigenous Palawano culture, Fresh seafood

Train Access: No

Bus Access: Yes (Ceres Bus, Sunrays Bus, and various local bus operators serving routes between Puerto Princesa and other municipalities)

Palawan Island, located in the western Philippines, is a destination centered on Puerto Princesa, the capital city, and the surrounding archipelago. The Underground River in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features an 8.2-kilometer navigable underground river through limestone caves, accessible by boat tours departing from the city's tourism office. El Nido, on the northern tip of the island, serves as a gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago, where limestone cliffs frame Shimizu Island, Miniloc Island, and Entalula Beach; visitors reach El Nido via the Pan-Philippine Highway or domestic flights. The Coron area, accessible by ferry or flight, centers on Coron Town and offers wreck diving at Japanese World War II shipwrecks like the Barracuda and Irako, plus freshwater lakes including Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon. Puerto Princesa's city center includes the Palawan Museum on National Highway, showcasing indigenous Palawano artifacts and local history. Sabang Beach, 50 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa, provides access to the Underground River and serves as a base for island-hopping tours. The island's interior remains largely forested, with limited road infrastructure outside the main coastal towns.

VRBO Vacation Rentals
Learn More

With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, Vrbo connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The Vrbo community offers families an array of rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, and more. Discover properties in destinations that everyone dreams of visiting.

VRBO Vacation Rentals

Planning Your Trip to Palawan Island

Weather: Palawan has a tropical climate with a dry season from November to May and a wet season from June to October, characterized by warm temperatures year-round and occasional typhoons during the monsoon season.

Festivals: Palawan Bloggers Festival, Flores de Mayo (May), Araw ng Palawan (December 8)

Best Things for Kids to Do: Puerto Princesa Butterfly Ecological Garden on the outskirts of Puerto Princesa features native butterfly species in a controlled garden environment where children can observe metamorphosis and learn about local insects. Sabang Beach offers shallow waters suitable for young swimmers and serves as the departure point for family-friendly Underground River boat tours with minimal physical exertion. Coron Island's Twin Lagoon provides calm, enclosed saltwater swimming accessible by short boat rides from Coron Town, with minimal currents and clear visibility. Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center in Puerto Princesa houses rescued crocodiles, monitor lizards, and other native species in naturalistic enclosures.

Hidden Gem: Barracuda Lake near Coron Town is a freshwater lake surrounded by limestone cliffs where visitors can dive or snorkel in thermally-heated water with visibility up to 40 meters; the lake remains less crowded than nearby Kayangan Lake and offers encounters with large barracuda fish and unique underwater rock formations.

Accessibility: Palawan Island has areas that are accessible for older people, with some resorts offering well-paved paths and guided tours; however, more remote attractions may require walking on uneven terrain.

For the Runner: The wide, sandy stretches of Nacpan Beach provide a picturesque setting for running and walking, while the promenade in Puerto Princesa is ideal for a leisurely stroll with views of the bay.

Restaurants in Palawan Island

Palawan Island offers a diverse dining scene with fresh seafood as a highlight, ranging from casual beachside eateries to upscale restaurants in Puerto Princesa and El Nido. Local Filipino cuisine is prominent alongside international options catering to tourists. The quality and variety are good but somewhat limited compared to major metropolitan areas.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in Palawan ranges from budget guesthouses in Puerto Princesa and El Nido to mid-range resorts scattered across coastal areas and upscale island resorts in Coron and El Nido. Puerto Princesa's main hotel district clusters near the waterfront and along Rizal Avenue, while El Nido's accommodations concentrate in the town proper and along nearby beaches. Coron offers resort options on Coron Island and in Coron Town, with many catering to divers.

Best Hotels: Microtel by Wyndham Puerto Princesa is located on Rizal Avenue in downtown Puerto Princesa and offers air-conditioned rooms with reliable amenities an

Dog-Friendly Hotels: Canvas Boutique Hotel, Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa, Panja Resort Palawan

Palawan Island

Planning Your Trip to Palawan Island

Restaurants in Palawan Island

Where to Stay

Recommended Reading