Palawan at it’s finest

Experience the ultimate island life in Palawan, the Last Frontier of the Philippines. Learn about the top destinations in Palawan: El Nido, Puerto Princesa, and Coron. How do you go to Palawan, and how do you get around the different destinations? What are the best things to see and do? Where should you stay? Read on to find out everything you need to know about traveling in Palawan.

Palawan, one of the best places to visit in the Philippines, is consistently ranked as one of the best islands in the world, and for a good reason. It boasts of white sand beaches and islands, clear blue waters, a spectacular variety of marine life and shipwreck sites, and majestic towering limestone cliffs. If you love swimming, island-hopping, and diving, this biggest island province in the Philippines should be in your travel bucket list. 

best places in Palawan

1. El Nido

Island hopping tour at Bacuit Bay, in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

You will find dramatic “over water” scenery in El Nido, located on the northernmost tip of mainland Palawan. This place is not just about pretty sandy beaches and mesmerizing waters. Its islands are filled with towering karst mountains that serve as the perfect backdrop for adventures in this tropical paradise.

2. Puerto Princesa

Sabang Beach near Puerto Princesa Underground River, in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines

Puerto Princesa is the capital and major flight gateway in Palawan, especially popular among El Nido-bound tourists. Stay for a few days to explore beautiful spots around the city. Start with a trip to Puerto Princesa Underground River, the 2nd longest navigable underground river in the world, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and New7Wonders of Nature. Then, spend a day beach bumming and snorkeling on an island hopping tour around Honda Bay. Don’t leave without exploring sights in the city center and feasting on fresh seafood in many beachside restaurants.

3. Coron & Calamian Islands

Coron in Palawan, Philippines

In contrast to El Nido’s amazing “over water” views, go to Coron to see stunning underwater views. Here, you can see colorful coral gardens, pristine waters, lots of marine life and even sunken WWII Japanese shipwrecks. Coron can hold its own when it comes to scenic views over the water as well. This paradise is home to hidden lakes and lagoons blessed with emerald to bluish waters, and many fine white sand beaches.

4. Linapacan Islands

Enjoy an adventure in Linapacan if you want to go off-the-grid and see the “undiscovered” beauty of Palawan. This group of islands can be found spread across the waters between El Nido and Coron. Linapacan had become viral when it was mentioned in a list of places with the clearest waters in the world to swim before you die.

5. Taytay

Overlooking Taytay Fortress, in Taytay, Palawan, Philippines

Taytay can be found just south of El Nido. On your way to or from Puerto Princesa, stop over the town proper and visit the Taytay Fort (Fuerza de Santa Isabel), one of the best preserved Spanish-colonial stone fortresses remaining in the Philippines. Extend your trip on a tour to Taytay’s many offshore islands that are still largely unspoiled and undiscovered by mass tourism.

6. San Vicente Long Beach

Long Beach in San Vicente, Palawan, Philippines

San Vicente is another town that you can visit on your way between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, in mainland Palawan. This sleepy town is home to Long Beach. At 14 kilometers long, it had been making rounds online for being the longest white sand beach in the Philippines. On my trip there, however, I found that it wasn’t exactly all-white and the uninterrupted length of the sandy stretch was only about 8 kilometers. Still, I was in awe of how long it was. To compare, San Vicente Long Beach, even at 8km, is twice as long as Boracay’s famed White Beach. The best part of going was that I had I did not share the entire beach with any tourist crowds.

7. Port Barton

Dusk view of Port Barton Beach, in San Vicente, Palawan, Philippines

Port Barton is another spot to travel in the town of San Vicente. This quiet village is a smaller and more laid-back version of El Nido. It is popular among budget backpackers and travelers who want to experience the relaxed rural atmosphere of the Philippines. Here, you can go about and explore many pristine off-shore islands and beaches on island hopping tours, at a cheaper price that boat tours offered in El Nido.

8. Cuyo Islands

Cuyo Fortress Church, in Cuyo Island, Palawan, Philippines

Go even more off-grid in Cuyo. This remote group of islands is located in the vast open waters of the Sulu Sea, between the islands Palawan and Panay. During the 1800s, it became the province’s second capital (after Taytay). Here, you can find the well-preserved Cuyo Fortress Church built during the Spanish-colonial era as well as many small islands and diving sites.

9. Stay at Amanpulo Resort

Looking for the ultimate luxury retreat in Palawan? Say hello to Amanpulo Resort, one of the Philippines’ most expensive holiday destinations. This private island resort is located in Pamalican Island, one of the remote northern islands of Cuyo. Stay in one of the exquisitely designed beachfront, treetop or hillside Casitas with gorgeous views of turqouise waters and the powdery white-sand beach. Guests can also enjoy the resort’s signature spa experience and top-class dining with ingredients sourced from locally-caught seafood and island-grown vegetables/herbs. A stay in Amanpulo Resort will set you back (at least) USD1,485 per night for a treetop casitas, good for two with breakfast.

10. Tubbataha Reef & Cagayancillo Islands

The Tubbataha Reef is another remote spot to see in Palawan. This 970 square kilometer national park is especially a must visit to divers. It is the place to see one of the highest biodiversity of marine life in the world. Along with the Puerto Princesa Underground River, Tubbataha Reef is one of six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines.

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