Catamarans resting at a small hidden lagoon in Palawan, Philippines

Things to do in  Palawan

Islands in the sun

Both a province and the island at its epicenter, Palawan is the Philippines’ westernmost frontier. A tropical playground of island-hopping, snorkeling, and scuba diving, the area includes Coron and its sunken Japanese wrecks and the Tubbataha Reef UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the top of the list of things to do in Palawan island is the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, an underground river that runs 5 miles (8 kilometers) through a stalactite chicane. Also worth seeing are the lagoons, beaches, and islets of El Nido’s Bacuit Archipelago.

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Top 4 attractions in Palawan

#1

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

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A new Seven Wonders of Nature, the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Puerto Princesa Underground River flows through a limestone cave system before spilling into the South China Sea. A paddle through this eerie ecosystem, filled with otherworldly cave formations and chattering bats, is one of the Philippines’ most unforgettable experiences.More
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#2

Big Lagoon

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A pristine channel of gin-clear waters framed by limestone cliffs, Big Lagoon meanders through forested Miniloc Island in the Bacuit Archipelago. Island-hopping boats from El Nido generally stop in the shallow water at the head of the lagoon, but travelers can discover the scenic coves or search for turtles by sea kayak.More
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#3

Small Lagoon

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One of Palawan’s most-Instagrammed natural wonders, the Small Lagoon in El Nido is a clear-water cove surrounded by dramatic limestone rock formations. Because of the near-vertical walls, swimming or paddling through the Small Lagoon can make you feel like you’re on the set of a Hollywood action film.More
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#4

Sabang Beach

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Located in a small fishing village on the western coast of Palawan in the Philippines, Sabang Beach is framed by mountains and lapped by calm waters. The nearby Underground River—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature—is famous for its stalagmites and gaping caverns.More
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Explore Palawan by interest

Top activities in Palawan

Puerto Princesa to El Nido Private Transfer

Puerto Princesa to El Nido Private Transfer

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22
From
$173.34
per group
Underground River Day Trip from Puerto Princesa City

Underground River Day Trip from Puerto Princesa City

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179
From
$45.00
Puerto Princesa: UNESCO Underground River Day Tour

Puerto Princesa: UNESCO Underground River Day Tour

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35
From
$45.00
Private Underground River Day Tour with Lunch from El Nido

Private Underground River Day Tour with Lunch from El Nido

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5
From
$282.06
El Nido to Puerto Princesa - Private Transfer

El Nido to Puerto Princesa - Private Transfer

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12
From
$170.00
per group
Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour + Zip Line Ride

Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour + Zip Line Ride

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4
From
$62.00
Coron Ultimate Tour (Shared Tour)

Coron Ultimate Tour (Shared Tour)

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40
From
$50.00
Coron Island Tour A (Shared Tour)

Coron Island Tour A (Shared Tour)

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20
From
$37.00
Coron Island Tour B (Shared Tour)

Coron Island Tour B (Shared Tour)

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8
From
$45.00
El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch

El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch

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64
From
$24.00
Coron Island Hopping Tour: via Private Speedboat

Coron Island Hopping Tour: via Private Speedboat

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12
From
$192.00
Puerto Princesa to Sabang - Private Transfer

Puerto Princesa to Sabang - Private Transfer

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1
From
$129.00
per group
Half-day Puerto Princesa City Tour

Half-day Puerto Princesa City Tour

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50
From
$15.00
Hiking in Batak Tribal Village tour

Hiking in Batak Tribal Village tour

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3
From
$164.11
per group
El Nido Island Hopping Tour C with Lunch

El Nido Island Hopping Tour C with Lunch

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10
From
$32.00
EL Nido Tour A

EL Nido Tour A

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25
From
$40.00
Puerto Princesa City Underground River Tour excursion

Puerto Princesa City Underground River Tour excursion

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3
From
$52.00
Coron Reefs & Wreck Tour (Shared Tour)

Coron Reefs & Wreck Tour (Shared Tour)

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4
From
$63.00
Sabang to El Nido Private Transfer

Sabang to El Nido Private Transfer

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1
From
$200.00
per group
Underground River Tour In Puerto Princesa

Underground River Tour In Puerto Princesa

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7
From
$85.57
See all Palawan tours

All about Palawan

When to visit

Palawan’s dry season usually runs mid-November through mid-May, bringing clearer skies and calmer seas. The driest period is generally January–April but note that, like elsewhere in the Philippines, prices can triple around Easter and the New Year. The window for diving Tubbataha Reef is March–June. Visibility on the Japanese wrecks in Coron is best in the dry season, roughly halfway between the full moon and new moon.

Getting around

Palawan island extends 270 miles (435 kilometers) at its longest point, and buses and minivans link popular destinations, with jeepneys, taxis, and tricycles available in Puerto Princesa and El Nido. Rideshares have not arrived, but it’s easy to rent cars and scooters in popular destinations. You’ll likely spend some time on boats, whether taking a liveaboard to reach Tubbataha Reef, island-hopping around El Nido, or braving the ferry to Coron—which has its own airport with flights from Manila and Cebu.

Traveler tips

Palawan food majors on the bounty of the sea, with delicious fresh seafood and the area’s signature lato, a type of seaweed often known as sea grapes or green caviar. Discover its burst-in-the-mouth deliciousness alongside fresh-caught marlin, prawns, crabs, and lobster or tangy seafood sisig at Kalui Restaurant, a wood-framed, seafood restaurant that’s a Puerto Princesa favorite. Wear shoes that are easy to remove; at Kalui, you go barefoot.

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People Also Ask

What is Palawan famous for?

Palawan province is famous for Coron, with its Japanese wrecks; Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and world-class dive destination; and Palawan island. Other famous things to do on Palawan island are island-hopping El Nido’s Bacuit Archipelago and exploring the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

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How many days in Palawan is enough?

It depends. Scuba divers can easily spend two weeks in Palawan—six days on a Tubbataha Reef liveaboard, five days exploring Coron, and three days on Palawan island. Time-poor travelers might find five days on Palawan enough—three in El Nido, one in Puerto Princesa, and one at the underground river.

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Is it worth going to Palawan?

Yes, it is absolutely worth going to Palawan. The province is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites—hard-to-access Tubbataha Reef and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Beyond those await spectacular seascapes, world-class wreck diving, pristine lakes and lagoons, fascinating indigenous cultures, and some of the Philippines’ best island-hopping.

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Is Palawan or Boracay better?

It depends. Boracay is tiny—just 4 square miles (10 square kilometers)—with well-developed tourist infrastructure that makes it ideal for a mini-break; traveler caps have reduced its over-tourism problem. Palawan is an entire province with a range of islands and adventures to choose from, so a better vacation option.

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Which is better: El Nido or Puerto Princesa?

El Nido is better. The jump-off for the Bacuit Archipelago’s beaches, islets, and lagoons, El Nido is Palawan island’s most popular tourist destination with good reason. Although it’s far from the underground river, Puerto Princesa is Palawan’s capital and the flight gateway to the province so you’ll visit anyway.

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Is the underground river worth it?

Yes, the underground river is absolutely worth it. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park houses one of the world’s longest navigable underground rivers. Between the bats and the stalactites, the river cruise is dramatic, while you can also take mangrove tours and zipline nearby.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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