White-sand beaches, turquoise waters, green lagoons, and emerald forests- this is what comes to my mind whenever I hear “Palawan.” Not to be biased to my island province, but what’s not to love? Home to bio-diverse landscapes and often referred to as the “last frontier,” tourists from all over the world flock to witness and experience this island paradise all year round.
Palawan is a narrow island about 450 kilometers long. Anywhere you go, you are never far off the coast. It’s more than just a beach haven, though. From reef to ridges, Palawan has a lot to offer.
Towering limestone formations, pristine coral reefs, marvelous mountains, underground rivers, mystic lagoons, and enchanting waterfalls, there is a long list of adventure that awaits when you visit Palawan. If you’re thinking about planning a trip to see for yourself, I hope this gets you started.
How to Get There
If you’re flying in from a different country, it is best to fly through Metro Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport and then take a domestic flight to Palawan. Although the airport of Puerto Princesa is now considered an international airport, only a few flights fly in from abroad, mostly from Incheon and Busan, and Taipei-Taoyuan.
Depending on where you want to start your trip, you can also fly in from Manila to El Nido Airport (Lio Airport). Most prices are affordable although fares do hike up on peak season (Christmas, Holy Week, and over the summer). Keep an eye out for promo fares on airline websites (Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Air Asia) even months in advance to get the best deals.
With the entire world still very much wrapped in the coronavirus pandemic, flights to the province have been limited to once a day, one airline a day. Only the Puerto Princesa International Airport was open for some time, but now even smaller airports such as the Busuanga Airport in Coron and the San Vicente Airport only a few minutes away from our very own Binga Beach Resort are up and running at a limited capacity. International flights remain suspended at the moment, with their resumption expected to start before 2021 rolls around.
What to Pack
The past few months have really changed the traveling landscape we had all gotten used to during the last decade. While it was mostly about adventure until as late as last year, we have to be a lot more cautious when traveling this time around.
Aside from the usual essentials, some of the things that must absolutely be brought on a trip to an island like Palawan in this post-coronavirus world are hand sanitizers, alcohol-based tissue wipes, face masks, disposable gloves, and other variations of personal protective equipment. Not so much for the beach, but rather to keep yourself safe on the way to it.
With that being said, pack light and cool clothes that will go well in the Philippines’ sunny weather. For the beach bums out there, a pair of long sleeves for possible cool nights and a good old fashioned sarong will always come in handy. Sunscreen, after-sun spray or lotion, and insect repellents are also a must.
An extra pair of hiking shoes might also come in handy should you decide on hiking Palawan’s majestic mountains. Bring your own reusable water bottles so you don’t have to buy too many plastic bottles while on your trip. It doesn’t only help in safeguarding you from the virus and cutting down your cost, it also substantially cuts your waste. This is an advocacy that we’ve been trying to spread along the island.
ATMs are not always available especially when you venture out of Puerto Princesa. Before you go to some remote place and think you can just go to the nearest ATM, make a mental note that the nearest ATM might be a three-hour drive or a boat ride away. Credit cards aren’t widely accepted either. It is best to always keep enough cash on hand.
For the digital nomads, bring a universal adapter for your charging utilities. Powerbanks are often lifesavers during these trips. Some rural towns outside Puerto Princesa don’t have access to electricity all day. If you want to make sure your gadgets are all charged up, take a portable charger with you.
For the ladies, it is vital to know that tampons are hard to come by in the Philippines. I would suggest checking out menstrual cups if you haven’t made the change yet. It minimizes your monthly cost and contribution to waste pollution.
Where to Go, What to Do
“It’s the not the Destination, It’s the journey.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance.
We know the best times happen when we least expect them. These are the moments in between and on the way. On an island as big as Palawan… well, let’s just say those moments in between can easily stretch into extra hours and delays. Amusing quirks can turn into quandaries without careful planning.
For those lucky and few travelers on open-ended vacations without any worries it may not be an issue, but for the rest of us- we’d kind of like to get from A to B without error and make the most of our days.
You’re right to want to explore Palawan: the people are amazing, the places are gorgeous, it’s huge, very sparsely populated, not over-developed, and (generally) not too-crowded .
We highly recommend to try and fly into one airport and out another, especially if you’re crunched for time. It’ll be more expensive at first glance, but it will save yourself a whole day backtracking down roads you’ve already traveled. With the cost for that transport, and the energy of that extra trip: saving that day + long transport + energy might be worth the extra $100 bucks. Not to mention it might be better for the environment, as you will be cutting out an extra trip driving up and down the island.
If this is a suggestion you want to take, plan your trip and flights accordingly. With flights very limited and a lot of restrictions in place, every leg of your trip must be carefully mapped out. There are a lot of requirements that must be met before going to a certain destination nowadays, even within the same province. Know what these are as they depend from place to place.
Our recommendations are:
- >14 Days: Puerto Princesa area + Maybe someplace down South (Napsan, Quezon, Rizal, or Balabac) + Port Barton + El Nido + Duli Beach. Going down south adds a lot of travel time, so for a less busy schedule aim for fewer places up and stay up North of Puerto Princesa, with some more time spent in the ‘South-of-Puerto‘ destinations. With this much time flying in to and out of the same airport can make sense (Puerto, San Vicente, or El Nido) or can still do one-way entry and exits. Please also check the article “Top Things to Do in Palawan by Guide to the Philippines.“ It has valuable information about activities in Palawan as well.
In a bid to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, quarantine measures are imposed all over the Philippines—Palawan included. It is advised that people do not fly in and out of areas without letting the 14 days of the virus’s incubation period pass. That’s not a problem when there’s so much to do in Palawan. With this much time on the island, you will get to do so much more and have lots of adventures as well as some relaxing beach time!
Overall, it’s important to always keep in mind that Palawan is one large island. It is larger than most Philippine islands, and so the travel times between destinations is more. Puerto Princesa to Port Barton is several hours drive, for example, and then a couple of hours to San Vicente/Binga, and then a couple more hours to El Nido.
Try to avoid backtracking as much as possible, and head in one linear direction either up or down the island.
While we’re still here, here’s some good news: driving around Palawan is better than ever. Incredible road construction projects are actually happening. Don’t worry, this isn’t misguided urban sprawl. We’re talking basic roads and highways between towns that are being made more decent than they previously were. It makes all the difference in the world. It used to take us hours on super bumpy roads to get to our location in Binga, now it only takes 45 minutes from the San Vicente airport.
Puerto Princesa
If you’re flying in from Puerto Princesa, two to three days is enough to enjoy this vibrant city. From history, culture, local cuisine, and traditional arts, Puerto Princesa is a good introduction to the island. You can also do your last-minute shopping here before taking off to the more quaint areas in the province.
Check out the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Sabang, declared one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2012, about an hour drive from the city proper. There are other activities like mangrove paddleboat tour and spelunking adventures. You may also opt to do the jungle trek going to the cave instead of going with the boat. Just inform the agency you booked with.
My personal favorite is the Sabang Waterfalls, it cascades straight to the open sea and the locals made a little pool for you to enjoy a dip. It’s only a 30-minute walk along the coastline of Sabang, left of the wharf.
Back in town, explore local cuisine and traditional arts. Try the barefoot restaurant of Ka Lui which is a feast not only for your taste buds but also for the eyes as every nook and cranny of the place is decorated by traditional arts. Ka Lui serves only seafood but one may opt to go to Haim Chicken Inato in Manalo Street for their best-selling char-grilled chicken. Local arts are also displayed in the restaurant and they also play a video-montage of everything, anything Palawan to get you more excited and informed about the island.
For dinner, check out the crowd favorite Kinabuchs. You may find yourself trying one of Palawan’s exotic food, tamilok (woodworm). Just chug it down with a good old bottle of beer. And speaking of beer, one may not go to Palawan for craft beer but alas, we still have it. Visit Palaweño Brewery hidden along Manalo Street and try internationally-inspired beer crafted with locally sourced ingredients.
Also not to be missed is the old Vietville in Sta. Lourdes. It served as a refugee camp during the war. Although the village is no longer there, they still serve pho and banh mi in the restaurant. In light of the pandemic, all of these places are open but are operating at a limited capacity. They have also started offering delivery services available during their usual business hours.
For those looking for a mindful retreat, check out Bahay Kalipay Raw Food & Yoga for wellness retreats and nature trips. http://bahaykalipay.com/
Puerto Princesa’s Beaches:
Nagtabon
If you ask around the city for a recommended beach for backpackers, the answer would probably be Nagtabon. Nagtabon Beach is a pure mix of laid back and lively coast full of foreign and local beachgoers. Tents, surfboard rentals, cottages, and stores selling local beers and liquors dot the shore. Located 31 kilometers away from the city, this once sleepy local getaway is now a perfect place to just enjoy the sand, listen to the crashing waves, take a dip in the West Philippine Sea, relax and meet local fishers and other backpackers.
Talaudyong
Talaudyong Beach is a public, open-access beach located 41 kilometers northwest of Puerto Princesa City, less than 10 kilometers from Nagtabon. This is a favorite weekend getaway for the locals during holidays but gets pretty empty and exclusive for backpackers during regular days. Network signals are unavailable in the area, but there is electricity as well as plenty of cottages and tents for rent. Small stores are also available to buy basic necessities but you’ve got to get everything you need in the city or the Bacungan Intersection. Probably the next summer hotspot in the city, it has an unusually calm cove that has a more relaxed and local vibe than the nearby beaches. Spend a night there—begin with watching a sunset and cap your night with music, bonfires, and galaxy views.
Tagkawayan
Tagkawayan is another secluded gem that not even locals can easily have access to. Neatly tucked beyond a rough road several kilometers away from Nagtabon, this 700-meter long beach is a recommended spot for camping and beach-hopping. Compared to other nearby beaches such as Nagtabon and Talaudyong, this one has lesser locals and amenities. Abandoned cottages are around but I guess it’s best if you bring everything you need from the city if you want to spend a day or a night here.
If you have more time and enough food and water—and are bold enough to explore more hidden beaches on the west coast—you may continue traversing the Simpocan road towards Simpocan proper where Baybay Beach is located and Napsan. The road loops back to Puerto Princesa City Proper. You may stop by public and private beaches that are as equally heart-stopping as famous ones nearby, just ask permission from locals near the area. These beaches, as far as our experience is concerned, are free and open for campers and backpackers.
Puerto Princesa Mountains
Mt. Magarwak
This 300+ MaSL Mountain, located at Kilometer 15 north of Puerto Princesa City, is your best option if you have a very short time allocated for hiking in the city. Usually packed with locales during the weekend, it is best to be hiked on weekdays to chase for sunrise and enjoy the view of the Honda Bay and the nearby mountains surrounding the city. This is also advisable for 45 minutes sunset trekking and overnight camping—2 tents and several hammocks can fit the peak. More details here: https://wanderingkarencom.wordpress.com/2017/03/15/travel-cheap-hike-at-magarwak-bacungan-puerto-princesa-city/
Mt. Airy
Mt. Airy is another mountain near the city that can be hiked for a day. Nestled between Mt. Magarwak, Nagtabon, and Talaudyong beach, this mountain boasts views of the Mt. Beaufort Geological Mountain Range to the south, Honda Bay to the left, and Nagtabon Beach and the West Philippine Sea to the right. This is a 600+ MaSL mountain with a difficulty level of 4/9.
Port Barton
If you want to avoid the bustling touristy areas of El Nido and Coron, Port Barton might just be the place for you. Port Barton is a small coastal village three hours northwest of Puerto Princesa. Island-hop to remote islands, kayak to neighboring coves, swim above sea turtles, chase waterfalls, and experience the laidback island life like a local.
There are some great finds in Port Barton when it comes to food like Reef Café for their mouthwatering burgers, Mabuti Eat & Chill for vegetarian dishes, and Gorgonzola for pizza. Enjoy the sunset with your favorite drink at Tres Tequilas Restobar, have a go at El Dorado’s full moon parties, and join Tribal Xperience’s party boat that can host 40 people to complete your fun-filled Barton experience.
It’s not at all hard to find a place to stay in Port Barton but here are a few recommendations:
- Pisces Garden Inn:
https://www.facebook.com/Piscesgardentouristinn/ - Tribal Xperience: http://tribalxperience.com/
- Ausan Beach Front Cottages: http://ausanbeachfront.com/
- El Dorado Sunset Cottages: http://eldoradosunsetcottages.palawanshore.com/
- CocoRico Hostel Bar and Restaurant:
https://www.facebook.com/CocoRicoHostelPB/
San Vicente
Often overlooked by travelers, the municipality of San Vicente boasts 14 kilometers of long beach, beautiful waterfalls, fertile coral reefs, rich marine biodiversity, and an array of endemic wildlife species. With these premises, San Vicente is being dubbed as the next big thing in Palawan.
There are several islands in San Vicente you can visit, often the same as the ones being offered in Port Barton as the latter just falls in one of San Vicente’s small villages.
Where to stay:
- Nativo D’Kubo, our good friends, they’re super nice and the bungalows are sweet:
https://www.facebook.com/nativodkubo01/
Barangay Binga
Home to our own amazing glamping resort of Binga Beach, the Barangay includes a handful of beaches that have yet to experience much tourism despite their amazing beauty. Only recently major new roads were completed making it much more accessible to visitors and finally putting this as-yet-hidden enclave on the map.
Binga’s is ideal for backpackers as it’s located halfway between Port Barton and El Nido. Most people make that 3-4 hour trek via bus straight through, but Binga makes a great stopover retreat along the way. Why spend so long in a van?!
Our beach is Lumambong Beach, a 1.4km unspoilt white sands beach without any other accommodations apart from our resort. Right at the foot of Mt. Capoas, the second tallest mountain in northern Palawan, the area offers not only unspoilt beach but a lot of hiking and adventure with mangrove forests and jungle in abundance.
Can find out more info about the area in our article What and Where is Binga Beach.
El Nido
Once a quaint fishing village, El Nido is now swarming with travelers from all over the world. It’s hard to miss the fact that El Nido is trying arduously to catch up with the influx of tourists but once you see the limestone formations, remote islands, secret lagoons, snorkeling sites, you’ll see what the fuss is all about.
Pinabuyutan Island, Tour B Island Hopping, El Nido | Photo by Mica Veloso
The busy town of El Nido caters to most any preference so it’s not at all hard to find out where you want to go. If you’re looking for food, try Tambok’s El Nido on the way going to Lio Beach for Filipino cuisine, Altrove offers Italian delicacy, Gandhi’s Revenge for Indian food, Fat Choy in Lio Beach for Asian Food, Sausage with Benefits for obviously, sausages. Also Taste El Nido – The Vegan Café PH for colorful smoothie bowls, and Gusto Gelato for deserts.
On the second floor of Gusto Gelato is The Pangolin Bar where you can drink with a cause as a percentage of their signature cocktails are for donation for pangolin preservation, believed to be the world’s most trafficked animal. It is actually easy to go on a pub crawl in El Nido. At the end of the night, high by the booze, music and alcohol, you might really find yourself crawling.
Aside from island hopping, destinations and activities in El Nido are now slowly expanding outside the town proper so go rent a motorbike and check out the other developments. Keep in mind that not all of these establishments may have reopened for business yet, but those that have are simply waiting for you to drop by.
Dive into a whole new different adventure in Sibaltan with Dive Sibaltan or surf with the locals in Duli Beach once tourist activities are given the go signal to start up again. Surfing season here usually begins October to February. Lounge in Nacpan Beach with, I can never say it enough, sunset and drinks in hand or go chase more waterfalls – you will see why El Nido is in every sense of the word breathtaking. Hopefully, things will be better before that season ends.
Ille Tower, Dewil Valley, El Nido, Palawan | Photo by Mica Veloso
I also want to share my personal favorite adventure north east of El Nido and it’s the Dewil Valley adventure tour. Dewil Valley is home to six karst caves, all of which have archaeological breakthrough – with findings of early human settlement dating back to 14,000 years ago, tiger bones, pottery, stone tools, and earliest form of cremation burial in Southeast Asia.
Nothing wrong with looping in a little bit of history and archaeology in your travels, right? Plus, the view from the top of Ille Karst Tower is spectacular.
For a good night sleep, El Nido has many backpacker hostels but here are some personally picked recommendations:
- Happiness Hostel:
https://www.facebook.com/happinesshostelph/ - Mad Monkey Hostel, Nacpan Beach:
https://www.madmonkeyhostels.com/nacpan/ - Pawikan Hostel:
https://www.pawikanhostel.com/ - SPIN Designer Hostel: http://spinhostel.com/
- Outpost Beach Hostel: https://www.facebook.com/outpostbeachhostel/
Coron
Home to Kayangan Lake, said to have the cleanest water in the country, Coron is home to numerous reefs and shipwrecks from WWII which make for astounding dives. You can get to Coron on the island of Busuanga by either flying into the island’s airport or by ferry from the ports of Manila, Puerto Princesa, or El Nido.
Kayangan Lake in Coron, Palawan | Photo by Mica Veloso
Or for a more different and may I say, exceptional island experience, sail from El Nido to Coron with Tao expeditions aboard their traditional sailboat. It will make your journey as meaningful as the destination – the trip offers a rare opportunity to spend time in nature and to connect and interact with both locals from the area and travelers from all around the world, without the hustle and bustle of mass tourism.
Southern Palawan
Napsan
For a different landscape and set of adventures, you might want to go off the beaten path and head down to the southern municipalities in Palawan. Visit the west coast in Napsan, wake up early in the morning and watch the local fishing scene in this coastal community in the west. Napsan is also home to many coves and beaches and you’d be amazed with the local surf breaks in the area.
Turquoise waters of Palawan | Photo by Mica Veloso
Stay with Kaibigan Soul Camp, far from Western civilization, away from mobile phone reception or internet signal for a total “unplug” experience. They have individual “bahay kubo” or native huts designed to cater different budgets and taste with uninterrupted view of the sea.
Quezon
For the archaeological traveler, make it a point to visit the Tabon Cave Complex in Quezon, Palawan, where one of the earliest proven human occupation took place. Although there are no displayed artifacts in the caves, you can visit it in the museum in town just before you leave with the boat.
On one of the caves in the Tabon Cave Complex, Quezon, Palawan | Photo by Shane Frances
It is approximately four hours of land travel and half an hour boat ride away from Puerto Princesa. You can also check out the nearby islands in the cave complex. Stay with Villa Esperanza in the town proper for a nice view of the sun setting behind the cave complex.
The tourism office of Quezon, Palawan is right by the bus terminal and they are very helpful when it comes to assisting you in their hometown.
Rizal
One may also find himself wondering about the Tau’t Bato, or the Dwellers of the Rock – a subgroup of a larger Palaw’an indigenous group. These people still reside on the caves in Singnapan Valley in Rizal, the next municipality after Quezon.
Although not estranged to civilization, the community still thrives on the traditional way of living. It has been featured in different documentaries and several organizations also focus on preserving their culture – one thing some often forget in the age of innovation and technology.
This area is also home to Mt. Mantalingahan Protected Landscape, the highest peak in Palawan and an occasional destination for hardcore mountaineers with 2,086 ASL, and shelter to varied species of flora and fauna.
Stay with Palawan Eco-lodge in Malakibay Cove. They have a whole surf house filled with different water sports equipment – from stand-up paddleboard, kayaks, surf boards to dive and sail equipment and it comes free for a very affordable accommodation. Mangrove forests and mesmerizing coral reefs are not to be missed when staying with them.
Palawan Eco-Lodge Habagat House – https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5237806
Palawan Eco-Lodge Amihan House – https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5226181
Balabac
Located at the southernmost tip of Palawan, with more Malaysian feeling than of local, Balabac is made up of some 30 islands and islets. Travelers might have difficulty in going around Balabac so it is best to settle prior arrangements with local guides as many of these islands are privately owned.
The area’s tourism industry is not all developed yet and it is quite the distance to be traveled from Puerto Princesa but its unspoiled beaches are often compared side by side to the waters of Maldives. Pristine sandbars, unlimited view of the sunset, fresh seafood, and its Malaysian charm are alluring to travelers looking for the road less traveled. Warning, prepare yourself for a long and tiring journey. Needless to say, the destination will very well make up for the journey.
Conclusion
I guess I can keep going on and on about Palawan, my island home, but I would have to leave the rest for you to see and experience for yourself. Don’t let the threat of the coronavirus scare you away from this island paradise. We only live once, and Palawan is a place you really must see for yourself at least once in your life.
While you’re exploring my island province, I hope you enjoy it. It is so very gorgeous from the north to the south that you might just feel that 14 days is not enough. I have lived here my entire life, and I myself had not yet seen every part of it. Here’s to hoping that you see as much of it as you can on your trip. Cheers and safe travels!