province in Philippines

Palawan

Limestone islands, clear lagoons, reefs and long coastal distances make Palawan a defining Philippines trip with important transfer choices.

Best time

December to April generally brings the driest conditions, while local sea and weather forecasts should still guide boat days.

At a glance

Cost per day €49125 Rate 2026-08-26 mid-range, per person
Time to give it 5 to 7 days on a first visit
Best for LagoonsIsland-hoppingDiving
Eat
Chao long, €13 Rate 2026-08-26. A Puerto Princesa breakfast inherited from Vietnamese settlers. Take the shop with a queue of workers, not the one with an English menu outside.
Book ahead
Book the flight into El Nido or Coron three to four weeks ahead, and pick the boat tour the evening before once you have seen the forecast.
Skip
Running tours A through D back to back. By the fourth day the lagoons blur together and you are queuing behind the same three boats.

Palawan is a long province rather than one compact resort area. El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa serve different routes, and moving between them should be treated as a real travel day.

Pick the coastline and activities that matter most, then leave flexibility for boat schedules and changing sea conditions.

Sources