The Top 6 Palawan Tourist Spots You Need to See

When I think back to my travels in the Philippines, it’s Palawan that really stands out to me. The stunning coastline, the magical beaches and the chilled out laid back vibe just worked for me. 

There are some great Palawan tourist spots for you to explore when you’re on the island, so let me help you plan your Palawan itinerary and take you through the highlights. 

Palawan beaches

Top Tourist Spots in Palawan

Where is Palawan exactly?

Palawan is a beautiful island in the Philippines, located far in the south west.

Why visit Palawan?

People come to Palawan to see the incredible landscapes, as the island has won all kinds of accolades thanks to its vistas. The Palawan beaches, the limestone cliffs and the incredible azure waters just draw you in. 

It’s also home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Tubbataha Reef Marine Park. Both are absolute must dos while you’re on the island. 

One of the main reasons us Brits also like Palawan, as well as the amazing views, is the price. You can get a lot for your money in Palawan, compared to what we’re used to. So, let’s get onto why I think you should visit this hedonistic oasis, ASAP! 

What to do in Palawan

Exploring Palawan

1. Visit Puerto Princesa

Flights from Manila to Palawan arrive into Puerto Princesa City. This is the island’s capital and a great base to start your Palawan trip.

Puerto Princesa City on the east coast and El Nido in the far north make up Palawan’s two main tourist hubs, and the two Palawan tourist hot spots where most people end up. They’re about six hours apart by bus, and totally doable.

Most travellers to Palawan will spend a few days in Puerto Princesa before heading out to El Nido – a vibrant young city with almost 200,000 people, and some amazing beaches.

2. Take a boat trip on Puerto’s Princesa’s Underground River

But first, Puerto’s underground river. This 5-mile long subterranean watercourse was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and is one of the wonders of the natural world. Tours to the river are a fill day out and you’ll need to shop around for the best prices. Make sure the one you go with includes return transport, lunch and the 45 minute boat trip.

This is the number one tourist hotspot on Palawan, so be prepared for a bit of waiting during peak season. 

travel advice for palawan