Palawan is like a treasure trove full of amazing destinations and sights to see. It’s home to 1,700 pristine islands and islets which bejewel the four main destinations of Palawan: Puerto Princesa, San Vicente, El Nido, and Coron.
Each destination is wonderful, and all of them are just so incomparable. You’re definitely in for a treat no matter where you choose to go.
However, each destination may have different requirements for you to enter. So, we made a guide about everything you need to prepare before your trip to Palawan.
(Note: travel requirements may change at short notice. It’s also a good idea to check with the local government offices of your destination before your scheduled flight.)
Palawan’s capital is Puerto Princesa. It’s also the gateway to the other popular paradise-like destinations of the province.
Puerto Princesa even earned the name The City in a Forest because the capital has preserved the beautiful natural parks. They’re pretty much the epitome of the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature.
There’s so many things to do in Puerto Princesa. And the best time to visit is from November to May (the dry season), so you can enjoy most of the activities the place has to offer.
If you plan to visit Puerto Princesa, you have to include visiting the Underground River to your schedule. It’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site list since 1999. The cave formations, limestone cliffs, and blue waters are absolutely jaw-dropping.
Take note that they only allow a limited number of visitors to enter the site. So we recommend making reservations with tour operators to guarantee a slot.
Length of stay in Puerto Princesa no longer has limits. However, it is only open for point-to-point travel. That means you have to book a packaged tour from a DOT-accredited hotel or tour operator because DIY tours are not allowed as of the moment.
Port Barton is a small village located in the municipality of San Vicente. It’s one of the lesser-known tourist destinations in Palawan.
Even though it’s not as popular as the other places, Port Barton has its own hidden gems. There are no luxury hotels, fancy restaurants, or large crowds in Port Barton. And that’s why it attracts visitors. The serenity of Port Barton allows you to unwind, and just admire the place.
Some of the best things to do in Port Barton are island hopping, camping at Inaladelan Island, and trekking to Pamuayan Falls.
Travelers are only allowed to stay within the DOT Travel Bubble in San Vicente. So, it’s best to make arrangements with accredited tour operators and sea transports for a hassle-free trip.
Visitors also need to fill up the Responsible Visitor’s Pledge. Don’t forget to take screenshots or print a proof that you’ve filled out the form.
El Nido has always been popular among local and international travelers. This place is one of the best island beaches in the world because of its white sand, clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and towering limestone cliffs.
The best thing to do in El Nido is island hopping. You’ll get to see the top attractions, such as the Big, Small Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon, Cudugnon Cave, and Cathedral Cave. Besides those, the islands you’ll get to visit are Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Dilumacad Island, and many more.
El Nido accepts guests from Alert Levels 1-4. Tourists over 65 years old, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women need to be fully vaccinated to enter El Nido. They should get their second dose at least two weeks before traveling.
From March 1, 2022, fully vaccinated tourists no longer need to show a negative RT-PCR/Antigen test result prior to traveling. While children 11 yrs and below must be accompanied by parents or guardians who comply with the COVID-19 testing and/or quarantine protocols.
Coron is popular among scuba divers because of the 12 well-preserved World War II shipwrecks. In fact, you can even get a dive certification or advanced certification in Coron.
But if you just want to go snorkeling, the best places are Barracuda Lake and Lusong Gunboat. There’s a shipwreck in Lusong Gunboat as well. It’s shallow enough for you to snorkel it.
As of the moment, Coron only allows fully vaccinated tourists.
From March 2, 2022, fully vaccinated tourists are no longer required to present a negative antigen test result. Meanwhile, minors should be accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent or guardian to be able to enter Coron.
Palawan is the Philippine's “last ecological frontier”. The province is known for lush forests, natural resources, and very diverse flora and fauna — both land and sea.
But just a few days before 2021 came to a close, the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines for the year ravaged parts of Visayas, Mindanao, and Luzon. Typhoon Odette destroyed houses, cut electricity supply, limited telecommunications lines, and affected nearly two million people.
Palawan’s Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) was once a thriving forest. But the typhoon has flattened the towering trees and destroyed the lush greens, and turned the forest brown.
Thousands of century-old trees like the native dipterocarps were destroyed. Meanwhile, bird species, including the endemic Palawan hornbill, Palawan peacock pheasant, and Philippine cockatoo, have lost their habitat due to the typhoon destruction. Biologist Nevong Puna said that bird sightings declined by 10% from pre-storm levels.
Local government units at Palawan are already ramping up their efforts in recovering from typhoon Odette. Fortunately, scientists and biodiversity experts say that the damages are reversible. However, it may take some time for the ecosystem to fully recover.
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