Palawan Travel Guide:
The Best Places to Visit in Palawan, Philippines
Enjoy all that Palawan has to offer from El Nido in the north to Balabac in the south
Palawan, Philippines is one of the most extraordinary travel destinations on the planet. A long, narrow island stretching along the western edge of the Philippine archipelago, Palawan is surrounded by more than 1,700 smaller islands and islets — each one a potential adventure.
With its turquoise lagoons, ancient underground rivers, world-class diving, and some of the most dramatic limestone scenery in Southeast Asia, it is little wonder that Palawan has been voted the world’s best island more times than almost anywhere else. This Palawan travel guide introduces you to the most popular places to visit in Palawan, Philippines, so you can start planning the trip of a lifetime.
Getting to Palawan – We make it easy for you to get to Palawan. Our travel tips and tricks take the stress out of getting there. Check out these Helpful Tips on Getting to Palawan.
The Best Time to Visit Palawan – The time of year you visit Palawan is definitely something you should consider before planning your trip.
Getting around in Palawan (Palawan Transportation) – See all your options for getting around Puerto Princesa and Palawan in our Guide to Getting Around Palawan.
Buy before Go – We’ve put together a List of Items to Bring to Palawan that every traveler should consider bringing based on our years of travel and lessons learned.
Puerto Princesa — Gateway to Palawan's Wonders
Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan and the main arrival point for most visitors flying in from Manila or Cebu.
More than just a transit hub, Puerto Princesa is home to one of the most remarkable natural attractions in the world: the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Small boats navigate an 8-kilometer stretch of underground river through a cathedral cave system filled with dramatic stalactites and stalagmites — an experience that is genuinely unlike anything else on Earth. Advance permits are required and should be booked well ahead of your visit. Honda Bay, just outside the city, offers island hopping across a collection of coral-rich islets and is one of the most enjoyable half-day excursions in southern Palawan.
It is also the location of Ocean Dream Villa Palawan where you can stay and enjoy the ocean view, swimming pool, jacuzzi and rooftop lounge, all to yourself! Book a stay for when you arrive at Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) and when you’re touring the famous sites of the capital.
No Palawan travel guide would be complete without El Nido — and for good reason.
Located at the northern tip of Palawan, El Nido is consistently ranked among the best places to visit in Palawan, Philippines and is easy to see why.
Its dramatic karst limestone cliffs rise straight from impossibly turquoise waters, sheltering hidden lagoons, secret beaches, and world-class snorkeling reefs that leave most visitors speechless.
Whether you’re kayaking through the Big and Small Lagoons, island hopping across the Bacuit Archipelago, or simply watching the sun set from a white sand beach, El Nido delivers the kind of experience that defines a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Palawan.
Explore our complete El Nido travel guide for everything you need to plan your visit.
Coron is one of the most unforgettable places to visit in Palawan, Philippines — and one of the most visually striking from the moment you arrive.
Its iconic limestone cliffs rise sharply from crystal-clear waters, and the island hopping here rivals anything in El Nido for sheer beauty.
What sets Coron apart in any Palawan travel guide is its world-renowned wreck diving — the Coron Bay WWII Japanese shipwrecks are consistently ranked among the top dive sites on the planet, drawing divers from around the world who come specifically to explore these hauntingly beautiful underwater relics.
Beyond diving, Coron offers freshwater lakes, secluded beaches, and a laid-back town atmosphere that rewards travelers who linger a little longer than planned.
Explore our complete Coron travel guide for everything you need to plan your visit.
For travelers whose Palawan travel extends beyond the well-worn tourist trail, Port Barton is the reward.
Tucked along Palawan’s northwest coast, this small fishing village remains one of the best places to visit in Palawan, Philippines for those seeking authentic beauty without the crowds.
White sand beaches fringed with coconut palms, crystal clear water, and a relaxed pace of life make Port Barton feel like Palawan before the world discovered it. Island hopping here is excellent, the snorkeling is uncrowded, and the sunsets are as good as anywhere in the province.
If El Nido feels too busy and Coron too far, Port Barton is the answer.
Explore our complete Port Barton guide for everything you need to plan your visit.
Balabac is the final frontier of any serious Palawan travel guide — a remote collection of islands at the southernmost tip of Palawan Province, closer to Sabah, Malaysia than to Puerto Princesa.
For those willing to make the journey, Balabac ranks among the most breathtaking places to visit in Palawan, Philippines — and possibly in all of Southeast Asia.
The water clarity here is genuinely Maldives-level, the coral reefs are among the healthiest and most biodiverse in the region, and the near-total absence of mass tourism means you’ll experience Palawan in its most untouched form.
Getting here takes effort, but every traveler who makes the trip says the same thing — it was absolutely worth it.
Explore our complete Balabac travel guide for everything you need to plan your visit.
Start Planning Your Palawan Adventure with Ocean Dream Villa Palawan
Whether you’re island hopping in Honda Bay, exploring the Underground River, or venturing north to El Nido and Coron, Ocean Dream Villa Palawan is the perfect base for your Palawan adventure. Perched above Honda Bay just minutes from Puerto Princesa Airport, our luxury villa gives you the space, comfort, and stunning ocean views to make every day in Palawan unforgettable.
View Ocean Dream Villa Palawan on Airbnb and start planning your stay today.