Palawan is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, and for good reason. Stretching over 400 kilometres along the western edge of the Philippine archipelago, this slender island province is home to UNESCO-listed wilderness, crystalline lagoons, world-class dive sites, and some of the most dramatic limestone karst scenery you will ever see. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a returning explorer, Palawan always has something new to discover.

The island is anchored by Puerto Princesa in the south, which serves as the main entry point for most travellers. From there, adventurers fan out north towards the legendary shores of El Nido and the Bacuit Archipelago, west to the sleepy village of Port Barton, or onwards by air to the wreck-diving paradise of Coron. Planning your time well is the key to making the most of this vast destination.

Book your flights to Puerto Princesa (PPS) early, particularly during the peak dry season from November through May when demand is highest and the seas are at their calmest for island hopping and diving.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of Palawan's crown jewels and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts visitors from around the globe. The navigable underground river runs for approximately 8.2 kilometres through a mountain, making it one of the longest navigable underground rivers on earth. Guides paddle visitors through a cathedral of stalactites and stalagmites while bats swoop overhead in the darkness, creating an otherworldly experience unlike any other.

Tours depart from Sabang, roughly 80 kilometres north of Puerto Princesa, and most visitors book full-day packages that include hotel pickup, a buffet lunch, and a guided paddle through the cave. The tour itself lasts around 45 minutes on the water, though the surrounding national park and its coastal forest are worth exploring before and after your river time. Advanced booking is strongly recommended as daily visitor numbers are capped to protect the ecosystem.

The journey from Puerto Princesa to Sabang takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road, and many tour operators offer morning departures with return in the late afternoon. Some tours combine the underground river with a zipline ride over the jungle canopy and a mangrove paddle boat experience, giving you a full day of adventure in one convenient package.

Just 40 minutes north of Puerto Princesa, Honda Bay is an ideal introduction to Palawan's turquoise waters without the long journey to El Nido. The bay shelters a scattering of small coral-fringed islands including Luli Island, Starfish Island, and Cowrie Island, each offering crystal-clear shallows perfect for snorkelling, swimming, and simply soaking in the tropical scenery. The name Luli is short for lulubog-lilitaw (sinking and rising), a nod to the sandbar that appears and disappears with the tides.

Standard island hopping tours depart in the morning and typically visit three to four islands over the course of a full day, with a beachside picnic lunch included. Operators provide snorkelling gear on board, and the shallow reefs around these islands support vibrant populations of reef fish, sea stars, and occasional sea turtles. Honda Bay is particularly well suited to families and travellers who prefer a gentler pace compared to the more remote island clusters of the far north.

El Nido, approximately five hours north of Puerto Princesa by van, is arguably the most visually spectacular destination in all of Southeast Asia. The Bacuit Archipelago that surrounds it holds 45 islands and islets, their sheer limestone cliffs plunging straight into water so clear it barely appears real. Island hopping is the primary way to explore this extraordinary seascape, and tours are organised into four classic routes — A, B, C, and D — each visiting a different set of beaches, lagoons, and hidden coves.

Tour A is the most popular and focuses on the Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon, two of El Nido's most photographed natural features. The Big Lagoon is a vast, calm expanse of electric blue water encircled by towering cliffs, navigable by motorboat or kayak. The Small Lagoon is accessible only through a narrow gap in the rock face, and paddling inside to find a secret world of still water and birdsong is genuinely unforgettable. Seven Commando Beach, also on Tour A, is a long stretch of white sand ideal for a swim before lunch.

Tour C takes in the Secret Lagoon, Hidden Beach, and the dramatic cliffs of Matinloc Island, while Tour D ventures further afield to Cadlao Lagoon and the Cathedral Cave. Each tour includes lunch and snorkelling equipment, and prices are kept consistent by the local operators' association. Private boat hire is available for groups who prefer a more flexible itinerary and the freedom to linger at their favourite spots.

Searching for activities in El Nido and Puerto Princesa is easy through Traveloka, which lists a wide range of tours to suit every budget and travel style.

Coron, located on the island of Busuanga in the northern reaches of Palawan, holds one of the most remarkable dive sites in the world. In September 1944, a fleet of Japanese supply ships was ambushed by US aircraft and sunk in the surrounding waters, and those wrecks now lie scattered across the seabed in water between 10 and 40 metres deep. Over the decades, coral and marine life have colonised the hulls so thoroughly that each wreck has become an artificial reef teeming with schooling fish, nudibranchs, and sea fans.

The most celebrated of the wrecks is the Okikawa Maru, a large tanker whose cavernous interior can be explored by divers with the right training. The Irako, resting in deeper water, rewards experienced divers with stunning visibility and prolific marine life. Even snorkellers can appreciate the shallower wrecks, which are encrusted with hard and soft corals clearly visible from the surface on calm days.

Coron is not only for divers. Kayangan Lake, often cited as one of the cleanest lakes in Asia, sits within a dramatic limestone bowl on Coron Island and is accessible by a short climb over a viewpoint that provides one of the most photographed panoramas in the Philippines. The Twin Lagoon, just a short boat ride away, connects two bodies of water at different temperatures through a submerged passage, creating a surreal bathing experience. Day tours from Coron town visit both lakes along with several beaches, making for a full and varied day even without diving.

One of Puerto Princesa's most magical and underrated experiences takes place after dark on the Iwahig River, about 15 kilometres south of the city centre. As night falls, the mangrove trees lining the riverbanks begin to light up with thousands of synchronised fireflies, creating a natural light show that visitors consistently describe as one of the most enchanting things they have ever seen. Traditional paddle boats glide silently through the darkness while guides point out the clusters of glowing insects overhead and all around.

Tours typically depart in the late afternoon, around 5:30 PM, to allow time for the drive to the river before darkness fully settles. Many operators bundle the experience with a buffet dinner and live cultural entertainment, making it a relaxed and festive evening out. The Iwahig River runs through the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, which has a fascinating history as an open penal colony where inmates farm and live with relative freedom on a large agricultural estate.

For travellers who want the feel of El Nido without the crowds, Port Barton on Palawan's western coast offers a slower and more intimate alternative. This small fishing village retains the unhurried atmosphere that El Nido had a decade ago, with a handful of guesthouses lining a pretty bay, simple beachside restaurants serving fresh seafood, and almost no nightlife to distract from the sound of the waves. The journey from Puerto Princesa takes around three hours by shared tourist van, and the ride through Palawan's forested interior is scenic in its own right.

The islands around Port Barton are every bit as beautiful as those in the more famous parts of Palawan, with a series of deserted beaches and healthy coral reefs accessible on local island hopping boats. German Island offers a particularly fine stretch of white sand, while the reefs around Exotic Island are excellent for snorkelling. Port Barton is best visited during the dry season from November to April, when seas are calm and rainfall is minimal.

For serious divers and underwater enthusiasts, the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park represents one of the last true frontiers in Philippine diving. Situated in the middle of the Sulu Sea some 150 kilometres southeast of Puerto Princesa, this remote UNESCO World Heritage Site is accessible only by liveaboard vessel and only during the brief window from mid-March to mid-June when seas are calm enough for the crossing. The effort required to reach it is entirely justified by what waits below the surface.

Tubbataha is one of the most biodiverse marine environments in the Pacific, supporting healthy populations of sharks — including hammerheads and whale sharks in season — alongside manta rays, sea turtles, barracuda, and enormous schools of pelagic fish. The reef walls drop to extraordinary depths and are blanketed with pristine hard and soft coral that has been virtually untouched by human activity. All visits are managed by the Tubbataha Management Office to ensure the park remains in exceptional condition for future generations.

Liveaboard trips from Puerto Princesa typically last six to eight nights and are operated by a small number of licensed operators. Booking well in advance — often a year or more ahead — is essential to secure a place on a reputable vessel during the short season.

Finding the best hotels in Puerto Princesa and across Palawan is straightforward through Traveloka, which lists properties at every price point from budget guesthouses to full-service resorts.

Puerto Princesa is more than just a gateway to Palawan's natural wonders — the city itself has several worthwhile attractions that reward a half-day of exploration. The Palawan Heritage Center presents a well-curated introduction to the province's indigenous cultures, colonial history, and extraordinary biodiversity, providing useful context before you head out into the wilderness. The nearby Immaculate Conception Cathedral, a pastel-coloured colonial church built in 1872, is one of the most photographed landmarks in the city and a pleasant spot to linger in the early morning cool.

Rizal Avenue and Lacao Street form the backbone of the city's commercial district, lined with local restaurants, souvenir shops, and the occasional open-air market. The tamilok, a woodworm delicacy harvested from mangrove trees, is considered a must-try for adventurous eaters at local restaurants and night markets. The city is compact enough to explore on foot or by tricycle — the motorised three-wheelers that serve as the primary local transport — and most attractions are within a short ride of the main accommodation strip.

Palawan is a long, narrow province, and getting between its main destinations requires some planning. Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and Coron each have their own airports, making internal flights the fastest option for travellers with limited time. Overland from Puerto Princesa to El Nido takes roughly five to six hours by tourist van along an increasingly improved highway, while the journey to Port Barton takes around three hours. Tricycles and habal-habal motorcycles handle shorter trips within towns.

An airport transfer booked in advance makes arriving at Puerto Princesa International Airport entirely stress-free, getting you to your hotel or connecting transport without the need to negotiate fares after a long flight. For those who prefer the freedom to explore at their own pace, a car rental offers flexibility for the longer stretches between Puerto Princesa and the island's mid-section, though road conditions become more variable the further north you travel.

The best time to visit Palawan is during the dry season from November to May, when skies are clear, seas are calm, and outdoor activities are at their most accessible. Peak months of December through March bring the largest visitor numbers, so booking accommodation and island hopping tours ahead of time is wise. The shoulder months of November and April offer a pleasant balance of good weather and slightly smaller crowds.

Traveloka is Southeast Asia's leading travel platform, trusted by over 100 million users to plan and book every element of their journey with confidence. Whether you are looking for direct flights into Puerto Princesa, a beachfront resort in El Nido, or island hopping and cave tours across Palawan, everything is available in one place through a single app that works seamlessly across all devices.

For your Palawan trip, Traveloka brings together flights, hotels, and activities with transparent pricing and real user reviews to help you choose the right options for your travel style and budget. The app also covers car rental for overland journeys, eSIM data plans so you stay connected from the moment you land, and travel insurance to give you peace of mind in remote natural environments. Check Traveloka promotions before you book — the app regularly features flash sales and package deals on Palawan travel that can deliver significant savings on flights and accommodation.

Download the Traveloka app today and start building your Palawan itinerary, from the UNESCO underground river to the last shipwrecks of Coron and every turquoise lagoon in between.