Practical tips: Palawan

What I wish I'd known before my first trip.

Getting there and around

Most visitors fly into Puerto Princesa, with smaller airports at El Nido (Lio) and Busuanga for Coron, plus San Vicente on some schedules. Roads link Puerto Princesa with El Nido, Port Barton, San Vicente and the south; shared vans are the usual way to travel, taking five to six hours to El Nido. Ferries and fast boats connect El Nido and Coron in the dry season, a crossing of roughly four to seven hours depending on the vessel. Tricycles handle short hops in towns.

Entry and visas

Many nationalities can enter the Philippines visa-free for a limited stay, often 30 days, with extensions possible at immigration offices. Rules change, so check the official Bureau of Immigration guidance for your passport before you fly. You will usually need an onward ticket and may have to complete an online arrival registration before departure. Keep a copy of your passport and entry stamp when travelling to remote islands.

Money

The currency is the Philippine peso. ATMs exist in Puerto Princesa, El Nido, Coron and a few larger towns, but they often run out of cash or charge fees, and they are absent in Port Barton, Balabac and many villages. Carry enough cash for fees, boats and meals, in small notes. Cards work in larger hotels and some restaurants, often with a surcharge. Environmental and entrance fees are almost always cash only.

Seasons and weather

The dry season runs roughly from November to May, with the calmest seas and most reliable boat trips from January to April. June to October brings the southwest monsoon, with heavier rain, rougher seas and more cancelled tours, though also fewer crowds. Typhoons affect Palawan less often than the north of the country, but they do happen. Keep buffer days, especially before flights, and watch forecasts closely.

Health

Drink bottled or filtered water. Dengue occurs across the Philippines, so use repellent day and night. Malaria risk exists in some rural and southern parts of Palawan; consult a travel clinic about prevention. Medical facilities are limited outside Puerto Princesa, so carry a basic first-aid kit, reef-cut antiseptic and any medicines you need. Travel insurance that covers evacuation is worth having for remote trips.

Island-hopping etiquette

Boats in El Nido and Coron follow standardised tours and visitor caps. Pay the environmental fees, keep your ticket, and follow the crew’s instructions. Never stand on coral, feed fish or take shells and starfish from the water. Use reef-safe sunscreen or wear a rash guard. Take all your rubbish back to the boat; many islands have no bins at all.

Culture and etiquette

Palawan is friendly and relaxed, but modesty matters away from the beach. Cover your shoulders and knees in churches and villages, and ask before photographing people, especially in indigenous communities such as the Tagbanua and Batak. A smile and a simple salamat, thank you, go a long way. Tipping boat crews and guides is appreciated but not mandatory.

Safety and scams

Palawan is generally safe, but petty theft happens in busy towns and on beaches. Use only accredited tour agencies and licensed dive operators. Be wary of unregistered boatmen offering cheap tours, and check that life vests are on board. For the far south, including Balabac, check current travel advisories and travel only with reputable operators. Tricycle drivers may overcharge; agree fares in advance.

SIM cards and connectivity

Local SIM cards from major networks are sold at airports and in town shops; you will need your passport to register one. Coverage is reasonable in towns but patchy or absent on many islands and in the far south. Accommodation Wi-Fi varies widely. Download maps and essential information before heading to remote areas, and expect to be offline for long stretches.

Electricity and supplies

Power cuts are common, especially in smaller towns, and some remote islands rely on generators for only a few hours each evening. Bring a power bank, a headlamp and a universal adapter; the Philippines uses 220V with flat-pin plugs. Stock up on essentials such as sunscreen, insect repellent and medicine in Puerto Princesa, as choice is limited elsewhere.