Palawan
Plan Palawan with Haqqi Tours: day tours, private airport transfers, attraction tickets and packages, run by our own team and confirmed on WhatsApp in Arabic or English.
In El Nido the morning begins on the water. Bangkas line up in the bay with their outriggers resting on a glassy sea, and beyond them sheer limestone cliffs rise straight from the turquoise, draped in jungle and wreathed in early mist. Crews load fruit, rice and fish for the grill, and as the boat slips out past the islets, hidden lagoons of emerald water wait silently behind the rocks.
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Palawan Day Tours
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Palawan is the long, slender province on the western edge of the Philippines, often voted among the most beautiful islands in the world. It brings together El Nido's lagoons and limestone islets, Coron's crystal lakes and wartime shipwrecks, and Puerto Princesa, gateway to the UNESCO-listed Underground River. Protected forests, mangroves and reefs have earned it the name of the country's last frontier.
Why include Palawan in your itinerary?
- Lagoons like nowhere else. El Nido's Big and Small Lagoons, Secret Lagoon and Hidden Beach, tucked behind towering limestone walls, are among the most dramatic seascapes in Asia, best explored by kayak or bangka on calm mornings.
- Crystal lakes and sunken ships. In Coron, swim in the clear waters of Kayangan and Barracuda lakes, framed by jagged karst, and snorkel over Second World War shipwrecks resting in the bay, some close enough to see from the surface.
- A UNESCO river beneath the mountains. Near Puerto Princesa, a paddle boat glides into the Underground River, one of the longest navigable underground rivers in the world, through vaulted chambers of stalactites and silent darkness.
Signature experiences in Palawan
El Nido Island Hopping Tours
El Nido's boat tours are known by letters. Tour A visits the Big and Small Lagoons and the Secret Lagoon, Tour C reaches Hidden Beach and the clifftop shrine of Matinloc, while Tours B and D explore caves, quiet beaches and sheltered coves. Kayaks glide into the lagoons, snorkelling gear comes aboard, and our private boat tours add a grilled lunch, shade and a pace that suits your group.
Coron Lakes and Lagoons
Coron Island is a fortress of dark limestone cared for by its indigenous Tagbanua community. Climb a short, steep path to the famous viewpoint over Kayangan Lake and swim in its clear water, float between the cliffs of the Twin Lagoon, where warm and cool water meet, and dive into Barracuda Lake with its layered temperatures. Our island-hopping tours include every landing and snorkel stop.
Shipwrecks and Reefs of Coron
In 1944 a fleet of Japanese supply ships was sunk in and around Coron Bay, and today their hulls are covered in coral and alive with fish. Certified divers explore the deeper wrecks, while snorkellers can view the shallow Skeleton Wreck and the coral gardens nearby. We arrange private boat days with certified dive teams and snorkelling guides, matching each site to your experience.
Puerto Princesa Underground River
From Puerto Princesa, a scenic drive of about two hours reaches Sabang, where a bangka crosses to the cave entrance. Paddle boats then glide into the Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, beneath cathedral-like chambers lit only by a lamp, with bats and swifts overhead. Visitor numbers are limited by permit, so booking ahead is essential; our day tours handle the permit, transfers and lunch.
Honda Bay and Puerto Princesa
Honda Bay, a short drive from Puerto Princesa, offers gentle island hopping to small sandy islets with shallow reefs, starfish and easy snorkelling for all ages. In the city, visit the wartime memorial garden of Plaza Cuartel, the cathedral by the bay and a wildlife rescue centre for Palawan's crocodiles. In the evening, a quiet boat ride on the Iwahig River reveals mangroves glittering with fireflies.
Neighbourhoods and quarters to know in Palawan
El Nido Town and Corong-Corong
El Nido town sits beneath towering cliffs, with guesthouses, cafés, dive shops and the beach where island-hopping boats depart. It is busy and practical. Just south, Corong-Corong is calmer, with resorts facing the bay and some of the best sunsets in Palawan. Both suit first-time visitors who want easy access to Tours A, B, C and D.
Nacpan and Northern El Nido
About forty-five minutes north of town, Nacpan Beach is a long, golden curve of sand backed by coconut palms, with a quieter twin beach beside it. The north feels rural and peaceful, with small resorts, rice fields and village life. It suits couples and families who want space and calm, with the town still within easy reach.
Coron Town and Busuanga
Coron town, on Busuanga Island, is a busy little port of markets, seafood restaurants and boat landings, overlooked by the Mount Tapyas viewpoint. Resorts are scattered across Busuanga and the nearby islands, offering seclusion and sea views. It is the natural base for the lakes of Coron Island, the lagoons and the wreck dives.
Puerto Princesa City
Puerto Princesa is Palawan's capital, known as one of the cleanest and most orderly cities in the country, with tree-lined streets, a bayside promenade and the province's main airport. It is the base for the Underground River, Honda Bay and the firefly cruises. Travellers who prefer an early start can also stay a night near Sabang.
How long to stay in Palawan and how to pair it
Recommended stay
We recommend seven nights in Palawan. Three nights in El Nido for the lagoon tours and Nacpan Beach, two in Coron for the lakes and shipwrecks, and two in Puerto Princesa for the Underground River and Honda Bay. With fewer days, choose El Nido and Coron, linked by fast ferry, or El Nido and Puerto Princesa by road.
How to pair it
Palawan pairs with Manila, about an hour's flight from Puerto Princesa, El Nido or Busuanga for Coron. A seven-day trip combines Manila with El Nido and Coron. In ten days, add Puerto Princesa or Boracay. A fourteen-day journey can link Manila, Palawan, Cebu and Boracay, with flight and ferry tickets issued by our team, including the fast ferry between El Nido and Coron.
Best time to visit Palawan and the rhythm of the day
Best months
The best time to visit Palawan is from December to May, the dry season, with calm seas, clear water and sunny skies; March to May is the hottest and calmest for lagoon tours. From June to November the southwest monsoon brings rain and swells, and typhoons are possible. Boat tours and the El Nido to Coron ferry can then be suspended for safety, so keep flexible days.
The daily rhythm
Palawan's days follow the boats. Island-hopping tours leave around breakfast and return in the late afternoon, with swimming, kayaking and a grilled lunch on a quiet beach in between. Underground River trips start early from Puerto Princesa. Evenings are slow and simple, with seafood dinners, sunsets over the islands and an early night before the next day on the water.
On-the-ground logistics in Palawan
Arrival
Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) is only minutes from the city centre, while El Nido lies about five to six hours north by road. El Nido's small airport (ENI) at Lio has flights from Manila and Cebu. Busuanga airport (USU) serves Coron, about thirty to forty minutes from town. Our private airport transfers meet you on arrival and take you straight to your hotel.
Getting around
Tricycles are the local taxis in every town, and vans link Puerto Princesa with El Nido and Sabang. Fast ferries connect El Nido and Coron in about four hours, depending on sea conditions. Most sightseeing happens by bangka on island-hopping tours. For long road journeys and heavy luggage, a private car with driver arranged by our team is far more comfortable.
Local etiquette tip
Palawan's communities are welcoming and live close to nature. Pay the local environmental fees that protect the islands, follow rangers' instructions, and never touch coral or feed fish. On Coron Island, respect the rules of the Tagbanua people who care for its lakes. Cover up when leaving the beach, ask before photographing people, and carry your rubbish back with you.
Must-do things in Palawan
- Kayak into the emerald Big Lagoon on El Nido's Tour A
- Swim through the narrow gap into El Nido's Secret Lagoon
- Relax on the long, golden sands of Nacpan Beach
- Look over Kayangan Lake from Coron's famous viewpoint
- Swim in the layered, crystal waters of Barracuda Lake
- Snorkel over a Second World War shipwreck in Coron
- Glide into the UNESCO-listed Underground River by boat
- Island-hop across the shallow reefs of Honda Bay
- Watch fireflies light the mangroves of the Iwahig River
- Climb Mount Tapyas for sunset over Coron town
Do’s and don’ts in Palawan
Do
- Do book Underground River permits well ahead
- Do bring water shoes and a dry bag for boat days
- Do carry enough cash; island ATMs can run out
- Do keep spare days in case boats are cancelled
- Do wear a life jacket on every boat and kayak
Don’t
- Don't touch coral, turtles or fish while snorkelling
- Don't take shells, sand or stones from the protected islands
- Don't plan the El Nido to Coron ferry on your flight day
- Don't use flash or speak loudly inside the Underground River
- Don't leave plastic or litter on the islands or boats
Palawan at a glance
Plan Palawan with Haqqi Tours
Every option is confirmed by our team on WhatsApp before you pay, and delivered by our own people or by trusted local partners we work with in every city. Because we send travellers from all over the world, our partners give us special rates and priority, so you always receive the best. Prices are per person unless marked per vehicle.
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Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask most about Palawan.
Where should first-time visitors stay in Palawan?
First-time visitors usually split their stay between El Nido for the lagoon tours and Coron for the lakes and shipwrecks, adding Puerto Princesa for the Underground River. In El Nido, the town and Corong-Corong are most convenient, while Nacpan is quieter. Our team can suggest a hotel in each place and arrange your private airport transfer.
Can El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa be combined?
Yes. El Nido and Coron are linked by a fast ferry of about four hours, and Puerto Princesa is about five to six hours from El Nido by road, or a short flight via Manila. A week covers all three comfortably. We issue the flight and ferry tickets and arrange private transfers between airports, ports and hotels.
What is the dress code and etiquette in Palawan?
Palawan is relaxed. Swimwear is fine on beaches and boats, but cover up in towns, churches and villages. Follow environmental rules: pay local eco fees, never touch coral or wildlife, and take your rubbish with you. Respect the Tagbanua rules on Coron Island and ask before photographing people. Our guides explain local customs on the way.
Is Palawan tourist friendly?
Yes. Tourism is well organised in El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa, English is widely spoken and boat crews are experienced. Halal food is limited in Palawan, but fresh seafood, grilled fish, rice, vegetables and tropical fruit are easy to find everywhere. Our team can advise on halal-friendly options and help plan meals before you travel.
Is it safe to travel to Palawan now?
El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa are generally considered safe and relaxed for visitors. The main risks are natural: sun, sea conditions and weather in the typhoon season, so always follow boat crews and coast guard decisions. Check your own government's official travel advice before departure, and keep our WhatsApp line handy throughout your stay.
What are the must-do things in Palawan?
The must-do things in Palawan include El Nido's Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon and Hidden Beach, Nacpan Beach, Kayangan and Barracuda lakes and the Twin Lagoon in Coron, a shipwreck snorkel, the Underground River, Honda Bay and a firefly cruise near Puerto Princesa. Our island-hopping tours combine these in the best order.
How many days do you need in Palawan?
Seven days is ideal for Palawan: three in El Nido, two in Coron and two in Puerto Princesa. Five days covers El Nido and Coron at a quicker pace, while ten days allows extra beach time, a spare day for weather and a night near the Underground River.
What can I book in Palawan with Haqqi Tours?
Day tours, private airport transfers and ferry tickets, including Coron to El Nido 3-Day Off-Grid Island Expedition, Puerto Princesa Underground River and Firefly Watching Tour and Private El Nido Island Hopping to the Best Beaches and Lagoons. Each has its own page, and the WhatsApp desk combines any of them into one plan with one written price.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Palawan?
Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) is at the edge of Palawan's capital, about 3 km from the city centre; the Honda Bay wharf is about 20 to 30 minutes away, Sabang about 2 hours and El Nido about 5 to 6 hours by road. Our private transfer meets you at arrivals with a name board, tracks your flight and takes you door to door at a fixed price for the whole vehicle; the transfer pages list every route.
Is there public transport from the airport to Palawan?
Palawan's towns are far apart: Puerto Princesa to El Nido is about 5 to 6 hours by road, and Coron is reached by plane or by the fast ferry from El Nido of about 4 hours, which depends on sea conditions. Shared vans are cramped and leave at fixed times, so a private car is the comfortable choice for long drives, early starts and heavy luggage. With luggage, a family or a late flight, the private car is the simpler choice.
Which tours are available in Palawan?
Among them: Coron to El Nido 3-Day Off-Grid Island Expedition, Puerto Princesa Underground River and Firefly Watching Tour, Private El Nido Island Hopping to the Best Beaches and Lagoons, Coron Beaches and Islands Tour to Malcapuya and Ditaytayan and Port Barton Island Hopping Day Trip from Puerto Princesa. Each page says whether the day is private or small-group, what it includes and how long it lasts.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Both exist, and each tour page says which. A private tour has a vehicle and guide for your party alone; the desk can make most group tours private on request.
How do I book?
Fill in the form on any page or message us on WhatsApp with the date, the number of travellers and the hotel. A member of our team confirms the price and the details in writing within minutes.
Are the prices fixed?
Yes - every price is agreed in writing on WhatsApp before you travel and does not change on the day.
Do the drivers and guides speak Arabic or English?
It depends on the city and the day, so we do not promise a particular language; tell us your preference and we do our best. The WhatsApp desk always works in Arabic and English.
Can I change or cancel a booking in Palawan?
Yes, in the same WhatsApp conversation. The terms depend on the product and on how close to the date the change comes; the desk states them before you pay.