Places to Visit in Palawan, Philippines

Brief Summary
Palawan, often called the “Last Frontier of the Philippines,” is a paradise of pristine beaches, limestone cliffs, and crystal-clear waters. Consistently ranked among the world’s best islands, it’s home to iconic destinations like El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princesa. Whether you’re kayaking through hidden lagoons, diving among shipwrecks, or relaxing on secluded islands, Palawan promises unforgettable natural beauty and adventure. This guide highlights the must-visit attractions, travel tips, and how to stay connected while you explore this tropical gem, using Circles.Life’s roaming add-ons.

About Palawan

Palawan is an archipelagic province in the western Philippines stretching between Mindoro and Borneo. It’s known for its dramatic karst formations, turquoise lagoons, coral reefs, and rich biodiversity — making it a dream destination for nature lovers and beachgoers alike.

For travelers from Singapore, reaching Palawan is straightforward: direct flights connect Singapore to Puerto Princesa, the province’s capital, or you can transit through Manila or Cebu to reach El Nido or Coron. Palawan offers a variety of experiences (from eco-adventures to luxury resorts) making it ideal for both backpackers and honeymooners.

Quick Facts Table

Stay Connected While Travelling to Palawan

With Palawan’s mix of bustling towns and remote islands, staying connected is essential for navigating routes, booking tours, or sharing your adventures online. With Circles.Life’s roaming plans, you can enjoy reliable data coverage throughout the Philippines (from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and Coron) without the need to buy multiple SIM cards.

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Roaming Add-ons for the Philippines

Steps to Activate Circles.Life Roaming for Palawan

1. Open the Circles.Life app.

2. Tap Roaming.

3. Choose your preferred roaming add-on and ensure that the Philippines (Palawan) is included in the list of countries. 

4. Confirm payment.

5. Enable roaming when you land at Puerto Princesa, El Nido, or Busuanga (Coron) Airport.

Top Attractions in Palawan You Shouldn’t Miss

Palawan is the definition of tropical paradise with dramatic cliffs, lagoons, and crystal-clear waters. It’s divided into three main areas worth visiting: Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and Coron, each offering a unique experience.

Puerto Princesa Underground River

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, this underground river flows beneath limestone mountains for over 8 kilometers. Visitors can take guided paddleboat tours through stunning cave chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

• Location: Sabang, Puerto Princesa

• Entry Fee: ₱500 (SGD 12) including environmental fee

• Timings: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• Why Visit: A world-famous natural wonder offering a one-of-a-kind river and cave experience

El Nido Big Lagoon

Famous for its emerald waters surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, Big Lagoon is one of the most photographed spots in the Philippines. Kayaking through the lagoon reveals hidden coves and tranquil turquoise pools.

• Location: Miniloc Island, El Nido

• Entry Fee: ₱200 (SGD 5) environmental fee + tour package cost

• Timings: Open daily, tours depart 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• Why Visit: Jaw-dropping scenery that defines Palawan’s natural beauty

Kayangan Lake (Coron)

Known as the “cleanest lake in Asia,” Kayangan Lake features emerald-green waters surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. Visitors climb a short trail to a viewpoint offering one of the most photographed scenes in the Philippines. The lake’s clear waters are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

• Location: Coron Island, Northern Palawan

• Entry Fee: ₱300 (SGD 7)

• Timings: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Why Visit: Breathtaking scenery and crystal-clear freshwater perfect for nature lovers

Twin Lagoon (Coron)

Accessible only by swimming or a small boat through a narrow limestone opening, Twin Lagoon is one of Coron’s most surreal spots. The water alternates between warm and cool due to the mix of fresh and saltwater, creating a unique swimming experience.

• Location: Coron Island

• Entry Fee: ₱200 (SGD 5)

• Timings: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Why Visit: A natural wonder featuring tranquil waters and stunning rock formations

Nacpan Beach (El Nido)

Stretching over 4 kilometers, Nacpan Beach is one of Palawan’s most beautiful stretches of coastline. With golden sand, coconut palms, and gentle waves, it’s perfect for swimming and relaxing. Compared to El Nido’s island tours, Nacpan offers a quieter, off-the-beaten-path vibe.

• Location: 45 minutes north of El Nido town

• Entry Fee: Free

• Timings: Open all day

• Why Visit: Peaceful escape offering sun, sea, and a laid-back local atmosphere

Coron Shipwreck Diving

Palawan’s Coron Bay is a world-renowned diving destination with several Japanese shipwrecks from World War II. These well-preserved wrecks, now covered in corals and marine life, offer incredible dives for both beginners and advanced divers.

• Location: Coron Bay

• Entry Fee: ₱250 (SGD 6) dive permit

• Timings: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• Why Visit: One of the best wreck-diving sites in the world

Honda Bay Island Hopping (Puerto Princesa)

Honda Bay offers a convenient island-hopping experience close to Puerto Princesa, featuring clear waters, coral reefs, and white-sand islands like Starfish Island, Cowrie Island, and Luli Island. It’s a great option for a day trip combining snorkeling and beach relaxation.

• Location: Puerto Princesa

• Entry Fee: ₱1,500–₱2,000 (SGD 35–45) for tour packages

• Timings: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• Why Visit: Ideal for first-time visitors who want a quick island-hopping adventure

Palawan: What to Know Before You Go

How to Get to Palawan

There are several ways to reach Palawan depending on your destination:

• Direct flights to Puerto Princesa (PPS) from Singapore or Manila are the easiest and most common option. From Puerto Princesa, you can take a van or bus north to El Nido (approximately 5–6 hours).

• For El Nido, you can fly directly from Manila via AirSwift.

• For Coron, flights land at Busuanga Airport (USU), with daily connections from Manila and Cebu.
  Most visitors fly into one city (e.g., Puerto Princesa) and travel north across the island, then depart from Coron — an excellent way to experience the full length of Palawan.

Getting Around Palawan

Palawan’s transport options vary by area:

• In Puerto Princesa, use tricycles and vans for short trips and day tours.

• In El Nido, tricycles are ideal for local travel, while island-hopping tours are the main way to explore the islands.

• In Coron, boats are used for lagoon tours, and motorbikes or trikes can take you to inland attractions.

• For long-distance transfers between towns, shared vans and tourist buses are widely available.

Best Time to Visit Palawan

The best time to visit Palawan is during the dry season (November to May). The weather is ideal for island-hopping, diving, and beach activities, with average temperatures between 27–32°C.

• December to March: Cool, breezy, and the most popular travel period.

• April to May: Hot and sunny — perfect for swimming and water sports.

• June to October: Rainy season; fewer tourists and lower hotel prices, but some tours may be canceled due to weather.

Where to Stay in Palawan

• Budget: Hostels and guesthouses in Puerto Princesa or El Nido town proper.

• Mid-range: Beach cottages and boutique hotels near Corong-Corong Beach (El Nido) or Downtown Coron.

• Luxury: Private island resorts in El Nido (Miniloc, Pangulasian) and Coron (Two Seasons, Club Paradise) for upscale stays with beachfront access.

Book your accommodation on Agoda through Circles Zerofy to earn cashback on top-rated resorts and hotels across Palawan.

Tips for a Smooth Trip

Palawan is paradise, but its remote beauty means a bit of preparation goes a long way. Here are some practical tips to make your journey smoother:

• Stay connected with a local SIM, eSIM or roaming add-ons. Reliable mobile data is crucial for navigation, booking island tours, and communicating with guides in remote areas.

• Bring a dry bag and power bank. Many tours involve island-hopping and boat rides — keeping your devices safe and charged is essential.

• Cash vs. card usage. ATMs are available in Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and Coron, but smaller islands and beach areas are cash-only. Always bring enough pesos for day trips.

• Download essential travel apps. Klook for booking activities, Google Maps for navigation, and Grab (in Puerto Princesa) for rides. Offline maps are useful in remote spots.

• Be eco-conscious. Palawan’s tourism follows strict sustainability rules — avoid single-use plastics, respect wildlife, and don’t touch corals or marine life.

Travel Smart – Get Roaming Plans Before Travel

Because Palawan’s islands are scattered and sometimes remote, connectivity can be limited. Many travelers find themselves struggling with unstable Wi-Fi or expensive local SIMs. The easiest way to stay connected is to set up a Circles.Life Borderless Plan before your trip — giving you seamless roaming across the Philippines and other Asia-Pacific countries.

Here’s how to stay data-ready before you go:

• Purchase your roaming add-ons before flying. Get everything prepared before your trip so all that’s left to do is enable roaming on your phone to ensure instant coverage upon arrival.

• Choose the roaming bundle that fits your trip. Different roaming add-ons cover different countries, perfect if you’re visiting a few destinations on your trip.

• Stay flexible. eSIMs make it easy to manage data and top up from your phone without swapping cards.

With your roaming plan ready, you’ll have uninterrupted access to maps, weather updates, and communication during your island-hopping adventures, letting you focus on exploring Palawan’s pristine lagoons and beaches without missing a beat.