Tricycle (airport → Puerto Princesa city)
Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) is close to town. Tricycles (motorbike sidecars) outside the airport reach the Baywalk and city center quickly. Agree on the fare before riding.
Korean MOFA travel advisory: Your destination: Level 2 (avoid non-essential travel)
Elsewhere in the country: Level 4 (travel ban) — some regions: L4 (travel ban): Zamboanga (Mindanao), Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi / L3: southern Palawan (south of Aborlan, Narra, Quezon), parts of Mindanao / L2: everywhere not in L1, L3 or L4 (incl. Siargao, Davao, Cagayan de Oro) / L1: Subic, Boracay, Bohol, Mactan Island in Cebu (Lapu-Lapu)
Visits to the listed regions should be cancelled or postponed (see Details for other areas).
checked 2026-10-01 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.
Palawan Travel Guide
Palawan, the long island on the Philippines' western edge, is famous for limestone cliffs and clear water. This guide covers the north only: start in Puerto Princesa with its World Heritage underground river, then head up to El Nido to boat between lagoons and islands. Ideal for nature lovers.
Plan your Palawan trip
We never take payment — compare, then book on the official partner site.
✈ Fares from Incheon to Puerto Princesa or El Nido are hard to track consistently, so we show fares to Manila Airport. Domestic flights run from Manila to Puerto Princesa (about 1 hr 15 min) and El Nido; check airline official information for routes and times. Puerto Princesa to El Nido is about 5-6 hours by road.
Lowest fare: Seoul (ICN) → Manila Airport (MNL)
Based on recent searches — the price may change when you book.
See round-trip flights for these dates →Lowest saved nonstop round-trip fare per person for a 4-day trip.
See on MyRealTrip ↗No recent round-trip prices for a 4-day trip yet.
Check prices →Seoul Incheon → Manila Airport (MNL) flights →
Busan Gimhae → Manila Airport (MNL) flights →
At a glance
- Currency
- PHP (₱)
- Power & plugs
- 220V · Type A/B/C
- Driving side
- Right
- Tipping
- Optional (small, for good service)
- Local language
- Filipino
- How long to stay
- 5 to 6 days
Emergency numbers
When to go
December-April brings calm, clear seas for island tours. In Puerto Princesa, February is the driest month and September the wettest. June-October is southwest monsoon season, when island tours and boats are often cancelled, so keep your plans flexible.
Airport to the city
Tricycle + jeepney or van (airport → Sabang / Underground River)
Take a tricycle to Irawan terminal, then a jeepney or shuttle van to Sabang. Jeepneys run roughly 6am-2pm and vans 6am-4pm.
Van or bus (Puerto Princesa → El Nido)
To go straight to El Nido, head north by van or bus. It's a long ride, so leave early. Check official information for schedules and fares.
Getting around
Tricycles
Short rides in the city are about PHP 10-30. Fares for visitors vary by distance and group size, so confirm before riding.
Jeepneys
Shared vehicles on fixed routes; city fares are about PHP 13-25. Jeepneys also run toward Honda Bay (Santa Lourdes).
Vans (long distance)
Vans are the usual way to far-off places like Sabang or El Nido. Book through your hotel or a licensed transport operator.
Boats (island tours and sea transfers)
Honda Bay and El Nido island tours, and the trip to the Underground River entrance, are all by boat. The Coast Guard may suspend sailings in bad weather.
Domestic flights (Manila ↔ El Nido)
There are also domestic flights to an airport near El Nido. Check airline official information for routes and schedules.
Where to stay
Puerto Princesa city
Good for: First and last nights, transport
Close to the airport, with the Baywalk, cathedral and restaurants. The starting point for Underground River and Honda Bay day trips.
Sabang (Underground River village)
Good for: Underground River, mangroves, quiet beach
The beach village with the wharf for Underground River boats, plus paddle-boat mangrove tours. Staying here does not guarantee an Underground River permit.
Port Barton (San Vicente)
Good for: Laid-back island hopping
A quiet beach village with small islands and coral waters nearby. A booked stay is one of the entry requirements, so reserve a government-accredited place in advance and check official information for transport.
El Nido town
Good for: Island tours, food and lodging
The hub where Bacuit Bay island-tour boats depart, with the most places to stay and eat. It gets busy in peak season, so book early.
Map of stays in Palawan
Compare prices from many booking sites on the map
Search stays in Palawan in the appMap & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site
Top sights
Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999, explored on park-operated paddle boats in a tour of about an hour. Visitors are capped at 900 a day and a permit is required. Check official information for fees.
Honda Bay island hopping
From a wharf about 20 minutes by road from the city, boats visit small islands and Pambato Reef for snorkeling. Boats are run by a local association, so arrange in advance. Check official information for fees.
Honda Bay island hopping · Photo: mendhak / CC BY-SA 2.0 Iwahig firefly watching
A community ecotourism boat trip to see fireflies light up the Iwahig River banks at night. About 35 minutes from the city, from 6pm, about PHP 600 per boat (3 people).
Plaza Cuartel and the cathedral
Plaza Cuartel is a national historical site where about 150 American prisoners of war were killed in World War II. Pair it with the city's Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral for a history walk.
Puerto Princesa Baywalk
A seaside public promenade with food stalls nearby and bikes for rent. Lovely for a sunset stroll.
El Nido island tours (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon)
Boat tours of limestone islands, emerald lagoons and hidden beaches. Routes are set by the municipality, and Big Lagoon entry is capped per hour. Check official information for routes and fees.
Nacpan Beach
A wide stretch of sand about 4 km long on El Nido's mainland, north of town. Offshore currents can be strong, so swim with care.
Las Cabanas Beach
A mainland El Nido beach known for sunsets — a nice stop on the evening after an island tour.
What to eat
Tamilok
Woodworm from mangrove trees, often likened to a shell-less oyster — an adventurous Palawan treat. Eaten raw with vinegar, lime and onion, or as kinilaw.
Kinilaw
Fish or seafood cured in vinegar and lime, a Filipino-style ceviche loved in coastal towns.
Grilled seafood
Fish, squid and prawns grilled over charcoal. Some places price by weight, so check before ordering.
Adobo & sinigang
Soy-vinegar braised adobo and sour sinigang soup, classic Filipino home dishes.
Halo-halo & mango shake
Shaved ice with fruit, jellies and ube, and a cold mango drink — perfect after a hot island tour.
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout PHP 2,000-3,000 per day: guesthouse, local eateries, shared tours
Mid-rangeabout PHP 5,000-9,000 per day: hotel, island tours, restaurants
Comfortabout PHP 25,000+ per day: resort, private boat
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1
Arrive in Puerto Princesa, tricycle into town, walk Plaza Cuartel, the cathedral and the Baywalk, then Iwahig firefly watching in the evening.
- Day 2
With your pre-booked permit, head to Sabang for the Underground River boat tour and a mangrove paddle, then back to the city (or swap in Honda Bay island hopping).
- Day 3
Early van to El Nido (about 5-6 hours), check in, then sunset at Las Cabanas Beach.
- Day 4
El Nido island tour of lagoons and hidden beaches (may be cancelled by weather); next day, a half-day at Nacpan Beach before heading to the airport with plenty of time.
Local tips
- Southern Palawan (south of Aborlan, Narra and Quezon) is under a higher-level Korean government advisory; avoid it. Check the band at the top of the page for the latest.
- No permit, no entry at the Underground River. With a 900-a-day cap, book early; going straight to Sabang or staying overnight there does not guarantee a permit.
- In the Underground River park, don't feed the monkeys, and don't bring food or plastic bags, swim or smoke.
- During the June-October southwest monsoon or typhoons, the Coast Guard can suspend sailings and the Underground River may close. Schedule island tours early in your trip and keep a spare day.
- El Nido charges a municipal eco-tourism development fee (about PHP 400). Cash is handy for tours and tricycles too, so carry enough pesos.
- Don't step on or touch coral, and follow protected-area notices. The sun is strong, so bring a hat, long sleeves and water, and take care swimming where currents are strong, such as Nacpan Beach.
- Entry conditions (visa-free stay length, the eTravel online arrival registration, etc.) can change, so check Philippine government or embassy official information.
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