Palawan

Palawan is the largest province in the Philippines by total area and home to a genuinely distinct mix of peoples. Alongside the Filipino majority, you'll find the Tagbanwa, Batak, and Palaw'an indigenous groups — some of whose tribal rituals like the Pagdiwata and Tarek (celebrated on full moon nights) are still practiced today. Puerto Princesa is formally independent of the province administratively — it's its own chartered city — and functions as the island's financial and transit hub. The concept of kambak-kambak (a local tongue-in-cheek phrase meaning 'come back, come back') captures why so many visitors return: the islands hold something that's hard to articulate and easy to miss on a rushed itinerary. Cuyonon is the indigenous language of Palawan, spoken particularly among older locals and fishing communities. You'll hear it in the markets alongside Filipino (Tagalog) and English. English is widely spoken across all tourist areas — the Philippines has one of the highest English proficiency rates in Asia — so language is rarely a barrier. But the effort to use even basic local phrases lands very differently than staying in English the whole time. Environmentalism runs deep in Palawan's identity. Puerto Princesa has been called 'The City in the Forest' and has been recognized as one of the cleanest cities in the Philippines. The provincial government takes environmental conservation seriously — more than most places in Southeast Asia — and it shows in how festivals, schools, and local policy are structured.

Northern Palawan (El Nido, Puerto Princesa, Coron, Port Barton) is consistently rated one of the safer places in the Philippines for tourists. Tourist hotspots have visible police presence and local tourism officers. That said, standard precautions apply everywhere: avoid isolated areas after dark, use Grab instead of flagging random taxis in Puerto Princesa, and keep valuables out of sight on busy streets. Southern Palawan and the Balabac Islands in the Sulu Sea are a different story. Multiple governments, including the US, have issued advisories citing crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping risk in this region. It is still possible to visit Balabac (and many people do, reporting positive experiences), but go with a reputable organized tour group rather than independently. The US advisory puts overall Philippines risk at 3.1 out of 5. Water sports scam to know: before renting a jetski, photograph every scratch and mark on the hull. Operators sometimes use tape to cover pre-existing damage and then bill you for it on return. Only rent through your hotel or a well-reviewed operator. Speed boat safety standards on island-hopping tours vary — check that there are enough life jackets onboard before departing. Don't drink tap water anywhere in Palawan. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere. Water refill stations throughout the island charge just a few pesos per liter if you want to cut down on plastic. Night driving on a scooter or motorbike is not recommended — roads are poorly lit and traffic laws are loosely observed.

Getting to Palawan: Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) is the main hub, with daily flights from Manila, Cebu, and other Philippine cities. Important 2026 update: as of March 29, 2026, direct flights to El Nido's Lio Airport (ENI) now depart from Clark International Airport (CRK) in Pampanga, not Manila's NAIA. AirSwift is the only carrier on the El Nido direct route (up to four daily flights). Coron's Busuanga Airport (USU) has daily connections from Manila and Cebu. Getting around: The van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido takes 5–6 hours on a winding mountain road and costs about $13/₱806 shared. Private transfers cost five times more. Drivers treat the road like a race track, so take motion sickness pills if you're sensitive. For El Nido to Coron, a fast ferry takes 3.5 hours (around ₱1,800/$36). Flying Puerto Princesa to Coron takes 1 hour 10 minutes on AirSwift (₱2,500–10,000 depending on season). Within towns, tricycles are the standard for short hops. In Puerto Princesa, jeepneys also run Rizal Avenue and surrounding streets for a few pesos. Grab (the regional Uber equivalent) works in Puerto Princesa. For Sabang (Underground River), vans leave from San Jose Terminal — take a tricycle from the airport to the terminal (~10 minutes), then a 2-hour van ride costing ₱200/$4. Download offline Google Maps before heading anywhere outside the main towns. Signal disappears fast once you leave the tourist corridors.