Palawan Holidays
Palawan holidays create a remarkable and unforgettable experience that any traveller will deeply enjoy. Combining beautiful vast national parks, idyllic deserted islands, a fascinating underground river and plenty of opportunities to get in touch with your adventurous side, Palawan really is a piece of heaven.
Get up close and personal with nature by discovering the unique biodiversity that El Nido boasts. El Nido has an abundance of white sandy beaches, stunning coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, beautiful limestone cliffs and breath-taking landscapes and ocean views.
Hop onto a banca and join one of the many island-hopping tours, as your expert guide shows you the fascinating marine creatures that inhabit the waters. Uncover a Japanese shipwreck, which sunk in World War II, and all the fish who now happily swim in and out of it, as you dive into the Taytay Bay waters.
Take a trip to Shimizu Island and discover the fish-filled waters as you swim, snorkel or dive in the clear sea. Or head to Dilumacad Island, which is also known as Helicopter Island. This is the ideal spot for diving enthusiasts or even diving beginners who want to unearth some of the underwater mysteries. You’ll see amazing attractions, such as the Dilumacad Island’s long tunnel and find yourself in the underwater cavern. Head over to Pangulasian Island and stroll along tranquil beaches.
Get your heart pumping and swim with the sharks just off Pangulasian Island. The blacktip sharks reside in the waters, along with a variety of fishes. Swimming with the sharks is an experience that really puts you back in touch with nature as you witness these incredible sea creatures.
These incredible scenes are home to various species of birds, fish and marine wildlife. Take to the cliffs and take in the excellent views over Puerto Princesa when you embark on Ugong Rock Adventures. Ugong Rock Adventures allow visitors to crawl in and out of natural rock caves, climb up to the zipline and whizz down it, taking in beautiful views. You can also trek in the jungle towards breath-taking viewpoints.
Tour around the stunning area of El Nido and hike past gushing rivers towards the Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls. The waterfalls provide the perfect place to relax and take in the extensive, beautiful scenery. Embark on a trip to Matinloc Island and hike up Mount Horn to enjoy the wonderful reward of panoramic views of nearby islands.
Bring a sense of adventure to your holiday in Apulit Island, which is set in Taytay Bay and boasts a fantastic range of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Climb the 60 metre limestone cliff to receive incredible views over the entire island.
Visit Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, the famous underground river, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
Explore the wondrous sights, smells and sounds that make up Palawan holidays
Uncover the home of one of the oldest discoveries of human inhabitants at the Tabon Caves and learn more about the remains found in the cave. Tabon Caves comprises two cathedral-type caves, Diwata Cave and Liyang Cave. It’s ideal for history lovers and those who are interested in archaeology. In El Nido you can also clamber around the many caves of Apulit Island, such as Secret Cave, St. Joseph’s Cave, Bat Cave, Lobster Cave and North Cave, to discover intriguing rock formations and hidden treasures within the underground systems.
Make sure you take the opportunity to take a sunset cruise. Sunset cruises in El Nido allow you to experience the warm sky’s many colours as the sun dips below the horizon.
Palawan is the ideal destination for couples who want a romantic getaway, for families looking for an exclusive retreat, or even for solo travellers with a quench for adventure who want a truly amazing holiday. Spend more time getting familiar and falling in love with the gorgeous Philippines by choosing one of our multi-centre holiday packages. Pair your trip to Palawan with an exhilarating exploration of the capital city Manila, or partner your Palawan holiday with expeditions to other islands such as Bohol or Cebu.
Destination Highlights
Great sample itineraries
Get inspired by our selection of popular itineraries for Palawan holidays. Fill up your Palawan holiday with a wealth of exciting activities. Explore vast national parks, discover beautiful deserted islands, and cruise into mangrove swamps.
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Luxury holidays
Our favourite hotels
Browse our favourite places to stay in Palawan, Choose from a selection of luxury Palawan accommodation or cosy homes away from home, with a range of board options and hotel features to really make your Palawan experience unforgettable.
Flight Time
Things to do in Palawan
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![Diving Palawan]()
Scuba Diving
Tubbataha Reefs National Park is the natural destination for those fascinated by life on a coral reef. Take a boat trip out to this protected area to learn more about the conservation efforts in place there.
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Palawan Island Retreats
From a private, secluded resort to a luxurious hotel set in the heart of one of the most popular areas of Palawan – Hayes & Jarvis has the experience to help you put together the most engaging and memorable trip. This is the ideal opportunity to visit Palawan and some of the smaller surrounding islands, giving you an insight into local cuisine, customs and charm in equal measure.
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Underground River
Located in the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the longest underground river in the world accessible to man. Admire the cathedral-like caverns and stalagmites rising from the water as you paddle along the river by canoe
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Puerto Princesa City
The capital city of the province, Puerto Princesa is home to the amazing Underground River UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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![a tree next to a body of water]()
Island Hopping
Leave Palawan Island behind and discover over 1,700 other islands of assorted sizes. Divers won’t want to miss the chance to explore the waters around the Linapacan Islands – all 52 of them, which are glorious in their colours and charm.
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![Aerial View]( "Aerial View")
Beach Experiences
Clear waters, fine sand, and blue skies – all of Palawan’s beaches offer the chance to experience all these elements. Choose a private beach resort or relax on one of the archipelago’s most popular beaches.
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Christie
Destination Executive
“Stay at Miniloc Island to get excellent access to the large and small lagoons. You can kayak to the lagoons straight from the resort and spend the day soaking up the beauty of these idyllic spots.”
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Barbara
Destination Specialist
“If you are staying in Lio, make sure you hop on the free shuttle to El Nido. This town is ideal for those who are looking for a lively night out.”
Events & Festivals
Festivals and events are wonderful to include during your Palawan holiday, offering a glimpse into the country’s authentic culture and traditions.
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Kulambo Festival
Don’t miss the annual Kulambo Festival, which takes place in El Nido every year on 18th March. Experience an atmosphere like nothing you’ve ever seen before, as locals take to the streets singing and dancing. Look out for eye-catching, colourful costumes as people dress in the rustle-sounding kulambos, which are also known as mosquito nets. Sample delicious delicacies and get to know some of the locals as they come together to celebrate.
Local Cuisine
Get a flavour of the local culture through your palate during your Palawan holiday. Here are a few of our favourite dishes.
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Seafood
Try some of the fresh seafood that Palawan has to offer. Thanks to its excellent location, Palawan boasts a vast array of delicious seafood dishes and recipes to try. Whether you’re looking for crabs, shrimps, grilled fish, squid or seaweed, there’s plenty of different dishes, textures and tastes to sample.
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Halo halo
Sweet-tooth enthusiasts must sample halohalo. This scrumptious cold dessert is very popular in Palawan. Combining crushed ice, evaporated milk, ube (purple sweet potato), sweetened beans, coconut strips and much more, and topped with a scoop of ice cream, this refreshing dessert is ideal if you want something to cool you down.
Our Palawan destinations
Types of Palawan holidays
Frequently Asked Questions
There are various traditional fishing boats, or bangkas, you can book to the Puerto Princesa River National Park, which take you around a mile into the underground river itself. They start around a mile upstream from the cave and it’s a good idea to book in advance. Some trips include a jungle trail to and from the cave
