Island, Philippines
Palawan
A long, mostly wild island province: Puerto Princesa's Underground River in the middle, El Nido and Coron's limestone lagoons at either end. Dramatic, but distances are big and services thin outside the towns.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$799–1,360Comfortable, one person · ₱50,000–85,000Details
- Value for money85/100Better value than 84% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–MayWarmest: Apr, 30°CDetails
- Internet114 MbpsFixed broadband, Philippines medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDon't drink tap water.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$8–24Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundShared van (Puerto Princesa–El Nido)You'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCarry plenty of pesos.Details
Where to stay in Palawan
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Puerto Princesa | Provincial capital: airport, hospitals, Underground River tours |
| El Nido | Lagoon tours, beaches and backpacker nightlife |
| Coron | Wreck diving, lakes and island-hopping |
| Port Barton | Quiet, small-scale beach town for slow stays |
| San Vicente (Long Beach) | Long, empty beach; very quiet |
Apps that work in Palawan
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps or Waze
- Messaging: Facebook Messenger
- GCash: QR payments and transfers (needs local SIM)
- eTravel: Arrival and departure QR registration
- Taxis: Grab does not cover most of Palawan; use tricycles, vans and booked transfers. Agree the price first.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Philippines.
- Mostly cash Carry plenty of pesos. Cards work at bigger hotels and dive shops in El Nido and Coron; ATMs are few and often empty.
- Currency: Peso (PHP). US$1 ≈ ₱62.61 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Most ATMs charge foreign cards 200–250 PHP; limits often 10,000–20,000 PHP. Island ATMs (El Nido, Siargao) often run dry.
- Tipping: Not obligatory; many restaurants add a 10% service charge. Otherwise round up or leave 5–10%; tip guides and boat crews.
- Paying by phone: GCash and Maya QR dominate but need a local SIM; contactless cards and phone wallets work in malls and chains.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Register on the free eTravel system within 72 hours before arrival (and again before departure) to get a QR code.
- You need an onward or return ticket within your permitted stay; airlines enforce it at check-in.
- Fake eTravel sites charge fees; the official site and app are free.
Emergency numbers
All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B, C · 220 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Smart and Globe airport counters sell tourist SIMs; registration with your passport is mandatory by law. eSIMs available from both. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Philippines
Going to Palawan solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.