Guide to Travel Palawan
Snake Island, Palawan, Philippines
About Palawan, Philippines
Palawan is the largest province in the Philippines and features some of the most beautiful islands in the world encompassing a total of 1780 islands. It has a bustling capital city called Puerto Princesa, which houses a population of around 255,000 people out of the island’s total 850,000. Palawan has been inhabited for at least 50,000 years, proven by the remains of the Tabon Man found on the island. The Palawan archipelago has many different ethnic groups and around 52 languages, but Tagalog is spoken by many of the inhabitants, as well as some English.
Island hopping in Palawan, Philippines.
Why Travel to Palawan?
Map of the Philippines with Palawan in red
Palawan, Philippines is an incredible travel destination, one that for the most part has yet to be exploited by the mainstream travel industry. It's a place that is so far away but will remain close to your heart when you leave. There's a reason it's dubbed by local Filipinos as "the last frontier of the Philippines", with its untouched jungles and pristine beaches it would be hard to argue. It will have you wondering why people don't know about it, but also leave you feeling glad they don't. Reasonable accommodation prices, very cheap food, alcohol, and transportation add to the overall lure of this tropical dream destination.
Philippines Culture
Filipinos are some of the kindest, happy, and most generous people in the world. Warm and inviting smiles all around give you a sense of safety and assurance when you travel to the Philippines. Always helpful and fairly proficient in English, the Filipino people will stop and chat with you any chance they get. In remote areas, you may cause a commotion in the streets, as foreigners may not be common and though alarming at first it's no cause for concern as the locals are just being curious and usually mean no harm. Many Filipinos enjoy seeing foreigners and are attracted to white skin and also have a strong affinity for western culture, they may even ask for a photo because you remind them of a Hollywood Celeb.
School children in Mindoro, Philippines.
Filipinos have strong family roots and rely heavily on one another for help. Many Filipinos live in poverty and wait for a family member to work abroad to send money back home.
With over 7,700 islands it's no wonder why the Philippines has so many different ethnic groups and around 182 languages spread throughout the country.
Filipinos are a very respectful people but live a more relaxed lifestyle then our busy western culture, so keep in mind things don't always run smoothly or on time like you may be used to, locals like to call this "Filipino Time".
What is the Language of Palawan
The language spoken in Palawan, is Hiligaynon. It is also known as Ilonggo and Origin-Pangasinan. Hiligaynon is a regional language related to Visayan languages like Cebuano and Boholano, as well as Kapampangan from Luzon Island. The people of Palawan are proud preserves of their dialect mixed with a heavy influence from Spanish.
Do They Speak English in Palawan?
Yes, English is widely spoken in Palawan. English is the language of instruction in most schools and universities, and it's one of the official languages used for business communication.
Hotels in Palawan
When it comes to finding accommodations we tend to use Agoda, which is an online reservation service that could be described as the "Expedia of Asia". Things can be really cheap in The Philippines but remember like anything finding cheaper accommodations can mean sacrificing amenities you may be accustomed to. That being said, of course, if you’re willing to spend the big bucks you can find amazing 5-star resorts here as well. We like to budget anywhere from $30 to $80 per night but have spent much more depending on circumstances. You will be able to find hostels for dirt cheap and that is definitely a cool option if you're looking to stretch your money, or just to meet other foreigners. Check out these resorts below while in Palawan.
Poolside at Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort, Palawan, Philippines.
Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort is located at Sabang Beach a remote area known for the world-famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park as well as The Amazing Race.
Sunset Beach Resort in San Vicente is a great price and a great location for island hopping.
Las Cabanas Beach Resort is in the heart of El Nido Bay, where stunning sunsets draw in tourists from miles around.
Palawan Hotels and Resorts
Another great option for accommodations on your trip to Palawan is Airbnb. We love this app and it is a great money-saving option, especially if you are traveling with family or a group. Airbnb makes it easy to fit many people into one rental, rather than renting many hotel rooms and having your trip cost a lot more. It also allows you to have private property all to yourselves and allows you to save money by cooking for yourself and using a bbq. Check out Airbnb and use my link to sign up and receive a $62 discount on your rental.
What is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Palawan?
The best time of year to visit Palawan is generally between December and June. During this period, the weather is warm and sunny, with temperatures around 26-30°C (79-86°F). The monsoon season usually lasts from July to November, so it's not ideal for swimming or other outdoor activities. However, if you don't mind some rain during your vacation, then this could be a good time to find great deals on accommodations.
Things to do in
El Nido
When researching about traveling to Palawan a couple of well-known areas tend to come up and those would probably be El Nido and Coron. Both of these places are amazing and well worth the time. We have yet to get to Coron but have heard and seen enough about it to know it's beautiful. We have on the other hand been lucky enough to explore El Nido and were blown away. The bay of El Nido is a spectacular tropical paradise with majestic limestone peaks jutting up from the emerald blue water which will leave you at a loss for words as you boat from island to island, stopping to relax on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. You can choose from one of many boat tour companies in and around El Nido, but be sure to shop around for the best deal. The town of El Nido was hectic and very dirty and gave us a bad taste when we arrived, but once we got to our resort (Las Cabanas) we got a chance to relax and let the good times roll. Paradise has its downsides and these are the realities of the world we all share and when you see it first hand it can only change you for the better. These experiences are a necessary evil but in hindsight only the good times matter. All in all El Nido is a must-see experience.
San Vicente, Palawan
The area known as San Vicente has much to offer for the person who likes a quiet laid back holiday. Away from the somewhat busy beaches of El Nido, but still possessing great beaches of its own as well as great boat tour opportunities. For a rather chill-out relaxing place to stay for a few nights I suggest checking out Sunset Beach Resort, it is an affordable resort with limited amenities but is a gorgeous setting and the grounds are well kept. The resort is also a fairly close place to be if you're looking at taking an island-hopping boat tour. San Vicente also has the largest beach in all of the Philippines and is aptly named Long Beach. This 14.7 km (9.1mi) stretch of white sand has yet to be commercialized, but the local government has big plans, and talks of some major resorts are said to be in the works. I suggest this trip for anyone who is looking to keep away from crowds, but if you're looking for adventure and non-stop fun El Nido is where you'll want to be.
Sunset Beach Resort, Palawan, Philippines.
How to Get There
The capital city of Palawan, Puerto Princesa is the hub of the island with its own international airport. We took a flight direct from Manila which only took one hour total. Once there you can arrange your transportation to one of the many destinations awaiting you.
Riding on a tricycle in the Philippines.
Here is some more pics from our trip to Palawan⇣
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