Palawan — Is It the Right Destination for You?

Know Before You Go

• ✈️ Airport to city centreFrom Puerto Princesa airport, tricycles and taxis to the city take about 10 to 15 minutes and cost roughly $2.35–4.70 (150 to 300 pesos; ≈ €2.10–4.20 / £1.85–3.70) (approximate; a tricycle hailed on the main road costs less than one waiting at the terminal). Shared vans to El Nido take about 5 to 6 hours and cost $10–13 (650 to 800 pesos; ≈ €9–11 / £8–10) each way; operators such as Lakkbay Travel Services run frequent trips. Buses (Cherry Bus and Rooro Bus, from the San Jose Bus Terminal) start at $12–14 (750 to 900 pesos; ≈ €10–13 / £9–11) and are roomier, but they stop often and take 7 to 8 hours. Check current schedules. El Nido to Coron fast ferries (operators such as Montenegro Lines and Atienza Shipping) take about 3½ to 4 hours and cost 2,600 to 3,784 pesos one way per adult ($41–59 (≈ €35–55 / £30–45); ≈ €36–53 / £32–47), depending on operator and seat class. Book 3 to 5 days ahead in the peak dry season, as seats fill quickly.
• 🛂 Visa & entry rulesMany nationalities (UK passport holders, for one) can enter visa-free for 30 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after arrival, and you need the free online eTravel registration (a QR code) before you fly. Check the official government pages for your passport.
• 💳 Cash, cards & ATMsCarry plenty of cash in pesos. ATMs are scarce outside Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Coron, and cards are accepted mainly at larger hotels and resorts. Many boat tours are cash only. Fees to budget for: Puerto Princesa Underground River: the park allows 900 visitors a day and no permit means no entry, so get your Visitor Entry Permit before you travel. Independent travellers can buy it at the Underground River Booking Office beside Mendoza Park in the city; if the daily cap has not been reached, the registration window at Sabang Wharf releases the remaining slots. Budget about 900 to 1,100 pesos in total ($14–17 (≈ €13–15 / £11–13); ≈ €13–15 / £11–14): park permit 500 pesos per foreign adult, city environmental fee 150 pesos (valid a year, also covers Honda Bay), mandatory audio guide 85 pesos, and 150 to 350 pesos for the boat and terminal fee. El Nido fees: everyone arriving from outside Palawan pays a flat Eco-Tourism Development Fee of 400 pesos ($6.25 (≈ €5.58 / £4.92); ≈ €5.60 / £4.90) once at the local tourism office, valid for up to 10 days. Tours that enter the Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon (usually Tours A and D) add a protected-area fee of 200 pesos ($3.10 (≈ €2.77 / £2.44); ≈ €2.80 / £2.50) per lagoon per person.
• 🚰 Tap water & healthDrink bottled or filtered water, not tap. Bring insect repellent, and reef-safe sunscreen, and be careful with sea urchins and jellyfish.
• 🍽️ Tipping customTipping is not mandatory but appreciated: 10% in restaurants without a service charge, and $1.55–3.15 (100 to 200 pesos; ≈ €1.40–2.80 / £1.25–2.50) for a boat crew or guide.
• ⚠️ #1 local scam to watch forOverpriced tricycle or boat quotes and tours sold as private that turn out to be shared. Island-hopping tours A, B, C and D have standardised prices in El Nido (shared tours are 1,500 to 1,700 pesos, about $23–27 (≈ €20–25 / £18–20); ≈ €21–24 / £18–21, with lunch and snorkel gear included); ask what is included, and note that kayak hire at the lagoons (about 350 pesos, $5.50 (≈ €4.91 / £4.33); ≈ €4.90 / £4.30 for a two-seater) is usually extra.

Typical costs and rules change; confirm with official sources before you travel.