Palawan : Budget + Itinerary Guide for First-Timers

DID YOU KNOW?

Palawan has been featured in many different posts circulating around its magnificent beaches. It is home to one of the 7 wonders in the world.

A lot of islands that compose the Philippines belong to Palawan.

Traveling to Palawan for the first time? This detailed and curated travel guide will make it easy for you to plan a trip, save money and maximize your time. This guide will also make sure that you get the best out of your money while traveling in Palawan.

Scroll down to read must-know travel tips before you go, followed by a sample itinerary + budget breakdown, recommended hotels/places to stay, things to do/places to visit, and lots of extra travel tips.

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How to get to Palawan — By plane, Puerto Princesa, Palawan can be reached on a one (1) hour flight from Cebu. It serves direct flights to popular domestic destinations including Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Manila.

Always book your hotel early — Avail low rates and avoid fully-booked rooms by booking online as soon 2-3 months before your travel departure. Click below to compare discounts and read reviews by other travelers.

Check discounts and prices online  — Save money by checking discounts on tours & airport/hotel transfers. Booking before you leave also saves you time & avoids the hassles of bringing large amounts of cash during your actual trip.

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Spend 2 days or more — While it’s possible to explore the highlights of the city in a day, consider planning at least 2 days to tour the island. Go for 4 days for a more relaxed trip.

Save More while Traveling — I’ve included a lot of money saving tips on this guide. You can actually save more when you do not include attractions that has entrance fees. You can achieve cheaper expenses by knowing where to find and book the attractions.

Getting around Palawan — There are a lot of transport and tour options available whether you want to go with a private tour or a do-it-yourself trip. You can even go full local and try the motorcycle/tricycle commute to get around or stick with packaged tours that can offer a hassle-free experience.
Grab is not offered in this area.

See more blogs & travel guides

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Travel Guide to Camiguin White Island

Pre-Travel Guide

✓How to get to Palawan
✓ How to get around Palawan?
✓ Should I book my Palawan hotel online?
✓ What to prepare for a trip to Palawan?
✓ How to find cheap flights to Palawan?
✓ When is the best time to visit?
✓ Travel Must Haves
✓ Money-saving tips

How to get to Palawan

ENTRY POINT MANILA (NAIA)

✓By Airplane (Cebu pacific, Airasia or Philippine Airlines)

• Direct flights area available.
• Travel time is around 1 hr and 15 mins.

✓By Ferry (2-GO)

• It has 2 trips in a week. (Tuesday and Friday at 1:30pm)
• Travel Time is about 30 hours.
• Minimum Price is around PHP 1200 (SGD 30, $ 24, € 20) – PHP 1800 (SGD 45, $ 36, € 30).

ENTRY POINT CEBU (Mactan Cebu International Airport)

✓By Airplane (Cebu pacific, Airasia or Philippine Airlines)

• Direct flights area available.

ENTRY POINT CAGAYAN DE ORO (Laguindingan Airport)

✓By Airplane (Cebu pacific, Airasia or Philippine Airlines)

• Flights are available with a stop-over in Cebu area .
• Flight Duration is 2 Hour 30 Minutes.

MAP ON HOW TO GET TO PALAWAN

How to get around Palawan

1. By Tricycle

   1. Offers the cheapest way to travel around Palawan.
   2. Maximum of 4 passengers. 
   3. On average, you can expect to pay PHP 10.00 (SGD 0.25 ,$ 0.2, € 0.17) per person.

2. By Motor Bike Rental

   1. Recommending you to use a mode of transport with a driver.
   2. Small car rental price starts at PHP 700 (SGD 17.5 ,$ 14, € 12) per day.

3. By Car Rental

   1. Recommending you to use a mode of transport with a driver.
   2. Small car rental price starts at PHP 2500 (SGD 62.5 ,$ 50, € 42) per day.

4. By Bus and Mini-Van

   1. Most fares costs around PHP 400 (SGD 62.5 ,$ 50, € 42). Standard trip from Puerto Princesa to El Nido.
      
   2. Travel time takes around 6 to 9 hours.

5. By Private Van

   1. Puerto Princesa to El-Nido costs around PHP 600 (SGD 15 ,$ 12, € 10)
   2. It can accommodate up to 8-10 passengers.

6. By Ferries and Boats

   1. El Nido to Coron. Most fares costs around PHP 2000 (SGD 50 ,$ 40, € 34). 

Should I book my Palawan Hotel Online?

My answer will always be YES. You can save money by checking discounts online. Booking before you leave also saves you time & avoids the hassles of bringing large amounts of cash during your actual trip.

What to prepare for a trip to Palawan?

Sunblock— If you don’t have a plan in getting yourself tan, then bring some sunblock to protect your skin from the suns UV rays.

Hats and Eye wear — Protect your eyes from the heat of the sun.

Cellphone Waterproof Case — Philippines nationals can enjoy visa-free travel in Palawan, for up to 30 days.

Rent a GoPro – If you are in Cebu, my friend can rent you one here.

How to find cheap flights to Palawan?

Start your search on Wego, Momondo, and Skyscanner.

Also, check Palawan promo alerts several weeks or months ahead of your trip if you are planning your trip early. The cheapest promos are sold up to a year in advance of the travel/flight departure date & are often only available if you book directly with the airline.

When is the Best Time to Visit?

In my experience, March – June and October are the best months to visit Palawan.

Travel Must-Haves

✓ Google Map App – A life-saver for me because without it, I might get lost.

✓ Google Translate – Super powerful app. Translate anything.

✓Gps-Guided App – Tour the city like a local with this app.

✓ Sunscreen – Protect yourself from sunburn or much worse – Cancer.

✓ Pocket Wifi or Sim Card – The convenient of searching anything is a go-to. Please don’t forget this baby. It is a life-saver for me though.

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Money Saving Tips

Get a good map and explore the city on your own tour — You can tour the city at your own pace plus you can choose from a variety of options. There are a lot of awesome things to do in Palawan that doesn’t cost a dime.

Drive a motorcycle — This is the cheapest way to get around.

Stay at hostels or airbnb — If you are travelling alone or by group of 3, hostels are best for you. But, if you are travelling in group of 4 or more, then airbnb is best for you. I have calculated the difference and airbnb ones are best for group of travellers.

Where to stay in Palawan

Type in the box below your designated location of the hotel or the hotel name and your preferred dates.

EL NIDO

During in El Nido, we stayed at Rovic’s Tourist Hotel. The hotel can accommodate not just a maximum of 4 person in a room but 6-8 persons in a room. Its affordable and they have a cool stairs.

PUERTO PRINCESA

My co-workers and I stayed at Michelle Pension House. 

5D / 4N Palawan Itinerary

Please take note that we have booked this thru a travel agency for about 60 pax.

Day 1: Arrival to Puerto Princesa + Travel to El Nido

Day 2: EL Nido Island Hopping (Package A&B)

Day 3: Check out. Proceed to Underground River Tour

Day 4: Honda Bay Island Hopping + Puerto Princesa Day Tour

Day 5: Going Home

5D / 4N Palawan Budget Expenses

Since this is a travel and tour itinerary provided by Aboex Travel & Tours, I can only provide you some details of expenses. This package costs around 15,000 php for each person.

We were about 60 persons.

Inclusions of the said expenses are the following:

Round trip airfare from Cebu-Puerto Princesa
2 Nights at Michelle pension
2 Nights at Rovic’s Tourist Hotel
4 breakfasts,4 lunch and 4 Dinner
Underground River Tour
Honda Bay Island Hopping + City Tour
El Nido Island Hopping A & B
All applicable entrance fees
Tour guide during tour
Travel Insurance
Van transfers all throughout the tour

HONDA BAY

Environmental fee – 150 PHP  ( SGD 3.75 ,$3, € 2.5)

Snorkel Fees – 150 PHP  ( SGD 3.75 ,$3, € 2.5)

UNDERGROUND RIVER FEES

1. Visitor’s Entry Permit (VEP)

Puerto Princesa Underground River entrance fee – 500 PHP (about €8.00)
Environmental fee – 150 PHP  ( SGD 3.75 ,$3, € 2.5)
Audio guide fee – 85 PHP  ( SGD 2.2 ,$1.7, € 1.42)

2. Boat to Underground River – 1300 PHP  ( SGD 32.5 ,$26, € 22)(good for 6 persons)

3. Transportation to/from Sabang Wharf (estimate only)

Local – 145 PHP  ( SGD 3.75 ,$3, € 2.5 )
Foreigner – 215 PHP  ( SGD 5.4 ,$4.3, € 3.6 ) 

Places to Visit

✓ New 7 Wonders of the World known as the Underground River

✓ Island Hopping at Honda Bay

✓ Plaza Cuartel and Church

✓ Snorkeling at Pambato Island

✓ 13ft-18ft Crocs at Crocodile Farm

✓ Mitra’s Ranch

✓ Bakers Hill

✓ Island Hopping at El nido

✓ Island Hopping at Coron  

Festivals

Puerto Princesa ,Palawan festivals are events that visitors look forward to seeing because of the fun activities that await and the liveliness of the celebrations.

Pangalipay sa Baybay

1. Pangalipay sa Baybay is a Puerto Princesa festival that is celebrated at the beginning of the second quarter of the year.
2.   The Bay Walk of Puerto Princesa is the place where the Pangalipay sa Baybay is celebrated, right on the beautiful beaches of the capital and it starts off with live bands performing.

Seafood Festival

1. Puerto Princesa is known for having among the best and freshest seafood in the entire country and what better way to showcase this than to have a Seafood Festival.
2. 3rd week of April is when the Seafood Festival is held and the best part of this Puerto Princesa festival.

Tips, Notes and Reminders

Always be alert and careful in everything you do.

Bring extra clothes. It’s very hot.

Bring some packed food with you to save more. If you do not want, food and souvenir stalls are available.

Bring water so that you are always hydrated.

Personal accessories and gadgets are not advisable to bring during island hopping tours.

Pack light.

MAP to help you locate places nearby

DID YOU ENJOY THIS POST? PIN IT FOR LATER!!

Have you ever visited any of the 7 wonders of the world? Try the One in Palawan!

Always remember to “Develop your One Days to Day Ones!“

XOXO,