Palawan: Real Life Fantasy Island

Oct 28, 2025

Value Partners is continuing its commitment to helping you achieve more than just returns on your investments. We want to offer ideas on how you can convert your wealth to experiences, live life to the fullest, and enjoy everything you’ve worked so hard for over the years.

To help, we’ve once again engaged the expertise of professional travel writers Michael and Lana Law, who offer tips and advice on how to craft exceptional vacations to some of their favourite destinations around the world. They spend at least six months of each year travelling to unique destinations, but when they first landed on Palawan, they knew they had found something truly special. Its surreal beauty and tranquil beaches are much easier to reach than you might think, but hard to leave.

Paradise Without the Crowds

Palawan is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Jagged limestone monoliths rise from turquoise water, guarding hidden lagoons and powder-white beaches. A secret beach reached through a hidden cave, crystal clear waters teeming with colourful fish, and even an underground river and cave system make this place seem like a profound discovery for first-time visitors.

It’s one of only a handful of places in the world with this type of scenery, but surprisingly, it is not overrun with tourists. It's one step removed from the main tourist route through Southeast Asia. And Palawan in particular still has an authentic, small-town feel to it, even in the tourist areas. Locals are friendly and helpful, assisting tourists struggling with directions or other problems, and English is widely spoken, making travel very easy here. In fact, the local people are part of what makes this such a special place.

Palawan is a large island with much to see, but the most fantastic area is around the town of El Nido at the north end, which has its own small airport and direct flights to Manila. From this town, you need go no further to appreciate the stunning landscape, but the nearby offshore islands are where many people head, either to enjoy time at an island resort or just to enjoy a boat trip.

The number one activity here for tourists is a sightseeing trip out to the islands. Traditional boats whisk tourists to uninhabited islands to explore beaches and coves, go snorkelling, or embark on short, leisurely kayaking excursions.

The area has a number of small luxury resorts, some with overwater bungalows, at a shockingly reasonable rate for such a spectacular setting. Most of these are found on the offshore islands and offer a more comfortable experience when it comes to private boat tours. For more budget-minded travellers, there are also mid-range resorts and hotels.

Practical Information

Getting there

From Toronto or Vancouver, Air Canada and Philippine Airlines offer direct flights to Manila. From Manila, you can fly direct to El Nido in just an hour and a half. Have your hotel arrange to pick you up at the airport.

How Many Days

Three nights is the minimum if this is part of a larger Philippines itinerary and you simply want a glimpse of the area. If you are looking for a relaxing vacation that includes a stay at one of the island resorts, then one week. You can also modify or extend your trip to visit the caves near Puerto Princesa (see below) and fly out of Puerto Princesa. For this, add at least two nights.

Experiences and Things to Do

Boat Excursions are the number one thing to do in the area. These will take you to Bacuit Bay, where the most famous sights are found. You can book these before you arrive or once you are there, the day before departure.
Four separate boat trips, named A, B, C, and D, will take you out to islands and coves to see the karst formations and beaches, with time spent on the beaches, where you can go swimming or kayaking.
This area is large, and each boat tour focuses on a different section of Bacuit Bay. You could do one a day if you wanted, but most people opt for one or two. Tours are in traditional boats, and each is a full-day excursion. They leave from El Nido, either the main beach or in front of your resort.
If you are staying at a luxury lodge, most of these also have modern, high-speed boats you can choose to take instead, on private tours, either for a few hours or a full day.
Kayaking tours can be arranged in the area. Resorts often have complimentary kayaks that you can use to explore the immediate area, but this is mainly to see sea turtles and marine life without having to go snorkelling.
While it's generally too hot to enjoy a long-distance hike, a few places offer short hikes that can be done early in the day or at sunset. Even some of the island resorts have their own impressive hikes that take you to high viewpoints.
In El Nido, a couple of short but intense hikes will take you high above the town. One of the most famous is the El Nido Canopy Walk, which is steep and has suspension bridges, viewing platforms, and other fun options. This is a paid attraction and comes with a guide and a helmet.
Cauayan Island Resort also has two short but steep hikes on the property, taking you to high viewpoints.

Getting Around

El Nido is small and mostly walkable, but motorized covered tricycles can take you anywhere. Taxis are also available.

If you are heading out to an island resort, you can expect that they will send a large high-speed boat to pick you up. Day tours are usually done in the traditional style boats with outriggers, known as bangkas, which you can see parked on the beach in town. These are covered for shade but otherwise quite primitive and fun to ride in.

When to Go

The dry months are from November to April. December to February have pleasant, warm days, while March to April is hot. However, since you are likely staying on a beach and constantly around the water, it is still very enjoyable during this time. Manila and other areas are too hot to enjoy sightseeing at this time.

Where to stay

Island Resorts

The island resorts recommended here are reached by a 30 to 45-minute boat ride.

Cauayan Island Resort: This boutique luxury resort is set on a stunning island. Thirty private bungalows include overwater, beachfront, or lagoon locations. Overwater bungalows have glass viewing floor windows where you can see baby nurse sharks and other colourful fish. An infinity pool is set just back from the beach. This little hideaway offers extremely good value for the location.
Pangulasian Island Resort: This luxurious property has 42 private villas. Choose from villas with a plunge pool, beachside villas just steps from the beach, or hang out with the animals in a canopy villa 15 meters in the air. For a multigenerational family trip, the Kalaw Villa complex has four units and its own private pool. Pangulasian is just minutes from the famous sandbar of Snake Island.
Lagen Island Resort: The recently renovated Lagen is situated in a lush, four-hectare forest and features sheer limestone cliffs. The resort is a mix of overwater villas, suites, and rooms, and spectacular facilities set behind a white sand beach. This property is suitable for groups and also caters to weddings, with its own forest wedding chapel. Lagen is part of the El Nido Hotel Group that also owns Pangulasian.

Resorts in El Nido

El Nido has two main areas: El Nido Beach and, on the backside of a headland, Corong Corong Beach, about a 1.5-kilometre drive away. Both of these are scenic areas. El Nido is a busier area, and where the docks to catch shuttles to the island resorts are located.

Corong Corong has a number of small mid-range resorts and hotels, along with waterfront restaurants and bars. It is good for casual nightlife, and has a lovely soft sand beach for swimming at high tide. If you are here for just one night to catch a boat to an outer island, it's best to stay in El Nido. If you are going to be hanging out in the town for a bit, you may prefer staying on Corong Corong Beach.

H Hotel El Nido is conveniently located near the docks where boats leave for island resorts. It has beautiful views, comfortable rooms, and a restaurant.
Lihim Resorts, El Nido is set off on its own outside of El Nido. It is a true luxury resort overlooking the ocean and is a nice place to relax after a long journey, but it lacks a beautiful beach.
Mahogany Resort and Spa offers a selection of bungalows set in a lush area on Corong Corong Beach. It has a fabulous location, within easy walking distance to restaurants, stores, and easy access to the boats offering day tours.

More to See Nearby: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Another major attraction on the island of Palawan, about a 5-hour drive from El Nido, is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. This underground river runs through the limestone karst formations and opens directly to the sea, where tour rafts enter through a large and dramatic opening in the cliff wall. This is a spectacular cave system and is worth a trip to see if you have time.

If you want to include this in your itinerary, fly into El Nido Airport and out of Puerto Princesa International Airport (the largest and main airport on Palawan Island). You can hire a driver from El Nido to take you to the town of Sabang, where you can stay and arrange a tour through your hotel.

Palawan’s natural beauty makes it a standout destination that will turn a vacation into more than just another beach holiday. The unique sights and activities, luxury resorts, and welcoming locals make this an attractive, one-of-a-kind destination for a tropical vacation. Whether you’re looking for a family getaway or a romantic retreat, this fantastic part of the world is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Beach near El Nido