Palawan
Southeast Asia · Philippines
Best Months
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Rec. Nights
7 nights
Airports
PPS, USU
Avg. Cash
Varies
Best Value
1.2¢via Wyndham
Overview
Palawan has been voted the world best island multiple times by Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler, and one visit makes it clear why. The island stretches 270 miles through the western Philippines, offering a stunning diversity of experiences from the Underground River (a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Puerto Princesa) to the otherworldly limestone karst landscapes of El Nido and Coron. The best time to visit is November through May, during the dry season when calm seas make island-hopping and diving conditions ideal.
El Nido is the crown jewel, where towering limestone cliffs frame hidden lagoons, secret beaches, and snorkeling spots teeming with marine life. Island-hopping tours through the Bacuit Archipelago reveal one jaw-dropping cove after another. Coron, further north, is famous for wreck diving on sunken Japanese WWII ships and the crystal-clear Kayangan Lake. Puerto Princesa serves as the main gateway with its Underground River boat tour through a 5-mile cave system. The local seafood is fresh and incredibly affordable.
Points travelers will find a small but growing selection of hotels, with properties positioned near Puerto Princesa. While the luxury resort scene in El Nido and Coron is dominated by independent boutique properties, the loyalty-bookable options in Palawan provide a comfortable base for exploring this extraordinary island.
Cash vs Points
Hotels in Palawan range from $? to $? per night. Points redemptions offer 1.2+ cents per point value.
Points Hotel Recommendations
2 properties in Palawan bookable with points, sorted by value
| Hotel | Program | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Microtel by Wyndham Puerto Princesa | Wyndham | 7,500 | $90 | 1.2¢ | |
Four Points by Sheraton Palawan Puerto Princesa | Marriott | 25,000 | $143 | 0.6¢ |
Transfer Points Strategy
Find the best transfer path for your credit card points
Best Value
If you have Points:
Microtel by Wyndham Puerto Princesa
WyndhamWyndham (1:1)Microtel by Wyndham Puerto Princesa
Cost7,500 pts/night × 7n = 52,500 Wyndham
Value$630.14 ÷ 52,500 pts= 1.2¢
Transfer time: Instant
If you have Marriott Bonvoy Points:
Four Points by Sheraton Palawan Puerto Princesa
MarriottMarriott (1:1)Four Points by Sheraton Palawan Puerto Princesa
Cost25,000 pts/night × 7n = 175,000 Marriott
Value$997.78 ÷ 175,000 pts= 0.6¢
Transfer time: Instant
Recommended Activities
Curated experiences in Palawan
Water
Must-Do
El Nido Island Hopping Tour A
Kayak through the towering karst walls of Big Lagoon, snorkel a coral garden at Shimizu Island, and beach-hop secret coves — the crown jewel of Philippine island tours.
7 hours$33
EveryonePhotography
Nature
Must-Do
Puerto Princesa Underground River
Paddle through 8 km of navigable underground river inside a cathedral-like limestone cave system — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
8 hours$45
EveryoneAdventure
Water
Must-Do
Palawan Reef Snorkeling
Float over pristine coral gardens in some of the world's most biodiverse waters, where sea turtles, clownfish, and giant clams thrive.
4 hours$30
AdventureFamilies
Sightseeing
El Nido Beach Bar Hopping
Catch sunset happy hour at a bamboo-and-thatch beach bar, watch fire dancers on the sand, and sip rum cocktails under the stars in laid-back El Nido.
4 hours$15
CouplesEveryone
Adventure
Coron Island Hopping
Snorkel WWII Japanese shipwrecks, swim in the thermocline layers of Barracuda Lake, and paddle into the mirror-still Twin Lagoon surrounded by sheer cliffs.
7 hours$40
AdventurePhotography
Food
Filipino Food Experience
Graze El Nido's street stalls for smoky pork BBQ skewers, fresh kinilaw ceviche, and crispy lumpia, then wash it all down with a cold San Miguel.
3 hours$10
FoodiesCulture
Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Getting There
PPS, USU
Visa & Entry
Check your country's requirements
Budget
Varies
Packing Essentials
Pack for the climate
Cultural Tips
Respect local customs
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