Float into the Puerto Princesa Underground River on a boat journey through the caves of Subterranean River National Park. Look up at intricate limestone formations as the waterway carries you beneath the forested landscape.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site protects a remarkable river system that flows towards the sea. The shifting shapes of the cave walls and the quiet of the underground passage make this one of Palawan’s most distinctive natural experiences.

Share a home-cooked Filipino meal at Nanay Elena’s House near Port Barton. Dishes made with locally grown, fresh ingredients offer a personal introduction to the flavours of Palawan beyond restaurant dining.

The experience centres on the warmth of a family table and everyday Filipino food traditions. It is an opportunity to taste regional cooking in a local setting and connect a little more closely with the people who call the island home.

Stay beside the sea at The Isla Experience and spend time exploring local culture on this island Special Stay. Learn about community efforts connected with marine conservation, education and an eco garden while enjoying the setting beside the beach.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience links a rustic island stay with the people and projects caring for its surroundings. It offers more than a coastal view: an opportunity to understand how local initiatives support the island community and marine environment.

Snorkel in clear water off the island Special Stay and explore a shipwreck site close to shore. Looking beneath the surface brings together Palawan’s marine scenery and a tangible link to the region’s wartime history.

The site is associated with ships from the Second World War, giving this swim a historical dimension as well as an underwater one. Observe the wreck and surrounding sea life from the water, with conditions shaping what is visible on the day.

Meet your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner in Puerto Princesa, sharing a meal and getting to know the group at the start of your Palawan journey.

Continue the evening at a Tiki bar with Filipino tunes and cocktails. It is a relaxed introduction to the island’s social atmosphere, with music and conversation setting the tone for the days ahead.

Explore Port Barton by private boat, visiting two tropical islands and stopping to snorkel over colourful reefs. Swim in clear water, spend time on the beaches and enjoy a locally prepared seafood meal during the outing.

Keep watch for sea turtles in their natural habitat, though sightings cannot be guaranteed. A starfish sandbar and views across the calm sea add to the appeal of this small-scale island-hopping experience.

Make your own ring or bracelet at a local workshop in Port Barton. Learn a hands-on craft and create a keepsake with a more personal connection to your travels than a ready-made souvenir.

The workshop offers a chance to support local makers while spending time on a creative activity away from the beach. Leave with something you have made yourself and a glimpse of the skills behind small-scale craft in the community.

Ride a colourful private Jeepney on a tour of the beaches and inland scenery around El Nido. This familiar Philippine vehicle brings local character to the journey, with Lio Beach among the stops.

At Lio Beach, walk the wooden footpath towards the sea and take in its broad coastal views. The combination of a distinctive local ride and time by the water offers a different perspective on El Nido beyond its offshore islands.

Visit Bulalacao Waterfalls in the landscape around El Nido and see water flowing through rocky terrain. Bring your swimsuit if you would like to take a dip, and allow time to enjoy the falls from the surrounding viewpoints.

Palawan is celebrated for its beaches, but this stop reveals a different side of the island: freshwater scenery set against rugged hills. The moving water and rock formations make it a rewarding place to pause and take photographs.

Walk the long curve of Nacpan Beach near El Nido, where pale golden sand meets clear coastal water. Take time to stroll the shore, feel the sand underfoot or cool off at the water’s edge.

Nacpan’s spacious shoreline gives it a quieter, more open feel than El Nido’s town beaches. Its wide sweep of sand and sea is the draw: a chance to appreciate the scenery that has made this part of Palawan so well known.

Watch the sunset at Las Cabanas, a coastal viewpoint near El Nido. Settle in as the light changes over the water and the silhouettes of nearby islands become more pronounced.

The beach’s west-facing outlook makes it a popular place to gather at the end of the day. Golden light across the sea provides a memorable setting for photographs or simply a quiet moment with your fellow travellers.

Enjoy a buffet dinner of local flavours at the island Special Stay, sharing the evening with your fellow travellers beside the sea. The meal is part of a hosted night rather than a routine stop for dinner.

Gather around a bonfire on the beach as the light fades and the shoreline grows quiet. With rustic beach huts nearby, the setting offers a close-to-nature way to experience an island evening and spend time together.