Philippines Palawan Island Adventure

Manila, the largest city in the Philippines, epitomizes the country’s centuries of colonial history through a rich collection of historic sites and cultural landmarks. In the morning, your private guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and take you to the first stop at Rizal Park near Roxas Boulevard. Surrounded by tropical plants, you can listen as your guide explains why the park is named after Jose Rizal (1861–1896), the “Father of the Philippines,” while admiring the Japanese and Chinese gardens and taking in a view of Manila Bay in the distance.

Next, let’s head to Intramuros Old Town, founded by the Spanish in 1571 AD, where Manila City originated, and which now houses the Philippines’ oldest university and churches. Under the lasting effects of colonization, the Philippines has become one of the few Catholic countries in Asia, with over 80% of its population being Catholic, and numerous churches throughout the country. After soaking in the religious atmosphere of Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church is unmissable for art and architecture enthusiasts, not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also the final resting place of the Philippines’ prominent writers, painters, and the first Spanish colonial governor. We’ll also visit the retro Casa Manila, a typical example of the localization of Spanish architectural style, featuring both Spanish-style beige walls and fountains, as well as intricately carved wooden furniture in Filipino or Chinese styles. Then, inside the weathered stone walls of Fort Santiago, we’ll uncover its tragic history as a former wartime prison.

Next, continue our visit to SM Mall of Asia to experience the city’s impressive modernity. As one of the largest shopping malls in the Philippines and even the world, it boasts over 700 shops and restaurants, as well as photogenic landmarks like the MOA Globe and the giant sky wheel, MOA Eye. Lastly, let’s visit the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, one of the world’s largest cemeteries. Hidden among skyscrapers, it provides a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle, honoring nearly 20,000 American soldiers who died in World War II (1939-1945 AD). Your guide and driver will then escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Seda Bonifacio Global City, Manila (4 stars) or similar

Today, enjoy a private transfer from your hotel to Manila Airport for your 1.5-hour flight to Puerto Princesa. Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will pick you up and accompany you to your hotel. After a quick rest, join your guide for a city tour. 

Although Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan, it lacks many skyscrapers like a typical modern city. Instead, locals praise it as a “place where deities live” for its pristine natural beauty and simple folkways. We’ll start with a relaxed walk along the Baywalk, enjoying the wide views and seeing elegant statues quietly waiting for visitors. Then, appreciate the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, a white church built in 1872 AD, with a statue of the Virgin Mary in front and two Gothic spires that almost touch the sky.

Next, we’ll drive halfway up a hill to Mitra’s Ranch, the former home of one of the Philippines’ longest-serving provincial governors. Here, you can learn about his and his family’s stories and enjoy panoramic views of the city. If you’re interested, there are also some paid activities available, such as horseback riding, ziplining, and skywalking, each costing around PHP 200 (USD 3.5). As we go downhill, let’s stop at Baker’s Hill, a theme park based on a bakery famous for selling Hopia, a special Filipino pastry. Hopia is an iconic dessert in the Philippines, but few people realize it actually came from Chinese mooncakes. Over the past few centuries, many Chinese merchants traveled to the Philippines for business, bringing their cuisine with them. Hopia gradually merged Chinese cooking techniques with Filipino ingredients like ube and coconut, creating a unique flavor.

Then, let’s head over to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center to get up close with crocodiles of different ages, learn about local animal rescue efforts, and see the world’s largest crocodile skeleton. After all the visits, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel, Palawan (4 stars) or similar

After exploring the cityscape of Puerto Princesa, today we will admire the stunning karst scenery of Palawan at the Subterranean River, one of the world’s longest underground rivers, stretching 8 kilometers (5 miles), and earning it the honor of being named one of the “New Seven Wonders of Nature.”

First, enjoy a private 1.5-hour transfer to Sabang Village, where we’ll take a 20-minute boat ride through the mangroves to reach the entrance of the Subterranean River and begin our cave exploration. The Palawan indigenous people see it as a sacred site and believe elves—actually bats—live in the cave, which is very different from how many people worldwide view bats as symbols of evil and bad luck. Bats actually help protect humans from over 100 dangerous viruses by carrying them to uninhabited areas. You can also see various stalactites and stalagmites inside the large cave chambers. However, please remember not to touch the rocks or river water to stay safe and help protect the cave’s ecosystem. After a 45-minute cave exploration, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel, Palawan (4 stars) or similar

Our Palawan tours usher in the latter part that focuses on island-hopping adventures. Today, depart from your hotel with your guide and driver and hop on a Banca boat to explore Honda Bay’s beautiful islands as an appetizer!

Our first stop is Starfish Island. When walking in the shallow waters, watch your step because adorable starfish, especially the striking orange ones, might be right near your feet! Unfortunately, the starfish population is shrinking mainly due to tourists and locals often handling starfish for photos or tossing them around like beach balls – a viral scene you might have seen on social media. Starfish are vulnerable creatures with no defenses; they can die within 10 seconds of being out of water. So, please join us in a friendly visit to the starfish!

After a brief sail, let’s anchor and walk along a long wooden boardwalk to Luli Island, which means “submerge and emerge” in the local language, reflecting its changing landscapes with the tides and even fully submerging at high tide. You can enjoy diving, swimming, or relaxing in a hammock on the beach to take in the sea view. Then, we’ll head to Cowrie Island, one of the largest islands in Honda Bay, where tall coconut trees sway in the breeze with thatched huts sitting beneath them. You can leisurely lie in the shade, play in the water, or take photos on the charming beach swing with a lovely sign. Around noon, enjoy a local seafood barbecue here, and your guide and driver escort you back.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel, Palawan (4 stars) or similar

Since the trip from Puerto Princesa to El Nido takes about 6 hours, we split the long journey into two transfers to avoid exhaustion. Today, you’ll take the first 4-hour private transfer to the seaside town of San Vicente, where you’ll stay overnight before heading to El Nido tomorrow.

During your free time in San Vicente, you can relax on the peaceful beach outside your hotel and enjoy the stunning sunset on your own. Cafe Lily at Club Agutaya, which serves fresh Filipino seafood, is a good dinner option, costing about USD 15 per person.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Club Agutaya, San Vicente (4 stars) or similar

Early in the morning, we’ll leave San Vicente for El Nido in about 2 hours. Once there, your local guide and driver will join you for the popular El Nido island-hopping tour route of Tour A.

El Nido, renowned for its iconic karst limestone islands, is one of the few untouched destinations remaining in the Philippines. First, let’s visit Secret Lagoon, hidden among a stone forest and accessible only through a narrow opening, where your guide will help you swim through safely to reach it. To better enjoy the natural crystal pool, we recommend wearing snorkeling socks or water shoes, as the shallow water with reefs and limestone formations can be rough on your feet. 

Next, we’ll head to Entalula Island and Shimizu Island, where you can snorkel to see breathtaking reefs and coral gardens shimmering in the dreamy underwater world. Later, you’ll enjoy a delicious seafood barbecue, then unwind at 7 Commandos Beach, strolling through its lush coconut groves and soaking up the scenic views. Ultimately, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

➤ Best Time to Visit for Your Reference
The scenery of El Nido Tours A and C largely depends on good weather, which tends to be gloomy during the rainy season from June to October. Therefore, we recommend visiting between December and the following April, especially avoiding July and August when heavy rain could impact island-hopping plans.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Seda Lio, El Nido (5 stars) or similar

Having enjoyed the beauty of El Nido’s lagoons, today, with your guide and driver, you’ll head to more remote beaches and islands.

First, we’ll set foot on Matinloc Island and swim through an underwater cave to the Hidden Beach, the inspiration for the “island paradise” sought by the hero of the movie “The Beach.” Enjoy snorkeling and encounter clownfish in the clear water, then hike to the island’s highest point to visit the Matinloc Shrine, an abandoned white-domed structure with a statue of the Virgin Mary that adds a sense of holiness and mystery. From there, you can capture the stunning blend of the towering limestone cliffs and the sea’s layered colors. While we’re at Secret Beach, you can challenge yourself with a more difficult swim because of the wind waves, or immerse yourself in the beautiful beach views.

Finally, we’ll head to Helicopter Island, where limestone cliffs covered in lush green shrubs sharply contrast with the surrounding waters of varying shades of blue, resembling a dolphin jumping out of the water. After enjoying sunbathing and having lunch on the long beach at the base of the cliffs, return to your hotel with your guide and driver.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Seda Lio, El Nido (5 stars) or similar

After breakfast today, your driver will see you off at El Nido Airport, and your 9 days Palawan tour packages will end after a 1.5-hour flight back to Manila. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope you’ve enjoyed the trip!

➤ For Your Information
Since Manila Airport is the largest and busiest in the Philippines, we recommend arriving at least 3 hours before your return flight’s departure to allow for long lines or airport exit procedures.

Meals: Breakfast