Palawan is a cultural destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to Palawan?
You should plan to spend around $34 (₱1,871) per day on your vacation in Palawan. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $14 (₱809) on meals
- $6.88 (₱384) on local transportation
- $26 (₱1,475) on hotels
A one week trip to Palawan for two people costs, on average, $469 (₱26,194). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$235
₱13,097
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$469
₱26,194
-
One Month
Per person
$1,006
₱56,130
-
One Week
For a couple
$469
₱26,194
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$939
₱52,388
-
One Month
For a couple
$2,012
₱112,260
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Palawan cost?
A one week trip to Palawan usually costs around $235 (₱13,097) for one person and $469 (₱26,194) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Palawan on average costs around $469 (₱26,194) for one person and $939 (₱52,388) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Palawan will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Palawan on average costs around $1,006 (₱56,130) for one person and $2,012 (₱112,260) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Palawan expensive to visit?
Palawan is a smaller destination that attracts travelers with diverse styles, spending habits, and budgetary preferences. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
Palawan can definitely get expensive if you let it, but you have options to reduce costs, including looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $13 (₱722) per day, mid-range travelers spend $33 (₱1,871) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $89 (₱4,977) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Palawan.
Within Asia, Palawan is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Asia for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Palawan.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Palawan Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Palawan?
The average Palawan trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Palawan travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Palawan cost?
Palawan on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$5
(₱274)
|
$13
(₱737)
|
$38
(₱2,110)
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$3
(₱141)
|
$7
(₱384)
|
$20
(₱1,132)
|
|
Food2
|
$6
(₱326)
|
$14
(₱809)
|
$35
(₱1,950)
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$1
(₱73)
|
$3
(₱184)
|
$8
(₱464)
|
|
Alcohol2
|
$1-3
(₱51-154)
|
$2-7
(₱126-379)
|
$5-16
(₱297-892)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your budget for Palawan. Many assume they can visit on a shoestring, but most travelers find that to be very challenging. Think about what matters to you when traveling. Is it staying in a resort, visiting all the attractions, or dining out at nice restaurants? These factors will determine how much you spend on your trip.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
While you might think you're a budget traveler, without giving up many of your usual comforts, you'll likely need to spend more than the $13 per day that backpackers often spend.
Backpackers often work within this tight budget by staying in hostel dorms, eating fast food or street food, using public transit, and mainly visiting free attractions.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
If you're a couple or a family on a fun getaway, you might want to choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at well-liked restaurants, and visit the key museums and attractions that come with entry fees. Most travelers to Palawan will be eager to explore the key attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Most activities are not free, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to plan on a daily budget of about $33 per person, per day.
Want to Escape the Daily Grind in Style?
If you envision a trip that covers everything with high-end amenities and top-tier service, be ready for a daily expense near $89. Enjoying nicer hotels, dining at acclaimed restaurants, participating in extravagant activities, and using taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination will require a premium budget. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as El Nido to Puerto Princesa - Private Transfer - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Palawan
Hotel prices in Palawan can vary significantly. Some hotels charge much higher rates but also offer more luxury and better amenities. During peak season, these prices rise even more. In the off-season, the average room costs around $, while in peak season it jumps to an average of $. Budget accommodations range from $ to $, but hostels are usually cheaper, especially in dorm rooms. Save money by traveling during the low or shoulder seasons, or by booking in advance and watching for deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Palawan for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $26 (₱1,475). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $13 (₱737) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Palawan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and skip ), you'll enjoy lower accommodation prices and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Palawan
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $6.88 (₱384) per person, per day, on local transportation in Palawan. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Palawan is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$6.88
₱384
The main gateway to the island of Palawan is Puerto Princesa International Airport, offering both domestic and international flights. Serving this airport are Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia Zest with flights to and from Manila and Cebu, as well as PAL Express (Air Philippines) which has flights to and from Busuanga.
El Nido Airport is another, smaller option, offering four flights daily to and from Manila as well as one flight daily to and from Cebu. Flights here are operated by Air Swift.
A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:
- Private Transfers Puerto Princesa To Elnido for $260 details
- Coron Airport Shared Hotel Transfers for $10 details
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan for $170 details
How much does it cost to go to Palawan? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Palawan will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Palawan
Cuisine is one of the main reasons people travel, so don't miss out on the local fare.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Palawan can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Palawan is $14 (₱809) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$14
₱809
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Palawan is around $14 (₱809) per person, with previous travelers spending from $6 to $35. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Palawan are as follows:
- Breakfast: $1 to $4
- Lunch: $2 to $6
- Dinner: $4 to $10
- Coffee: $1
- Fast Food or Street Food: $2
The food found on Palawan consists of a mix of European, American, and Filipino cuisines. Local delicacies include things like tamilok (a kind of wood worm that tastes similar to oysters), lato (sea grapes), danggit lamayo (dried rabbitfish), and bandi (cashews encrusted with a kind of brown sugar-cashews are a major export of the island).
Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.
Bring a water bottle along to avoid the need to buy drinks. It's also good for Mother Earth.
Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Palawan
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Palawan typically cost an average of $3.30 (₱184) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$3.30
₱184
Palawan is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park which features a large limestone karst landscape with an underground river leading into the sea, and Tubbataha Reef Marine Park which consists of reefs, lagoons, and coral islands that serve as homes and nesting sites for many marine species. Natural sites like these are great destinations for ecotourism as well as activities like snorkeling and scuba diving.
Miniloc Island, of El Nido on the northern end of the island, is famed for the clear waters of its Small and Big lagoons. Small Lagoon shimmers with tranquil turquoise-green waters, while Big Lagoon rests amidst impressive karst limestone cliffs. Other popular attractions include the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, the diving sites to Japanese shipwrecks in Coron, El Nido Marine Reserve Park, the Malampaya Sound Land and Seascape Protected Area, Ursula Island (game refuge and bird sanctuary), and Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary which is inhabited by rare bird species like the Philippine cockatoo as well as marine turtles. Most of these sights are dedicated to ecological protection and offer great opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitats. The island is famous for its gorgeous scenery, beaches, wildlife, and natural areas. And it's also full of fun activities. These are just a few of the reasons why it's one of the best honeymoon spots in Asia for sure.
Also make sure you check out the Port Barton area. This relatively untouched beach and island part of Palawan makes a nice place to enjoy the atmosphere and is host to plenty of activities.
As the Philippines' last ecological frontier, Palawan is a place to get lost in nature. The waters along the shore and surroundings islands offer great opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving, while the white sand beaches are prime locations for relaxing and sunbathing. There are also a number of nature trails great for hiking and perhaps experiencing some of the local wildlife. Any of the reserves mentioned earlier will have an abundance of species and habitats to explore. Other activities on Palawan include things like mountain biking, rock climbing, and kayaking or even cultural lessons in fishing, boating, cooking, and crafts.
A nice way to explore destinations in Palawan is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Coron Ultimate Island Tour & Experience Luxury Style & Comfort. For $180 details
- All-Inclusive El Nido Island Hopping Private Tour for $153 details
- 3D2N El Nido Experience for $250 details
Nightlife Budget in Palawan
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $4.52 (₱252) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Palawan per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$4.52
₱252
Exploring the nightlife is often a fun part of any trip, but skipping a few drinks can make a big impact on your overall travel cost.
Travel cost data last updated: Apr 4, 2025
Budgeting and Travel Tips for Palawan
- Prices usually spike during peak season in , and the destination tends to be quite busy. To save some cash and steer clear of the crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder or low seasons instead.
- Embracing a slower travel style can save you money, allowing you to enjoy the stunning sights at a leisurely pace. If your schedule is jam-packed with activities, you can quickly rack up expenses. Slowing down not only enhances your experience but often reduces costs as well.
Budgeting Challenges
- Palawan doesn't offer many public transportation choices. It might be a good idea to arrange for transportation ahead of time, like booking a tour or a private driver. Just keep in mind that this could affect your budget in other areas.
- Palawan isn't a hotspot for hostels, so if you're planning on staying in a budget dorm, you may want to readjust your travel plans. A cheap hotel or an apartment rental could be a more suitable option.
Traveling in Palawan
Palawan, Philippines
Palawan is an archipelagic province of the Philippines, named for its largest island which measures about 450 kilometers (or 280 miles) long. The island is known as an ecological frontier with plenty of beaches and resorts as well as opportunities to see a diverse array of wildlife and their habitats on land and sea.
Regions
Puerto Princesa is the island's administrative capital as well as a popular home base for the area's many beaches and wildlife preserves. It is considered to be the cleanest and greenest city of the Philippines and is perhaps best known for its underground river (an UNESCO World Heritage Site). Quezon is another populated area, featuring an extensive cave complex known as the Tabon Caves. Coron is famed for its wreck diving, Sabang marks the entry point to the Puerto Princesa underground river, Brooke's Point is a farming and fishing municipality with beautiful scenery, and Port Barton is a quiet town with a nice beach. There is also El Nido, on the island's northern end, a major tourist destination with plenty of entertainment, limestone cliffs, lagoons, and beautiful beaches.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.