Provinces

Palawan Province

Written by Patrick

ABOUT

Palawan, officially the Province of Palawan, is an archipelagic province of the Philippines that is located in the region of MIMAROPA. Its capital is Puerto Princesa. Palawan Island Philippines is famous for white beaches, clear water and amazing biodiversity, also for Puerto Princesa Underground River.

LOCATION

Palawan

Coordinates: 10°00′N 118°50′E

FAST FACTS

The following are a few useful and interesting details about this province.

Province:
Palawan
Location:
10°00′N 118°50′E | View Map
Year Founded:
1818
Capital:
Area:
14,649.73 km2 (5,656.29 sq mi)
Population:
939,600
Density:
58/km2 (150/sq mi)
Division:
Region:
Cities & Towns:
1 Independent city, 23 Towns (Municipalities)
Demonym(s):
Palaweño/a
Elevation:
(Mount Mantalingajan) 2,085 m (6,841 ft)
Time Zone:
PST (UTC+8)
Zip Code:
5300–5322
Area code:
+63 -(048)-XXX-XXXX
Electricity:
Standard voltage is 220V.
Plug commonly used is Type A but Types B and C are used as well.
Bring A to B adapter(s).
Currency:
Philippine Peso (PHP)
Exchange Rate:
Approximately 1 USD = 50 PHP | click for exact exchange rate
Income Class:
First Class
Religion(s):
The predominant religion in Palawan is Roman Catholicism.
Language(s):
Tagalog, Cuyonon, Kinaray-a, Palawano, Batak, Aborlan Tagbanwa, Calamian Tagbanwa, Central Tagbanwa, Kagayanen, English, Hiligaynon
Major Industries:
Agriculture (rice, corn, coconut), Mining (nickel, copper, manganese, and chromite), Fishing, Tourism
Climate:
Tropical
Best Time to Visit:
February, March
Clothing:
Casual light clothing: shorts, t-shirt, sandals. Light jacket and pants at night, at higher elevations, and boating.
Bus Terminal(s):
COMING SOON

CLIMATE

The climate in this province has two types. The first, which occurs in the northern and southern extremities and the entire western coast, has two distinct seasons – six months dry and six months wet. The other, which prevails in the eastern coast, has a short dry season of one to three months and no pronounced rainy period during the rest of the year. The southern part of the province is virtually free from tropical depressions but northern Palawan experiences torrential rains during the months of July and August. Summer months serve as peak season for Palawan. Sea voyages are most favorable from March to early June when the seas are calm. The average maximum temperature is 31 °C (88 °F) with little variation all year.

For the best combination of agreeable temperatures of around 27°C and as little rain as possible, the best time to visit Palawan is between February and March. The first months of dry season can still be rainy, while the last months are usually pretty hot and humid.

The most appropriate clothing in this province is casual light clothing: shorts, t-shirt, sandals. Light jacket and pants at night, at higher elevations, and boating.

READ MORE: Climate & Weather in the Philippines

CITIES & TOWNS

Palawan Province Map

The Palawan province is divided into 23 Municipalities and 1 City:

  • Aborlan
  • Agutaya
  • Araceli
  • Balabac
  • Bataraza
  • Brooke’s Point
  • Busuanga
  • Cagayancillo
  • Coron
  • Culion
  • Cuyo
  • Dumaran
  • El Nido
  • Kalayaan
  • Linapacan
  • Magsaysay
  • Narra
  • Puerto Princesa
  • Quezon
  • Rizal
  • Roxas
  • San Vicente
  • Sofronio Española
  • Taytay
 

ISLANDS

There are  176 outlying islands surrounding the mainland of  Palawan which are under the jurisdiction of the province.

  • Agutaya Island
  • Albay Island
  • Apo Island
  • Ariara Island
  • Arrecife Island
  • Bagambangan Island
  • Balabac
  • Banana Island
  • Bancalan Island
  • Bantac Island
  • Baquit Island
  • Barangonan Island
  • Barlas Island
  • Batas Island
  • Binalabag Island
  • Binatican Island
  • Binulbulan Island
  • Bisucay Island
  • Bivouac Island
  • Bolina Island
  • Bongalisian Island
  • Bowen Island
  • Bugsuk Island
  • Buguias Island
  • Bulalacao Island
  • Bulog Dos Island
  • Bunaun Island
  • Bush Island
  • Busuanga Island
  • Byan Island
  • Cabilauan Island
  • Cabugan Islands
  • Cacayatan Island
  • Cagdanao Island
  • Calabucay Island
  • Calabugdong Island
  • Calandagan Island
  • Calangpowgn Island
  • Calauit Island
  • Calibang Island
  • Calumbagan Island
  • Canabungan Island
  • Candaraman Island
  • Canimeran Island
  • Canipo Island
  • Canon Island
  • Capare Island
  • Capsalon Island
  • Casian Island
  • Catad Island
  • Catchi Bungoy Island
  • Caxisigan Island
  • Central Island
  • Cheron Island
  • Chindonan Island
  • Coron Island
  • Cuyo Island
  • Daitolog Island
  • Dalahican Island
  • Dapagal Island
  • Debangan Island
  • Debogso Island
  • Delian Island
  • Demelias Island
  • Denanayan Island
  • Deribongan Island
  • Dibanca Island
  • Diboyoyan Island
  • Dibuloc Island
  • Dicabaito Island
  • Dicapululan Island
  • Diit Island
  • Dimancal Island
  • Dimanglet Island
  • Dimansig Island
  • Dimaquiat Island
  • Dimipac Island
  • Dinif Island
  • Dipalian Island
  • Ditaytayan Island
  • Diwaran Island
  • Dumaran Island
  • Elephant Island
  • Flat Island
  • Fondeado Island
  • Frazer Island
  • Gabung Island
  • Galoc Island
  • Gintu Island
  • Gitangbay Island
  • Guinlep Island
  • Guintungaoan Island
  • Howley Island
  • Ibohor Island
  • Icadambanauan Island
  • Ile Island
  • Iloc Island
  • Inapupan Island
  • Isla Blanca
  • Isla Pandan
  • Jatoy Island
  • Johnson Island
  • Kitangbayrid Island
  • Lacalaca Island
  • Lajo Island
  • Lamud Island
  • Langoy Island
  • Large Bulacan Island
  • Lauit Island
  • Linapacan Island
  • Lusong Island
  • Maalaquequen Island
  • Maapdit Island
  • Maducang Island
  • Malanao Island
  • Malapnia Island
  • Malbatan Island
  • Malcacabo Island
  • Malcatop Island
  • Malcorot Island
  • Malubutglubut Island
  • Manamoc Island
  • Manglet Island
  • Manlegad Island
  • Manlihan Island
  • Mantangule Island
  • Maobanen Island
  • Maosanon Island
  • Maqueriben
  • Marily Island
  • Matarbis
  • Mayabacan Island
  • Maybara Island
  • Maytiguid Island
  • Mitpet Island
  • Nanga Island
  • Napuscud Island
  • North Verde Island
  • Octon Island
  • Paly Island
  • Pandanan Island
  • Pangaldavan Island
  • Pangisian Island
  • Patongong Island
  • Patoyo Island
  • Paz Island
  • Popototan Island
  • Porao Island
  • Purao Island
  • Quiniluban Island
  • Ramesamay Island
  • Ramos Island
  • Rasa Island
  • Reinard Island
  • Renambacan Island
  • Rita Island
  • Salung Island
  • Sangat Island
  • Sanz Island
  • Secam Island
  • Snake Island
  • Sombrero Island
  • South Island
  • South Verde Island
  • Starfish Island
  • Tagawayan Island
  • Tambon Island
  • Tampel Island
  • Tapul Island
  • Tara Island
  • Tarusan Islands
  • Tigas Island
  • Titangcob Island
  • Tomandang Island
  • Tondaje Island
  • Uson Island
 

POINTS OF INTEREST

The following is a list of points of interest relating to the Palawan province:

  • Ariara Island
  • Big Lagoon
  • Cayangan Lake
  • Daylight Hole Cave
  • Duli Beach
  • Entalula Island
  • Hidden Beach
  • Honda Bay
  • Inaladelan Island Resort
  • Kalachuchi Beach
  • Kuyawyaw Falls
  • Las Cabanas Beach
  • Lio Beach
  • Marimegmeg Beach
  • Matinloc Island
  • Nacpan Beach
  • Nagtabon Beach
  • Olanguan Falls
  • Onuk Island
  • Puerto Princesa Underground River
  • Punta Sebaring
  • Salakot Waterfalls
  • Secret Lagoon Beach
  • Seven Commando Beach
  • Simizu Island
  • Small Lagoon
  • Snake Island (Vigan Island)
  • Taraw Cliff
  • Twin Peaks Reef
 

If you plan to visit the Province of Palawan, you can use the following sites to determine the best places to stay:

FESTIVALS

The following is a list of festivals celebrated in Palawan throughout the year:

  • Tarek Festival (Aborlan) – 3rd week of January
  • Arawedan (San Vicente) – January 23-24
  • Love Affair with Nature (Puerto Princesa City) – February 14
  • Balayong Festival (Puerto Princesa City) – March 4
  • Kulambo Festival (El Nido) – March 15-18
  • Kaniyogan Festival (Narra & Brooke’s Point) – March 19
  • Pangalipay sa Baybay (Puerto Princesa City) – 1st week of April
  • Kamarikutan Pagdiwata Arts Festival (Puerto Princesa City) – Full moon of April
  • Seafood Festival (Puerto Princesa City) – 3rd week of April
  • Karagatan Festival (Puerto Princesa City) – 3rd week of May
  • Pasinggatan Festival (Taytay) – May 1-4
  • Panalaminan Festival (Roxas) – May 1-15
  • Kalugta’n Arts Festival (El Nido)
  • Kalabukay Festival (Dumaran) – June 14-18
  • Malagnang Festival (San Vicente) – June 21
  • Baragatan Festival (Puerto Princesa City) – 3rd week of June
  • Feast of the Forest (Puerto Princesa City) – 3rd week of June
  • Pista ng Dalampasigan (Sofronio Espanola) – June 24
  • Kasadyaan Festival (Coron) – August 28
  • Purongitan Festival (Cuyo)
  • Malampaya Festival (Taytay) – October 8-12
  • Anihan Festival (Narra) – Last week of October
  • Light a Tree Festival (Puerto Princesa City) – November
  • Kulambo Festival (El Nido) – 1st week of December
  • Puerto Princesa Fiesta – December 8
  • Pagdiwata Ritual Festival (Aborlan) – Full moon of December
  • Christmas in Palawan (Puerto Princesa) – Starts every December 15
  • Paskuhan sa Kapitolyo (Puerto Princesa) – December

FAQs

The following are the most frequently asked questions about the Palawan province.

Where in the Philippines is Palawan located?
Palawan is located in Luzon on the western border of the Philippines.

Is Palawan a city or province?
Palawan is a province.

What is the Capital of Palawan?
The capital of Palawan is Puerto Princesa.

What is Palawan famous for?
Palawan is famous for Puerto Princesa Underground River and white sand beaches.

How do I get to Palawan?
There are several ways to get to Palawan, the most common being from Manila:

  • Plane to Puerto Princesa | 1.25 hours | $26-$50
  • Ferry | 24 hours | $34-$64
  • You can fly to other airports in the province (Busuanga, El Nido, or San Vicente), however the cost will be significantly more.

RESOURCE: Best Online Transportation Resource for the Philippines

How many islands are in Palawan?
There are 1780 islands in Palawan province.

How Safe is Traveling in Palawan?
Palawan is very safe for locals and tourists.

Is the climate in Palawan the same as the rest of the Philippines?
The climate in Palawan province is considered subtropical with pronounced wet and dry season equally divided throughout the year. The wettest month is September while the driest month is February.

To learn more about the various climate types in the Philippines, and for a Climate Map, click the link below…

READ MORE: Climate & Weather of the Philippines

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About the Author

Patrick

Patrick is an entrepreneur, digital nomad, explorer, and photographer. Patrick is always in search of fun and adventure. He is well travelled throughout the world, and although location independent, his home base is Phoenix, Arizona in the USA. Patrick loves island lifestyle which is no wonder why he is so interested in spending time in the Philippines with it’s over 7,000 islands. Patrick created this site to share his knowledge of and experiences in the Philippines with Filipinos as well as other foreigners.

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