Hostels in Palawan, Philippines

Palawan is an astonishing island in the southwest of the Philippines, said to be the Philippines' last frontier! It's usually without the crowds of the Visayas archipelago, and this island has plenty of interesting and amazing places, and it is a must-see. Really good beaches, lagoons, underground rivers with caves and pools, and limestone cliffs in the clear waters are some of the best to enjoy in Palawan.

Actually, Palawan has around just under two thousand islands and islets, many of them surrounded by lively and protected coral reefs bustling with marine life, so as you can imagine, this is an amazing place for divers –- but always keep in mind the importance of not touching anything underwater. Take a camera with you -- photos are the best souvenir you can take home, not parts of the coral. For extra fun, in Coron you will find find some sunken Japanese World War II ships -- try these wreck dives. You won't regret it! If you don't dive, the stunning seascapes and jagged limestone islands in the Bacuit archipelago are more than worth the trip.

The best areas to explore are in the north of the island, starting from Puerto Princesa, the provincial capital with a crescent environmental friendly tourism. North of the city, Port Barton and El Nido are also good bases to explore the surroundings.

The best way to arrive in Palawan is by airplane, with Puerto Princesa Airport being the main one. There are a few ferries connecting Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and Coron to Cebu and Manila, but you can expect almost twenty-four hours traveling, and during the monsoons it can be quite scary.

There are a few hostels in Palawan and you can expect the perfect, laid-back atmosphere and friendly staff everywhere. Even though, prepare yourself for some particularities -- Palawan's hostels, like every house in the island, have limited use of electricity, so many times, you will only have candles after 10 p.m.