Palawan
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Palawan is highly regarded as a premier island destination in the Philippines, celebrated for its dramatic natural scenery including limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and world-class diving. Travelers generally find it more relaxed and less crowded than popular backpacker routes in Southeast Asia, though it requires a multi-day commitment to appreciate fully.
Pros
- Exceptional natural beauty featuring limestone cliffs and hidden lagoons.
- Highly rated scuba diving sites and island-hopping opportunities.
- Lower incidence of monsoons compared to other regions like Manila, particularly around Puerto Princesa.
- Offers 'chill' spots like Port Barton and Balabac that are less crowded than major tourist hubs.
Cons
- The local food is frequently described as poor or disappointing.
- Can be 'hit or miss' depending on the specific location visited.
- Logistically difficult for short trips; three days is considered insufficient for major areas.
Caveats
- Travelers recommend a minimum of four days to properly experience El Nido or Coron.
- While some spots are secluded, others may still have significant tourist presence.
Best for
- Scuba diving enthusiasts.
- Nature photographers and lagoon explorers.
- Travelers seeking a more scenic alternative to the Thai gulf islands.
Avoid if
- You only have 2-3 days available for the trip.
- High-quality culinary experiences are a top priority for your travel.
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 18-month half-life. The evidence comes from a small set of 12 mentions with a median age of approximately 189 days.
Sentiment
11 positive (92%) · 1 mixed (8%) · 0 negative (0%)
Trust + time weighted score: +94% · raw score 92%
What redditors said (10 of 12)
After my Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos classic backpacker trail, I went to Palawan. Super chill, not so many tourists, amazing diving and scenery.
I have been to Boracay a couple times and plan to go Palawan with family next year(have family over there).
If your in the PH might as well stay there and go down Palawan to port Barton and balabac. Or fly to dumaguette then ferry to squijor. Or visit Sargaio. Both better than thai gulf islands imo. (And I live in thailand) but upper hand to PH islands for sure
If it’s extreme nature you want, Palawan is amazing hidden lagoons, limestone cliffs, and almost no crowds in the right spots
Love Palawan. Really good scuba dive sites.
3 days is too short for Palawan. 4 days is the bare minimum to enjoy El Nido or Coron.
But from what I recall, Boracay and Palawan should be OK during that month. Not as bad as Manila.
Palawan and Borcay in the Philippines have amazing beaches, but the food sucks, pretty bad actually.
Philippines: Palawan for beaches and island hopping.
If you’re not used to this kind of weather, maybe stick to Boracay and Palawan so you can be out and about on/in the water most days!