Is Palawan safe? Safety, entry requirements and fees

Is Palawan safe? What the travel advisories say

The US State Department rates the Philippines as a whole at Level 2, exercise increased caution, citing crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping (advisory of September 1, 2026). It places the Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, at Level 4, do not travel, because armed groups there have kidnapped people for ransom on land and at sea, often targeting foreigners. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. Neither names Palawan's tourist areas.

The far south is the part to check. The UK warns of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around the Sulu and Celebes seas, adding that boats to offshore islands and dive sites can be targets, and the southern tip of Palawan and the Balabac islands border those waters. Read the latest US and UK advice before booking a trip to Balabac or southern Palawan, travel with an established local operator, and make sure your insurance is valid for the area.

Petty crime, boats and everyday safety

In El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa, the problems visitors report are mostly small: phones and cash taken from beaches, unlocked rooms or crowded vans, overcharging by unlicensed guides, and drinks left unattended in bars. Use your room safe, carry only the cash you need for the day and agree prices before a tricycle ride or a private boat.

The bigger risks are on water and roads. The UK Foreign Office notes that ferries and passenger boats in the Philippines have a poor safety record, so travel with accredited operators, check that life jackets are on board and do not sail when the coast guard has suspended trips. On a rented scooter, wear a helmet and avoid riding after dark; our getting around guide covers license rules.

Health: dengue, malaria, water and sun

Mosquitoes are the main health concern. Dengue occurs across the Philippines and there is no preventive medicine for travelers, so use repellent in daytime as well as at dusk, especially in the rainy months. The US CDC lists the province of Palawan as an area with malaria transmission and recommends prescription prevention for some travelers, so see a travel clinic a few weeks before you go and mention any trips to rural or forested areas. The CDC also recommends hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines for most travelers.

Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered refill water, which most hotels provide. Dogs are common and rabies is present, so any bite or scratch needs prompt medical care. The best-equipped hospitals on the island are in Puerto Princesa, and El Nido and Coron have smaller clinics, so buy insurance that includes medical evacuation. Sunburn and dehydration are frequent on long boat days: bring a hat, a rash guard and reef-safe sunscreen.

Entry requirements: visa, passport and onward ticket

Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia can enter the Philippines as tourists without a visa for up to 30 days; longer stays need an extension from the Bureau of Immigration. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your stay. The official list allows US, Canadian and Australian citizens to be admitted with less, but airlines may refuse boarding, so do not rely on it.

You also need a return or onward ticket out of the Philippines, which airlines often check at check-in, so a one-way ticket to Manila without a booked exit can be a problem.

The eTravel registration

Every arriving traveler must register on eTravel, the government's online arrival and health declaration, no earlier than 72 hours before arrival. It is free, done on etravel.gov.ph or the eGovPH app, and produces a QR code to show at the airport.

Fake websites using the eTravel name charge fees for the same form: the Bureau of Immigration has warned that registration is free and that sites charging for it are scams, and the government's cybercrime center has identified sites charging up to ₱5,000 (about $85). Type the official address yourself rather than following an ad.

Environmental fees in El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa

El Nido charges a one-time ecotourism development fee, recently reported at ₱400 (about $7) per person and valid for 10 days. It is paid at the tourism office or collected by your tour operator or hotel before your first boat trip; keep the receipt, as you may be asked for it on later tours. Lagoon and beach fees on El Nido island hopping tours are paid on top, and the Big Lagoon has its own rules.

Coron collects an environmental fee, reported at ₱200 (about $3), from visitors arriving at the airport or the port. Individual sites charge their own entrance fees, including Kayangan Lake, which the indigenous Tagbanua community manages on its ancestral domain. In Puerto Princesa, the Underground River works on a strict "no permit, no entry" system with a daily cap, so book ahead.

Domestic terminal fees at state-run airports such as Puerto Princesa and Busuanga have been included in the airline ticket since 2017, while ferry ports charge a small cash terminal fee. Carry pesos in small notes for fees, tricycles and tips; our Palawan prices guide has more on budgets.