

Our next long-term stop is Palawan in the Philippines and we’re going to class it up a little while we look for an apartment. Here’s our research for the 30 best Palawan beach resorts if you’re looking to follow suit.
After another exciting 5-6 months in Thailand with a majority of that spent living at The Nimmana in Chiang Mai, we’re in need of some beach time, an escape from Chiang Mai’s infamous burning season, and a place to hang our hat for the rest of the year and then some.
The Philippines makes obtaining back-to-back visas a whole lot easier for Mike, and since I don’t need any here it was the most logical choice for a place to kick it down a notch, longer-term.
When you’re looking to settle into a paradise island such as Palawan, it only makes sense to book one of the best beach resorts while you’re looking for a more long-term apartment, am I right?
While I was searching for a place to stay, I was surprised to learn there’s not that many resorts in Palawan yet. Considering its size and growing popularity, I expected to see much more on each corner of the map.
Don’t get me wrong. The island has definitely received plenty of attention from tourists in the last few years for its popular Palawan beach resorts. But compared to other beaches and islands in the Philippines, this place remains pristine with much less commercialisation than you might expect from a giant paradise.
Simply put, Palawan beach resorts are worth dropping what you’re doing and booking a plane ticket before it gets infested by tourists. Bohol suffered that fate, and now it’s closed for the foreseeable future.
Going back to my search, what surprised me even more was the fact that the accommodations were so cheap!
For as low as $5, you get to have your own slice of paradise. Truth! No need to pay an arm and a leg just to enjoy a few days of peace, relaxation in front of the frikking beach!
Also, with Boracay closing down for 6 months and Siargao currently crowded with tourists because of one movie, Palawan serves as the perfect go-to spot for any escapist traveler.
With that in mind, I thought I’d share with you what I discovered during my search. Listed further below are the top 30 Palawan beach resorts under $60, located right in front of a beach –but first, I’d like to share tips for each location as well as some practical advice to help make your stay at a resort in Palawan more comfortable.
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Visit Lonely PlanetWhen you’re booking any of the Palawan beach resorts reviewed on this list or those you find elsewhere, it’s important to consider the following for each area of the island.
Puerto Princesa is Palawan’s capital city and is the most highly urbanized city in the province. It’s also where the only international airport is located. Its city center has a growing food and nightlight scene not to mention, it’s home to the famous Underground River. Stay for a few days before exploring other parts of the province.
Coron rivals El Nido in terms of natural biodiversity. Here, you can explore hidden lakes and lagoons, witness colorful marine life, and even get a chance to encounter WWII Japanese shipwrecks.
Located between Puerto Princesa and El Nido is San Vicente. It’s known for its 14-kilometer long beach –the longest in the Philippines. Here, you can scuba dive, snorkel, kayak. You can also explore its vast mangroves and jungles.
El NIdo is the primary attraction of Palawan. It’s known for its picturesque karst formations, pristine islands, and rich marine biodiversity. Stay at a resort in Palawan here if you’d like to quickly jump start your island hopping adventure.
Taytay is a port town where most travelers depart/arrive from/for El Nido resorts. It’s main highlight is the old Spanish fort, one of the best preserved Spanish fortresses in the country. If you choose to stay at a beach resort in Palawan here, you can discover offshore islands, explore waterfalls, and visit the extinct volcano Mt. Capoas.
Port Barton is located in San Vicente with a vibe that’s comparable to El Nido –quiet and relaxed. You can take a stroll on the beach here and possibly enjoy it all to yourself. It’s also a great starting point for boat tours as prices here tend to be cheaper compared to El Nido resorts.
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Learn More1. Some Palawan resorts can be difficult to access. When booking your accommodation make sure to communicate with management directly so they can hire transport for you. You can also rent a motorbike or hire public transport (van/jeepney/multicab) to take you to the beach resort in Palawan.
2. If you’re wondering why some resorts in Palawan are so dirt-cheap, it’s because you’re either paying for a tent or bedspace. If camping or sharing rooms is not your thing, don’t worry. For a few dollars, you can get an upgrade and enjoy more comfortable accommodations.
3. Learn basic first-aid and have an emergency kit ready. Certain resorts in Palawan are located far away from the hospital and if you get injured, you can’t expect to get immediate medical attention. It’s better to be prepared.
4. Be sure to wear insect repellent (preferably one with strong concentration of deet) especially if you plan to stay in a resort in Palawan that’s located within a jungle or any other remote area. Yeah, deet isn’t healthy, but dengue is worse.
Some parts of the island have risk of malaria or dengue during rainy season. Not to mention those pesky sandflies which can leave large, itchy red bumps on your skin.
5. Keep yourself hydrated and your skin protected from the sun. Popular activities in the island leave you exposed to sun for hours. It can be easy to get carried away and forget that’s you’re actually burning!
6. When appropriate, wear aqua socks and rash guard when swimming at the beach. It keeps you safe from sharp rocks and broken corals as well as box jellyfish and stone fishes which can be very fatal.
7. Some beach resorts in Palawan, especially those in El Nido, may not have Wi-Fi or regular electricity. This is because some areas don’t have enough power supply.
Most Palawan resorts will let you know when their electricity hours are and if they have a generator or solar power. If not, ask anyway so you are better prepared.
You can also check out this Facebook page for information on the daily rotation brownout schedule. If you really can’t afford to go offline, ask your favourite beach resort in Palawan if they have a generator in advance.
8. Bring as much cash as you can if you plan to travel outside of Puerto Princesa. Other areas outside the city don’t have that many ATMs yet. You’re better off getting cash while in Manila or Puerto Princessa before heading north of the island. You can also use your credit card but be careful as some establishments don’t accept credit card or they charge you a processing fee.
9. Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country and it’s frowned upon to overly flaunt your body in public places unless it’s the beach.
10. Haggling for cheaper prices on accommodation won’t get you very far. The money you’re spending while on the island will help support the livelihood of locals, and clean it up so it doesn’t wind up like Bohol.
All beach resorts in Palawan here are listed by price (lowest to highest) and have rooms or bungalows facing right onto the beach;
Location: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Perks of Bambua Nature Cottages:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location:Â El Nido, Palawan
Check pricing on Agoda
Location:Â El Nido, Palawan
Perks of Bayog Beach Campsite:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location:Â El Nido, Palawan
Perks of Eda Beach Campsite:
More photos and information can be found on Booking.com
Location:Â El Nido, Palawan
Perks of El Gordo’s Action Adventure’s Guesthouse:
More photos and information can be found on Booking.com
Location:Â El Nido, Palawan
Perks of Floresita’s Beach Resort:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location:Â El Nido, Palawan
Perks of Erlittop Garden:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Perks of Kaibigan Soul Camp:
Check pricing on Agoda
Location: El Nido, Palawan
Perks of Tapik Beach Park Guest House:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location:Â El Nido, Palawan
Perks of Where 2 Next:
More photos and information can be found on Booking.com
Location:Â Taytay, Palawan
Perks of Casa Rosa Taytay:
Check pricing on Agoda
Location: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Perks of Palawan Mangrove Resort:
Check pricing on Agoda
Location: San Vicente, Palawan
Perks of Deep Moon Resort:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Perks of Villa Leonora Beach Resort:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Perks of Puerto Pension Inn:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Perks of Kahamut-an Beach and Cottages:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Perks of Marina de Bay:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Perks of Jungle Beach Resort:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: El Nido, Palawan
Perks of Makulay Lodge and Villa:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: San Vicente, Palawan
Perks of Mermaid Paradises Jr Resort:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: El Nido, Palawan
Perks of Telesflora Beach Cottages:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: San Vicente, Palawan
Perks of Victoria Beach House:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: El Nido, Palawan
Perks of Greenviews Resort Corong-Corong:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: El Nido, Palawan
Perks of Bulskamp Inn:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: San Vicente, Palawan
Perks of Ausan Beach Front Cottages:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: San Vicente, Palawan
Perks of Peace and Love Resort:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: San Vicente, Palawan
Perks of Sunset Colors:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: Coron, Busuanga Island, Palawan
Perks of Sunlight Guest Hotel:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: El Nido, Palawan
Perks of Caalan Beach Resort:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
Location: El Nido, Palawan
Perks of Duli Beach Resort:
More photos and information can be found on Agoda
I hope you enjoyed looking through this list of beachside Palawan resorts as I did writing it!
Have you decided which of the Palawan beach resorts you’ll be staying at? Found one with a vibe that best fits yours? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Former internet marketer turned explorer, Oshin is our in-house travel expert, social media designer, and occasional copywriter.
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