Frommer’s, one of the best-known names in travel guides, has put Palawan on its Best Places to Go in 2026 list. The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines announced the news and called Palawan “the crown jewel of the Philippines.” If you’ve been waiting for a reason to book a trip to Palawan, this is a good one.

Why Frommer’s Picked Palawan

Frommer’s Best Places to Go list isn’t ranked. It highlights destinations that show authenticity, connection, and care for the planet. Palawan shares the 2026 list with places like Vienna, the Algarve, Kruger National Park, and Patagonia Azul, according to GMA News.

GMA quotes Frommer’s praise for Palawan’s “breathtaking isles and islets” that draw divers, snorkelers, spelunkers, and island hoppers from around the world. The guide singled out the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where limestone karst cliffs hide caves you can explore by boat on an underground river.

The Department of Tourism said the selection reflects the province’s natural beauty, its community-led tourism, and its long commitment to sustainability.

Kayakers paddling across the turquoise water of El Nido's Big Lagoon beneath tall limestone cliffs
El Nido's Big Lagoon, one of the sights named in the TPB announcement.

Places to See in Palawan, as Named in the Release

El Nido: Lagoons, Hidden Beaches, and Bacuit Bay

The TPB release points travelers to El Nido’s famous spots: the Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, and Hidden Beach. It also mentions quieter places like Cadlao Lagoon and Paradise Beach, all set among the limestone islands of Bacuit Bay.

Aerial view of kayaks gliding into El Nido's Small Lagoon through a narrow gap in the limestone
Paddling into the Small Lagoon is one of the best moments of any El Nido trip.

Coron: World War II Wrecks and Crystal-Clear Lakes

Coron is known for its coral-covered World War II shipwrecks, which divers can explore up close. The release also points to the history nearby: Culion Church stands on the site of Fort Culion, which dates to the 1700s, and was rebuilt in coral stone by the Jesuits in 1933.

Above water, Coron’s lakes are just as memorable. On Coron Island Tour C you can swim in Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake, and our Coron destination guide covers everything else.

Aerial view of a shipwreck resting in shallow turquoise water off a beach in Coron, Palawan
Coron's shipwrecks make the area one of Asia's top wreck-diving spots.
Crystal-clear water of Barracuda Lake framed by jagged limestone rocks in Coron
Barracuda Lake, where the water is clear enough to see the rock walls far below.

Puerto Princesa: The Underground River

The Underground River that Frommer’s highlighted is a day trip from Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital. Our Underground River tour takes care of the permits, transport, and boat ride. Stay a few extra days for Honda Bay island hopping and the firefly watching tour in the mangroves. Start with our Puerto Princesa guide.

Aerial view of Cowrie Island in Honda Bay, with white sand and shallow turquoise water
Cowrie Island in Honda Bay, an easy island hop from Puerto Princesa.

Beyond the Classics: Balabac, San Vicente, and More

The release also names places that are worth the extra travel time:

  • Balabac, in the far south, known for its pink-sand beaches
  • San Vicente, home to Long Beach, described as the country’s longest white beach at nearly 14 km (9 mi)
  • Brooke’s Point and Taytay, where local guides trained in responsible tourism lead snorkeling trips and heritage walks

For quiet sandbars and a slower pace, Port Barton, a laid-back village in San Vicente, is one of our favorite places in the province. Book the Port Barton island hopping tour or read the Port Barton guide.

Sandbar surrounded by clear shallow water at Starfish Island in Port Barton, Palawan
Starfish Island in Port Barton: fewer crowds and just as much turquoise water.

The Communities Behind the Recognition

The release puts a lot of weight on the people who look after Palawan. Through the TPB’s Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Marketing Enhancement Program, coastal towns get help improving homestays and visitor experiences and telling their own stories. In San Vicente, fisherfolk families have turned their homes into eco-lodges while protecting the mangrove forests that shield the shoreline.

TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles put it this way: “When destinations like Palawan are celebrated, what the world is really seeing are the communities behind them.” She called these communities “the stewards who protect every reef, forest, and shoreline,” and added: “Every traveler contributes to something lasting.”

The release also mentions local food worth trying: sinigang shared at communal tables and, for the adventurous, tamilok (woodworm, a Palawan specialty).

Another Award for Palawan

The Frommer’s pick adds to a long list of honors. Palawan has been named Travel + Leisure’s Asia’s Best Island and ranks high in TripAdvisor’s beach lists. This year it also topped Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. Read more in our post on Palawan being named Asia’s best island.

Tips for Planning Your Palawan Trip

  • Go in the dry season. December to May usually brings the calmest seas for island hopping. Book early for Christmas, New Year, and Holy Week
  • Give yourself at least a week. El Nido, Coron, Port Barton, and Puerto Princesa are far apart. Our airport transfers and car rentals make the long overland legs easier
  • Want your own boat? Private tours let you skip the crowds and set your own pace
  • Travel responsibly. Use reef-safe sunscreen, bring a reusable bottle, and pay your local environmental fees. These are what keep Palawan on lists like this one
  • Pack smart and travel covered. Check our Palawan packing checklist and travel insurance guide before you go

Sources