Turquoise lagoons, limestone cliffs, powdery white sand, and grilled seafood on the beach at sunset. Palawan is about as close to a real-life screensaver as travel gets. The good news is that packing for it is simple: you’re mostly packing for sunshine, salt water, and boat days. This Palawan packing list covers what to bring for El Nido, Coron, Port Barton, and Puerto Princesa, plus the Philippines-specific items first-timers tend to forget.

Philippine Travel Documents

Get these sorted before you fly. Entry to the Philippines is easy for most visitors, and many nationalities (including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders) can stay visa-free for up to 30 days.

  • Passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date
  • eTravel registration, the Philippines’ free online arrival form. Complete it at the official eTravel site within 72 hours before your flight, and skip any lookalike site that charges a fee
  • Proof of onward or return travel, since airlines may ask for it at check-in
  • Domestic flight confirmations for your hop from Manila or Cebu to Puerto Princesa, El Nido, or Coron (Busuanga)
  • Travel insurance details saved offline. See our Palawan travel insurance guide for what to look for
  • Photocopies or phone photos of your passport, kept apart from the original
Turquoise water and a white sandbar at Starfish Island in Port Barton, Palawan
Starfish Island sandbar, Port Barton: the kind of place your packing list is for.

Island-Hopping Essentials

Island hopping is the main event in Palawan. On a typical day tour you’ll be on and off a traditional bangka boat five or six times: swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and wading ashore. These items make those days much more comfortable.

  • Dry bag (10–20L) to keep your phone, wallet, and towel dry on the boat
  • Reef-safe sunscreen (oxybenzone- and octinoxate-free) to protect Palawan’s coral reefs
  • Rash guard or long-sleeve swim shirt, which beats reapplying sunscreen every hour
  • Water shoes, because some lagoon entrances and beaches have sharp rocks and coral
  • Quick-dry microfiber towel
  • Waterproof phone pouch for photos in the water
  • Reusable water bottle. Many resorts and tour operators offer refills, and Palawan is working hard to cut single-use plastic
  • Your own snorkel mask if you’re picky about fit. Most tours include basic gear

Pro tip: the best Palawan photos happen in the water. Bring the waterproof pouch, or you’ll wish you had.

Clothing for Tropical Palawan

Palawan is warm all year, usually in the high 20s to low 30s °C (around 80–90 °F). Pack light, breathable layers and plan to live in swimwear.

  • 2–3 swimsuits so you always have a dry one
  • Lightweight shorts, linen pants, and breathable tops
  • A sarong or cover-up (it doubles as a beach blanket)
  • One light long-sleeve layer for air-conditioned vans, flights, and breezy boat rides
  • Sandals or flip-flops, plus one pair of water shoes
  • A wide-brim hat and polarized sunglasses
  • A packable rain jacket if you’re visiting in the wet season (roughly June to October)
  • A modest outfit with covered shoulders for visiting churches or local communities

Electronics and Power

  • Power adapter: the Philippines uses 220V with Type A, B, and C sockets. Type A (US flat-pin) is the most common
  • Power bank, since island days are long and charging spots on the boat are rare
  • Local SIM or eSIM. Globe and Smart cover the main towns, but expect patchy signal on remote islands. Physical SIMs need to be registered with your passport
  • Offline maps of El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princesa, downloaded in advance
  • An action camera or underwater phone housing if you love snorkeling
Crystal-clear water beneath limestone cliffs at Barracuda Lake in Coron, Palawan
Barracuda Lake, Coron. Bring a mask: the visibility is unreal.

Health and Toiletries

  • Prescription medications in their original packaging
  • A basic first-aid kit with plasters, antiseptic, and something for an upset stomach
  • Motion-sickness tablets if boats aren’t your friend (the El Nido to Coron ferry can be choppy)
  • Insect repellent for evenings and mangrove tours like the Puerto Princesa firefly watching tour
  • After-sun aloe gel, because the tropical sun is stronger than you think
  • Travel-sized toiletries. You can buy basics in El Nido town and Coron town if you run out

Money: Bring Pesos

Cash is king in Palawan. Tricycles, small eateries, and environmental fees at island sites are usually paid in Philippine pesos (PHP).

  • Withdraw cash in Manila or Puerto Princesa before heading north. ATMs in El Nido and Port Barton can run low or have long lines in peak season
  • Carry small bills for tricycle rides, tips, and fresh coconuts on the beach
  • Bring a card with no foreign transaction fees for hotels and bigger restaurants
  • Keep a backup card stored separately from your main wallet
Secluded Hidden Beach on Matinloc Island in El Nido, framed by limestone rocks
Hidden Beach on Matinloc Island, a stop on El Nido Tour C.

Final Checks Before You Fly to Palawan

  1. Confirm your eTravel registration and domestic flight times
  2. Book your airport transfer. Puerto Princesa to El Nido is about a 5–6 hour drive, so arrange it ahead
  3. Reserve your island-hopping tours, especially from December to May when slots fill up
  4. Tell your bank you’re traveling to the Philippines
  5. Pack your dry bag last so it’s on top and ready for day one

Your bag doesn’t need to be perfect. The Philippines is friendly and easy to get around, and you can buy almost anything you forget. The important part is getting yourself to the beach.