WHEN -

Palawan has 2 seasons November to May is dry and June to October is wet. 

You could travel here any time but the best months are February to March.

Fortunately Palawan rarely gets the typhoons that other parts of the Philippines do. You'll be pleased to hear it's also safe from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

STAY -

El Nido Resorts Apulit Island **** 

Overwater cottages, simply decorated in traditional Filipino decor with a private veranda looking out to sea.

You may want to splash out a bit more for the 2 storey Loft Water Cottages. They have a lot more room and they face west for the sunsets. The further out smaller ones do get the sunset but are a bit of a walk from the main facilities

ABOUT -  

It is a remote and romantic location with a gorgeous pristine beach and beautiful infinity pool. It has 50 overwater cottages on stilts. It has dramatic limestone cliffs behind them and crystal clear waters teeming with fish out the front. 

The island is largely uninhabited and apart from the resort there are no other amenities. The staff are particularly helpful, cheery and friendly

ADD ONS - 

Spend a few nights in Puerto Princesa the capital of the best island in the world. Do a side trip to UNESCO World Heritage Listed and one of the 7 new wonders of the world PPUR.

On the way out you could spend some time in El Nido / Corong-Corong then catch a ferry and see some of the wonderful islands and resorts of Coron. (You may even decide to come here instead of Apulit Island) From Coron you can fly back to Manila. You can from El Nido as well. See EXTRAS below.

ROMANCE -

Picnics / Private dinners

Intimate massage hut for couples / In room services

Your own stretch of wild beach with powdery sand and crystal clear water to sunbathe and swim in splendid  isolation

King sized beds with large windows and unrestricted sea views

SUNRISES & SUNSETS -

Head out early for a sunrise kayak on the mill pond and work up an appetite for a cooked breakfast

Enjoy a few sundowners on your veranda

BUDGET -

All inclusive of transfers, accommodation, meals, water sports and game equipment. Everything except alcohol,  diving and sports fishing. It's great value for an overwater cottage in such a stunning and pristine environment. If you have futher travels in the Philippines you will find it very cheap.

HIGHLIGHTS -

The Tropical Island Paradise of your Dreams

PAMPER -

Massage cabana / Spa

RELAXING -

Infinity Swimming Pool with stunning views and cushioned lounge chairs under the shade of the coconut palms

Fabulous  Private Beach

Bask in the serenity

Suhai Lounge

VIEWS -

Unrestricted views of Taytay Bay, islands and dramatic limestone cliffs

FOOD -

The food needs to be good because you've got nowhere else to go. And it is!

The Clubhouse Restaurant - open thatched pavilion overlooking the beach

Buffet (with made to order stations) - Philippine, Asian  and Western dishes using sustainable ingredients

Lots of fish and seafood

DRINKS -

Bar in the Clubhouse

Bar in a hut on the beach for day time drinks

Mini bar in room

SIGHTS -

Marine life

Infinity Pool

Out your large window

Your own private beach

ACTIVITIES -

Climb up and rappel down a 60m limestone cliff - amazing views

Diving - Wreck dive and full of marine life - PADI dive centre (you can do various courses)

Marine Sports Centre - Hobie Cat Wind Surfing

SUP - amazing experience on the crystal clear water

Kayaking - it takes about an hour to paddle around the island

Caving / Swimming / Volleyball / Soccer / Table Tennis / Badminton

Snorkelling in Giant Clams Garden

Island hopping by Banca / Cliff Jumping

Sport Fishing

SOUVENIRS -

Palawan tribal crafts and handicrafts, Rain Sticks, Coconut Jam etc. 

TIPS -

It has a boutique and a clinic

CHEAPER OPTIONS -

This is the only place to stay on the island. Apart from this Eco-resort the island is mainly untouched. There are 2 types of rooms - smaller / cheaper and larger / dearer.

For a more expensive and luxurious option have a look at

El Nido's Resort at Pangalusian Island

VISAS -

Citizens of 160 countries can enter the Philippines visa free. The length of stay varies from 14 th 59 days. The most common is 30 days. 

Click here for information

TRANSPORT -

OPTION 1 - Fly in and out of El Nido using the transfers provided. Good if you are short on time or want to keep travelling to a minimum.

OPTION 2 - Fly in and out of El Nido and spend a few days in El Nido or Coron-Coron before or after Apulit Island. You will still use the transfers provided  and just have to get yourselves to or from the airport which is close to town. Still keeps travel to a minimum and gives the trip something extra.

OPTION 3 - Fly into Puerto Princesa and spend a few nights. Catch a bus, minibus or have a private transfer to Taytay and spend the night. Take your transfer to Apulit Island. Fly out of El Nido and use the transfer. Or get them to drop you in El Nido or Coron-Coron and spend a few days here and make your own way to the nearby airport.

You can fly from

Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) - 

has direct flights from 91 detinations in 26 countries in Asia, Australia and North America. You'll need to connect with one of the major Asian hubs if you live elsewhere.

Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) - 

also flies to Clark and Cebu

El Nido Airport (ENI) - 

also flies to Clark and Cebu

Coron / Busuanga Airport (USU) - 

also flies to Cebu

Check here for flights

It is 4 hours from Puerto Princesa to where your boat leaves in Taytay and 90 mins from El Nido.

Boat schedules are organised around the Air Swift Flight times (the ones to El Nido). It will be easy to work around these if you wanted to do the Puerto Princesa option.

Transfers are provided from El Nido Airport and El Nido and Corong-Corong to Taytay. From here it's a 45 - 60 min boat trip to the island

EXTRA -

See #52 Ati-Atihan in 'Festivals.