Palawan Safety Guide

Palawan is widely considered one of the safest island destinations in the Philippines, attracting travelers drawn by its turquoise waters, hidden lagoons, and pristine palawan beaches. While violent crime against tourists is extremely rare, the rapid rise in visitors has created opportunities for petty theft and tour-operator fraud. The province’s remoteness also means that medical evacuation from El Nido or Coron can take hours, so carrying solid travel insurance is essential. Most incidents reported involve unattended belongings on island-hopping boats or minor scams tied to last-minute “palawan day trips” sold on the beach. The local government and tourist police in Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and Coron are proactive, but infrastructure is still catching up with demand. A calm, common-sense approach—lock valuables on boats, double-check tour prices, and respect marine life—lets you enjoy things to do in palawan like kayaking the Big Lagoon or diving WWII wrecks with minimal worry.