The Philippines: Palawan Islands
Summer 2025
After our unforgettable journey through Japan, it was time for a completely different vibe. We boarded a night flight in Tokyo bound for Manila, ready to begin the next chapter of our adventure: the Philippines. As the city lights faded beneath us, we prepared ourselves for tropical beaches, crystal-clear waters, and an entirely new culture.
Shaped by Spain
In 1521, the first Spanish explorers arrived in The Philippines. What followed was more than 300 years of Spanish rule — a period that left a deep and visible mark on the country’s culture, religion, and architecture. It’s this unique mix that makes exploring the Philippines feel like stepping into a crossroads of cultures, where every church bell and cobblestone street tells a story from centuries past.
Visa requirements
Before traveling to the Philippines, you will need to register via the eTravel system (the Philippines’ electronic travel declaration). After submitting, you will receive a QR-Code, which you will need to check in with your airline and at immigration. With our Dutch passport, we can stay in the Philippines for up to 30 days without a visa. Upon arrival, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.
Philippines’ climate
The Philippines is a breathtaking archipelago made up of 7,641 islands. From the dramatic mountains of Luzon to the turquoise lagoons of Palawan, every island feels like its own little world waiting to be explored. Because of its location in the Pacific, the country also lies in the typhoon belt, with around 20 tropical storms or typhoons each year, mostly between June and November.
Palawan Islands
Palawan Islands
After a four-hour flight from Tokyo, we touched down in Manila. The warm, tropical air was a welcome change as we stepped off the plane, knowing we were one step closer to paradise. With a few hours to spare before our domestic flight to El Nido in the Palawan Islands, we settled in to wait — equal parts tired and excited — dreaming of limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and island-hopping adventures that lay ahead.
We only had four full days and nights 'left to spend' in the Philippines, so we had to be selective about what we wanted to see. After hearing from other travelers and reading countless reviews, one thing became clear: Palawan is the kind of destination where you can experience extraordinary beauty in just a few days.
Palawan is famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs, crystal-clear turquoise lagoons, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It’s often called the 'last frontier' of the Philippines, known for its unspoiled nature and incredible island-hopping adventures, where you can kayak through emerald lagoons, snorkel above vibrant coral reefs, walk along powdery sandbars, and swim in water so clear it barely looks real. So the decision was actually made quite quickly — this was the place for us.
Our stay
We stayed 4 nights at Piece Lio Beach Resort in El Nido. This resort truly feels like a hidden green oasis — the kind of place where you instantly slow down and slip into island mode. Tucked away in lush surroundings, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and recharge. The location couldn’t be better: just a two-minute walk from Lio Beach, where you’ll find plenty of cozy restaurants and laid-back bars — ideal if you’re in the mood for a quieter evening without heading into town.
The hotels arranges free pick-ups and drop-offs to town, and transfers to and from the airport. Our rooms were spacious and beautifully designed, equipped with everything you could possibly need for a comfortable stay. And the best part? Monkeys swinging through the trees right behind our garden — such a magical touch that made it feel even more special. We truly loved every minute here; a unforgettable stay.
Canopy Walk
Our Highlights & travel journey
Lio Beach
El Nido Town
Island tour
Canopy Walk
Lio Beach Resort
Touch down in The Philippines
We caught an early domestic flight from Manila to El Nido at 4:45 a.m., landing just after 6:15.
Watching the sunrise from the plane as we flew over the Palawan Islands was pure magic — golden light spilling over scattered islands and endless blue waters below.
A few raindrops greeted us on arrival (barely worth mentioning), but nothing could dampen our excitement.
Our driver was already waiting, and just three minutes later we were pulling up to our hotel — tired from the early start, but absolutely ready to begin our island adventure.
Day 1: Lio Beach & El Nido town
Lio Beach
After the night flight, we were feeling a little tired, so after checking in and enjoying an indulgent breakfast, we decided to take it slow and spend the morning at the beach and in the resort.
We swam in the warm, clear water, stretched out on the sand, and simply relaxed — the perfect way to ease into island life. For lunch, we picked one of the cozy beachfront restaurants nearby and lingered a little longer than planned, soaking up the laid-back atmosphere.
We headed back to the hotel for a short nap and a quick refresh.
In the afternoon, we hopped on the shuttle to El Nido Town, ready to explore and see what this vibrant little town had to offer.
El Nido
El Nido is pure paradise wrapped in limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and powdery white beaches — the kind of place that instantly makes you forget the outside world. Nestled on the northern tip of Palawan, it’s the gateway to some of the Philippines’ most stunning islands, hidden coves, and secret lagoons that seem too beautiful to be real.
The town itself is small and charming, full of colorful shops, lively markets, and cozy cafés .
We booked an island-hopping tour for the next day with one of the local operators in town.
With that taken care of, we settled on one of the rooftop terraces to watch the sunset.
Afterwards, it was time for a relaxed dinner at one of the charming local restaurants, soaking up the cozy atmosphere and enjoying the flavors of the town.
Sunset El Nido
Day 2: Island tour
Today was nothing short of magical — we set out on an island-hopping adventure from El Nido.
Our crew was already waiting on the shore when we arrived, and within minutes we were climbing aboard a traditional Filipino 'bangka' — the iconic outrigger boat used for island-hopping adventures around El Nido’s stunning Bacuit Archipelago.
Miniloc Island & Big Lagoon
Our first stop was Miniloc Island, home to the legendary Big Lagoon. We set off on kayaks, paddling across the emerald waters under the guidance of our friendly local guide.
He led us through a dramatic limestone grotto, where sunlight streamed in and danced on the water, creating magical reflections all around.
Shimizu Island
Next, we cruised over to Shimizu Island, where we slipped into the warm, crystal-clear waters for some snorkeling and swimming. Swimming among vibrant schools of fish and colorful coral gardens was like entering another world entirely.
Entalula Beach
Lunch awaited us on Entalula Beach, often hailed as one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
Soft white sand, turquoise water, and the gentle sway of palm trees made it the perfect spot to unwind, soak up the sun, and enjoy a fresh, beachside meal.
Snake Island
The adventure continued at Snake Island, famous for its winding sandbar that connects it to the neighboring islands. Walking along the narrow strip of sand surrounded by water on both sides felt surreal, like wandering through nature’s own art installation.
A man in a kayak approached our boat, selling fresh coconuts.
We bought a few and enjoyed this sweet, refreshing treat on board – the perfect island-hopping snack!
Cudugnon Island
We wrapped up the day at the private beach of Cudugnon, exploring the intriguing Cudugnon Cave, which added a touch of history and mystery to our tropical escape.
By the end of the day, we were sun-kissed and blissfully tired as we headed back to El Nido. Along the way, we ran into a brief tropical downpour, which made the ride a bit of an adventure. The crew went above and beyond to keep us safe and comfortable through the choppy waters — huge shoutout to them!
Thankfully, we arrived safely in El Nido Bay, just in time to unwind with a sundowner on our favorite rooftop terrace, watching the sky melt into shades of gold and pink.
Truly, it was a perfect day of adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable scenery
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A traditional Filipino boat: 'bangka'
Day 3: Morning gym, hike & relaxing
Today we decided to balance island indulgence with a little movement and started the morning with a workout. The gym was located in El Nido town and included in our hotel stay, so the resort shuttle dropped us off and picked us up again — easy and effortless.
Afterwards, we went (without the kids!) for a stroll along the beach, bare feet and with the relaxing sound of the waves beside us.
Back at the resort, the kids were awake and ready for the day, so we gathered for a long, relaxed brunch together.
The rest of the afternoon was beautifully unplanned: lounging between the beach and the pool, dipping into the water whenever the heat called for it, and fully embracing slow island life.
In the evening, we strolled to one of the beachfront restaurants for dinner, dining with our toes almost in the sand as the sky slowly faded into night. A perfect mix of activity, relaxation, and family time.
Lio Beach
Day 4: Canopy Walk El Nido
We had heard from several people that the Canopy Walk in El Nido Town was absolutely worth it, so we decided to save it for our final day in Palawan — a fitting way to end our island adventure.
Curious and excited, we made our way into town, ready to see El Nido from a completely different perspective.
Strapped into harnesses and helmets, we carefully made our way up the cliffside. The climb itself is part of the fun — a little bit of adrenaline, but completely manageable and very safe. We crossed the suspension bridge, hopping from one top to another.
The Canopy Walk in El Nido turned out to be the perfect final adventure of our stay in Palawan.
Perched high above El Nido Town, this guided walk takes you along steel walkways and hanging bridges bolted into the dramatic limestone cliffs that surround the bay.
And then came the reward: the view. From the top, El Nido Bay stretched out before us in every shade of blue imaginable, dotted with limestone islands rising from the sea.
It’s one of those panoramas that makes you pause, take a deep breath, and simply soak it all in.
On the way down, two of us chose a different route, descending over a series of rope nets stretched out like giant spider webs against the limestone cliffs. It added an extra touch of adventure and gave us completely new perspectives over El Nido and the shimmering waters of Palawan.
The Canopy Walk isn’t just about the thrill — it’s about seeing El Nido from a whole new perspective.
A little adventure, a lot of beauty, and the perfect way to say goodbye to paradise.
Until next time!
Saying goodbye to Palawan feels bittersweet. Our stay here was wonderful — even in July, outside the peak season, everything was just perfect. Sunshine one moment, a tropical downpour the next, it’s part of island life. Nature is powerful, but so is the spirit of the Philippines. From stunning lagoons and hidden beaches to warm, welcoming locals, Palawan has truly stolen our hearts. Until next time!
Miniloc Island - The Big lagoon
More Asian vibes
Asia has many wonderful travel destinations. You can read our Asian blogs below (click on the photo).
Thailand
Nepal
Maldives
Sri Lanka
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