Palawan is a good family destination if you choose carefully. The scenery is spectacular and the water is warm, but many of the headline activities involve long boat days, heat and steps, which suit older children better than toddlers. The key is to pick activities with a gentle pace, keep days short for little ones and build in pool time. This guide covers what works by age and where to stay.
Start with the water, but keep it easy
Island hopping is the signature experience, and most boats provide life jackets. Check that life jackets come in child sizes and insist that children wear them whenever they are on the boat or in deeper water. Tour A in El Nido, with the Big and Small Lagoons, is the classic, and it suits children who swim confidently, although the day is long at around seven hours. Tour D is a gentler route around Cadlao Island, and Tour C has shallow snorkelling in sheltered spots. Families often do better on a shared tour with a clear lunch stop and other children aboard. Private boats give you flexibility to leave early and choose the pace, so they are worth considering for toddlers or mixed-age groups.
Easy beach days
Nacpan Beach is the best family beach in the north, a long golden stretch with calm swimming, space for sandcastles and a relaxed feel. It is about 17 kilometres from El Nido town and takes 30 to 45 minutes each way, so go with snacks, water, hats and a plan for the return trip. Near Puerto Princesa, Honda Bay island hopping is an easy beach day, with shallow water, small islands and a sandbar for shell hunting. Bring reef-safe sun cream and sun shirts, and keep children under shade in the middle of the day.
The Underground River with children
The Underground River is a UNESCO World Heritage national park and a highlight for many families, but it is a long day. The drive from Puerto Princesa takes around two hours, followed by a short boat ride and a paddle-boat trip of about 45 minutes into the cave. A permit is required, which a day tour arranges. Children who are happy in a boat for an hour will usually love the bats and rock formations, but very young children may find the day too long, so consider it from about school age. The cave is dim and damp, and you should keep your mouth closed when looking up. The park can close in rough weather, so keep a spare day.
Evening activities
The firefly river trip is a quiet evening on a mangrove river and often a hit with children who can stay up. It runs after dark, so check the schedule and the age policy before booking. In Puerto Princesa, the Baywalk is a flat, open waterfront with food stalls and bicycle rentals, and it makes an easy family evening. In Coron, the Mount Tapyas staircase is a hot climb, better for older children who like stairs than for toddlers.
What to skip or modify
The Taraw Cliff canopy walk is a harnessed climb, so ask about age and height limits before you go, and never let anyone attempt the unroped summit scramble. Motorbike rental is risky on wet roads, and with children it is best avoided in favour of tricycles or a hired van. Long ferry crossings can be rough, so check the forecast and bring motion sickness remedies. Avoid stacking two big excursions in a row.
Where to stay
Look for a pool, space and breakfast. In El Nido, Lime Resort has a children's pool, free breakfast and family rooms that sleep four, and it is a short ride from town. Miniloc Island Resort has a playground, a game room, a private beach and babysitting for an extra charge. In Puerto Princesa, Astoria Palawan is a large beachfront resort where every room type sleeps four, with three pools, a playground and a water park that costs extra. Four Points at Sabang has a kiddie pool and beach access close to the Underground River. Confirm cot and extra-bed policies in advance, since they vary.
Packing and health
Bring child-sized rash vests, hats, reef-safe sun cream, insect repellent, a basic first-aid kit, water shoes for rocky beaches and a waterproof pouch for phones. Carry extra water and snacks on every outing, because boats and beaches are far from shops. Cash is needed for fees and tricycles. Ask your doctor about vaccinations and any travel advice for your children before you go, and follow the standard advice for your country.
