Taytay
Old Spanish fort, island-hop lagoons, and a quieter taste of northern Palawan · Palawan
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Taytay was the capital of Palawan under Spanish rule, and its 17th-century coral-stone fort — Fort Santa Isabel — still commands the hills above the sea, crumbling beautifully into the palms. Today's Taytay is a small, unhurried town that travellers mostly zip through between El Nido and Puerto Princesa, but those who stay discover something genuinely special: brackish Lake Danao (a lake-within-an-island-within-a-sea system popular for kayaking), pristine island-hopping in Malampaya Sound, and Calauit Safari Park — where African giraffes, zebras, and impalas brought to Palawan by Marcos in 1976 now share the island with native Calamian deer and sea cows. The combination of colonial heritage, wildlife, and turquoise lagoons makes Taytay one of Palawan's most underrated multiday stops.
Things to do in Taytay
Climb Fort Santa Isabel
The 1667 Spanish coral-stone fort ruins sit on a hill above town with sweeping views over Taytay Bay. Entry is free. Go at sunset when the coral walls glow orange-pink against the sea.
Island-hop Malampaya Sound
Boat tours from Taytay visit lagoons, white sandbars, and mangrove channels around Malampaya Sound (a protected area). Full-day tour PHP 1,500–2,500 per boat.
Kayak Lake Danao
This shallow, brackish lake sits surrounded by mangroves just minutes from town. Kayak rentals available; excellent for birdwatching (kingfishers, herons, egrets) at dawn.
Safari at Calauit Game Reserve
African wildlife on a Philippine island — genuinely surreal. Giraffes, zebras, waterbuck, and Calamian deer roam the 3,700-hectare island. Guided jeep tour PHP 800–1,200 from Taytay pier.
Snorkel Pamilacan Point
Reefs just outside Taytay Bay support healthy coral and marine life with far fewer divers than El Nido. Arrange through any accommodation or local boatman.
Photos of Taytay
A visual taste of Taytay before you go.
Photos: Christian Pirkl (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons · Internet Archive Book Images (No restrictions) via Wikimedia Commons
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🗓️ Best time to visit Taytay
November–May is dry season and ideal for island hopping. December–February has the clearest water and most reliable boat weather. June–October brings southwest monsoon — island trips may be cancelled, but Calauit Safari and the fort are still accessible. The town itself is much quieter than El Nido year-round.
✈️ How to get to Taytay
From El Nido: shared van PHP 200–300, 2–2.5 hours. Private transfer PHP 800–1,200. From Puerto Princesa: van PHP 400–500, 5–6 hours northward. From Manila: fly to El Nido (Lio Airport) then van to Taytay. There is no regular ferry to Taytay from Manila; air via El Nido or Puerto Princesa is the standard route.
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Frequently asked questions — Taytay
Is Taytay worth stopping for more than a day?
Yes — Calauit Safari alone deserves a half-day, and island hopping in Malampaya Sound is equally time-consuming. Two nights in Taytay lets you do both properly without rushing.
How far is Taytay from El Nido?
2–2.5 hours by van along a paved road (85km). The road is good and the scenery is beautiful — rice fields, karst hills, and glimpses of the bay. Share a van to keep costs down.
Are there good beaches near Taytay?
The beaches right in town are basic, but the islands around Malampaya Sound have excellent white-sand beaches. Most island-hopping tours include at least two good swimming beaches.
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Quick essentials so you can hit the ground running.
Standard Philippines visa-free entry. Calauit Safari Park has an entrance fee (PHP 500–800 for foreigners). No additional Palawan environmental fees beyond the standard tourist tax collected at El Nido / Puerto Princesa.
Taytay has a LandBank ATM and one or two other machines — bring PHP cash from El Nido to be safe. GCash is increasingly accepted. Budget PHP 2,000–3,500/day including accommodation, food, and one activity.
No malaria risk in this part of Palawan. Dengue is present — use repellent. Water from resorts is potable. Nearest hospital is in Puerto Princesa (6 hours) — carry personal medication for minor ailments.
Van El Nido→Taytay PHP 200–300. Calauit Safari PHP 500–800. Island-hopping day tour PHP 1,500–2,500/boat (split with 4–6 people). Budget accommodation PHP 600–1,200/night. Meals PHP 150–300.
Taytay is very safe. Malampaya Sound is a protected marine area — boatmen know the weather patterns and will not go out in unsafe conditions. The road between El Nido and Taytay is generally good but has some narrow sections with no barriers — driver quality matters.
Local Stays in Taytay
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