Estrella Falls: The Twin Waterfall in Southern Palawan

Most travelers to Palawan head straight for El Nido or Coron, but the southern half of the island holds its own quiet wonders. Estrella Falls, found in the municipality of Narra, is one of the clearest and most inviting twin waterfalls in Southern Palawan. The twin cascades drop into a wide forest pool where visitors can swim, wade, and escape the lowland heat. It is not as famous as the lagoons of the north, and that is exactly the point. In 2026, Estrella Falls remains a low-cost, community-run escape for those who want a Palawan waterfall without the long van ride or the crowds.

This guide is for visitors coming from Puerto Princesa, Narra, or the coastal barangays of southern Palawan. It covers the road to the falls, the short trek, the two cascades, what to bring, how much to budget, and the small rules that keep the site clean. All prices are in Philippine pesos and are based on 2026 reports from the Narra tourism office, local guides, and transport operators in Southern Palawan.

Where to Find Estrella Falls

Estrella Falls lies in Barangay Estrella, a rural community in the municipality of Narra, Palawan. Narra is on the east coast of Palawan, roughly two and a half hours by van south of Puerto Princesa. The municipality is known for its rice fields, fishing villages, and access to both mountain and coastal attractions. Unlike the tourist hubs of El Nido and Coron, Narra receives a modest number of visitors, and the pace is closer to a small Philippine provincial town than a resort strip. The falls are a short ride from the town center and mark the boundary between the lowland farms and the steep hills of the southern interior.

The name "twin waterfall" comes from the two main drops. The taller cascade plunges from a higher ledge, while a shorter, wider fall sits nearby, feeding the same pool. The rock face is dark volcanic stone that looks almost black when wet, and the water is a pale green in the deep sections. The pool below is large enough for a proper swim, and the current is gentle in most areas. During the dry season, the flow is lower but the water remains clear. During and after heavy rain, the falls become louder and more dramatic, though the trail can become muddy and the current stronger.

How to Reach Estrella Falls from Puerto Princesa or Narra

Puerto Princesa is the main gateway for Estrella Falls. The Puerto Princesa International Airport receives flights from Manila, Cebu, Clark, and other domestic hubs. A one-way flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa typically costs PHP 2,000 to PHP 4,500, with promo fares sometimes below PHP 1,500 during sales. From the airport, you can hire a tricycle or van into the city for PHP 50 to PHP 150.

Vans for Narra leave from the Puerto Princesa transport terminal, near Robinsons Place Palawan and the San Jose terminal. The trip takes about two to three hours, and the fare is PHP 200 to PHP 350 depending on the van company and whether the van is air-conditioned. Buses also serve the route for PHP 150 to PHP 250, but they make more stops and can take up to three and a half hours. If you are traveling in a group, a private van hire from Puerto Princesa to Narra costs around PHP 2,500 to PHP 4,000 one way, depending on the vehicle and your negotiation.

From the Narra town proper, the falls are reached by tricycle, multicab, or habal-habal. A tricycle hired for a round trip to Estrella Falls costs PHP 300 to PHP 500 for up to three passengers, with waiting time included. A habal-habal is cheaper at PHP 150 to PHP 250 for a single rider. The ride from the town center takes 15 to 25 minutes on a mix of paved and rough road. In the rainy season, the last stretch can be slippery, and a habal-habal with an experienced driver is often the easier option.

The Trail and the First Look

The Estrella Falls trail starts at a small barangay registration area. Visitors pay a modest entrance fee and sign a logbook. The trail is mostly dirt and rock, with some concrete steps near the bottom. It takes 5 to 15 minutes to walk, depending on your pace and how many photos you stop to take. The path drops gently through secondary forest, and the sound of water becomes audible well before the falls come into view. Locals maintain the trail, and there are a few bamboo railings on the steeper sections.

The first view of the falls is from a small bamboo bridge and viewing deck. From here, you can see both cascades and the main pool. The higher fall is the more dramatic of the two, dropping from a ledge that is roughly 10 to 15 meters high. The second fall spreads over a wider rock face, creating a low curtain of water that is easier to stand beneath. The pool is naturally split into deep and shallow sections. Children and non-swimmers should stay in the shallow end, which is near the viewing deck and the picnic tables. Strong swimmers can cross to the far side and find small ledges behind the curtain of the lower fall.

Swimming, Cliff Jumping, and Picnics

Swimming is the main activity at Estrella Falls. The water is fresh, cool, and fed by mountain streams and springs. The pool is deepest directly below the main cascade, and the shallow areas are wide enough for wading. There are no lifeguards on duty, so swim within your ability and avoid the area directly under the main drop if the current is strong. The rocks around the falls are slippery, and the bottom of the pool is uneven. Aqua shoes or sandals with grip are a good idea. There have been no serious accidents in recent years, but the site is a natural environment, not a supervised water park.

Cliff jumping from the rocks near the falls is sometimes done by local visitors, but it is not officially encouraged. The water depth changes with the season, and submerged rocks can shift. If you choose to jump, check the landing area with a local guide first and never jump from the highest ledge. The lower rocks near the pool edge are safer, but even a small jump should be checked for depth and obstacles.

Picnics are common at Estrella Falls. There are open cottages and bamboo tables near the entrance and the lower pool. A small cottage for day use costs PHP 200 to PHP 300. If you bring your own food, you can use a table for a small fee or simply spread a mat on the ground. Grilling is allowed in some designated areas, but you must bring your own charcoal and clean up after. The barangay has a small sari-sari store near the registration, but it is best to buy snacks and drinks in Narra proper before heading out. A simple packed lunch of rice, grilled fish, and fruit costs around PHP 100 to PHP 200 if you prepare it yourself.

Local Life and Conservation Around the Falls

Barangay Estrella is a small farming community, and the falls are a source of pride and modest income for local families. The entrance fee and cottage rentals support barangay projects such as trail maintenance, waste collection, and small infrastructure. The local government and the Narra tourism office have made an effort to keep the site from being overdeveloped. You will not find large hotels, loud music, or concrete pools. The goal is to keep the falls natural while making them accessible to visitors and to the local community.

Conservation matters. The forest around the falls is part of the larger watershed that feeds the rice fields and water systems of southern Palawan. Visitors are asked not to leave trash, not to pick plants, and not to disturb wildlife. Plastic bottles and food wrappers should be carried out. The barangay usually provides trash bins, but they are not always collected daily. If you see litter, taking it back to town is a small act that helps. The site is also a reminder that many of Palawan's waterfalls are community assets, not private resorts. Paying the small fees and following the rules is a direct way to support the people who maintain the trail.

Best Time to Visit Estrella Falls

The best time to visit Estrella Falls is from November to May, during the dry season in Palawan. The skies are clearer, the road is more reliable, and the water is at a comfortable level for swimming. February to April is the driest window, though it can be hot in the lowlands. The cool water at the falls is a relief in the midday heat. The rainy season from June to October can make the falls more powerful, but the trail is slippery and the water may become cloudy after heavy rain. Flash floods are possible in any waterfall catchment, so check the weather before you go and avoid the site during a storm or immediately after one.

Weekdays are quieter than weekends, and mornings are better for photography because the light reaches the falls before the sun moves overhead. If you visit on a Saturday or Sunday, expect more families and students from Puerto Princesa and Narra. The falls are rarely crowded by northern Palawan standards, but a quiet morning still makes for a more peaceful swim.

What to Pack for Estrella Falls

Pack light but practical for a day trip. A dry bag is useful because your bag may sit on a damp rock or get splashed by spray. Bring a swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, and drinking water. Aqua shoes or sandals with straps are better than flip-flops for the trail and the pool. A change of dry clothes will make the van ride back to Narra more comfortable. If you plan to picnic, bring a mat, a trash bag, and your own food. A small first-aid kit with bandages and antiseptic is a good idea for cuts from rocks or slips.

Photographers will want a waterproof bag for their gear. The contrast between dark rock, green forest, and bright water can be striking. A polarizing filter helps cut glare on the pool. If you are shooting with a phone, keep it in a waterproof pouch and be careful on the rocks. Drones are not recommended without a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the local barangay. The area is quiet, and the sound of a drone can disturb both wildlife and other visitors.

Sample 2026 Budget for a Day Trip to Estrella Falls

A day trip to Estrella Falls is one of the more affordable Palawan nature experiences. If you start from Narra, a solo trip might look like this: round-trip tricycle or habal-habal from Narra proper, PHP 200 to PHP 500; entrance fee to the falls, PHP 30 to PHP 50; cottage or table rental, PHP 200 to PHP 300 if you use one; packed lunch or meal in Narra, PHP 100 to PHP 200; and water or snacks, PHP 50 to PHP 100. That brings the total to roughly PHP 400 to PHP 900 per person for a basic day trip from Narra, depending on how you split transport and whether you rent a cottage.

Coming from Puerto Princesa, add the van or bus fare. A round trip from Puerto Princesa to Narra is PHP 400 to PHP 700 by van, or PHP 300 to PHP 500 by bus. Local transport to the falls from Narra is the same. A full day from Puerto Princesa to the falls and back, including transport, entrance, food, and a cottage, comes to PHP 800 to PHP 1,500 per person if you are a solo traveler, or PHP 600 to PHP 1,200 per person in a small group sharing tricycle and cottage costs. An overnight stay in Narra, if you want to combine the falls with other attractions, costs PHP 800 to PHP 1,500 for a simple room or fan pension house, and PHP 1,500 to PHP 2,500 for a small hotel with air conditioning.

Nearby Attractions from Narra

If you have more than one day, Narra and southern Palawan offer a few other stops. Narra Beach is a long stretch of sand and coral near the town proper, good for a sunset walk or a simple boodle fight. Rungkunan Beach and Arena Island are less developed and offer a more remote coastal experience. Panacan Island, also called the Crocodile Island, is a protected nesting site for hawksbill sea turtles and is reached by boat from the Narra coast. A boat hire for island hopping costs PHP 1,500 to PHP 3,000 for a small group, depending on the distance and the number of stops.

The Southern Palawan Agricultural Research and Development Center, also known as the Western Philippines University research station, has an arboretum and forest trail that is open to visitors. It is a good place to learn about dipterocarp trees and Palawan's unique plant life. For a longer trip, the Mt. Victoria peak and the Mantalingajan range are possible trekking destinations for experienced hikers, but they require permits, guides, and several days. Estrella Falls is the easiest and most accessible of the southern Palawan nature stops.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the entrance fee to Estrella Falls?

The entrance fee is about PHP 30 to PHP 50 per person as of 2026. Cottage or table rental is extra, usually PHP 200 to PHP 300. The fee is collected at the barangay registration area near the trailhead.

Can I swim in Estrella Falls?

Yes, swimming is allowed in the main pool. The water is clear and cool, but there are no lifeguards. Stay in the shallow area if you are not a confident swimmer, and be careful on the slippery rocks. Avoid swimming directly beneath the main cascade when the water is strong.

How do I get to Estrella Falls from Puerto Princesa?

Take a van or bus from the Puerto Princesa terminal to Narra for PHP 200 to PHP 350 one way. In Narra, hire a tricycle or habal-habal to the falls for PHP 150 to PHP 500 round trip, depending on the number of passengers and the vehicle. Total one-way travel from Puerto Princesa to the falls is three to four hours.

Is there an entrance fee for children?

Children are usually charged a reduced entrance fee or no fee, depending on the barangay's policy for that day. Ask at the registration area. The pools are safe for children in the shallow areas with supervision.

What is the best month to visit Estrella Falls?

The best months are February to May, when the road is dry and the water is calm. November to January is also good, though some days may bring rain. June to October is the rainy season, and the trail can be slick and the water high.

Last checked 2026-08-25. Written by PANA.PH Palawan Desk for PANA.PH.