What to Pack for Palawan: The Definitive Packing List

Palawan is an island destination -- which means the packing list looks rather different from a city break or mountain adventure. You will spend most of your time on boats, in water, on beaches, and under a tropical sun that is significantly more intense than it looks. Pack wrong and you will be sunburned, soaking through non-quick-dry clothes, or dragging a full suitcase down El Nido beach road at 8 AM. This guide covers everything you actually need for a Palawan trip.

Clothing: Pack Light, Pack Functional

Palawan is hot (28-34 degrees C in dry season) and humid. The golden rule is quick-dry fabrics only. Cotton becomes miserable when soaked with sweat or seawater and takes forever to dry. Synthetics and merino wool are your friends.

• 3-4 pairs of quick-dry shorts -- these double as swim shorts for men; board shorts or swim-ready shorts for women
• 4-5 lightweight t-shirts or tank tops -- laundry services in El Nido wash clothes overnight for PHP 100-150 per kilo
• 1-2 rash guards (long-sleeved, UV-protective) -- essential for island hopping days; the sun at sea level in Palawan is intense over 6-7 hours on the water
• 1 pair of long pants or lightweight linen trousers -- for evenings, travel days, and the Underground River visit
• 1 light rain jacket or packable windbreaker -- for wet season visits, boat spray, and cool December-January evenings
• 2-3 swimsuits or bikinis -- you will be in and out of the water multiple times per day; a second swimsuit means one is always dry

Footwear

• Reef shoes or water shoes -- absolutely essential for the rocky lagoon entries in El Nido, the staircase climb to Kayangan Lake, and scrambling around island rock formations. Regular flip-flops will not cut it on wet rocks.
• Flip-flops or sandals -- for town, restaurants, and beach relaxation
• One pair of light sneakers or walking shoes -- for Nacpan Beach motorbike rides, the Taraw Cliff hike, and the Underground River boardwalk

Sun Protection

• Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+ -- MANDATORY in the El Nido and Coron marine parks. Standard chemical sunscreens are banned because they kill coral. Reef-safe mineral sunscreens are available in El Nido and Coron towns for PHP 250-400, or bring from home. Apply every 2 hours when on the water.
• UV-protective rash guard -- more effective and less effort than reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours
• Wide-brim hat -- on the boat and at the beach, essential
• UV-blocking sunglasses -- the glare off the water is intense; polarized lenses are ideal

Water and Tech Gear

• Dry bag (10-15 liters) -- this is non-negotiable. Every island hopping tour involves swimming, and phones, cameras, and wallets that are not in a dry bag will get wet. Available in El Nido town for PHP 400-800.
• Waterproof phone case or pouch -- for phones you want to use underwater for photos
• Waterproof camera or GoPro -- the underwater visibility in the lagoons and snorkeling sites is extraordinary; the best investment for your El Nido photos
• Power bank -- El Nido and Coron town electricity can be unreliable; you will use your phone heavily for photos and maps
• Universal power adapter -- the Philippines uses Type A and B sockets (flat 2-pin and 3-pin, same as US)

Health and Pharmacy

• Seasickness medication -- if you are at all prone to motion sickness, bring Dramamine or Stugeron. The El Nido to Coron speedboat crosses open water and can be choppy.
• Mosquito repellent with DEET -- particularly important for the Underground River trip (sandflies around Sabang) and Calauit Safari
• Antihistamine cream -- for sandfly bites, which are more irritating than mosquito bites and common around mangrove areas
• Basic first aid -- waterproof plasters, antiseptic wipes, and a small bandage roll. Coral cuts are common when scrambling around lagoon entries.
• Oral rehydration salts -- a full day in the tropical sun on a boat depletes you faster than you expect

Documents and Money

• Passport -- required for domestic flights within the Philippines
• Cash (Philippine Peso) -- El Nido and Coron are primarily cash economies. ATMs run out of cash regularly. Withdraw PHP 15,000-20,000 at Puerto Princesa or Manila airport before heading to either destination.
• Copies of passport and insurance -- keep digital copies in cloud storage and a physical copy separate from your passport

What NOT to Bring

• Full-size rolling suitcase -- impossible on El Nido beach road tricycles and a nightmare on boats. A medium backpack (40-60L) or duffel is far more practical.
• Unnecessary valuables -- leave expensive jewelry, laptops, and irreplaceable items at home. Everything you bring on island hopping tours risks getting wet or lost.
• Hair dryer -- electricity in El Nido is unreliable and your hair will be wet all day anyway

Final Check Before You Leave

Reef-safe sunscreen, dry bag, quick-dry clothes, reef shoes, seasickness medication, and enough cash. Pack light enough that you can carry your bag for 15 minutes without stopping. Book your Palawan tours in advance on PANA.PH: start with El Nido Tour A, add the sunset cruise for romance, and finish with the Coron island tour if you are doing the full Palawan circuit.