For your next trip to the Philippines, you are wondering about safety in Palawan, areas to avoid on the island and in Puerto Princesa.

Palawan is an island located in the western Philippines, renowned for its pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and exceptional biodiversity. The island is also home to popular tourist spots such as Bacuit Archipelago, Coron Island and Tubbataha Archipelago National Park. These attractions attract thousands of tourists every year, all looking to explore the natural beauty of Palawan.

But what about the safety of tourists on the island of Palawan and its capital Puerto Princesa in 2024? Indeed, you will see that even in this tropical paradise there are danger zones that it is essential to avoid to guarantee the safety of your trip.

In this guide, discover the dangerous areas of Palawan, the neighborhoods to avoid in Puerto Princesa and tips for a safe and pleasant stay.

Is Palawan safe for tourists?

In terms of crime, Palawan is much less dangerous than many cities inEurope or from America like for example Tijuana, Lima, Santo Domingo, Baltimore, Marseille ou Napples.

However, it is also not a completely safe place. Indeed, tourists can be exposed to certain dangers:

Security in Palawan and terrorist risk

As throughout the Philippines, there is currently a terrorist risk also in Palawan. See my article: Is it dangerous to go to the Philippines?

This is what the French government site indicates in its recommendations to travelers on France Diplomacy following the terrorist attack that occurred on Sunday December 3, 2023 in Marawi: “ Armed Islamist movements remain active in several regions of the country and can target foreigners."

Risk of conflict in Palawan

In December 2023, in some areas on the open sea, Chinese boats fired water cannons at Philippine boats. These incidents took place near the Scarborough Atoll off the island of Luzon and the other near the Ayungin Sandbar about 180 km from the island of Palawan.

The risk is that these incidents degenerate into a more serious conflict (see the articles on infobae.com, elnacional.com).

Risk of typhoons

Although Palawan has a relatively low frequency of typhoons compared to other regions in the Philippines, it remains subject to typhoons and heavy rainfall, which can cause flooding and landslides. The province also has many mountainous regions, making it more vulnerable to landslides. These storms can occur from June to December, with typhoon season peaking between August and October.

It is important for travelers to check weather forecasts and monitor typhoon updates before and during their trip.

Crime in Palawan

Palawan does not have a very high crime rate just like the majority of Southeast Asian countries. However, there are a few areas to avoid on the island and some less safe neighborhoods in its capital (see more below).

What are the areas to avoid in Palawan?

Palawan is an archipelago made up of more than 1780 islands in the southwest of the Philippines. It is known for its beaches, coral reefs and as the site of the Tubbataha Reef Reserve Marine National Park.

The island province of Palawan stretches from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the southwest. It is located between the South China Sea (to the west) and the Sulu Sea (to the east).

Its capital is Puerto Princesa, located on the east coast of the island. Among the tourist places in the archipelago, there is El Nido on the north coast and Coron on the island of Busuanga also in the north.

The main areas to avoid for their danger in Palawan are located south of Puerto Princesa. This concerns the entire south of the island of Palawan, the islands of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Western Mindanao Island and Basilian Island are also areas to avoid.

To summarize, we can say that the southern half of the island of Palawan should be avoided while the areas located to the north of Palawan are currently not dangerous.

Which neighborhoods to avoid in Puerto Princesa?

There are no truly dangerous areas for tourists in Puerto Princesa. In fact, the crime rate is very low there. This is confirmed by the latest Numbeo ranking where the capital of Palawan displays a crime rate of only 38.23.

If we compare on the world ranking, we see that Puerto Princesa is one of the least crime cities in the world at the same level as Hanoi, Bangkok, Sydney, Calgary ou Budapest.

Tips for your safety in Palawan

It is important to know emergency numbers if you travel to Palawan and to have a local SIM card with you. It is also important to have your travel insurance details easily accessible.

Here are the emergency numbers that could be useful to you in Palawan:

• 911: This is the national emergency number in the Philippines. It can be used to report any type of emergency, including fires, medical emergencies and crimes.
• Tourist assistance center: (048) 434-2828. This is a specially dedicated tourist helpline, providing assistance and advice to travelers in Palawan.
• Philippine Coast Guard: (048) 434-2124. This is the number for the Philippine Coast Guard, which can provide assistance in the event of an emergency at sea.
• Philippine National Police: (048) 434-3847. This is the number for the local police station in Palawan, which can help with crime or other non-emergency issues.
• Palawan Provincial Health Office: (048) 433-3201. This is the number for the local health office in Palawan, which can provide information and assistance with health concerns.

The information and numbers provided are subject to change, it is advisable to check with local authorities for travel advice and the most recent emergency numbers.

Where to stay in Palawan?

And, if you don’t know where to choose your hotel in Palawan, here is my recommendation: The hotel Cadlao Resort.

Indeed, its location is in a safe area of ​​Palawan, ideal for enjoying the beautiful beaches, right next to El Nido and very convenient for sea excursions.