Palawan Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Philippines)
Palawan is consistently ranked among the world's top island destinations, drawing visitors to El Nido, Coron, and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. The rapid growth of tourism infrastructure over the past decade has created a concentrated environment for transport overcharging, unofficial tour operators selling substandard island-hopping packages, and accommodation scams targeting travelers booking on arrival. Budget and independent travelers are the most frequently affected.
Tour & Activities scams are the most documented risk in Palawan — 6 of 16 reported incidents fall in this category. See all 6 →
Compare with nearby destinations
Last updated: April 2, 2026
Underground River Ticket Scalping
The Puerto Princesa Underground River requires advance permits that sell out quickly. Scalpers sell permits at 2–3x face value, and some sell photocopied fakes that are rejected at the entrance.
📍Permit sellers near the Puerto Princesa City Tourism Office on Rizal Avenue, and touts operating near the boat departure points at Sabang Wharf on the road to the Underground River, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines
How to avoid: Book Underground River permits online through the official Puerto Princesa Underground River website at least 2 weeks in advance. Never buy from street sellers.
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High Risk
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Medium Risk
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Low Risk
Palawan · Philippines · Southeast Asia
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Palawan
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Underground River Ticket Scalping
Permit sellers near the Puerto Princesa City Tourism Office on Rizal Avenue, and touts operating near the boat departure points at Sabang Wharf on the road to the Underground River, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines
Underground River Ticket Scalping
Near the Puerto Princesa Underground River permit office on Rizal Avenue in Puerto Princesa, and at Sabang Wharf boat departure area near the entrance to the Underground River national park, Palawan, Philippines
Beach Bar Tab Padding
Beach bars along the Corong-Corong beachfront in El Nido (Sitio Corong-Corong, Hama Street), and waterfront bars at Port Barton near the main pier on the Sibuyan Sea coast, Palawan, Philippines
Accommodation Overcharging During Peak Season
Guesthouses and budget accommodation on Hama Street and Real Street in El Nido town, and guesthouses near the Coron town wharf on Don Pedro Street, Palawan, Philippines
Accommodation Overcharging During Peak Season
Guesthouses near the El Nido town pier on Hama Street, and budget accommodation near the Coron town wharf on Don Pedro Street, Palawan, Philippines
Beach Bar Tab Padding
Beach bars on the waterfront in El Nido town on Hama Street, beach clubs at Las Cabanas Beach on the western shore of El Nido peninsula, and beachfront bars at Port Barton on the Sibuyan Sea coast, Palawan, Philippines
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How it works
The Puerto Princesa Underground River requires advance permits that sell out quickly. Scalpers sell permits at 2–3x face value, and some sell photocopied fakes that are rejected at the entrance.
How it works
The Puerto Princesa Underground River requires advance permits that sell out quickly. Scalpers outside the permit office and near hotels sell permits at 2–3x face value, and some sell photocopied fakes that are rejected at the entrance.
How it works
Beach bars in El Nido and Port Barton add unrequested drinks, snacks, or corkage fees to bills for groups, betting that foreign tourists will not scrutinize the total.
How it works
Guesthouses in El Nido and Coron quadruple rates during peak season (December–March) while providing the same basic service. Online listings may show off-season prices but charge peak rates on arrival.
How it works
Guesthouses in El Nido and Coron quadruple rates during peak season (December–March) while providing the same basic service. Online listings may show off-season prices but charge peak rates on arrival.
How it works
Beach bars in El Nido and Port Barton add unrequested drinks, snacks, or 'corkage fees' to bills for groups, betting that foreign tourists will not scrutinize the itemized total.
How it works
Individuals on beaches in Palawan approach tourists demanding payment of an 'environmental protection fee' or 'island entry tax' without any official identification or receipt machine, pocketing the cash.
How it works
Individuals on beaches in Palawan approach tourists demanding payment of an environmental protection fee or island entry tax without official identification or receipt machine.
How it works
Some budget island-hopping boats conveniently 'break down' near a souvenir island where the operator earns commission from purchases, extending the stop while skipping other promised destinations.
How it works
Some budget island-hopping boats conveniently break down near a souvenir island where the operator earns commission from purchases, extending the stop while skipping other promised destinations.
How it works
A rogue Wi-Fi hotspot operates near the El Nido airport terminal. Connecting allows interception of login credentials and payment information.
How it works
A rogue Wi-Fi hotspot labeled 'Lio Airport Free WiFi' operates near the El Nido airport terminal. Connecting allows a man-in-the-middle attack to intercept login credentials and payment information.
How it works
Tricycle drivers in Puerto Princesa and El Nido quote rates 3–5 times the local price to tourists. The quoted fare can vary wildly between drivers for identical routes.
How it works
Tricycle drivers in Puerto Princesa and El Nido quote rates 3–5 times the local price to tourists. The quoted fare can vary wildly between drivers for identical routes.
How it works
Tour operators in El Nido aggressively upsell from the standard Tour A package to combined packages costing several times more, using misleading photos and claiming certain islands are 'only accessible' on premium tours. In reality most sites are accessible on the basic tours.
How it works
Tour operators in El Nido aggressively upsell from the standard Tour A package to combined packages costing several times more, using misleading photos and claiming certain islands are only accessible on premium tours.
Palawan Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
What scams target tourists in Palawan?
Are taxis safe in Palawan?
Is Palawan safe at night for tourists?
Which areas of Palawan should tourists be most careful in?
How can I avoid being scammed in Palawan?
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Filter scams in Palawan by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the Southeast Asia region. Before visiting Bali, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Palawan are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →