Tour & Activity Scams in Palawan, Philippines
Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping. Below are the tour & activities scams reported in Palawan — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Lombok, Mandalay, and Bali.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
6
Tour & Activities Scams
16
Total in Palawan
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
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
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.
See all scams in Palawan
16 total warnings across all categories