Palawan, often called the “crown jewel of the Philippines,” has been recognized by global travel authority Frommer’s as one of its “Best Places to Go” in 2026. The honor highlights destinations embodying authenticity, connection and care for the planet, reaffirming Palawan’s long-held reputation for stunning beauty and local efforts toward sustainability.
The recognition follows Palawan’s pattern of praise, including being named “Asia’s Best Island” by Travel + Leisure and receiving top beach rankings from TripAdvisor. However, the island’s success is increasingly attributed to how local communities are protecting its natural environment through sustainable tourism practices.
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines’ Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Marketing Enhancement Program provides support to small coastal towns.
The initiative refines homestays, improves visitor experiences and helps communities tell their own stories. In San Vicente, CBT efforts assisted fisherfolk families in transforming their homes into eco-lodges while simultaneously preserving mangrove forests that protect the shoreline.
Local guides in Brooke’s Point and Taytay have been trained to lead responsible snorkeling and heritage walks, offering travelers an authentic look at the island through the eyes of its residents.
TPB chief operating officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles said accolades like the Frommer’s listing bring attention to the “stewards who protect every reef, forest, and shoreline.” She said that “every traveler contributes to something lasting” when visiting the Philippines.
Palawan’s magic lies in its contrasts, from jagged karst cliffs rising over turquoise lagoons in El Nido to the hidden World War II shipwrecks now cloaked in coral off Coron. In El Nido, famous spots like Hidden Beach and Big Lagoon draw crowds, but smaller, quieter sanctuaries such as Cadlao Lagoon and Paradise Beach offer travelers solitude.
The southern frontier of Balabac features pink-sand shores and a beautifully unhurried island life.
Frommer’s inclusion serves as an invitation to experience how tourism, guided by respect, can help places thrive. The TPB is encouraging travelers to plan their trip using the TravelPH app, which guides users toward authentic, sustainable journeys across the Philippines.
