Renting a Car and Driving in Palawan, Philippines. All I Wish I Knew Before My Trip.
Renting a car and driving in Palawan is one of those things that sounds a bit intimidating until you’re actually there, behind the wheel, with the windows down and the sea breeze on your face. I guess it is a fear of unknown and stereotypes about places.
If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I love road trips. It’s no secret! My husband and I drove through the Dominican Republic or explored the mountains of Albania and many other places. If you browse through my blog, you’ll find many road trip itineraries and guides (including one of the worst scams I experienced).
When we travel, we always choose the freedom of four wheels over a crowded tour bus, wherever possible or it makes sense. And as this is an honest travel blog, I’ll share all the good and all the bad.
Renting a Car and Driving in Palawan: and honest and complete guide
Palawan, with its winding coastal roads and hidden viewpoints between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, is the perfect place to explore at your own pace. So, here is a complete guide to renting a car and driving in Palawan.
Where to rent a car in Palawan?
As always, we first chose Discover Cars to book our vehicle. It’s my go-to platform because it lets you compare local and international agencies like Hertz or Thrifty in one place.
Most rentals start in Puerto Princesa, specifically at the airport (PPS). You’ll find the rental desks right in the arrivals hall, and the cars are usually parked just outside.
Pro tip: If you want to drive from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and leave the car there (a one-way trip), most agencies will charge a drop-off fee (usually around 3,000 PHP). It’s worth it if you’re planning to fly out of El Nido or take a ferry to Coron next!
However…
Book a car in palawan well in advance
We struggled to get a car from international car rental agencies in Palawan. True, we travelled during a busy Christmas period and perhaps left it until too late. We booked our car 3-4 weeks before the trip and everything was already booked from all international dealers. However, I looked at dates 2 and even 3 months ahead, for February and March, just to get an idea how soon it should be booked, and there was almost nothing left. Some companies had no available cars that long in advance.
That being said, my top tip would be booking long before your trip.
Show did we end up having a car? My motto is: there’s always a way. Therefore, we found the way.
See also: Don’t Go to the Palawan’s Puerto Princesa Underground River Without Reading This First!
Basic costs of renting a car and driving in Palawan
Renting a car in Palawan isn’t the cheapest in Asia, but it’s reasonable.
Daily rate: Expect to pay between 2,500 and 3,500 PHP ($45–$60 USD) per day for a decent car. We rented a car from a local person (I wouldn’t even call it a car rental agency, but more like a car rental uber) and we paid 16000 pesos (approx. $270) for 9 days.
Gas: Prices are slightly higher than in Manila, but since the island isn’t huge, you won’t spend a fortune on fuel. In December 2025, we paid 64 pesos per litre.
Our car rental experience in Palawan
After a lot of searching, we found an available car from a company called Rent a Car Palawan. They have a Facebook page, and all the booking is done via email and then WhatsApp only. We were a bit skeptical at first, but the deposit they asked to secure the reservation was small, so we felt it wasn’t too risky- the worst-case scenario would be showing up and finding no car.
We informed the company well in advance about our arrival time and flight number, and they reassured us that someone would be waiting for us at the airport. Around two hours before landing, we sent another message confirming that we were on the way.
The rental agreement stated that the renter would either meet us at the airport or deliver the vehicle to our hotel at the time we chose, and that any changes, flight delays, or practical arrangements should be communicated directly via WhatsApp or Messenger—not email, especially within 72 hours of pick-up.
The contract also required leaving our passport with the renter during the rental period (or alternatively, leaving a copy and a PHP 10,000 deposit) and paying the remaining balance in cash upon delivery of the vehicle.
Despite our confirmation, no one was waiting for us when we landed, which was stressful at first. We had to contact them directly via WhatsApp, and after a short exchange, we were informed to meet the driver where the bamboo tree is. Yes, you are reading this right. So we looked for a bamboo tree outside the airport.
There was someone waiting for us, but without the car. Apparently, it was on the way, but after 30 minutes waiting and tired after the trip, we started getting annoyed. We asked them to order for us a taxi to the hotel and drop off the car at the hotel too when it arrives.
One thing to be aware of when renting a car in Palawan from this company (and possibly others that are not international) is that the process is a bit different from what you might be used to in other countries. The rental company asked us to leave your passport with them for the duration of the rental, which of course we denied. There’s no way I would ever leave a passport somewhere. They say this is standard practice in the Philippines for both cars and motorbikes, and it’s not something to worry about. I would not trust that at all, though.
They also allowed to leave a copy of the passport along with a deposit (it was PHP 10,000) as a security measure. The remaining balance for the rental must be paid in cash when you receive the vehicle and sign the contract. It’s important to have the exact amount ready, as most local rental companies don’t accept card payments at pick-up.
What the car return looked like
When we returned the car, we got our deposit back with no issues. But we filmed the car at pick up in detail. I mean, inside and outside (I learned my lessons). We were given the full cash deposit back and that was it. I can’t guarantee that’s the norm, but for us it was smooth and easy.
Basic stuff
- Driving side: In the Philippines, they drive on the right side of the road.
- License: You generally don’t need an International Driving Permit (IDP) if your license is in English and you’re staying for less than 90 days. Just bring your valid national license.
- Gas stations: Major brands like Petron, Shell, and Caltex are everywhere in the city but get sparse once you head north. Most stations are full-service (meaning an attendant will pump the gas for you). While bigger stations in Puerto Princesa accept credit cards, always carry cash for the rural ones!
- Insurance: In Palawan, you’ll often hear about “participative insurance.” This means if there’s an accident, you’ll have a certain “excess” or deductible to pay. Always check the fine print or get the full coverage through Discover Cars for peace of mind.
What is the road condition like in palawan?
The main road connecting the south to the north is the North National Highway. It’s mostly paved and in surprisingly good condition, but it is narrow and winding, usually one lane each way.
Expect a lot of curves as the road hugs the coastline and cuts through the mountains. If you’re heading to places like Port Barton or San Vicente, some secondary roads might still be unpaved or under construction, so be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride! Have a look at my photos, they probably tell you more that my descriptions.
Some roads had mudslides covering them after heavy rains. We also say in a few places the ground washed from under the road and kind of hanging over a slope. It looked quite risky to drive near the edges. There also were big holes in some roads, as you can see.
Is it safe to drive in Palawan?
I’d say yes—it’s generally safe, but you need to drive defensively and stay alert.
One of the main things to watch out for is the shuttle vans, often called UV Express. These vans transport tourists between cities and are known for driving fast and overtaking, sometimes even on blind curves. They are often overpacked, even with passengers on the roof. We even saw once a man sitting on the roof with his motorbike. True story. The best approach is to stay to the right, keep a steady pace, and simply let them pass rather than trying to compete for space.
Stray animals are another major consideration. Dogs, cows, and goats often walk onto the roads, especially in rural areas. You’ll need to stay extra vigilant, as animals can suddenly dart into the road. On several occasions, we even had dogs running directly in front of our car as they crossed the street.
Even when roads are marked as having two lanes, you’ll often notice that only one lane is actually used. This surprised us at first, but we quickly realized there’s a reason for it: the outer lane is often not safe for regular driving. Once we drove on that lane and quickly learned that it’s better to avoid it. It’s commonly used for parking, roadside picnics (yes, people really do sit on chairs there), drying rice, or even for bicycles and motorbikes traveling in the opposite direction. Basically, it is used for everything but driving.
It’s also a good idea to avoid driving at night. Many roads lack proper lighting, and it’s common to encounter motorbikes or tricycles without any lights at all. On top of that, the winding mountain roads are much easier and safer to navigate during daylight hours.
Finally, you’ll share the road with many tuk-tuks and motorized tricycles (the local versions go by different names and I just cannot remember, but I hope you get what I mean). They often travel long distances and move much more slowly than cars. Despite their speed, they tend to drive close to the center of the road, so patience and cautious overtaking are essential.
Should you rent an automatic or manual car in palawan?
If you can drive manual, you might save a few dollars. However, given the winding mountain roads and the occasional “organized chaos” of traffic, I highly recommend renting an automatic. It makes the drive much more relaxing, especially when you have to slow down for a stray cow or a slow-moving tricycle! We rented an automatic car.
How Long Distances Really Take (And Why Google Maps Lies)
One of the biggest mistakes people make when driving in Palawan is trusting Google Maps travel times too much.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido might look reasonable on paper, but in reality, it often takes 5–6 hours, sometimes more. Curves, roadworks, villages, rain, and inevitable stops slow things down, and honestly, you’ll want to stop. We were lucky on the way from El Nido to Puerto Princesa to catch our flight as the trip took as as long as predicted, but some other routes were much slower that Google Maps said.
You might be lucky and drive for the amount of time that you planned for, but if there’s a heavier rain, the traffic can get easily paralised. We saw some landslides, emergency road works after heavy rains and even had to adjust our plans due to road closure near Port Barton.
Rule of thumb: Whatever Google Maps tells you, add 30–40% extra time, especially if you’re not in a hurry (which you shouldn’t be).
Car choice: Do you need an SUV?
For the main drive to El Nido, a standard sedan or a compact car is perfectly fine. But if you plan on exploring more remote beaches or staying in areas with rougher access roads (like the road between Port Barton and San Vicente), a compact SUV or a vehicle with higher ground clearance is a very good idea.
Please note that this post included affiliate links, when you decide to purchase anything through these links I get a small commission at NO extra cost to you, it helps me to keep running this blog! I only promote products and services I use or would use myself. All images are the property of Postcards from the World and cannot be used without permission.
Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips
- Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
- AirHelp helps to get compensation for cancelled or delayed flights.
- Travel Payouts is my favourite platform for monetizing the blog.
- Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
- Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
- World Nomads and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
- WeGoTrip sends you audio guides to your mobile, so you can visit places while learning history and interesting facts easily and for little money.
- Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money. You can even save 50%.
- Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
- Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.
- Airalo is my eSim choice for alternative data abroad.
Did you like the post? Pin it for later:
