The three islands of Palawan, Boracay and Cebu have been making the rounds in various travel publications as some of the best islands in the world to visit. Indeed, these three islands offer incomparable experiences ranging from turquoise waters, limestone rock formations as well as a thriving cultural scene. If you are visiting the Philippines and thinking where to spend the bulk of your time or if you have time to visit only 1 or 2 of these islands and are trying to decide which island to sacrifice, hopefully this article will help you make that choice.
Table of Contents
Beaches
While Boracay boasts of fine, white and powdery sand; the limited size of the island makes it a toss-up for me. Palawan is the largest island in the Philippines and as such, you have several options there although not all the beaches are as accessible. Boracay’s beaches usually have plenty of people regardless of the time of the year unless you stay in one of the exclusive resorts. In Palawan, the more popular beaches such as the one around Honda Bay are crowded as well although you can travel farther afield to find something more exclusive. The disadvantage in Palawan though is that the distance from beach to hotel is not always as close. In Boracay, it’s within walking distance. Cebu on the other hand, offers a balance between Boracay and Palawan. The beaches in Cebu are great as well (though not as fantastic as in Boracay or Palawan) and you can choose between the ones that are near upmarket hotels (such as in Mactan) or those farther afield.
Verdict: Toss-up between Boracay and Palawan. While Palawan certainly has more beaches, Boracay benefits from convenience and short distances between beach to hotel.
Food
I will have to hand it to Cebu for this aspect. The island is one of the Philippines’ recognized culinary centers and trip to Cebu is definitely incomplete without having a taste of Cebu lechon (suckling pig). Ask any Cebu resident and they’ll give you differing recommendations of where to have this much-loved pork dish. My personal favorite is Rico’s Lechon which conveniently has a branch in Mactan not far from the airport.
Cebu is also cosmopolitan enough to have international restaurants to cater to foodies. Jason Atherton’s Pig and the Palm is a place to try if you yearn for western cuisine.
Second in this list would have to be Boracay. The large tourist presence means that you can find a good number of restaurants dealing in various cuisines here though the bulk are, as in most of the provincial areas in the Philippines, either the seafood or grilled meats type or simple Italian like pizza/pasta. None of them seem to stand out though. Boracay is second among the three in this list largely due to options. In Palawan, the food is largely the grilled meat/seafood type with restaurants in Puerto Princesa such as Kalui or Kinabuchs as decent options. Surprisingly for most visitors, you can still find some decent Vietnamese restaurants here – a result of Vietnamese refugees who moved to the island during the Vietnam War.
Verdict: Cebu for food.
Accommodation
It’s a toss-up between Boracay and Cebu but I’ll probably hand it to Cebu in this aspect. The island has a good enough balance between fine, luxury resorts, mid-range options as well as budget lodging to cater to every segment. In Cebu, you have award-winning establishments such as the Shangri-la Mactan Resort & Spa, Radisson Blu, Movenpick and Marco Polo have established their own bases in Cebu. Boracay has one international chain – the Shangri-la with a number of local premium hotels while Palawan is dominated by family-run hotels and smaller local upmarket hotels except for El Nido where you can also find luxury resorts.
Verdict: Cebu, for the variety of accommodations available.
Scenery
Palawan is undoubtedly the most scenic of the lot. With unimaginably picturesque spots at almost every turn, the island is a photographer’s paradise. You have turquoise waters, limestone rock formations rising up from the sea as well as mountain peaks. Cebu has also emerged in recent years for newly discovered scenic spots that include canyons, blue lagoons and hidden waterfalls. Boracay is a flat island so there is not much in the way of scenery aside from the beach and the sea.
Verdict: Palawan is the clear winner in terms of scenery.
Weather
Palawan lies outside of the typhoon belt which makes it a safe bet to visit even during the rainy season. Annual precipitation is also lower here than in other places in the Philippines. Elsewhere, Cebu gets occassional storms and the same is the case for Boracay.
Verdict: Palawan has the most pleasant weather of the lot.
Nightlife
Boracay clearly leads in this aspect. It’s already known as a party island among locals and the proximity of the bars to the beach makes the island a popular hangout spot among party animals. Nightlife venues range from beach bars to clubs. Palawan is perhaps the least party-friendly of the lot though you can find bars and watering holes around Puerto Princesa City as well as in beach towns like El Nido.
Verdict: Boracay leads in terms of nightlife
Attractions
Boracay, as a beach island, doesn’t have much in terms of attractions so it boils down to either Cebu or Palawan. Between the two, I would say it’s hard to compare the quality of attractions given that Cebu is more known for cultural sights while most folks go to Palawan for the natural ones. Top places to go in Cebu include the Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro and the Taoist Temple although natural attractions such as Kawasan Falls and Osmena Peak have been making their rounds in social media recently. In Palawan, top places to go include the Underground River, the limestone rock formations in El Nido and the islands around Honda Bay. Palawan is also a great place for diving – Tubbataha Reef which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is part of Palawan province.
Verdict: It depends on what you are after. Go to Cebu for cultural (as well as some natural attractions) but go to Palawan for truly spectacular natural attractions.
Where to Stay in Boracay, Palawan and Cebu
In Palawan, I stayed at Microtel by Wyndham Puerto Princesa. Among the hotels within the city, this is one of the few with a beachfront and their twin bedders can easily fit four people.
In Boracay, the Shangri-la’s Boracay Resort and Spa is the only true luxury chain hotel in the entire island. It also boasts private transfers directly from Caticlan where the airport is located.
In Cebu, it depends on whether you’re looking for a city hotel or a resort. The Radisson Blu Cebu is generally recognized as one of the best hotels in the city. In nearby Mactan, the Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa is a top draw for beach goers.
Do you agree with my choices above? Let me know your thoughts!
Kanika Bakshi says
I would prefer Palwan as i like to be close to nature and Palwan offers just that. Thanks for an informative blog, with great photos as well. Planning to visit the Philippines next year with my partner, would like to go to Cebu and Palwan both. Anyways good blog, keep sharing.
Julio Ledesma IV says
If privacy and solitude is what one seeks -as I do- and cost is no object- the ne plus ultra island resort to indulge in is Amanpulo. Yes, it is operated by the Aman Group. That I guess says it all. Its been consistently selected by Conde Naste and their ilk as among the best of the best. You pay for what you get. Cheers
Luis Ghivelder says
There was one very important point missing: underwater diving. Which island is best ??
Bino says
Good question. I am not a diver myself so I can’t say. Any divers out there willing to share their thoughts?
James Dozer says
Thanks for this, bud! I’m trying to plan a trip for early next year. I’m thinking Cebu will have a good mix of everything I’m looking for.
MIKE says
Im planning Cebu too in December 2018…i was.in manila in march..loved it…but want an island this time
Anda Marin says
Hi ! I will be traveling to Philippines in April 2019, together with my 10 year old daughter. We like to explore nature and see natural beautiful places . Where will you recommend us to go Palawan or Cebu ? we would also like to dive and maybe island hopping ( Kalanggaman island close to Cebu I head that is amazing) . Thank you
SANDY says
I’M GOING FOR 9-10 DAYS AND WANTED TO VISIT BORACAY, CEBU, PALAWAN, EL NIDO, MAYBE CORON BUT NOT SURE WHERE ABOUTS TO START. I ARRIVE IN CEBU AND FLY OUT OF MANILA. COULD YOU RECOMMEND WHERE TO START AND END MY JOURNEY. I PREFER TO FLY BETWEEN THE ISLANDS FOR THE CONVENIENCE.
THANKS
Lise says
I’m going for a full 20 days (24 with transportation) and I’have decided to visit Bohol and Cebu only. Even if you fly between islands, you should abandon few destinations if you want to see something and not be permanently on-the-go trip.
Ginny says
Hey! Thank you for so much detail comparing the islands! I have been trying to figure out which two to visit and your clear cut descriptions nailed it!! Thank you!!!
Jen solin says
What is there to do on puerto galarda . Is this a nice island to visit and is it ok in may
barry says
puerto galerra is GOOD FOR DIVING MANTA RAYS ETC some dive spots can be reached from the shore is you have a reasonable amount of fitness .