Every year, millions of Israelis search for the perfect tropical destination: White beaches, reasonable prices, and a relaxed atmosphere. Thailand is always the first place that comes to mind, but the truth is that the country has become a victim of its own success – too many tourists, too much noise, and too much commercialization.
What most people don’t know is that there’s an island in the Philippines that competes with Thailand on every parameter – but without the downsides. We’re talking about Palawan – a destination that manages to preserve its true tropical charm.
The best proof of a destination’s quality is the opinion of travelers who have visited both places. In the large travel groups online, there’s an ongoing debate comparing Palawan to Thailand’s popular beaches – and every time, the Philippine island comes out on top.
“I felt like Palawan is what Thailand used to be a decade ago,” says a seasoned traveler. “The same natural beauty, just without the commercial tourism and inflated prices.” Other travelers highlight the dramatic difference in crowd sizes – while Thailand’s beaches are packed, in Palawan you can find entire stretches that are almost empty.
Prices That Will Make Your Wallet Happy
One of Palawan’s biggest advantages is its pricing structure, which suits Israeli travelers perfectly. A beer in a local store costs just 3.1 NIS, and at a bar only 4.4 NIS – prices that allow you to enjoy your vacation without counting every shekel. In comparison, prices in Thailand are no longer what they used to be, and in the more popular tourist areas they can be much higher.
Temperatures on the island stay around 31°C most of the year, creating ideal conditions for a tropical vacation. Combined with the low costs, Palawan becomes a winning destination for a long and relaxing holiday.
The Nature Thailand Lost?
What truly sets Palawan apart is its untouched nature. While Thailand still has beauty, most of the popular areas have already undergone massive development. Palawan still offers a truly natural experience – beaches untouched by overdevelopment, rich marine life unaffected by party tourism, and an atmosphere of genuine discovery.
El Nido, for example, offers something that’s hard to find in Thailand today: A combination of breathtaking beauty with true tranquility. The limestone cliffs and turquoise lagoons create landscapes that resemble the Thailand of old – only without the crowds of tourists and buzzing longtail boats.
World-Class Attractions
Palawan doesn’t rely only on its beaches. The island offers experiences that are hard to find anywhere else in the world: An eight-kilometer-long underground river recognized as one of the natural wonders of the world, coral reefs considered among the best diving sites globally, and nature parks that are home to rare wildlife.
Unlike many of Thailand’s natural attractions that have been damaged by overtourism, the sites in Palawan are still preserved and protected. That means the experience is more authentic, more intimate, and less commercial.
Why Now?
Like every amazing natural destination, Palawan won’t stay a secret forever. Numbers already show an increase in tourism, and the more people discover it, the more it may go the way of Thailand. Now is the perfect time to experience the island while it still maintains its authenticity.
The Downside? Accessibility
Getting to Palawan requires a bit more planning than a direct flight to Thailand, but it’s absolutely worth it. There are no direct flights from Israel to Palawan, so you’ll need to connect through Manila (the capital of the Philippines) or via other Asian cities.
The most common route is a flight from Israel to Manila with a layover in a European destination or Dubai, followed by a domestic flight to Puerto Princesa – Palawan’s main airport. The internal flight in the Philippines is relatively cheap and takes about an hour and a half.
Alternatively, you can fly to other Asian cities like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur and continue to Manila from there. Total travel time can be anywhere from 15 to 20 hours depending on connections, but once you arrive – it’s worth every minute.