Renting a Car in Palawan: My Experience and Driving Tips

Renting a car in Palawan was something I researched before our trip. I liked the idea of travelling at our own pace, but I wasn’t sure what to expect from the roads, the booking process, or the pickup arrangements.

We booked a Nissan Navara through Rent a Car Palawan and drove from Puerto Princesa to El Nido in March 2026. Booking and hotel delivery were straightforward, and the roads were better than I’d expected. There were still a few things worth preparing for, from cash payments to documenting the car’s condition.

Here’s what I learned, including why I could have skipped the extra cost of 4WD and how a video at pickup helped resolve a question about damage at drop-off.

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My Experience Booking a Car in Palawan

I booked our Nissan Navara through Rent a Car Palawan, and the process was straightforward. Once I selected the type of vehicle I wanted, I could easily check availability on the calendar, choose between 2WD and 4WD, and select my pickup and drop-off locations.

For my booking, a 20% deposit was required online, with the remaining rental balance payable in cash when the vehicle was delivered.

Did We Need 4WD?

I selected 4WD and paid the extra because I had no idea what the roads would be like in Palawan. At the time, it felt worth it for the peace of mind.

We travelled to Palawan in March 2026, during the dry season in the Philippines, which generally runs from November to May. March is typically one of the drier months, making it a great time for a road trip, with less rainfall and generally better road conditions.

During our trip, we didn’t experience a single day of rain, and the roads between Puerto Princesa and El Nido were perfectly manageable.

Looking back, I wouldn’t have paid extra for 4WD. A regular 2WD vehicle would have been perfectly fine for our entire route, and we could have saved some money on the rental.

Of course, that reflects our experience during the dry season. If you’re travelling during the rainy season (roughly June to October), exploring more remote areas, or staying somewhere with an unpaved access road, road conditions may be different.

My advice: If you’re planning a similar Puerto Princesa to El Nido road trip during the dry season, I wouldn’t automatically pay extra for 4WD. Just confirm the road conditions with your accommodation or rental provider if you’re planning to venture off the main highway.

Pickup in Puerto Princesa: Delivered to Our Hotel

I arranged to pick up the car in Puerto Princesa, and the local rental provider brought it straight to our hotel.

Communication was very easy through WhatsApp. We confirmed the date and time beforehand, and he showed up as expected. Having the vehicle delivered meant we didn’t have to arrange another journey to collect it.

The booking emails explained that practical arrangements were handled directly with the local rental provider. That included pickup, drop-off, and changes to our arrival or meeting time.

I saved his contact details before travelling, and I recommend doing the same. If you need to communicate with the rental provider within 72 hours of your pickup, make sure to use WhatsApp rather than email. It’s a much better way to get a quick response and avoid any last-minute miscommunication.

Payment, Security Deposit, and Documents

Before pickup, I received a final confirmation showing the remaining amount to pay on-site. Having that figure in advance made it easier to prepare.

These were the main arrangements for my rental:

Item	My experience
Online booking deposit	20% paid when booking
Remaining rental balance	Payable in cash at pickup
Passport and security deposit	Passport photocopy plus ₱10,000
Driving documents	French-language licence and an International Driving Permit obtained before departure
Insurance	Coverage confirmed with my credit card provider
Mileage	Unlimited under my rental terms
Fuel	Return with the same amount as at pickup

These were the terms for my booking, so confirm the details for your own dates and vehicle.

Have Your Philippine Pesos Ready

Make sure you have enough Philippine pesos (PHP) in cash when you pick up the car. Account for both the remaining rental balance and the security deposit if you choose the passport-copy option.

There are ATMs in Puerto Princesa, but your card or the machine may limit how much you can withdraw in one transaction or day. Plan accordingly instead of leaving the full withdrawal until just before your pickup appointment.

ATMs aren’t available everywhere in Palawan, especially in more remote areas. Think ahead about the cash you’ll need along your route, too, rather than assuming you can withdraw money at every stop.

Keep Your Original Passport

One thing I strongly recommend is never leaving your original passport with a rental provider. Your passport is one of your most important travel documents, and I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable handing it over to someone else for the duration of a road trip.

Instead, I chose to provide a photocopy of my passport and a ₱10,000 security deposit, which allowed me to keep my original passport with me at all times.

I prepared the photocopy before pickup, so everything was ready when I collected the car. And if you’re worried about getting your deposit back, I had absolutely no issues receiving the full ₱10,000 back when we returned the vehicle.

Insurance and Driving Documents

Before departure, I confirmed my rental-car insurance coverage with my credit card provider. If you plan to do the same, check the coverage for your specific booking rather than assuming that every vehicle and rental arrangement qualifies.

Because my driver’s licence is in French, I also obtained an International Driving Permit before leaving. That was how I prepared for my trip; check the current driving-document requirements that apply to your own licence before travelling.

My Biggest Pickup Tip: Take a Video of the Entire Car

At pickup, I signed the final documents and took a detailed walk-around video of the vehicle. That simple step ended up saving me from a potential dispute when I returned the car.

At drop-off, we noticed a cracked light that I hadn’t spotted during the initial handover. Thankfully, the damage was clearly visible in my pickup video.

Your phone automatically records the date and time of your videos, making it easy to document the vehicle’s condition. I simply took a screenshot showing the existing damage and sent it to the rental provider by text. That was enough to clear things up, with no additional charges.

Even if everything looks fine, don’t skip this step. My video captured something I had completely missed in person, and I was very glad to have that proof when it mattered.

Between recording the car’s condition, checking directions and messaging the rental provider, your phone has plenty to do; my travel tech essentials guide includes the power bank and charger I travel with.

What Was Driving in Palawan Like?

You drive on the right-hand side of the road in Palawan. Along our route from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, I found the road conditions generally good, but there were several things that required attention.

Towns and Villages Required More Patience

Driving through towns and villages was busier, with more traffic and tricycles moving between lanes. This was where defensive driving mattered most: leaving space, watching what other road users were doing, and anticipating that someone might move into my path.

Drive smoothly and make your movements predictable. Avoid sudden manoeuvres, and give yourself enough time that you don’t feel rushed through the busier stretches.

The Highway Was Good, but Lanes Could End Abruptly

Once we reached the highway, the road was very nice. However, the right-hand lane sometimes ended or narrowed quite abruptly, without much warning.

We also saw parts of the road being used by locals to dry crops. Even on an otherwise straightforward stretch, I needed to stay aware of what was ahead and be ready to slow down.

Watch for Landslide Debris

We noticed landslide debris along some stretches, and those areas weren’t always clearly marked or secured. Approach these sections carefully and give any obstruction plenty of room. This was another reason to stay attentive, even when the drive otherwise felt easy.

Overall, nothing on our route made me feel we needed 4WD in the dry conditions we had. The bigger consideration was paying attention to traffic and changes along the road.

Mileage and Fuel: Two Simple Details to Confirm

My rental included unlimited mileage, so there was no distance allowance to keep track of. The fuel policy was to return the car with the same amount of fuel as at pickup. Take a photo of the gauge during the handover so you have a reference when preparing to return it.

These details are easy to overlook when comparing daily rates, but they’re worth checking before you book.

Does Renting a Car in Palawan Make Sense for Your Trip?

Think about how often you’ll actually use the vehicle.

If you’re travelling between several places and want control over your departure times and stops, a rental gives you that flexibility. If you’re staying in one place and spending most days on boat tours, you may end up paying for a car that sits parked.

Having a car also made it easy to fit Honda Bay island hopping into our route between Puerto Princesa and Sabang. We could stop at the wharf, arrange a private boat and continue north afterwards.

Compare the full rental cost with the transfers you would otherwise need. Include fuel, any pickup or drop-off fees, and days when you won’t drive.

For an example of how to spread out your stops, my Philippines 3-week itinerary includes the route I followed through Puerto Princesa, Sabang, Port Barton and El Nido before continuing by boat to Coron.

If your itinerary continues with an El Nido to Coron boat expedition, arrange to return your car before departure so you only pay for the rental during the land portion of your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Car in Palawan

Do you need a 4WD to drive from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?

We didn’t need one on the route we drove in March 2026. I paid extra for 4WD, but with no rain and good road conditions during our trip, a 2WD would have been sufficient. Check any access roads specific to your accommodation before choosing.

Can you have a rental car delivered to your hotel?

That’s what I arranged in Puerto Princesa. We confirmed the time and location through WhatsApp, and the provider delivered the vehicle to our hotel as expected. Confirm availability and any delivery fee for your chosen location.

Can you pay the remaining rental balance by credit card?

My confirmation required the remaining balance to be paid in cash at pickup. The 20% booking deposit was paid online. Have enough Philippine pesos ready and check the payment terms for your reservation.

Did you have to leave your passport?

No. I used the alternative offered for my rental: a passport photocopy plus a ₱10,000 security deposit. That allowed me to keep my original passport.

What I’d Keep in Mind Before Booking Again

The booking process, WhatsApp communication, and hotel delivery were straightforward in my experience. Our drive also showed me that I hadn’t needed to pay extra for 4WD for that particular route and weather.

My most useful advice is to prepare your cash and documents ahead of time, confirm arrangements directly with the local provider, and record the car carefully at pickup.

That last step took only a little time, but when the cracked light came up at drop-off, I was very glad I had done it.