{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/philippines/palawan","updatedAt":"2026-09-30T13:39:17.188Z","place":{"city":"Palawan","country":"Philippines","countryCode":"PH","lat":11.0798978,"lon":120.9373422},"safety":{"score":68,"level":"SAFE","answer":"Yes — generally safe","saferThanPctOfCountries":69,"confidence":0.65,"caps":[],"databaseScore":65,"travellerSentiment":{"score":84,"label":"Mostly positive","summary":"Recent visitor reports describe feeling safe during day-to-day activities, particularly in tourist zones like El Nido and Coron, with concerns focused on environmental degradation rather than personal threat.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":78,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":92,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":78,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":64,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":84,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":72,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":55,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":75,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"U.S. Department of State","level":2,"label":"Exercise Increased Caution","updated":"Thu, 08 May 2025","url":"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/philippines-travel-advisory.html"},{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":3,"label":"Advises against all travel to parts of the country","updated":"2026-07-15T08:55:25Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/philippines"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":2,"label":"Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)","updated":"2026-09-25T07:02:51.804176-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/philippines"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":4.34759149828352,"display":"4.3 / 100k","year":"2023","score":70,"source":"World Bank Open Data"},{"key":"crime_major_constraint","label":"Crime seen as a major business constraint","value":3.5,"display":"3.5%","year":"2015","score":89,"source":"World Bank Enterprise Surveys"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":0.8562599650464408,"display":"0.86 / million","year":"2021","score":75,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"road_deaths","label":"Road traffic deaths","value":9.7,"display":"9.7 / 100k","year":"2021","score":67,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":52.6707116,"display":"53/100","year":"2024","score":53,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":47.0863157,"display":"47/100","year":"2024","score":47,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":36.1832247,"display":"36/100","year":"2024","score":36,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":54.1505555,"display":"54/100","year":"2024","score":54,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":56.113404,"display":"56/100","year":"2024","score":56,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":50.6282195,"display":"51/100","year":"2024","score":51,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"numbeo_crime_index","label":"Crime index (crowdsourced)","value":43.4,"display":"43.4 / 100","year":null,"score":62,"source":"Numbeo Crime Index"},{"key":"violence_victimization","label":"Physical assault (past year)","value":5,"display":"5.0%","year":"2017","score":76,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"sexual_violence","label":"Sexual violence (past year)","value":2,"display":"2.0%","year":"2017","score":77,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"human_trafficking_victims","label":"Detected human-trafficking victims","value":1.58,"display":"1.58 / 100k","year":"2024","score":71,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"bribery_contact_rate","label":"Bribery during public-official contact","value":5.5,"display":"5.5%","year":"2019","score":87,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":37,"display":"US AQI 37 · Good","year":null,"score":92,"source":"Open-Meteo Air Quality"},{"key":"health","label":"Travel health notices","value":null,"display":"3 global notices","year":null,"score":92,"source":"CDC Travelers' Health"},{"key":"hospitals","label":"Hospitals nearby","value":9.694613786,"display":"10 beds / 10k · country avg","year":"2021","score":48,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":30,"display":"September: highs ~30°C · wet spell","year":null,"score":92,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":0,"display":"No active alerts · 25 quakes ≥M4.5 past yr","year":null,"score":76,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":2,"display":"Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution · 2 govts","year":null,"score":50,"source":"CA / US"}],"healthNotices":[{"level":"Alert","title":"Global Polio","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/global-polio"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Dengue","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/dengue-global"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Measles","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe"}],"hazardAlerts":[],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"Yes — Palawan is generally safe for travelers who exercise normal precautions, though petty crime and occasional civil unrest linked to mining protests require vigilance.","summary":"Palawan benefits from relatively low violent crime and strong environmental health scores, but visitors should guard against pickpocketing in crowded areas and stay informed about localized protests. The region avoids the insurgency risks seen in Mindanao, making it one of the safer parts of the Philippines for tourists.","robberyRisk":{"level":"Low","note":"Armed robbery against visitors is rare but can occur in isolated areas after dark; avoid deserted beaches and poorly lit roads at night."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Pickpocketing and bag-snatching happen in Puerto Princesa’s public markets, jeepney terminals, and crowded ferry docks; remain alert in crowds."},"safeAreas":["El Nido Town","Coron Town","Port Barton"],"avoidAreas":["Brooke’s Point (due to protest-related unrest)","Balabac (due to smuggling and banditry risks)"],"scams":["Overpriced tours or gear rentals from unlicensed operators","Fake 'donation' requests at environmental or indigenous rights protests"],"zones":[{"name":"Puerto Princesa City Proper","level":"caution","note":"Urban center with moderate crime; petty theft and scams target tourists, especially at night."},{"name":"El Nido Town","level":"safe","note":"Popular tourist hub with strong police presence; low violent crime but watch for overcharging and reef damage from tours."},{"name":"Coron Town","level":"safe","note":"Well-developed tourism infrastructure; generally safe but occasional reports of unlicensed guides and boat overcrowding."},{"name":"San Vicente (Long Beach area)","level":"caution","note":"Emerging destination with limited lighting and patrols; petty theft possible after dark on isolated stretches."},{"name":"Brooke’s Point","level":"avoid","note":"Site of active anti-mining protests and tensions; risk of civil unrest and confrontations between locals and authorities."},{"name":"Taytay","level":"caution","note":"Quieter town with occasional drug-related incidents; avoid isolated areas after dark and unverified transport offers."},{"name":"Balabac","level":"avoid","note":"Remote southern tip with minimal police presence; smuggling and occasional banditry reported; not recommended for independent travel."},{"name":"Port Barton","level":"safe","note":"Relaxed backpacker spot with community-based tourism; low crime but limited medical facilities—carry basic supplies."}]}}