Top 5 best scooter rentals on Palawan island

Palawan doesn't feel like one destination so much as a string of them, and a scooter is what stitches it together. Wake up in Puerto Princesa, ride out to Sabang Beach for the boat into the Underground River, and be back in town in time for dinner. Or base yourself in El Nido and let a scooter carry you north along the coast to Nacpan Beach, two kilometres of white sand with barely another traveller in sight. This is the kind of freedom that makes people fall for Palawan — not ticking off a single sight, but stringing together a whole day of them on your own clock.

Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Coron are all small, spread-out towns where the interesting stuff sits just far enough away to rule out walking, but close enough that a car or van feels like overkill. Roads here are mostly quiet, single-lane and easy to read, which makes them forgiving even for riders who aren't used to Southeast Asian traffic. A scooter also frees you from the fixed schedule of an island-hopping tour van — if a beach is empty and beautiful, you can just stay.

Top 10 things to see in Palawan by scooter

1. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park — the UNESCO-listed Underground River, Palawan's signature ride, about 1.5–2 hours from the city.
2. Nagtabon Beach — a quiet white-sand beach west of Puerto Princesa, a favourite scooter day trip.
3. Kayangan Lake — Coron's turquoise showpiece, reached by a short ride and boat hop.
4. Twin Lagoon — a scenic stop on Coron's coastal and island-hopping routes.
5. Nacpan Beach and Twin Beach — a long, near-empty stretch of sand 45–60 minutes north of El Nido town.
6. Las Cabanas Beach — an easy sunset ride from El Nido with a well-loved viewpoint above it.
7. Taraw Cliff Viewpoint — the hike is steep, but the ride and parking spot below are a popular scooter stop for panoramic bay views.
8. Sabang Beach — your jump-off point for the Underground River, with a pretty coastal ride along the way.
9. Estrella Falls — a jungle waterfall near Puerto Princesa, a nice change of pace from the beach routes.
10. Coron-Busuanga coastal roads toward Maquinit Hot Spring — a scenic ride ending in a soak with sea views.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Palawan?

You'll need a driving licence with a motorcycle entitlement — a car-only licence isn't enough, even for a small automatic scooter. Minimum legal driving age is 18, though some shops set the bar higher for bigger machines. A foreign licence in English is valid for up to 90 days from arrival, so carry your passport or entry stamp as proof; after that, or if your licence isn't in English, you'll need an International Driving Permit. Shops typically ask for a deposit, often held as your passport, though a cash deposit or copy can usually be negotiated instead.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Palawan?

Average low-season rates run around 300 PHP a day for a semi-automatic 125cc scooter, rising to 500–800 PHP a day in high season. Better-maintained or larger automatic scooters go for 800–1,200+ PHP a day.

• Prices are lowest from June to October, during the wet season.
• Rates climb from November onward and peak December to April, especially around the December–January holidays.
• El Nido and Coron tend to run a little higher than Puerto Princesa itself.

When to book a rental scooter in Palawan?

December to February is the sweet spot — dry, cooler, and the most popular stretch of the year, so it pays to book ahead. High season also covers Holy Week in March or April. If you'd rather ride the coast without the crowds and don't mind the odd shower, June to October brings the low season and the softest prices, though it's also typhoon season, so keep an eye on the forecast.

Local traffic rules in Palawan

Traffic drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for rider and passenger alike, and it needs to carry an ICC/PS safety mark — rental shops will supply one. Speed limits scale down fast as roads get busier: around 80 km/h on open country roads, 40 km/h on clear through streets, dropping to 30 km/h in town and just 20 km/h near schools and blind corners. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%, and handheld phone use while riding is banned outright, even at a stoplight. Beyond that, just ride at a relaxed pace — Palawan's roads reward patience far more than speed.

Most of our scooter rentals in Palawan come from operators with years of experience, and they'll hand you a well-kept scooter, a proper helmet and honest, friendly service. If you want to rent a scooter in Palawan, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!