Trip Details

Palawan Culture Week

This Culture Week is the perfect add-on to your volunteering project!

If you’re travelling to the Philippines to volunteer with us, why not go all out and book our Palawan Culture Week!  Here, you’ll get a true taste of Filipino life, culture and cuisine, as we take you to some of the best sites in Palawan! Find peaceful beaches, bustling markets – and even underground rivers all as part of our package. Transport to each location, accommodation, meals and beverages are all included so you can relax! Moreover, you’ll still have plenty of time in the evenings to do a little exploring of your own.

Grab yourself a little bit of Palawan Sun, Fun and Culture!

On this cultural extravaganza, you’ll taste authentic cuisine and even try your skills at cooking traditional Filipino dishes. And to help you blend in, you’ll even have some language classes! Of course, you can’t come to a tropical island and not pencil in some serious beach time! So, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do some swimming, snorkelling and chillaxing on some of the most beautiful beaches around!

Immerse yourself in a Friendly Filipino Community

Your accommodation is important too, of course! And on this week, you’ll be located at our modest beach-front accommodation in a small rural village. Get to know locals and new friends alike and enjoy our activity nights, especially for our guests (that’s you!). If you’re travelling alone, you’ll make friends quickly here, and be able to use our communal areas for socialising and planning your own excursions. Truly, our Palawan Culture Week will give you a taste of things to come before you start your volunteering week!

Why Book our Palawan Culture Week?

  • Enjoy a unique Filipino experience, and immerse yourself in their way of life
  • Discover the real Palawan, its history, its people and its culture
  • Make new friends and get a feel for the area before you start your volunteer week
  • Get a taste for Filipino cuisine with meals and beverages* included

*tea, coffee and drinking water

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

You’ll arrive on Sunday, and have plenty of time to settle into your accommodation ahead of your exciting Palawan Culture Week!

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to learn about your surroundings and the local culture.

Orientation Schedule

  • Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents.
  • Philippino Do’s and Don’ts, Philippino Culture Lessons and Philippino Language Lessons.
  • Tour around the compound and local area; where to find local shops, and arrange a sim-card if necessary.
  • Lunch
  • Workshop: Weaving Coconut leaves or broom making
  • Philippine Cooking Classes & Welcome Dinner

Tuesday

A delicious breakfast at the accommodation centre kickstarts this day packed with activities. During the morning session, you’ll be given a Filipino Language Lesson to help you interact with the locals while you’re staying at Palawan. Just before lunch, you’ll take part in a clean-up drive around the village plaza. Therefater, you’ll have a craft session to make your own souvenir bracelet, and a cooking class. Cooking class is next, and this will extend into dinner, giving you an excellent experience of the delicious cuisine.

Wednesday

Today entails a trip after to the beautiful city of Puerto Princesa. Home to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a Butterfly Garden and the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, there’ll be plenty of sights and sounds to capture your interests as you explore the city. Taking lunch at Puerto Princesa, your afternoon will then move on with a visit to the Palawan Museum – the perfect place to learn about the history of the area (and there’s a lot of it!) Then, there’ll be time to shop at Robinson’s Mall in Palawan before returning to the accommodation centre for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Thursday

You’ll need your cozzie/trunks today as your tour of the area takes you sightseeing around Nara. Spend some free time at a stunning waterfall location, where you have a cool dip. Back at the accommodation, you’ll be introduced to our various projects before dinner.

Friday

Off to a nearby island today, to give you the chance to swim, bathe and snorkel! After lunch, you’ll learn about your chosen project and what you’ll be doing. Finally, before dinner, you’ll have the chance to share your views on the week’s activities, asking questions and sharing any suggestions for improvements.

Saturday

Sadly, today is departure day if you are leaving us. Alternatively, you’ll have free time to explore, relax and hang out with other participants if you’re staying on.

Evenings and Weekends

After your day of adventure, you can choose to further explore the area or simply relax with your new-found friends.

Please note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Places to Visit

Coron Bay

Fancy a dive? Found at the northwest of Palawan (between Busuanga and Culion islands) is known for being one of the best wreck diving locations in the world.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Located 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa and has recently been voted one of the new 7 wonders of nature. Don’t miss this beautiful park – public transport is available to take you there, and the journey itself is worth the visit!

Trip Accommodation

During your Kindergarten Volunteer programme in Palawan, Philippines, you will be staying in Tigman Village in the Aborlan District, which is a small and laid back area just outside of Puerto Princesa City. Palawan is a special island dotted with fishing villages and plenty of beautiful places for you to explore.

About the Accommodation

Our accommodation is in keeping with the area, built with many natural elements and with a tropical beach at your feet! Here, you’ll have a single-gender dorm-style room with bunk beds, although private rooms are available, subject to availability.

You’ll be doing your own washing, so get practising now if this is something that is normally done for you:) However, there is a laundry service here, too, which you can use for a small fee, if prefered.  You will be living like a local with basic facilities including “bucket showers.” – not really a hardship in this good weather! Due to our tropical setting, WiFi service may not be what you are used to at home, but it is available. However, we recommend purchasing your own local SIM card if you want to stay connected throughout the day.

Importantly, please be advised that due to jellyfish in the water, it is unlikely that you will be able to swim at the beach close by the accommodation. There is an area near the river or on the other side of the village, which is about a 15 minute walk away, where you will be able to enjoy a cool dip more safely.

Food Arrangements

Filipino cuisine is utterly delish, and you’ll have the chance to try cooking some authentic food of your own whilst you’re here. The food will consist mainly of local cuisine (lots of vegetables, meat, egg and rice) and you will have three meals per day served to you through the week, with two meals at the weekends (brunch and dinner).

Facilities

There are many forms of local transportation such as jeepneys, buses and vans which depart every hour to the town of Aborlan or to the next town Narra.

Further, you’ll find ATM’s & Western Union transfers available in the town of Nara, which is about 30 minutes away by car. Here, you can also find all necessary amenities.

Activities & Events

Tuesday Night

Join us for a fun night under the stars, with a Bonfire and plenty of great banter!

Thursday Night

You don’t have to have a great singing voice to take part in a musical trip down memory lane. In fact, it’s the ones who can’t sing who make our evenings the most fun:)

 

Trip Country Info

Philippines

Capital: Manila
Language: Filipino
Currency: Peso (PHP)
Time zone: PST (UTC +8)

The Philippines is made up of a total of 7,107 islands, only 2000 of which are inhabited. The islands are broadly categorised under 3 main geographical divisions: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It is the 7th most populated country in Asia and the 12th most in the world.

As a newly industrialised country, the Philippine economy which was once founded upon its agriculture is now moving towards an economy based on services and manufacturing.

It is unsurprising that the Philippines attracts tourists due to its incredibly rich biodiversity found across its islands. The mountains, rainforests and diving spots as well as its impressive cultural heritage all add to the reasons why the Philippines is such an incredible place to experience.

Climate
The Philippines experiences a tropical maritime climate meaning that it is normally hot and humid and there are 3 distinct seasons:

Hot, dry season from March to May
Rainy season from June to November
Cool, dry season from December to February
The southwest monsoon lasts from May to October and the dry monsoon in the northeast from November to April.

Temperatures in the Philippines normally range from 21°C to 32°C with the coolest month being January and the hottest, May. The yearly average is 26.6°C..

The Philippines sits on the typhoon belt and so most islands experience torrential rains and storms from July to October.

Culture
The Philippines is a secular state and stemming from its Spanish cultural influence and it is one of only two Roman Catholic countries in Asia. Its Christian population is at about 90%. The country displays a mixture of Eastern and Western culture. Whilst it undeniably preserves cultural aspects found elsewhere in Asia, its Hispanic influence is perhaps most noticeable especially in the architecture and names of streets, towns and provinces.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

Travel Insurance
Under 18, Parental Consent is Required

Additional Requirements

No requirements have been provided.

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa