Palawan Travel Guide: El Nido, Coron & Puerto Princesa

Palawan isn't one trip — it's a decision between three. El Nido is the easiest first base, where the lagoon-and-island scenery actually delivers what the photos promise. Coron is the more rugged, dive-focused alternative, with the WWII wrecks and the lakes that make it a different kind of trip. Puerto Princesa is the practical entry: cheapest flights, the Underground River, and the right starting point if you're taking the van north to El Nido. Not sure which to choose? See the El Nido vs Coron comparison. The mistake most first-time visitors make is trying to do all three in one short trip and losing half the days to ferries and vans. Pick one base, do it well, and add a second only if you've got the time.

How to Get to Palawan

Palawan has three airports and they're not interchangeable. Where you fly into determines the shape of the whole trip.

Puerto Princesa (PPS), the cheapest, most flexible option

The main Palawan airport. The widest range of airlines (Cebu Pacific, PAL, AirAsia), the most schedules, and the lowest fares.

• From Manila: Around 90 minutes in the air. Multiple daily flights.
• From Cebu: Direct, around 75 minutes. Less frequent.
• Airport to city: 10 to 20 minutes by tricycle or Grab.
• The catch: Puerto Princesa to El Nido is a 5 to 6 hour van. Plan it as a full travel day, not a side errand.

Lio Airport (ENI), fast access to El Nido

The small airport in El Nido itself, operated by Cebgo (formerly AirSWIFT). Faster but pricier. Since the March 2026 NAIA turboprop ban, direct flights no longer depart from Manila.

• From Clark or Cebu: Around 75 minutes on Cebgo. Fares are 2 to 3 times PPS fares.
• Airport to town: 15 to 25 minutes by shuttle or tricycle.
• The trade-off: Saves a full day on each end of the trip. Worth it if your trip is short or you value the time over the fare.

Busuanga (USU), the airport for Coron

About 30 to 45 minutes from Coron town by shared van or shuttle.

• From Clark and Cebu: PAL, Cebgo, and Sunlight Air run direct, around 75 minutes. No longer from Manila NAIA due to the turboprop ban.
• Airport to town: Shared vans (PHP 150 to 250) meet most flights.
• Only use this airport if Coron is the goal. There's no efficient way to get from Busuanga to El Nido by land.

Inter-Island: El Nido to Coron (or vice versa)

The fast ferry is the standard connection, run by a handful of operators including Montenegro Lines.

• Crossing time: 3.5 to 4 hours in good conditions.
• Fare: Around PHP 1,800 to 2,500 one way.
• Seasonal warning: June to September can see cancellations and rough crossings. Build a buffer day on the receiving end. Don't book a tight onward flight on the same day.
• Slower ferry alternative: Less common, takes 8+ hours, mostly for cargo and locals.
• Flying between them means going via Manila or Cebu, half a day of travel and significantly more expensive. The ferry is usually the better option.

Getting Around

• In El Nido town: Walkable. Tricycles for Corong-Corong, Nacpan, or the airport.
• In Coron town: Walkable. Tricycles or shuttles for anywhere outside town.
• In Puerto Princesa: Grab works in the city. Tricycles for shorter hops.
• Puerto Princesa to El Nido: Shared vans (Cherry, Eulen Joy, others) run from terminals like San Jose. PHP 600 to 900. Book a day ahead.
• Scooter rentals: PHP 400 to 700 per day. Useful in El Nido and Port Barton; not recommended in Puerto Princesa.

Where to Stay in Palawan: El Nido, Coron, Puerto Princesa, or Port Barton?

The bases pull in different directions and the transfers are long. Getting this right shapes the whole trip.

El Nido

The easiest first-timer base and the version of Palawan most photos promise. Lagoon tours (A and C are the standard pair), a walkable town with restaurants and bars, and Nacpan and Corong-Corong nearby for slower days. Stay in town for tour convenience, or Corong-Corong for quieter sunsets.

Typical spend

PHP 2,400 to 7,500 per day

• Best base for first-time Palawan visitors
• Tour A and Tour C cover the iconic scenery
• Walkable town with the widest food and bar range in Palawan
• Nacpan and Corong-Corong for slow days within easy reach

Coron (Busuanga)

The base for divers and travelers who want the lakes and WWII wrecks. The town itself is more functional than charming, but the day trips deliver: Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, and a dozen divable shipwrecks in the bay. A different feel from El Nido.

Typical spend

PHP 2,500 to 6,500 per day

• Best base for wreck diving and Coron's lake trips
• Kayangan, Barracuda, and Twin Lagoon all in one boat day
• Town is straightforward: most highlights are full-day boats
• Choose this over El Nido if diving is the main reason for the trip

Puerto Princesa

The practical entry point and a base in its own right only if the Underground River or Honda Bay is the draw. Cheapest flights, easiest logistics, but the city itself isn't where most Palawan trips happen. Best used as a one or two-night start or end of the trip.

Typical spend

PHP 1,700 to 4,500 per day

• Cheapest flights into Palawan from Manila and Cebu
• Underground River and Honda Bay are easy day trips
• Useful overnight before the long El Nido van
• Skip as a primary base: the highlights are short on time

Port Barton

The slow, less-developed alternative, roughly halfway between Puerto Princesa and El Nido by van. Quieter beaches, simpler island-hopping, fewer crowds, and almost no nightlife. Works as a 2-night reset in a longer trip; doesn't work as a main base on a short one.

Typical spend

PHP 1,200 to 3,500 per day

• Quieter, slower-paced than El Nido or Coron
• Simpler island-hopping day trips and emptier beaches
• Best as a 2-night stop between PPS and El Nido on a longer route
• Bring all the cash you need: ATMs are essentially nonexistent

Best Things to Do in Palawan on a First Trip

Palawan runs on boats. The activities are broadly the same across bases (island-hopping, snorkelling, lake swims, beach days), but the scenery, the crowds, and the trade-offs are different at each one. Here's what actually matters on a first trip.

El Nido Island-Hopping Tours (A, B, C, and D)

El Nido's tours are standardized. Every operator runs the same four routes, with the same general stops, at similar prices. The boats and the lunch quality vary; the itineraries don't. For a full stop-by-stop breakdown of all four routes, see the El Nido island-hopping tour comparison.

Tour A, the first-timer tour (most popular)

• Big Lagoon: The iconic emerald-green lagoon with sheer limestone walls. Kayak-only entry these days for the inner section.
• Small Lagoon: Reached through a narrow gap in the rock. Swim in or take a kayak.
• Secret Lagoon: A small pool behind a low limestone opening you swim through.
• Shimizu Island: Snorkel stop with reef and fish.
• 7 Commando Beach: Lunch stop, white sand, basic facilities.

This is the one to do if you only have time for one tour. Around PHP 1,200 to 1,500 shared.

Tour B, the quieter alternative

• Snake Island sandbar (walkable at low tide), Pinagbuyutan Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Pangulasian Island reefs. Less iconic than A or C; worth it on a longer trip if you want the islands less crowded.

Tour C, the second-most popular

• Hidden Beach: Reached through a small gap in the cliff.
• Secret Beach: Swim through a low arch into a hidden cove. Touristy but distinctive.
• Matinloc Shrine: Abandoned mid-century shrine with a viewpoint.
• Helicopter Island: Snorkel stop and beach lunch.
• Star Beach: Quick swim stop.

Around PHP 1,400 to 1,800 shared. The natural second tour after A.

Tour D, the skip-on-short-trips one

• Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Natnat Beach, Bukal Beach. Closer to town, more snorkel-focused. Best as a third tour if you have the time.

Tips for booking

• Most travelers book the day before through their hotel or a beach-front booth. Walk-ups are usually fine outside December peak.
• The El Nido Environmental Tax (ETDF) is around PHP 200, valid for 10 days. Your operator will arrange it.
• Private boat for any tour: PHP 8,000 to 15,000. Worth it if you have a group of 4+ and want flexibility on stops.
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag, water shoes, and a towel. Boats provide lunch and usually water; bring your own drink if you want anything else.

Coron's Big Three (and the Wrecks)

Coron's day-boat tours cover the lakes and snorkel stops. The wrecks are a separate dive-only trip.

Kayangan Lake

The most photographed spot in Coron. A short steep climb up wooden stairs to the famous viewpoint, then down to a deep, crystal-clear freshwater lake ringed by limestone. Crowded by 9:30am. Get on the first boat.

Twin Lagoon

Two connected saltwater lagoons separated by a limestone wall. Swim or wade through a small opening between them (depending on tide). Best done with the same boat as Kayangan.

Barracuda Lake

The freediver's lake: sudden thermoclines between cold and warm layers, unusual rock formations, and (occasionally) a single resident barracuda. Open water divers can dive here too.

Standard "Coron Loop" shared tour

The above three plus a couple of snorkel and beach stops (CYC Beach, Skeleton Wreck snorkel, Siete Pecados reef). Around PHP 1,400 to 2,100 plus the Coron Environmental Fee (~PHP 300) and per-site fees at each lake.

Wreck Diving

Coron Bay's WWII Japanese shipwrecks are the reason serious divers come north.

• Skeleton Wreck: The shallow, snorkelable one. Easy intro.
• Olympia Maru: Recreational dive at around 25m. Classic.
• Akitsushima: The deepest of the three. Guided dive or advanced cert recommended.
• Several others (Irako, Okikawa Maru, Kogyo Maru) round out the list.

A 2-tank dive day is around PHP 4,500 to 6,500 with a reputable shop. Multi-day packages drop the per-dive cost. Visibility is best November to May.

Where to Eat in Palawan

El Nido

The strongest food scene of the three main bases. Don't default to your hotel.

• Trattoria Altrove: Wood-fired pizza, busy from sunset onward. Worth knowing about.
• Republica Sunset Bar: Sunset cocktails over Corong-Corong beach. The view is the meal.
• Artcafé: Long-running cafe and restaurant, all-day menu, breakfast through dinner.
• Angel Wishes: Filipino classics in town. Cheap, generous portions.
• Happiness Beach Bar: Mediterranean-leaning menu, hummus and pita, popular.
• Carinderias along Calle Real: The cheap option. PHP 100 to 150 a plate.
• Las Cabañas Beach (Corong-Corong): Several beachfront grills for one good sunset dinner.

Coron

Smaller scene, but the seafood is the reason to come.

• Lobster King: The specialty: lobster, prawns, market-fresh fish. Touristy, fine, the experience.
• Sinugba sa Balay: Filipino grill, the local favorite for a proper sit-down.
• Altrove: Wood-fired pizza in town. Reliable.
• Coron Public Market: Fresh seafood by the kilo. Pick what you want and have it cooked at the back stalls. Cheapest fresh fish you'll eat in Palawan.

Puerto Princesa

The cheapest food of the three bases.

• Kalui Restaurant: The Puerto Princesa institution. Tasting-menu style Filipino seafood, set price, reservations needed. Bare feet required (it's a wooden-floor place).
• Ima's Gulay Bar: Vegetarian Filipino, healthy plates, popular.
• Badjao Seafront: Seafood on stilts over the water, family-friendly, sunset dinner option.
• Local carinderias and chaolong shops: Cheap and good. Chaolong (Vietnamese-style pho brought back by Vietnamese refugees decades ago) is a Puerto Princesa specialty. Try any of the small shops along Rizal Avenue.

Day Trips and Side Stops

If your base is set and you want one extra day, these are the options.

From Puerto Princesa

• Underground River (Sabang): Full day. 2 hours each way. Permit required, book through hotel. PHP 1,800 to 2,800 with tour and lunch.
• Honda Bay: Half to full day. Boat to 2 or 3 small islands (Cowrie, Starfish, Pandan, Luli depending on weather). Snorkel and beach. PHP 1,400 to 2,000.
• Nagtabon Beach: Quiet beach 45 minutes from city. DIY by tricycle or van.

From El Nido

• Nacpan Beach: 45 minutes by tricycle. 4km empty white-sand stretch. Half-day, easy. Round-trip tricycle PHP 1,500 to 2,000.
• Corong-Corong sunset: 5 minutes by tricycle from town. The standard sunset spot. Beach bars right on the sand.
• Inland Waterfall day trips: Less popular than the island tours but exist (Nagkalit-kalit Falls). Worth it on a 7+ day trip.

From Coron

• Calauit Safari Park: Half-day. Reticulated giraffes and zebras introduced from Kenya in the 1970s, now a working sanctuary on Calauit Island. About 2 hours from Coron town by van plus a short boat. Around PHP 3,500 to 5,000 for the day trip including transfer.
• Coron Town climb: Mount Tapyas has 700+ steps to a city-view summit. Free. Best at sunset.
• Maquinit Hot Springs: Saltwater hot spring 30 minutes from town. Evening option.

Port Barton and San Vicente (mainland route)

Port Barton is roughly 3.5 hours from Puerto Princesa and 3 to 4 hours from El Nido, a natural stop if you're driving the mainland route between them. Island-hopping is calmer here than El Nido: fewer boats, smaller beaches, less crowded snorkel sites. Two nights is enough.

San Vicente, another hour north of Port Barton, has Long Beach, a 14km stretch of undeveloped white sand that's one of the least crowded long beaches left in the Philippines. Stays are basic and the road can be rough, but it's growing fast. Worth a night if you want an empty beach and don't need much infrastructure.

Realistic Palawan Itineraries

There's no single "best" Palawan itinerary. The right one depends on how many days you have and whether you're combining bases.

5 Days, El Nido only

The simplest version of a Palawan trip.

• Day 1: Fly to Lio (or fly PPS + van to El Nido). Arrive, check in, sunset at Corong-Corong.
• Day 2: Tour A: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu, 7 Commando.
• Day 3: Tour C: Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Matinloc, Helicopter Island.
• Day 4: Slow day at Nacpan Beach. Tricycle out in the morning, come back for sunset.
• Day 5: Last morning in town, fly out from Lio (or van back to PPS for an evening flight).

6 Days, El Nido + Puerto Princesa

Adds the Underground River and uses PPS for the cheaper flights.

• Day 1: Arrive Puerto Princesa. Settle in, Kalui dinner.
• Day 2: Underground River day trip.
• Day 3: Van to El Nido (5–6 hours). Arrive afternoon, settle in.
• Day 4: Tour A.
• Day 5: Tour C, or a Nacpan day if you want it slower.
• Day 6: Last morning, fly out (from Lio if budget allows, or van back to PPS).

8 Days, El Nido + Coron

The combined northern trip. Build in the buffer day.

• Day 1: Fly into Lio. Arrive El Nido, settle in.
• Day 2: Tour A.
• Day 3: Tour C.
• Day 4: Nacpan or Tour B for a quieter day.
• Day 5: Fast ferry to Coron (3.5–4 hours, full transfer day).
• Day 6: Coron Loop: Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake.
• Day 7: Wreck dive day, or Calauit Safari, or Mt Tapyas + Maquinit Hot Springs.
• Day 8: Last morning, fly out from Busuanga.

9 Days, the full Palawan loop

Adds Puerto Princesa and Port Barton to the 8-day route. Best for travelers who want the full picture and are okay with two long transfers.

• Day 1: Arrive Puerto Princesa. Underground River day trip.
• Days 2–3: Van to Port Barton (3.5 hours). Two nights, quieter island-hopping.
• Day 4: Van from Port Barton to El Nido (3–4 hours). Settle in.
• Days 5–6: Tour A, then Tour C.
• Day 7: Fast ferry to Coron. Full transfer day.
• Day 8: Coron Loop (Kayangan, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda) or wreck dive day.
• Day 9: Last morning, fly out from Busuanga.

Palawan Travel Tips for First-Timers

• Visa: Philippines is visa-free on arrival for most nationalities: 30 days for most passports, 59 days for some. The Bureau of Immigration in Puerto Princesa handles extensions.
• SIM card: Buy one in Manila or at PPS airport. Coverage is good in towns, patchy on boats and tours. Globe and Smart both work; Smart is slightly better in remote Palawan.
• Cash: The most cash-heavy part of the Philippines. ATMs go down regularly in El Nido and Coron, especially on weekends. Take out PHP 10,000 to 15,000 in Manila or PPS before going north. Port Barton has essentially no working ATMs. Bring everything you'll need.
• Reef-safe sunscreen is required. El Nido and Coron both check at the boats. Bring a bottle from home or buy in Puerto Princesa before flying north. Selection in El Nido is limited and overpriced.
• Build buffer days into ferry crossings. Don't book a tight onward flight on the same day as a Coron–El Nido ferry. Weather cancellations happen.
• Book Underground River permits in advance. Walk-ups don't work. Your hotel or a tour operator needs to arrange the permit a day or two ahead.
• Bring a dry bag. Your phone is going on a bangka for 8 hours. Spray is constant. PHP 300 in town, or bring one from home.
• Bring water shoes for El Nido and Coron lake stops. Some entries are over sharp rock.
• Ferry vs flight between El Nido and Coron: The ferry is cheaper and runs daily in high season. Cebgo also flies direct between Lio and Busuanga — faster and avoids seasickness, but pricier and seats are limited. Either works; pick based on budget and weather.
• Holy Week and Chinese New Year double the room rates and fill the tour boats. Book ahead or avoid.
• Tao Expedition runs a multi-day inter-island boat journey between Coron and El Nido (or reverse), stopping at remote islands and communities along the way. It's not a budget option, but it's the way to see the stretch of islands between the two bases that most day-trippers never reach. Book well in advance.

Palawan Budget Tips

• Fly into Puerto Princesa instead of Lio if budget matters more than time. The savings on fares usually exceed the PHP 600 to 900 van fare.
• Book island tours through a town booth, not your hotel. Same boats, often 10 to 20% less.
• Coron public market for seafood. Pick by the kilo, get it cooked at the back. Half the price of a restaurant for fresher fish.
• Eat at carinderias for at least half your meals. PHP 100 to 150 a plate vs. PHP 500+ on the strip.
• Share a private boat with another group rather than booking shared if you can. Same cost per person, much more comfortable and flexible.
• Travel in shoulder months (November or May) for softer rates and decent weather.
• Skip the bottled water tax. Most hotels and tour boats have refill stations. Bring a 1L bottle.

FAQ