Palawan Destination Guide & Ultimate Itinerary {The Philippines}
- Kate Colliety
- 3 days ago
- 12 min read
The destination many dream about - Palawan! Crystal-clear waters, sun-soaked beaches, cocktails in hand as the sun sets behind towering limestone cliffs and a friendly island culture to immerse yourself in.
As we touched down on the famous island of Palawan, our expectations started to rise and excitement crept over us. If you’re planning to visit the Philippines, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Palawan. While it is no longer a well kept secret and now in fact teeming with tourists it is still a must-visit destination for any traveller, backpacker or holiday maker in the country.
Below we share the best Palawan budget itinerary (yes it can be done on a budget). We did it as backpackers on a budget and had the best time. This Palawan budget travel guide will show you exactly how to experience this paradise without breaking the bank. Of course, Palawan has its fair share of luxury resorts, private boats and 5-star experiences - maybe one day we might return to try them…
Read on to explore the ultimate Palawan travel guide, covering everything you need to know including, how to get there, the best time to visit, best things to do in Palawan plus a full itinerary to help you plan your trip!
Contents
Why Visit Palawan?
Palawan is a large island in the Philippines archipelago and home to some of the best beaches in the world, amazing boat trips and hidden lagoons.
With some notable destinations such as Coron, Balabac, El Nido, Port Barton and Puerto Princesa there’s lots to explore. Throughout this Palawan travel guide we will outline the attractions in each town and share with you detailed itineraries to help you plan your trip.
How To Get To Palawan
The easiest way to get to Palawan is to fly, although you can get a ferry from Manila to Coron it takes a long time.
Most flights will arrive in Puerto Princesa where you can then carry your journey to one of the other towns in Palawan.
From Manila
Best Option: Flight to Puerto Princesa (1hr 30 mins, From $45),
Most Expensive: Direct Flight To El Nido Airport (1hr 30 mins, From $100)
Via Coron: Ferry to Coron (12+hrs, From $15pp), then a Ferry to El Nido (3hrs 30 mins, From $46pp)
From Cebu
Best Option: Flight to Puerto Princesa (1hr 30 mins, From $45)
Most Expensive: Direct Flight To El Nido Airport (1hr 30 mins, From $100)
Once you’re on Palawan getting around is relatively easy although sometimes time consuming. From Puerto Princesa to El Nido or Port Barton we recommend a shared van shuttle and if you want more information on how to get to a specific town you can use one of the blogs below:
Where To Include On Your Palawan Itinerary
Palawan is a large island with a few notable destinations that we explore below:
El Nido
Arguably the most famous town on Palawan, El Nido is the main tourist hub with the famous boat tours, limestone cliffs and white sand beaches such as Nacpan.
If you’re visiting El Nido, you absolutely have to do a boat tour, without a doubt the vast limestone cliffs were incredible & the boats take you to hidden beaches otherwise inaccessible. We booked through our accommodation but we recommend booking online with a reliable tour provider.
As much as we enjoyed El Nido, it didn't have the authentic local feel of the Philippines and most of the restaurants served pretty crap western food. We still recommend El Nido as it is incredibly beautiful, but don’t spend your whole time here; explore what else Palawan has to offer!
Find out more about the top things to do in El Nido or head over to our full El Nido Travel Guide.
Top Three Things To Do In El Nido
Zipline Between Two Islands
Port Barton
You’ve found Paradise! Port Barton by far was our favourite stop on Palawan, the laid-back village, dusty roads and basic feel transported us to a time before the overcrowded streets of El Nido.
Port Barton is 3-hours away from El Nido in a shared van and should not be missed off your itinerary! In our opinion the boat trip was miles better, we received a full lunch spread, ample time at stunning spots and even visited a small turtle sanctuary that we based our Philippines souvenirs off!
Although Port Barton is quieter than other areas on the island, there’s still plenty of things to do in Port Barton, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing 2–3 night stay.
Top Three Things To Do In Port Barton
Watch The Sunset At Barton Bistro
Balabac
Balabac is still finding its feet with tourism, it isn’t an over-hyped tourist town, it's a set of remote islands waiting to be explored, with some of the most beautiful sandbars in the world however expect basic huts with little amenities.
Most tourists book organised tours to Balabac Island, which typically include island-hopping boat trips, accommodation, food, and transport. While this is a convenient option, you can also explore Balabac independently by arranging your own transport, taking public transit, and staying in a homestay.
As budget backpackers, we’d personally prefer the DIY route, but we highly recommend the tours for families and travellers on a shorter holiday in the Philippines. The journey to Balabac is long, and going independently could end up costing you multiple days of your trip!
Top Three Things To Do In Balabac
Malupang Beach
Tungan-tungan Falls
Coron
Coron is similar to El Nido… perhaps even more beautiful if you love turquoise waters and golden sand.
While the town itself has a more rustic and local feel, the real magic lies in its incredible diving spots. Coron is home to some of the best dive sites in the Philippines, including WWII shipwrecks, vibrant coral reefs, and crystal-clear lagoons teeming with marine life. If you’re coming to the Philippines for underwater adventures, this is the place to be.
We also highly recommend the El Nido to Coron Boat Trip. Four days of complete bliss, island-hopping through untouched beaches, hidden lagoons, and some of the most breath taking spots you’ll ever see!
Top Three Things To Do In Coron
Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan and a great stopover city before continuing your journey up to El Nido or Coron - the drive is 6 hours… We didn’t know this when visiting! It is also a convenient base for exploring the subterranean river which is one of the new 7 wonders of nature.
Top Three Things To Do In Puerto Princesa
Nagtabon Beach
Palawan Itineraries
We know not everyone has the luxury of time and therefore if you have less than a week in Palawan we’d recommend picking one of the towns mentioned above and exploring it thoroughly, this means you won’t waste precious hours on travelling.
Palawan: 10-Day Itinerary
Day 1-2: Puerto Princesa Underground River & Fireflies
Arrive in Puerto Princesa and explore the town. On the first day visit Baywalk Park & try the local cuisine at Kalui Restaurant. On day two explore the underground river on a guided tour then head to Sabang for firefly watching in the evening.
Accommodation & Travel:
Day 3-4: Port Barton
Start day 3 with the 3-hour journey to Port Barton, when you arrive relax on Itaytay beach or head to White Beach via water taxi. In the evening watch the sunset from Barton Bistro. On day 4 enjoy the Port Barton Boat Tour. Spend the day island hopping, snorkelling and eating delicious local food
Accommodation & Travel:
Day 5-7: El Nido
On day 5 take a shared taxi up to El Nido, the journey takes 3-hours. Then spend the day exploring the town and Taraw Peak, if you have time head to Nacpan Beach to see the beautiful stretching golden sand.
The next day, day 6, is for the famous El Nido Boat Tour. Spend the day snorkelling, island hopping and enjoying the scenery of Palawan.
On your final day in El Nido relax and explore other beaches nearby such as Duli Beach and Vanilla Beach. If you want more adventure head to Las Cabanas where you can zipline between two islands.
Accommodation & Travel:
Day 8-10: Travel to Coron
On day 8 take the ferry from El Nido to Coron and explore Coron Town. The next day head out on an island hopping tour around Coron to see some of the best sights and on the final day spend it diving the WWII Shipwreck or hiking Mt. Tapyas.
Accommodation & Travel:
Palawan 2 week Itinerary
If you have more time, then great! There is so much more to explore on Palawan, and our ten-day itinerary just touched the surface. You could use the same itinerary and slow it down, spending more time in each place, or add the famous Coron to El Nido four-night boat trip to fill your Palawan 2-week itinerary.
Have Longer?
If you’ve got more time to spare, you’re in for a treat! This is when you can explore some of Palawan’s lesser-known gems. Consider heading to Balabac for a tour before continuing your journey, or, as we would recommend, pick one spot to call home for a little while. We’d choose Port Barton. We absolutely loved it! While there’s less to do than in El Nido, Port Barton is the perfect place to unwind and truly relax.
El Nido or Palawan?
If you’re choosing whether to stay only in El Nido or explore several destinations across Palawan the main factor is time.
If you're short on time, El Nido might be your best bet, as it's one of the most stunning spots on the island. The town itself is surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters, with boat tours that take you to hidden beaches, lagoons, and coves.
However, El Nido is also the most tourist-heavy area in Palawan, so expect it to be crowded! If you’re craving a more laid-back experience, Palawan offers so much more to discover. For those with 10-14 days, it’s worth venturing beyond El Nido to explore other magical places like Port Barton and Coron.
Coron or El Nido?
El Nido or Coron? If you're deciding between El Nido and Coron, which is better for you depends on your travel style. El Nido is famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs, stunning lagoons, and vibrant nightlife. Coron offers world-class wreck diving, beautiful lakes like Kayangan Lake, and a more laid-back vibe. If you prefer epic scenery and lively nightlife, go for El Nido but if you love diving, Coron is the better choice.
If you have enough time we’d recommend the El Nido to Coron boat tour as you really get to see the beauty Palawan has to offer!
Snorkelling In Palawan
Palawan Philippines snorkelling is world-class, with vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. The crystal-clear waters around El Nido and Coron offer some of the best snorkelling spots in the country, where you can encounter colourful fish, sea turtles, and spectacular coral formations.
Top Things To Do In Palawan Map
Where To Stay In Palawan?
We have written a full guide to accommodation in Palawan that you can use to help plan your trip or below we have picked our favourite places to stay for each destination.
El Nido
Forest Camp El Nido: Best Budget Stay For Couples
This is where we choose to stay, a short 5 minute walk from El Nido Town Square and high up in the rock face is Forest Camp. The traditional Nipa Huts look over the bay where you can watch the sunset from the roof terrace. The living arrangement is simple with a bed on the floor and shared bathroom but it works out cheaper than two beds in a hostel for a couple. This is our top budget choice!
Puerto Princesa
A Hostel in the heart of Puerto Princesa with private pods, large lockers and a rooftop bar. This option is great value for money with a prime location close to popular attractions such as the Skylight Convention Centre, Mendoza Park and Puerto Princesa Airport.
Coron
If you’re wanting to travel to Palawan on a budget, one of the best cheap places to stay in Coron is Hop Hostel. With a choice of a 12, 8 or 6 bed dorm and female only options as backpackers we love this accommodation. The hostel also has an outdoor swimming pool as well as hosts rooftop parties… this sounds perfect if you ask us!
Port Barton
300m away from Port Barton beach and with a swimming pool and simple rooms this is one of the best places to stay in Port Barton for couples that are backpacking on a budget. We stayed here for five nights and the simple room was perfect for our needs. You can choose between air-con or fan plus it’s within walking distance of lots of restaurants.
Best Time To Visit Palawan
While December to February is the best month to visit Palawan for ideal weather, the best time to go to Palawan Philippines might differ depending on your priorities. The best month to visit Coron Palawan is January when waters are calmest for diving. For travellers wondering about the best time to go to Palawan for fewer crowds, consider May or November.
August to mid-October is best avoided due to the possibility of very heavy rainfall as well as typhoons hitting the Philippines. Other than these months, you should still have a great time visiting Palawan, the shoulder seasons will just bring daily showers however it will still be warm.
Budget For Palawan
Dreaming of those iconic limestone cliffs and pristine beaches of Palawan? We like to travel frugally and yes, it is possible to visit Palawan on a budget, we normally budget £20 per day each however as you see our budget for Palawan went slightly over. Here's our complete 12-day spending breakdown for El Nido and Port Barton as a couple.
Palawan Budget Travel Guide: The Real Costs
£26 per person per day
This budget covered flights from Manila, comfortable accommodation, island-hopping tours, transportation between destinations, and all meals for our 12 days in Palawan.
Transportation: £77.39
Accommodation: £79
Food & Drink: £6.27
Activities: £42.93
Miscellaneous (Laundry, Haircut, ATM Chargers, Souvenirs): £13.42
El Nido vs. Port Barton Costs
We knew El Nido was on the pricier side, but we were honestly surprised by the significant difference in costs between El Nido and Port Barton!
El Nido: £33.12 per person per day
Port Barton: £18.92 per person per day
How To Travel Palawan On A Budget
Split your time between locations - Port Barton offers a similar experience to El Nido at nearly half the price
Eat breakfast at local bakeries for as little as £0.14 per person
Rent a scooter for day trips rather than taking tours or taxis
Book accommodations with fans instead of air conditioning
Bring a reusable water bottle with a filter to reduce plastic waste and save money
What To Pack?
When heading to the Philippines, you're going to want light breathable clothes as the tropics are warm all year round, they only have a wet and dry season, meaning you'll also need some waterproofs. Read our Full Philippines Packing List for some of our favourite essentials.
Top Tips For Travelling The Philippines
If you’re visiting the Philippines here are our top travel tips:
Book flights in advance - they can become expensive if you leave it last minute… oh and check your luggage allowance to skip expensive check in fees at the airport. Don't forget your Apple Airtags to track your bags
Agree on taxi prices upfront - when getting into a tuk-tuk, tricycle or taxi, make sure you agree on a price or they have a meter, so many tourists get ripped off with a huge price tag at the end of the ride.
Take it slow - don't feel the need to see all the islands, we recommend picking a few and doing them properly. See the island in full, find some locals and sing Karaoke..
Embrace the chaos and get stuck in, the locals are friendly and love to help and share information about their home!
For a checklist of what's needed to pack for your trip, read: How to Pack for Backpacking to South East Asia: Backpacking Essentials and Accessories
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Philippine adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
For our Filipino friends: Maraming salamat sa pag babasa, hangang sa susunod nating pag kikita, mamimiss namin kayo, mabuhay ang pilipinas! Salamat
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