Heading to Palawan and looking for your perfect itinerary? Want to make sure you hit all the hotspots of this part of the Philippines including Coron?
Perfect! You have picked an awesome part of the world to explore and you have landed on exactly the right article to make sure you have the best Palawan itinerary possible!
Get ready for some of the best scenery of your life! Gorgeous coastlines, interesting islands, great underwater life, jungles, waterfalls, ancient lagoons…. You will love this part of the world! Many people walk away from their trips in the Philippines describing Palawan as their favorite part – and now you get to explore it for yourself!
However, planning an itinerary is not easy and we have put a lot of effort into making sure that this is easy to follow follow so you can have your own amazing trip.
We have written this to make it easy for you. If you are just looking for an El Nido itinerary, you can follow just the part of the itinerary that visits El Nido. If you want a Coron itinerary, likewise you can just follow the first couple of days. Conversely, if you want a 2 week itinerary that takes you to all the best spots in Palawan, simply follow this whole itinerary step-by-step.
It’s built so you do the best things first and you can cut it down at any point of the itinerary to fit your timeframe. It’s suitable if you are a backpacker, midrange or luxury traveler – simply book your accommodation, transport and activities accordingly.
At the end, you will find a map so you can see a quick overview of your stops.
Let’s start!
7 Day Palawan Itinerary
Days 1 – 3 Coron Itinerary
Spending 3 days in Coron is the perfect start to your Palawan adventure!
Start with a domestic flight to Busuanga Airport.
As you emerge from the airport, you’ll be met with many offers of a ride into Coron Town. Approximately 45 minutes, it’s a scenic bouncy ride through lush fields, full of cows and goats.
Click here to book your shuttle ride now to make arrival extra easy.
Welcome to Coron Town, Busuanga Island. A rustic town, with little modern development (however, that’s changing by the year), where you’ll find a handful of budget hostels and 3 or 4-star Coron Town hotels – all ideal if you like to be surrounded by restaurants, bars and more.
Wander the busy harborside and the local markets, or discuss boat tours for tomorrow with the travel agents and dive operators. Dine on delicious Filipino food or treat yourself to a massage at one of the many spas. Whatever you do, it’s set to the constant backdrop of crowing chickens, karaoke, and motorbikes… This is the real Philippines!
If you prefer somewhere more exotic to stay or are looking for a beach-stay, select accommodation at any one of the nearby islands. There are some spectacular Coron island resorts with private beaches, easy access to world-class wreck dives, and wonderful wildlife with tropical birds, monkeys, monitor lizards and more! Keep in mind that almost all resorts will require you to first travel into Coron Town to meet your transfer boat.
If electing to stay in Coron Town, check into your accommodation and enjoy an afternoon excursion to nearby Maquinit Hot Springs to ease your tired body (book here). From here, look out onto Coron Island (not to be confused with Coron Town), which locals call the “sleeping giant”. As the sun sets behind the island it forms a wonderful silhouette resembling a giant sleeping on his back, with nose and mouth clearly visible!
For day 2, take your pick from this list below, or, stay longer and enjoy all!
- Swim Kayangan Lake or Barracuda Lake to see spectacular underwater mountains with the Super Ultimate Tour. Also visit Twin Lagoon, CYC Beach, Shipwreck Skeleton and Coral Garden (discounted tour here) – TOP CHOICE
- Enjoy full day island hopping tours to Malcapuya Island, Bulog Dos Island and Ditaytayan Island (discounted tour here)
- Snorkel Lusong Coral Garden, Lusong Gunboat and explore Pass Island (discounted tour here)
- Visit Maquinit Hot Springs (discounted tour here)
- Climb 742 steps up to Mt Tapyas for awesome sunset views
- Dive spectacular reefs and wrecks
- Full day trip to Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary and Black Island (discounted tour here)
With just one full day in Coron, I highly recommend the Coron Super Ultimate day tour here. You’ll see the top spots and fit in as much as possible. It’s amazing.
If you have longer than 7 days for your Palawan trip, I recommend adding an extra day in Coron and doing something else from the list above on day 3.
Read our full guide to things to do in Coron here.
Otherwise, on the morning of Day 3, depending on the time your boat or flight departs for El Nido, you may also have time to do one of the above activities.
Best Accommodation: Two Seasons Coron Island Resort & Spa
Budget Accommodation: Treetop Suites
Find our full guide for where to stay in Coron here.
Days 3 – 5 El Nido Itinerary
After your first three days in Coron, it’s time to head to the world-famous karst islands of El Nido, Palawan.
Travel approximately 3.5 hours by fast boat from Coron Port to the El Nido Ferry Terminal. Along the route you’ll pass through the unspoilt Calamian Islands archipelago and look out for Linapacan, renowned globally for having some of the clearest turquoise waters in the world.
Alternatively, if your expenses permit, take a quick 40 minute flight direct to El Nido by Cebgo. Find prices for that flight here.
From the airport, it’s a 15 minute tricycle ride into El Nido Town Proper. From the ferry terminal, you are already in the town. Here, you’ll find the famous El Nido coastline, with its limestone karsts, Robinson-Crusoe paradise islands and exotic ocean views.
Check into your accommodation, and enjoy dinner and drinks in the lively town. We recommend sunset cocktails at Piece of Sky rooftop bar at the H Hotel. If you arrive earlier in the day, hire a kayak on the beach at El Nido and start your adventures.
No El Nido itinerary would be complete without exploring the jaw dropping Bacuit Bay.
On Day 4 join one of the four official tours – labelled Tour A, B, C and D. Grab your sunscreen, snorkel and fins, and it’s time to discover beautiful uninhabited islands, clear water lagoons, world-class white sand beaches, snorkeling sites and hundreds of fish and colourful corals.
- Tour A – lagoons and beaches (discounted tour here) – TOP CHOICE
- Tour B – caves and islands (discounted tour here)
- Tour C – snorkeling and a shrine (discounted tour here)
- Tour D – island beaches (discounted tour here)
Each tour is unique, but on all you’ll explore islands, beaches and snorkeling points. In this tropical paradise, they are all breathtaking!
If you only have time for the one full day in El Nido, Tour A here is what I recommend.
On day 5, you may choose any one of the following activities or pick another of the four day tours above (what I recommend):
- Swim at local beaches: Corong-Corong, Caalan or Nacpan
- Surfing
- Diving
- Kayaking
- Hike to a waterfall: Nagkalit-Kalit or Bulalacao
- Las Cabanas Beach Zipline
- Bird watching
- Check out the views at Taraw Cliff
- Rent motorbikes and discover inland El Nido
Find our full guide to each of these activities and tours here to help you decide.
Best Accommodation: Cauayan Island Resort
Budget Accommodation: Anang Balay Turista
Find our full guide to where to stay in El Nido here.
Days 6-7 Puerto Princesa Itinerary
It’s time to say goodbye to El Nido. Today’s destination is Puerto Princesa, the capital and transport hub of Palawan, and home to the Puerto Princesa International Airport.
If you are only looking for a 6 day itinerary, simply fly out of El Nido or when you hit Puerto Princesa.
The easiest way to get to Puerto Princesa is by tourist van. This takes 5+ hours and involves a drive south through coconut groves, banana plantations and rice fields, passing sugar cane farms and local villages, until the road hugs the stunning coastline down to the city.
Check land travel options and prices here.
You can also read our full guide to traveling from El Nido to Puerto Princesa here.
Upon reaching Puerto Princesa, if not flying out, check into your accommodation and take a well-earned rest!
Best Accommodation: Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel
Budget Accommodation: Hostel Privado
Read our full guide to where to stay in Puerto Princesa here.
Day 7, you should be waking up fresh and recovered! Not flying out this morning? Then, it’s time for a Puerto Princesa highlight – the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park.
Recently named as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, enjoy a tour where you’ll be dropped at Sabang Wharf to catch a boat to the Underground River National Park. This national park is a haven for local and some endemic wildlife, and home to many exotic birds.
However, the highlight for most is the 45 minutes tour exploring this deep river, admiring the stunning rock formations which have made the site so famous. Stalagmites and stalactites shaped as vegetables, dinosaurs and more! And watch out for the thousands of swallows and bats that sometimes swoop about the tunnels and caves.
Finish the day with a delicious buffet late lunch at Sabang Wharf, before returning to Puerto Princesa.
That ends our one week Palawan itinerary. Time to fly home or on to other Philippine adventures! But if you are lucky enough to have more than 7 days, you can either add days to Coron or El Nido or follow our suggestions below!
10 Day Palawan Itinerary
For your extended Palawan itinerary, follow days 1-5 above. Then on day 6, start following the below!
Days 6 – 9 Port Barton
On Day 6 it’s farewell to El Nido and hello to Port Barton, Palawan’s sleepy seaside town. A serene mix of quaint fishing village, empty west coast beaches surrounded by rainforest jungles and calm bays littered with floating buoys, the sign of working pearl farms.
Travel south from El Nido, passing sugar plantations and waving farmers, and an increasingly lush green vegetation as you finally reach Port Barton. A hot and sometimes bumpy 4 hour ride, the relaxed atmosphere will have you chilled out in no time!
Book your shuttle here or read our full guide to traveling to Port Barton here.
Small guest houses and hotels are increasing in numbers as tourism reaches the town, and a handful of trendy cafes offer a respite from the daytime sun but for now, the village has a laid back charm that is much quieter than El Nido.
Vast stretches of empty beach await your exploration, along with endless trails of palm trees and jungle-clad hills.
On day 7, take the popular Port Barton Island hopping tour. Visit Twin Reef, Fantastic Reef, Maxima, Exotic or Cayoya Island, Turtle Place, Paradise Island, Starfish Sandbar and more. Book tour here.
On day 8, you can pick from the following options:
- Hike to Pamuayan Falls
- Watch the blazing Port Barton sunsets from one of the beachfront cafes
- Kayaking
- Diving
- Relax in hammocks at White Beach or Coconut Beach
Click here for our full guide to things to do in Port Barton.
Best Accommodation: Holiday Suites Port Barton
Budget Accommodation: Summer Homes Beach Front Resort and Cottages
Find our guide to the best places to stay in Port Barton here.
Relaxed, rejuvenated and replenished, on day 9 it’s time to move on to Puerto Princesa and catch your flight out. Share a van or take a taxi for this 3–4 hour travel.
Check land travel options here or read our full guide to traveling from Port Barton to Puerto Princesa here.
Day 10 Puerto Princesa
Follow day 7 up above in the one week Palawan itinerary and explore Puerto Princesa Underground River here.
2 Weeks Palawan Itinerary
Lucky you, 2 weeks is a great length of time for a Palawan trip.
First of all, follow the ten day Palawan itinerary but add one extra day to Coron and one extra day to El Nido, so you do and experience more in each of these great spots. This means that you will do the following:
Days 1 – 4 Coron
Days 4 – 8 El Nido
For your extra days in El Nido and Coron, pick another island hopping day tour.
Days 8 – 11 Port Barton
On day 11, instead of heading back to Puerto Princesa, as described above, head to Sabang.
Days 11 – 14 Sabang
Goodbye to sleepy Port Barton and time to travel on to Sabang.
This journey is not as straightforward as the map would imply. Both towns are on the west coast, but without a direct road you need to travel over to the east coast, following the road down to Honda Bay before turning north west again and back up to Sabang.
There are daily commuter vans between the towns or you can choose to book a private trip, taking approximately 4 hours.
Check land travel options here.
Sabang is famous for being the entry point to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, but there’s much more to this little village. Namely the Subterranean River National Park, home to many species of wildlife and caves. Heaven for outdoor enthusiasts!
Despite the heavy tourism draw of the Underground River, Sabang retains an off the beaten path feel. The town is small and basic, where simple daily life continues with locals playing basketball on the pier and fishermen selling their daily catch. Wander off on any dirt path to discover caves, waterfalls, rice paddies and rainforests. Stunning scenery abounds, literally on the town’s doorstep.
Day 11, having made the journey, check into your accommodation and laze away the afternoon, grab a cocktail and wait for the gorgeous sunset.
Across the following days, enjoy any of the activities listed below in our Sabang itinerary.
- Sabang Beach – wide expanse of fine golden yellow sand, over a kilometer long – ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
- Sabang X zipline (get tickets here)
- Karst mountain elephant cave
- Caving
- Scrambling
- Trek the Jungle Trail, a scenic 6km path, spotting monkeys, monitor lizards, ancient trees, vines, limestone cliffs
- Beach massage
- Sabang Waterfalls
- Mangrove Paddle Tour
- Rent a mountain bike and head to Ugong Rock Adventures for caving, spelunking, zip biking, base jumping, rock climbing and more
And, of course, check out the Puerto Princesa Underground River.
Sabang is a magical hub for naturalists with its rich natural landscape and variety of flora and fauna, some endemic to the region.
Best Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Palawan Puerto Princesa
Budget Accommodation: Cafe Sabang Guest House
Day 14 Puerto Princesa
Exhausted from all your Sabang activities, and on your final day of this Palawan itinerary, it’s time to head to the capital, Puerto Princesa. Take a shared van or taxi, for this short two hour journey.
You can then head to Puerto Princesa Airport for your onward flight after a fabulous two weeks in Palawan!
Palawan Itinerary Map
We hope you found this Palawan itinerary useful and that it helps you have a great trip to this great part of the world. Feel free to ask any questions below and find all our Palawan travel guides here.
