palawan tour diy

EL NIDO PALAWAN Travel Guide with Sample Itinerary & Budget

Here’s our DIY EL NIDO PALAWAN TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG! In this post, you’ll find sample EL NIDO ITINERARIES, breakdown of expenses, and recommendations on hotels, resorts, tours, and things to do. Hope this helps you plan your next Palawan trip!

When I was a child and conjured up an image of a tropical paradise in a daydream, this looked exactly like this world.

When our boat glided through the waves, it was as though we sailed into a karst world straight from a fantasy film. As we moved closer, the cliffs appeared to magically part, as if ushering us in, inviting us to come in and see what the island had to offer. As we moved, these magnificent giant rocks slowly revealed white, sparkling beaches adorned with coconut trees. In this world, “ugly” is either banned or non-existent. (Then I thought, “Holy eff, what am I doing here?”)

“This is my Narnia,” I mumbled to myself, thinking that the many years I had spent in the closet finally paid off. I chuckled.

How I got here was a matter of fate. El Nido was nowhere under my radar at the time. I was under a foolish impression that only the filthy rich could afford it. But as I was simply browsing the web, I chanced upon a piso sale. I wasn’t enslaved by travel then. A full-time corporate job had the whip in a tight grip. But it was the perfect moment. A classic corporate-slave-meets-freedom moment. Every stress that work had brought me over the past few weeks was blown away by the wind, washed away by the waves of El Nido.

Back then, El Nido was a bit different. It wasn’t as crowded or as developed. I could walk down the length of the town’s main street without running into another tourist. Back then, it wasn’t easy to reach. There weren’t that many flights, and the ride from Puerto Princesa would eat up over seven hours on a half-unpaved road.

But as I stood in the middle of it, I knew this would be the first of my many affairs with El Nido. Over the next few years, El Nido would be my go-to place whenever I needed a little bit of uplifting, even despite not being easily accessible. I returned almost every year. That’s the thing about El Nido: it’s playing hard-to-get. But it’s the kind of destination you’d want to marry.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

UNDERSTANDING EL NIDO

The municipality of El Nido encompasses the northernmost tip of the main island of Palawan and the 45 rocky islands dotting Bacuit Bay. A protected area, El Nido is a treasure trove of marine life and spectacular seascape, earning it a consistent place among the best beach destinations in the world.

Although a first-class municipality, El Nido remains a quiet town. The town proper is tiny, with very few big establishments other than small travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, and stores. The nearest city is Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan, which is five hours away.

Together with Coron and Puerto Princesa, El Nido is part of the popular tourism triumvirate in Palawan. These are the three most visited destinations in the province. El Nido sits in the middle, accessible from both Coron to its north and Puerto Princesa to its south.

More info you need to know:

• Language : Tagalog is spoken by the majority. But English is widely understood and spoken. A significant fraction of the population also speaks Cuyonon and other Visayan languages.
• Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time). Same time as Singapore and Malaysia; one hour behind Japan.
• Currency : Philippine peso (PHP, ₱). PHP100 = USD 2, EUR 1.75, SGD 2.75, MYR 8.25, IDR 28,200 (as of March 2020).
• Modes of payment : Cash! Most establishments prefer cash. Only a few resorts and restaurants accept credit card transactions. Many tour agencies are on cash-only basis.

WHERE TO STAY IN EL NIDO

Best area to stay in el nido.

El Nido’s poblacion is composed of four barangays (villages): Buena Suerte, Corong-Corong, Maligaya, and Masagana. Together, they occupy two small peninsulas that jut out into Bacuit Bay.

What most people refer to as the “Town Proper” is actually the settlement parallel to the beach in Brgy. Buena Suerte. Just next to it is Brgy. Masagana, best known for several more resorts and Calaan Beach. Corong-corong lies on the southern cape, with its nooks and crannies filled with fine sand.

There are four main areas where you can stay:

• Town Proper (Buena Suerte) . This is where most of the action is. Its streets are flanked with tour offices, small hotels, and restaurants. Of all these areas, it was the first to be developed. It also has a teensy bit of nightlife.
• Corong-Corong . Tucked in the southern beaches of the poblacion, it has that isolated tropical paradise feel. It’s the area nearest the bus terminal.
• Calaan Beach (Masagana) . Resorts have also begun flourishing in the area, but just like Corong Corong, it doesn’t feel crowded either.
• The Islands . Accommodations on the islands are mostly luxury resorts, which are totally expensive, so let’s pretend they don’t exist. LOL

If you’re in El Nido for some peace and quiet, stay in either Corong-Corong or Calaan. But if you just want convenience, the town proper is still the best choice.

Top Budget Resorts & Hostels

My favorite place to stay in El Nido is SPIN DESIGNER HOSTEL . It’s clean and well-maintained, has friendly service, and an environment that is conducive to forging friendships with other travelers. Because it’s in the town proper, almost everything I need is within easy reach.

Coincidentally, SPIN HOSTEL is one of the top-rated properties on Agoda, so I guess I’m not the only fan. Here are the rest of the highest ranking budget accommodations as scored by online users. Note that not all of these are in the areas we think are ideal, but they have the best scores among the affordable properties.

• Spin Designer Hostel. Town Proper. Our best hostel experience in El Nido. Perfect for backpackers and solo travelers. Offers dorms and private rooms, with fantastic common areas. Check Rates and Availability! ✅
• Cabanas de Nacpan Camping Resort. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• The Cavern Pod Hotel & Specialty Cafe. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Pawikan Hostel El Nido. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• AngelNido Resort. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• David’s Guest House. Check Rates & Availability! ✅

Aside from these, you can find basic, no-frills dormitories that offer beds for P800 and below per night. One of these is At The Moment Hostel in the town proper and Dormitels.ph in Corong-corong (P800 per night), but I haven’t tried either.

Search for more El Nido Hotels!

How to get to el nido, manila to el nido (direct flight).

AirSwift is the only airline that flies from Manila directly to Lio Airport in El Nido. They operate up to four flights per day.

An off-peak one-way fare is at P5100 (including taxes, a meal in Manila, and welcome snacks El Nido). An additional P200 is collected for 10kg baggage allowance.

At the airport, you can travel by tricycle to the city center. Travel time: 30 minutes. Fare: 200.

San Vicente Airport to El Nido

Another way to access El Nido is via the newly opened San Vicente Airport, located in a neighboring town. Philippine Airlines flies daily from Clark to San Vicente. Travel time is 1 hour 40 minutes.

At San Vicente Airport, you can ride a van to El Nido departing at 1pm. Fare is P400.

It will terminate at the station in El Nido. From there, you can take a tricycle to your hotel or resort. Fare is P50.

Puerto Princesa Airport to El Nido

If Airswift’s rates are a bit taller than your budget, you can fly to Puerto Princesa instead. Then travel by land from there.

Puerto Princesa (PPS) has an international airport that is now much bigger and more equipped. Flights to PPS are generally cheaper than direct flights to El Nido. And they can go extremely low during seat sales. AirAsia and Cebu Pacific Air offer the lowest fares but the published rates don’t include baggage allowance, seat selection, and meals. Philippine Airlines’ have all these add-ons included in their published rates.

To reach El Nido from Puerto Princesa International Airport, you have two options: by van and by bus.

This is probably the most popular option among tourists because it’s slightly faster. If you book in advance, the van can pick you up at the airport and take you straight to El Nido in 5-6 hours.

Klook offers two transfer services: regular and DayTripper.

If for whatever reason you can’t book with Klook, here are the companies offering this service:

• Eulen Joy Express Contact No.: +63 915 829 3735 Facebook page
• Lexxuss Shuttle Contact No.: +63 917 686 1118 Facebook page
• Fort Wally Travel & Tours Contact No.: +63 917 276 2875 Facebook page

Travel time is usually 5-6 hours . Based on experience, these vans are fast. That’s both a good thing and a bad thing. I sometimes find myself saying a silent prayer in the middle of the journey. And I’m not even religious!

Regular fare is usually between P550 and P600 . However, Fort Wally sometimes brings the cost down to P450 when they have a promo. Locals usually get a discount.

Some of these vans don’t leave until they’re full . But it doesn’t take that long these days.

All van journeys stop halfway for a quick restroom and snack break.

The bus is another option. It’s my preferred option, actually. Buses are more comfortable now than before, more comfortable than the vans (at least in my opinion). Wider legroom, cooler temperature, and just bigger breathing space overall. Haha. The downside: it’s slower, taking 6-7 hours. And there are fewer journeys per day. But if you’re not in a big hurry, it’s a great option.

Here’s how to take the bus to El Nido.

• Walk to the gate of the airport.
• Hail a tricycle and ask to be taken to San Jose Terminal. Fare is P120 per ride. Split the cost if you’re a group. Alternatively, you can take a trike+jeepney combo, which is cheaper. But since I’m guessing you have heavy bags in tow, just go straight to the San Jose Terminal.
• Board a bus to El Nido.

Two bus companies to choose from: RoRo Bus and Cherry Bus.

RoRo Bus Ordinary: P290 Airconditioned: P380 Operating hours: 5am-9pm Frequency: Every 2 hours

Cherry Bus Ordinary: P385 Airconditioned: P480 Operating hours: 4am-10pm Frequency: Every 2 hours

Both buses will make several stops along the way to pick up more passengers, the longest will be in Roxas.

The bus will terminate at the station in El Nido. From there, you can take a tricycle to your hotel or resort. Fare is P50.

Coron to El Nido

Montenegro Fastcraft launched in September 2016 a new Coron-El Nido (and vice versa) route, which cuts the travel time to only 4 hours. Schedule and rates below.

EL NIDO TOURS

One great thing about El Nido is that most key attractions, especially the islands and beaches, are grouped into tour packages. The tours are also regulated and standardized. Boatmen and travel agencies must abide by the rules and guidelines that they set in order to provide a smoother and more consistent service to tourists. A price ceiling is in effect, which means tour operators cannot sell tours at rates higher than what has been set by the government.

The two most visited spots in El Nido are the Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon of Miniloc Island, both used to be part of Tour A, which covers Miniloc Island. For the longest time, Tour A was the most popular island tour, attracting more tourists than all the other three by a mile. In effect, these sites are prone to overcrowding. To address the problem, in November 2018, the local government split the two apart and reassigned Small Lagoon to Tour D.

If you’re alone or a small group, you will be merged with other smaller groups to fill a boat. If you want a private boat, you can charter one too.

These rules apply:

• You can visit only one premium spot per day. Premium spots are: Big Lagoon (Tour A), Small Lagoon (Tour D), and Secret Beach (Tour C). You can’t visit Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon on the same day. You can’t visit Secret Beach and Small Lagoon on the same day, either. Combination tours are now prohibited.
• Pre-registration is required for visitors going to Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, or Secret Beach. This allows the government to monitor and manage the volume of tourists. To register, just give your name and contact details to the tour operator when you book and they will register for you.
• Additional fees are collected at certain spots. Yes, these are on top of the tour rate and the eco-tourism development fee (environmental fee). We’ll indicate these fees below.
• Book in advance. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed on a premium spot on any given day.
• Lunch is included in group tour packages. The boatmen will prepare lunch on one of the stops during the tour. Lunch must be composed of the following: grilled fish, grilled pork or chicken, rice, vegetables, and fruits (usually bananas, watermelons, or pineapples). WATER is usually not included, so bring your own.

Here are the details of each tour. I’ve been fortunate enough to try all of these tours!

I also included Klook links for Tours A, B, C, and D below. Klook’s offers are lower than the standard rates and include hotel pickup.

If it’s your first time in El Nido, choose Tour A .

Tour A takes you around the limestone paradise of Miniloc Island and its Big Lagoon. The sights at Miniloc are usually the ones perfectly captured in postcards. There are a couple of beach stops: one in Simizu Island and another at the 7 Commandos Beach in mainland El Nido.

Simizu Island is the usual lunch stop. But if it gets too crowded, the boatman picks an alternative, usually Payong-Payong Beach. But if you really want to see Simizu (or Payong Payong), just let the boatman know so he wouldn’t skip it.

You can go kayaking around Big Lagoon! Let the boatman know beforehand that you intend to kayak so they can prepare the units for you before you leave town.

Stops : Big Lagoon and Hidden Lagoon on Miniloc Island, Simizu Island or Payong Payong, and 7 Commando Beach.

Usual Price : P1200/person

Additional fees: P200 Big Lagoon fee. P200-250 for optional kayak rental.

Although half of the stops of this tour are caves, its most well-known attraction is Snake Island, which is actually a narrow sandbar that connects mainland Palawan to neighboring Vigan Island.

Stops : Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Entalula Island, Cathedral Cave, and Popolkan Island

Usual Price : P1300/person

Additional fee: P100, Cudugnon Cave entrance fee.

If you’re powder-chasing, sun-worshipping beach bum, Tour C might be a better bet. Its main attractions are its fine, white beaches that hug the jagged coastline of Matinloc Island and Helicopter Island.

The highlight of the trip is the Secret Beach , a hidden pocket of fine sand enclosed by towering karst cliffs, which is widely believed to have inspired author Alex Garland to write his novel The Beach , at least according to legend.. It is accessible only via a small opening that requires visitors to swim through it. Some of my friends got injured on the way.

Note, however, that Matinloc Island is a bit farther, which is why it costs more. Also, it faces the violent West Philippine Sea, exposing the passengers to bigger waves. If your time allows you to multiple tours, make sure to do Tour C first if the weather is pleasant . Boatmen are more likely to cancel Tour C during inclement weather. The waters circled by Tours A, B and D remain calm most of the time.

Stops : Matinloc Shrine, Matinloc Island, Secret Beach, Hidden Beach, Tapuitan Island, Helicopter Island

Usual Price : P1400/person

Additional fees: P100, Matinloc Shrine entrance fee.

Tour D was the last that I tried because I had always treated it as a last resort. Tour D explores the beaches of Cadlao Island and a few on mainland El Nido.

Small Lagoon is the new addition to this tour. It used to be part of Tour A but was reassigned to Tour D in order to manage visitor traffic in premium spots.

Stops : Small Lagoon (Miniloc Island), Nat Nat Beach, Pasandigan Cove, Paradise Beach, Ubugon Cave, Bukal Island, Cadlao Lagoon

Price : P1200/person

Additional fees: P200, Small Lagoon fee. P200-250 for optional kayak rental.

Tour E: Nacpan Beach & Nagkalit-kalit Falls

Aside from the island attractions, El Nido has a lot of treasured hidden inland. This time, no need to hop onto a boat. You can simply hail a tricycle or rent a van. Here are the rates:

Tricycle tour : P1500, good for up to 4 pax Van rental : P3000, good for up to 12 pax Motorcycle rental : P500 per day

The rates above cover transportation only. Food is not included. Rates are PER TRIP, not per person. If you’re a group of four sharing a tricycle ride, each should only pay P375.

Stops : Nacpan and Calitang Twin Beach, Nagkalit-kalit Falls, Las Cabanas or Marimegmeg Beach

To book, contact Northern Hope Tours at +63 927-735-3221 (Globe) and +63 939-902-2216 (Smart).

Taraw Cliff

One of the things I haven’t done in any of my visits is to climb Taraw Cliff, famous for what many consider the most breathtaking view of El Nido. With steep and knife-like rocks, the original trail is also notorious for being dangerous. I have never mustered enough courage to do it. Maybe a few years ago, when I was young, nimble and healthy, I would do it without batting an eyelash, if I had the chance. But now that I’m a walking gelatin, maybe not. That’s not cowardice. That’s just being self-aware. Hahaha

Anyway, apparently, there exists a SAFER trail! If you approach the mountain through Ferrata Nature’s Canopy Walk . The jump off point is within the town proper so it shouldn’t be hard to find.

They also provide guides and helmets to guests. The viewpoint isn’t as high as the one at the end of the other trail, but it is said to be close enough. But it’s far safer. Yeah, I said that before. Just reiterating.

Hours open: Daily, 8am-5pm Price : P500

WHERE TO EAT IN EL NIDO

El Nido seems to not have a distinct, world-famous cuisine, but it has an emerging food scene, led by boutique restaurants. I can’t count the number of food places that I have tried here over the past several years. Those fostering a unique vibe win in El Nido. Whether it’s a spectacular view or the character-filled interiors, the most popular dining places in El Nido are those that go beyond food and adds a little something to the experience. Sadly, however, most of them are overpriced, charging P350-P450 for a meal that is forgettable at best.

Two restaurants stand out in my memory: Trattoria Altrove and Artcafe.

• Trattoria Altrove is an Italian restaurant in the town proper (a short walk from Spin Hostel, but they have another branch in Corong-corong). I was with a group of friends when I dined here. Everyone on our group ordered something different and we loved every single dish served to us, from the wood-fired oven pizza to the risotto. A pizza costs somewhere between P320 (margherita) and P650 (with truffles), while pasta between P300 and P350.
• Artcafe is one of the oldest restaurants (and shops) in town, best known for their view of Cadlao Mountain and the beach. I’ve only dined here once and when I did, I got drunk. I don’t remember what I ordered anymore or whether it was good or not. But I remember the beer. Artcafe serves local craft beers from Palaweno Brewery. I tried all the varieties available that night, which explains why I don’t remember anything. Sorry about that. Haha

Not all restaurants in El Nido cater to the aspirational Instagram-influencer in you. Your practical side would be glad to know that there are cheaper options too. Typical carinderias serve dishes for less than P100. Places like IBR Fast Food may not be IG-worthy (LOL) but they serve a filling meal for P90-P150. Tapsilog and pansit, anyone?

SAMPLE EL NIDO ITINERARIES

Below are two sample El Nido itineraries, which you can use as basis for your own. Just make the necessary adjustments to match your preferences. Also included is the breakdown of expenses.

This itinerary assumes the following:

• You’re a party of 2 , splitting some expenses.
• You’ll be staying at SPIN HOSTEL dorm or any room in the town proper for P1000 per night.
• You’re coming from Puerto Princesa Airport and traveling by bus to El Nido on your first day. This means that much of your Day 1 will be spent in transit. You’ll arrive in El Nido in the early afternoon and give you plenty of free time after that. Use this time to scan, compare, and book tours.
• You’re taking the overnight bus to Puerto Princesa on your journey back . This way, you get to maximize your last day and save one hotel night. Your flight should be in the early morning of the next day.
• You’ll be paying the standard rates of tours . You can haggle for much lower rates especially if you’re a big group. But for this itinerary, I decided to just use the standard rates so you have extra budget allowance.

4-Day El Nido Itinerary

For me, this is an ideal itinerary. Given everything that I know now, if I would be visiting El Nido for the first time, this is how I would do it. This itinerary won’t give you the cheapest trip, but it will allow you to experience the best of El Nido at a relaxing pace.

Day 1: PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO 07:20 am – Arrival at Puerto Princesa Airport 08:00 am – Ride tricycle to San Jose Terminal, P60 (P120/2pax) 08:30 am – Buy food for the road, P120 09:00 am – Board Bus to El Nido, P480 03:00 pm – Arrival at El Nido Terminal 03:10 pm – Trike to Hostel, P25 (P50/2pax) 03:30 pm – Hostel check-in 04:30 pm – Pay environmental fee at tourism office, P200 05:00 pm – Walk around town, book tours 06:30 pm – Dinner at Altrove, P400 07:30 pm – Back to Hostel, chill 09:00 pm – Good night!

Day 2: TOUR A 06:00 am – Wake up call 07:00 am – Breakfast, FREE 09:00 am – Start TOUR A, P1200 + 200 05:00 pm – Change clothes, rest 06:00 pm – Dinner at IBR Fast Food, P150 08:00 pm – Back to hotel 09:00 pm – Good night!

Day 3: TOUR C 06:00 am – Wake up call 07:00 am – Breakfast 09:00 am – TOUR C, P1400 + P100 05:00 pm – Change clothes, rest 06:00 pm – Dinner and booze at Artcafe, P500 09:00 pm – Good night!

Day 4: TOUR E, DEPARTURE 06:00 am – Wake up call, early check out 07:30 am – TOUR E, P750 (P1500/2pax) 11:00 am – Early lunch, P250 12:00 pm – Continue Tour E 04:30 pm – Freshen up, pick up bags 07:00 pm – Dinner, P150 09:00 pm – Trike to Bus Terminal, P25 (P50/2pax) 10:00 pm – Bus to Puerto Princesa, P480 04:00 am – Trike to Airport, P60 (P120/2pax) 05:00 am – Check in, Airport Terminal Fee: P200 07:20 am – Flight out

If you follow this itinerary, prepare to shell out P9750 (USD193, EUR171, SGD266) per person excluding airfare and kayak rental.

Much of the budget is eaten up by the tours and the food. You can still bring the total cost down by limiting your meal budget.

3-Day El Nido Itinerary

This is a budget itinerary. In this case, you’ll be spending only 3 days in El Nido and limiting your food expenses to only P150 per meal.

Day 1: PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO 07:20 am – Arrival at Puerto Princesa Airport 08:00 am – Ride tricycle to San Jose Terminal, P60 (P120/2pax) 08:30 am – Buy food for the road, P120 09:00 am – Board Bus to El Nido, P480 03:00 pm – Arrival at El Nido Terminal 03:10 pm – Trike to Hostel, P25 (P50/2pax) 03:30 pm – Hostel check-in 04:30 pm – Pay environmental fee at tourism office, P200 05:00 pm – Walk around town, book tours 06:30 pm – Dinner, P150 07:30 pm – Back to Hostel, chill 09:00 pm – Good night!

Day 2: TOUR A 06:00 am – Wake up call 07:00 am – Breakfast, FREE 09:00 am – Start TOUR A, P1200 + P200 05:00 pm – Change clothes, rest 06:00 pm – Dinner, P150 08:00 pm – Back to hotel 09:00 pm – Good night!

Day 3: TOUR E, DEPARTURE 06:00 am – Wake up call, early check out 07:30 am – TOUR E, P750 (P1500/2pax) 11:00 am – Early lunch, P250 12:00 pm – Continue Tour E 04:30 pm – Freshen up, pick up bags 07:00 pm – Dinner, P150 09:00 pm – Trike to Bus Terminal, P25 (P50/2pax) 10:00 pm – Bus to Puerto Princesa, P480 04:00 am – Trike to Airport, P60 (P120/2pax) 05:00 am – Check in, Airport Terminal Fee: P200 07:20 am – Flight out

This itinerary will set you back around P6500 (USD129, EUR114, SGD178) per person excluding airfare and kayak rental.

You can even reduce the total cost by taking an ordinary bus instead of an air-conditioned one, or by staying at a much cheaper dorm.

OTHER TIPS FOR THE POOR TRAVELER

• Pay the P200 environmental fee and keep the receipt . You only need to settle this once so don’t lose the receipt. Someone sometimes checks if visitors have paid for this before boarding the boat for the tour. If you can’t prove it, you might be asked to pay again.
• Puerto Princesa Airport collects a P200 terminal fee . Make sure you don’t spend every single peso you have in El Nido.
• Tip your boatmen . What they do isn’t easy. If you enjoyed their service, show your appreciation. When I have successfully negotiated down the cost of tours, I usually just give the amount that I saved to the boatmen as tip.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is el nido safe.

El Nido has a very, very low crime rate. But please don’t leave your belongings just anywhere. There are also no hospitals here, so please be very careful. The nearest major medical center is in Puerto Princesa. Also, there are no terrorists in El Nido.

When is the best time to visit El Nido?

January to April. These dry months are the sunniest. However, this period is also the peak season, especially March and April, which are widely considered the “summer” months in the Philippines. For me, the most ideal time to visit El Nido is January-February. Weather’s still fine but the place isn’t crowded.

Thanks to its location (and isolation), mainland Palawan isn’t hit by typhoons as often as the other parts of the Philippines. It’s wired differently. November sees the start of the dry season for the rest of the country, but it’s still pretty damp in El Nido. Short and passing rain showers are also expected in the afternoon even on some “dry season” days.

Are there ATMs in El Nido?

Currently, there are some ATMs in El Nido. But it’s always best to withdraw while in Manila or Puerto Princesa.

If you’re using a foreign/international card to withdraw and get pesos, beware of Dynamic Currency Conversion. More info here: BEWARE OF THIS WHEN USING ATM!

Are there money changers in El Nido?

Some restaurants and pawnshops exchange major currencies to Philippine pesos.

However, it is best practice to already have pesos before you arrive because they’re not always available. Exchange while you’re in Puerto Princesa or Manila.

Can I visit Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon in one day?

No, not anymore. This was possible because they used to be part of the same tour, Tour A. But in November 2018, Small Lagoon was reassigned to Tour D in order to minimize tourism impact and manage visitor traffic.

To monitor, pre-registration is now required for those visiting Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, and Secret Beach. When you book a tour, the operator will collect your personal details and they will take care of the rest.

Where can I book Combination Tours?

It is already prohibited. For travelers staying in El Nido for a short time, combination tours allowed them to see as much of El Nido as they can. Common combo is Tour A/C. But this is no longer allowed. If a boatman offers this tour, they are operating against the rules.

How’s the connectivity in El Nido?

Most hotels offer free wi-fi but they can be slow.

Both Globe and Smart have good reception in main settlements like the town proper, so it’s better to just use cellular data.

What type of electrical plug is used in El Nido?

220V, 60Hz. Socket Type A, mostly. Electricity supply in El Nido can be erratic. Power outages are not uncommon. Ask your hotel if they have a backup generator so you’re not in the dark in case of blackout.

More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️

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Thank you for sharing! This is great. :)

Hi! How will you know the operator of the tour if you book via Klook?

No prob! Enjoy El Nido!

I always check your blog to have an idea of how to enjoy the trip with a limited budget! I always wanted to go to Palawan whether El nido or Coron. I am just having second thoughts as I always have my yearly vacay on rainy season (I am an OFW, btw). Have you tried visiting Palawan during monsoon season? July-Aug?

Hi Weywey, yep, I once did a 2-week trip in Palawan. It was sunny on my first several days (Puerto Princesa, San Vicente), but it eventually got rainy on our last days (El Nido).

Thank you for creating this blog! Just wondering though what are your top 3 picks out of tours a, b, c, and d. Thank you!

A & C. :)

Hi. Just wanna ask if you book the tour/s when you were there at El Nido na? Or you can book it in advance? Thank You

You can do both. If you decide to book it in advance, may mga links sa post above where you can book tours.

Your post is GREAT, i got all the info i need to visit this place, many thanks.

Hi Yoshke! Thanks for the super helpful post. between the two: El Nido and Coron, which place is more sulit and more enjoyable for a first time traveler to Palawan? Mag attempt sana kami ng PPS-El Nido-Coron iti pero mukhang EN pa lang, solve na. Saka mas ok sa limited budget.Your suggestion is highly appreciated! :)

Hi Anneska, what are your entry and exit points? :D

Thank you for your really useful report. I am thinking to spend my days in Coron since I have wrote that is wilder and there is less tourist compare to el Nido. Could you provide your thoughts about it?

Hi Jose, both Coron and El Nido now are very touristy, although yes, Coron may have more less touristy spots than El Nido.

But what’s good about El Nido is you can also visit San Vicente/Port Barton from there. San Vicente/Port Barton are really off the beaten path, so if you don’t like touristy places, they are worth checking out.

Thank you very much for your time & advice. All the best.

No problem! :)

I like your blog! So detailed. Looking forward on this El Nido adventure.

Thanks, Kara!

How do I get from San Vicente airport to El Nido?

Hi, we plan on travelling from Puerto Princesa to El Nido via the last bus trip so we will be arriving in El Nido in the early hours. Would you know if there are any hotels in El Nido that accommodates early check in (as early as 6AM)? Same question for Puerto Princesa. Thanks!

Hi Myra, I think most hotels allow early check in IF there are rooms unoccupied that morning. It still depends on the availability. Happened to us once, we arrived at Spin Hostel around 8:30am, but since there were rooms that were unoccupied that morning, they checked us in immediately.

We used to rent a boat in one of the resorts in El Nido which gave us the option to visit all the premium spots in one day. That was in 2017. I don’t know if you can still do that.

Hi, If we ever book hotel in any location and we book our tour a and c thru klook including hotel pick-up will they still be able to pick us up on our hotel? And how are we going to use our klook voucher just in case cause I haven’t use it even once eh or much better mag book na lang kame kapag andun na kame? Thank you! And my last question is shall we just book our own tour instead to avail some packge online?

Hi Anthony, yung tours sa Klook, they cover downtown El Nido only (town proper). May extra charge pag outside downtown.

Pwede rin na dun ka na sa El Nido magbook if di ka pa sanay sa Klook.

Whether online or book your own tour on site, same lang sya kasi standardized ang tours. Nagkaka-iba lang sa presyo.

Hi, any recommendation where I can book ahead or where to book for a combot tour a and c? It’s not offered in klook kasi.. is Corong corong far from the town proper of ever we decide to stay in Corong but also wanted to have some nightlife back in town? Thanks in advance

Apparently, di na allowed ang combo tours ngayon.

Hi Maria, I don’t have any contact. But what I usually do for combi tours is shop around pag andun na.

Kaya naman i-tricycle ung Corong Corong from town proper.

Hi! I noticed on your 3days itinerary that you availed COMBO tours for 2000 / pax only. How is that possible? Where did you avail it po? Thanks!

Hi Anne, ino-offer sya talaga ng mga tour operators dun sa El Nido. Yan yung rate na chinarge sa amin. Wala akong contact nung bangkero though.

I’ve heard that there’s new regulation in EL Nido hindi na raw allowed ang combo tours. December 2018. need to verify pa :)

Asked rin po ako if update ang fare sa bus?

By the way very informative ang blog.

Thanks for Sharing

Hi Dukez, yeah, bawal na raw ang combo tours. :(

We’re still checking if may nagbago sa bus fares na since our last update.

Planning to go to El Nido this February, and we are in the dark on how to do things coz it’s our first time, you’re blog helped a lot. Salamat!

Thanks din, Nally! Enjoy El Nido!

hi planning to go to el nido via san vicente.. ask ko lng po is it still safe for female solo traveler???superb thanks.. ur blog is a great help esp. for 1stimer like me

Thank you for sharing a very detailed info..

P.S the k looks link doesn’t work for me

Hi Pinky! Thanks.

Which link exactly?

Thank you for sharing. I’ll be celebrating my birthday here with a very special someone. Our first in Palawan :)

Wow! Enjoy! Hope you have an unforgettably romantic time! :D

Kinilig ako when I saw your photos!! First time el nido traveller and such helpful tips from you…thank you!

Thanks, Jamie! Enjoy El Nido!

Hello! We’re planning on touring El Nido and our entry and exit point is San Vicente. Are there buses/ shared vans sana from El Nido going back to San Vicente at night time?

Hi Angela, not sure if meron pag gabi.

hi planning to go to el nido via san vicente.. ask ko lng po is it still safe for Male solo traveler???superb thanks.. ur blog is a great help esp. for 1stimer like me

Just a feedback on ATMs since the bliog only mentioned of 1 ATM at El Nido. There are already a lot of ATMs in El Nido, however tourist should be wise enough to choose an ATM that will not charge a lot because of Dynamic Currency conversion. ATMs may give you an option to withdraw in your home currency but this will charge you for as high as 6.9% of your withdrawal amount.

it is a big help for someone planning for a family trip, my best regards!

Good Day May i kindly ask which tour operator you used in El Nido please? Thank you

thanks for sharing your el nido experience…it’s a big help for a 1st time travellera like me….i learned a lot from your blog… more blessing to you and ur family…

You’re welcome po. Kaya lang po baka may mga nag-change na po dito kasi since pre-pandemic pa po ito last naupdate.

This is very helpful! Thank you sir! Sana may update kayo for 2022 in preparation namin sa 2023 trip hehehe

Hi Tyronne, naku sa 2023 pa kami balik. When is your trip? If mauna kami, baka maabutan mo pa yung updated guide haha.

wow nice thanks po sa reply sir!! Sa August po ang ticket namin :-)

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A DIY Tour of the Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan

A couple of weeks have already passed since I went on a Tao Expedition in Palawan, but I’m still hung up on the experience.

Palawan is beautiful, no one can argue with that.

In fact, in the latest survey of their readers, the Conde Nast Traveler has again included Palawan in the top 5 most beautiful islands in the world, where it once hogged the first place three years running.

While writing about my experience with Tao Expedition, though, I was distracted by a question from a couple of readers: is it possible to go on a DIY (do it yourself) tour of the Puerto Princesa Underground River , or is one really required to buy a travel package? How do you go about it?

Welcome to the Puerto Princesa Underground River!

The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is a UNESCO world heritage site and recently named as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. This 8.2-km subterranean river runs under a protected cave that features spectacular formations of stalactites and stalagmites.

With these and its limestone landscape, it is considered as one of the world’s most complex cave systems.

Just like any popular tourist attraction, it can be expensive to go to the Underground River. A whole day’s tour will set you back P1,800 each, a little steep for an experience that takes less than an hour.

You can take a tour of the mangroves in Palawan.

That’s why I said that a DIY tour of the Underground River is a good idea. It would be cheaper by half, one, and two, going on a DIY tour means you get to do other things in Sabang aside from just going to the Underground River.

Among others, for example, you can take the paddleboat mangrove forest tour , appreciate the Elephant Karst Mountain Cave and Ugong Rock Caves, and maybe even have a photo shoot on Sabang Beach.

The registration area of the paddle boat tour.

You can also hike the Jungle Trail (we took the Monkey Trail), and although it takes hours longer than the usual boat ride from Sabang Port to the Underground River, it’s much more exciting and fulfilling, especially for those who love hiking.

Now, on to the details.

What to Expect at the Underground River

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is located in Sabang, a town approximately 80 kilometers from the city proper. This means that from the Puerto Princesa Airport, you need to go to the San Jose Terminal and ride either a jeepney or van to Sabang, which is 2 to 3 hours away.

However, you can’t go directly to Sabang. You need to secure a permit in the city first. Upon your arrival, immediately go to the Underground River Booking Office located at the City Coliseum, present a valid ID, pay the fee, and get your permit.

You’d have to pay for the audio guide separately.

You will then need to go to Sabang port (more on how to get there, below), and when you get there, head to the Tourism Office, present your permit, and then pay the environmental and boat fees. (At the cave entrance, you’ll also need to pay for the audio device/guide.)

You will then be assigned a boat that will take you to the PPUR entrance in 20 to 30 minutes.

One of the stalactites inside the Underground River.

From the entrance, you fall in line to take a smaller boat that will take you inside the Underground River. (This line can get really long during the summer months, March to May). Using a search light, your tour guide/boatman will show you the cave’s rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites, as well as its inhabitants.

The tour lasts around 45 minutes. A bigger boat will then take you back to Sabang port where you can either head back to the city or spend the night in town.

How to Get to Sabang, Palawan

There are many ways to get to Sabang from the city of Puerto Princesa.

Jeepney or Ordinary (Non-air-conditioned) Bus

From your hotel in the city, go to the San Jose Terminal. It is located in the San Jose New Market, which is less than five minutes away from Robinson’s Mall. A tricycle ride, which costs P80, is convenient when you’re traveling with a group. Another option is to ride a multicab, which costs P12 per person.

From the Terminal, you’ll find jeepneys and ordinary buses that leave for Sabang Port at 7am, 9am, 12nn, and 2pm. Travel time ranges from two hours and 15 minutes to three hours, which includes several stops along the way.

Also note that, despite their scheduled departure time, jeep and buses don’t leave until all their seats are filled. Advanced booking is not available, but if you’re traveling on a budget, this is the cheapest option. The fare is P100 for Palawan locals, P120 for local tourists, and P200 for foreigners.

Sabang Port, Palawan

If you highly value your personal space, you may not appreciate the crowded conditions of these vehicles. The dispatchers will try to squeeze in as many people as they can inside the car.

Even if the jeep can only accommodate 15 people, they’ll be getting up to 20 people. And more often than not, bins of fresh fish and seafood will be joining you on your trip. There’s a good chance that you’ll end up smelling like fish or shrimp by the time the trip is over.

Shuttle Van

There are also a lot of shuttle van services from Puerto Princesa to Sabang. If you opt for this, you can get to Sabang within two hours or just an hour and 45 minutes.

Tickets are priced at P150 for Filipinos and P200 for foreigners. These sell out fast, so the best way to secure a ride is to book a roundtrip reservation by contacting any of these numbers: +63 912-100-2651 or +63 917-585-9602.

You can also get in touch with Lexus Shuttle services by visiting their Facebook page. Shuttle vans have three trips to Sabang in the morning, and three trips in the afternoon, starting from 7:30am and up to 5pm.

A caveat: the van drivers love going really fast. If you suffer from motion sickness, it would be a good idea to take Bonamine before the trip and bring a plastic bag, just in case.

A taxi is the most comfortable of all available modes of transport to Sabang. It also allows you to travel at your own pace, which means you can stop at roadside stalls selling seasonal produce or at scenic spots where you can take selfies or photos of the stunning landscape.

The only drawback: taxi rides are quite expensive, with the one-way fare from Puerto Princesa reaching P1,500.

Tips in Planning Your Underground River Tour

When is the best time to visit the Underground River? When choosing a travel date, one of the most important factors to consider is the weather. Puerto Princesa’s dry season is from January to April while the wet season is from May to December.

Scheduling your trip during the dry season is recommended, as the waves tend to be calmer andthere are less chances that your trip would be canceled due to inclement weather.

Going into the Puerto Princesa Underground River

What are the things to bring during the tour? Be prepared to get wet during the tour since you will be getting in and out of the boat. Opt for light, comfortable clothes and, if possible, wear flip-flops, trekking sandals, or any waterproof footwear.

Also bring waterproof cases (for your gadgets), mosquito repellent, drinking water, and sunblock. Ditch the plastic bags, as monkeys like grabbing these from guests.

Where to stay in Puerto Princesa? While you can stay overnight in Sabang, I would still recommend that you just go there and spend the night (or more) in Puerto Princesa. There are lots of hotels, inns, and pension houses in there that can make your budget planning easier. Click: Where to stay in Puerto Princesa .

There you go, a guide to doing the Underground River Tour in Palawan all on your own.  I hope it will help you in planning part of your Palawan trip! Safe travels!

Note: If you don’t want the hassle of a DIY trip to the underground river, you can book your tour online and have everything taken care of for you: Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Tour .

Have you been to the Underground River? How was your trip?

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35 comments . leave new.

OMG! I have been to Palawan at least 5 times and just falls in love with the place even more each time.

Thanks for the tips, we are looking for a place to stay ion puerto princesa.

My family and I, a group of 7 including children (4) are planning to travel in April 2020, because we are a group with kids, booking a tour thru online sites are pretty costly roughly 40-50USD. if we do this DIY tour, and find our way to Sabang from hotel via jeepneys/shuttle, after paying/obtaining the permit (cost?) and the environmental fee entrance 120-150php. what is the cost or how do we get a tour boat? what did you do for food/lunch wise? are there little shops/restos or local vendors once we arrive at sabang awaiting boat entrance? because if we do the tour guide via online booking it includes lunch buffet, which i don’t care for but i do have to feed the childrens and the adults with me, i am sure we will be starving after 2 plus hours . and i would love to eat local food.

The tour itself is pretty much straightforward once you re at Sabang, you will take the boat at the port which will bring you to the cave entrance. The Underground River tour takes around 2 hours in total including the boat ride to and fro from the cave entrance.

We are 4 pax and will be in Palawan on April 22-26. I think DIY tour will be more cheaper and comfortable. What are your recommendations.

Thank you so much for your helpful article Aleah … I actually tried to contact a number you indicated and I just got a booking for shuttle services and for a cheaper cost compared to tour packages … Thank you so much.

Hi how much does the shuttle van costs? Thank you

Ching, you can book via Klook. They have private and shared vans. https://www.klook.com/en-PH/activity/12352-private-puerto-princesa-international-airport-transfers-palawan/?aid=4074

Thanks Aleah for this post. We have a planned tour in Puerto Princessa and El Nido this April with my wife and my two kids. Our flight from Manila will arrive in Puerto Pincessa airport at around 8:20am based on the flight schedule. We planned to proceed emmediately to underground rive tour after a breakfast and early check-in in a hotel in the City as we will be consuming the next 2-3 days in El Nido. May I ask you, if we can still manage to have the underground river tour despite our very short stay in Puerto Pincessa. I noticed that most underground river tour shedule are early morning travel from the city to Sabang port. I think, we can’t take with the DIY tour considering my two kids will be with us. Do you think can we still able to catch up with the underground river tour without compromising our itinerary as we have already booked a flight and hotel in El Nido?

hi marcelo.. we also have a booking to Palawan this coming April 6 to 9.. we will go to Underground river and have an island hopping to el nido.

I will update next week after our travel.

Thanks to this post. I will definitely try this DIY underground river trip on Dec 5. I will post my experience here after that.

Hi we are planning to go to el nido right ayaw after the tour in Sabang. is there any last minute cut off time for the vans in the terminals traveling to el nido ?

As far as I know, last trip of the van is 7pm and it costs around P800. Bus is cheaper at around P600 (including trike to terminal from airport) but takes waaaay longer.

I highly suggest booking a transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido via Klook. It’s only P500, you can book it online (hence reserve your seat), and last trip is at 8:30pm. Here’s the link

hi..when is your trip?.. We are planning to do the same but coming from PPS..

so it means that its possible to do the underground river tour only? is it poasible to do anytime? bcos we will arrived at Puerto Princesa at 11am and we’re planning to do it at 1pm bcos we will leave the next day going to El Nido.

Hi Aleah. Thanks for all your information. I have limited time in PP arriving at 9:30 am from Manila. Do you know the latest available times for the cave entry as was hoping to do it on my own as arriving to late to catch a tour and leaving to early on a return flight to do the tour and make the flight. Appreciate your help. Thanks John

Thanks for posting this info; very helpful! 🙂

this is very useful information. Meron lang akong tanong— Meron mang lugar doon na pwede mapag iwanan ng mga gamit (backpack, etc..) and pag meron.. Magkano???

Hi I want to know if theres a tour that will start in afternoon? Or is there a chance for us to do UGR tour if we will arrive in PPS at 12:30nn

Tanong lang po…i will be travelling alone this september. I had a 1 week vacation so rather than staying at home eh puntahan ko na lang ang palawan. Panu po kapag solo traveller, do I have to rent the whole boat? Or pwede ako makijoin sa ibang group para mas makamura.

when are you travelling? I’ll be there from 16 to 19.

Great info! We plan to visit the underground river. We will be in Palawan for 2 nights only and I wanted to see the river and El Nido. We are arriving at 9:45 am so tours would have left by then. You have given me a great idea to rent a car and do the river by ourselves in the afternoon. We might spend the night in Sabang or drive to El Nido right after the river tour. What do you think? How long is the drive from Sabang to El Nido? We plan to stay in Corong-corong.

1800 all in or just entrance and boats to underground? Fare going to sabang is not included in 1800? Pls clarify ty

Hi, so technically if you do a DIY tour, you don’t have to spend 8hrs in Sabang if the Underground river tour only takes 45minsutes, right?

Correct, but it also depends on when you’re going there. During the summer months (April-May), it will take longer as there will be more people. Plus if you’re relying on public transport, you may have to wait a while before you can get a ride. Best to DIY if you have your own car.

Interesting! When we went to Palawan (so many years ago, if I may add), the shuttle vans where on a per rent basis. It was so expensive, but the parents found another family that was willing to split the cost between us. The van toured us all over Sabang. It was so comfy (and also practical hehe)! 🙂

Yes, it really is best if you have your own car. Saves you a lot of time (and money)!

How much did the DIY tour cost? 🙂

Really great information and such a beautiful adventure. Hoping we can visit this paradise one day.

Plan for it! Palawan is worth it. 🙂

I love this! So useful, going to bookmark it for my next trip – 2018 pa January sigh. Can’t wait ??

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marron is going

Life stories, road adventures, and big dreams by Marron Santillan

DIY Palawan Travel Guide: 5 days Puerto Princesa and El Nido

I know you are or you might be looking for a blog post about a 5-day travel guide of exploring both Puerto Princesa City and El Nido in Palawan. Perhaps, you are in the right place.

Low in the budget? Not a problem. Let me share how did my first DIY Palawan trip go. But before I begin, can I just say, that this island is the real destination? Of course, I do. Palawan  is the largest island province in the Philipines and also known as the last frontier of the country. And I can’t remember when did I first started dreaming of going there.

So it all started sometime about four months before this trip. I was so bored at home that the next thing I know, I already booked myself a plane ticket going to the best island in the world, Palawan. I thought I was going alone but two months before the flight, four friends joined in. Let the adventures begin!

With no sleep from last night’s shift, it was me and my friend, Mark, were the first to land at Puerto Princesa City by 10 in the morning. From there, we literally had no plans until I saw my name written at the pile of people outside the airport. Hahaha, I was amazed! Turns out that our friend, Myka, already organized our not so planned Palawan trip (I think it was still planned maybe I was just not paying attention again) I felt I’m something special (even though I am not) seeing “Marron Santillan” on the poster haha!

It was Kuya Ferdz  (I will put his phone number at the end of this blogpost) who welcomed us in Palawan. And as I hopped in his tricycle, I wasn’t aware that it was the start of our city tour as we wait for our friends that will arrive by 6 pm on the same day.

The tour includes Crocodile Farm , Mitra’s Ranch , Baker’s Hill , Butterfly Garden and Kuyba Almoneca (there were entrance fees on each destination from P15 to P100)

It was all fun!

We finished the tour at 3:00 pm and since there was plenty of time left to kill, we went to a coffee shop to cool down. 2 hours later, we were back to the van terminal outside the airport where we spent the remaining time waiting for our friends.

We left Puerto Princesa City at around 7 pm after we met our friends by 6. The trip to El Nido   (the van fare going from PPC to El Nido is P500 ) was roughly around 5 to 6 hours ride from the city. I have not slept yet since the day before our Palawan trip like always so I decided to sleep on the ride. But I cannot.

The drive going to El Nido was nice. Driving along with the darkness of the best island in the world, I remember it was just 9:30 in the evening when I looked at my watch but it already felt like 3 in the morning. It was peaceful as I look to my window and it was the kind of peace that I was looking for.

And then when we reached El Nido at 12mn, the night became young again in just a snap of a finger. We went to the beachfront as soon as we put our things inside our hostel rooms (i forgot the name of the hostel but it was recommended by Kuya Ferdz, P300/pax per night! ) to drink beers. And even though it was dark and all, I was looking around and I already saw how crystal clear the water was, with the silhouette of limestone at a distance. Imagine my excitement as I imagined its beauty with the morning sunlight?

So by 3 in the morning before we hit the sack, me and my friends were told to get up by 8 am because island tour is what’s about to happen. Seriously, welcome to the team no sleep.

You will never ever truly see the real beauty of this place if not for the island hopping tours. There are 4 main island hopping tours in El Nido: Tour A, B, C, and D (Each tour is worth P1,200 per pax, that also includes the boat, gears and lunch and the strangers you’ll meet on the boat that will eventually be your drinking buddies at night) We took the most popular one and that’s Tour A . This tour includes Small Lagoon , Big Lagoon , Secret Lagoon , Shimizu Island and 7 Commando Beach.

Basically,  I think it is very easy to book a tour in El Nido. You’ll find tour organizers on the streets and inside the hostels. Just be sure to settle your reservations before midnight so no worries by the morning.

That day was nothing but breathtaking. I remember sun-kissed happy faces on a bright day. The lagoons on this tour were incredible. And on some of them, you’ll need to rent a kayak (P300-P500) for you to paddle your way to the most dazzling lagoons of El Nido. Do it! If you are startled that rowing might not work for you, trust me, you’ll work it and you’ll be proud you did it.

Shimizu Island was where we had our lunch. There was literally nothing like a seafood and vegetable combo that day! My tummy was saying no but my mouth was still on the go. I can’t help it, the food prepared freshly is one of my life’s greatest pleasure.

Our last stop was 7 Commando Beach . I love that fine island. White sand, turquoise waters, majestic palm trees, and cheery people. There was nothing like ending your day with a great finale: extra cold beers.

After the tour, me and my friends went straight to Las Cabanas Beach  to watch the sunset. I will never regret following the advice of kuya bangkero when we asked him where to go before evening (We paid P100 for the tricycle going there) So arriving at the good-looking beach, its vibe was infectious. Bob Marley playing from the bar, people on the beach having beers, and the sunset again, being charming like always.

If you were wondering, yes, we did drink that evening. I was like half-drunk for the whole evening!

And then again, with no decent sleep at all, forcing our bodies to wake up 7 in the morning because another adventure in the islands of El Nido is waiting. The plan was picking Tour C (because it’s the 2nd most popular tour next to tour A) but we ended up taking the Tour B (P1,200) because the coast guard wouldn’t let any boat to take this trip during our time.

The Tour B includes Pangalusian Island , Pinagbuyutan Island , Vigan and Snake Island , Cadugnon Point Cave , Pinasil Island, and Cathedral Cave .

It was entertaining. But with all those moving around, walking and swimming will get you exhausted and hungry. So with no breakfast at all (because we can’t wake up any earlier),  we took that day’s lunch on the boat.  And after another day of great Palawan adventure, we had to go back to our hostel to fix our things and prepare ourselves to go back to Puerto Princesa City . Which, I know! It was so sad to leave El Nido.. but it was time to go.

Smiling because we had fun but with unhappy eyes, because we knew it was time to say bye for a while, we left El Nido with sad hearts by 6 in the evening and arrived back at Puerto Princesa City by midnight. We checked in to Don Pablo Lodge.

After that, we went outside for a walk to go to the nearest Jollibee , which was like a 20 minutes walk? I’m not sure but it was close to that. But that time was nothing for a hungry tummy, right? So then again, it was our 3rd day sleeping past midnight.

I set the alarm at 6 in the morning because there was only 1 bathroom and there were 5 of us and considering some of my friends that can take hours inside the bathroom (which really pissed me off) I was planning to go first. But of course, when the morning came, that didn’t happen. It was just so hard to get up! Not until someone knocked and told us that the van that will take us to Sabang was downstairs already. In the end, I wasn’t able to take a bath! I remember I didn’t even change the shorts that I was wearing haha! But I was totally comfortable with it. And I was excited I was freaking out.

Because we were going to see the Puerto Princesa Underground River !

From Puerto Princesa City, the drive going to Sabang was around 2 hours. (This price for this tour is P1,340) It was a fun drive because you can get a panoramic view of the mountains and the sea. I felt like I was a kid on a field trip, because our tour guide, Kuya Manny , was excessively communicative. I remember the moment we enter the National Park, I was in a state of amazement looking at my window while listening to the enriching history of Palawan, Philippines’ last frontier.

When we reached Sabang Port, Kuya Manny informed us of the overview of all the do’s and don’ts when inside the national park. We waited for almost an hour (because there was a queue on the boats that will take the tourists to the Underground River) or more before we get to our boat. So we took the time to walk around the beach of Sabang.

Crossing the sea, the waves aren’t calm at all. It was a gloomy day and it felt like I was in a Jurassic Park movie! When you disembark, you’ll get to take a short trek before you get to another boat that goes inside the PPUR. And it was nice! Monkeys swinging on top of you, giant lizards walking with you. Also on this trip, we were provided a headset (because you are not allowed to speak, make noise, or even open your mouth when you look up when you are already inside the underground river for a lot of important reasons) so that means, you will be listening to recorded audio while touring the parts of the river. Marvelous idea, don’t you agree?

Back in 2007, I started supporting Puerto Princesa Underground River until it became the new 7 wonders of nature.. can’t remember how many times I dreamed of going there and just that day,  a dream just came true! It was super cool to enter the longest navigable underground river in the world, boasting caves full of natural rock formations made of dissolved limestone. I couldn’t help but thank my lucky stars how fortunate I was to see this with my own eyes. Others were telling me I should skip this on our Palawan trip but I’m glad I went anyway.

Going back to Sabang Port, we ate the buffet lunch and traveled back to the city. But before going back to our room, we went first to buy pasalubongs . I swear you guys, buying something for the people back home was gratifying!

Our last day!

My 3 friends were scheduled to go back to Manila at 10:00 am that day while me and Mark at 7 that evening. So we made reservations with another tour going to Honda Bay.

I was super close about canceling that tour because I was thinking of my money. In the end, I considered the fact that I can earn it back in Manila. But the experience, not always. But arriving at the port, we were informed by the coast guard that all trips going to Honda Bay was canceled because of the weather. Which was really sad. I was talking to our tour guide to talk to the coast guards to make sure about it. But then again we ended up back to our room to sleep and wait for the afternoon. Maybe next time, Honda Bay.

It was sunset when we left our lodge to go to the airport and leaving Palawan was heartbreaking . I swear to the gods! I should be excited about going back home and I should be missing my bed because hostel beds are rocklike as shag. But the sadness that I felt when I went inside the airport was out of sorts. I’m not even kidding. I remember one afternoon when we got back from visiting the underground river, I went to the veranda for some coffee. And I was thinking of staying there and not going back to Manila hahaha but then again I cannot quit my job yet.

All in all, this trip wasn’t perfect. I mean, we could have done better planning it 6 months before our flight to this island, but it turned out great anyway and it was something we needed.  And now, 4 months after my plane landed back in Manila, I don’t know how am I going to end this one. I just can’t express the beauty of this island and I can’t even find the right words for all those scenic views that I saw when I was there with my backpack. I seriously don’t know.

My best advice: just go there . Palawan may seem far and hard to be reached, but you are just one decision away. And even if I happen to find the right words to tell you how incredible it is to experience adventures in Palawan, you have to experience it for yourself. So book a flight! And live the moment.

Because when I slept on my bed that night when I got back from there, I knew I was changed.

Thank you, Palawan!

EXTRA NOTES:

• Here’s the contact number of Kuya Ferdz (Ferdz Hulguin) 09061930740 and 09478030851.  He was our tricycle driver on the city tour, and he pretty much organized the whole trip! Booked us to the vans going to El Nido, booked our hostels in El Nido and in Puerto Princesa City. He was also the one who made our reservations to Puerto Princesa Underground River and Honda Bay.
• Budget: I spent around P8,000 to P9,000  (airfare not included) on this trip.
• Enjoy every second of your trip and safe travels!
• If you have more questions, you may reach me by my facebook  and instagram .

Love always,

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El Nido – Puerto Princesa: 6 Days DIY Barkada Itinerary and Travel Guide

Booked a barkada trip to Palawan? That’s great! Let me share with you our El Nido DIY Itinerary last December. Palawan is a beautiful place to go with friends for it has everything – beautiful islands, extreme activities, chill beaches, a gorgeous sunset, and wild nightlife. I’ve always wanted to go with friends than family to experience it all, but you know what? I found a hack on that! There’s this family that you called cousins .

We were 10 in the group. I took charge of the itinerary and everything. Again, this is not a budget backpacker travel itinerary. It will mostly cater to my co-travelers who are into comfortable travel at a reasonable price.

El Nido, Palawan

Palawan is a big archipelagic province shaped like a closed umbrella in the Western side of the Philippines. But on this itinerary, we will be focusing more on El Nido, which is almost 5 hours away from Puerto Princesa, the capital of the province. El Nido, along with Coron, is one of the famous tourist destinations of Palawan and not just to us, Filipinos, but especially to the foreigners as well.

Since flights to Puerto Princesa are the ones usually on sale (and regularly cheaper), we booked a flight to the capital and drove for 5 hours to El Nido town.

But for us, we got our roundtrip Puerto Princesa (PPS) – Clark airfare ticket for 3,000 PHP/person with Cebu Pacific. We got it three months before our travel dates and booked ten seats at this price, so I think it’s a reasonable price for us already. You can get an airfare ticket to PPS for as low as 1,000 PHP. You just need to be patient and lucky during seat sales. Most of my cousins are from Bulacan, so I agree to fly in Clark because Manila during December is a hellhole you’ll want to skip.

EXPENSES: 3,500 PHP

Airfare (no baggage): 3,000 PHP Trinoma – Clark P2P (RT): 500 PHP

El Nido DIY Itinerary (w/ budget)

10:00 am – flight to puerto princesa via clark.

Luckily, our flight was on time!!

11:30 AM – Arrival to Puerto Princesa Airport

Since we wanted to arrive in El Nido before sunset, we asked our driver to drop us by Jollibee and take out our lunch.

4:15 PM – Check-in in Amakan Bed and Breakfast

We booked three nights to Amakan Bed and Breakfast , which is beside the Northern Hope Tours Office. Amakan is a middle ranged gorgeous hostel in the center of El Nido town. We availed the dorm room, and each bed costs 900 PHP (1,050 PHP with taxes) per night.  The place and rooms are clean, do not look cheap and have fantastic service and ambiance, so it’s worth spending.

There’s another hostel at the same price range that is also worth checking out. I didn’t get the chance to book here since it’s already fully booked. Search for Spin Hostel .

06:30 PM – Sunset at Las Cabañas

7:30 PM – Dinner at Trattoria Altrove

It was a famous pizza place in El Nido, so we tried it first and foremost. There was a line when we got there, but we only waited for around 20 minutes. We ordered their famous brick oven pizza and some pasta. Their foods were delicious and had generous servings.

DAY 1 EXPENSES: 4,750 PHP

Clark Terminal Fee – 150 PHP Van transfer roundtrip – 900 PHP Jollibee lunch – 150 PHP Amakan (for 3 nights) – 3,150 PHP Tricycle to Las Cabañas (RT) – 100 PHP Dinner – 300 PHP

READ EL NIDO TOUR A: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW & MY EXPERIENCE WITH NORTHERN HOPE TOURS

07:00 am – island hopping tour a call time.

Please also note these new changes in El Nido’s island hopping rules.  We availed the El Nido Tour A, but we CAN’T GO to both big and small lagoon. We had to choose one due to this new rule. Northern Hopes suggested Small Lagoon for it was less crowded than Big Lagoon.

10:30 AM – Secret Lagoon

11:30 NN – Shimizu Island

1:00 PM – Small Lagoon

Small Lagoon was gorgeous!!! It was here that I realized how Palawan was different from other provinces. Northern Hopes was right when they told us that it was less crowded since people prefer the big Lagoon. Maybe someday, I’ll go back for that.

Our boats can’t enter inside, so we had to rent paddle boats. We availed the boat for three people for P500 and paddled our way to this paradise. Nakakapagod, if you’re not athletic enough like me.

3:00 PM – 7 Commando Beach

We ended our island hopping tour by chilling on 7 Commando Beach. The boys played basketball with the locals and other tourists while we, the girls, settled on the hammocks on the beach to rest and take photos.

5:00 PM – Back to El Nido town

We went back to the hotel to shower and rest for a bit.

7:00 PM – Dinner at Cafe Athena

DAY 2 EXPENSES: 1667 PHP

Island Hopping Tour A (w/ lunch) – 1200 PHP Small Lagoon paddleboat – 167 PHP Dinner – 300 PHP

READ EL NIDO BEACHES GUIDE: IT’S SO MANY, WHERE SHOULD I GO? WHAT SHOULD I SEE?

10:30 AM – Van Rental Pick-up for Beach Hopping

We decided to chill around El Nido to regain strength again for another island hopping the next day. We rented a van again with Northern Hope Tours for 2,000 PHP.

11:00 AM – Lio Beach

Ayala Corporation owns Lio Beach, and it was the first beach that we decided to visit. It was a sophisticated and very Instagrammable beach with lots of pretty food places as well.

1:00 PM – Nacpan Beach

04:00 PM – Duli Beach

Duli Beach was 10 minutes away from Nacpan Beach, and we checked it out because it was known as the surfing spot in El Nido. It was a deserted beach by the time we got there due to the big inconsistent waves.

07:00 PM – Dinner at Bar 147 by Spin

DAY 3 EXPENSES: 950 PHP

Van rental – (P2000/10) = 200 PHP Lunch at Nacpan – 200 PHP Dinner – 250 PHP Nightlife drinks – 300 PHP

8:00 AM – Start of Tour C

Our supposedly Tour C  got canceled due to the big waves brought by the Amihan winds, so I don’t have photos to show you. Tour C was said to be the best tour in El Nido, so I advised prioritizing this first on good days, especially during December – February. Don’t worry, Northern Hope refunded our payments, but I’ll still include it in the expenses for your reference.

We just roamed and chilled around El Nido town instead.

5:00 PM – Ride back to Puerto Princesa

Our tour was supposed to end at 5 PM and have our van ride back to Puerto Princesa after.

9:00 PM – Check-in in Blue Lagoon Inn & Suites

We were so tired to go out, so we just had McDelivery for dinner.

DAY 4 EXPENSES: 2,550 PHP

Island Hopping Tour C (w/ lunch) – 1400 PHP PPS Hotel (2 nights) – 1000 PHP Dinner – 150 PHP

READ DIY VS TOUR SERIES: PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER

06:00 AM – Pick-up in the hotel for Underground River tour

Again, we availed an underground river tour with Northern Hope Tours. It was only 1800 PHP inclusive of lunch and was a lot cheaper than the ones offered in our hotel and other tour agency on Facebook.

09:00 AM – Arrival at Underground River Dispatching Area

Again due to the big waves brought by Amihan waves, we almost got canceled AGAIN. The coast guards had canceled the tours from number 25 above. I recommend going here in summer (March-May) where the sea is calmer.

10:00 AM – Sabang Beach

The motorboat ride to Sabang Beach took 20 minutes, but the waves were so big, so if you’re prone to seasick, then this will be a hard 20 minutes for you. The beach was gorgeous and well-maintained. Hats off to the tourism office in charge because they have a well-implemented system and process in handling tourists and local boatmen.

From the beach, we walked along a forest to reach the mouth of the cave. We were given helmets, audio guides, and assigned us to our paddle boatman.

BEWARE OF THE MONKEYS. Do not feed them, please.

10:15 AM – Start of Underground Tour

The tour lasted for almost 45 minutes, and may you give your local boatman some tip.

12:00 NN – Buffet Lunch

Our tour was inclusive of lunch, which is near the dispatching area. It was a buffet lunch, and most of the tours are in partnership with this restaurant. The food is okay. There are more vegetables than meat. We also tried the famous “timalok” (raw woodworm) of Palawan.

3:00 PM – Back at the hotel

Since it’s still early, we decided to make most of our stay in Puerto Princesa. We hired a tricycle to bring us to the Crocodile farm and Baker Hill. He asked for 600 PHP for five people. We agreed, but another tricycle driver that we met that evening told us that it should be just 400 PHP for these two places.

04:00 PM – Puerto Princesa Crocodile Farm

The Crocodile farm was one of the famous city tour places in Puerto Princesa. We were curious how big the crocodile here can be, so we decided to visit. We paid 40 PHP entrance fee and waited for the next tour schedule. A tourism student guided us through the cages while sharing different facts. It was an interesting visit! I also got the chance to hold a baby crocodile!

5:00 PM – Baker’s Hills

Baker’s Hill was an Instagram heaven place that I never expected it to be. I thought it was just a famous bakery that sells delicious hopia in Puerto Princesa. It was a huge place with bakery, restaurants, stores, and lots of photogenic areas. We spent the afternoon taking photos and buying some pasalubongs.

06:30 PM – Puerto Princesa Boardwalk

07:30 PM – Dinner at Kinabuch Grill & Bar

Almost everyone I know online (and even a friend from Puerto Princesa) told us to eat at Kinabuch so we decided to eat here than in the boardwalk. IT WAS GOOD AND AFFORDABLE TOO.  We tried the crocodile sisig here and rented their billiard table for an hour. It was a nice place to end your trip.

DAY 5 EXPENSES: 2,445 PHP

Underground River Tour (w/ lunch) – 1800 PHP Sandwich breakfast + water – 50 PHP Tips – 20 PHP (200 PHP for the group) Tricycle rent – 120 PHP Crocodile Farm – 40 PHP Baker’s Hill pasalubong – 200 PHP Tricycle to Kinabuch from boardwalk – 15 PHP Kinabuch Dinner – 200 PHP

9:30 AM – Check-out

We checked out from our hotel and availed our free airport transfer. You can asked to drop by a pasalubong center  if you want.

10:00 AM – Puerto Princesa International Airport

11:15 AM – Flight back to Clark

Back to reality.

DAY 6 EXPENSES:  850 PHP

Breakfast in hotel – 150 PHP Pasalubongs – 500 PHP PPS Airport terminal fee – 200 PHP

TOTAL EXPENSES: 16,751 PHP

Airfare (+ P2P to Clark) – 3500 PHP Day 1 (El Nido Arrival + Hotel) – 4750 PHP Day 2 (El Nido Tour A) – 1667 PHP Day 3 (El Nido Beach Hopping) – 997 PHP Day 4 (El Nido Tour C)- 2550 PHP Day 5 (Underground River + PPS Tour) – 2445 PHP Day 6 (Going Home) – 850 PHP

El Nido is not a cheap place to travel to, maybe unless you compromise comfort. Commercialism is evident, and the prices seem based on foreign tourists, which are 80% of the tourists here. The tours and rentals, as well, are regulated by the LGU, so haggling is hard. Even El Nido restaurants have the same price ranges in Manila restaurants, but local eateries are a cheaper alternative, though. I was surprised that I spent more than my 15k budget for an El Nido DIY. But it was a good trip, so I’ll charge it to experience.

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2 comments . leave new.

Thanks for sharing your itinerary! I want to visit Palawan someday 🤗🙂 Btw the airport looks better than NAIA lol.

Ann | http://www.annchoi.me

Super akong nagenjoy basahin to. Grabi sobrang ganda po pala talaga sa El nido. Thankyou for sharing your Itinerary

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Hi I’m Bea. A corporate wandering soul who loves to travel comfortably at a reasonable price. Currently, a registered engineer and travel blogger based in Manila, PH. ♥

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Balabac, Palawan: A DIY Travel Guide to the Main Island

Balabac, the southernmost municipality of Palawan Province, has gained popularity as a tourist destination only in the past ten years. Fortunately, it remains non-touristy as compared to the northern destinations like El Nido and Coron . This is largely due to its remote location. To get to Balabac island from Puerto Princesa International Airport, one has to take a six-hour van ride to Buliyan Port, then transfer to a speedboat (1 hour) or ferry (2-3 hours) to the main island.

Most travelers to Balabac, however, don’t set foot on the main island of Balabac since they typically avail of island-hopping tour packages, which depart from the southernmost tip of the Palawan island. Multi-day tours take guests exploring the smaller, pristine white-sand islands and sand bars strung across the North Balabac Strait. On my first visit to Balabac in 2017, I joined an incredible island-hopping tour , where we swam, snorkeled and camped at these desolate, idyllic islands. Last March, I finally found the time to visit Balabac Island itself after a dive safari at Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park .

Balabac Town

There are a handful of historical and cultural sites one can visit in Balabac town, which is compact enough to be explored on foot. It only takes a few hours to half a day to explore the town. From my comfortable accommodation, Batalla’s Lodging House , I first walked to the Immaculate Conception Parish Church , a new church which was completed in 2015. The Roman Catholic edifice stands near the Masjid Awwal , the largest mosque in Balabac. A young boy offered to show me around the mosque and take me to the rooftop next to the large green dome, which overlooked the town.

Balabac town is surrounded by forested hills. On the western end of the settlement, the surrounding vegetation conceals the ruins of Fuerza de Principe Alfonso , a defense structure presently called Fort Culina . Southern Palawan, together with Balabac Island, used to be under the jurisdiction of the Sultanate of Brunei (1368-1888). In 1749, the area was ceded to the Spanish colonizers, who finally controlled the entire stretch of Palawan. According to this Spanish monograph , to prevent the usurpation of Balabac by British colonizers from Borneo, a Spanish military outpost was established on the island in 1858 and named Principe Alfonso after Alfonso XII (1857-1885), who would later become the King of Spain.

A short hike up a forested hill on the west side of town will take you to remains of the hexagonal fort with a watchtower. Sadly, the heritage site has deteriorated over the decades, having been vandalized by treasure hunters and neglected. One can barely see its adobe walls, which are now covered by shrubs and vines. I hope the municipal tourism office’s plans to restore the fort as a tourism site will become a reality soon.

My last stop on my walking tour is on the other side of town. Also situated on a hill, the Balabac Quincentennial Historical Marker is the newest tourist attraction. It belongs to a series of 34 concrete markers installed along the Philippine leg of the Magellan-El Cano expedition (1519-1522), commemorating the 500th anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the world.

Southern Day Tour

The most impressive heritage site in the municipality is a colonial-era lighthouse located on the southernmost end of Balabac Island. Cape Melville Lighthouse was built in 1892 to safeguard vessels traveling through Balabac Strait, between the Philippines and Malaysian Borneo. On the clearest of days, one could already see Banggi, an island belonging to Sabah, from here.

Unfortunately, getting there is no walk in the park like the previous landmarks. Typically, groups can hire a boat to take you there. Alternatively, solo travelers can also hire a motorcycle with driver (₱1,500). The hired driver has to be familiar with the destination, since getting there overland requires negotiating through tough off-road trails and forest paths, which can only be done in dry weather. On my second day, I hired local guide Tony Francis Valdez (Tel. +63 9514742861) to take me to the lighthouse, and visit a few more attractions along the way. Since there are no places to eat outside of town, I had to pre-order packed meals for breakfast and lunch for the guide and myself from Kusina ni Nanay Eths (Tel. +63 9311769563), whose owner works at the municipal tourism office.

The motorcycle trip from town to the lighthouse was one of the roughest rides I have ever experienced. It took us around two and a half hours to reach our final destination. Our route became progressively rougher the father away we traveled from town; we began cruising down a concrete highway, then winding dirt roads through coconut groves and seaside villages. Halfway through the trip, we stopped by La Isla Rancho , a desolate ranch with picnic tables and a mini-grocery (with cold drinks from Malaysia!), where we enjoyed our packed breakfast.

After brunch, we finally traversed dried-up rice fields with patches of thickets with no discernible paths for vehicles. The final stretch was a forested uphill hiking trail, where I had to get off and Francis had to push the motorcycle up a hill. But finally laying my eyes on Cape Melville Lighthouse after that butt-numbing excursion was worth all the trouble. Despite being in a derelict state – replaced by a modern lighthouse nearby – it was one of the grandest heritage lighthouses I’ve seen in the country. Rising 90 feet (27 m), its granite tower is the tallest among the Spanish-era lighthouses in the country, dominating the grassy coastal landscape.

While less comfortable than taking a boat, the advantage of traveling overland by motorcycle is that one can visit other tourist spots along the way. En route back to town, we visited a few natural sites like Indalawan Libon Beach , Indalawan Rock Formations , and Indalawan Falls .

How to Get There

From Puerto Princesa City, take a bus or van to Buliluyan Port, Bataraza. One may board a bus or van at Irawan Bus Terminal, or book door-to-door van via local van operators like Pilandok Transport . Travel time is at least five hours.

Before boarding at Buliluyan Port, tourists must register at Bataraza Tourism Sub-Office (blue building). Speedboats depart daily around 7:00 am, taking an hour to reach Balabac, while outrigger boats leave around 10:00 am daily, and take two to three hours to reach the island.

M/B JS Sea Express (Tel. +63 9187545753) has a new 600-hp twin-engine speedboat (₱700) that accommodates up to 41 persons, traveling Buliluyan-Bancalaan-Balabac. They depart Balabac for Buliluyan at 5:30 am daily, and offer connecting van transfers back to Puerto Princesa that you can book in advance.

Where to Stay

Only basic guesthouses can be found in Balabac town. I recommend staying at Batalla’s Lodging House (Tel. +63 9085505823) located behind Balabac Central School, and just a short walk away from the Municipal Tourism Office, where tourists can seek assistance. Accommodation starts at ₱1,500 for their spacious double air-conditioned rooms.

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Sample el nido itineraries for 3, 4, 5, 6, days tour or more.

Looking for detailed sample El Nido itinerary, things to do and tourist spots in Palawan? Check out these sample El Nido itineraries to help you plan your trip!

Sample el nido itineraries for 3, 4, 5, 6 days tour + things to do & tourist spots, ready to explore el nido, palawan let's get started.

3D/2N: El Nido Itinerary (3 Days and 2 Nights)

Day 1: arrival in el nido / explore the town.

• 06:00 AM - Departure from Manila to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
• 07:00 AM - Arrival at Puerto Princesa City Airport
• 08:00 AM - Travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido [ BOOK TRANSPORTATION HERE! ]
• 12:00 NN - Lunch at the rest stop on the way to El Nido
• 02:00 PM - Arrive in El Nido, Check-in at hotel/resort
• 03:00 PM - Explore the town, eat, enjoy the sunset at Corong-Corong Beach
• 07:00 PM - Dinner at El Nido Art Cafe
• 08:00 PM - Have some drinks
• 09:30 PM - Back at the hotel/resort
• 10:00 PM - Sleep

DAY 2: EL NIDO TOUR A - BOOK THIS TOUR HERE!

• 07:00 AM - Breakfast
• 08:30 AM - Start of El Nido Tour A
• Hidden Lagoon
• Shimizu Island
• Payong-payong Beach
• 7 Commando Beach
• 04:30 AM - End of El Nido Tour A
• 05:30 PM - Back at the hotel/resort and freshen-up
• 07:00 PM - Dinner, have some drinks, night out with friends
• 09:30 PM - Back at the hotel/resort and freshen-up
• 10:00 AM - Sleep

DAY 3: TARAW PEAK AND DEPARTURE

• 06:30 AM - Breakfast
• 07:00 AM - Take a tricycle to Ferrata Nature's Canopy Walk
• 08:00 AM - Trek to Taraw Peak via Canopy Walk [ SEE RATES AND BOOK HERE! ]
• Enjoy the view of El Nido town and Bacuit Bay from Taraw Peak
• 10:00 AM - End of Taraw Peak trek
• 10:30 AM - Travel back to hotel/resort
• 11:00 AM - Back to the hotel, freshen-up, prepare for hotel check-out
• 12:00 NN - Check-out and have lunch
• 01:30 PM - Travel from El Nido to Puerto Princesa City [ BOOK TRANSPORTATION HERE! ]
• 06:30 PM - Arrive at Puerto Princesa Airport
• 08:30 PM - Travel back to Manila

4D/3N: El Nido Itinerary (4 Days and 3 Nights)

• 02:00 PM - Arrive in El Nido, hotel/resort check-in and freshen-up
• 03:00 PM - Explore the town and sunset viewing

DAY 2: EL NIDO TOUR A - [ SEE TOUR RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE ]

• 04:30 PM - End of El Nido Tour A
• 05:00 PM - Back the the hotel/resort / freshen-up
• 07:00 PM - Dinner, party, have some drinks
• 09:30 PM - Back at the the hotel/resort

DAY 3: EL NIDO TOUR C - [ SEE TOUR RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE ]

• 08:30 AM - Start of El Nido Tour C
• Helicopter Island
• Matinloc Shrine
• Secret Beach
• Talisay Beach
• Hidden Beach
• 04:30 AM - End of El Nido Tour C
• 05:00 AM - Catch the sunset at Corong-Corong Beach
• 07:00 PM - Dinner and souvenir shopping
• 09:00 AM - Back at the hotel and sleep

DAY 4: TARAW PEAK AND DEPARTURE

• 07:30 AM - Take a tricycle to Ferrata Nature's Canopy Walk
• 10:30 AM - Take a tricycle back to your hotel/resort
• 11:00 AM - Back at the hotel, freshen-up and prepare for check-out
• 12:00 NN - Hotel check-out and have lunch
• 01:00 PM - Travel from El Nido to Puerto Princesa City [ BOOK TRANSPORTATION HERE! ]
• 06:00 PM - Arrive at Puerto Princesa Airport
• 08:00 PM - Travel back to Manila

5D/4N: El Nido Itinerary (5 Days and 4 Nights)

Day 4: el nido tour b or d.

• 08:30 AM - Start of El Nido Tour B
• Snake Island
• Pinagbuyutan Island
• Pangulasian Island
• Cudugnon Cave
• Cathedral Cave
• 04:30 AM - End of El Nido Tour B
• 08:30 AM - Start of El Nido Tour D
• Cadlao Lagoon
• Paradise Beach
• Natnat Beach
• Small Lagoon
• 04:30 AM - End of El Nido Tour D
• 07:00 PM - Dinner and have a few drinks

DAY 5: TARAW PEAK AND DEPARTURE

6D/5N OR MORE: El Nido Itinerary (6 Days and 5 Nights or More)

To help you plan your coron adventure, please check out these posts:.

• Coron Travel Guide with Budget and Itinerary for First-timers
• Sample Coron Itineraries for 3, 4, 5, 6, Days Tour or More!

San Vicente Land Tour Itinerary

• 08:00 am - hotel pick-up
• Roman Catholic Church
• Municipal Hall
• Kayak Inandeng River
• Lunch at Long Beach
• Bato ni Ningning
• 04:00 pm - end of the tour

Boayan Island Tour Itinerary

• Niapuray Reef
• Kambingan Beach
• Evergreen Beach
• Lunch at Evergreen Beach
• Starfish Point
• Pulang Bato Reef

I hope these SAMPLE EL NIDO PALAWAN ITINERARIES help you plan an amazing and memorable El Nido adventure! Please feel free to adjust the itineraries depending on the things you want to do El Nido and the activities and experiences that best interest you. Also, please adjust it depending on your flight arrival and departure times.

For more travel tips on how to get there, top things to do in el nido, tourist spots, recommended hotels and resorts, sample budget breakdown and many more, please check out my el nido palawan travel guide blog for first-timers ..

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2023 Coron Palawan Guide – 4 Day Coron DIY Itinerary

Posted by Mick | Asia , Places to Go | 0

Post summary: Your day-to-day Coron Palawan tour itinerary, broken down with things to do and where to eat during your Coron diy tour!

A solid itinerary is a must when exploring Coron and touring the islands of Palawan. This popular destination in the Philippines is famous for its dramatic rock formations, stunning limestone cliffs, crystal clear waters, gorgeous lagoons, and world class snorkeling and diving spots in the world. 

In this article, we give a sample 4 day and 3 nights Coron Palawan itinerary to help organize your trip! Each day in the sample Coron itinerary includes the list of things to do in Coron and our recommended restaurants and bars to try!

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

How to Get to Coron

There are a lot more options to get to Coron today compared to previous years. Local airlines in the Philippines, such as AirSwift, PAL Express, and Cebu Pacific, have direct flights to and from Manila and other tourist destinations in the Philippines like Boracay and Cebu. 

Alternatively, you can also take a passenger ferry from Manila to Cebu for those who want to travel backpacker style. The passenger ferry is a comfortable ride, leaving Manila in the evening and arriving in Coron the next morning. 

Coron Travel and Tours:

Before we organize our Coron itinerary, let’s make a list of things to do in Coron so that we don’t miss anything. 

Below are the must-see and must-do affordable Coron island tours :

1. Coron Island Hopping Tour A 

• Swim in Kayangan Lake, the cleanest lake in the Philippines
• More popularly known as the Blue Lagoon, this lake is set amongst majestic limestone cliffs
• Snap a photo with the iconic view of Coron as your backdrop during your short trek to Kayangan Lake
• Snorkel in the coral garden and explore the thriving corals and marine species of Palawan
• Relax by the powdery white sands of CYC Beach, where you can also swim or snorkel by the crystal clear water
• A convenient pick up from downtown Coron will take you safely to the start of your adventure!

Book Coron Island Hopping Tour A on Klook

2. Coron Island Hopping Tour B

• Swim in Barracuda Lake, a scenic lake surrounded by limestone cliffs located at the north end of Coron Island
• Enjoy a tasty picnic lunch at the beautiful Banol Beach, a short stretch of white sand beach with pristine waters
• Snorkel atop the Skeleton Wreck, a sunken fishing boat, and enjoy swimming with the colorful fishes
• Visit the iconic Twin Lagoon, two saltwater lakes separated by a narrow opening, which invites travelers to cross through for an unforgettable tunnel experience
• A convenient pickup from downtown Coron will take you safely to the start of your adventure!

Book Coron Island Hopping Tour B on Klook

3. Coron Island Hopping Tour C

• Cruise to Malcapuya Island and enjoy the panoramic views of coastal cliffs along the way
• Bask in the beauty of the pristine beaches of Palawan and its fine, white sand
• Swim through the coral reefs and thriving marine biodiversity of Palawan and even see numerous giant clams!
• Take a walk in Ditaytayan Island’s sandbar and be mesmerized with the surrounding tropical views

Book Coron Island Hopping Tour C on Klook

4. Non-Island Hopping Tours in Coron

– Mount Tapyas View Deck – Maquinit Hot Spring – Public Market – Town Plaza

5. Where to Eat in Coron – Restaurants & Bars

– Hop Hostel rooftop bar for sunsets and drinks – Trattoria Altrove – KT’s Sinugba Sa Balay – La Sirenetta Restaurant & Bar – Santino’s Grill

Coron DIY Itinerary – Day 1: Day of Arrival

7 am to 11 am  – Day of arrival. Many of the flights that come from Manila to Coron usually arrive in the morning. However, if you are taking the speed boat from El Nido, you will be arriving mid to late afternoon. Use much of your morning or early afternoon to get yourself settled and rested because the next three days can get quite busy!

Noon  – If you make it to Coron before noon, take the time and check out one of our recommended restaurants in Coron. 

2 pm to 4 pm  – If you have enough energy after a hearty lunch, take the time and explore Coron town. Although Coron town proper is not the most photogenic island town in Palawan, it’s still quite different from other towns you’ll come across in the Philippines. I remembered my first visit to Coron in 2013; there was hardly anything in the town proper – perhaps a few restaurants here and there. Today, the island is a lot more developed with a lot more options for tourists, although still not on the same level as Boracay. 

5 pm  – Go back to the hotel and freshen up

5:45 pm  – Head to Hop Hostel for a drink and experience the legendary sunset of Coron at their rooftop bar. 

7:30 pm  – Dinner time, pick one of our recommended places to eat in Coron!

Coron Itinerary – Day 2: Island Hopping Tour

730 am –  Wake up call! Have breakfast, and prepare for the day.

9 am –     The first thing on your to-do list on your first full day in Coron is island hopping the famous islands. As mentioned above, there are four island hopping tours you can pick – creatively named Tour A, Tour B, and Tour C. You can pick whatever tour for this day, but let’s just say you choose Tour A for your first island hopping tour. 

Tour A explores Coron’s most iconic sites. In this tour, you will visit the iconic Kayangan Lake, snorkel in the beautiful coral garden and discover the aquamarine life of Palawan, and have downtime and relax at CYC Beach. 

430 pm  – Coron island hopping tour ends, and you should be back on the town proper by this time. 

545 pm  – If you wish to catch the sunset, try La Sirenetta Restaurant & Bar for sunset with a perfect view of the bay.

7 pm  – Dinner time! You can conveniently stay in La Sirenetta Restaurant & Bar if you wish for dinner. Alternatively, you can try the popular Trattoria Altrove, famous for its authentic Italian pizza and pasta. 

Coron Itinerary – Day 3: Non-Island Hopping Activity

730 am –  Wake up call! Rise and shine and have your breakfast. For today’s itinerary, we will take a break from island hopping in Coron to explore different areas of the island. We will hike the second highest peak in Coron, Mount Tapyas, and relax at Maquinit hot springs after the hike!

You also can climb Mount Tapyas towards late in the afternoon to catch the incredible sunset with a view of Coron bay. 

9 am  – Leave for Mount Tapyas. Make sure you bring a hat and a bottle of water as the sun can be quite intense. There are few areas along the way with spectacular views of the bay before you get to the peak. 

Noon –  Leave for lunch. Try one of our recommended restaurants in Coron town!

2:30 pm  – Head to Maquinit Hot Springs. This hot spring is the only known saltwater hot spring in the Philippines, and probably the only one in Asia. It is conveniently located about 25 minutes from the town center and ideally located between a hill and the blue sea whose shores are lined with mangrove trees and floating bamboo cottages. You can stay here for as long as you’d like!

7 pm  –   Dinner time! 

Coron Itinerary – Day 4 : 2nd Island Hopping Tour

7:30 am –  Rise and shine! Do your morning routine and get ready to start the day!

9:00 am  – For today, we are going to do a second island hopping tour. Since we already signed up for Tour A for our first tour, we have Tour B and Tour C as our island hopping tour options. 

Tour B is another popular island hopping tour in Coron. You get to explore Coron’s legendary Barracuda Lake, snorkel sunken shipwrecks, discover hidden lagoons, and have lunch on one of the most beautiful beaches in Coron. 

4 pm  – By mid to late afternoon, you should be back in Coron town. Use this time to relax for a bit, have a nap, or just have downtime. 

5:30 pm –  Time to have drinks and watch the Coron sunset at your preferred bar. Another alternative is to use this time and get a massage in Coron town. 

7 pm onwards  – Dinner and drinks to end the night!

Coron Itinerary – Day 5 : Leave Coron

730 am  – Rise and shine!

9 am onwards –   Before checking out of your hotel, I recommend using this time to have breakfast and perhaps walk around Coron town proper and buy souvenirs. 

11 am  – Depart Coron

Where to Stay In Coron

WHERE TO STAY IN CORON #1: CLUB PARADISE (LUXURY RESORT)

What guests are saying on booking.com

One of the best resorts in Coron with its stunning location – an island rimmed with white beaches. You will feel isolated yet wholly taken care of, with the amenities of home. We were welcomed with a Club Paradise theme song played by the band, an introduction to the manager, and a foot bath. The island has a lovely pool and serves delicious food. 

>> Click here for Rates & Availability

WHERE TO STAY IN CORON #2: CORON SOLEIL GARDEN RESORT (MID RANGE)

A beautiful property and far better than anything else I’ve stayed at or seen in Coron. The room was very spacious, comfortable, and clean. The property was very well maintained. I ate in the restaurant once, and it was delicious! The pool is beautiful, especially at night. The service is exceptional, and the staff was very accommodating in assisting my late arrival and transfer to my next hotel. For people who complain that it is slightly out of Coron town: trust me, that’s a good thing! It’s much more peaceful here than at any of the other hotels right in town. I wish I could have stayed longer!

WHERE TO STAY IN CORON #3: HOP HOSTEL (BUDGET)

Everything was terrific at this hostel! It’s gorgeous, they serve delicious food, and the staff is kind and FUN so special thanks to them as they were the big bonus to my stay! They took us on a super lovely boat trip all day and organized a lot of other activities every great day! The hostel has a fantastic rooftop terrace where you have magic views. The rooms are spacious, clean, and the beds super comfortable. If I have the chance to go to Coron again, I will stay here!

Read about other articles about Coron Palawan:

• Get the complete list of  Things to Do in Coron
• Looking for Hotels in Coron? Check out  Where to Stay in Coron
• Going Island Hopping in Coron? Check out  Coron Island Tours
• Coron’s Must-Visit:  Kayangan Lake
• One of the Best Diving Spots in Coron:  Barracuda Lake
• Must-Visit While in Coron:  Bulog Dos Island
• One of Coron’s Most Stunning Beaches:  Beach 91
• The Perfect Lunch Spot While Island Hopping:  Banol Beach
• The Beach in Coron to Rest and Unwind:  CYC Beach
• Traveling to El Nido? Check out these  luxury resorts in El Nido
• Staying a few days in Manila? Check out this wellness resort  The Farm at San Benito

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UPDATED BALABAC TRAVEL GUIDE 2024: DIY Budget, Itinerary, Travel Tips and More 

Balabac palawan trip guide and diy itinerary.

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2024 DIY Travel Guide  to Balabac Palawan 

Table of Contents

N estled at the southwestern and farthermost tip of Palawan is the Balabac group of islands. For those who don’t know, Balabac is a secluded area of raw paradise with turquoise waters, pristine white island beaches, beautiful flora and fauna, and a preserved culture among the locals. Read our Balabac Travel Guide below:

The remote municipality resting in the Sulu Sea is just a dot between Palawan and Sabah, Malaysia. With 31 islands and islets, Balabac is one of the places to visit if you want to experience one of the best beaches in the Philippines, particularly one in Palawan that could rival the beauty of El Nido and Coron .

This 2023 Travel Guide to Balabac Palawan Blog aims to provide helpful budget tips, DIY Travel tips, recommended hotels, places to visit, sample itineraries, places to eat, and more.

Best time to visit Balabac, Palawan

As a beach destination, summer is the best time to visit Balabac. The dry seasons of April and May are the best times to visit the island since the sea is perfectly calm on most days during these months.

You may also visit Balabac from December to February, which is pretty good. However, these months are also the amihan season in Palawan, making the waves particularly rough on the beaches. Of course, you should also consider the general weather updates whenever you want to schedule your trip.

How to get to Balabac (from Manila)

Balabac is far from Manila compared to other beach destinations in Palawan. There are no direct Balabac flights; the fastest way is via Puerto Princesa City.

• You have to travel at least 1.5 hours from Manila to Puerto Princesa International Airport by plane. Once there, you must spend at least 10 hours or a full day to get to Balabac.
• The first leg of your long Balabac journey is a trip from Puerto Princesa to Rio Tuba. You must ride a tricycle from the airport to the terminal for your trip to Rio Tuba.
• You can ride a van or bus from the San Jose Terminal in Puerto Princesa for at least 4-5 hours to Rio Tuba.
• You must take a boat ride from Rio Tuba to Balabac Island and spend another four hours on the sea.

Getting around in Balabac

Since Balabac is still a remote area, you only have three transportation options to get to where you want to go: a tricycle, a bus, or a van.

The fastest transport option is a van since it has a few stopovers to make, and you usually ride one in a terminal. Of course, you must ride a boat if you want to go island hopping since the islands and islets in Balabac are spread far apart.

Places to stay in Balabac.

If you’re too tired, or it’s already too late to pursue your travel from Rio Tuba to Balabac, you can opt to swing by a few places to stay for the night. Be warned that most accommodations and facilities in Balabac are basic, so looking for fancy resorts or restaurants is out of the list.

Here are a few hotels that offer overnight stays with affordable fees that you can choose from:

Balabac Island Accommodation in Poblacion, Balabac

There are only two accommodations available so far in Poblacion.

JD Lodging (Sing and Swing Lodge) provides two options for lodging. You may go for their basic room with a fan or spend more when you go for a room with air conditioning priced at 1,000php.

Contact info: 0910-662-0073 Visit their FB Page

• 400php for 2pax
• 250php for 1pax

MLK Lodging

MLK Lodging provides a bare room with an electric fan and a comfortable room. Although the former has an air-conditioned room, this option is much cheaper than JD Lodging.

Contact info: 0939-517-6169

• 400 for 2pax

Balabac Island Accommodation in Rio Tuba

White Haven Lodge

White Haven Lodge also offers a bare room with a fan and a comfortable room for P300. The lodge is the best accommodation in Rio Tuba, given its proximity to the van terminal, and the front desk also knows the boat schedule from there to Balabac.

• 300php for 2pax

Dewelyn Lodging House

Address: Brgy. Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan Contact: 0999034854

Offers Fully airconditioned and Ordinary Fan Rooms. They are open 24 Hours with a round-the-clock power supply. The lodging-house also provides free WIFI.

Best places to eat in Balabac

Since Balabac remains a remote community of locals, fancy restaurants are not something you’d quickly find in the area. On the other hand, the island has plenty of eateries you can try that serve delicious rice meals and other dishes. The upside is that you can eat good meals cheaply and experience great local dishes.

Wi-fi and Internet access

You can bring your own mobile Wi-Fi to Balabac for internet access. However, the internet connection in Balabac is intermittent, so it’ll be hard to establish a decent connection most of the time. Call and text functions are also available, but most of the islands in Balabac don’t always have good signals.

Things to do and see in Balabac

Balabac has plenty to offer as an island paradise for the ultimate backpacker and tourists who wish to enjoy one of the best remote islands in Palawan. Here are some things to see and do in Balabac:

Visit Balabac’s own white sand beach on Bugsuk Island

Punta Sebaring Beach rivals the White Beach of Boracay for powdery, fine, and blinding white sand beaches. Not only that, Punta Sebaring is the Philippines’ longest white sand beach which is 3x longer than Boracay.

Go island hopping 

If you have enough cash to burn and want to experience the best of Balabac, you can go island hopping and visit exciting spots. Here is the list of must-visit islands in Balabac:

• Patawan Island
• Patonggong Island
• Bugsok/Sebaring Island
• Canibungan Island
• Candaraman Island (sand bar)
• Pulaw Bato Island (sightseeing)
• Camiaran Island (pink sand beach in Balabac)

Hop on a land tour

While the beaches of Balabac are a must-see, you shouldn’t miss out on the scenic views that the land of the islands has to offer as well. Climb the top of the Spanish-colonial Cape Melville Lighthouse and party to the treacherous strait between the Philippines and Malaysia.

Adventure Trek

If you enjoy mountains and trekking, there are a few trails you can go try, like Melville Peak, Malaking Ilog Peak, and Italawon Peak, to name a few. You may want to check out a few historical markers, like the old Spanish Fort in Ulitan, Ramos Island, and Larindon Bay, with its Spanish ruins.

Get the ultimate beach experience at Onuk Island.

If you’re a sucker for beaches, lounging in the sun, and swimming in crystal-clear waters, a visit to Onuk Island is definitely for you.

Visit the Pink Island of Camiaran

If you haven’t seen any pink sand beaches, the Pink beach of Camiaran will make you rethink the color pink in sand beaches. The small island has one of the finest pink sand beaches in the Philippines and is also well-known for its beautiful coral gardens, making it a nesting place for sea turtles.

Snorkel at Pulau Bato and Sicsican Island

If you’re one for adventure and beautiful underwater views, the Nasubata Reef and Sicsican Island are two places where you can go snorkeling and enjoy its rich marine life.

Shop for pasalubong at Marabon

Marabon is a floating village in Balabac. Due to its proximity to Sabah, Malaysia, many products being sold here are made in Malaysia. Instant Mee Goreng? Check! Malaysian Chocolates? Check! Pasalubong for Marites? Check!

Bird Watching

Balabac Island is home to various endemic species. It is the home of birds like the grey imperial pigeon (Ducula pickeringii), Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), blue-headed Racket-tail (Prioniturus platenae), and the Palawan hornbill (Anthracoceros marchei).

Sample Balabac Travel Itinerary and Trip Budget

To help you organize your trip, we created a sample Balabac Itinerary and travel budget:

5 days Balabac itinerary

• 8am — Arrival at Puerto Princesa Airport
• Transfer from Puerto Princesa Airport to San Jose Terminal via tricycle
• Bus / Van Ride from San Jose Terminal to Rio Tuba
• Arrival in Rio Tuba and Hotel Checkin
• Overnight in Rio Tuba
• 7am — Tricycle to Rio Tuba pier
• Balabac island hopping
• (Tour B) Visit Patawan Island, Mansalangan Island, Punta Sebaring Beach in Bugsuk Island.
• You can also visit Patongong Island and Anjela Sandbar
• Back to Hotel
• 7am — Balabac island-hopping the Second Day
• (Tour A) Canabungan Island, Sicsican Island (Snorkeling site, Candaramann Island, and Sandbar.
• You can also visit Secam Island and Camiaran Pink Sand Island
• 7am — Balabac island Land tour on the third day
• (Tour C) Melville Lighthouse, Nasubata Reef / Pulau Bato, and Pink Island.
• Onuk Island, a.k.a Roughton Island
• Arrival in Poblacion, Balabac Island
• Check-in at Balacac accommodation
• Rest in Poblacion, Balabac Palawan
• Travel Back to Puerto Princesa

Balabac Budget and Expenses Breakdown

• Puerto Princesa Airport to San Jose Terminal tricycle — PHP100
• Puerto Princesa to Rio Tuba Fare per person – PHP450
• The boat ride from Balabac to Rio Tuba  (One Way)- PHP350

Money-saving tips for your Balabac trip

Going to Balabac on a budget is very much possible. To save on costs, it’s better to travel to Balabac with your friends or family or both. A group tour is much cheaper than when you just go at it alone since most of the things you’ll need to enjoy your stays – like tents/hammocks, transportation, full board meals, local guides, and even insurance – will be provided for in a packaged tour.

Of course, you can also do it DIY style, where you decide where you want to go and which places you want to visit. The island hopping is the most expensive part of going to Balabac, where you’d need to spend at least 8000php for two days. On the other hand, you don’t have to pay that much if you just visit nearby islands like Sicsican, Punta Sebaring, and Candaraman – which only cost about 2000php.

Balabac Travel Tips

• Get a tour package and join group tours with other travelers instead of renting your own boat or getting a private tour.
• Bring extra cash; there are no ATM machines in Balabac Town proper and Rio Tuba.
• Always bring an emergency kit and essential medicines.

Looking for Balabac Palawan Tour Packages? Here’s a list of boat rental and tour operators that you can contact:

• SHAFARAH’S TRAVEL & TOURS SMART# 0946-2640-988 / GLOBE# 0965-1976-744 / TEL # 433-0740
• Kilometer Zero PH by Kap Andong (+63) 920 421 4583 / (+63) 926 685 9095 | Boat rental and tour operator
• Kuya Mark Anthony +63 999 470 9484 | Boat rental and tour operator
• Rombo Balabac Adventure by Kuya Renato Principe +63 929 140 3125 | Boat and tour operator
• Balabac Expedition by Fidel ( FB Page ) (+63) 918 2571 499 / (+63) 999 561 4998 / (+63) 995 933 3321 | Boat rental and tour operator 

Source: Balabac Tourism

All in all, going to Balabac is a definite challenge for the ultimate backpacker and bakasyunista. Balabac may not be worth the time and effort for flashpackers,  considering the 10+ long hours of travel time, but it’s typical for experienced adventure seekers.

Still, if you’re a fan of beautiful beaches, pristine island views, uncrowded places, and a place to rest and relax, then Balabac is a worthy place to try.

Have you been to Balabac, Palawan? Help us improve this 2022 Travel Guide to Balabac Blog by sharing your personal Balabac travel tips and personal recommendations.

Looking for the Best Hotels and Resorts in Balabac, Palawan? Visit Agoda to save time and money on your hotel selection, with millions of reviews and options.

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Written by Melo Villareal

Melo Villareal is the Online Publisher of Outoftownblog.com. He is an Accountant by profession who left the corporate world at the age of 23 to explore his beautiful country and the rest of the world. Today, Melo works as a part-time Social Media Manager for local and international clients. His full-time work focuses on discovering interesting culture, explore different cuisines and take memorable photos from local and international destinations he's visiting.

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EL NIDO PALAWAN DIY TRAVEL GUIDE 2023

Palawan is without a doubt one of the most in demand destinations in the country. When locals and tourists talk about the beautiful places in the Philippines, Palawan is always the top choice. You can never go wrong with this beautiful Province. It guarantees you a vacation that will surely add up to your collection of timeless dreams fulfilled. (El Nido DIY)

Located in the Western part of the Philippines is a province filled with so many surreal islands. Palawan is also the home to the world-known underground river that has competed countless times for its deserving place to be part of the 7 wonders of the world. The furious island of Balabac in the Southernest part is notable for its massive number of saltwater crocodiles. While in the Northern part of Palawan is the famous Coron with its stunning limestone and shipwrecks. El Nido, on the other hand, boasts off its unique crystal clear waters and lagoons. In this article, let me take you to the most beautiful places in El Nido.

Table of Contents

About El Nido, Palawan

Tracing back to El Nido’s history, it was a hidden paradise due to its remote location from the other inhabited islands. It was in the late 1990s when it was discovered by accident. The stunning beauty of the island attracted many tourists and later became one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Best time to visit

Since El Nido is more on activities under the sun, the expected best time to visit is during the dry season from March – May . Moreover, the months from November – May is still considerable and safe to visit without the rainstorms. It is not advisable to visit El Nido during the wet season from July – October since water in the sea is murky and there’ll be bigger waves during island hopping.

Language spoken in El Nido, Palawan

Tagalog is the main language spoken in El nido, Palawan. In addition, many Filipinos can speak very well in English and are proficient in other native language like Visaya, Bicolano and Hiligaynon.

Currency accepted

The currency accepted here is Philippine peso . Moreover, there are ATM machines and most establishments like restaurants and hotels accept credit cards. Some boatman who offers island hopping accepts USD as cash payment. But if you need to convert your money, there are money changers in the main street of El Nido.

El Nido DIY Pre-Travel Guide

How to get to el nido, palawan.

El Nido can now be accessed by land, sea, and air depending on what location you’re coming from. Below are the options you can choose from to get to El Nido in Palawan.

Option 1: By Air

The fastest way to go to El Nido is by booking a direct flight to Lio Airport (ENI) in El Nido. The second closest airport to El Nido is in Puerto Princesa (PPS) which is roughly 5 hours land travel by van. However, if you’re planning to backpack Palawan and consider underground river in your itinerary this is the best airport for you. You can book a flight to PPS and do a quick city tour before heading to the underground river. After that your next stop will be in El Nido.

SEARCH FOR FLIGHT DEALS VIA KLOOK HERE

Option 2: By Land

If you’re coming from Puerto Princesa airport or other municipalities in the Southern part like Balabac, you can ride a bus/van to get here. The fastest land travel is by van and from PPS airport there will only be one stopover which is halfway the trip. Vans from outside the airport only leave once it’s full and the fare is estimated PHP500.00 – PHP700.00 per person for 5-6 hours.

BOOK VAN TRANSFER FROM PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO HERE

Another option for land travel is by bus . This is a good option if you have a lot of luggage with you since bus haves bigger compartments that vans. From the airport, charter a tricycle going to San Jose Terminal where you can ride a bus to El Nido. The travel time is longer which is 6-7 hours since it has several stopovers along the way.

Option 3: By Sea

Another option to get to El Nido is by sea travel from Coron. Ride a fast craft going to El Nido. It leaves daily at noon and arrive El Nido at 3:30 PM. For advance bookings on your ferry to El Nido, click on below link and book your trip with Bookaway. Also, take note that there are no flights from Coron to El Nido airport.

BOOK YOUR FERRY TICKET TO EL NIDO HERE

Where to book your tour

We were supposed to tavel to El Nido DIY way but since there were 7 of us in our group, we thought it would be better to book through travel agencies. And we did not regret this since it was a hassle-free tour with Tripidito Travel . We did not need to think about anything else but our poses for our Instagram feed.

BOOK YOUR EL NIDO TOUR HERE

Where to stay in El Nido

As part of our booked tour from Tripidito Travel, we stayed at El Nido Elysian Place for our accommodation in El Nido. The hostel is fine and it’s just walking distance from the main street of El Nido filled with souvenir shops, restaurants and hotels. It’s also just walking distance from the port which is the jump start of all island hopping in El NIdo.

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Where to eat

If you’re looking for a chill place to dine with a stunning view of the islets in El Nido you might want to check out Birdhouse El Nido . Other recommended restaurants in El Nido is the Cabin Restaurant .

Additionally, for budget travelers there are carinderyas scattered all over the streets in El Nido especially at night. Just walk around the place and you’ll see restaurants offering budget meal for PHP 80.00 and above per person.

Things to do in El Nido (El Nido DIY)

There are a number of things you can do in El Nido. Most people think that the only activity you can do here is island hopping. Actually, you can do more than that like trekking, sunset watching, freediving and more. Check out the suggested things you can do below.

Island Hopping in El Nido, Palawan

This is the very reason why tourists come here in El Nido and that is to do island hopping since El Nido is famous for its stunning beaches and islands. First thing you have to know is that the tours for island hopping are actually divided into 5 different tours. The reason is because there are so many islands and beaches in El Nido that you cannot visit all of them in a single day. Hence the tours you can choose from. You can so 1 tour for the whole day and the others on the next days.

Below are the list of island hopping tours offered by Klook:

• Book Tour A With Klook – Secret Lagoon, Small/ Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Seven Commando Beach
• Book Tour B with Klook – East Pangulasian, Snake Island, Cudognon Cave, Cathedral Island and Pinagbuyutan Island
• Book Tour C with Klook – Helicopter Island, Talisay Beach, Star Beach, Matinloc Shrine and Hidden Beach

Sunset at Nacpan Beach

You have to know that Nacpan beach is not part of any island hopping tours in El Nido since it’s an hour way by land from El Nido. However, it is recommended to come here and spend sunset watching. This is a cool place to chill and another go-to place of tourists. To get here, you can hire a tricycle for PHP1,000.00 (USD20) and it’s good for 3-4 person. Alternatively, you can rent a motorbike if you know how to drive one. The rate is PHP350.00 for a whole day and that’s good for 2 person.

Hike at Taraw Cliff

Hiking to Taraw Cliff is another recommended activity if you’re up for adventure. The Taraw Cliff offers an overlooking view of El Nido and the port. The trek is almost an hour and a guide is required. Guide fee cost PHP500.00 for a group of 3. For more details about Taraw Cliff, you can read more here .

BOOK TARAW CLIFF VIA KLOOK HERE

Freediving in El Nido

Another suggested activity you can do is freediving and/or scuba diving. I personally enjoyed this part since I just started freediving a week before our trip in El Nido. During the island hopping tours, you can ask your tour guide to advise you for freediving sites during the tour. There are snorkeling sites from 5-10 meters where you can do fun dives.

Book Scuba Diving Tour with Klook below!

Dine at Overlooking Restaurants

Another way to relax aside from watching sunsets in Nacpan Beach is to dine in restaurants with overlooking view. I highly recommend Birdhouse El Nido for this trip. Birdhouse El Nido has a very peaceful vibe of nature and a stunning view of the beaches. Other activities you can do here is yoga. Check this place out when you visit El Nido.

Check them out here: Birdhouse El Nido

Try the Seafood in El Nido

Seafood restaurants are almost in every corner in El Nido. In fact, seafood in included in lunch buffets during island hopping tours. However, if you want to try authentic seafood during dinner after an island hopping trip or trek to Taraw Cliff, you can try in Jarace Grill Seafood and Restaurant .

Places to Visit in El Nido

To sum up the places we’ve been to in El Nido, below are photos of my most favorite tourist sites/islands in El Nido.

• Matinloc Shrine
• Small Lagoon/Big Lagoon
• Hidden Beach
• Seven Commando Beach
• Cudgnon Cave
• Nacpan Beach
• Taraw Cliff

Tips from Joan’s Footprints (El Nido DIY)

• If you are planning to go here on a DIY way, best to book in advance for accommodation since the accommodation price can get really high if it’s not booked early.
• Phone receptions are available everywhere
• For budget tips, you can eat in carinderyas to lessen your expenses. Honestly they are everywhere.
• There are snorkeling gears like fins and snorkels & mask you can rent at the port for PHP100.00 per day.
• Wear coral-friendly sunblock to avoid harmful chemicals consumed by the fish while swimming or snorkeling

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Underground River Palawan Tour or DIY

By: Author MC Miller

Posted on Last updated: February 20, 2021

Categories Philippines , Travel Blog Post

Before we visited the Subterranean River in Palawan (otherwise known as the Underground River) we considered whether we would book a tour or make the trip ourselves.

We had read on other blogs that the trip was better if you do it yourself. However, after a lot of research we would recommend visiting the Subterranean Underground River by tour and here’s why.

Underground River Palawan Tour or DIY

While we are not always a fan of tours (as we love self adventuring!) we would highly recommend taking a tour.

To visit the Subterranean River DIY style there are several time consuming steps. If you are interested we have listed them out below:

• Go to the Underground River office in Puerto Princesa at the City Coliseum to get your permit. Note the office closes at 4pm if you plan to visit early the next morning;
• Take a Bus to Sabang (or hire a scooter for 500 php);
• On the day of your trip, visit the Underground River tourist centre in Sabang to register your permit;
• Find a boat to take the tour.

All this effort for a grand total money saving of no more than 500 php per person (9 USD) = not worthwhile!

That much time and effort for so little saving is not worth wasting your holiday on.

Keep reading about the tour we took.

Underground River Tour Palawan

We took a tour with  World Holiday Travel & Tours   and would highly recommend it.

We were collected from our hotel in Puerto Princessa at 7.30am in the morning. We loved the convenience of having a van come and get us.

From this point, it was a 1.5 hour drive to the start of the Underground River where the true fun begins.

The road to Sabang is rather winding and may not be comfortable for those who feel nauseous easily. However, it is 100% worthwhile the discomfort to see one of the most incredible natural wonders of the world.

Boat Docking to the Underground River Tour

The van drops us at Sabang pier, a vibrant mess of hustle and bustle. From here you are required to wait up to 45 minutes while your guide gets permits for the group.

This is one big reason why we would recommend a tour over doing it yourself. The chaos at the port would make it a bit painful to get your own permit/know which boat to board.

While our guide got our permits we were free to chill at the port area. The area has lots of little souvenir huts and great fruit juice stands – try the mango shakes!

We were a little apprehensive to order a drink as we didn’t want to consume stomach churning tap water-made ice but our guide assured us the juice would be safe to drink.

Good thing she was there too because it would be a shame to miss out on such delicious juice.

Boat to the Underground River

Once your permit is all hunky dory, your guide will inform you when your boat is ready to transport you to the beach near the cave.

These motorised long tail boats hold around 9-10 people comfortably.

It takes around 10 minutes to arrive at the beach where the Underground River is located.

If the weather is good – as it was on the day we visited – the boat ride is a joy.

The water is so clear we saw lots of fish and even a turtle.

If we hadn’t recently swum with turtles at Apo Island, we would loved to jump in for a swim in the inviting water.

The Beach of the Underground River Tour

From here we landed at a small beach where fairly aggressive monkeys rule the world.

You are not allowed to bring plastic bags onto this beach or the monkeys will attack thinking it is food.

We didn’t bring any plastic bags but one still lunged for our backpack.

Word of warning – be careful of the monkeys!

We would recommend bringing or wearing insect repellant as on this island there is also a lot of small biting bugs.

Only a 5 minute jungle walk across the island lead us to the entrance to the underground river.

We were pleased to discover that there was a stand where they provide complimentary audio guides for you to listen to during the tour.

Inside Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Finally we were there – the moment we had been waiting for – visiting one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

We’ve visited some of the other New Wonders including Ha Long Bay , Vietnam, the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador and Iguazu Falls on the Argentina / Brazil border.

But never in the 60 something countries we’ve visited have we had the pleasure of experiencing an underground river. So we were very excited to enter!

And, very pleased to report we were not at all disappointed. The underground river completely exceeded our expectations.

We were debating whether to even see this attraction. We wondered if it was just an overrated cave.

However, it was so much more than an ordinary cave. It is no no wonder it’s been declared a UNESCO heritage site.

We saw huge stalagmites and stalactites resembling all sorts of characters – from cocoa plants to Jesus and the Last Supper.

The size of the cave is also staggering. At one point we entered a chamber which could easily have been 100 metres high.

We also saw lots of bats (including cute baby bats). People have also spotted giant groper’s swimming in the cave.

It was truly amazing & extremely well preserved. The government does a very good job to ensure the river stays exactly in its original condition.

Lunch after the Tour

After you are finished with the Underground Tour, we returned to the pier for lunch.

On the way back there is an impressive zip line across the ocean for those looking for extra excitement. The price is around 500 php.

The port doesn’t just serve tourists. A small boat delivered fresh coconuts brought to the island by local fisherman.

Lunch was included as part of the tour package.

It was a very filling & plentiful buffet which came complete with a free soft drink of your choosing.

We were very pleased to see plantains on the buffet which we have not had the pleasure of seeing since our travels in Nicaragua.

Information about our Underground Tour

We completed our tour with  World Holiday Travel & Tours   who we would highly recommend.

Our tour guide Joanne was unbelievably good. She was extremely knowledgeable and provided us with great information not only on the Subterranean River but also about the Puerto Princessa area in general.

The tour costs around 2000 PHP and runs from 7am to about 4pm in the afternoon.

We loved this one day adventure!

Which Tours to take in El Nido and Coron Palawan

If you are only beginning your Palawan adventure you have a lot to look forward to.

If you plan on island hopping in El Nido and Coron (it’s a must!) you will need to book a boat tour.

We explain what you’ll do and see (with lots of photos) about Tour A, B & C and try to work out which is the best El Nido Tour?

There are lots of amazing tours in Coron too and the range is diverse. From crystal clear lagoons to feeding giraffes, we pick 4 Coron Tours which rocked !

At Couple Travel the World we want to help making travelling easier so we always try to give you the nitty gritty information too.

So if you want to find the best mid-range hotel in El Nido , or how to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and then from El Nido to Coron by Ferry – we’ve got you covered.

In case you haven’t noticed we LOVED the Philippines. You can find more about why on our Philippines travel blog page and on Instagram @coupletraveltheworld.

Bonus: get $20 cashback straight to your credit card on your booking.com reservation using this discount link .

If you have any questions about visiting the Underground River or need help with booking let us know in the comments below!

Save the Underground Tour to Pinterest (so you can find it again later)

We were guests of World Holiday Travel & Tours. However, it does not change our opinion of the experience. All reviews are 100% honest.

MC Miller is a travel blogger and writer who has travelled America extensively and abroad to over 80 countries. He founded Couple Travel The World in 2017. Since then, he has spent over 6 years on the road as a full time travel couple. When he not traveling he likes to spend quality time with his partner Bett, planning our their next date or romantic getaway!

Friday 19th of October 2018

Would please recommend a good place but affordable to stay in Palawan? Thanks in advance!

• Palawan / Philippines / Puerto Princesa / Travel Guides

Puerto Princesa City Tour DIY Travel Guide – Palawan

by LoveEatWander · January 18, 2019

Puerto Princesa City Tour can be the “schedule filler” during your Palawan trip. Compared to Underground River Tour and Honda Bay Tour that require one whole day, Puerto Princesa City Tour can be done in a half day. If you have an early morning or late afternoon flight, and has no activity in line when you arrive or before you leave Palawan, you can opt to do the city tour.

When we went to Puerto Princesa, we did the city tour before our flight back to Manila. We started at 9AM and ended at 2PM. After the tour, we went directly to the airport for our 3PM flight. It is important to secure accommodation within the city proper for convenience and easy access to transportation.  

Table of Contents

Several Ways to Do the City Tour

Diy or do-it-yourself puerto princesa city tour.

• If you know how to drive a motorcycle then you can rent one and roam the city by yourself. For just Php100 per hour or Php500 for the whole day, you can go to all the places you prefer. You can find these motorbikes for rent beside the exit gate of the airport.
• If you are with other travellers (2-4 pax) you can charter a tricycle to take you to the places you fancy. Rental costs around Php500 to Php 700. Tricycles swarm every corner of Puerto Princesa as they are the primary means of transportation. Just approach a tricycle driver and inform them of your intent of doing the city tour.
• If you are in a bigger group, you can opt to charter a multicab (Php800 to Php1, 000) or van (Php1,000 to Php1,500). Vans for rent are usually offered by travel agencies. You may ask around or search Google to find one.
• You may also use the public transport, a combination of tricycle, jeepney, and/or multicabs. Although this option can be cheaper than the other options provided above, commuting can be such a hassle. If you plan to do this, you may just ask directions from locals and drivers to get to the places you want.
• Take advantages of tour packages from travel agencies . They usually charge Php600 per person for a package that includes the following: air-conditioned transfer, licensed tour guide, and entrance fees. You may opt to contact our travel partner Sole Adventours for booking. They will take care of everything.  

Places to Visit During Puerto Princesa City Tour  

• Binuatan Creations Handloom Weaving – this is a well-known handicraft shop where you can observe and personally experience making handloom woven products using the indigenous plant fibers of Palawan. Their products are world-class exports and you can buy these native products when you visit the place. Location: Pajara, Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Contact Number (048) 433-7630
• Palawan Butterfly Garden – From the name itself, this is a small place with lots of butterflies of various colors and sizes. If you want to experience walking in a butterfly sanctuary and be greeted by these sweet and colorful flying objects, or if you want to know how an ugly caterpillar becomes something of impressive beauty, then visit this place. Entrance fee: Php50. Location: Bunk House Rd., Santa Monica, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
• Bakers Hill – this probably is the most popular place to visit when doing the city tour. It is a bakery/restaurant with beautiful landscaping. It offers a mini-park where visitors can relax. It is open for public (except on Monday). Here, you can enjoy the deliciously baked bread while enjoying the homey atmosphere of the vicinity. Make sure to try the Hopia Ube and Hopia Baboy that they sell. Entrance Fee: Free. Location: Mitra Road, Barangay Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
• Mitra’s Ranch – A ranch situated in an elevated portion of Palawan, providing a beautiful view of the city. This place is privately owned by the governor of Palawan but was opened for the public entertainment. When you visit Mitra’s Ranch, try the Rancho Zipline which costs Php500 for 3 lines. Entrance Fee: Free. Location: Sta Monica Heights, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
• Iwahig Prison – a famous penal place where, instead of bars, you will see greeneries, shelters, ponds, and people in color-coded shirts freely roaming around, doing chores and other activities. These people in color-coded shirts are actually the prisoners themselves! Go visit the place, talk to them and share stories with them. You can even dance with them!
• Crocodile Farm (Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center) – Aside from hundreds of hundreds of crocodiles, this place also holds other endemic species such as the Palawan bearcat, porcupines, bearded pig, different sizes and colors of birds, and other exotic animals. I do not personally like their little zoo because the animals inside do not look healthy at all. Cages are rusty, animals are dirty, and some of them look thirsty and hungry. I hope the park just focus on crocodiles, which they seem to be managing pretty well. Entrance Fee: Php100. Location: Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
• Plaza Cuartel – this place used to be a Japanese garrison during WWII. It has been converted into a memorial park for war victims. The place is okay but nothing extraordinary.
• Cathedral – historical church with a grand and impressive structure.
• Baywalk – this place is the most popular strolling ground in Puerto Princesa nowadays. You can rent a bike or walk by the concrete road along the shoreline and enjoy the street food while appreciating the vast view of the bay. The local government of Puerto Princesa is doing a great job in keeping Baywalk clean and orderly despite the crowds that flock in the area. Kudos!  

Book your Puerto Princesa City Heritage Tour below:

Additional Places To Visit & Other Activities

The things provided above are the usual places where the tricycle driver will bring you during the city tour for the quoted budget. If you have extra money and time, you may also try other activities and visit other places like the ones provided below. You may still charter a tricycle, multicab, van, or motorcycle, and include the following in your itinerary but the rates can be a bit higher.

• Firefly Watching in Iwahig – Looking at the cluster of glowing insects that can transform a simple tree into a magical diagram can be one of the most surreal experiences. Much more if these lights are produced by little bodies of fireflies! Just ask your driver to take you to Iwahig River where you can rent a small boat (Php600 – Php800 for 2-4 persons). If you want a hassle-free firefly watching tour, a lot of travel agencies are offering this said activity for Php1, 300. The rate already includes van service, cottage rental, boat rental, tour guide, and dinner at the site.
• Ugong Rock – a limestone rock formation standing 75-feet high which can be climbed through caves and crevices. You may go here directly or drop by this place in the morning before your Underground River tour (if you plan to do so). Activities: Rock Climbing: Php200 person. Zip Line: Php250 per person. Location: Baranggay Tagabinet, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
• Sta. Lourdes Hot Spring – Enjoy a very relaxing dip at the hot spring pools of Sta. Lourdes. Although far from other city destinations, this hot spring is worth visiting. There is no entrance fee but you are required to rent a pool (Php400 – Php1,000 depending on the size) when you visit the place.

Travel Tips for Puerto Princesa City Tour

• Make sure to book your accommodation within the city proper if you will take advantage of Puerto Princesa City Tour from a travel agency as they charge additional (from Php250 to Php2,500) for those whose hotels are outside the city. Yeah, the surcharge can be more expensive than the package.
• Puerto Princesa City Tour DIY is good for a group with at least 6 members. It is indeed a more affordable option and you will have more control over your time.
• We personally suggest that you take advantage of organized tour services to stay away from hassles and misfortunes especially if you are travelling in a small group.
• If you want to take advantage of Puerto Princesa Tour package, you may get in touch with our partner travel agency,  Sole Adventours .
• For more virtual and interactive live updates, you can check our INSTAGRAM PAGE or follow us on TWITTER .
• Be part of Love. Eat. Wander. Facebook Community Page for more updates and travel tips or visit our YouTube Channel for videos.

Thank you for dropping by!

Should you want to add/dispute something in this article, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!

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Ultimate Travel Guide to Balabac, Palawan: The Last Paradise

Here’s your ultimate travel guide to Balabac, Palawan! Including a sample 5 days itinerary you can follow for your trip.

Last 2015, Hali and I were exchanging stories with a 60-year-old fellow traveler who then told us about Balabac. For the uninitiated, Balabac group of islands is a relatively unknown summer haven for backpackers seeking unspoilt beaches and preserved local culture. In my opinion, it has the best beaches you can find in the Philippines .

Balabac is located at the southernmost tip of Palawan in the Philippines and is just a few hours away from Sabbah, Malaysia.

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Along with five other friends, Hali and I ventured here on the first week of March 2016 for our first summer escapade (and also Hali’s birthday celebration — he said age isn’t important). It was a bit challenging to arrange a DIY vacation to Balabac. At the time of our trip, there was very little material in the internet especially with regards to island hopping prices and contact details.

So much has changed since our last visit. We’ve updated this post with the latest information , including info on packaged tours to Balabac so you’ll have a hassle-free travel. Enjoy!

P.S. Traveling to Balabac, soon? I also recommend reading our Guide to Island Hopping in Balabac, Palawan .

Option 1: Via Rio Tuba

Option 2: via buliluyan port, when is the best time to visit, islands to visit in balabac, palawan, 5 days itinerary to balabac, palawan, island hopping tours only, full packaged tours, where to stay in rio tuba, where to stay in balabac, things to know before you go, things to bring on your trip, contact details, budget and expenses, is it safe to visit balabac, which places are similar to balabac, watch our video here, what to read next:, how to get to balabac, palawan.

The closest airport to Balabac is Puerto Princesa Airport. From there, you need to travel to either Rio Tuba port or Buliluyan port and then ride a boat to Balabac. It will take you at least a day to get to Balabac.

In Puerto Princesa, ride a trike or jeep to San Jose Terminal. Tricycle fare from the airport is P120. If you walk outside the airport to the main road, tricycle fare is P70-100 per ride and jeepney fare is P12-15 per person.

From San Jose Terminal, ride either a bus or van going to Rio Tuba. Travel time is 4-5 hours. Commuting via van is faster since there are lesser stopovers, although you will still need to wait for other passengers to fill up all the seats. Fare for the van is P300 per person.

Van Schedules:

• Puerto Princesa to Rio Tuba: 4AM to 5PM
• Rio Tuba to Puerto Princesa: 4AM to 3PM

Bus Schedules:

• Puerto Prinesa to Rio Tuba: Up to 7PM

Regardless of which transport you choose, it’s safe to be at the terminal at around 5-6PM to make sure you won’t miss a ride to Rio Tuba.

From Rio Tuba, ride a passenger boat to Balabac.

Travel time is 4 hours, boat fare is P370. Normally, there is only one schedule for the boat via Rio Tuba-Balabac route, which is anywhere from 9AM to 12 noon. The boat leaves immediately once all seats are taken. A boatman told us they make a second trip depending on the number of passengers, but I get the impression that this rarely happens.

If you arrive at night in Rio Tuba, you can sleepover at the nearby White Heaven Lodging which is just near the port. From there, take a tricycle to the port (P20 per person).

The passenger boat makes a few stops. You’re about an hour away from mainland Balabac after you pass by Bancalan Port.

Similarly, there is also one schedule for the boat from Balabac to Rio Tuba: at 6AM in the morning. The boat is either docked in the unloading pier or VCI, depending on the sea level.

Depending on your itinerary, you can also opt to travel from Puerto Princesa to Buliluyan Port instead of Rio Tuba. There are no passenger boats in Buliluyan Port. Instead, your boat operator for island hopping will have to fetch you from here to Balabac. This port is closer to some islands in Balabac, including Patunggong Island and Tangkahan Island. If you want to go straight to island hopping, this is a better choice.

Same as above: In Puerto Princesa, ride a trike or jeep to San Jose Terminal.

Then ride a van to Buliluyan Port. Fare is P600 per person. Travel time is 5 hours.

Summer is the best time to visit Balabac . As per Anj of Kilometer Zero PH, ber-months are still okay but during the amihan season (from December to February) the waves can get particularly rough.

There are different islands you can visit in Balabac. These are:

• Bancalaan Island
• Camiaran Island (Pink Sand Beach)
• Onuk Island (also called Onok Island)
• Candaraman Island (Starfish Sandbar)
• Sicsican Island
• Ramos Island
• Canabungan Island
• Nasubata Island
• Punta Sebaring
• Patunggong Island
• Patawan Island
• Mansalangan sandbar
• Matangule sandbar
• Bobby’s Island
• Secam Island
• Cabcabun Island
• Tangkahan Island
• Timbayan Island (rock formation)
• Balabac Island – Melville Lighthouse

In my opinion, the best islands to visit are : Camiaran Island, Onuk Island/Onok Island, Patawan Island, Candaraman Island, Mansalangan sandbar, Punta Sebaring and Tangkahan Island.

To know more about the islands in Balabac, read our Guide to Island Hopping in Balabac, Palawan . We also have a separate feature on Onuk Island .

Take note that the islands in Balabac are mostly privately owned, so public access may change.

As of 2019 , visiting Melville Lighthouse in no longer allowed. Candaraman Island is also closed but it is still possible to visit the sandbar.

Here’s a sample 5 days itinerary to Balabac, Palawan. You can use it as a rough guide when you visit Balabac.

Coordinate with your boatmen since they know which are the best hours to visit the islands. For instance, places such as Punta Sebaring, Onuk Island/Onok Island and the sandbars need to be visited during low tide, which changes per season.

Due to the long commute time, it’s recommended to stay 5-7 days in Balabac, Palawan.

Where to book your tours in Balabac

You can book your island hopping tour directly with the local boat operators in Balabac. There are also travel agencies offering full packaged tours to Balabac, which is convenient especially if you’re a solo or couple joiner.

Also included are the current island hopping rates ( Updated as of 2022 ).

Kuya Boboy and Kuya Onyok were our guides and we highly recommend them. If you decide to hire them via this blog, please tell them that we (Katherine and Hali) say Hi! Ate Lorna is a relative of them and she also arranges tours to Balabac.

Here is their contact:

• Kuya Onyok : 09123993543 / Kuya Boboy : 09309822412 | Facebook
• Ate Lorna : 09066909547 / 09465576503

Their rates are 4-6 people: P1500 per head/day, 7-10 people: P1200 per head/day.

These prices include the island hopping tour and meals. Accommodation can be booked in the mainland or islands separately.

For complete packaged tours, I recommend Gala PH by JV Francisco. I went with them on my second visit in Balabac . I had a blast, the food was overwhelming and overall I highly recommend their services.

Gala PH arranges joiner tours to Balabac, including transfer from PPS to Balabac and vice versa, island hopping, accommodation and meals.

Here is their contact: Gala PH – Facebook

Their rate is P9500 per person for a 3-day tour, including transfer from Puerto Princesa and vice versa, island hopping tour, meals, and accommodation (tent only).

Where to stay

Staying overnight in Puerto Princesa? You can check out discounted inns/hotels in PPS here .

Here are the main accommodations you can book for your trip to Balabac, Palawan.

• White Heaven Lodging . Rates: Room for 2 pax – P250
• Dewelyn Lodging House . Contact: 0999034854
• Pring Pension House . Rates: Fan room with common CR – P300 / AC room w/o breakfast – P700 or with breakfast – P900. Contact: 09265844805

White Heaven Lodging is near the port of Rio Tuba so it’s the recommended to stay here.

Here are the places you can stay at in mainland Balabac.

• JD lodging (Sing and Swing lodge) . Rates: Fan room with common CR for 2 pax – P500 / AC room for 2 pax – P1000. Contact: 09106620073
• MLK lodging . Rates: Room for 2 pax – P500. Contact: 09395176169
• Mely Bechayda Pension House . Rates: Fan room with common CR – P500 / Shared big room with own CR – P250 per person. Contact: 09264049171
• Biga-Biga Beach Resort . (No info)

We stayed at JD lodging for the duration of our trip. The rooms are surprisingly spacious. The restrooms and shower stalls are for common sharing but clean and regularly maintained. The electricity in the whole Balabac group of islands is up until midnight only, but you can request for the generator to be turned on during the night in JD Lodging for P300 per night (all rooms covered).

There are also islands where you can find resorts/camping grounds. Some of these are:

• Candaraman Island
• Canibungan Island
• Matangule Island
• Punta Sebaring (Bugsuk Island)
• Onuk Island/Onok Island

If you’re availing of a packaged tour, accommodation is already taken cared of.

Here are the things you should know about before you go:

• Bring all the cash that you need; there is no ATM or bank in Balabac. The nearest one is located in Rio Tuba.
• Be prepared to go on rough backpacking, i.e., camping on islands. You can also stay in mainland Balabac, but going to/from here when you island hop might be time consuming, which is why the usual itinerary includes staying overnight in islands.
• Mobile signal is non-existent or weak in most places in Balabac.

• You can buy Malaysian goods such as mi goreng noodles as pasalubong in mainland Balabac or Sitio Marabun, a local community on stilts which you’ll pass by going back to Buliluyan Port.
• Insect repellent
• For camping: Tent/hammock, flashlight and powerbank
• Snorkel set/fins

There are islands in Balabac that are home to sand flies (or niknik), such as Punta Sebaring. Make sure to bring insect repellent and balm for insect bites.

There’s a lot of snorkeling/freediving sites in Balabac. However, there are no rental stores in this area so you should bring your own equipment.

Here are other contact details you may need:

• Kuya Jerry, shuttle service Puerto Princesa City – Rio Tuba : 0927 705 5910/0946 260 6260

Update as of January 2018:  Ate Bebeth is no longer part of the tourism office, and I’ve removed her contact detail above.

Budget depends on the package you choose. For 5-6 days stay good for 4 people, a safe budget would be P9000-10,000 per person.

Additional: FAQ Section

I’ve added this section as an update. Ever since posting this Balabac Palawan itinerary and other features, we’ve been drowning in inquiries, and though the attention is flattering, sadly I can’t keep up with all the messages.

When we visited in 2016, we found out thru inquiries in our blog that there are security issues in Balabac. However, it is our personal experience that Balabac is safe for foreign and local tourists.

As of 2019 , tourism in Balabac is expanding and there are currently no security concerns about visiting here.

There are other places you can visit in Palawan. The unique thing about Balabac is it’s the most remote and possibly the least commercialized as of yet.

Puerto Princesa  offers its own island hopping and scuba diving adventures, not to mention the world-renown Puerto Princesa Underground River .  El Nido and Coron  are world-known vacation spots, famous for limestone karsts and clean lagoons. There are also low-key destinations in Palawan that offer a quiet time off, such as Port Barton .

If you’re looking for off-beaten beaches, we recommend:

• Calayan Island in Babuyan Islands, Cagayan
• Palaui Island in Cagayan

If you want to get an idea of other great attractions, here’s a list of the best places to visit in the Philippines .

Thank you to everyone who helped me in creating this guide! If you have updated information, please let us know thru comments/email so we can update this post as well.

Don’t forget to watch our summer experience in Balabac, Palawan, in this video:

Has this Balabac Palawan itinerary and travel guide been helpful to you ? Feel free to like and share. Oh and post your comments below! 🙂

Visiting Palawan? Check out the rest of our guides in Palawan:

• Ultimate Guide to Palawan
• Top Things to Do in Palawan
• Best Beaches in Palawan

Puerto Princesa :

• Guide to Puerto Princesa Underground River
• Island Hopping in Honda Bay
• Best Resorts and Hotels in Puerto Princesa
• Travel Guide to Coron
• Best Resorts in Coron Palawan
• Travel Guide to El Nido
• Best Resorts in El Nido Palawan
• Travel Guide to Balabac
• Island Hopping in Balabac
• Onuk Island

Port Barton :

• Travel Guide to Port Barton + 3 Days Itinerary
• Top Things to Do in Port Barton
• Island Hopping in Port Barton

If you liked this post, feel free to share it in Pinterest!

Get discounts on your travels!

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Katherine Cortes is a long-time backpacker and a freelance writer/editor. She likes beaches, snorkeling trips, and relaxing staycations (preferably with bath tubs!).

129 Comments

Irena filipovic dimitrijevic.

Anybody wants to go with us and share expenses, in 3 days to Balabac? So, the dates are Februaru 20th- night in Rio Tuba, and after that 3 nights on Balabac. Johannes and Irena

its my futured island…Balabac is a unique in the whole world…lets safe Palawan forever.. 🙂

Hello, do you have a scheduled boat trip from Buliluyan Port to Balabac? Or we have to rent a private boat for that? would you know hm?

Katherine Cortes

Hello. There are no passenger ferries from Buliluyan Port. You have to rent a private boat. Usually it’s included in island hopping rates, as today most tourists go this route.

Maybe we can go together. my desired schedule is Jan 31 to Feb 2, 2020. My number is 09289106175

Ron Orlovsky

Hi there! Katherine! This is soooooo helpful! A friend and I are looking to travel Balabac during Christmas break. Anytime between 24th-29th of December, 2019. We are looking for joiner to share the “burden” 🙂 Feel free to email: [email protected] .

Sushil Kumar

hi we are 2 adults and a child 13 yrs planning for balabac from the 16 th of jan to 20th of jan 2020 any body who wishes to join can please mail me on [email protected] thank you

Hello, I will fly to Puerto Princesa on January 26 and will stay in Palawan till mid of February (single traveller). Do you think, it is possible, to organize joining a Balabac-Island-hopping-tour just after arrival in Puerto Princesa on January 27 or 28? Since I don’t want to rush, I would reserve up to 7 days for such a tour if it is necessary. But I am a foreigner (Europe). From the videos on Youtube it seems, that there have been some foreigners doing such tours in 2019. Is it possible, to join a tour being the only foreigner? Or is a foreigner still a risk for the whole group, like Bryan mentioned in his comment from February 2018?

Hi Carl, you’ll probably be fine. Also Balabac is more open to visitors now compared to the past years since word about it is slowly getting out.

Not sure how you’re going to organize a tour after arrival unless you already have/will meet other companions there. Why don’t you post in FB groups to see who’d also like to go or you can contact Ate Lorna to ask if she has scheduled guests on those dates. You can also go solo but it’s more expensive.

We will be in palawan on january 29 to feb 4. Can we join? 2 persons

Hello everyone, I will travel in balabac on February 2-7, 2020, two of us, expecting others to join.my email [email protected]

hi guys. my friend and i will be in balabac from nov 18 to 20. if theres anyone who we can join with the tours kindly send me an email please, [email protected] . mys sister in laws brother lives in rio tube and owns a boat so maybe we can get a discount for the trips. tia.

Jared dela Cruz

Your post and your pictures are truly inspiring, thank you so much. I have never heard of Balabac until recently. But from then on, I’ve been dreaming of going there, the last paradise in the Philippines’ last frontier.

Blog is very nice and details. Ilm planning in May 2019. Can i get WhatsApp no. Of some tour operator?

Hi! Better contact their mobile numbers directly because whatsapp isn’t used much here in the ph.

Seemed like an awesome experience you had. Was this a DIY trip that you planned yourselves or did you purchase a full package with a tour company beforehand? Very helpful post.

Hi Nicole. As said in the blog post, we did it DIY. Nowadays there are tours in Balabac which we’d recommend you do instead. 🙂

Hi! Pwede pong pakiconfirm if that is still the number of kuya onyok? I texted the number and inquired about rates. He asked for a downpayment and gave a different name (might be his real name?) But since malaki ung downlayment na hinihingi niya, medyo worried lang ako.

Hi Ren, sorry for the late reply. The number was still working a few months back, but we got the updated numbers here: Kuya Onyok – 09123993543, Kuya Boboy – 09073892313. 🙂 We also updated the guide.

Sarah L. Grageda

Hi Katherine! In Balabac or Rio Tuba, is there any available motorcycle that is for rent? If there is, I’d like to know the average price of the rent per day. Thanks!

I’m not sure. If you find one I’m guessing it’ll be around P400-500 per day? That’s how much motorcycle rental costs in other places in Palawan.

Hi! Anybody here who has contacts for mainland Balabac tours? Thank you in advance!

We live in Palawan (in Brooke’s Pt.) but when I told him I want to visit Balabac, he said no:( Want to visit the island badly :((

Bout dun sa 1,2 and 3days package tour in onok island?

May i know what is included on that packages?

Krista Matias

Palawan is really such a beautiful island, and I am planning to go there this year. I am glad I have read this blog, I am really looking forward to trying out these exciting activities in there. Thank you for sharing the beauty of Palawan.

Mhat Hidalgo

Hello! We’re actually heading rio tuba now with friend. Ask ko Lang yung tour package na 4500 per head for two 3d2n San ang pick up point? Thanks . Any joiners? Please pm me

I’ve heard about the “niknik” during the night, how bad is it? is OFF Lotion not enough to drive them away?

Nope. Even if it works I don’t think you’ll be very comfortable with insects around you.

I’m planning to go on my own this June or end of may who wants to Join me, so we can save more money I’ll bring my own tent as well

you want to check kilometerph meron na silang na organized na group. at may mga scheds na rin

Anyone going to palawan in june? Im island hopping and would love to visit balabac

I’m planning to go on my own this June or end of may

Jay Sebastian

Hi. I am planning to go to Balabac second week of August (9th).

Are there any of you here travelling around this time? If I can join your team that would be very nice.

Please give the contact number of tourism officer if you have.

Hi, we’re planning to go to Balabac on June 13-17. Hope we can find a group of travellers to whom we can join, so it will lessen our tight budget.

George Gaskell

hello, [email protected] here. George for short. A friend and I plan to go round about the same time; June 13-17. 2019. Please email your details if interested to join up and cut costs. And a million thanks too Katherine & Hali for this wonderful bit of info.

Eejay Corceles

Hi belle, my girlfriend and i are actually scheduled to tour balabac on june 13-17, 2019. DM me on instagram @eejayboang

Hi! I’ll be in Balabac from May 10 to 15. I hope I can join other groups to save money for the island hopping. Mac

Hello! We’re going to Balabac this coming June 2018? Anyone who wants to join us during our island hopping from June 8 to 10?

Hi! Are you still looking for travel buddies? My two friends and I will be in Palawan from June 6-11 and we’re planning to go to Balabac.

June 6 to 11 might work for me and a friend. Please email just in case we are able to manage these dates, so as to enable us to cut costs. Thanks and thanks again to Katherine and Hali for sharing.

June 8 to 10 might work for me and a friend. Please email just in case we are able to manage these dates, so as to enable us to cut costs. Thanks and thanks again to Katherine and Hali for sharing.

i and my husband were able to go march 19-21 and i would say this is by far my best beach experience ever in my many years of traveling to different beach locations in the country. we had such a great time. we met new friends during our island hopping. six of those who were featured in KMJS last sunday were with us in onuk island which we enjoyed the most. those who are going, please do not miss onuk. the hefty entrance fee is so worth it. i have so many stories to tell, good and not so good about this trip but i will need to write a blog about it. 🙂

Hi Judy thanks for sharing your experience. 😉

Hello! May I know who was your tour guide/boat operator and how was your transaction with him/her? Thanks.

Hello. I just saw this post and planning to go there alone 🙁 Let me know if I can join so that I can save cost

Hi! We are planning to go to balabac this may 29 (departure from manila). Any group interested to join para makamura tayo? PM me on FB- Sunshine Cervantes

get fidel….madali sya kausap at okay ang package rates nya

Earlier of May po meron?

May 2-6 pm me 09174037478 confirmed

Hi Sunshine. PMed you in FB already.

Jamie Lou Garces

Hi! Is that the final date? Will arrive in Puerto Princesa on May 31. May I still join the group?

Tried to search your name in messenger, it matches a lot of profiles po. I’m interested to join the group but I’ll arrive in Puerto Princesa on May 31.

fidel was our boat operator/guide and i highly recommend him.

I went down to Rio Tuba in Mid February and was told it is not safe for foreign guests (non-filipino) to go there at the time being. I had a very nice lady at the docks of Rio Tuba calling around to numerous numbers I gave her and some family that she has down there. The same response from all, they strongly discouraged foreign tourists from visiting at the moment. They are still operating boats (quite expesive – 6-7,000php for 3 day trips) for Filipinos though.

If boat operators that make money from tourism are encouraging foreign guests to stay away, it’s probably for a reason. To the foreign tourists, is it really worth putting yourself in danger or the other people with you as well?

Thanks for the update Bryan! Did they say why? (My friends had just gotten back from Balabac including Onuk this month, but then they are locals.)

I guess that the terrorists in the area will target foreign travelers specifically in the area. Just in the past year there was a foreign couple killed on a boat down there, along with a Filipino woman and her child according to what I was told. I’m quite sure they wouldn’t just be making that up. They didn’t say I couldn’t go, but just strongly advised against it.

As a foreign tourist, of course you shouldn’t put yourself in a potentially dangerous situation along with putting any Filipinos you would be with in dangers as well.

Hopefully one day things will get better down there!

I see. Thanks for this info! We were not aware of the news abt the foreign couple. 🙂 When we went tho I did mention (in another post) that I do not think Balabac is stable yet, hopefully it will be in the coming years.

Not a problem. And like you say, hopefully things get better in the future there! I would love to see it for myself one day.

di kami natuloy ng husband ko last year sa balabac due to time and money constraints but hopefully next month at nakabooked na kami. kaso ang mahal ng singil sa min nun nakausap ko. 3nights tig P10k each kami, island hopping lang un and food. kung 7k each kaya pa sa budge. but 10k each mukhang hindi na. sana meron pa akong mahanap na mas cheaper sa 10k at makasabay na mga grp. we will arrive puerto on march 17 and 26 is our flight back.

Hi Judy, sinong kausap niyo? Try contacting Kuya Boboy and Ate Lorna. My friends are going there also this summer, maayos naman yung quote sa kanila.

Hi po. I am planning to visit Balabac at baka aku lang mag-isa. I only want to visit Candaraman at Punta Sebaring. Side trip lang sa Candaraman and I’ll spend 2 nights sa Punta Sebaring. Do you have any idea how much it would cost me for the boat?

I don’t know since that’s a custom trip. Why don’t you ask the boatmen/tour guides for a quote? 🙂

sir anung date ang punta nyo ng balabac? kc kmi ng sister q..since dalawa lng kmi we’re planning to visit punta sebaring and another island malapit lng sa sebaring kc btin un araw namin? bka pd pd tyo tatlo kung same date lng un pgbisita mo para mas cheaper.. thanks

kelan kayo nasa puerto? baka pwede tayo mag joint forces para mas makatipid. 2 lang kami ng husband ko. dating namin ng puerto march 17. 25 ang balik. plan namin mag pa rio tuba the same day kung maabutan namin ang last trip. then pa bangkalan on the 18th kung saan kami ppick upin ni fidel (contact boatman ko) let me know guys. thanks

nku mam mgkaiba tyo ng date march 10-13 po kmi ng sister q.. sayang namn..

hi anne papunta pa labg ako ng balabac dito pa lanv ako rio tuba pier

hello anne…kmsta ang trip nyo last 10-13?

mjo disappointed kmi d sun package n nkuha nmin..then n delayed p un flight namin ng mahigit 2hrs..mjo maalon kaya ilang islands lng un npuntahn nmin.. pero no doubt mgganda tlga isla sa balabac worth to visit kahit malayo..

Pwede ba ako humingi ng itinerary mo? Thanks 🙂

mam may npg inquira’an aq 7500 per person lng kay kap andong ito un number nya 09204214583..

ser anung date ng balabac visits mo?

ALL the island-hopping BOAT TRIPS are CANCELED on Balabac! You can go there with public boat but NOONE will TAKE you any of the tourist DESTINATIONS since there are many discussions between island, boat owners, coast guards and tourism office of Balabac.

We ve just came back from Balabac.

This blog shoud be updated, before anyone effort to go there.

Hi Gabor, sorry to hear abt your experience and thanks for the heads up! Yes we’ve heard about on-going talks particularly about standardization of rates. Hope they come to an agreement soon. 🙂 If you have more updates, feel free to comment or message us so we can add it to the post.

Hala!!!panu kya yn?!!

It seems that island hopping tours are temporarily suspended. But my friends who’d been there this week were able to go island hopping. Guess there’s nothing else to do but wait until matters get resolved. 🙂

si fidel bago kong kausap…he gave me a much lower price.

Thanks for the tips! I’m going to Balabac in April! Did you have problems sa source ng drinking water in Balabac? Kasi parang hindi practical magdala ng maraming bottled water. hehe Thank you!

No. You can easily buy bottled water or ask for a glass in the eateries. 🙂

I wanted to let you know that Ate Bebeth, (Balabac assistant tourism officer: 0949 424 1605) no longer works with the tourism office.

Would anyone by chance know a different contact number to the tourism office there?

Hi Bryan, thanks for the update! I’ll go ask my friends if they have a contact number. 🙂 Please do inform us here if you get the new contact person also.

You can see my new response I made about my trip. Right now, I think it’s okay for Filipino tourists to visit but it was highly recommended that, I as a foreign tourist, didn’t visit due to concerns for the safety of foreign tourists in the area currently.

Hi, I can’t seem to find the contact number of White Heaven Lodge, do you have it? Thanks!

We didn’t get the number. It’s just walking distance from where the van will drop you off.

Hello Ms. Kath! If Sebaring Island lang pupuntahan namin then balikan lang agad, sa tingin mo po how much will it cost per head? Thank you.

Hi Cinderella, not sure… Better ask your boat operator. 🙂

i see…i’ll bring my 7yr old girl and little bit worried when it comes to camping for 2-3 nights(as offered by tour companies) your blog/article really help me to decide to do balabac on our own instead of getting a tour … thank you so much

Jasmin joy Villalobos Taneza

Hello Ms Kath.. fellow traveler here, enlighten me please, you don’t need to camp on those islands you mentioned,? on your day 2-4 you stay in balabac and do the boating every day from thereon? salamat

Yep. At the end of the day, we’d go back to the inn in mainland Balabac. I think it’s possible to camp in some of the islands but ask your boatmen to be sure.

Hi! My friend and I are planning to visit Balabac this March. More specifically, Onok Island is on the top of our list. However we were astounded to find out that they now charge 5000 pesos per head (entrance fee and meals included) just to visit this island. And that’s on top of the usual rate of 2000 per person per day Island hopping (3 islands per day). We tried to call diff boat operators and all have the same rates. Umm do you think it’s worth the price to still visit onok?

Waaa? Who are you referring to, exactly? Last time we were there, there was no entrance fee to Onuk Island. It’s a private property of the mayor and he used to just let visitors see the island. Did the mayor impose the new rate?

I just got an update and included it in the guide. Yes, the rate is now P5000 per head for a day tour in Onuk Island including lunch. Really pricey. I think I’ll skip on that. It’s not a 5-star hotel. But still depends on you.

Thanks for this detailed post. I just bookmarked this page for our future trip.

Quick question though: how the network coverage? Is there at least 3G?

Yep, but signal was intermittent so most of the time we just didn’t bother with our phones. Not sure how it is now. 🙂

hub and i are planning (well, im the one planning actually.he simply tags along 🙂 ) to go to balabac before end of january(20-24) from our northern palawan trip. considering the cost to get there and get back to puerto, kailangang magtipid…i really hope we may makasabay kami para mas mraming maka share sa island hopping. thank you so much for all the infos. they are a huge help.

If you’re on a budget I suggest just limiting your island hopping to the nearby islands – Onuk, Candaraman and Siksikan. It will cost you about P1500. Punta Sebaring is 3 hours away from mainland Balabac, for an additional P500.

Hi Zaida! I’m traveling solo to Balabac on Nov.20-24. You might want to come with me. Send me an email at [email protected] 🙂

We will be in Palawan again in April and we have already been to El Nido & Coron , we want do this area now. We’re foreigners so hope its not difficult to organise by ourselves

Hi Ana. We’ll probably go back next year, too. I hope you’d drop by again after your visit and let us know how it went. We get a lot of messages from foreign tourists asking the same thing and it’ll be a big help. 🙂

kapampangantraveller

Thank you for sharing your Balabac experience. Would explore on November and cross fingers for good weather.

Cheers for more travels!

I will travel novermeber 18-28th to Palawan. I plan to fly into Manila and then el Nido as the flight is one hour ish. Stay there for 3-4 days to island hop. From there fly back to Manila and then fly into Puerto princess and see if for a day if that. Then head to a tour to hit balabac island and island hope there to onuk and candarman. Is this enough time is there anything you can suggest. I may do a 5 day info you provided. Do I need the mayors signature to visit onuk? Thanks!

Hi Zaida, you can ask your boatmen to assist you in asking the mayor’s permission personally or you can send an email at least a month before. Contact the tourism office for more info on this.

Wow… Way back I was only allowed to stay in Rio Tuba. If I was just stubborn enough I would’ve discovered the place as well! Nice post and beautiful pics, Kat and Hali 😀

Anong meron? Security issues?

Hi! May I know if the rates of the tour are per boat or per person? There might be just two of us so I wanna know if it is still affordable.

Hi She. The rate is per boat. If you read the costing I clearly stated that with a rate of P8000, 2 people will have to spend P4000 each. 🙂 I hope that clears up any confusion.

hi kat.. is it possible to tour Balabac with my 3yrs old? and balak din kc namin mag el nido eh doable ba ang balabac and el nido for 8days?

Hi, I guess it’s okay if you’ll only island hop in nearby islands like Onuk and Candaraman and if you’ll manage to get a boat with proper roofing. Some islands are too distant kase. For example, from mainland it will take you 3 hours to reach Balabac island where the lighthouse is located.

Balabac and El Nido is doable in 8 days, but take note that El Nido and Balabac are on opposite sides of Palawan. It’s separated by at least 10 hours of land travel and another 4 hours of sea travel.

Backpacking Geek

Wow! Thanks for dropping by my space recently!

It was really hard to look for good references for a DIY sa Balabac! Kinilig ako because yours gave a great deal of info! Now I can start planning… 🙂 thanks again!

Oh, thanks for dropping by as well and you’re welcome!

I’d love to leave a comment in your site but there isn’t a comment option when opened in the WP reader. 🙂

Yeah… you will need to open the page to leave a comment. I’ll need to look for the settings in WP Reader to allow comments.

Thank you So much for this! I just want to ask kung dun na kayo sa balabac kumuha ng island hopping tour? Me and my boyfriend are planning to go there this August 2016 and we would like to backpack lang 🙂 Joiners are welcome!

Hi Isla! I already contacted Kuya Boboy weeks before our actual travel date. It’s okay if you’ll go there without an arranged tour yet. Just go directly to the tourism office for assistance. I have friends who went in Balabac without contacts and they encountered no problem naman.

hi Isla! we’re also planning to go to balabac on aug. 27-29. have you already booked a package tour? pls reply 🙂

hi isla! we wanna join for aug 27-29, 2016. do you still need joiners? we are a couple and we’re also in need of at least 3 joiners 🙂 pls pm me if interested. thanks! 🙂

Thanks for dropping by, Milet! Yep, better wait until election season is over. 🙂 I hope the newly elected officials do something to boost the tourism in Balabac as well as guarantee safety for tourists.

Roxane de Jesus

Hi, my cousin and I are planning to go on an April 16-17, 2016 trip to Balabac. Anyone interested to do a DIY with us to lessen the cost of fixed expenses like island hopping? The more, the lesser.

Roselle C Toledo

I’ve been wanting to go to Palawan. I find Boracay too crowded. I was not aware about Balabac. It’s so prinstine! Thanks for this article I also had an idea how much to save up.

Joy Perito-Priginal

The place really looks beautiful!Hubby and I will be travelling to palawan this october. I hope we can include it in our itinerary. Thank you for breaking down the expenses it will be really helpful as we always go on a budgeted trip!

Milton Coyne

I really want to visit the unspoiled beauty of Palawan .. this place has always been on my bucket list and your pictures make me so eager to push my plans this year!

Thanks for sharing your unbiased review on this place! I have been hearing my grandpa mention this place (Balabac) for so long since I was a kid. I didn’t know how beautiful this place was! I am going to Palawan this summer vacation and I am definitely am wanting to include this as my side trip with my family!

You’re welcome namesake! 🙂 I’ll consider other places though if you’re with a kid, since the boat rides during island hopping take hours and the motorized boats often used don’t have any overhead tarp to protect the boat passengers from the sun.

Aika Loraine

Last time, Air Asia had again their Piso Sale, I actually want to book for Palawan however, the fairs are too expensive so I decided to book for Kalibo instead. Reading this made me again think of booking a Palawan flight. I like it that you provided itinerary for this. I am a DIY traveller also. Uhum. Thanks to this blog entry as it will be a great addition to the very little material in the Internet about Balabac as you have mentioned.

Hi! I’m so glad i found this post. My friend and i are going to balabac in june so i need all the help i can get to prepare our itinerary. 🙂 Btw, you mentioned you werent able to go to Onuk? May i know why? Were you able to get the permit to visit the island? This is our main target location kasi so i would like to know if we need to get the permit before arrival sa palawan para sure and kung sino best contact person. Thanks in advance 🙂

Hi Awesome! You have to personally ask current Mayor Shuaib because it is his private property. So it depends if papayag siya. There are times he even lets visitors use his boat to go to Onuk Island.

Meron rin kasing security issue ngayon since election season (e.g., risk of kidnappings in the area etc.). This is what we were told by the asst. tourism officer.

When you arrive in Balabac, go to municipal hall to log your names in the local tourism register and also ask if Mayor is there. Seek assistance from your boatman, alam na nila yun. 🙂

Kat! You’ve captured our trip right on point. And I am also glad to see our beach conversation here. hehe

I think it also calls for everyone disposing their garbage properly – travellers and locals alike. Some of the trash seemed to have washed off from the shore and in the end it all comes back to us. Garbage is a big issue I think not only for Balabac but for other places as well. Though I am also hopeful that pretty soon the local tourism office will push for efforts to preserve the beaches since they are really that stunning. 🙂

’till our next adventure together! 🙂

Kelangan talaga more awareness and discipline regarding garbage disposal. Palaging yan ang problema sa local tourism e.

Yep, yep. See you soon! 😀

Hi Kath.. Good to see that you’re writing “again..” Hehe.. Refer ako dito sakaling mapadpad ako ng Palawan ha.. ; )

Hi Ranran, thank you! (Napaisip ako if I know you in person, if yes then PM mo ko here haha.)

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Your Itinerary to Puerto Princesa & El Nido (plus DIY budget tips!)

Updated March 12, 2022.

Considering the fact that Palawan is the biggest province in the Philippines, 4 days isn’t just enough to travel the entire province itself. So when my friends asked me to go there even if I knew within myself that I had been there already, I didn’t have any second thoughts of going back. This is my second time visiting the best island in the world together with my friends. We opted to book a flight months before our flight in order to get a cheaper price. We decided to stay in Puerto Princesa and El Nido Palawan for four days and 3 nights which I knew wasn’t enough. But if you also plan to travel to Puerto Princesa and El Nido, this travel guide is for you!

Table of Contents

My 2nd time visiting Puerto Princesa and El Nido

It was afternoon when my best friends and I were talking with each other, planning where our next destination would be. So we asked each other to look for a cheaper flight without having any thought of a place where we could visit. All of a sudden, they contacted me and told me that they wanted to visit Palawan. It would be their first time visiting the island yet in my case it would be my second time. But I didn’t care. Who cares anyway? I didn’t hesitate to answer them with “YES”!! Why not? I haven’t seen much of Palawan yet. Why couldn’t I come back? Later on, I just found myself booking a flight together with my friends which was good for 4 days and 3 nights. I felt really excited!

After months of waiting, we were at the airport and anticipating my flight number to be called on. A few hours later, it was finally our boarding time and ready to depart to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. My heart raced quickly as if it was my first time visiting! I got on the plane, walked through the aisle of it, sat on my designated seat, and waited for an hour to arrive on the island of Palawan.  I was on cloud nine! Finally! I was here again. For the second time around. I was here to make good memories again on this majestic and the best island in the world.

What Are the Top Places to Visit in Puerto Princesa and El Nido?

Puerto princesa .

• Honda Bay: This is an island hopping where you can get a chance to visit three islets. The island hopping can be done either half day or the whole day. 
• City Tour: This includes a visit to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Plaza Cuartel,Mitra’s Ranch, Baker’s Hill, Butterfly Garden, Binuatan Creations, City Baywalk Park, and Pasalubong Center. 
• Underground River, Puerto Princesa

El Nido is more of island hopping and visiting lagoons than anything. During our visit, we actually got a chance to visit some of the famous lagoons and islets around the island of El Nido. We got to visit Helicopter Island, Cadlao Lagoon, Hidden Beach, Small Lagoon, and Big Lagoon. 

Puerto Princesa & El Nido Package Tours

Many people have been asking me how it is easy for me to travel cheaply in Palawan. It has been one of the top destinations in the Philippines. In that case, thinking of traveling to this island is quite difficult without breaking a bank. But getting a package tour when in Palawan should also be considered. Sounds quite true. It’s quite expensive to travel around Palawan if you do not know how to do it cheaply.

Where to book?

I always consider getting a tour agency to make my trip less hassle and less worrying as well. Fortunately, I have found a good travel agency that catered and arranged our Palawan tours well. It’s really affordable and not only that, he guided us and made sure that we were doing fine and having fun at the same time. I came back to Palawan without expecting anything special but never had I any idea that it would be a memorable one indeed! I will surely book my Palawan tour again with this agency once I come back to Palawan again!

• Clarkent Affordable Tours : They are such a big help to us. They really helped us with our Palawan itinerary and made sure that we could make the most of our stay in Palawan in 4 days! You may contact them at 0955-294-6691 / 0977-250-3813 / 0946-398-7500 / 0918-624-3731.

Here are some of the other travel agencies that you may also consider:

• Isla Palawan Travel & Tours 
• Ceilo Tickets and Tours Palawan 
• Lexart Travel and Tours
• Palawan Travellers – Tour Package 
• Miya’s Travel And Tours
• Palawan Deal Packages 
• TripiditoTravel

Puerto Princesa and El Nido Itinerary 4D3N

Day 1: puerto princesa (free time).

• Staycation at Hillside Resort Palawan
• Go groceries at Robinson’s Supermarket
• Visit Immaculate Conception Church

Day 2: Honda Bay Tour

• Starfish Island
• Luli- Island
• Cowrie Island
• Depart to El Nido

Yes, you can also go island hopping in Puerto Princesa. If you are interested, you can avail the Honda Bay Palawan Tour Package!

Day 3: El Nido Tour

• Helicopter Island
• Cadlao Lagoon
• Hidden Beach
• Small Lagoon
• Depart to Puerto Princesa

DAY 4: Puerto Princesa City Tour 

• Immaculate Conception Cathedral
• Plaza Cuartel
• Mitra’s Ranch
• Baker’s Hill
• Butterfly Garden
• Binuatan Creations
• City Baywalk Park
• Pasalubong Center
• Back to Manila

Where to stay in Puerto Princesa? 

There are a lot of hotels and hostels that you can choose when staying in Puerto Princesa, but here are some of the following:

Hillside Resort 

Location: Sandiwa, Tiniguiban. This is where my friends and I actually stayed overnight. 

Room Rates: Starts from Php 1400 (USD 40) per night. 

Balai Princesa

Location: Socrates Rd, Barangay San Pedro 

Room Rates: Starts from Php 4000 (USD 80) per night

Southwind Resort Palawan

Location: South National Hwy, Puerto Princesa

Room Rates: Starts from Php 1500 (USD 30)

Panja Resort Palawan

Location: Bay Vista Rd, Bgy. Tagburos

Room Rates: Starts from Php 3300 (USD 66)

Cleon Villa Pension

Location: Pineda Rd, Barangay San Pedro

Room Rates: Starts from Php 1300 (USD 26) per night

Costa Palawan Resort

Location: F. Ponce de Leon Rd, Barangay San Pedro

Room Rates: Starts from Php 1500 (USD 30) per night

Holiday Suites

Location: North National Highway, 5300 Puerto Princesa. 

Room Rates: Starts from Php 2400 (USD 48). 

Hotel Fleuris 

Location: Lacao Street. 

Room Rates: Starts from Php 3500 (USD 70).

Blue Lagoon Inn & Suites

Location: Rizal Avenue Ext Interior Purok Malaya, Rizal Avenue 

Room Rates: Starts from Php 1200 (USD 24).

Where to stay in El Nido?

Focus rooms .

Location: Taytay – El Nido National Highway

Maligaya Beach Bungalows

Location: Corong Corong Beach, Palawan. If you are looking for beachfront accommodation, this one suits you! 

Room Rates: Starts from Php 8,100

Lagun Hotel

Location: Balinsasayaw Road, Bgy. Maligaya 

Room Rates: Starts from Php 6000

One El Nido Suite

Location: Lot 2 Bgy. Corong-Corong

Room Rates: Starts from PHP 3600

Frendz Hostel El Nido

Location: Osmena Street, Barangay Masagana

Room Rates: Starts from PHP 4400 

El Nido Moringa Resort

Location: Barangay Corong-Corong 

Room Rates: Starts from PHP  3,300

SANSE Boutique Hotel

Location: Abdulla Street 

Room Rates: Starts from PHP 2,800

Bulskamp Inn

Location: Osmeña Street

Room Rates: Starts from PHP 2700

El Nido Boutique Vacation Villas

Location: Sitio Lugadia Corong-Corong

Room Rates: Starts from PHP 1100

Country Inn El Nido

Location: Barangay Corong Corong

Dolarog Beach Resort

Location: Sitio Dolarog, Corong-Corong

Room Rates: Starts from PHP 4700  Note that the prices written above are subject to change. You may book your accommodation in Agoda if you want to get discounts!

Top Reasons to Visit the Beautiful Islands of Palawan, Philippines

People are so nice..

Everywhere you go, people will greet you nicely. Most of the people you meet here in Palawan – whether it is in Puerto Princesa or El Nido, are friendly. You would surely enjoy talking with the locals. staying on this island for a few days or weeks isn’t enough! More to that, Puerto Princesa and El Nido are not the only places that you can visit here, of course!

There is always something about this island that makes you wonder.

It always feels like the first time. As I mentioned above, I’ve been to Puerto Princesa and El Nido twice, but I’ve still had the same feeling as the first time I visited these places. 

‎You will learn a lot of things about the island.

Palawan is rich in culture, so once you visit here, you will be amazed at how they are rich in natural resources and every little thing that will make you certainly realize that Palawan is indeed the best island in the world.

Less traffic.

Palawan’s traffic is totally incomparable to Manila’s traffic. F rom what I have learned, the reason why there is less traffic there (most especially in Puerto Princesa) is that there are designated vehicles that can only operate according to the day that has been assigned to a certain vehicle. It is really organized.

‎Palawan has the lowest crime rate in the country.

Yes, you heard it right! ‎It is said to be that Palawan has the lowest crime rate in the country.

Get close to nature.

‎Surrounded by trees, Palawan is an island where you can really get closer to nature.

That “feeling” being on this beautiful island.

I just love being comfortable on this island. This indescribable feeling that I get every time I visit.

You get to appreciate nature more.

This island has taught me how I should appreciate nature more! It’s not just being able to see the beauty of it; in return, it is about being able to be more responsible and caring for taking care of it. Our nature shouldn’t just be taken for granted.

The amazing Philippines! Isn’t it more fun?

With its pristine beaches , beautiful lagoons, delectable food, accommodating people, and amazing scenery and landscapes, who would have thought that I am just in the Philippines?

Changes made in El Nido, Palawan

Note that this itinerary was made for our tour in 2018 and unfortunately, there are new rules and regulations for the island hopping tours and activities in El Nido.

New Rules & Regulations in El Nido

They have implemented that you can’t do combination tours anymore in order to limit the number of tourists going to each of the islands from Tours A, B, C, D more particularly in Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, and Secret Beach. You can’t visit these most popular islands on the same day.

If you plan to visit El Nido for a day , then that means you can only choose one tour either A, B, C, or D according to your preference. In addition to that, pre-registration is now required before you get to visit the Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, or Secret which they call the “Premium Spot”. You have to pay Php 200 for each spot as well. More to that , boats are prohibited to enter the lagoon thus renting a kayak is mandatory in order to enter the lagoon. Check out the sample itinerary below for your future Palawan trip.

El Nido Island Tours

• Big or small lagoon (user fee 200 per pax)
• Simizu island
• 7commando beachSecret lagoon
• Payong Payong island
• Cudugnon cave (entrance fee 100 per pax)
• Snake island
• Entalula island
• Cathedral cave
• Pinagbuyatan island
• Matinloc shrine (100 per pax entrance fee)
• Helicopter island
• Hidden beach
• Secret beach
• Tapiutan island
• Small lagoon (user fee 200 per pax)
• Nat nay beach
• Pasandigan beach
• Paradise beach

FAQs about Puerto Princesa & El Nido 

Does it cost a lot to visit palawan .

Actually, it depends on how much budget you have, how many days you are staying on the island, where you are staying, and eating. It really depends. It may either be costly or affordable. As I have said, there are so many travel agencies that offer cheap package tours. 

Where to find an affordable package tour?  

You can easily find some on Google. I listed some legit and highly recommended travel agencies in Palawan that you can check out. But if you have other preferences, make sure that the travel agency that you find is DOT accredited. 

Best time to visit Palawan?

The best thing about Palawan is they rarely experience typhoons so they have year-all-round tropical weather. 

Can I travel solo to Palawan?

Definitely yes. I have seen a lot of people who have done this before. But of course, it is going to be more costly on your end. 

Is it worth visiting the island?

Why not? Palawan is indeed one of the best islands not just in the Philippines, but also all over the world. 

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A travel blogger in the Philippines and a K-pop enthusiast, Ara Patria (The Adventuress) pursues her passion and love for traveling. She’s been blogging for years, where she writes about her own travel experiences and promotes the wonders of the Philippines. Not only does she promote the beauty of her country, but she also focuses on promoting sustainable tourism. She dreams of traveling the world and inspiring other people through her own written works and captured moments with her camera.

The Adventuress is a travel blogger with a purpose. She aims to inspire other people through her personal experiences, stories, and lenses. Outside her blogging world, she is an educator, an SEO specialist, and TEFL/TESOL certified.

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6 thoughts on “ Your Itinerary to Puerto Princesa & El Nido (plus DIY budget tips!) ”

I am so happy I stumbled upon this post! I’ve been dying to visit the Philipinnes! I was supposed to go last year but I only had one week off and at that time Boracay was closed (so we decided to wait)! I am starting to really look into it for November maybe! I love the details in this article and your pictures are beautiful!! Thank you for sharing 🙂

Please visit Palawan soon!

This is such a cool concept! And that place looks so gorgeous!

Thank you so much. Hope you can visit one day.

ohhhhhhhhh I soooooooooo need a beach in my life right now.

Let’s go to the beach beach beach

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Coron Palawan Budget Travel Guide 2024

Pristine beaches with fine white sand, glistening turquoise waters, ginormous fascinating limestone formations, harmonious play of aqua and verdant, rich marine life, historical ship wrecks,  postcard-perfect view of landscape and seascape, golden rolling hills under a canopy of a pastel sky during the sunset, lovely welcoming people – a pure beauty over and above. This Coron Palawan travel guide will help you plan your trip to experience all these and see the beauty of this paradise!

About Palawan

Pal awan is among the provinces belonging to Region IV-B MIMAROPA (Mindoro Occidental and Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) situated at Southern Luzon. It has effortlessly astounded tourists from all over the globe with its natural beauty as it is considered to be among the best islands not just in the Philippines but the whole world and this is nothing to be contested about. It is also a humble abode to some spots that are considered to be part of the UNESCO World Heritage such as Puerto Princesa’s Underground River and Coron Island’s Natural Biotic Area.

The points of interest in this province include Coron, El Nido , Puerto Princesa City , Culion and the small towns and remote islands of Balabac . If you’re down for some underwater adventure coupled with breathtaking landscape, Coron is the place to be!

About Coron, Palawan

The Philippine map gives you two Corons. The first one has the Coron Town proper which is situated in the same island with Busuanga. Coron island on the other hand is a separate island from the town. These, together with Busuanga, Linapacan and Culion, are part of the Calamianes Group of Islands situated in northern Palawan. In these islands lie various pristine and long stretch of powdery-white and grainy sand beaches, lagoons, marine sanctuaries and a handful of World War II ship wrecks at the bottom of its jade ocean waters which are all equally awe-striking. 

 These stunning islands of Coron are also known to be a home to Tagbanuas – the descendants of some of the oldest people to settle in the Philippines . They still do reside and thrive in the remote islands of Coron, away from the ones that tourists often flock into.

Language Spoken

Though the locals at large could converse in Tagalog and English fluently, you’d often hear some of them speaking a native language called Cuyonin .

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Coron is during the dry season in the Philippines – from March to the first few weeks of May. The ocean is at its best condition especially for island hopping tours and diving as the visibility during these months could be crystal clear and warm. However, take into consideration that these months also fall into the Peak season. Hence, expect the tourist spots to be crowded. You may opt to visit Coron during the non-peak season (June to October) however, expect the inclement weather coming in more frequently.

Getting to, around and away

• Local airlines such as Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines has flights on a daily basis straight to Busuanga (Francisco B. Reyes) Airport. It takes an hour flying from Clark and Manila to Busuanga Airport then a thirty-minute land travel from Busuanga to Coron town proper.
• From the airport, you may take a van to your hotel or wait for the shuttle sent by the hotel to pick you up. The land travel from Busuanga to Coron town proper takes an hour.

From Manila to Coron, Palawan

2GO Travel sails once a week from the Port of Manila in Tondo to the Port of Coron. Make sure that you’ll check their website from time to time for schedule changes and updates.

From Puerto Princesa City to Coron, Palawan

2GO Travel sails once a week from the Port of Puerto Princesa to the Port of Coron. Make sure that you’ll check their website from time to time for schedule changes and updates.

From El Nido to Coron, Palawan

Coron is three to four hours away from El Nido by Sea Travel. Phimal and Montenegro Shipping Lines have ferries departing daily to and from these islands. Fare ranges from Php 1,800.00 to Php 1,900.00.

Getting around Coron, Palawan

In getting around, tricycle is their main means of transportation. As of April 2023, the basic fare for tricycle is at Php 15.00 per person. However, if you want to explore the town more, most especially at night, you may also just go by foot or rent a motor bike for Php 350.00  to Php 500.00 a day (gas not included).  

As for organized tours, the agencies have their shuttles and vans that would pick up and drop the guests off from their respective hotels to the boat docking or Loading area. Fare is included in the tour rates.

Where to Eat

There are lots of budget-friendly eateries and mid-range restaurants around the town. If you’ll be staying somewhere in Tapyas Road, you may have to go downtown. On days with good weather, you can just walk around since it is proven safe to be roaming around at any time of the day and night in Coron. If not, you may ask the staff from the front desk to get you a tricycle. Among the must try’s are the following:

• Trattoria Altrove Coron – Authentic Italian Dining experience to enjoy brick oven style pizza
• Pacifico Bar and Restaurant Coron – A place to enjoy light, fresh, tasty, healthy meals and some beer at night!
• Santino’s Grill – Home of Best Ribs and Seafood in town
• Umami Kusina – An Asian fusion restaurant
• Wild Fern Bar & Restaurant – Offers hearty Filipino dishes that inject a type of creativity
• Island Brasserie – House of pizza, steak, salad, sandwiches & pasta
• Le Voyage – A restaurant offering plant-based selection
• The Old House Restaurant Coron – Offers fried chicken and past

Where to Stay

Coron, Palawan has a wide range of accommodations available: from budget-friendly hostels, homestays, inns and lodges to upscale hotels and resorts. However, one thing that is common among these is that: most are not beach front nor located in the island; especially if they are at the mainland of Coron (except Two Seasons which is located in Bulog Dos Island). Among the top places to stay ranging from the most budget-friendly to luxurious ones are the following:

• NCB Homestay (King Michael Hotel) – Check rates and book here
• Cebuana’s Travelers Lodge – Check rates and book here
• Coron Vista Lodge – Check rates and book here
• HIRAYA HOMESTAY by The Yellow House Coron – Check rates and book here
• Avisala Hostel – Check rates and book here
• Mountain View Garden Inn – Check rates and book here
• Bayview Coron Kawa Resort – Check rates and book here
• Blue Waters Inn Coron Palawan – Check rates and book here
• TAG Resort Coron – Check rates and book here
• Coron Underwater Garden Resort – Check rates and book here
• Coron Soleil Garden Resort – Check rates and book here
• Sunlight Guest Hotel – Check rates and book here
• Coron Hilltop View Resort – Check rates and book here
• The Ridge Coron – Check rates and book here
• Bacau Bay Resort – Check rates and book here
• Two Seasons Coron Island Resort – Check rates and book here

Sample 4 days 3 nights Coron Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival and Coron Town Tour 02:00 PM – arrival at Busuanga/ ETD to Coron Town Proper 3:00 PM – ETA Coron Town Proper/ Check in 4:00 PM – Start of Coron Town Tour

Places to Visit:

Mt. Tapyas St. Augustine Church Lualhati Park Cashew Factory Souvenir Shop Maquinit Hot Spring  

DAY 2: Super Ultimate Tour 7:00 AM – Breakfast 8:00 AM – Start of the tour

Places to visit:

Kayangan Lake Barracuda Lake Twin Lagoon CYC (Coron Yacht Club) Beach Siete Pecados Las Islas Corals Sunset Beach

DAY 3: Escapade Tour Malcapuya Island Banana Island Bulog Dos Island

DAY 4: Home Bound 7:00 AM – breakfast 8:00 AM – transfer to airport 9:00 AM – ETA Busuanga Airport 10:00 AM – back to Manila  

On home bound, it is advisable that tourists/guests leave two hours earlier than their flights since it takes almost an hour traveling to the airport.

Tour Rates (as of April 2023)

Packages are inclusive of the environmental and entrance fees, pick up and drop off from hotel to the bay area, lunch, life vest, drinking water and guide fee. Tours usually start upon pick up at 8:00 AM and end at around 5:00 to 5:30 PM (except from the Town Tour). The usual rates of tour packages are as follows:

Coron Island Tour A – Php 900.00

Kayangan Lake Reef Garden Las Islas de Coral CYC Beach Sunset Beach Green Lagoon

Coron Island Tour B – Php 1,200.00

Barracuda Lake Twin Lagoon Skeleton Wreck Reef Garden Smith Beach  

Coron Island Ultimate Tour – Php 1,500.00

Siete Picados Reef Garden Kayangan Lake Twin Lagoon Skeleton Wreck Las Islas de Coral Sunset or Atwayan Beach CYC Beach TO UPGRADE TO SUPERULTIMATE (Ultimate Tour with Barracuda Lake) – add Php 200.00

Island Escapade Tour – Php 1,500.00

Malcapuya Island or Ditaytayan Island Bulog Dos Island Banana Island

Reef and Wrecks Tour – Php 1,300.00

Pass Island Lusong Gunboat Lusong Coral Garden East Tangat Wreck

Safari Tour – Php 1,750.00

Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary Ocam-ocam Beach Malbato Church Busuanga Town proper Concepcion Falls

Should you want to visit, Pamalican Island and Black Island, you’ll have to add up Php 600.00 to each destination. As of 2020, a municipality order was released requiring every tourist to pay an amount of Php 100.00 for the Safari Tour. This Php 100.00 is said to be an environmental fee. An additional Php 125.00 on the other hand is optional in Calauit Safari as this serves as a payment for the transfers to and from the receiving area of Calauit Safari.

Coron Town Tour with Hot spring – Php 800.00

Lualhati Park Souvenir Shop Cashew Factory Maquinit Hotspring Mt. Tapyas View Deck St. Augustine Church

For more inquiries and reservation, you may reach Jun and Emily Yong at: MOBILE : (+63) 9205532361 / (+63) 90540665704 EMAIL : [email protected] or [email protected].  

Sample Budget 4 Days 3 Nights in Coron

DAY 1: Arrival and Coron Town Tour Airport transfer to hotel – Php 150.00 Coron Town Tour – Php 800.00 Hotel – Php 900.00 TOTAL: Php 1,850.00

DAY 2: Super ultimate tour Tour fee – Php 1,700.00 Dinner – Php 100.00 Hotel – Php 900.00 Tricycle fare – Php 30.00 TOTAL: 2,730php

DAY 3: Island Escapade Tour Tour fee: Php 1,500.00 Dinner – Php 100.00 Hotel – Php 900.00 Tricycle fare – Php 30.00 TOTAL: Php 2,530

DAY 4: Departure Transfer to airport – Php 150.00

GRAND TOTAL: Php 7,110.00 (airfare not included)

Tips in Traveling to Coron

1. souvenir shops.

There are several souvenir shops around the town but the one that opens the earliest and which sells the same items the cheapest is located in front of Mt. Tapyas’ parking lot. The usual 3 for 100 souvenirs can be bought at 4 for Php 100.00 at Dhadz Souvenir and Pasalubong Center. They also sell legit pearls for as low as Php 80.00 per pair. They have shirts which starts at Php 120.00 – Php 150.00. You may also buy some at the airport from Island Souvenirs as they always have th best and unique designs. For some good quality shirts of different designs, you may go to PaForma Boutique Souvenir.

2. Flight booking

Book a flight that arrives as early as 8:00 AM and departs late in the afternoon so you could at least enjoy your stay to the maximum.

3. ATM at the town

There’s a BPI (Bank of the Philippine Island-Coron Branch) and Landbank in the town proper. However, it is still advisable to bring enough cash most especially if you are to stay outside the town proper. Some establishments accept GCash as a mode of payment.

4. Bring action or waterproof camera

Bringing action cameras would be of great help in documenting your activities most especially the underwater ones. Coron’s underwater, lagoon and beaches are equally stunning.

5. Bring dry bags with you when on tour

6. bring aqua shoes.

Wearing of aqua shoes would help. There are spots where you need to swim and be in the waters but there are sea creatures like sea urchins that may harm your feet.

I also consider and recommend Coron, Palawan to solo backpackers. I recently did a solo backpacking trip in the town and stayed for a week. It has been amazing! And when I say amazing, it’s not just the points of interest I’m talking about. This includes the people, too! I didn’t have any bad experience in here!

Did this article help? Anything you would like to add in this Coron Palawan Travel Guide? Let us know!

Read more about Coron, Palawan:

• TOP TOURIST SPOTS IN CORON PALAWAN
• Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Coron this 2023
• Top Reasons Why You Should Stay at Bacau Bay Resort Coron
• Where to Stay in Coron: BACAU BAY RESORT CORON

Explore Palawan, Philippines:

• A Solo Backpackers’ Travel Guide to Palawan (Coron, El Nido, Balabac, Puerto Princesa City)
• 2023 PORT BARTON SAN VICENTE, PALAWAN DIY TRAVEL GUIDE
• Daracotan Island DIY Travel Guide
• Balabac, Palawan Ultimate DIY Travel Guide 2023 (Itinerary + Budget)
• 2023 EL NIDO PALAWAN DIY TRAVEL GUIDE
• Puerto Princesa Underground River DIY Travel Guide 2023

Anne Elizabeth Gumiran

Anne Elizabeth Gumiran, also known as Queenie, is a 20-something, full-time public school teacher, a part-time travel blogger and a freediver. She started putting her stories of adventures and misadventures into words and pictures in 2017 and continues to do so as she shares her advocacy, Sustainable Traveling.

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Guide to DIY Underground River Tour in Puerto Princesa

sunriseOdyssey / Philippines / 0 Comments

The Underground River tour in Puerto Princesa is definitely a must visit if you’re heading to Palawan. Here’s how you can DIY for the Underground River tour without paying a hefty fee to local tour agencies!

Where to purchase tickets for underground river tour:.

1. City Coliseum in Puerto Princesa City

2. Directly at Sabang

Tip: If you’re heading there during peak season, it would be safer to secure your tickets earlier at the City Coliseum in Puerto Princesa first before heading to Sabang. Rates are the same at both places.

Purchase your Underground River tickets at Puerto Princesa City Coliseum

How to get to Sabang from Puerto Princesa

By Van (200PHP, 2 hours)

There are plenty of different companies offering transfers via van. Our guesthouse’s owner arranged for us Lexus van transfer and they picked us up directly from our guesthouse.

Tip: If you’re choosy with the seat allocation or if you’re prone to motion sickness, remember to inform your booking agent to reserve either the front seats next to or directly behind the driver! Otherwise, you might be allocated lousy seats at the back which will be a very bumpy and nauseating journey for you!

Total cost of DIY Underground River Tour

Entrance Fee –  250PHP Audio Device ( compulsory) – 85PHP Environmental Fee – 40PHP Boat Ride – 200PHP (if you managed to get at least 6 pax to share a boat). We didn’t have any difficult finding people to share the cost of the boat and we were there during off peak season! Lexus Van transfer from Puerto Princesa to Sabang – 200PHP

Total cost per adult (foreigner): 775PHP

The cost savings is rather substantial as compared to going for a organised tour! Usually the cost of such tours will be around 1,500PHP if you go with a local agency. But of course, they have additional perks such as a sumptuous buffet for lunch (we aren’t big eaters anyway) and they also pick you up directly from your hotel. We just prefer having the flexibility of organising the trip on our own.

Rates of Underground River Tour

The tour itself is pretty much straightforward once you’re at Sabang, you will take the boat at the port which will bring you to the cave entrance. The Underground River tour takes around 2 hours in total including the boat ride to and fro from the cave entrance.

Tip: Bring along a poncho or waterproof jacket if you’re there during the rainy season or risk getting soaked like wet chickens like what happened to us!

Have you been to the Underground River? Would you recommend DIY or to go with a tour agency? Share with us your view in the comments below! 😀

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A photo posted by Sunrise Odyssey (@sunriseodyssey) on Oct 16, 2014 at 5:36pm PDT

A photo posted by Sunrise Odyssey (@sunriseodyssey) on Mar 6, 2015 at 1:16am PST

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Murano/Burano Day: Tour or DIY? - Venice Forum

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I'm wondering if touring Murano and Burano are better done by ourselves for a day trip, or if it would be preferable to seek out a tour for this, including boat ride. Are the public boats easy to seek out and take to the islands ourselves, if we chose to do that? Would we benefit from tour descriptions of the islands, or would just roaming be more beneficial?

11 replies to this topic

Also, how often do the boats come to each island per hour/day?

Makes sense, macna. Thanks. I didn't consider that, but will take that advice when planning.

We enjoyed using the CheBateo? app to check boat times, docks, and options. There are several routes especially to Murano.

We really enjoyed Torcello but it is not for everyone. It is now a rural island, with only less than 1 km of public pathway to walk. The path follows a canal and ends at the old church and modern church on the other side of the island. There are several restaurants, including one that has served British royalty. There are almost no stores. If visiting it, I would start here, as it has the fewest boats. (There is a public water fountain near the ferry dock, by the way. There is a pay toilet near the church. The restaurant we lunched at had a washroom for customers. We were there in April when it was quiet except for classes of (8-10 year old) school children. who were obviously pleased to have an outing.)

We did not visit Burano. We briefly visited Murano, browsing the shops along the main canal. Having enjoyed the Church of Santa Maria Assunta on Torcello we did not visit the church at Murano.

We are not 'tour' people so we opted to just visit the islands ourselves. We had read up on the attractions at each island in the months before our trip. I have friends though who love guided tours. It is hard to say what someone else would prefer.

I hope you enjoy your trip!

https://emiliaburano.it/pages/chi-siamo

Torcello is wonderful but Burano is tourist tat hell in my opinion. The cathedral on Murano is worth a visit. No need for a tour, just by a vaporetto pass.

Thank you all for your input. It sounds like Torcello is special, and worth seeing. I hadn't yet gotten how touristy Burano seems to be, although we'll probably end up going there (thanks, Chester, about Emilia's). I will try to get us to Torcello, if alone or by tour. Probably more my cup of tea, as well.

If you go on a tour you will probably spend most of the time in a glass workshop or lace shop belonging to the guide's cousin. No need for one.

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