Palawan

Palawan is the long, thin island province in the west of the Philippines, and for many travellers it is the most beautiful place in the country. Think tall limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, quiet white beaches and some of the clearest water you will ever swim in. It is big, though, and the main towns are hours apart, so the first step is choosing where to base yourself. The good news for anyone staying in Cebu: there are direct flights to all three main bases.

Why go to Palawan

• El Nido, with its lagoons, hidden beaches and famous island-hopping tours.
• Coron, home of the clear mountain lakes of Coron Island and World War II shipwrecks.
• The Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site you explore by paddle boat.
• Some of the best snorkelling and diving in Southeast Asia.

El Nido: lagoons and island hopping

El Nido sits at the northern tip of mainland Palawan, facing the islands of Bacuit Bay. Most visitors spend their days on shared boat tours, which are sold everywhere in town as Tours A, B, C and D. Each tour has a fixed route with about five stops, lunch on a beach and time to swim and snorkel.

• Tour A: lagoons and beaches, usually with the Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon and Shimizu Island.
• Tour B: caves and quieter islands, such as Snake Island sandbar and Cudugnon Cave.
• Tour C: hidden and secret beaches plus the Matinloc Shrine.
• Tour D: a gentler day with the Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon and Paradise Beach.

Shared tours usually cost about ₱1,200-₱1,800 per person, with some lagoons charging an extra fee. Every visitor also pays the Eco-Tourism Development Fee, recently about ₱400 and valid for several days, so keep the receipt with you. Check the current fee when you arrive, because it has changed over the years.

Coron: lakes and wrecks

Coron town is on Busuanga Island, across the water from the dramatic cliffs of Coron Island. The highlights are Kayangan Lake, reached by a short, steep climb with a famous viewpoint, and Barracuda Lake, a deep, clear lake loved by divers. Coron Island is the ancestral land of the indigenous Tagbanua people, so stay on marked paths and follow the guides.

Coron is also one of the world's best wreck diving spots. Japanese supply ships sunk in 1944 now lie in the bays, and a few are shallow enough to snorkel over. Day tours usually add an environmental fee of around ₱200 or more, sometimes paid separately.

Puerto Princesa: the Underground River

Puerto Princesa is the capital and the main airport. Its star is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Sabang, about 1.5-2 hours away by road. A paddle boat takes you into a cave full of rock formations and bats, with an audio guide explaining what you see.

A permit is required and daily slots are limited, so book at least a day ahead, or several days ahead in the dry season. Most travellers join a day tour that includes the permit, transport and boat. Going on your own, you get the permit at the booking office in the city first.

How to choose your base

• First time and want the classic postcard views? El Nido.
• Love clear lakes, snorkelling or diving? Coron.
• Short trip or travelling with older family members? Puerto Princesa, which is closer to the airport and gentler on the legs.
• One week or more? Fly into Puerto Princesa, travel north to El Nido, then take a boat to Coron and fly back to Cebu.

Getting there from Cebu

1. Fly from Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Direct flights go to Puerto Princesa (about 1 hour 20 minutes), and there are also flights to Busuanga for Coron and to the small Lio Airport in El Nido. Schedules and frequency change, so check the airline sites, or connect via Manila if your date is full.
2. From Puerto Princesa to El Nido, take a shared van or bus north. The ride usually takes about 5-7 hours.
3. From Busuanga Airport, a van takes you to Coron town in roughly 30-45 minutes.
4. Between El Nido and Coron, fast ferries and slower boats run most days in good weather, taking roughly 4 hours or more.

Flights into El Nido use small planes and are usually the most expensive option, but they save a long road trip.

Where to stay and eat

In El Nido, the town proper is busy and close to the boats, while Corong-Corong is quieter with sunset views. In Coron, most people stay in town near the port where tours leave. Puerto Princesa has the widest choice of hotels and is a good food stop, so try local seafood while you are there.

When to go

The dry season, from about December to May, brings the calmest sea and the best island-hopping days, but also the biggest crowds. From around June to October, the southwest monsoon and storms can cancel boats and flights, so keep a spare day in your plans.

Tips for a good trip

• Bring enough cash. ATMs in El Nido and Coron can run out on busy weekends.
• Pack a dry bag, water shoes and reef-safe sunscreen.
• Never stand on or touch coral, and do not feed fish.
• Book the Underground River permit and your tours early in peak season.
• Take your trash back with you. Many beaches have no bins.

Want island hopping closer to home first? Try Mactan island hopping or the clear water of Moalboal, and read our guide to getting from Mactan Airport to Cebu City.

Photo gallery

Tap a photo to see it full size. Gallery photos come from Wikimedia Commons; each photographer's credit shows when you open the photo.

Watch before you go

Photo: "Big Lagoon at El Nido, Palawan, Philippines" by Marciano Villavito, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Banner video: "Coron bay and islands" by DaniloAcosta on Pixabay, Pixabay Content License.

Last updated October 16, 2026