Best Palawan Itinerary Guide: How Many Days, Where to Go, What to Do, Top Island Tours

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Since the Philippines is an archipelago of several island regions, exploring the country requires careful planning. If you’re visiting the country for the first time, it’s best to create a multi-day Philippines itinerary so you can maximize your time. For those who want to explore Palawan and other top destinations in the country, read this guide for a hassle-free experience.

When is the best time to visit Palawan?

Because most of the best places to visit in Palawan are outdoors, it’s ideal to visit the province during the dry months. This usually falls from November to May, with the hottest months being March to April. However, note that the summer and Holy Week break often fall in these two months, making them the Palawan peak season for local travelers. If you want a quieter visit, it might be better to consider a different travel period.

How to get around Palawan?

There are many ways to get around Palawan. For destinations located on the main island of Palawan, including El Nido, Puerto Princesa, and San Vicente, there are several land transfers, including public buses, and public vans. If you want to include Coron in your Palawan itinerary, you have to ride a ferry from the mainland. The most popular ferry route is El Nido to Coron and vice versa.

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You can get around the cities and municipalities by riding public transportation like jeepneys and tricycles. If you prefer a private trip, you can hire a self-drive motorcycle. 

If you want a convenient way to travel across and within the many destinations in Palawan, you can also book private transfers. Regardless where you are staying in Palawan, you won’t have a problem booking private vehicles. But if possible, it is recommended that you book Puerto Princesa transfers, El Nido transfers, Coron transfers, and San Vicente transfers in advance.

How many days is enough in Palawan?

If you plan to visit only one destination in the province, the shortest Palawan travel itinerary you can enjoy is 3 days and 2 nights. For two destinations, the minimum duration for the Palawan trip itinerary should be 5 days and 4 nights. If you have more time to spend in the Philippines, an itinerary of 1 week (or longer) will allow you to see more of Palawan.

Coron to El Nido Palawan Itinerary

Best for: Travelers who want to visit the best islands and beaches in Palawan

If you want to see some of the best beaches in Palawan, this 12-day Coron to El Nido tour package is perfect. For 12 days, you will be exploring the Philippines. Coron is a popular wreck diving spot home to clean lakes, while El Nido is known for its pristine islands, beautiful lagoons, and limestone cliffs. Both are home to some of the best islands in the Philippines.

From Manila, you’ll make your way to Coron to begin your Palawan trip and enjoy a super ultimate island-hopping tour with stops at Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Barracuda Lake. You will also tour Malcapuya Island, Bulog Dos Island, and Banana Island on a separate day.

In El Nido, you’ll go on several island-hopping tours. Tour A will bring you to Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach, while Tour B will bring you to Snake Island, Cudognon Cave, and Popolkan Island. Your final island-hopping tour on this Coron to El Nido itinerary is Tour C, which will allow you to see the sights of Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, and Matinloc Island.

• Day 1: Arrival in Manila - Explore the city if time permits

• Day 2: Arrival in Coron

• Day 3: Coron super ultimate island-hopping tour to Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Barracuda Lake

• Day 4: Free time in Coron

• Day 5: Coron island escapade tour to Malcapuya Island, Bulog Dos Island, and Banana Island

• Day 6: Arrival in El Nido

• Day 7: El Nido island-hopping Tour A to Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach

• Day 8: Free time in El Nido

• Day 9: El Nido island-hopping Tour B to Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Popolkan Island

• Day 10: Free time in El Nido

• Day 11: El Nido island-hopping Tour C to Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, and Matinloc Island

• Day 12: Departure from El Nido 

If you are looking for similar Palawan tour packages, you should check out this 11-day Coron to El Nido tour package, which is perfect for couples on their honeymoon or who just want a romantic getaway. 

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• Read about where to stay in Coron

Coron to El Nido & Puerto Princesa Palawan Itinerary

Best for: Travelers who want to explore the most popular destinations in Palawan on one tripCoron, El Nido, and Puerto Princesa are the most-visited places in Palawan, and you would be able to explore all three with this 2-week Coron, Puerto Princesa to El Nido tour package. Puerto Princesa is known for the UNESCO Heritage Site, the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

On this 2-week itinerary in the Philippines, you will start with a day in Manila. The next day, you will begin your exploration of Palawan. Your first stop is Coron, where you will enjoy a super ultimate island-hopping tour that will bring you to Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Barracuda Lake and a Coron island escapade that will take you to Malcapuya Island, Bulog Dos Island, and Banana Island.

Your next stop is El Nido. Here, you will go on two island-hopping tours: Tour C and Tour B. Tour C will stop at Hidden Beach and Helicopter Island, while Tour B will allow you to see Snake Island, Cudognon Cave, and Popolkan Island. 

Finally, you will visit Puerto Princesa, where you will enjoy a private tour of the Puerto Princesa Underground River before you end your 2-week Palawan itinerary.

• Day 1: Arrival in Manila - Explore the city if time permits

• Day 2: Arrival in Coron

• Day 3: Coron super ultimate island-hopping tour to Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Barracuda Lake

• Day 4: Free time in Coron

• Day 5: Coron island escapade tour to Malcapuya Island, Bulog Dos Island, and Banana Island

• Day 6: Arrival in El Nido

• Day 7: El Nido island-hopping Tour C to Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, and Matinloc Island

• Day 8: Free time in El Nido

• Day 9: El Nido island-hopping Tour B to Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Popolkan Island

• Day 10: Free time in El Nido

• Day 11: Arrival in Puerto Princesa

• Day 12: Puerto Princesa Underground River tour

• Day 13: Free time in Puerto Princesa

• Day 14: Departure from Puerto Princesa

For a slightly shorter Coron-El Nido-Puerto Princesa itinerary, you can also book this 13-day Coron to El Nido to Puerto Princesa tour package. You can also explore other destinations in the Philippines with other 2-week Philippines itinerary tour packages.

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El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan Itinerary

Best for: Travelers who want to explore beautiful islands and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

If you only have a few days to spare, you can go on this 5-day Puerto Princesa to El Nido island-hopping tour package. This Puerto Princesa to El Nido itinerary will start in Puerto Princesa, where you will tour the famed Puerto Princesa Underground River. While in Puerto Princesa, you will also be able to go island-hopping in Honda Bay, where you will explore Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island. 

In El Nido, you can choose which island-hopping tour to go on. El Nido island-hopping Tour A will stop at Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach, while Tour B will take you to Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Popolcan Island. Tour C includes visits to Hidden Beach, Matinloc Island, Secret Beach, and Helicopter Island, and finally, Tour D will bring you to Small Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, and Pasandigan Beach. 

• Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Princesa + Puerto Princesa Underground River tour

• Day 2: Puerto Princesa Honda Bay island-hopping tour to Starfish, Luli, and Cowrie Islands

• Day 3: Arrival in El Nido

• Day 4: El Nido island-hopping tour (Choose from Tours A, B, C, or D)

• Day 5: Departure from El Nido

You can explore both Puerto Princesa and El Nido longer when you book this 1-week Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, and El Nido tour package. This itinerary will also allow you to try some of the top things to do in San Vicente. You can also check out other Puerto Princesa to El Nido tour packages.

Palawan Itinerary for 5 Days and 4 Nights 

Best for: Travelers who have time to explore two Palawan destinations 

If you’re wondering what to do in Palawan for 5 days, then this 5-day and 4-night El Nido and Puerto Princesa tour package will help you. This itinerary starts in Puerto Princesa, where you will spend two nights. While in this capital city of Palawan, you will tour one of the top tourist spots in Puerto Princesa, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. 

You will be able to see some of the stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations inside the underground river.

You will also spend two nights in El Nido, and on day 4, you will explore Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach while on an El Nido island-hopping Tour A.

• Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Princesa + Add-on Puerto Princesa City Tour

• Day 2: Puerto Princesa Underground River tour

• Day 3: Arrival in El Nido

• Day 4: El Nido island-hopping Tour A to Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach

• Day 5: Departure from El Nido

For those who only have 5 days to spare, you also have the option to just immerse yourself in one Palawan destination for a more laid-back itinerary. You can check out other options for 5-day Palawan vacation packages.

Palawan Itinerary 3 Days 2 Nights

Best for: Travelers who want a quick trip to their chosen Palawan destination

Even if you only have three days in Palawan, you have plenty of options when it comes to Philippines itineraries, but note that you will only immerse yourself in one destination, so you will need to choose which Palawan itinerary of 3 days and 2 nights fits your preferences best.

If you want to see the sights of Coron, book this 3-day Coron package. This package will allow you to spend one full day in Palawan, and you can spend it exploring Coron tourist spots at your own pace. You also have the option to book a Coron super ultimate island-hopping tour that will take you to Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake or a Coron firefly-watching tour, which will bring you to a mangrove forest to see these majestic creatures light up the night. 

You can also spend 3 days in El Nido through this 3-day El Nido package. You have plenty of options when it comes to El Nido tourist spots, and if you want a guided tour, you can book an add-on island-hopping tour for day 2. You can choose between El Nido island-hopping Tour A or B. Tour A will bring you to Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commandos Beach. On the other hand, Tour B will take you to Snake Island, Cudognon Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Popolcan Island.

There are plenty of things to do in San Vicente, Palawan, and you can try some of them when you book this 3-day San Vicente package. You can spend some time in Long Beach, which, at 14.7 kilometers, is the longest white beach in the Philippines. You can also rent a motorbike so you can explore the length of the beach, as well as other places like Port Barton or book San Vicente tours for a hassle-free trip.

You can also book a 3-day Puerto Princesa package. Booking this package means you won’t have to worry about where to stay in Puerto Princesa as it is already included in the package. This package will also allow you to book an add-on Puerto Princesa tour, and you can choose from three tours. You can go on a tour of the Puerto Princesa Underground River, go island-hopping in Honda Bay and visit Cowrie and Pandan Island, or enjoy a night tour and see fireflies as you cruise along the Iwahig River. 

• Day 1: Arrival in Palawan

• Day 2: Free time + Book add-on Palawan Tours

• Day 3: Departure from Palawan

Palawan Itinerary 4 Days 3 Nights

Best for: Travelers who want a relaxed trip to their chosen Palawan destination

If three days is too short for you, you can try a 4-day itinerary in Palawan. You would still need to choose only one destination, but this will give you more time to explore tourist spots in Palawan. 

If you choose to book this 4-day Coron vacation package, you will be able to go on a Coron inland tour where you will visit attractions like Lualhati Park, St. Augustine Church, Mount Tapyas View Deck, and Maquinit Hot Springs. You will have one day where you can freely explore on your own, or you can book an add-on tour to maximize your time.

Those who like island-hopping should consider this 4-day El Nido budget package. This Palawan itinerary includes an El Nido island-hopping Tour B, which will take you to Snake Island, Cudognon Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Popolcan Island. You can also go on another island-hopping tour as an add-on to this El Nido package.

For a laid-back San Vicente itinerary, you can book this 4-day San Vicente package. This itinerary will give you two full days to explore the municipality on your own. You can visit Long Beach and Port Barton and soak in the chill atmosphere. 

If you’d like to visit the capital of Palawan, a 4-day Puerto Princesa package is perfect for you. While you’re in Puerto Princesa, you can go on an island-hopping tour in Honda Bay and visit Cowrie Island and Pandan Island. You also have the option to go on a tour of the Puerto Princesa Underground River or Puerto Princesa city attractions.

• Day 1: Arrival in Palawan

• Day 2: Sightseeing Tour

• Day 3: Free time in Palawan + Additional tours

• Day 4: Departure from Palawan

Palawan to Boracay Itinerary

Best for: Travelers who also want to visit the world-famous white beaches of Boracay

Along with Palawan, Boracay is one of the best beach destinations in the Philippines, and you can visit both with a Palawan to Boracay itinerary. Boracay to El Nido Philippines tour packages will give you the chance to go on an island-hopping tour in El Nido and explore the famous White Beach in Boracay. Some of these packages will also allow you to visit other destinations in the Philippines, including Bohol.

• Book other Boracay to Palawan Philippines tour packages  

Palawan to Cebu Itinerary

Best for: Those who also want to visit the beaches, diving spots, and outdoor adventure attractions of Cebu

Like Palawan, Cebu is also one of the top snorkeling spots in the Philippines, and you can explore both provinces with this 1-week Cebu, Puerto Princesa to El Nido tour package. You’ll start in Manila and shortly make your way to Cebu. Here, you will go on a Moalboal island-hopping tour, which will allow you to visit Pescador Island and snorkel at Turtle Bay. You will also get to experience the majestic sardine run.

You will then head to Puerto Princesa in Palawan, where you will enjoy a tour of the world-famous Puerto Princesa Underground River. El Nido is your next and last destination, and here you will embark on an El Nido island-hopping Tour A, allowing you to marvel at the natural wonders of Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Payong-Payong Beach, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach.

• Day 1: Arrival in Manila - Explore the city if time permits

• Day 2: Arrival in Cebu + Optional Cebu City top attractions tour

• Day 3: Moalboal island-hopping tour to Pescador Island and Turtle Bay + sardine run

• Day 4: Arrival in Puerto Princesa

• Day 5: Puerto Princesa Underground River tour

• Day 6: Arrival in El Nido + island-hopping Tour A

• Day 7: Departure from El Nido

If you want to just focus on Cebu and El Nido, you can check out options for Cebu to El Nido Philippines itinerary tour packages.

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Book a Philippines tour package to maximize your Palawan itinerary!

Palawan is a treasure trove of natural attractions waiting to be explored. Whether you are planning a family adventure, a couple's getaway, or solo travel in the Philippines, you will find the ideal Palawan vacation package for you.

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To make your trip hassle- and stress-free, you can book car rentals in the Philippines or Philippines airport transfers. You can also read our guide to airports in the Philippines.