How many days do you need in Palawan?

7-10 days is ideal: 3-4 days in El Nido, 2-3 in Coron, plus travel time. A 5-day quick version covers El Nido only. Palawan is big — don't rush it.

Is Palawan expensive?

No. Hostels run $6-10, island tours $15-25 including lunch, and local meals $2-5. Expect $30-45 per day as a backpacker.

How do you get from El Nido to Coron?

The direct ferry takes 4 hours and costs $25-30, leaving at 6am daily. It can be rough in wet season — take motion sickness pills.

What is Palawan famous for?

El Nido's limestone lagoons, Coron's WWII wreck diving, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, and some of the most affordable island hopping in Southeast Asia.

When is the best time to visit Palawan?

November to May is dry season and the best time. Palawan sits in a rain shadow, so it's often drier than the rest of the Philippines even in wet season.

Palawan, Philippines

Palawan on a Backpacker Budget

The island Jacques Cousteau called "the most beautiful place I've ever seen." And it's still surprisingly cheap — if you know the local way.

Last updated: September 2026

$25min daily

$6hostel/night

$15island tour

3main hubs

Real photos from Palawan

Snapped by our friend on a recent trip through the province — this is what Palawan actually looks like, no filters, no stock photos.

White-sand beach with clear turquoise water in Palawan

Aerial view of Palawan's lush island coast

Outrigger boat in the turquoise waters around Palawan

Beach with boats moored off the Palawan coast

Cliffside view over the ocean in Palawan

Tropical bay with boats docked among green cliffs

Turquoise sea and white sand on a Palawan beach

Aerial view of a forested island in Palawan

All photos taken on the ground in Palawan by our friends, 2026.

The Big Three

Palawan is a long, thin island stretching 450km from north to south. Most backpackers hit three spots. Here's what each is actually like — not the brochure version.

🇵🇭 El Nido

Northern Palawan · 5-6h van from Puerto Princesa

The postcard shot. Towering limestone cliffs rise straight out of turquoise water. Four standard island-hopping tours (A, B, C, D) with slightly different routes. Tour A (Big and Small Lagoons) is the classic. Tour C is the hidden-gem pick — Matinloc Shrine and Secret Beach.

El Nido town itself is small and walkable. The beach in town is meh — save your swimming for the tours. The real secret: rent a motorbike and ride 20 min north to Nacpan Beach. 4km of empty white sand. Free.

Hostels from $6 | Island tours: $15-$22 | Meal: $3-$6

Coron

Busuanga Island · 4h ferry from El Nido ($25)

Coron is the diver's Palawan. WWII Japanese shipwrecks sit in shallow water — you can snorkel some of them without scuba gear. The main tour takes you to Kayangan Lake (that famous viewpoint shot), Twin Lagoon, and Barracuda Lake.

Coron town is grittier than El Nido. Less polished, more local. Better food. The hot springs 15 min outside town are $5 and worth it after a day of island-hopping.

Hostels from $6 | Island tours: $18-$25 | Meal: $2-$5

Puerto Princesa

Central Palawan · Main airport hub

Most backpackers use Puerto Princesa as a transit point — fly in, van to El Nido the next day. But the Underground River (a UNESCO site) is genuinely cool. It's a full-day trip ($20-30 including transport and boat).

Honest take: if you have 7-10 days, skip Puerto Princesa entirely. Go straight to El Nido. If you have 2+ weeks, spend one day here for the river.

Hostels from $5 | Underground River: $20-$30 | Meal: $2-$4

How to Get There

Fly into Puerto Princesa (PPS)

Direct flights from Manila ($25-50 on Cebu Pacific/AirAsia) and Cebu ($30-60). Book 2-3 weeks ahead for the best price.

Van to El Nido

5-6 hours from Puerto Princesa. Shared vans leave every hour from 6am-6pm. Cost: $8-12. Book at the airport or any travel agency in town. The road is paved and scenic.

Ferry: El Nido ↔ Coron

4 hours. $25-30 on Montenegro or Atienza shipping lines. Rough seas in wet season (June-Oct) — take motion sickness pills if you're prone.

Where to Stay

All prices are for dorm beds. Private rooms with AC start at $15-20.

El Nido: Outpost Beach Hostel (Nacpan Beach, $10 — worth the splurge for the location), Frendz Hostel (town center, $8), Spin Designer Hostel (newer, $8).

Coron: Hop Hostel ($7, rooftop bar), Dayon Hostel ($6, quieter), The Hub ($8, solid WiFi).

Puerto Princesa: Sheebang Hostel ($5, free breakfast), Banwa Art House ($6, artsy vibe).

Find Palawan hostels on Booking.com Book Palawan tours on Klook

Deep Dives

Palawan's three hubs each deserve their own guide. Jump in:

El Nido Guide

Island tours A-D ranked, Nacpan Beach, hostels from $6.

Coron Guide

Wreck diving, Kayangan Lake, Maquinit hot springs.

Puerto Princesa Guide

Underground River, Honda Bay, airport logistics.

What to Eat in Palawan

Being a coastal province, Palawan's food is all about seafood. Fresh catch grilled on the beach is the move.

Tamilok (Woodworm) — Palawan's infamous delicacy. It's actually a mollusk that burrows into mangrove wood, not a worm. Eaten raw with vinegar and calamansi. Tastes surprisingly like an oyster. Found in Kinabuchs or Badjao Seafront in Puerto Princesa. $2-3 per plate.

Crocodile Sisig — Puerto Princesa has a crocodile farm, and yes, they serve sisig made from crocodile meat. Leaner than pork, similar to chicken. Try it at KaLui or Kinabuchs. $4-6.

Lato (Sea Grapes) — Tiny green seaweed bubbles that pop in your mouth. Served as a salad with vinegar and tomatoes. Refreshing and weirdly addictive. Every seafood restaurant has it. $1-2.

Grilled Catch of the Day — On island-hopping tours, your boat crew will grill fresh fish for lunch right on the beach. This is the best meal you'll have in Palawan — simple, fresh, eaten with your hands on a banana leaf. Included in your tour price.

One Crucial Tip

Bring DEET. Seriously. Palawan has sandflies on some beaches (especially in El Nido and Coron). They're worse than mosquitoes — bites itch for days. Apply repellent before the boat docks, not after.

Bring enough cash. ATMs exist in all three towns, but they run out on weekends and holidays. Withdraw in Puerto Princesa before heading north. Many hostels and tours are cash-only.

Download offline maps. Cell signal is patchy between towns. Google Maps offline + Maps.me as backup.