The Palawan Circuit — travelling from Puerto Princesa through El Nido and on to Coron — is one of the most spectacular island-hopping journeys in Southeast Asia. This guide gives you a complete 10–14 day Palawan circuit itinerary, covering transport logistics, best stops, accommodation, costs, and practical tips for doing the full route.
Palawan Circuit Overview
| Leg | Route | Transport | Duration | Days Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manila → Puerto Princesa | Flight | ~1 hr | 1 day transit |
| 2 | Puerto Princesa → El Nido | Shared van | 5–6 hrs | Transit day |
| 3 | El Nido exploration | Boat tours, tricycle | — | 5–6 days |
| 4 | El Nido → Coron | Ferry (4–8 hrs) | 4–8 hrs | Transit day |
| 5 | Coron exploration | Boat tours, tricycle | — | 3–4 days |
| 6 | Coron → Manila | Flight from Busuanga | ~1 hr | Departure day |
Total recommended days: 10–14. The circuit can be done in 10 days minimum (rushed) or stretched to 14+ days for a more relaxed pace.
Day 1–2: Puerto Princesa (Optional Stop)
Most travellers fly into Puerto Princesa (PPS), the capital of Palawan. You can transit straight to El Nido or spend 1–2 days exploring Puerto Princesa’s own attractions:
- Puerto Princesa Underground River — UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Book ahead (₱250 entrance + ₱150 permit + boat fee)
- Honda Bay Island Hopping — Cowrie Island, Luli Island, Starfish Island (₱800–₱1,200)
- Palawan Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Center — see Philippine pangolins, bearcat, and crocodiles
- Iwahig Firefly Watching — evening river tour (₱400–₱600)
Where to stay in Puerto Princesa:
- Budget: Cocotel Puerto Princesa, Greenviews Residences (₱800–₱1,500)
- Mid-range: Aziza Paradise Hotel, Garden of Eden (₱2,500–₱4,000)
Day 3: Puerto Princesa → El Nido (Transit Day)
Book a shared van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. Depart early (5–7am) to arrive by early afternoon and have time to settle in.
| Option | Cost | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared van (Cherry, Rovic, D’Eltoro) | ₱650–₱800 | 5–6 hrs | Acceptable |
| Private van (group of 6–10) | ₱4,500–₱6,000 total | 5–6 hrs | Comfortable |
| Daytripper Bus | ₱600–₱750 | 6–7 hrs | AC, meal stops |
| Direct flight (Air Swift, Lio Airport) | ₱3,500–₱8,000 | 55 min | Best option |
See our full El Nido Transportation Guide for detailed transfer options.
Days 4–8: El Nido (5 Days)
El Nido is the centrepiece of the Palawan circuit. Five days gives you time to complete all four island-hopping tours and explore the mainland. Follow our complete El Nido 5-Day Itinerary for a day-by-day plan.
| Day | Activity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Day 4 | Arrive El Nido, explore town, Corong-Corong sunset | Minimal |
| Day 5 | Tour A — Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Beach | ₱1,400–₱1,800 |
| Day 6 | Tour C — Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine | ₱1,500–₱2,000 |
| Day 7 | Nacpan Beach day trip (motorbike or tricycle) | ₱500–₱700 transport |
| Day 8 | Tour B — Pinagbuyutan, Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave | ₱1,200–₱1,600 |
Optional: Add Tour D (Helicopter Island, Bulalacao, Cadlao Lagoon) if you have a 6th day in El Nido. See our Tour D Guide for details.
Day 9: El Nido → Coron (Ferry Day)
Take the ferry from El Nido to Coron. Two operators serve this route:
| Operator | Journey Time | Cost | Departs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montenegro Lines | ~8 hrs | ₱1,400–₱2,000 | ~7:00am | Cheaper, slower, can be rough |
| 2Travel Express | ~4–5 hrs | ₱2,800–₱4,500 | ~8:00am | Faster, more comfortable |
Tips:
- Book ferry tickets 2–3 days ahead during peak season (Dec–Mar)
- The crossing can be rough in the Sulu Sea — take seasickness tablets if prone
- Bring snacks and water; Montenegro Lines has minimal food service
- Arrive at the port 45 min before departure
Days 10–13: Coron (3–4 Days)
Coron is famous for world-class WWII wreck diving and stunning volcanic lakes. Here’s how to spend 3–4 days:
| Day | Activity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Day 10 | Arrive Coron, rest, explore Coron town | Minimal |
| Day 11 | Island Hopping Tour 1 — Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake, CYC Beach | ₱1,200–₱1,800 |
| Day 12 | Wreck Diving — Okikawa Maru, Akitsushima (or Siete Pecados snorkel) | ₱2,500–₱4,000 |
| Day 13 | Malcapuya & Banana Island tour, or Calauit Safari Park | ₱1,200–₱2,500 |
Top Coron Highlights
- Kayangan Lake — the iconic turquoise lake (Coron’s #1 photo spot)
- Barracuda Lake — freshwater/saltwater thermocline lake, unique diving experience
- WWII Wrecks — Japanese fleet sunk in 1944, now covered in coral, world-class diving
- Malcapuya Island — arguably the best beach in the Coron area
- Calauit Game Reserve — African wildlife (giraffes, zebras) on a Philippine island
Day 14: Coron → Manila (Departure)
Fly home from Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU) in Busuanga, ~20 minutes from Coron town by tricycle or shuttle (₱150–₱250).
Airlines flying Coron to Manila: Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, Philippine Airlines. Flights are around 1 hour. Book early for the best prices (₱1,500–₱5,000 one way).
Full Palawan Circuit Budget
| Category | Budget (₱) | Mid-Range (₱) | Splurge (₱) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights (Manila ↔ PPS/ENI, Coron → Manila) | 5,000–8,000 | 8,000–15,000 | 15,000–25,000 |
| Accommodation (12 nights) | 7,200–12,000 | 24,000–48,000 | 72,000+ |
| Island hopping tours (El Nido + Coron) | 8,000–12,000 | 12,000–20,000 | 20,000–40,000 |
| Food (14 days) | 7,000–10,000 | 14,000–25,000 | 30,000+ |
| Transport & transfers | 2,000–3,500 | 4,000–7,000 | 8,000+ |
| Entrance fees & activities | 1,500–2,500 | 3,000–5,000 | 6,000+ |
| TOTAL per person | ₱30,700–₱48,000 | ₱65,000–₱120,000 | ₱151,000+ |
Best Time to Do the Palawan Circuit
The dry season (November–May) is ideal for the full circuit. Both El Nido and Coron have calmer seas, clearer visibility for diving, and reliable island-hopping conditions.
- Peak season (Dec–Mar): Best weather, but book everything in advance. Higher prices.
- Shoulder season (Nov, Apr–May): Great weather, fewer crowds, moderate prices. Best value.
- Avoid Jun–Oct: Typhoon season. El Nido in particular can have rough seas and many tours cancelled.
For El Nido-specific seasonal advice, see our Best Time to Visit El Nido guide.
