Palawan Itinerary: 2 Weeks in Coron & El Nido (2026)
A Palawan itinerary: for many people this is the Philippines. Limestone cliffs shooting straight up out of turquoise lagoons, hidden beaches and island hopping by bangka. On our honeymoon in May 2019 we traveled from Manila via Coron and El Nido to Port Barton. Based on that trip we made this 2-week Palawan itinerary, with a tip for 3 weeks: Manila, Coron, El Nido, Port Barton and Puerto Princesa. With travel times, where we slept and our favorite tips. A true ‘Let Us Stay For A Day’ recommendation… Mabuhay!
Would you rather see the Visayas? Then read our Visayas and Siargao itinerary. Or go for everything with the ultimate 4-week tour.
Palawan itinerary at a glance
- Route: Manila – Coron – El Nido – Port Barton – Puerto Princesa – Manila
- Duration: 2 weeks is very doable, with 3 weeks you have more breathing room and can add an island expedition.
- Best time to go: the dry season from December through May. We did this Palawan itinerary in May: hot, sunny and around 90°F.
- Transportation: domestic flights, the ferry between Coron and El Nido and shared vans on Palawan itself.
- Start: fly to Manila. From the US that is usually one or two stops, for example via Tokyo, Seoul or the Middle East.
Palawan itinerary in 2 weeks
| Day | Destination | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manila | 1 |
| 2 – 4 | Coron | 3 |
| 5 – 8 | El Nido | 4 |
| 9 – 11 | Port Barton | 3 |
| 12 – 13 | Puerto Princesa | 2 |
| 14 | Flight home | – |
Have 3 weeks? This is how to extend your Palawan itinerary
Have 3 weeks? Then you take more time everywhere and sail from Coron to El Nido on an island expedition instead of taking the ferry. Want to combine Palawan with Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor? Then check our 3-week Philippines itinerary.
| Day | Destination | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manila | 1 |
| 2 – 5 | Coron | 4 |
| 6 – 8 | Island expedition Coron – El Nido | 2 |
| 9 – 13 | El Nido | 5 |
| 14 – 17 | Port Barton | 4 |
| 18 – 19 | Puerto Princesa | 2 |
| 20 | Manila | 1 |
| 21 | Flight home | – |
Day 1: Manila
Once in Manila, take a Grab, the Uber of Southeast Asia, to your hotel in Makati. Manila is the logical starting point of this Palawan itinerary. During the day you can easily visit the sights and the big shopping malls. In the evening, though, it’s wise to simply be dropped off right at the door. Got an afternoon to spare? Then ride a bamboo bike through the historic district of Intramuros. We slept at The Peninsula Manila: a fantastic place with a brilliant breakfast and a big pool. After weeks of island hopping it felt like pure luxury.
Days 2 – 4: Coron
Next you fly from Manila to Busuanga, the airport of Coron, in about an hour. Coron is the ideal first stop of your Palawan itinerary. The town itself isn’t very special, but the tours from here guarantee unforgettable moments. Climb to the viewpoint of Kayangan Lake, for example, swim in Barracuda Lake with its warm and cold water layers and snorkel above the Japanese shipwrecks from World War II. The climb up Mount Tapyas (about 700 steps) at sunset is also recommended. Afterward, relax in the Maquinit hot springs.
We stayed at The Funny Lion: a beautiful pool, spacious rooms and rooftop jacuzzis overlooking the sun setting above the bay. We wanted to stay longer, but the hotel was fully booked. So we booked the hotel next door. Same view, but the cheaper option. In Coron we also tried balut, an incubated duck egg. Whether you like it? Try it yourself during your Palawan itinerary.
View this post by Let Us Stay For A Day on Instagram
👉 Popular tours in Coron:
Days 5 – 8: El Nido
Next you take the ferry from Coron to El Nido in about four hours, the highlight of every Palawan itinerary. For many travelers El Nido is the reason to do a Palawan itinerary. Everything here revolves around island hopping. There are four tours: A, B, C and D. Tour A (with the Big and Small Lagoon) and tour C (with the hidden beaches) are the best known. Do at least two. Also plan a beach day at Nacpan Beach and a cocktail with a view at sunset, because the sunsets here are absurdly beautiful.
Tip for a 3-week Palawan itinerary: sail from Coron to El Nido on a three-day island expedition. You sleep on remote little islands and swim at spots where almost no tourists go. Do book in time, because these trips are often full.
👉 Island hopping in El Nido:
👉 Island expedition between El Nido and Coron:
Days 9 – 11: Port Barton
Then you take a van from El Nido to Port Barton in about four hours, the quietest stretch of this Palawan itinerary. After busy El Nido, peace and quiet is exactly what your Palawan itinerary needs. This is what El Nido looked like twenty years ago: a small village, dirt roads and lots of calm. Go island hopping to the turtle spot, for example, snorkel among the starfish and watch the sunset behind the bangkas in the evening.
View this post by Let Us Stay For A Day on Instagram
Honestly, we had to ‘survive’ here for a bit. We slept among the backpackers, with bedbugs and lukewarm beer. But the sunsets made up for everything. So choose a well-reviewed place to stay, and you’ll have a lovely time here.
👉 Island hopping in Port Barton:
Days 12 – 13: Puerto Princesa
Finally, you drive from Port Barton to Puerto Princesa in about three hours, the last stop of your Palawan itinerary. That’s how you end your Palawan itinerary in a relaxed way. Visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River here, for example, an underground river on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The number of visitors per day is limited, so book a tour or permit in advance. You can also go island hopping in Honda Bay. On day 14 you fly back to Manila for your flight home.
👉 The underground river:
Tips for your Palawan itinerary
- Book domestic flights early. Flights to Coron (Busuanga) and Puerto Princesa are operated by Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, among others. AirSWIFT flies to the small El Nido airport. So book them well in advance as soon as your Palawan itinerary is set.
- Plan in buffers. In bad weather boats and flights are sometimes canceled. So always plan your last night in Manila.
- Bring enough cash. In Port Barton and Coron you can’t use a card in many places.
- Fill in the eTravel form. You fill in this free online form within 72 hours before arrival at etravel.gov.ph. Many passports, including US and Dutch ones, allow you to stay 30 days without a visa; always check the current rules.
- Bring a dry bag and reef-safe sunscreen. You spend a lot of time on boats during a Palawan itinerary and the coral reefs are fragile.
- Head out early. Whoever leaves first still has the lagoons to themselves for a while.
Frequently asked questions about a Palawan itinerary
With a 2-week Palawan itinerary you see the highlights: Coron, El Nido, Port Barton and Puerto Princesa. With 3 weeks you have more breathing room and can add an island expedition between Coron and El Nido.
By ferry, which takes about four hours. Or on a three-day island expedition, where you sleep on remote islands.
The dry season from December through May. June through November is the rainy season, with a chance of typhoons.
Yes, from Manila you fly to Coron in about an hour. You can also start in Puerto Princesa and travel the route in reverse.
Mabuhay, Palawan!
Palawan is what you come to the Philippines for. With this Palawan itinerary you see the very best of the island. Lagoons, limestone cliffs, island hopping and sunsets you’ll never forget. Want to see the Visayas too? Then check our Visayas and Siargao itinerary or the ultimate 4-week tour. And on our Philippines page you’ll find all our blogs. Mabuhay!
Want to see more of our trip through the Philippines? Check out our stories and videos in the highlights on Instagram.
On our website Let Us Stay For A Day we use affiliate links. These refer you to partners we work with.
