A good Palawan itinerary is mostly about travel time: El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa are hours apart, and every move between them costs half a day. These plans for 5, 7, 10 and 14 days put the bases in a sensible order, use realistic van, ferry and flight times and show what to cut when days are short. For the tours themselves, see Palawan tours.
Plan at least three nights per base: one day arriving, two or more on boats. The main journeys are a shared van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido of about 5-6 hours, a fast ferry from El Nido to Coron of about 3 h 30 min to 5 h, vans of roughly 3 h 30 min to 4 h 30 min from Port Barton to either Puerto Princesa or El Nido, and 1-2 hours from Puerto Princesa to Sabang for the Underground River. Our getting around guide covers each route.
Flights save the most time. Puerto Princesa has jets from Manila and Cebu, while El Nido and Busuanga (for Coron) are served by turboprops, mainly from Clark and Cebu since those flights left Manila's NAIA in March 2026. Booking into one end and out of the other avoids doubling back, and leaving a spare day before an international flight protects you from a canceled ferry or boat tour.
El Nido in 5 days: on day 1, fly to Lio Airport, 10-20 minutes from town, and catch the sunset at Corong-Corong. Spend day 2 on Tour A for the Big Lagoon (or the Small Lagoon, depending on your slot), and day 3 on Tour C or a private boat to beat the crowds. Day 4 is a beach day at Nacpan Beach or Las Cabanas, and day 5 is for a short morning swim before flying out. Our El Nido tours guide explains each route.
If you arrive through Puerto Princesa instead, the van eats most of days 1 and 5, leaving only two tour days; it is better to fly in. Divers or anyone more interested in lakes than lagoons can swap El Nido for Coron: the Coron Island tour with Kayangan Lake on day 2, a wreck snorkel or dive on day 3 and a reef or beach tour on day 4.
This is the classic first trip. Fly into El Nido and spend days 1-4 there, with two or three island-hopping days and a beach day. On day 5, take the morning fast ferry to Coron, arriving in the afternoon. Day 6 is the Coron Island tour, and day 7 a morning snorkel or the Maquinit hot springs (no scuba diving within about 18 hours of a flight) before the 30-45 minute van to Busuanga Airport for an afternoon flight.
The route works in either direction, so pick whichever gives better flights. In the rainy season, when the El Nido to Coron ferry is more often canceled, the direct flight between the two airports is a useful backup.
Fly into Puerto Princesa on day 1 and see the Underground River on day 2, on a day tour that includes the permit. Take the van to Port Barton on day 3, about 3 h 30 min, island-hop with the turtles on day 4 and continue to El Nido on day 5, about 4 hours.
Days 6-7 are for El Nido's tours, with day 8 on the ferry to Coron, day 9 on the Coron Island tour and day 10 flying out of Busuanga. Breaking the drive at Port Barton turns the long road north into two easy half-days and adds a quieter village to the trip.
Two weeks lets you follow the 10-day route at a calmer pace: a day for Honda Bay from Puerto Princesa, an extra night in Port Barton, two nights at Nacpan after the El Nido tours and a third day in Coron for wreck diving or the reefs south of Coron Island.
Alternatively, replace the ferry with a 3- to 5-day boat expedition from El Nido to Coron, sleeping in island camps along the way, or swap the north for the south: Balabac needs several days of its own and is reached from the far south of the main island. See southern Palawan for that side of the province.
Cut Puerto Princesa first if the Underground River is not a priority, and skip Port Barton before you skip a tour day. Never plan the van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and back in a short trip; a one-way flight saves a full day. Avoid a ferry and an international connection on the same day.
From June to October, keep the plan flexible and favor flights over boats. Our where to stay guide compares the bases, and the weather guide explains when the seas are calmest.
A week is enough for El Nido and Coron. Ten to fourteen days let you add Puerto Princesa, the Underground River and Port Barton without rushing.
Only for one base. With three days, fly directly into El Nido or Coron and plan two boat tours; there is no time for the van from Puerto Princesa.
Either works, as the fast ferry and flights run both ways. Choose the order that gives the best flight in and out, and end in the base whose airport has the more convenient connection home.
About 5-6 hours by shared van, often more with stops and pickups. Leave in the morning so you arrive in daylight.
Suits travelers basing themselves in Puerto Princesa who want to visit the famous cave river park on a single outing. Allow about eight hours for the whole excursion from the city.
from ~$45 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
A 3-day, 2-night boat expedition linking El Nido and Coron, with hidden lagoons, quiet beaches and coral reefs for snorkeling. Suits adventurous travelers who want to cover both destinations in one trip.
from ~$368 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Fits travelers heading from El Nido to Coron who would rather cross the islands by boat over three days than take a direct transfer. The route includes two nights along the way.
from ~$314 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
Suits travelers who want caves and snorkeling stops around Bacuit Bay, including Pupulkan, Snake Island and Pinagbuyutan. A picnic lunch and a guide are included; weather permitting.
from ~$31 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Suits travelers who want to link Coron and El Nido in one trip rather than flying or taking the ferry. Runs three days with two nights, so expect basic overnight arrangements.
from ~$314 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
Afternoon sightseeing around Coron town to learn about the area and its people, ending at the Maquinit hot spring. Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Coron.
from ~$19 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
A group-format visit to the famous Puerto Princesa cave river, suited to budget-minded travelers. Bring your own meal money, since lunch is not part of this option.
from ~$41 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
A seaplane link from Busuanga to El Nido that saves hours of travel between Coron and El Nido. Suits travelers who want to skip a long transfer.
from ~$5,146 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 17, 2026.
