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🌴 Palawan 2026: The Ultimate El Nido, Coron & Puerto Princesa City Guide
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Sherilyn☆
This list is my personal blueprint for the perfect Palawan trip. It includes my 5-day "Best of" route, the exact hotels I trust, food, coffee, and the gear that protected my tech from the salt and sand. Scroll down for the day-by-day itinerary!
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🗺️ The 5-Day "Best of" Route
 
🛌 Where I Felt at Home (Hotels)
 
​🎒 "Personal Care" Travel Gear (Phone & Tech)
 
​👗The "Island Chic" Wardrobe

🗺️ The 5-Day "Best of" Route

​Day 1: Land in PPC, tour the Underground River, then van to El Nido. ​Day 2: El Nido Tour A. Sunset drinks at Las Cabañas Beach. ​Day 3: Morning Canopy Walk, afternoon at Nacpan Beach. ​Day 4: Fast Ferry to Coron. Hike Mt. Tapyas for sunset, then hi...
 
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This is the exact tour used by some tourists (check the link). They pick you up directly from PPS Airport so you don't waste a single hour of your vacation. tip: when you're in the underground river keep your mouth closed when looking up at the cave...
DAY 1: Underground River Tour (Airport Pickup Option)
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Instead of going back to the city, book your transfer from Sabang to El Nido. It’s the secret to not spending your whole first day in a car.
Bus Ticket from Sabang to El Nido
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When you get to the Big Lagoon, rent a kayak immediately—it’s the only way to see the hidden corners. For sunset, head to Las Cabañas it’s a bit of a walk, but the view of the sun dropping behind the islands is the best in the Philippines. Click the...
Day 2: El Nido Tour (Blue Lagoon & Las Cabanas Beach)
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Do the Canopy Walk early (around 8:00 AM) to beat the heat. It’s a 15-minute climb but the view is insane. In the afternoon, take a tricycle to Nacpan Beach. The waves can be strong here, so it’s more for 'chilling with a coconut' than serious swimmi...
Day 3: Morning Canopy Walk, afternoon at Nacpan Beach.
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I highly recommend booking your tickets through the Klook link below for the instant voucher. However, if you have specific questions about luggage over 20kg or pets, you can contact the operators directly: Montenegro Lines at [email protected]...
​Day 4: Fast Ferry to Coron. Hike Mt. Tapyas for sunset, then hit Maquinit Hot Springs.
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​The Honest Truth: I’m not going to lie—721 steps after a 4-hour ferry ride sounds like a nightmare. But once you see that giant "CORON" sign and the sun starts to dip behind the islands of the bay, you forget your legs are burning. ​My Personal Tip...
The Hike: Mt. Tapyas Sunset (721 Steps)
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This is one of the only saltwater hot springs in the world. After the hike, my knees were shaking, so I took a tricycle (300-400 pesos round trip) straight here. ​The water is hot (about 40°C). Don't just jump in! I sat on the edge and put my feet in...
Maquinit Hot Spring 🥵✨
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Kayangan Lake is surreal. To get that famous 'viewpoint' photo, you have to hike up a small trail. Warning: The lake is freshwater, so you aren't as buoyant as you are in the sea wear your life vest even if you're a good swimmer!
Day 5: Coron Super Ultimate Tour (Kayangan Lake). Fly out of Busuanga (USU).
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This is your final 'must-book.' Busuanga Airport is about 30–40 minutes away from Coron Town. There are no Grab cars or easy taxis here—you have to book a van. This Klook link lets you pick your flight time so the driver knows exactly when to get you...
Shared Airport Van Transfer: Coron Town to Busuanga Airport (USU)
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🛌 Where I Felt at Home (Hotels)

Finding the right base is everything in Palawan. I’ve selected these five hotels because they offer more than just a bed—they offer a specific vibe. Whether you want to be in the heart of the action, tucked away in an eco-retreat, or living out your ...
 
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My absolute favorite boutique stay. The rooftop pool at sunset is unmatched, and the service feels like visiting a friend's luxury home.
The Funny Lion (Coron, El Nido, or Puerto Princesa)
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If you want to escape the 'backpacking' noise of El Nido town center, stay here. It’s minimalist and peaceful. It’s a short walk to Lio Beach, which is much cleaner and wider than the main town beach.
Piece Lio (El Nido)
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Perfect for your first or last night. It’s modern, right next to Robinsons Mall for last-minute supplies, and has a stunning rooftop vibe. It's the most reliable AC and WiFi you'll find in the city.
Hue Hotels and Resorts (Puerto Princesa)
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If you want to splurge on a private island experience, this is the one. It's expensive, but for a honeymoon or anniversary, nothing beats waking up in a water villa here and having the lagoon practically to yourself.
Cauayan Island Resort (El Nido)
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This is hands-down the best place to stay if you're traveling solo or want to meet people. It's 'flashpacker' luxury—meaning the beds are comfy, the AC is freezing, and everything is sparkling clean. I loved their nightly activities (like karaoke or ...
Spin Designer Hostel (El Nido)
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​🎒 "Personal Care" Travel Gear (Phone & Tech)

The salt, sand, and humidity in Palawan are brutal on tech. This is the exact kit I use to keep my phone alive and my battery full.
 
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stopped using cheap pouches after my friend's phone drowned in the Secret Lagoon. This case is an investment, but it’s cheaper than a new phone. It actually floats, which is a life-saver if you drop it while kayaking.
Pelican Marine Waterproof Floating Phone Pouch
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Palawan still has occasional 'brownouts.' I never leave my room without my Anker Power Bank. It also powers my travel fan when the humidity gets real.
Anker PowerCore Fast Charging Power Bank
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Your 'island-hopping' best friend. A 10L bag is the perfect size for a towel, camera, and spare shirt. Everything stays bone-dry even when the boat gets splashed by waves.
Decathlon ITIWIT Waterproof Dry Bag (10L)
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Normal towels stay wet forever in humidity. This one dries in minutes and folds down to the size of a book. I used it as a beach mat, a towel, and even a head wrap during the hot ferry ride.
Nabaiji Compact Microfiber Towel (Large)
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​👗The "Island Chic" Wardrobe

Packing for Palawan is a balancing act. You need outfits that can handle a 700-step hike in the humidity, a salt-water lagoon crawl, and a sunset dinner by the beach. My rule? If it doesn’t dry in 30 minutes, it doesn’t go in the bag.
 
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Don't rely on sunscreen alone! When you're snorkeling for 2 hours in Tour A, your back will burn before you know it. I love a long-sleeve rash guard it protects you from sea lice and the sun, plus you don't have to reapply lotion every time you hop b...
The Versatile Rash Guard (Protection & Style)
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They look like regular shorts so you can wear them to a cafe in town, but they’re made of swim material. You can jump off the boat into a lagoon and be dry by the time you sit down for lunch
Quick Dry Board Shorts
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Linen is the king of Palawan fashion. It’s breathable, looks 'expensive' even when wrinkled, and is perfect for sunset drinks at Las Cabañas. I recommend light colors like beige or white to reflect the heat.
Angelic Vibes Linen Pant Set
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a flowy bohemian dress is essential for those Nacpan Beach photos. It doubles as a swimsuit cover-up and an easy outfit for dinner at Altrove. Look for rayon or thin cotton—anything heavier will feel like a sauna.
Bohemian Flowy Maxi Dress / Cover-up
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Polarized lenses are a must to actually see the fish while you're on the boat. These Decathlon ones actually float, so if they fall off while you're kayaking, you won't lose them to the bottom of the ocean.
Adult Sailing Floating Polarised Sunglasses 500 - Size M
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