7 Days in Palawan
Trip Overview
This seven-day itinerary threads together Palawan's greatest hits, the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, the island-hopping great destination of El Nido, and the unhurried charm of Port Barton in between. You'll spend the first two days anchored in Puerto Princesa, dipping into the Honda Bay islands and the well-known underground river. A scenic bus ride north deposits you in Port Barton, a quiet fishing village that earns its reputation as Palawan's best-kept secret. The final three days belong to El Nido: Bacuit Bay's dramatic limestone karsts, hidden lagoons only reachable by bangka, and some of the finest snorkeling in Southeast Asia. The pace is moderate, enough movement to feel the full breadth of Palawan's geography, enough stillness to rest on the beaches you came for. Best suited to travelers who want well-known experiences without surrendering every moment to a tour group.
Pace
Moderate
Daily Budget
$80-150 per day
Best Seasons
November through May (dry season); peak is December, April. Avoid June, October (typhoon season).
Ideal For
First-time visitors to Palawan, Beach and snorkeling enthusiasts, Adventure travelers, Couples, Nature photographers
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Arrival in Puerto Princesa & Honda Bay Islands
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Fly into Puerto Princesa, settle in, then spend the afternoon on a half-day island-hopping tour of Honda Bay, the perfect gentle introduction to Palawan's beaches.
Morning
Arrival & City Orientation
Fly into Puerto Princesa International Airport and transfer to your hotel in the city proper. Puerto Princesa is notably clean by Philippine standards, the city enforces strict environmental rules. Drop your bags, grab a tricycle for a quick spin along Rizal Avenue, and pick up essentials at the public market on Valencia Street. The market is the best place to try freshly squeezed sugar cane juice for under ₱20.
Book your Honda Bay island-hopping tour at your hotel or through any of the authorized tour operators on Malvar Street, rates are fixed by the provincial government at around ₱800-1,200 per person.
Lunch
Kinabuch's Bar & Restaurant on Rizal Avenue
Afternoon
Honda Bay Island-Hopping
Board a bangka at Santa Lourdes Wharf for a half-day tour of Honda Bay. Standard tours visit Starfish Island (named for the dense starfish population in the shallows), Cowrie Island (clean white sand, good snorkeling), and Luli Island, which partially submerges at high tide. The water is calm and shallow, good for first-time snorkelers. Equipment rental is included in most tour packages. Back at the wharf by 5:00 PM.
Tours depart Santa Lourdes Wharf from 8 AM; the afternoon slot (1 PM) is less crowded. Confirm departure time when booking.
Evening
Dinner along the waterfront
Ka Lui Restaurant on Rizal Avenue, a celebrated local institution with traditional Filipino dishes served on woven mats. No frills, excellent food. Alternatively, walk to Baker's Hill for fresh pastries and the famous ube (purple yam) jam to bring home as pasalubong.
Where to Stay Tonight
Puerto Princesa City Center (Microtel by Wyndham or Sunlight Guest Hotel for mid-range; Puerto Pension for budget travelers)
Staying central puts you within tricycle distance of the wharf, tour operators, and the airport for an early morning departure to the Underground River the next day.
See all Palawan accommodation options →The tricycle rate from the airport to the city center is ₱250 for a special (private) trip, agree on the price before you get in. Do not let drivers take you to commission-paying hotels they recommend unprompted.
Day 1 Budget: $60-90 ( accommodation $20-50, food $15-20, activities $25)
2
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Sabang, Palawan (90 km north of Puerto Princesa)
Full-day excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site and New Seven Wonders of Nature, a navigable underground river winding through massive cathedral caverns.
Morning
Transfer to Sabang & Jungle Trek
Depart Puerto Princesa by 7 AM in a van (approximately 2 hours via the national highway, then a rough road to Sabang). At Sabang Beach, most tour groups walk the 3.9 km jungle trail through primary forest to the river entrance, a pleasant 45-minute hike past monitor lizards and macaque monkeys. Alternatively, a short bangka ride from Sabang Beach reaches the same point. Arrive at the river mouth by late morning for your scheduled boat entry.
CRITICAL: The Underground River has a strict daily visitor cap. Book your permit at least 2 weeks in advance through the official Puerto Princesa City Tourism website. Most Puerto Princesa hotels offer all-inclusive day trip packages (₱1,500-2,200) that handle the permit, transport, and lunch, this is the easiest option.
Lunch
Packed lunch provided at Sabang Beach by tour operators, or eat at one of the simple carinderias near the beach
Afternoon
Underground River Boat Tour & Return
The 45-minute paddle into the subterranean river is awe-inspiring. Paddle guides navigate by headlamp through chambers as large as football fields, the Cathedral Room, the Italian's Chamber, and the Garden of Eden formation. The cave hosts millions of swiftlets and large colonies of bats. You'll smell the guano before you see the bats. Post-tour, relax on Sabang Beach before the afternoon van return to Puerto Princesa, arriving around 5:30 PM.
Audio guides in multiple languages are available at the entrance for ₱150, worth it for context on the formations.
Evening
Rest & final Puerto Princesa dinner
Ima's Restaurant on Malvar Street for affordable Filipino comfort food, the kare-kare (oxtail peanut stew) is excellent. Early night recommended as tomorrow involves a long bus transfer north to Port Barton.
Where to Stay Tonight
Puerto Princesa City Center (Same hotel as Day 1)
Returning to Puerto Princesa keeps logistics simple. Your luggage stays put and you have access to the bus terminal for the northbound departure tomorrow.
See all Palawan accommodation options →Bring a light jacket into the cave, it is noticeably cooler and damp inside. Cameras are allowed but tripods are not; a phone with a good low-light camera works well enough.
Day 2 Budget: $50-80 (day trip package $25-40, meals $10-15, accommodation $20-50)
3
Road North to Port Barton, Palawan's Hidden Gem
Port Barton, San Vicente, Palawan
A scenic four-hour bus journey delivers you to Port Barton, a sleepy fishing village with excellent snorkeling, bioluminescent plankton at night, and almost none of El Nido's crowds.
Morning
Bus Transfer Puerto Princesa → Port Barton
Catch the 7 AM or 8 AM Roro bus from the San Jose terminal in Puerto Princesa (bound for San Vicente). The ride takes 4-5 hours along a partially sealed road through dense jungle and over the mountain spine of Palawan. The scenery is beautiful, rice paddies, limestone outcrops, and the occasional water buffalo. Alight at the Port Barton junction (San Vicente town proper) and take a tricycle 4 km down to the beach village. Settle into your accommodation, which will almost certainly be a beachfront nipa hut.
Book guesthouses in Port Barton in advance, the village is small and fills up in peak season. Ausan Beachfront Cottages and Celyn's Cottages are popular budget-friendly options directly on the beach.
Lunch
Dugong Dive Center & Restaurant on the beach
Afternoon
Port Barton Island-Hopping & Snorkeling
Arrange a bangka tour for the afternoon to the inner islands of Port Barton Bay. German Island has some of the best coral in Palawan, sea turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and dense schools of reef fish are common sightings. Exotic Island has a shallow lagoon good for beginners. Pandan Island, a short ride away, has a fine white beach and shade trees. Sunset snorkeling here on an uncrowded reef is among the most memorable things to do in Palawan.
Arrange directly with local boat operators on the beach, no middlemen, better rates. A full island-hopping day tour costs ₱700-900 per person including snorkel gear.
Evening
Bioluminescent Plankton Night Swim
After dinner, wade into the shallow water directly in front of the village beach at high tide, Port Barton Bay has reliable bioluminescent plankton (dinoflagellates). Wave your hand through the water and watch blue sparks of light appear. Free, memorable, and far better here than the commercialized tours in El Nido.
Where to Stay Tonight
Port Barton Village Beach (Beachfront nipa hut guesthouses, Celyn's Cottages, Ausan Beachfront, or El Busero Inn)
Waking up 20 meters from the sea is the whole point of Port Barton. Almost every guesthouse is beachfront and similarly priced.
See all Palawan accommodation options →Port Barton has no ATM. Bring enough cash from Puerto Princesa for the entire stay (typically 1-2 nights). Most guesthouses and restaurants are cash-only.
Day 3 Budget: $40-65 ( accommodation $15-25, meals $10-15, transport $8, snorkeling $15)
4
Onward to El Nido, Gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago
El Nido, Palawan
A scenic transfer to El Nido, either by shared van or speedboat, followed by afternoon arrival, orientation, and your first taste of El Nido's extraordinary beaches.
Morning
Transfer Port Barton → El Nido
Option A (van, ₱500-600): Tricycle back to the San Vicente junction, then catch a northbound van to El Nido. Total journey 3.5-4 hours on an increasingly scenic road. Option B (speedboat, ₱1,200-1,500): A speedboat service runs directly from Port Barton to El Nido in approximately 3 hours, weather permitting. The sea route passes uninhabited islands and sea-stacks. Book the speedboat a day ahead through your guesthouse. Both options typically depart at 7-8 AM.
The speedboat is weather-dependent, have a backup plan. Confirm with your Port Barton guesthouse the evening before.
Lunch
Artcafe on Real Street, El Nido, an El Nido institution for smoothie bowls, sandwiches, and excellent coffee after a long morning of travel
Afternoon
Las Cabañas Beach & Cadlao Lagoon Kayaking
Drop your bags and head to Las Cabañas Beach, a 15-minute tricycle ride south of El Nido town. The beach is uncrowded relative to Corong-Corong and has calm, clear water. Rent a kayak (₱200-300/hour) and paddle into the narrow Cadlao Lagoon, the lagoon cuts through the base of Cadlao Island with 200-meter limestone walls rising on either side. An independent afternoon kayak here is free of the tour group rush that fills the lagoon during morning tours.
Evening
Sunset at Corong-Corong Beach & fresh seafood dinner
Walk or take a tricycle to Corong-Corong Beach (10 minutes from town) for the best mainland sunset view of the karsts. Then dinner at Altrov Restaurant or Republica Sunset Bar for grilled lobster and fresh tuna, El Nido's seafood is exceptional and cheaper than you'd expect.
Where to Stay Tonight
El Nido Town or Corong-Corong (Spin Designer Hostel (budget), Frangipani El Nido (mid-range), or Miniloc Island Resort (splurge))
Staying in El Nido town keeps you close to tour operators, restaurants, and the main pier. Corong-Corong is quieter with better sunsets.
See all Palawan accommodation options →Book your El Nido island-hopping tours (Tour An and Tour C) for Days 5 and 6 on the evening of your arrival, tours fill quickly in peak season. Any tour operator on Calle Real can book you. Prices are government-regulated at ₱1,200-1,500 per person.
Day 4 Budget: $55-90 ( accommodation $20-50, meals $15-20, transport $15, activities $10)
5
El Nido Tour A, Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon & Secret Beach
Bacuit Archipelago, El Nido, Palawan
The classic El Nido island-hopping itinerary, Tour A, visits the well-known limestone lagoons and hidden beaches that define the El Nido Palawan tourist experience.
Morning
Big Lagoon & Small Lagoon, Miniloc Island
Depart the main pier at 9 AM by bangka with a group of 10-15 travelers. The first stop, Big Lagoon, is a wide turquoise bay enclosed by sheer karst walls, you enter by kayak (included in tour fee) through a gap in the rock face. The Small Lagoon next door requires swimming through a low rocky arch at low tide; inside, the water is impossibly clear and the walls are draped with hanging vines. These are the most-photographed spots in Palawan for good reason.
Tour An is the most popular, request a morning departure to beat afternoon tour groups at the lagoons. The lagoon entrance kayaks fit two people. Pairs travel faster.
Lunch
Packed lunch provided by tour operator, served on Shimizu Island beach
Afternoon
Secret Beach & 7 Commandos Beach
Secret Beach on Matinloc Island is accessed by swimming through a narrow underwater crack in the cliff face, the pocket of white sand and turquoise water inside is secret-feeling. The last stop, 7 Commandos Beach, is one of Palawan's finest long white sand beaches with excellent snorkeling along its rocky edges. Hammocks string between palm trees. The tour returns to El Nido pier by 5 PM.
Bring water shoes, the rocky entries at Secret Beach are slippery. A reef-safe sunscreen is required in the marine park. Wardens do check.
Evening
Cooking class or night market
The El Nido Public Market on Real Street transforms into a food stall corridor after 6 PM. Try isaw (grilled chicken intestines), fish balls, and halo-halo for pennies. Or book an evening Filipino cooking class through Art Café, approximately ₱1,200 per person, you'll learn kare-kare and sinigang.
Where to Stay Tonight
El Nido Town (Same as Day 4)
Staying put for three nights in El Nido eliminates packing and unpacking and keeps early tour departures simple.
See all Palawan accommodation options →The marine park entrance fee (₱200 for islands 1-10, ₱400 for islands 11+) is charged per tour and is NOT included in the tour package price, keep small bills ready at the pier.
Day 5 Budget: $55-80 ( accommodation $20-50, meals $10-15, tour $25-30)
6
El Nido Tour C, Helicopter Island & Hidden Beach
Bacuit Archipelago, El Nido, Palawan
Tour C covers the outer Bacuit Archipelago, a longer sea crossing rewarded with some of El Nido's most dramatic island shapes and a beach you can walk to through a hidden forest path.
Morning
Helicopter Island (Dilumacad) & Star Beach
Tour C departs at 9 AM and heads further from El Nido Town than Tour A. Helicopter Island is named for its profile when seen from the sea, a limestone mass shaped like a rotor. The beach on its southern side is a long crescent of white sand with strong snorkeling along the reef to the east. Star Beach, the second morning stop, is a tiny cove only accessible by bangka, with fine white sand and brilliant blue water that photographs better than it has any right to.
Tour C has a longer open-ocean crossing, if the weather is rough, operators may substitute stops. Check sea conditions the evening before.
Lunch
Packed lunch on Matinloc Island or Tapiutan Island, both have shade trees and calm beach areas
Afternoon
Hidden Beach & Tapiutan Strait Snorkeling
Hidden Beach on Matinloc Island is reached via a short forest path cut through the cliff, you emerge onto a completely enclosed pocket beach with no direct sea access. The seclusion feels absolute. The final snorkeling stop at Tapiutan Strait is widely considered the best snorkeling on any standard El Nido tour: the channel between Matinloc and Tapiutan Islands concentrates fish, sea turtles are common, and visibility regularly exceeds 15 meters. Return to pier by 5 PM.
Evening
Rooftop sunset drinks & farewell dinner
Climb to the rooftop bar at Republica Sunset Bar for views over the bay and a cold San Miguel as the karsts silhouette against the sunset. For dinner, splurge at Trattoria Altrove for wood-fired pizza and fresh pasta, one of the best Italian restaurants in the Philippines.
Where to Stay Tonight
El Nido Town (Same as Days 4-5)
Final night in El Nido, pack tonight for the morning transfer.
See all Palawan accommodation options →Tour C is considered El Nido's best tour by most experienced travelers. If you can only do one tour, do Tour C. If doing both, Tour An on Day 5 and Tour C on Day 6 is the optimal order, Tour A warms you up for the longer Tour C journey.
Day 6 Budget: $55-85 ( accommodation $20-50, meals $15-20, tour $25-30, drinks $10)
7
El Nido to Puerto Princesa, Nacpan Beach Detour & Departure
Nacpan Beach / Puerto Princesa, Palawan
A sunrise morning at Nacpan Beach, rated among the best beaches in the Philippines, before the long scenic transfer south to Puerto Princesa for your flight home.
Morning
Nacpan Beach Sunrise
Rent a motorbike from El Nido town (₱350-500/day) or arrange a tricycle, and drive 17 km north on a sealed road to Nacpan Beach. Arrive at sunrise, the 4 km twin beach (Nacpan and Calitang join at the headland) is at its best in early morning light before tour groups arrive. The beach is undeveloped by design: no resorts, just a few bamboo carinderias selling coffee and fresh coconut. Swim, walk the full length, and watch local fishermen bring in their overnight catch.
Motorbike rental shops open at 7 AM on Calle Real. No license is required in practice. But ride carefully, the road has potholes and free-range chickens are a genuine hazard.
Lunch
El Nido town, eat at Altrove or any local carinderias on Real Street before boarding your transfer van
Afternoon
Van Transfer El Nido → Puerto Princesa
Catch the 12 PM or 1 PM van from El Nido's shared van terminal (book the night before for the seat by the window, the views south are spectacular). The 230 km journey takes 5-6 hours passing through Taytay town and the agricultural lowlands of southern Palawan. Arrive Puerto Princesa around 6-7 PM. Head directly to the airport area if flying late-night; otherwise, check into a hotel near the airport for an early morning departure.
Book your seat the night before from any El Nido tour operator or guesthouse. Do NOT leave booking to the morning, vans fill from 9 PM the previous evening.
Evening
Final Puerto Princesa dinner & airport transfer
If time allows before your flight, grab dinner at Halong Sa Iyo Restaurant near the airport for grilled tuna belly (yellowfin are landed fresh daily in Puerto Princesa). Then transfer to the airport, the terminal is clean, modern, and has decent food stalls if your flight is delayed.
Where to Stay Tonight
Puerto Princesa Airport Area (La Mirada Hotel or Sunlight Eco Tourism Island Resort if extending by a night)
Staying near the airport eliminates morning transfer stress on departure day.
See all Palawan accommodation options →Buy two jars of pili nut brittle and cashew tarts at Halo Halo de Iloko on Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa's best pasalubong (souvenir food) shop, and far better quality than the airport stalls. They survive two weeks at room temperature.
Day 7 Budget: $45-75 ( accommodation $20-40, meals $10-15, transport $15-20)
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
Getting around Palawan requires patience and planning, there are no trains and limited expressways. Within Puerto Princesa, tricycles handle all short trips (₱10-50 per person). The Puerto Princesa, El Nido corridor is served by shared vans from both terminals (₱600, 5-6 hours) and budget flights via Air Juan (40 minutes, ₱3,000-5,000). Port Barton sits between the two on the same north-south road, reachable by bus or shared van. Within El Nido, tricycles cost ₱50-150 per ride and motorbike rentals run ₱350-500 per day. All inter-island travel uses bangka boats, always check sea conditions before departing, in November and May at the edge of the dry season.
Book Ahead
Underground River permit (minimum 2 weeks ahead, permits sell out completely in December-February); El Nido island-hopping tours (2-3 days ahead in peak season); Puerto Princesa to El Nido van seat (night before); flights into and out of Puerto Princesa (1-3 months ahead for December-February travel); beachfront accommodation in Port Barton (1-2 weeks ahead).
Packing Essentials
Reef-safe sunscreen (required in marine parks, wardens check), rash guard, water shoes with grip soles, dry bag for bangka trips, head torch for underground river and power cuts, cash in Philippine pesos (ATMs are absent in Port Barton and unreliable in El Nido), insect repellent with DEET for jungle treks, lightweight rain jacket (afternoon showers occur even in dry season), GoPro or waterproof phone case.
Total Budget
$560-910 for 7 nights/7 days excluding international flights ( accommodation $140-280, food $105-175, activities $140-210, local transport $95-145, incidentals $80-100)
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Cut accommodation costs by staying in fan-cooled dorms (₱350-500/night) at Spin Designer Hostel in El Nido and Puerto Pension in Puerto Princesa. Cook some meals from public market ingredients. Join the cheapest group tours rather than private charters. Skip the Port Barton leg and take the cheaper direct bus El Nido, Puerto Princesa. Total daily budget drops to $50-65.
Luxury Upgrade
Upgrade to Miniloc Island Resort or Lagen Island Resort (El Nido Resorts properties) which include meals, kayaks, and private island access in their all-inclusive rates ($450-700/night). Book private bangka charters instead of group tours ($150-250/day). Fly Air Juan Puerto Princesa, El Nido to skip the van. Budget $250-400 per day for a premium Palawan experience.
Family-Friendly
Honda Bay island-hopping on Day 1 is good for children, the water is very calm and shallow. Skip the Underground River swimming sections (the boat tour is fine for all ages). Nacpan Beach on Day 7 is good for families. Choose Las Cabañas Beach over crowded town beaches. Avoid Tour C's longer open-ocean crossing with young children in favour of the gentler Tour B (Entalula Island, Shimizu Island), equally beautiful with flatter seas.
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