Weekend in Palawan
Trip Overview
This two-day Palawan itinerary packs the island's most well-known experiences into a tight, rewarding weekend. Day one centers on Puerto Princesa, anchored by the UNESCO-listed Underground River, one of the world's longest navigable subterranean waterways, before rewinding down at Honda Bay. Day two takes you north to El Nido, where dramatic karst limestone cliffs drop into impossibly turquoise lagoons. The pace is active but not frantic: early starts unlock quieter versions of the most popular Palawan beaches and attractions before the crowds arrive. You'll eat fresh seafood pulled from the Sulu Sea, navigate crystal-clear lagoons by bangka boat, and understand exactly why Palawan is consistently ranked among the world's best islands. First-time visitors and returning travelers alike will find this itinerary revelatory.
Pace
Active
Daily Budget
$80-150 per day
Best Seasons
November through May (dry season); peak clarity December, March. Avoid June, October (typhoon season brings rough seas and tour cancellations).
Ideal For
First-time visitors, Beach lovers, Nature enthusiasts, Adventure travelers, Couples
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Underground Rivers & Honda Bay
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Begin with an early morning boat ride into the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, then spend the afternoon island-hopping across Honda Bay's coral-fringed islets before a seafood dinner on Rizal Avenue.
Morning
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River (Underground River)
Depart Puerto Princesa city center by 7:30am to beat tour groups to the Sabang wharf. A 20-minute bangka ride delivers you to the park entrance, where a helmet and headlamp guide you through 4.3 kilometers of dramatic limestone caverns. Inside, your paddle-boat drifts beneath stalactite formations the size of cathedrals and past ancient bat colonies. Allow time at the beach afterward, Sabang's shoreline is one of the more underrated Palawan beaches.
Permits sell out weeks in advance during peak season. Book through the Puerto Princesa City Tourism Office website or your hotel concierge at least 3-5 days ahead. A day-tour package (~$50-60) bundles transport, lunch, and guide.
Lunch
Balinsasayaw Restaurant, Sabang Beach
Afternoon
Honda Bay Island-Hopping
Honda Bay, just 12 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa, has a low-key alternative to El Nido's crowds. A 3-island tour typically visits Luli Island (a sandbar that vanishes at high tide), Starfish Island (named for the hundreds visible in the shallows), and Pandan Island where the reef snorkeling rivals anything in the Visayas. The water clarity is exceptional between December and April. Bring your own snorkel gear to avoid rental fees and ensure equipment fits properly.
Arrange through your hotel the evening before. Aim to arrive at Santa Lourdes Wharf by 1pm, guides at the wharf will assemble groups of 4-6 to share bangka costs.
Evening
Dinner and evening stroll along Rizal Avenue
Kinabuch's Grill and Bar on Rizal Avenue is a Puerto Princesa institution, order the crispy pata (pork knuckle) and fresh tuna sashimi. Afterward, walk the pedestrianized stretch of Rizal for halo-halo (shaved ice dessert) from a street vendor. Puerto Princesa is a famously clean, safe city, evening walks here are pleasant and low-stress.
Where to Stay Tonight
Puerto Princesa city center, near Rizal Avenue (Microtel Puerto Princesa (mid-range) or Casa Linda Inn (budget-friendly with great breakfast))
Central location puts you 10 minutes from the airport and close to restaurants and tour booking offices. An early departure for El Nido the next morning is far easier from the city center than from outlying resorts.
See all Palawan accommodation options →The Underground River permit system is strictly enforced, no permit means no entry, regardless of what any tout tells you. If your day-tour operator claims permits are sorted, ask to see the actual permit document before you get on the van.
Day 1 Budget: $80-120 per person (tours, meals, accommodation )
2
El Nido Lagoons & Limestone Cliffs
El Nido, Palawan
Take the scenic van transfer north to El Nido, then spend the afternoon on the legendary Tour A, Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon, returning to town for sunset cocktails and fresh catch grilled on the beach.
Morning
Puerto Princesa to El Nido Transfer
Shared vans (locally called 'coasters') depart Puerto Princesa's San Jose terminal from 6:30am onward for the 5-6 hour overland journey to El Nido. The road climbs through the Palawan highlands with jungle views on both sides. Book a window seat on the right side heading north for the best scenery. Premium air-conditioned vans operated by Rovic or Cherry Bus are worth the small premium, the road has enough curves to make older vehicles uncomfortable.
Book your El Nido van ticket the night before at your hotel or at the terminal, morning slots fill by 5pm the previous day during high season.
Lunch
Altrove Restaurant, El Nido town proper
Afternoon
El Nido Tour A: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon & Secret Lagoon
Tour An is El Nido's most celebrated island-hopping circuit and justifiably so. Big Lagoon opens into a cathedral of karst cliffs surrounding mirror-flat green water, kayaks are available to paddle deep into the formation. Small Lagoon requires swimming or kayaking through a low limestone arch to access an intimate pool ringed entirely by sheer rock. Secret Lagoon hides behind a crack in the cliff barely wide enough for one person. The colors here, from turquoise shallows to cobalt deep water, define what makes El Nido memorable.
Book Tour An at any guesthouse or tour desk in El Nido town immediately upon arrival, afternoon slots book out by midday. Morning departures have better light for photography. Afternoon tours have smaller groups.
Evening
Sunset drinks and beachside BBQ dinner
Grab a table at Republica Sunset Bar on Corong-Corong Beach, a 10-minute tricycle ride south of El Nido town, for unobstructed sunset views across Bacuit Bay. The karst silhouettes at golden hour are extraordinary. For dinner, the bamboo BBQ stalls along El Nido's main beach road grill whole fish, prawns, and squid to order, point at what looks fresh, agree on a price, and eat at a plastic table with your feet in the sand.
Where to Stay Tonight
El Nido town or Corong-Corong Beach (Frendz Resort El Nido (sociable mid-range) or Matinloc Resort (splurge option on a private island))
El Nido town puts you within walking distance of tour boats, restaurants, and the main beach. Corong-Corong is quieter and better for sunset views. If you're flying out from El Nido's Lio Airport the next morning, staying in town saves a costly early-morning transfer.
See all Palawan accommodation options →El Nido's beach road floods at high tide during rainy season and gets crowded at peak hour regardless of season. Store valuables in your guesthouse locker, bag snatching, while rare, does happen on the busier stretches of beachfront at night.
Day 2 Budget: $90-140 per person (transport, tours, meals, accommodation )
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
Puerto Princesa's Francisco Bangoy International Airport serves the island, with direct flights from Manila (1 hour), Cebu, and Singapore. Within Puerto Princesa, tricycles cost $0.50-2 for short hops; Grab (ride-hailing) is available. The overland Puerto Princesa, El Nido route (5-6 hours) is the standard connection, shared vans are affordable and reasonably comfortable. El Nido also has its own Lio Airport with flights from Manila and Cebu if you want to fly directly and skip the overland leg entirely. Island-hopping in both areas uses traditional outrigger bangka boats.
Book Ahead
Underground River permit (book 3-5 days ahead minimum, 2+ weeks in peak season Dec-Feb); El Nido tour boat slots (book same-day arrival at minimum); accommodation in El Nido during peak season (book 1-2 weeks ahead); Puerto Princesa, El Nido van seat (book the evening prior).
Packing Essentials
High-SPF reef-safe sunscreen (required in many marine parks), rash guard for snorkeling, waterproof dry bag for all electronics and documents, water shoes or reef sandals, motion sickness tablets for bangka rides in chop, cash in Philippine pesos (ATMs in El Nido are unreliable, withdraw in Puerto Princesa), light rain layer.
Total Budget
$170-260 per person for the full 2-day trip, excluding international flights. Budget travelers can do it for under $150; those choosing private transfers and mid-range resorts should budget $300+.
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Skip the private van charter and take shared coaster vans throughout. Stay at well-reviewed hostels like Mad Monkey El Nido ($15-20/night dorm). Join group island-hopping tours rather than private boats. Eat exclusively at the beachside BBQ stalls and local turo-turo (point-point) canteens where a full meal costs $2-4. Total budget drops to $100-130 for both days.
Luxury Upgrade
Fly Puerto Princesa to El Nido on a private charter flight (30 minutes vs. 6 hours overland). Stay at Miniloc Island Resort or El Nido Resorts' Pangulasian Island, all-inclusive properties set within the Bacuit Bay archipelago. Book a private bangka for your island-hopping with a dedicated guide and chef-prepared picnic lunch. Budget $400-600 per person per day for this tier of experience.
Family-Friendly
Honda Bay's calm, shallow waters are good for children and non-swimmers, Luli Island's sandbar is safe. The Underground River boat tour works well for older children (8+) who find the cavern formations impressive. In El Nido, replace Tour A's swimming-only passages with Big Lagoon kayaking, which works for all ages. Choose Corong-Corong Beach for accommodation, calmer water than the main town beach and space to play.
Book Activities for Your Trip
Tours, tickets, and experiences in Palawan
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Palawan.
See All Palawan Tours on Viator