Transportation in Palawan

Palawan is a long, narrow island, and distances between destinations are the first thing that catches visitors off guard. Puerto Princesa to El Nido is a full day's commitment by road, shared vans and minibuses make the run throughout the day, and while they're cheap relative to flying, you're trading hours of winding mountain road for the savings. If your budget allows, check whether a short domestic flight to El Nido is available. The time you buy back is worth the moderate premium. For island hopping around El Nido or Coron, hiring a boat is standard, haggle the group rate before departure, not after, and book through your accommodation rather than the touts at the dock, where prices inflate for no added value. Inside the towns themselves, tricycles are the workhorse. They're everywhere, they're a fraction of what a private car transfer costs, and they'll get you from Puerto Princesa's airport to the city center quickly. Agree on the fare before you climb in, metered tricycles are not the norm, and the quoted price for a foreigner often starts higher than the local rate. For longer stays, renting a motorbike gives you freedom on the coastal roads. But only if you're comfortable on two wheels; Palawan's roads outside the main towns can be unpaved and unlit after dark. What not to do: don't assume you can day-trip between Palawan's major areas the way you might in a compact city destination. Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and Coron are separated by serious travel time, either overland or by boat, so plan your itinerary in blocks rather than bouncing between them. And skip the private car charters offered at the airport arrivals hall; a shared van to the same destination typically costs a small fraction of the quoted private rate for an identical journey.