Where to Stay in Palawan
Your guide to the best areas and accommodation types
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Best Areas to Stay
Each neighborhood has its own character. Find the one that matches your travel style.
The bustling heart of El Nido, this compact town center sits along a beautiful bay surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs. The main strip is packed with restaurants, dive shops, tour operators, and accommodations ranging from hostels to boutique hotels. It's the most convenient base for island-hopping tours and has the liveliest nightlife in northern Palawan.
- Walking distance to restaurants, bars, and tour operators
- Widest range of accommodation options and price points
- Easy booking of island-hopping tours and activities
- Vibrant social scene with many travelers
- Can be noisy, especially during high season
- Beaches in town are small and often crowded
- More commercialized and less tranquil than outer areas
Located just a 10-minute walk north of El Nido town, Corong-Corong offers a quieter alternative while maintaining easy access to town amenities. This beachfront area features a long stretch of sand with shallow waters and stunning sunset views. It's become increasingly popular with mid-range resorts and boutique hotels that offer a more relaxed atmosphere than the town center.
- Beautiful beach with excellent sunset views
- Quieter and more peaceful than town proper
- Still close enough to walk to restaurants and shops
- Good selection of mid-range and upscale properties
- Limited dining options within immediate area
- Beach can have seaweed during certain seasons
The provincial capital and gateway to Palawan, Puerto Princesa is a proper city with shopping malls, restaurants, and urban conveniences. While it lacks beaches, it serves as an excellent base for exploring the Underground River, Honda Bay, and other mainland attractions. Accommodations here are typically more affordable and modern than beach destinations.
- Most affordable accommodation in Palawan
- Excellent restaurant variety and local food scene
- Modern amenities including malls and hospitals
- Central location for exploring both north and south Palawan
- Easy airport access
- No beaches within the city proper
- Urban environment lacks the tropical resort feel
- Can be hot and humid without ocean breezes
The main settlement on Busuanga Island, Coron Town is famous for world-class wreck diving and stunning island-hopping destinations. The town itself is compact and walkable, built on hillsides overlooking the harbor. It offers a good mix of accommodation options and serves as the jumping-off point for tours to nearby lakes and islands.
A small, sleepy fishing village on the west coast between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Port Barton offers a glimpse of old Palawan before mass tourism. With no ATMs, limited electricity, and basic accommodations, it attracts travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. The area features beautiful beaches, excellent snorkeling, and a wonderfully relaxed pace of life.
- Extremely peaceful and undeveloped
- Very affordable accommodation and food
- Authentic local experience
- Beautiful beaches and island-hopping opportunities
- Very basic amenities and infrastructure
- No ATMs - bring cash
- Limited electricity (often generator-based)
- Difficult to reach via rough roads
A small coastal village serving as the gateway to the famous Puerto Princesa Underground River, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Sabang offers a peaceful beachfront setting with a handful of resorts and guesthouses. It's ideal for travelers who want to visit the Underground River early in the morning and enjoy a quiet beach escape.
- Direct access to Underground River tours
- Quiet, natural beach setting
- Opportunities for jungle trekking and wildlife spotting
- Less touristy than main destinations
- Limited dining and entertainment options
- Remote location requires dedicated travel time
- Accommodation choices are limited
Home to the longest white sand beach in the Philippines at 14 kilometers, San Vicente is Palawan's emerging destination. Still largely undeveloped compared to El Nido and Coron, it offers pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a handful of upscale resorts. The area maintains a quiet, exclusive feel with plenty of space to spread out.
- Stunning, uncrowded beaches
- Exclusive and peaceful atmosphere
- Growing selection of quality resorts
- Direct flights from Manila available
- Limited restaurant and nightlife options
- Higher prices due to resort-focused development
- Fewer tour operators and activities than established areas
Scattered throughout the Bacuit Archipelago and Coron waters, private island resorts offer the ultimate Palawan experience. These exclusive properties occupy entire islands or remote peninsulas, providing all-inclusive packages with pristine beaches, house reefs, and complete seclusion. Transportation is typically by private boat from El Nido or Coron.
- Ultimate privacy and exclusivity
- Pristine natural surroundings and private beaches
- All-inclusive packages simplify planning
- World-class diving and snorkeling at your doorstep
- Exceptional service and attention to detail
- Premium pricing significantly higher than mainland options
- Limited flexibility once on the island
- Weather-dependent boat transfers
Accommodation Types
From budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels, here's what's available.
The most popular accommodation type in Palawan, ranging from simple beachfront cottages to luxury properties with infinity pools. Most feature native architecture using bamboo, wood, and nipa palm, with open-air designs to maximize ocean views and breezes.
Best for: Beach lovers, honeymooners, families seeking all-in-one convenience
Concentrated in El Nido and Puerto Princesa, hostels offer dorm beds and private rooms with shared facilities. Many feature social areas, tour booking services, and organized activities. Standards vary widely, so check recent reviews.
Best for: Solo travelers, backpackers, budget-conscious travelers seeking social atmosphere
Smaller properties with unique design elements and personalized service, often family-run. These are becoming increasingly popular in El Nido and Coron, offering a middle ground between hostel and resort.
Best for: Couples, travelers seeking character and local hospitality
Family-run accommodations offering basic rooms, often in the owner's home or compound. Common in smaller villages like Port Barton and rural areas. Provides authentic cultural immersion and local insights.
Best for: Budget travelers, cultural enthusiasts, those seeking authentic experiences
Limited but growing in Palawan, these stilted accommodations over lagoons or ocean offer a unique experience. Found primarily at upscale resorts in Coron and private islands near El Nido.
Best for: Honeymooners, luxury travelers, bucket-list seekers
Standard hotel accommodations found mainly in Puerto Princesa, offering air conditioning, WiFi, hot water, and modern conveniences. These range from budget chains to business-class properties.
Best for: Business travelers, transit stoppers, those prioritizing comfort and amenities
Booking Tips
Insider advice to help you find the best accommodation.
Accommodations in El Nido and Coron fill up 3-6 months in advance for Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year periods. For other peak season dates (December-May), book at least 2 months ahead. Last-minute travelers often face limited choices and inflated prices, or may need to stay in less desirable locations.
Many Palawan resorts and hotels offer better rates when booking directly through their website or Facebook page, plus flexibility with payment terms and special requests. Smaller properties especially appreciate direct bookings and may throw in free transfers or upgrades. Always compare direct prices with booking platforms before confirming.
Island resort rates often include transfers, meals, and activities, while town hotels typically offer room-only rates. Always clarify what's included to accurately compare prices. Some remote resorts have limited dining options nearby, making meal-inclusive packages more valuable than they initially appear.
Not all Palawan accommodations have 24-hour electricity, hot water, or reliable WiFi, especially in remote areas. Read recent reviews to verify that amenities listed are actually functional. Air conditioning is essential during hot season (March-May), while fan-only rooms may suffice during cooler months.
In El Nido and Coron, staying in town proper versus outlying areas significantly impacts your daily convenience and transportation costs. Beachfront locations command premium prices but offer direct access to swimming and sunset views. Consider how much time you'll spend at your accommodation versus exploring when choosing location.
Many Palawan properties, especially smaller ones, have strict cancellation policies requiring full payment weeks in advance. Weather can impact travel plans in typhoon season (June-November), so consider booking refundable rates or travel insurance. Some properties offer flexible cancellation if you book directly.
Some resorts are only accessible by boat, which may involve additional costs and weather-dependent schedules. Verify transfer arrangements, costs, and schedules before booking. Remote properties should provide clear instructions on reaching them, including boat schedules and meeting points.
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When to Book
Timing matters for both price and availability.
Book 3-6 months in advance for December-February travel, especially for Christmas and New Year. Popular properties sell out completely, and prices reach their peak. Last-minute bookings may require staying in less desirable locations or paying premium rates.
March-May and late November offer good availability with 1-2 months advance booking. Prices are moderate, and you'll have decent selection. This is the sweet spot for balancing good weather, availability, and value.
June-October (rainy season) offers the best deals and availability, with many properties offering discounts of 20-40%. You can often book just days in advance. However, some resorts close for maintenance, and weather can impact activities. September-October typically sees the heaviest rainfall.
For the best balance of price and selection, book 6-8 weeks before your intended travel dates. Monitor prices if booking far in advance, as some properties offer last-minute deals during unexpected slow periods. Always book accommodation before flights, as availability is more limited than air travel options.
Good to Know
Local customs and practical information.