Philippines
Palawan is the long, narrow island at the western edge of the Philippines, and the classic trip splits between two bases.
El Nido, in the north, is the gateway to the Bacuit Bay archipelago, where the standard island-hopping routes known as Tours A, B, C and D thread through limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons and white-sand coves. Puerto Princesa, the island's capital, is the base for the Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage national park, plus Honda Bay island hopping and an evening firefly river trip. Twickly plots the eleven things worth your time: three El Nido island-hopping routes, Nacpan Beach, the Taraw Cliff canopy walk, the Underground River, Honda Bay, the firefly river, a Coron Island tour with Kayangan Lake, the Puerto Princesa Baywalk and the Mount Tapyas viewpoint in Coron. Eight hotels span El Nido, Puerto Princesa and Coron, and six guides cover when to go, what to book, where to stay, a three-day El Nido plan, family travel and budget tips. Coron sits across the water from El Nido and is reached by ferry or by air, so it is a side trip rather than a day out.
El Nido Island Hopping Tour A (Big and Small Lagoon)
The most popular of El Nido's four standard boat routes, built around the Big and Small Lagoons, with swimming, snorkelling and a beach lunch. If you only do one island-hopping day, this is the usual choice.
Puerto Princesa Underground River (UNESCO Day Trip)
A paddle-boat ride into a cave river inside a UNESCO World Heritage national park, reached on a full-day trip from Puerto Princesa. Palawan's headline natural sight after El Nido's lagoons.
El Nido Island Hopping Tour B (Snake Island and Caves)
The caves and sandbar route: Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, the Cathedral Caves and Entalula Beach, with lunch on the beach. A good second day for travellers who want something different from the lagoons.
El Nido Island Hopping Tour C (Hidden Beaches and Snorkelling)
The hidden-beach route, with snorkelling stops and the secluded Hidden Beach on Matinloc Island. A favourite for people who want swimming and reefs more than caves and lagoons.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
The most popular of El Nido's four standard boat routes, built around the Big and Small Lagoons, with swimming, snorkelling and a beach lunch. If you only do one island-hopping day, this is the usual choice.
The caves and sandbar route: Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, the Cathedral Caves and Entalula Beach, with lunch on the beach. A good second day for travellers who want something different from the lagoons.
The hidden-beach route, with snorkelling stops and the secluded Hidden Beach on Matinloc Island. A favourite for people who want swimming and reefs more than caves and lagoons.
A four-kilometre arc of golden sand on the west coast, about 17 kilometres north of El Nido town. Famous for sunsets, calm swimming and a long barefoot walk, and a world away from the boat-tour crowds.
The limestone cliff that towers over El Nido town, with a harnessed canopy walk to a view deck high above the bay. A short, steep activity that fits into a spare morning.
A paddle-boat ride into a cave river inside a UNESCO World Heritage national park, reached on a full-day trip from Puerto Princesa. Palawan's headline natural sight after El Nido's lagoons.
A day of island stops in the bay just north of Puerto Princesa, with Cowrie Island, Lu-Li Island and a starfish sandbar. An easy beach and snorkelling day from the city.
An evening boat trip along a mangrove river near Puerto Princesa, with dinner and the glow of fireflies in the trees. A calm, memorable way to end a day in the city.
The classic Coron day tour, a seven-stop boat trip that includes Kayangan Lake and its limestone cliffs. Reached from El Nido by ferry or by air, so treat it as an add-on destination.
The long waterfront promenade in Puerto Princesa city, with food stalls, bicycle rentals and an easy evening stroll beside the bay. A free, relaxed way to spend the night before or after the Underground River.
A steep staircase above Coron town that climbs to a hilltop cross and a wide view over the bay and its islands. A short, cheap sunrise or sunset climb that pairs well with a day of island hopping.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Pangulasian Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido
A private-island eco-luxury resort in Bacuit Bay with 42 villas, a 750-metre beach and a marine sanctuary on the doorstep. The splurge address for a trip built around the water.
Check rates →Corong Corong, El Nido
A mid-range resort in Corong Corong with free daily buffet breakfast, a pool, a restaurant and bar, and a short ride into El Nido town. A comfortable, practical base for island-hopping days.
Check rates →El Nido Town Centre
A budget hostel in El Nido town with private rooms and dorms, a garden, a bar and restaurant, and the main beach a three-minute walk away. The value pick for travellers who want to meet people.
Check rates →Sabang Beach, Puerto Princesa
A beachfront resort hotel in Sabang, minutes from the Underground River national park, with a big pool, a spa and 24-hour gym. The best base for the cave if you want to skip the long day drive.
Check rates →Coron Town Proper, Coron
A four-class bayfront hotel in Coron town with 48 rooms and suites, a bayside infinity pool and a skydeck lounge. A polished base for Coron island hopping and Kayangan Lake.
Check rates →Miniloc Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido
A 50-room island resort in Bacuit Bay with a private beach, a pool, a spa and free breakfast, a short boat hop from the Big Lagoon. The easy way to sleep inside the scenery you came to see.
Check rates →San Rafael, North National Highway, Puerto Princesa
A large beachfront resort north of Puerto Princesa with three pools, a water park, a spa and family rooms that sleep four. A comfortable base for Honda Bay days and a good fit for groups and children.
Check rates →Naglayan Island, off Coron
A villa resort on Naglayan Island, about 40 minutes by boat from Coron town, with a pool, a spa and shipwreck and coral snorkelling nearby. A quiet island stay for Coron's wreck-diving side.
Check rates →A practical first trip plan for Palawan: how to split your days between El Nido and Puerto Princesa, which island-hopping tour to choose, what to book ahead and when to go.
Where to stay in Palawan: El Nido town or Corong Corong, Sabang near the Underground River, a private island or Coron town, with eight hotels from hostel to island resort.
When to go to Palawan: how the dry season, shoulder months and rainy season change boat tours, the Underground River, prices and crowds in El Nido, Puerto Princesa and Coron.
A three-day El Nido itinerary: island-hopping Tours A and C, a beach and sunset day at Nacpan, a canopy walk, and where to base yourself and what to book first.
Planning Palawan with children: which boat tours suit families, calm beaches, the Underground River with kids, family hotels with pools and practical safety and packing tips.
How to do Palawan cheaply: shared boat tours, hostels, free beaches and viewpoints, local food, shared vans and what is worth paying for.
