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Palawan itinerary

Palawan is the kind of place that looks like it’s straight out of a travel magazine — think turquoise waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and white sandy beaches that stretch for miles. Often called the “jewel of the Philippines,” this island paradise is perfect for anyone craving adventure, relaxation, and a little bit of everything in between. From snorkeling with vibrant marine life to exploring secret beaches and soaking up epic sunsets, Palawan is a slice of tropical heaven that you’ll never want to leave.


If you are planning to visit the Philippines, make sure to block out some time on your itinerary to spend a few days exploring Palawan.


Palawan's most famous and touristic place is El Nido, but we decided to also visit Coron, which is still not so well-know but really worth the visit due to the amazing islands surrounding it.



Day 1: Arrival in Coron

Coron Town is really small and still quit rustic, is the most convenient location to stay if you plan to do island hopping tours as all of them departs from the Coron Town port. However, a part from hotels, restaurants and cafés there is not much to do. Find below the most interesting attractions if you need to spend a day in Coron Town:


Coron Town Market is only open at night and it's the biggest attraction for locals, the best place to eat the most authentic street food.


Mount Tapyas is the most popular viewpoint in Coron Town, with sweeping views over the rolling hills and a direct look towards the epic Coron Island in Palawan. The view doesn’t come easy though, to reach the giant cross at the summit, you need to climb 721 steps.


Another amazing place to visit at sunset is Maquinit hot spring, which is said to be the only known saltwater hot spring in the Philippines. It is very relaxing, especially after a long day of touring. 


Sunset and cocktails at Sunburn Rooftop Lounge

Dinner: Om's Thai, a really good option if you like Thai cousine. Cheap prices and huge portions.


Day 2: Coron

Visiting Palawan means island hopping and enjoying its many incredible tropical destinations. Deciding on which islands to visit can be difficult, as there are so many great options out there, below you will find all the details about the tours I experienced.


The island hopping begins with a hotel pick-up around 8:00 am and a transfer to meet the boat in Coron Bay. The tour starts at around 9 am and returns again between 5 pm.

Do note that there is an additional fee of 150 pesos to rent snorkeling gear on the tour.

Before jumping on the boat, there are many vendors selling waterproof phone cases, dry bags, reef booties, and all other sorts of products that you may be interested in purchasing.


For the first day we chose the Island Hopping tour A which includes the Coron's "must to see" places.



CYC Beach, its white sand, turquoise waters, and limestone formations make the beach a popular stop in Coron island hopping tours. The tropical atmosphere invites visitors to just relax and chill while taking in the beautiful beach views.  You may also swim in the cool waters, take photos of the natural surroundings, or explore the mangrove trees on one side of the beach.


Coral Garden, the best spot for some snorkeling. We've been amazed about the colorfull corals and the huge number of fishes.


Skeleton Wreck is one of the shipwreck points in Coron. It is a great place to enjoy snorkeling at shallow water depths. There is a Japanese ship is half destroyed during the Second World War, and now it is a beautiful snorkeling experience point that a variety of species inhabit in the island. 


Lunch at Atwayan Beach, a hidden gem with its pristine white sands, turquoise waters and awe-inspiring natural beauty.



Kayakang Lake is a crystal-clear freshwater lake in Coron, featuring underwater rock formations, caves and islets. It’s a popular spot for photographers, for fairly obvious reasons, and is said to be the cleanest lake in all of the Philippines. The water is so clear that you can often see down to a depth of 10 metres.



Barracuda Lake is known for its diving site, where you can find bones of fish on the shoreline. Salt and freshwater, which is the optimum temperature to dive in, are accompanied by blue lakes and scenery.


Twin Lagoon is one of the most popular attraction in Coron. This great location is a lagoon made up of two bodies of water separated by stunning limestone cliffs on one of the several islets. It has some of the region's most outstanding geological features, and its breathtaking landscape and unrivaled natural beauty make it a must-see destination.




Day 3: Coron

For the second day we chose the Island Hopping tour C which is more focused on beaches and small island, a bit different to all other tours. Compared to the Tour A, there are more dead times, because you need around 2 hours to reach the first beach from Coron Bay.


Bulog Dos Island, is considered one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Palwan.

Here, you can swim in the turquoise waters, sink your toes in the soft sand, and enjoy the simplistic, peaceful surroundings of mother nature.


Lunch at Coco Island, an hidden gem full of coconut trees, hammocks and small huts. So relaxing.


Malcapuya Island is without any doubt, the most beautiful beach we visited in the Philippines. Soft sandy beach, clear warm water, all with a totally secluded appeal.

This place has possibly the best long sandy beach in the Coron, with various private little beaches and coves tucked away around the island. When visiting this island, expect to be surrounded by unspoiled nature and total peace.



Hotel: Bluewave Hotel Coron

Dinner: El Kuvo, with its Bali style, is probably the fanciest restaurant in Coron. The Menu has a mix of plates from different cousines and everything we ordered was pretty good.



Day 4: Road to El Nido

Road to El Nido by ferry (around 4h). You can also book a 50 min flight, but due to the limited services, is usually sold out in high season.


El Nido Town


Las Cabañas is a beautiful beach on the west coast of El Nido, the sea is clean and transparent, there are shallow waters and deep stretches. There are several cafes on the beach and deck chairs can be rented.


Sunset and cocktail at La Plage Restaurant & Beach bar, for sure the most beautiful beach bar in town. You can spend your time at the pool while enjoying a drink, listening good music by the dj and watching the sunset just in front of you.



Coffee shop: Hama Coffee (this coffee shop counts with the best view ever!)

Dinner: Big Bad Thai


Day 5: El Nido

Enjoy a nice coffee at Grounded, a plant based café located in El Nido city center. A must-visit place for coffee lovers. One of the standout items on the menu is the Oak Milk latte, which is made with locally sourced oaks. The selection of food is small, but high quality.


Island Hopping tour A is one of the most popular tours in the area, offering a mix of beautiful lagoons, stunning beaches, and crystal-clear waters. This tour usually includes stops at the following main attractions:



Seven Commandos Beach: A beautiful stretch of white sand beach lined with palm trees, a great place to relax, swim, and enjoy the tropical scenery. It’s often the last stop of most tours, but if you buy the one linked above this will be the first stop and you won't find a lot of people.


Shimizu Island: This island is known for its white sand beaches and excellent snorkeling opportunities. It’s a great spot to see colorful coral reefs and a variety of fish, making it perfect for underwater photography.


Lunch at Paying Paying Beach.


Secret Lagoon: Hidden behind a small opening in a limestone wall, the Secret Lagoon is a secluded spot with shallow waters surrounded by cliffs. It's a unique place that feels like stepping into a hidden paradise.


Big Lagoon: Known for its emerald green waters surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, the Big Lagoon is often the highlight of the tour. You will be able to explore the lagoon by kayak or swim in its serene waters.




If you need any further information comment the blog post or write me on Instagram @babiassi. I also suggest you to check out my Instagram story highlights about Palawan to see more pictures and videos of the experience!



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