Are you visiting the Philippines soon and wondering how to plan a 10 day Palawan itinerary?
This itinerary will show you the best way to plan your route so you can see as much as possible while still allowing plenty of time for relaxation.
From the white-sand beaches and karst mountains of El Nido to the pristine marine life of Port Barton or the UNESCO-listed underground river of Puerto Princesa, there are so many reasons why Palawan is the most coveted destination in the Philippines.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to plan the best 10 days in Palawan Philippines. I’ll also explain how to travel between each destination, where to stay, how to get discounts on tours, and more.
So keep reading for the ultimate Palawan itinerary for 10 days!
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Read more about Palawan Philippines:
- How to spend 3 or 4 days in El Nido
- Guide to El Nido Island Hopping Tour A
- Tour C El Nido: What to expect
- Best things to do in Port Barton Philippines
How many days is enough in Palawan?
Based on my experience, I think that 10 days in Palawan is enough to see all the major tourist attractions as well as some lesser-known ones.
Below is a suggested 10-day Palawan itinerary:
- Day 1: Fly into Puerto Princesa and take a bus to EL Nido
- Day 2-5: EL Nido
- Day 6: Travel from El Nido to Port Barton
- Day 7-8: Port Barton
- Day 9-10: Puerto Princesa
Just remember that you also need to take into account the travel time between each destination as Palawan is quite big.
For instance, it takes approximately 5-6 hours to travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, 4 hours from El Nido to Port Barton, and 3 hours from Port Barton to Puerto Princesa.
10 Day Palawan Itinerary Guide
Day 1: Fly into Puerto Princesa and take a bus to El Nido
Your 10 day Palawan itinerary begins in Puerto Princesa, the capital city of Palawan.
This is the best option for budget travelers as the route from Manila to Puerto Princesa is serviced by budget airlines such as Air Asia and Cebu Pacific. The total journey time is approximately 1.5 hours and one-way tickets start at USD 30.
CHECK PRICE FOR FLIGHTS FROM MANILA TO PUERTO PRINCESA
Once you arrive in Puerto Princesa, you can take a bus or van to El Nido, which will take around 5-6 hours. Note that the bus will make a few stops along the way for food and toilet breaks.
CHECK PRICE FOR A TRANSFER FROM PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO
The bus will drop you off at El Nido Transport Terminal and from there, you’ll need to take a tricycle to get to El Nido Town, which should cost around 80-100 pesos.
Alternatively, if budget isn’t an issue, you can fly directly to El Nido from Manila with Air Swift. A one-way ticket costs approximately USD 100.
CHECK PRICE FOR FLIGHTS FROM MANILA TO EL NIDO
Where to Stay in El Nido?
For ease of getting around during your 10 days in Palawan itinerary, I recommend staying in EL Nido Town since most tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, and shops are located within walking distance.
Luxury: H Hotel is a 4-star property located just a few steps from the beach and close to restaurants and bars. The rooms are spacious and offer either an ocean or mountain view. Check latest rates here.
Mid-Range: Sea Cocoon Hotel is located in the heart of El Nido near restaurants and bars and offers air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included in the room rate. Check latest rates here.
Budget: I personally stayed at Frendz Hostel and highly recommend it for budget or solo travelers. It’s perfect for those looking for affordable accommodation, with both private and dorm rooms available. Their rooftop pool is amazing and they organize daily activities like island hopping, karaoke, game nights, etc. Check latest rates here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN EL NIDO
Day 2: Explore El Nido Beaches
After a long travel day, take it easy on your first full day in El Nido by relaxing at one of its numerous beaches.
Although El Nido is famous for its island hopping tours, the mainland also boasts some stunning beaches.
Start your day by heading to Vanilla Beach, also known as Marimegmeg Beach. If you don’t know how to ride a motorbike, you can easily get there by tricycle, which should cost you around 100 pesos.
It’s one of the best beaches in EL Nido, featuring soft white sand and crystal-clear water, making it perfect for swimming.
There are many facilities on the beach, including restaurants, bars, and even a shopping mall at the entrance.
If you want to do something more active, you can rent a kayak or book a zipline activity at the nearby Las Cabanas Beach.
If you have time, I also recommend checking out Corong Corong Beach. Although it’s not the best for swimming, the sunset here is stunning.
You can also rent a kayak from Corong Corong to visit some less popular beaches such as Lapus Lapus Beach or Papaya Beach.
Day 3: El Nido Island Hopping Tour
On day 3 of your Palawan itinerary for 10 days, take an island hopping tour to explore some of the most beautiful beaches and lagoons around El Nido.
There are four tours to choose from – Tour A, B, C, and D. Each tour costs between 1,200 and 1,400 pesos inclusive of a buffet lunch, life jacket, and a licensed tour guide.
While you can book your island hopping tour directly in El Nido, I recommend booking in advance on Klook to get a discount!
Here’s a quick overview of each tour:
Tour A: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commandos Beach, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach. BOOK HERE
Tour B: Entalula Island, Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Papaya Beach. BOOK HERE
Tour C: Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine. BOOK HERE
Tour D: Cadlao Island, Small Lagoon, Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach, Bukal Island. BOOK HERE
I suggest starting with the most popular island hopping tour in El Nido, which is tour A.
During the tour, you’ll visit the spectacular Big Lagoon where you can kayak across a crystal-clear lagoon surrounded by jagged karst cliffs.
Other highlights include Seven Commandos Beach, Shimizu Island, and finally the Secret Lagoon which can be accessed through a small opening in the cliffs.
Related post: Everything you need to know about El Nido Tour A
Day 4: El Nido Island Hopping Tour
Get ready for another island hopping tour in El Nido! Tour C was the highlight of my 10 day itinerary in Palawan, so I highly recommend you do this tour.
It normally costs 1,400 pesos but if you book on Klook, you’ll pay only 1,200 pesos.
Tour C takes you to Helicopter Island, where you can swim in the crystal-clear waters or simply relax on the beach. You’ll also visit Secret Beach and Hidden Beach, both of which are home to beautiful corals and colorful fish.
The last stop is at Matinloc Shrine, which has a nice viewpoint overlooking the ocean and nearby islands.
Related post: What to expect during El Nido Island Hopping Tour C?
Day 5: Taraw Cliff Viewpoint and More El Nido Beaches
Since most of the attractions for today are located outside EL Nido Town, I suggest renting a motorbike or hiring a tricycle.
Another option is to book this jeepney tour that covers Lio Beach, Bulalacao Waterfalls, and Nacpan Beach. The tour includes all entrance fees, lunch, water, beach club access with unlimited cocktails, a tour guide, and a photographer.
Start your day with a short hike to Taraw Cliff viewpoint for a bird’s eye view of El Nido Beach.
Entrance to the viewpoint starts at 430 pesos but you can get a discount by booking your entrance ticket on Klook here.
Harnesses and helmets are provided, and you’ll be accompanied by a guide who will help you navigate the trail and take photos of you.
After the hike, head over to Lio Beach. The airport is located nearby so you can watch the planes land and take off as you swim in the ocean.
Next stop is Bulalacao Waterfall which can be reached after a 20-minute hike. You do need to pay an entrance fee to visit the waterfall which also includes a guide.
Finally, end the day at Nacpan Beach to watch the sunset or relax under the shade of palm trees.
Related post: Best El Nido itinerary for first-time visitors
Day 6: Travel from El Nido to Port Barton
It’s now time to leave EL Nido and travel to the charming beach town of Port Barton.
This place isn’t as popular among tourists, which makes it a hidden gem and one of the reasons why I’ve included it in this 10 day Palawan itinerary.
At Port Barton, you can relax on almost empty beaches surrounded by palm trees, swings, and hammocks.
You can also enjoy delicious Filipino food at the local restaurants and have a sundowner or karaoke night at one of the beach bars.
Although there isn’t a whole lot to do in Port Barton apart from exploring the beaches or snorkeling at the nearby islands, it’s still worth visiting if you want to experience the Philippines without crowds.
To reach Port Barton from El Nido, you’ll need to take a van that departs twice a day, at 8 a.m and 1 p.m.
The journey takes about 4 hours, and the van will drop you off at the terminal located here. From there, you can take a tricycle or tuk tuk to your hotel, which should cost around 50 pesos.
CHECK PRICE FOR A TRANSFER FROM EL NIDO TO PORT BARTON
After resting for a bit at your hotel, head to the main beach in Port Barton, also known as Itaytay Beach, to catch the sunset or have dinner at one of the local restaurants.
My personal recommendation for a great dining experience in Port Barton is Dam Dam Place. The food there is so good and affordable. Be sure to try out their Chicken Adobo, you’ll thank me later!
Where to stay in Port Barton?
Affordable luxury: Parrots Boutique Resort is located near the beach and boasts and outdoor pool and beautifully designed rooms with a double bed, private bathroom, and a kitchen. The resort also offers complimentary breakfast. Check latest rates here.
Mid-Range: Aquarius Hotel is located just a few steps from the beach and features spacious rooms with private bathrooms and fans. Keep in mind that rooms with air-con require an additional fee. Check latest rates here.
Budget: Bundal Riverside is a cheap and clean guesthouse located about a 5-minute walk from the beach with lots of restaurants nearby. I stayed in their fan room, but they also have air-con rooms available. Check latest rates here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN PORT BARTON
Day 7: Port Barton Island Hopping Tour
On day 7 of your Palawan itinerary, I recommend going on an island hopping tour in Port Barton.
Similar to El Nido, there are several tours available – Tour A, B, C, D, and E. I recommend choosing only one tour as most of them take you to more or less the same spots.
The tours cost on average 1,400 pesos, but you can save money by booking from Dam Dam Place, like I did, and pay only 1,200 pesos plus an environmental tax of 50 pesos.
This included breakfast, transfer to the beach, a buffet lunch of chicken, fish, vegetables, and fresh fruits, water, snorkeling gear, and life jacket.
During the tour, we visited several islands, starting with Starfish Island, which is a sandbar with lots of starfish.
We then went snorkeling at Twin Reef and Fantastic Reef, where we saw some of the most beautiful corals. We even spotted a turtle!
We also visited Maxima Island and Albaguin Island, which are located next to each other. Depending on the tide level, you can either swim or walk between the islands in less than 5 minutes.
Related post: Complete travel guide to Port Barton
Day 8: Port Barton Beaches and Waterfalls
Today you’ll be exploring the mainland and visiting Pamuayan Waterfall, Coconut Beach, and White Beach.
The roads in Port Barton aren’t the best so unless you’re confident riding a motorbike, I suggest hiring a tuk tuk or tricycle.
Some people have managed to walk to these places, but I wouldn’t recommend it as it can take up to 1.5 hours to walk to the waterfall and 1 hour to Coconut Beach.
I attempted to walk to Pamuayan Waterfall from downtown Port Barton, but it was too hot and the roads were too steep. So do yourself a favor by hiring a tuk tuk or renting a motorbike!
Begin your day by exploring Pamuayan Waterfall. It takes only about 20 minutes to hike to the waterfall and you can also swim in the pool.
Later in the afternoon, I recommend visiting Coconut Beach. You do need to pay an entrance fee of 50 pesos to enter but you’ll have access to the free hammocks so it’s a win-win. There’s also a small beach shack at the entrance where you can buy snacks and drinks.
The only downside is that Coconut Beach isn’t the best for swimming. So if you’d like to take a dip in the ocean, head to White Beach instead.
You can get there by walking along the shore for about 10 minutes from Coconut Beach.
Alternatively, you can go there by motorbike or tuk-tuk, but since the road is super bumpy, walking would be the best option.
Day 9-10: Puerto Princesa
On day 9, take a van from Port Barton to Puerto Princesa. The van departs six times per day with the first trip at 8 a.m and the last trip at 5 p.m. The total journey takes around 3 hours.
CHECK PRICE FOR A TRANSFER FROM PORT BARTON TO PUERTO PRINCESA
If you arrive in Puerto Princesa before 1 p.m, you can then take this guided city tour to see some of the most important landmarks in the city.
Finally, if you have a late flight out of Puerto Princesa, you can spend the last day of your Palawan itinerary by going on a Honda Bay island hopping tour or Underground River tour.
Honda Bay features several small islands and is the best place for swimming and snorkeling in Puerto Princesa.
The Underground River, on the other hand, is an impressive cave system with uniquely shaped stalagmites and stalactites.
Where to stay in Puerto Princesa?
Luxury: Canvas Boutique Hotel features modern and spacious rooms that are conveniently located near the airport. They also offer complimentary airport transfers and breakfast. Check latest rates here.
Mid-Range: For something more affordable, you can book a stay at Dolce Vita Hotel. It’s also located near the airport and offers double and family rooms and has a pool. Check latest rates here.
Budget: I personally stayed at Villa Skanderbeg Guest House. It’s situated less than a 10-minute drive from the airport. Though rooms are basic, they are clean and it’s quiet at night. Check latest rates here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN PUERTO PRINCESA
Best time to visit Palawan Philippines
The best time to plan your Palawan itinerary is from December to April during the dry season. May to November is considered the wet season, with July and August being the wettest months of the year.
I hope you found this 10 day Palawan itinerary helpful. If you have any questions about planning your trip, just ask in the comments below.