Southeast Asia · Philippines

Palawan

Limestone lagoons, wreck diving, and a two-hop journey that still rewards the effort.

Best months

December–May (dry, calmer lagoons)

Budget

$ Modest

Getting around

Plan the last mile

AdventureDivingBeachBudget-friendly

The snapshot

Palawan is a long island province, not a single resort town. El Nido and Coron are the famous lagoon-and-karst bases; Puerto Princesa has the Underground River; Port Barton is the quieter middle. Getting there from outside Asia usually means Manila or Cebu plus a domestic flight, then vans and bangkas.

Southwest monsoon and typhoon risk roughly June–November. Island-hopping boats cancel in swell.

How you get here

Fly to Manila or Cebu, then a domestic flight to Puerto Princesa, Busuanga (Coron), or El Nido. Do not book a lagoon tour on arrival day.

Pros

El Nido and Coron lagoons are in a short list of the world's best
Coron has world-class WWII wreck diving in warm water
Costs are still reasonable compared with the Indian Ocean and Caribbean
You can mix backpacker boats with a couple of nicer nights

Cons

Almost nobody flies here in one shot from the US or Europe
ATMs, clinics, and late-night transport are thin outside Puerto Princesa
Popular lagoons get crowded at midday in high season
Heat plus boat days will wipe out anyone who over-schedules

Airports

Puerto Princesa International

PPS

Puerto Princesa city

international

Main city airport. Regular flights from Manila (MNL) and Cebu (CEB). Limited true international service.

Francisco B. Reyes Airport

USU

Busuanga, for Coron

domestic

The Coron gateway. Small, weather-sensitive, and a 30–40 minute van from town.

El Nido Airport (Lio)

ENI

North Palawan

domestic

Handy if you can get a seat. Otherwise van from Puerto Princesa (5–6 hours) or boat from Coron.

Transit on the ground (and water)

Domestic flights

Manila or Cebu into PPS, USU, or ENI. This is the time saver.

Build a long connection in MNL. Delayed hops are common in weather. Pack a change of clothes in your cabin bag.

Vans and tricycles

Shared vans between towns; tricycles for short hops.

The PPS–El Nido van is a commitment. Book a reputable operator and do not plan a boat tour the same afternoon.

Bangka boats

Island-hopping tours and the Coron–El Nido ferry route.

Wear a dry bag. Life vests matter in open water. Tours leave early to beat the crowds and the afternoon wind.

Visitor takes

Notes from travelers sit next to optional comments saved in this browser. They are for other readers, not a question for the site.

Jules
Paris · February 2026
5
Coron wreck dives in the morning, kayak in the afternoon. The lagoons on the tour circuit are busy; the water is still unbelievable.
Pro · Barracuda Lake
Con · The van road from PPS if you skip the El Nido flight
Ana
Manila · April 2025
4
El Nido town is loud. Stay in Corong-Corong or Lio if you can. The Big Lagoon is worth going early.
Pro · Kayaking before the groups arrive
Con · Nightlife speakers on the strip

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