Palawan in 4 days
A 450 km island between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea, with the limestone cliffs and lagoons of El Nido in the north, the UNESCO-listed underground river of Sabang in the middle and the Japanese wrecks of Coron in the neighbouring islands. Outrigger boats, white sand and roads that are still slow.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
Nacpan beachfree · half a dayFour kilometres of golden sand between two headlands, 17 km north of El Nido, lined with palms and a few bars, with waves for bodysurfing.
Day 2
- All day
The Coron wrecksa full dayA Japanese supply fleet sunk by US aircraft on 24 September 1944 lies at 10 to 40 metres, including the Irako and the Okikawa Maru.
Day 3
- Morning
Kayangan Lakehalf a dayA brackish lake clear enough to see 15 metres down, reached by some 150 steps past a viewpoint over the limestone-studded bay.
Day 4
- All day
Calauit Islanda full dayGiraffes and zebras brought from Kenya in 1976 under Marcos, at the cost of displacing the Tagbanua families living there, still breed here.
Further afield (over 130 km from the base hotel), best as a separate stop: El Nido's Big Lagoon, Las Cabanas beach, Port Barton, Puerto Princesa Underground River.
Where to sleep in Palawan
- Spin Designer Hostel - El Nido · €22 a night
- Outpost Beach Hostel · €28 a night
- Harbour Bliss Hotel · €30 a night
- Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel · €85 a night
- Canvas Boutique Hotel · €65 a night
- Sea Cocoon Hotel · €70 a night
- El Nido Resorts Lagen Island · €450 a night
- El Nido Resorts Pangulasian Island · €550 a night
- TAG Resort · €200 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.