Where to Stay in Palawan, Philippines ✔️ 5 BEST Areas (2024)

If you’re wondering where to stay in Palawan, the hidden gem of the Philippines, I’ve got you covered! I visited Palawan not too long ago and now I can’t wait to tell you all about it! 

I’ve done all the research for you, so in this guide, I’ll go through 5 of the most exciting areas to stay in so you can take your pick. 

For every area, you’ll find all the top-rated hotels I cherry-picked for every budget along with my personal tips. Whether you’re a beach lover or searching for adventure, the hotels and resorts on my list are the cream of the crop!

My personal recommendation for first-timers to Palawan is El Nido! This heaven-on-earth place has everything: beautiful nature, beaches, delicious food, and excellent accommodation!

So what are you waiting for? Book in advance to make sure you land your favorite hotel and let your island adventure begin!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

These are the best hotels available for grabs in El Nido:

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Watch my video, it will give you a visual explanation of all the areas:

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Here’s a map of all the areas we’ll be covering in this Palawan area guide:

1. El Nido – where to stay in Palawan for first-timers

Palawan’s most-loved destination award goes to El Nido! El Nido is famed for its incredible nightlife, immaculate coastlines, and hidden lagoons you’ll definitely want to explore if it’s your first time here. 

The town is located on the Northern tip of the island and it’s easily reachable by a van from Puerto Princesa’s airport (the main airport in Palawan).

There are so many things to see and do in El Nido, especially for beach lovers. You’ll find awesome beach bars during your stay in El Nido, especially around Las Cabañas Beach (map).

TIP: Head to the beach for sunset cocktails at Happiness Beach Bar (map) – island life doesn’t get much better than this! 

El Nido is also a great base for island-hopping tours, too. You can go in a group or take a private tour; the options are endless. Island hopping was definitely the highlight of my stay in Palawan, so definitely plan to do this. Just please put some sunblock on! I got severely burnt on our island hopping, so don’t repeat my mistake!

Another great way to get around El Nido (and all of Palawan) is by renting a motorcycle (here’s a good place, map). The prices start at US$10 per day and are ideal for getting around town or to nearby attractions. Tricycles are also fairly common and cheap (think US$1 per ride) in case you don’t want to rent.

SAFETY: Don’t drink tap water in Palawan! It makes some travelers really sick. Buy bottled water instead, and tell the waiters not to put ice in your drink.

People often stay in the El Nido Resorts (more info just below) because they provide a wide range of activities and sightseeing tours not offered by travel agencies. This beach resort is located on Miniloc Island known for its lagoons, just a quick boat ride from the main island.

But if you want to delve deeper into the local culture rather than focus on nature, it’s best to stay on the main island. In a separate guide on where to stay in El Nido, we offer even more hotel options in various locations, so feel free to check it out for more details!

I definitely advise you to book your stay here in advance. We didn’t do that, but instead hoped to find something on the spot, and we ended up getting the worst room possible with a huge spider in the bathroom!

Other accommodation options in El Nido

Things to do in El Nido

2. Coron – where to stay in Palawan for shipwreck diving

Situated in the far north corner of Palawan, Coron is a little fishing town famed for its historical World War 2 shipwrecks and gorgeous lakes. You can go scuba diving all over the coastline here!

The ships that sank in the waters of Palawan belonged to the Japanese army during WWII. Today, they’re among the best-preserved shipwrecks in the world, also featuring guns and other historical artifacts.

Coron is much quieter than El Nido, so it’s a great place to take the whole family for a peaceful retreat. Beach camping and shipwreck diving top the list of things to do here, and the small town of Coron provides a great base for the surrounding area. 

Just a short boat ride away from the main town is Coron Island, where you’ll find the gorgeous Twin Lagoon (map). This is a must-see, even if you’re only in town for a couple of days. Trust me, you’ll never feel more relaxed! 

TIP: Have cash on you the entire time as you’ll hardly find credit card machines and ATMs (only select ones in Puerto Princesa and El Nido, but chances are they won’t work). Withdraw cash before arriving in Palawan, either at Manilla airport or at your previous destination.

Coron Island is kind of hard to get to from Manila, as the ferry ride takes 11 hours. However, they also have direct flights that make the travel time much shorter. Plus, you can take a ferry from Puerto Princesa or El Nido. Once here, Coron’s beauty lies 100% on its waters, so it’s best to spend most of your time here on daily boat trips.

Other accommodation options in Coron

Things to do in Coron

• Check out some of Coron’s famed shipwrecks on a diving tour
• Relax and rewind in balmy waters at the Maquinit Hot Spring
• Hire a private boat tour of the island
• Walk up to the viewpoint at Kayangan Lake
• Go diving at Barracuda Lake
• Hike up to Mount Tapyas for extraordinary views of the islands

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3. Port Barton – the place to stay in Palawan for foodies

A small village in San Vicente just a few hours North of Puerto Princesa, Port Barton is a sanctuary for those who want to head off the beaten track. It’s not super touristy, making it one of the best places in Palawan to experience true island life. 

The best thing about Port Barton is how quiet it is. If you live a busy life and need a secluded getaway, this is the right place for you. Since the area hasn’t been drowned in tourists quite yet, the food experience is super authentic and gives you a real taste of local Palawan living. 

For tasty food, head over to Olive Crib (map) and try their fresh seafood. Alternatively, try your hand at fishing! The calm serenity will make your fishing experience even better.

INSIDER TIP: Philippine weather can be challenging, and storms are common from June to November. We had to stay for longer in El Nido before moving further across Palawan because of this, so just be aware and maybe give yourself some extra time as a buffer.

The ride from El Nido to Port Barton takes around 4 hours, which is about the same travel time as from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton. Just ask your accommodation to hook you up with a shuttle van to get from one place to another easily! The price is usually around US$10.

Port Barton lacks proper luxury resorts or hotels, but you’ll find a lot of great value for money accommodation.

Other accommodation options in Port Barton

Things to do in Port Barton

• Trek through the jungle and dip your toes in the Pamuayan Waterfalls (map)
• Go swimming with the turtles on this island-hopping tour 
• Enjoy the gorgeous sunset at Port Barton Beach (map)
• Catch some respite and camp overnight at Inaladelan Island Resort (map)

4. Puerto Princesa – best area to stay in Palawan for day trips

Puerto Princesa is Palawan’s largest city. The area spans across the island’s middle region, but the city itself sits on Palawan’s gorgeous coastline. It’s known as the “City in the Forest” and is surrounded by lush sloping hills and clear-blue waters.

Puerto Princesa is mostly a great place to use as a base for day trips around the island. You can take boat tours to Honda Bay, Port Barton, San Vicente, and other nearby places. 

In town, explore the local restaurants, go shopping, and enjoy the white sand beaches. Oh, and try to catch those dolphins off the coast!

FUN FACT: There are almost 200 languages spoken all over the 7,600+ islands of the Philippines! Still, most people speak English (it’s the official language together with Filipino) so don’t worry about those language barriers here!

The city has beautiful parks and promenades, and it’s also home to the mouth of Palawan’s famous underground river that winds through caves to the other side of the island. Explore the winding streets and sample fresh fish at the Old Public Market (map). You can even go firefly watching and have dinner under the stars! 

Puerto Princesa is also one of the few places in Palawan with multiple daily flights to Manila, so it’ll be easy to plan your journey back from here.

Now let’s see where to stay in Puerto Princesa:

Other accommodation options in Puerto Princesa

Things to do in Puerto Princesa

• Go island-hopping in Honda Bay with an optional massage
• Drop by Bakers Hill (map) for the best pastries
• Join an underground river and firefly tour
• Take a day trip to Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village (map)
• Stop by the Immaculate Conception Cathedral for a peaceful moment (map)
• Visit the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (map) to see crocodiles

5. Busuanga – best place to stay in Palawan for island hopping

A region North of Coron, Busuanga is home to tropical forests and sloping hills. It’s also a great place for shipwreck diving, island hopping, and safari cruising. But if you’re looking for a place to delve deep into simple living (and not as touristy as Coron), Busuanga is an excellent choice. 

Busuanga is considered a little off the beaten track and has some of Palawan’s most secluded waterfalls. Just a short boat ride away is the idyllic Black Island (map), which looks like a deserted island, but you can still visit! Swim amongst the coral and go cliff diving if you dare!

As far as accommodation goes, Busuanga has something for every budget. These are the best options in my opinion, and they all have jaw-dropping views to keep your camera happy! 

You’ll find a lot of accommodation around Ocam Ocam Beach (map), one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in the area.

NOTE: Get used to slow internet in Palawan. Most cheap hotels won’t have free Wi-Fi and the ones that do require a lot of patience due to slow loading times. Unfortunately, even eSIM plans won’t be of much help since Palawan is just super remote and the signal is often bad everywhere. The best signal is in big areas like El Nido and Puerto Princesa.

Other accommodation options in Busuanga

Things to do in Busuanga

• Visit the Calauit Island National Park (map) to feed the giraffes
• Go diving for a glimpse of war-era shipwrecks
• Take in the views on the white sandy beaches of Ocam Ocam Beach
• Hike through the jungle to Chinibayan waterfall (map) near the national park
• Spend the day mountain biking

FAQs about best places to stay in Palawan

💰 Where is the best area to stay in Palawan on a budget? 

Choose one of many bungalows or hostels available across the island, even in larger places like El Nido and Puerto Princesa.

🎉 Which is the best place to stay in San Vicente, Palawan?

If you want to stay in San Vicente Palawan, Port Barton is the best option and CocoRico Hostel is an excellent choice for young, solo travelers who love a chilled vibe. 🙂 

👩‍❤️‍👩 Where should couples stay in Palawan?

The best place to stay in Palawan province for couples is the Club Paradise Resort in Coron. It’s literally on its own island and is super romantic and secluded!

✈️ What are the best hotels in Palawan near Puerto Princesa International Airport?

❓ Where to base yourself in Palawan?

Base yourself in El Nido if you’re visiting Palawan for the first time. It’s the most scenic and interesting place in the region.

📅 How many days in Palawan is enough?

7 to 10 days are ideal for experiencing El Nido, Coron, and a few other fun places in Palawan, depending on your interest.

🇵🇭 Should I stay in El Nido or Puerto Princesa?

Everything from the sights to island hopping to attractions are nicer in El Nido.

🏖️ Is Coron or El Nido better?

Both have amazing island tours, accommodations, and restaurants, but El Nido is more lively. However, Coron has the upper hand if you’re looking for more budget-friendly options and relaxation.

🌴 Which is better, Puerto Princesa or Coron?

Coron is more commercial, so there will be more things to do here. Puerto has a good location for day trips, which is the main benefit of staying there.

⛱️ Is Cebu or Palawan better?

Cebu is a better place for island hopping combined with nightlife, bars, galleries, etc. Palawan has less to offer in this regard.

🌊 Is Boracay or Palawan better?

Palawan is more secluded, so the beaches are less crowded. Boracay is more popular, but it has little to offer except for beaches.

Final thoughts on the best areas to stay in Palawan

That’s it, dear traveler. You’ve made it to the end of our guide on where to stay in Palawan! My advice is to spend around 7 days here and focus on El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princesa, but feel free to adjust your holiday according to your preferences.

I know I’ve given you SO many options that you’re probably finding it hard to pick just one hotel! So here’s two of my absolute favorites: 

Now you know where to stay in the Palawan region, it’s time to get on that plane! Things tend to get booked up quickly here, so choose one of these Palawan hotels and you won’t be disappointed.

If you’ve got any questions, let me know in the comments! And when you’re back from your vacay, we want to hear all about it! 🙂 

Have a great trip!

Yulia

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