How many days · Palawan · Philippines
How many days do you need in Palawan?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: shankar s. from Poona (pune), India, India, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
9 days is the sweet spot for Palawan, and 4 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Four days fits one base, usually El Nido or Coron, with two island-hopping tours. Nine or ten days allows Puerto Princesa and the underground river, a night or two in Port Barton, four days in El Nido and a ferry to Coron. Leave a buffer day for weather-cancelled boats and flights.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 9 days
- Minimum
- 4 days
- Day trips available
- 4
- Daylight
- 11.6 h (Jan) to 12.7 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon, Kayangan Lake and Coron Bay wreck dives |
| 2 days | Rushed | Coron Bay wreck dives, Hidden Beach and Matinloc Shrine and Snake Island and Tour B |
| 3 days | Rushed | Nacpan Beach, Las Cabanas Beach and Taraw Cliff |
| 5 days | Good | The highlights plus a day trip to Culion Island |
| 7 days | Good | A slow trip with day trips such as Culion Island and Malcapuya and Banana Island |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Palawan add up to roughly 27–36 hours of visiting time — about 4–5 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Puerto Princesa Subterranean River (Full day from Puerto Princesa), Coron Bay wreck dives (Full day) and Nacpan Beach (Half a day).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Princesa Subterranean River | Full day from Puerto Princesa | Sabang |
| Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon | Full-day tour | Miniloc Island, El Nido |
| Kayangan Lake | 1–1.5 hours | Coron Island |
| Coron Bay wreck dives | Full day | Coron Bay |
| Hidden Beach and Matinloc Shrine | Full-day tour | Matinloc Island, El Nido |
| Snake Island and Tour B | Full-day tour | Bacuit Bay, El Nido |
| Nacpan Beach | Half a day | El Nido |
| Las Cabanas Beach | 2–3 hours | Corong-Corong |
| Taraw Cliff | 1.5–2 hours | El Nido Town |
| Barracuda Lake | 1 hour | Coron Island |
| Twin Lagoon | 1 hour | Coron Island |
| Mount Tapyas | 1–1.5 hours | Coron Town |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 9 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 4 days | Focus on Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon |
| With children | 10 days | Slower days and time for Puerto Princesa Subterranean River |
| With day trips | 11 days | Add Culion Island and Malcapuya and Banana Island |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in January (about 11.6 hours of daylight) than in June (about 12.7 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Palawan with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 4 days enough in Palawan?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 9 days is more comfortable. Four days fits one base, usually El Nido or Coron, with two island-hopping tours. Nine or ten days allows Puerto Princesa and the underground river, a night or two in Port Barton, four days in El Nido and a ferry to Coron. Leave a buffer day for weather-cancelled boats and flights.
+Is a week too long in Palawan?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Culion Island and Malcapuya and Banana Island.