Paradise colored in shades of blue and green, where you will completely forget about your busy and robotic life spent in your industrialized and technologized city. This is what Palawan, The Last Frontier of the Philippines, offers. My 3-week Palawan itinerary will teach you everything you need to know about this little paradise.
There’s a good reason why Palawan was called the most beautiful island in the world two years in a row by Conde Nast Traveler.
The province between the Sulu Sea and the West Philippine Sea comprises about 1780 islands. What you’ll find here? An abundance of plains with rice, vast meadows with palm trees, hills, mountains, and cliffs formed by rocks of karst and limestone, and hidden beaches with white sand, watered by the turquoise waves of the sea. There are so many unique Palawan tour packages that will let you experience everything these islands have to offer.
I know it sounds fantastic and almost incredible, but Palawan exists, and I advise you to visit it now before becoming a hugely popular destination. I spent 3 weeks in the Philippines, exploring the island far and wide, part of my two months trip to Southeast Asia.
PIN IT FOR LATER ↓
What I use every time I travel:
- To book hotels: Booking.com
- To book tours: GetYourGuide.com
And I haven’t stopped in one place because I wanted to see and know more. Therefore, I recommend this 3-week Palawan itinerary since you have so much to see and do here.
In the following four destinations, you will learn about one of the seven wonders of nature, the cleanest lake in Asia, and many other great places worth exploring, including the best Palawan beaches. This is my itinerary for the perfect trip to Palawan:
map of Palawan itinerary
3 week Palawan itinerary
3 days in Puerto Princesa | Palawan itinerary
The most popular and easy method to get to Palawan is by plane, from Manila to the provincial capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa or Puerto, as the locals call it.
We flew with Air Asia, and after an hour and a half, we stepped foot in the modest but colorful airport. In Puerto Princesa, we spent three days, during which we had many activities that kept us busy in an enjoyable way. Let me tell you about my Puerto Princesa itinerary.
We stayed at a hotel near the airport but far from the bustle of downtown, with many noisy tricycles and tourists, and we started exploring the surrounding villages.
We discovered bands of children waving, excited, and intrigued by the appearance of two unknown figures on their narrow streets, and we learned about their modest but happy living.
⇒ Also read: Visiting The Underground River, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of our World
Best tours to add to your Puerto Princesa itinerary
There are many things to do in Puerto Princesa, and you would need more than 3 days to try them all. But, having a limited time to spend here, you must choose the area’s best tours and tourist attractions.
Puerto Princesa is not only the cleanest city in the Philippines, a name earned thanks to its tropical and lush forests, stretched over hundreds of kilometers, but it is also home to one of the 7 Natural Wonders of our world, The Underground River, a river “dug” into the mountain.
To visit the river of 8 km in length, of which only 2 km are navigable, you need a whole day because of the 75 km / 2 hours distance from the city.
The road to the river works like this: you will travel by van, then by a motorboat, and eventually you will be taken into a kayak with a suitable size to enter into the mountain.
During the tour, you will have audio equipment and listen in the headphones to the story of the stalagmites and stalactites. You’ll also hear some information about the fauna which lies in darkness.
⇒ Book your Underground River tour
Another tour I recommend ( and took the next day ) is Honda Bay Islands, where you will visit three very different, uninhabited islands, StarFish, Luli, and Cowrie.
While on StarFish Island, you will take selfies with the starfish; on Cowrie Island, you will snorkel and admire the beautiful scenery that seems pretty surreal.
⇒ Book your Honda Bay Islands hopping tour
The Underground River | 3 week Palawan itinerary
Other great tours in Puerto Princesa:
Where to stay in Puerta Princesa:
- low-budget: Golden Pension House, Palawan– free Wifi, free parking, excellent breakfast
- mid-budget: Cleon Villas Pension – free Wifi, free parking, rooms with balcony, excellent breakfast
- luxury: Ai World Park and Resorts– swimming pool, room service, great view, restaurant
2 days in San Vicente | 3 week Palawan itinerary
When I carefully prepared my Palawan itinerary, San Vicente wasn’t on my list. I discovered it thanks to a lovely hotel located there, about which I will write a separate article soon.
I’m glad that San Vicente was added to my journey of 3 weeks in the Philippines because it is not a touristy area, so it’s not that easy to find out about it.
I could even number the tourists I saw there on the fingers of one hand.
If the wilderness of the place doesn’t seem a good enough reason to spend two days in San Vicente, then maybe the longest white sand beach in the Philippines, under Long Beach, will convince you.
It’s lovely, full of palm trees, and so long that you can not see the end. Not to mention the possibility of having it only for you, given the low number of tourists in the area.
Where to stay in San Vicente:
- low-budget: Jake and Zyra Place – bungalow, beachfront
- mid-budget: BING-VICE Tourist Inn – great location, AC, good breakfast included
- luxury: Sunset Beach Resort – swimming pool, beachfront, Exceptional breakfast
⇒ Also read: Staying at Peace & Love Resort in San Vicente. Palawan, Philippines
Long Beach | 3 week Palawan itinerary
5 days in El Nido | Best things to do in Palawan Philippines
Most Palawan lovers go straight to El Nido for its spectacular lagoons, pristine beaches, and crystal clear waters, perfect for snorkeling and other water activities.
Indeed, El Nido is a beautiful dream place where you’ll feel like you’re on another planet.
To fully enjoy the paradise of El Nido, you will need to choose a tour of the four available (A, B, C, D) and explore the islands and everything they offer.
Book your favorite tour in El Nido ↓
I have chosen tour A, which allowed me to discover Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and 7 Commando Beach.
Undoubtedly, the Big Lagoon is the most beautiful sightseeing of the whole tour; it is a large stretch of water in a gorgeous color, bordered by majestic cliffs.
The tour is an excellent activity that you shouldn’t miss under any circumstances.
How incredible it sounds exploring islands and beaches, plus a hearty lunch of fish, rice, salads, and the most exotic fruits for less than $ 30?
Yes, the tours offered in Palawan, be it Puerto Princesa, El Nido, or Coron, are available to every budget, and the quality-price ratio is excellent. Just go for it!
⇒ Also read:
TOP 7 best beaches in EL NIDO, Philippines
El Nido – all you need to know about Tour A
18 things you must see & do in El Nido, Philippines
El Nido, Palawan- Complete guide to Philippines’s hidden paradise
Things to do in El Nido, except for the classic boat tours | 3 week Palawan itinerary
Perhaps you wonder if you can have fun in El Nido without being forced to climb into a boat. The answer is yes.
The city center is full of restaurants, shops, and pubs, many with ocean views. For a perfect tan, fun, good food, and sensational views, you can spend time in El Nido Bay and Bacuit Bay.
For extra excitement and a beach in addition to the list, rent a scooter for $ 5, drive to the north of the island, among immense rice paddies and stop for a few hours on Nacpan Beach, a beach very similar to Long Beach in San Vicente, but on a smaller scale.
Where to stay in El Nido:
- low-budget: Harmony Healing Resort – beachfront bungalow
- mid-budget: La Españolita Resto & Rooms– free parking, free wifi, restaurant, bar
- luxury: Dryft Darocotan Island– beachfront, restaurant, room service, bar
5 days in CORON | Palawan 3 week itinerary
This time a ferry will become your means of transportation between El Nido and Coron. You can choose between a slower ferry and a faster one.
Depending on climatic factors, the first will bring you to Coron in 3 h, the second in 5, 6.
We chose the slower boat, and that’s because we had to check in at the hotel at 2 pm anyway.
Included in the price, you will get a desired snack after a few hours spent on the pretty tumultuous waters.
You shouldn’t sleep the whole route as long as you can get out on the deck and admire the islands lost in the distance, and the playful fish, hopping through the waves.
Book your favorite tour in Coron ↓
⇒ Also read:
10 things to do in Coron, Philippines
Coron Island, Philippines – Ultimate Tour
Amazing sunset at the top of Mount Tapyas in Coron, Philippines
Coron, Philippines – Island Escapade. Tour C
Don’t skip Kayangan Lake in Coron | Palawan itinerary
The star of Coron is Kayangan Lake, the cleanest lake in Asia. To reach it, or more precisely, to reach Coron Island or the surrounding areas, it is necessary to sign up for an organized tour.
After extensive research, I have chosen two tours that I recommend to you, which seem to be the most attractive.
The first tour included 3 gorgeous islands (Bulog Dog, Banana si Malcapuya), while the second one, called the Ultimate Tour, included Siete Pecados, Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Smith Bech, Skeleton Wreck, Las Islas de Coral si CYC Beach.
Besides boat tours, it is a must to climb Mount Tapyas for a perfect panorama of the island and the most beautiful sunset.
I suggest you start at least one hour before sunset because you will have no less than 700 stairs to climb.
Yes, your wrists will tremble, and you will feel muscle soreness the next day, but it is worth it. See for yourself ⇩
Where to stay in Coron:
- low-budget: Bella Vita Guest House – free wifi, free parking, exceptional breakfast
- mid-budget: Corto del Mar Hotel – free parking, pool, restaurant
- luxury: Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel – pool, free wifi, room service, good breakfast
READ MORE about destinations in South East ASIA:
- The Perfect Bangkok 4 Day Itinerary
- Bali 3 week itinerary – the best Bali travel guide
- What to do in El Nido Palawan – 18 activities in El Nido
- 5 must-see temples in BALI
- 8 things you must see & do in Kuta, Bali
- Tourist spots in El Nido Palawan, Philippines
- 2 days Manila itinerary
Beautiful photos and I’d love to visit!
Hi, Fatima! Thanks, and I hope you will visit soon! 🙂
Such a beautiful and amazing place. It looks like a tropical paradise. Thank yo for sharing this experience.
My pleasure, Jeff & Crystal 🙂
You covered so much ground! I can’t remember the last time I have a 3 week trip, and this has made me want to do so! El Nido really does look like a dream, your photography is incredible. That for me is my number one priority to visit.
Thank you, Samantha! El Nido has been the best, and I definitely recommend it! I’m 100% sure you will love it.
Palawan in 3 weeks…sounds so luxuriously relaxing and indulgent. A wonderful place to soak up the sun, enjoy the beach and the tropical delights.
Exactly! 🙂
Awesome! You definitely maximized your trip in Palawan and visited amazing spots. I’ve been to El Nido and visiting Puerto Princesa this summer. I’m so excited!
Liz Gen | http://www.fatmoments.com
Puerto Princesa is awesome! I will soon post some articles about what to do in Puerto Princesa, so stay tuned, Joy! 🙂
How wonderful to have two weeks there. You got so much done! I am hoping to make it to the Philippines in the next couple years and have pinned your itinerary for later! I wanna take selfies with starfish 🙂
Fingers crossed for you, Evanne! Palawan is a beautiful dream come true 🙂
Palawan sounds amazing! I would love to spend all that time on El Nido and feel like I am on another planet. It seems like a wonderful place to go to escape the urban chaos. Thanks for sharing!
You’re most welcome, Stella! 🙂
It really doesn’t get much better than Palawan does it. I swear, I’d move to El Nido in a heartbeat. I love the photos and detail you went into to, it brought back good memories!
Definitely! I would move there too 🙂 I’m glad this post brought you some good memories, Cristopher
This seems like a perfect doable itinerary. Saving up the info for a future planned visit.
The food looks yumm. What are the green round things? Sea weed?
You guessed well, Indrani. Those are seaweed, and it was the first time when I got the chance to taste them, and I loved the taste
Palawan is on my bucket list now. The article is just perfect and photos already made me nostalgic.
Palawan is on my bucket list now. The article is just perfect and photos already made me nostalgic. Looking up to the mountains and spending the nights listening to the sea, simply calm
Thank you so much!
I feel like everyone has been traveling or talking about the Phillipines recently and for good reason! I plan on going sometime later this year so I will make sure to keep this handy! The beaches are enough to make me want to go in itself, plus I heard the food was amazing!
Yes, Philippines is a destination which has increased significantly in popularity, so now is the right time to go and visit. I’m sure you’ll have a great time there.
Wonderful post! I love, love all the pictures…beautiful..
thank you! 🙂
What a perfect 3 weeks itinerary for Palwan! Philippines is a top country on my bucket list of visiting South East Asia. Thanks for sharing the ultimate guide!
Hi Bella,
Thanks for this post. I’d do this trip in a few different ways but the info is good. I’d spend more time in El Nido and check out the northern side of it, it’s off-the-beaten path and away from the crowds. You could also go down south and see some other islands. This is way off-the-beaten path but places like Balabac are suppose to be incredible. We always recommend more time in El Nido if you’re not a diver and if you are then spend more time in Coron. Either way you go there’s no going wrong with visiting Palawan.
Cheers,
Hi there!
My bf and I are arriving to Puerto Princesa in 2 weeks and I was wondering how easy it is to get to El Nido with public transport or vans.
Is there any way you’d recommend? We don’t actually have that much time so we even thought of renting a car and driving ourselves there.
Thanks. X
Hi Celia! We took a van from Puerto Princesa to San Vicente and then from San Vicente to El Nido. For sure you can find a van that goes directly to El Nido. The journey should be about 6 hours and costs around 600 to 700 Php (13 USD). I’m sure your hotel in Puerto Princesa can guide you as well. Renting a car, on the other hand, is much more expensive and the roads in Palawan are not very car-friendly. What I recommend is renting a scooter when you are in El Nido and drive to Nacpan Beach.