Palawan is consistently rated one of the world's best islands, and for good reason -- the combination of karst limestone formations, crystal-clear lagoons, world-class dive sites, and genuine wilderness is unmatched in Southeast Asia. Most visitors fly into one end and fly out of the other, doing the province as a linear journey rather than an out-and-back trip. The north-to-south (or south-to-north) route is the most satisfying way to experience Palawan's full range of environments. Here is the complete guide to doing it.
The Full Palawan Route
The complete Palawan island journey covers four main staging points: El Nido in the north, the Linapacan islands (middle), Coron on Busuanga Island (northeast), and Puerto Princesa in the south. Some travelers add Port Barton (between Puerto Princesa and El Nido on the west coast) for a quieter, off-the-mainstream stop. The direction you travel depends on your entry point and flights.
Most popular route: Fly Manila to El Nido (Air Swift to Lio Airport). Island-hop south through Linapacan to Coron (3 days, via speedboat or island-hopping transfer). Fly Coron to Manila (Cebu Pacific via Busuanga/Coron Airport). Or alternatively: Fly Manila to Puerto Princesa, work north via Port Barton and El Nido, fly home from Lio Airport.
Segment 1: El Nido (3 to 5 Days)
El Nido is where the most spectacular Palawan scenery is concentrated. The island-hopping tours from El Nido town -- Tour A (the Lagoons), Tour B (caves and beaches), Tour C (Hidden Beach, Matinloc), Tour D (Nacpan Beach, North Bacuit Bay) -- are organized through guesthouses and tour operators and run daily during peak season. Cost: approximately 1,200 to 1,800 pesos per person per tour including lunch.
Getting around El Nido: tricycles handle town trips (50 to 100 pesos), motorbike rental (400 to 600 pesos per day) for independent beach exploration along the El Nido coast road.
Segment 2: El Nido to Coron (1 Travel Day)
The El Nido to Coron speedboat crossing is the most dramatic inter-segment transfer on the Palawan route. Approximately 8 to 9 hours, through the Linapacan Strait past some of the most photogenic islands in the Philippines. Cost: 1,800 to 2,500 pesos per person. Boats depart early morning (around 6 to 8am) from El Nido town pier.
Alternatively, break this into 3 days with the island-hopping transfer option, stopping at Linapacan Island and smaller islands along the way (organized through El Nido tour operators, approximately 8,000 to 15,000 pesos per person for 3 days including accommodation and meals).
Segment 3: Coron (3 to 4 Days)
Coron is known for its Japanese WWII shipwrecks (some of the best wreck diving in the world), its volcanic lakes (Kayangan Lake is often photographed as the clearest lake in Asia), and its dramatic Twin Lagoon. The Coron island-hopping tours package these into half-day and full-day tours (1,500 to 2,000 pesos per person including boat, guide, and snorkeling equipment).
Coron town itself is a relaxed, unpretentious place -- eat at the seafood market stalls by the pier for the freshest and cheapest seafood in the province. Barracuda Lake is Coron's signature dive site, with a thermocline visible with the naked eye where warm and cold water layers meet.
Coron to Manila: Flying from Busuanga
Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU) in Busuanga serves Coron. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines fly Manila-Busuanga direct. Flight time: approximately 40 to 45 minutes. Fares: 1,500 to 4,000 pesos depending on timing. The airport is approximately 20 km from Coron town -- van transfer to the airport costs 150 to 200 pesos per person on shared vans that align with flight schedules.
Optional Stop: Port Barton
Port Barton on Palawan's west coast is a quiet fishing town with good beaches, excellent diving, and a fraction of El Nido's tourist volume. It sits between Puerto Princesa (3 to 4 hours north by van) and El Nido (4 to 5 hours south by van). Adding 2 to 3 nights in Port Barton to a south-to-north Palawan itinerary provides a welcome contrast to the busier destinations and a more authentic local atmosphere.
From Puerto Princesa to Port Barton: shared vans depart from the San Jose bus terminal in Puerto Princesa. Cost approximately 250 to 350 pesos per person. From Port Barton to El Nido: chartered bangka tours (1 to 2 days via small islands along the coast) or van north via Roxas and Taytay to El Nido.
Timing and Booking the Palawan Route
The optimal season is November to May. January to April are the driest and calmest months for the El Nido to Coron crossing -- sea conditions matter significantly for this specific segment. Book Air Swift flights to El Nido as far in advance as possible (8 to 10 weeks for peak season). Book the El Nido to Coron speedboat 1 to 2 weeks in advance during peak season.
The south-to-north option (flying into Puerto Princesa, ending at El Nido) has the advantage of starting with the most accessible destination (Puerto Princesa has extensive, cheap airline coverage) and ending with the most spectacular (El Nido). The north-to-south option starts with the most dramatic arrival (Air Swift descent into Lio Airport) and ends more easily with the wide flight options from Puerto Princesa. Both work; choose based on your entry point and airline options.