Planning your Palawan vacation: El Nido or Coron?

Which should you visit in Palawan, Coron or El Nido?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to choosing which paradise to pick when traveling to the island province of Palawan. Honestly, the answer could also be the hardest as these two oases are both equally stunning and are actually among many beautiful places to see in Palawan. It only becomes a difficult decision when you are traveling on a budget or tight schedule.

Whatever you choose, you will for sure get the same lagoon or lake + white sand beaches + limestone karst combo. However, each destination varies in character and vibe, convenience and price.
Here are the things to consider about these two popular destinations. Check out which one tickles your fancy.

Major attractions

Coron is on the southeast part of a bigger island called Busuanga and it serves as the jump-off point to wonderful getaways in the Calamian Group of Islands. It is popular for the following attractions:

El Nido is on the northwestern most tip of mainland Palawan and is famous for its luxurious resorts and prized birds’ nest soup. But whether you stay in the budget side of town or on its exclusive islands, you would most likely be sharing these activities:

ISLAND HOPPING

KAYAKING

FOOD TRIPPING

SNORKLING

PH TRAVEL
Planning your Palawan vacation: El Nido or Coron?

There are many stunning places to see in Palawan, and El Nido and Coron are two of the most popular destinations. Writer Potpot Pinili presents the differences between the two

Potpot Pinili
Published 5:51 PM, July 02, 2016
Updated 5:51 PM, July 02, 2016

This article first appeared on Potpot Pinili's blog, Travel Trilogy.

CORON OR EL NIDO? Potpot Pinili breaks down how these two popular islands of Palawan are different. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
CORON OR EL NIDO? Potpot Pinili breaks down how these two popular islands of Palawan are different. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Which should you visit in Palawan, Coron or El Nido?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to choosing which paradise to pick when traveling to the island province of Palawan. Honestly, the answer could also be the hardest as these two oases are both equally stunning and are actually among many beautiful places to see in Palawan. It only becomes a difficult decision when you are traveling on a budget or tight schedule.

Whatever you choose, you will for sure get the same lagoon or lake + white sand beaches + limestone karst combo. However, each destination varies in character and vibe, convenience and price.

Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Here are the things to consider about these two popular destinations. Check out which one tickles your fancy.

Major attractions

Coron is on the southeast part of a bigger island called Busuanga and it serves as the jump-off point to wonderful getaways in the Calamian Group of Islands. It is popular for the following attractions:

Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Barracuda Lake. Photo credits: www.hdwalls.xyz
Barracuda Lake. Photo credits: www.hdwalls.xyz

Shipwreck Dives. Photo credits: Renan Bonifacio
Shipwreck Dives. Photo credits: Renan Bonifacio

Coral Reef Snorkeling. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
Coral Reef Snorkeling. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Island hopping fringed with white sand beaches. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
Island hopping fringed with white sand beaches. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Panoramic climb to Mt. Tapyas (overlooking the town & nearby islands). Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
Panoramic climb to Mt. Tapyas (overlooking the town & nearby islands). Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Coron Hotspring. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
Coron Hotspring. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

El Nido is on the northwestern most tip of mainland Palawan and is famous for its luxurious resorts and prized birds’ nest soup. But whether you stay in the budget side of town or on its exclusive islands, you would most likely be sharing these activities:

Lagoon hopping. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
Lagoon hopping. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Coral reef snorkels & deep dives. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
Coral reef snorkels & deep dives. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Island hopping edged with white sand beaches. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
Island hopping edged with white sand beaches. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Rock climbing in Mt. Taraw overlooking the bay. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
Rock climbing in Mt. Taraw overlooking the bay. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Corong Corong beach. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
Corong Corong beach. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Nacpan-Calitang Twin Beach. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
Nacpan-Calitang Twin Beach. Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Tour Packages

Coron has more affordable island-hopping packages. What most tour operators publish is P650 but this is a trap because you need to pay P100 more for each island you visit (except for the free ones like CWC Beach). Nice in Paradise Tour is most recommended at P950, all-inclusive with a free delicious lunch.

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Tip: Tour A must include Kayangan Lake + Twin Peak Lagoons.

Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Since there are more tourists in El Nido, it comes to a default that prices for island tours are jacked up. It starts at P1,200 and depending on your add-on side-trips, this could go higher. You may also customize your tour and lunch package.

Tip: Take Tour A and C combo for about P1,600. This covers all the lagoons and beaches you need to see.

Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler
Photo by Potpot Pinili/Rappler

Accessibility

Coron is more accessible because it has direct commercial flights from Manila to Busuanga. Alternatively, 2Go Shipping sails between Manila and Coron via Mindoro.

The cheapest access to El Nido is only via Puerto Princesa. But this is way down south still and you need to take a transfer van to El Nido for about 6 hours. Alternatively, direct chartered flights from Manila are available but this means a whooping P8,000 per person!

It is possible to sail between Coron and El Nido on a slow boat (as slow as 8 hours sailing time) and there are regular voyages between the 2 islands.

Convenience

Coron has banks with international ATMs. Here, you can spend comfortably without having to scrimp on your cash. Internet access is more stable although not widely available.

El Nido doesn’t have banks and credit cards are not widely accepted. This means you have to bring loads of cash at all times. Internet is also intermittent.

Accommodations

Coron doesn’t have too many options for hostels. Price range is usually between P1,200 to P5,000. There are backpacker guesthouses ranging from P400 to P650.

Best Find: Amphibiko Resort. Check out their backpacker room at P500 (good for 2 pax, clean, spacious and close to restaurants).

If you have at least a week, El Nido is a good choice because it requires extra travel time. Since it is within the main island, you’ll have plenty of activities to do and more options for other places to explore like Puerto Princesa City and Port Barton.

Come to Coron if you have limited travel time and if you prefer a more laid back ambience. Coron is also perfect for those who love more relaxed cruises, quiet beaches and excellent dive spots.

-darwinb