Where to stay in Palawan First Time 2024 - 6 best areas
In this article, we dive deeper into your question about where to stay in Palawan first time.
To make it as simple as possible for you as a reader, we start with an overview of all the recommended areas we cover followed by a short description.
Then, we briefly answer a few commonly asked questions:
Where to stay in Palawan first time?
Where to stay in Palawan for nightlife?
Where to stay in Palawan with family?
Where to stay in Palawan on a budget?
You can always tap on a purple link to go directly to that part of the article.
This will save you a lot of time and only read what you need to read.
Enjoy!
Overview of the best areas to stay in Palawan first time
| Name of the area in Palawan | Description of the recommended area |
|---|---|
.... Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | This is the most famous area in Palawan. The reason why it’s so popular is because it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, with plenty of things to do, such as tour options, diving spots, and nightlife. For the majority of tourists, this is the perfect area as it’s so convenient and beautiful. *You can click on the purple link to directly navigate to that part of the article to read in-depth information about that specific area. |
.. Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | Coron is renowned for its stunning wreck diving sites, clear lakes, and impressive limestone landscapes. It’s particularly popular among those who plan to dive and snorkel in Palawan. Similar to El Nido, it’s an incredibly beautiful area and you can easily explore the other parts of this region. |
. Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. | Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan and serves as the gateway to the island. Tourists tend to stay here because it’s a great base to explore the other islands while having access to many modern amenities. You can also find many accommodation options here as well as restaurants. |
... Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | Those looking for a more local experience should consider staying at Port Barton. This is a much smaller and quieter town compared to El Nido and Coron. It’s ideal for those looking for a more laid-back, off-the-beaten-path experience. From here, you can easily arrange tours for island hopping, snorkeling, jungle trekking, and visiting waterfalls. |
Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | Sabang is primarily known for being the starting point for tours to the Puerto Princesa Underground River. It’s a peaceful area with lovely beachfront resorts. If you’re looking for relatively quiet beaches and nature-oriented activities, then consider staying here. Keep in mind that this area comes with fewer modern amenities compared to the more popular and common areas. |
.. Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | San Vicente is home to Long Beach, the longest white sand beach in the Philippines. It’s a developing area that’s gaining popularity for its beautiful beaches and untouched landscapes. As it’s still a developing area, it’s not as convenient as other areas, but it’s definitely a great option for those seeking a unique area. |
Where to stay in Palawan first time
The best areas to stay in Palawan first time are El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princesa.
These three areas are fully developed, are considered the most convenient areas, and offer great access to the beautiful parts of Palawan.
El Nido is the most famous area in Palawan and aside from its beauty, it’s also a convenient and bustling area with a great nightlife scene.
Many younger travelers choose to stay in this area.
Coron is particularly known for its stunning wreck diving sites, and those who love to dive and snorkel and prioritize natural beauty should stay in this area.
Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan and serves as a gateway to the island. It’s the most convenient area of all of Palawan. There is an abundance of restaurants, shops, and accommodation options.
There are some alternative options that are definitely worth considering.
Port Barton is a great option for those seeking a more local experience.
Sabang is a peaceful area with nice beachfront resorts and a great spot for nature-oriented activities.
San Vicente is a developing area that’s gaining popularity for its stunning beaches and untouched landscapes, although it’s not as convenient as the more common areas.
Where to stay in Palawan for nightlife
The best areas to stay in Palawan for nightlife are El Nido and Puerto Princesa.
While El Nido and Puerto Princesa are the best areas for nightlife in Palawan, El Nido is particularly famous for its beach parties and vibrant scenes.
Puerto Princesa offers a more diverse range of urban nightlife activities.
Most younger travelers choose to stay in El Nido, while Puerto Princesa is a great spot for couples and even families (restaurants are open until late, and there are night markets to explore).
Where to stay in Palawan with family
The best areas to stay in Palawan with family are Puerto Princesa, Sabang, and Coron.
Arguably the best option is Puerto Princesa, simply because it’s such a convenient area.
Here, you can find plenty of restaurants that serve international food, but there are also many things to do for the whole family during the day and during the evening.
Sabang is a great option too as it’s a peaceful area with family-friendly beach resorts. The big difference is that Puerto Princesa is simply more developed and thus more convenient as it comes with many modern amenities.
Coron is a viable option too, especially if your kids are into snorkeling and other water activities. But most families choose to stay in Puerto Princesa for its convenience and take tours to places like Coron during the day.
Where to stay in Palawan on a budget
The best areas to stay in Palawan on a budget are Port Barton, Puerto Princesa, and San Vicente.
Port Barton is known for its laid-back vibe and budget-friendly options. It’s a smaller, quieter destination compared to El Nido and Coron, and it mainly attracts budget-conscious tourists.
Not only the accommodation options here are budget-friendly, but local eateries and beachside bars also offer affordable meals and drinks.
Puerto Princesa is also a great option.
As the capital of Palawan, it offers a huge variety of accommodation options in all budget classes, including the most affordable ones.
The (night) markets are great spots to enjoy food and drinks for a bargain.
San Vicente, especially the Long Beach area, is also a great budget destination as it’s still relatively undiscovered compared to El Nido and Coron.
The downside of San Vicente is that it’s less developed, but that does add extra authenticity to the whole travel experience.
1. El Nido
For the majority of tourists, El Nido is the perfect area to stay in Palawan.
The famous El Nido is particularly known for its incredibly beautiful scenery.
From here, you go on island hopping tours and every island is spectacularly beautiful and among the most beautiful islands in the world.
The waters around El Nido are teeming with marine life, making it a haven for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.
In the evening, you can enjoy a proper nightlife scene with beachfront bars and international restaurants, and especially at the beach, parties are legendary.
As this is such a popular area, you can find accommodation options in all budget classes, which makes it accessible to all types of travelers.
But there are some things that you need to know before booking.
First of all, El Nido is crowded.
Secondly, despite the availability of budget accommodations, certain aspects of El Nido can be expensive as it’s not per se a budget-friendly area in general.
Lastly, El Nido is commercialized and touristy, and for many tourists, this doesn’t matter and it’s only convenient that the area caters to tourists.
But if you seek a quieter, more authentic area in Palawan, do know that you have several alternatives.
With that being said, for the majority of the tourists, El Nido is simply incredible.
And especially when you’re a younger traveler who likes to grab a beer with like-minded adventurists, this is the place to be!
Some of the best hotels to stay in Palawan first time in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
2. Coron
Coron is another top destination in Palawan that is known for its natural beauty.
What sets Coron apart from El Nido is that it’s particularly famous for its exceptional diving and snorkeling sites.
Here, you can find World War II shipwrecks and these sites attract divers from around the globe.
There are also hot springs and natural pools that you can visit and with the island-hopping tours, you see some of the most beautiful parts of the Philippines without much hassle.
Coron offers the perfect balance between activities and relaxation.
The nightlife scene is much calmer compared to El Nido, making it also a great area for couples and families who want to have accommodation surrounded by spectacular views.
Without a doubt, Coron is an incredibly popular area to stay in Palawan.
But there is one drawback.
Getting to Coron is a bit of a hassle and it requires multiple flights and transfers to get here.
It’s definitely worth it, but you have to be a bit patient.
Also, there aren’t that many restaurants available, meaning that if you’re a picky eater, you might want to bring in some extra snacks.
If you’re into snorkeling and diving, it’s a no-brainer to book a hotel in Coron, but it’s also a great option if you’re looking for a calmer version of El Nido.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Palawan first time in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
3. Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan and comes with quite a few advantages.
Its central location makes it an excellent base for exploring Palawan with great connections by air and sea.
One of the main attractions is the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
This impressive natural wonder is a must-see for any visitor to Palawan.
But there are several other impressive attractions that are worth visiting, including Honda Bay and the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center.
Being the capital of Palawan, you can assume that there are plenty of accommodation and dining options available.
When you’re traveling on a budget, Puerto Princesa is an excellent option, but you can also find upscale hotels too.
There is also a great nightlife scene that you can explore, although it’s not a tropical nightlife scene like El Nido, but more an urban nightlife scene with plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants.
Most importantly, Puerto Princesa is a convenient area, with modern amenities and great access to boat tours and connections to the other parts.
What’s not to like about this area?
The biggest disadvantage is that, unlike the more remote and pristine areas of Palawan, Puerto Princesa is an urban environment.
It lacks natural, untouched beauty and it feels more like a city than a tropical paradise.
That’s the compromise you have to make.
Other than that, it’s a fantastic base to explore Palawan, it’s budget-friendly and family-friendly and is simply incredibly convenient.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Palawan first time in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
4. Port Barton
This part will be updated very soon.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Palawan first time in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
5. Sabang
This part will be updated very soon.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Palawan first time in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
6. San Vicente
This part will be updated very soon.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Palawan first time in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.