More about hotels in Palawan
About Palawan accommodation
Palawan has earned its nickname as the Philippines' "Last Frontier", and once you see it you'll get why. This is a province of over a thousand islands, and the scenery does a lot of the talking: El Nido's limestone karst cliffs rising straight out of turquoise lagoons, hidden coves you can only reach by paddling in, and beaches that still feel properly untouched.
Up in Coron, the drawcard is under the water rather than above it. A cluster of old shipwrecks now sit on the seabed, covered in coral and circled by reef fish, making this one of the best wreck-diving spots on the planet. Pair that with the impossibly clear Kayangan Lake and you've got a diving and freediving destination that punches well above its weight.
Down south, Puerto Princesa is Palawan's main hub, home to the airport most Aussies will fly into and the gateway to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a UNESCO-listed underground river you cruise through by boat past limestone caverns. Wherever you base yourself, Palawan's accommodation ranges from simple backpacker digs to seriously flashy beachfront resorts, so there's something here whatever your budget or travel style.
Where should you stay in Palawan?
- El Nido: the pick for lagoon-hopping, island tours and postcard beaches, with a laid-back town centre right by the water.
- Coron: the base for wreck diving and Kayangan Lake, with a slightly more low-key, dive-focused vibe than El Nido.
- Puerto Princesa: Palawan's main airport and city hub, and your gateway to the Underground River, plus the widest range of accommodation and restaurants.
- Port Barton: a quieter, more chilled-out alternative to El Nido, good if you want island-hopping without the crowds.
How much is Palawan accommodation?
Prices vary a fair bit depending on where in Palawan you stay, but as a rough guide in AU$ per night:
- Backpacker/budget: around AU$15-40 for hostel dorms and basic guesthouse rooms, mostly in Puerto Princesa and El Nido town.
- Mid-range: roughly AU$40-90 for comfortable private rooms with air-con, a pool and breakfast included.
- Beachfront resort: from about AU$90-180 for a proper beachfront stay with resort facilities.
- Luxury: AU$180 and up, with El Nido and Coron's high-season private-island and lagoon-view resorts often sitting well above other Philippines island destinations, especially over peak months.
What is Palawan known for?
- El Nido's Big and Small Lagoon: island-hopping tours through calm, turquoise lagoons ringed by limestone cliffs.
- Coron's Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake: two of the clearest, most photogenic lakes in the Philippines.
- Coron's wreck diving: a handful of sunken ships now thriving as artificial reefs, covered in coral and popular with divers of all levels.
- Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park: a UNESCO World Heritage-listed underground river you explore by boat.
- Tubbataha Reef: a bucket-list dive site for serious divers, with some of the richest marine biodiversity in the world.
- Nacpan Beach: a long, quiet stretch of white sand near El Nido, great for a low-key beach day.
What are the best hotels in Palawan?
- A Place to Remember El Nido Palawan (El Nido): a cosy, budget-friendly pick just steps from El Nido's main beach and the town's boat dock.
- Zuri Resort (Coron): a stylish resort in Coron town with an infinity pool and easy access to island-hopping tours and dive shops.
- Two Seasons Coron Island Resort (Coron): a private-island escape on Bulalacao Island, perfect if you want a proper luxury getaway close to the wreck sites.
- Citystate Asturias Hotel Palawan (Puerto Princesa): a solid mid-range option in the city centre, handy for the airport and the Underground River tours.
- Microtel by Wyndham Puerto Princesa (Puerto Princesa): the city's main beachfront resort, right on Emerald Beach with direct water access.
Tips for booking a stay in Palawan?
- El Nido and Coron aren't directly connected by road, so pick one as your main base or factor in a ferry or flight between them.
- Puerto Princesa's airport is Palawan's main gateway, so it's worth checking flight and ferry connections before you lock in where to stay.
- Book your island-hopping tours ahead of time in high season (November to May), as popular routes in El Nido and Coron can fill up fast.
- If you're keen on diving Coron's wrecks or visiting Tubbataha Reef, book your dive operator early too, since spots are limited.
- Port Barton is a handy option if you want a quieter base without giving up easy access to island-hopping.
