# What is the best 2-week Philippines itinerary for Palawan, El Nido and Coron? > A 14-day Philippines itinerary on Palawan: Sabang 2 days, Port Barton 2, El Nido 5, Coron 4, out via Manila. Our cut of a 29-day route, with ferries and fees. - Source: https://clevertourists.com/resources/philippines-itinerary-2-weeks-palawan - Authors: Evan & Clara, Clever Tourists (first-hand, from a 526-day trip across 20 countries) - Published: 2026-05-31 For 2 weeks in the Philippines, stay on **Palawan**: fly into **Puerto Princesa**, then **Sabang (2 days) for the Underground River, Port Barton (2), El Nido (5) and Coron (4)**, and fly out of Busuanga to Manila for your connection home. This is our suggested cut of the **29-day route we actually took** in November and December 2022, which added Cebu's Oslob and Moalboal. Two weeks is not enough to do both island groups well, so this plan keeps the Palawan half, travels south to north without backtracking, and leaves room for a weather day before the one sea crossing. ## The 14-day plan at a glance • **Day 1, Manila to Sabang:** fly to Puerto Princesa (about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes), then about 2 hours by van or private transfer to Sabang. • **Days 2–3, Sabang:** the Underground River on day 2 with a pre-booked permit, then the mangrove paddle tour and the beach. Our [Sabang guide](https://clevertourists.com/guides/sabang) has the rest. • **Days 4–5, Port Barton:** a slower beach village with island-hopping boats in its bay. • **Days 6–10, El Nido:** two island-hopping tours (A first, then C or D), a spare day for weather, and the town beach at low tide for the view of Cadlao Island. • **Day 11, El Nido to Coron:** fast ferry (about 3.5 to 5 hours) or a 40-minute flight to Busuanga. • **Days 12–13, Coron:** an island tour to Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon, and the WWII wrecks by snorkel or dive. • **Day 14, fly out:** Busuanga airport is 30 to 40 minutes from Coron town, with flights to Manila for your onward connection. ## Sabang and Port Barton: the quiet half The **Puerto Princesa Subterranean River** is why Sabang exists: an 8.2 km underground river, UNESCO-listed since 1999, with a paddle-boat tour of about 45 minutes inside the cave. Visits are capped at about 900 a day and need a dated permit, so book it in Puerto Princesa or through an agency before you go. Staying the night in Sabang lets you take an early slot before the day-tour vans arrive. Our [Underground River guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/puerto-princesa-underground-river-permit-sabang-guide) has the fees. **Port Barton** is the pause between the cave and El Nido's crowds. We spent 3 days there; here it gets 2. Booking sites put Sabang to Port Barton at around 4 to 5 hours by road with a change, and Port Barton to El Nido at about 4 hours by shared van. If you are short of time, drop Port Barton and give El Nido or Coron the extra day. ## El Nido: which tours, and the fees Five days in El Nido is enough for **Tour A** (Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach) and one more of the lettered tours, plus a day kept free in case a tour is cancelled. Book a day ahead, since the lagoons have daily caps. Our [El Nido Tour A, B, C or D guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/el-nido-tour-a-b-c-d-which-island-hopping-tour-best) compares them. Budget cash for the **₱400 Eco-Tourism Development Fee** (paid once, keep the receipt), the **₱200 lagoon fee** for Big or Small Lagoon, and joiner tours of roughly ₱1,200 to ₱1,800 per person in 2026. Stay in town near the pier where the boats leave; our [El Nido guide](https://clevertourists.com/guides/el-nido) covers the town. ## El Nido to Coron, and Coron itself The **fast ferry** crosses the open Linapacan Strait in roughly 3.5 to 5 hours and can be rough in either monsoon; take seasickness tablets if you need them. The **flight** from El Nido's Lio airport to Busuanga takes about 40 minutes; its operator changed when Cebgo took over AirSWIFT's routes on 1 July 2026, so check the current schedule. Our [ferry vs flight guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/el-nido-to-coron-ferry-vs-flight-palawan-island-guide) compares fares and baggage. In **Coron**, nearly everything is reached by boat from the town pier: **Kayangan Lake**, a short steep climb over a limestone ridge, **Twin Lagoon**, and the Japanese wrecks sunk in a single air raid on 24 September 1944, some shallow enough to snorkel. Our [Coron guide](https://clevertourists.com/guides/coron) covers them. ## When to go, entry rules, and adding Cebu **When to go:** our Palawan guides put the boat season at roughly November or December to May, driest from February to April. From about June to October the southwest monsoon brings rough seas, and the Coast Guard suspends tours and ferries whenever a storm signal is up, so keep a spare day in El Nido whatever the month. We went in November, the shoulder month at the start of the northeast monsoon, when late typhoons are still possible. **Entry:** US citizens get 30 days visa-free with a return or onward ticket, and every arrival registers on the free **eTravel** system within 72 hours before landing. See our [eTravel guide](https://clevertourists.com/resources/philippines-etravel-registration-how-to-fill-out-guide). **With 3 weeks or more:** fly from Busuanga to Cebu (directly if a flight runs on your dates, otherwise via Manila) and add Moalboal and Oslob on Cebu's south coast. Our [4-week Philippines itinerary](https://clevertourists.com/resources/philippines-itinerary-our-4-week-route-palawan-to-cebu) has the full route and the legs between. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is 2 weeks enough for the Philippines? It is enough for Palawan: Sabang, Port Barton, El Nido and Coron. Adding Cebu as well in two weeks means a lot of flying, so we would save it for a 3- or 4-week trip. ### How many days do you need in El Nido and Coron? About 5 days in El Nido for two island tours and a weather day, and 3 to 4 in Coron for Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon and the wrecks. We spent 6 and 4. ### Should I start a Palawan itinerary in Puerto Princesa or El Nido? Fly into Puerto Princesa and travel north to Sabang, Port Barton, El Nido and Coron, then fly out of Busuanga. That way you never backtrack the length of the island. ### How long is the ferry from El Nido to Coron? Roughly 3.5 to 5 hours on the fast ferry across the Linapacan Strait. A flight from El Nido's Lio airport to Busuanga takes about 40 minutes. ### What is the best month to visit Palawan? February to April is the driest and calmest. The wider season runs from about November or December to May; from June to October rough seas can cancel boats. ### Do you need to book the Underground River in advance? Yes. Visits are capped at about 900 a day and need a dated permit, booked in Puerto Princesa a day or two ahead or through a licensed agency. ## Official sources - [eTravel: official Philippine arrival registration (free)](https://etravel.gov.ph/) - [Puerto Princesa City Tourism: Underground River](https://citytourism.puertoprincesa.ph/ppur/) - [Visa waiver and extensions: Philippine Bureau of Immigration](https://immigration.gov.ph/visas/visa-waiver/) - [PAGASA: Philippine weather bureau](https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/)