Which is a better destination, Coron or El Nido? First-time Palawan travellers might fall into the trap of confusion since Palawan has several places to visit. You might wonder which is the nearest place or the most convenient spot to go. Each island has its advantages and disadvantages depending on your preferred activities or purpose.

Come with us and let us explore the two most-visited places of Palawan.

El Nido

Enjoy island-hopping with your friends and family. El Nido offers a beautiful place to visit. It is the leading lights of Palawan Island with the most islet around the area. Its limestone cliff is the perfect getaway for risk-takers who wants to experience new bucket lists in their lives.

The breath-taking sceneries will make your anxieties disappear like a snap of a finger. Take your partner at the most alluring place in the world. If you are planning on taking pictorial together, it would be the ideal location for both of you. You will indeed find no dull moments on this island!

Coron

See the glimpse of the paradise through Coron travel. The available itineraries will make your life turn around for the best. You can trek, dive, swim, or simply watch the beautiful sceneries of the island. It has the most refined white-sand beaches that move you inspired all around. The sea’s turquoise clear water makes everything engaging and exciting. The Coron beaches’ white sand lets you enjoy and appreciate its entire beauty. It will make you feel renewed and find the purpose of life. If you want to get sight of the full wonders of Coron, take the Mount Tapyas trekking adventure to the highest peak

Getting There

El Nido

By Plane (El Nido Airport):

Airswift

    • from Manila (Daily)
    • from Clark (2-3 flights per Week)
    • from Cebu (4 flights per week)
    • from Caticlan(1 -2 flights per Week)

By Van from Puerto Princesa:

(Schedule : First trip

By Bus from Puerto Princesa:

Cherry Bus– Schedule here

Roro Bus– Schedule here

By Sea from Coron:

Montenegro Ferry (Fastcraft / 4 hours / Daily Trip) – Php 1,76o

Big Outrigger Boat (daily)

Coron

By Plane (Francisco B. Reyes Airport):

Skyjet

    • from Manila (daily)

Cebu Pacific

    • from Manila (daily)
    • from Cebu (daily) NEW!

Philippine Airlines:

    • from Clark (daily)
    • from Cebu (daily)

By Ferry:

2GO Ferry

from Manila (twice a week) / from Puerto Princesa (once a week)

By Sea from El Nido:

Big Outrigger Boat (daily)

Fastcraft (Daily)

The fastest way to get to El Nido from Manila is via Air Swift which offer flights daily but it’s quite expensive and has limited seats. From Puerto Princesa airport, you can ride an air-conditioned van going to El Nido. Van transfers usually take four hours. If you want comfortable travel from the City you can take a bus that would take around 6 hours travel.

All major airlines fly to Busuanga daily, including Skyjet, Cebu Pacific, and PAL Express. There are vans available from the airport going to Coron Proper . Coming from El Nido, you can take the Fastcraft or Big Outrigger Boat. The only thing you need to consider when going to Coron is that, the planes are quite smaller. The perfect time to experience Coron is during the dry season which is between October to June.

Tours

It is easy to get lost with the varieties of itineraries and tours available in Palawan. Enjoy the perfect travel based on your preferred visits suited for your needs. Whether you enjoy diving, trekking, or snorkelling, you will find your favorite through the Palawan day tours. Enjoy and get the most of it!

El Nido

El Nido Tour A (Php 1,200/pax)

El Nido Tour B (Php 1,300/pax)

El Nido Tour C (Php 1,400/pax)

El Nido Tour D (Php 1,000/pax)

Other Tours:

  • Tour E: Twin Beach (Nacpan – Calitang) and Nagkalit-kalit Falls

Coron

Island Escapade (Php 1,950/pax)

Island Tour (Php 1,700/pax)

Coron Town Tour (Php 700/pax)

Calauit Safari Tour (Php 2,500/pax)

Other Tours:

  • Coron Reef and Wrecks
  • Busuanga Island Hopping Tour

For adventurous travelers, the El Nido Day Tours can provide great experiences such as spelunking, island hopping, and snorkeling. Some of the highlights of these tours are the Nacpan-Calitang Beach, Small and Big Lagoon, Snake Island and more.

Coron offers exciting island tours including the Coron Island Escapade, Island Tour, Town Tour , and Calauit Safari Tour. If you want to explore the city, you can book a Coron Town Tour. This will bring you to the top tourist spots in the city, such as the Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon.

Other Activities

For adventurous travelers, the El Nido Day Tours can provide great experiences such as spelunking, island hopping, and snorkeling. Some of the highlights of these tours are the Nacpan-Calitang Beach, Small and Big Lagoon, Snake Island and more.

El Nido

Climb Taraw Cliff

  • Climb the Taraw Cliff
  • Zipline at Las Cabanas
  • Chase Sunset at Corong-Corong Beach
  • Visit Nagkalit-Kalit Falls
  • Motorcycle Tour
  • Kayaking to Cadlao Island
  • Scuba Diving
  • Explore Ille Cave
  • Dip at Bulalacao Falls
  • Reggae by the Beach

Coron

Freediving at Barracuda Lake / Photo by freediving-coron.com

  • Free Diving at Barracuda Lake
  • Wreck Dive in Busuanga Island
  • Visit Culion Island
  • Explore Conception Falls in Busuanga
  • Hike Mount Darala, Busuanga
  • Coron Firefly Watching Tour
  • Swimming at Black Island
  • Pass Island, Busuanga
  • Try Cashew Nuts in different flavors
  • Rent Mountain Bike

Accommodations

Of course, a tour would not be fun if you do not accommodation to rest in at night. You don’t have to worry over your stay. El Nido and Coron have various types of accommodations which are perfect for solo travellers, backpackers, or luxury travellers.

You have to consider certain things before choosing your place. It depends on your budget or the services you are willing to pay. If you are a thrifty traveller, you can still find affordable hotels where you can receive great amenities. The location is also one of the essential things you need to consider. Look for hotel near or next to your destination.

El Nido

(Photos from Agoda)

Cauayan Island Resort (Rates Here)

El Nido Resorts – Matinloc (Rates Here)

El Nido Resorts – Lagen (Rates Here)

El Nido Resort – Pangulasian (Rates Here)

Vellago Resort (Rates Here)

More Accommodations:

Coron

(Photos from Agoda)

Huma Island Resort (RATES HERE)

Two Seasons Island Resort (Rates Here)

Sunlight Eco Tourism Island Resort (Rates Here)

Busuanga Bay Lodge(Rates Here)

Club Paradise Resort(Rates Here)

More Accommodations:

Night Life

Make your tour exciting by trying the incredible nightlife in Palawan. You can sing along with the local live bands. It is best to bring your friends with you to seize the moment together. It can be one of your tour highlights.

Who knows, you might even find your ‘the one’ at these exciting places.

El Nido

Reggae Night at Puka Bar

  • Puka Bar
  • Sava
  • Habibi Shisha
  • Art Cafe
  • Subasko MUSIC BAR

Coron

Chilling at No Name Bar

  • No Name Bar
  • Hangover Bar
  • Helldivers
  • Hardrock Disco Bar
  • Tribu Kuridas Bar and Tattoo

DINING

Traveling would not be memorable as it should be without trying the Palawan’s signature dishes, including exotic and local foods. While you are in this place, make sure to try authentic foods with the real taste of their delicacies.

El Nido

Cadlao Resto best-seller

  • Bella Vita El Nido
  • Happiness Beach Bar
  • Big Bad Thai
  • Osaka Castle El Nido Sushi & Ramen
  • Ashoka – Authentic Indian Cuisine
  • Artcafe
  • Cadlao Resort & Restaurant
  • SAVA Beach Bar
  • Habibi Restaurant & Shisha Cafe

Coron

  • Pacifico Coron
  • Kawayanan Grill
  • Trattoria Altrove Coron
  • Island Boy Grill
  • Sharky’s
  • The Old House Restaurant Coron
  • LobsterKing Seafoods and RestoBar
  • Santino’s Grill
  • Two Season’s Baya
  • Coron Westown Resto

BEACHES WARS

When you find yourself wandering around El Nido Island, you will see the magnificent islands and islets everywhere. It is popular with white beaches where you can swim and take a picture all day. On the other hand, Coron gives the serenity relaxation by showing you the stunning islands available at that place.

El Nido

Coron Town Beach

Talisay Beach

Secret Beach

Papaya Beach

Nacpan – Calitang Beach

MORE BEACHES HERE: 18 Must-See Beaches In El Nido, Palawan

Coron

Banana Island

Malcapuya Island

Cyc Beach

Pass Island

Bul-og Dos Island

If you want to enjoy the white sand beaches, El Nido can give the pleasures you want to experience. It has the most beautiful beaches to visit. These are Coron Town Beach, Talisay Beach, Secret Beach, Papaya Beach, and Nacpan-Calitang Beach.

You’ll see the enticing turquoise sea water driving you to dip in the water immediately. The beaches you will find at El Nido Island are rare wonders to behold. The limestone cliffs which serve as the backdrop of these beaches making it more engaging and awe-inspiring.

Coron gives the vibe of island hopping. The beaches are also great to visit. You can hop to an island to another riding a motorized outrigger boat. It will bring you to your destination in no time. If you are looking for the most fascinating beach in Coron, take a tour at Malacapuya Island. Swim and wander around these islands to get the most out of your travel.

TOWN VIBE

El Nido

Wandering around at El Nido leaves you refreshed and renewed. The Palawan locals are friendly and make you feel safe throughout your tour. You will see how it feels to live near the beautiful beaches in the world.You can take long beach walks in the morning and watch the beautiful sunsets in Corong-Corong in the afternoon. El Nido’s town vibe is totally different from the rural city places. Seize the moment and enjoy every glance at these fantastic beaches.

Coron

Coron town gives you a peaceful vibe while walking at the bay walk. The souvenir shops are located on the sidewalks in case you decided to buy pasalubong for your family or friends. Coron town is peaceful and refreshing. It has a lesser crowd compared to other islands in Palawan. However, during summer and peak season, the crowd is getting bigger.Nevertheless, it is the best place to walk around with your loved ones. If you get hungry along the way, you can always find delicious snacks at the street.

Each island has its own uniqueness. Local and foreign tourist have their preferences and activities they love. It is hard to generalize or decide which of El Nido or Coron provide the best amenities. The comparison between the two can give you a great idea on which to choose.

If you are a person who wants to relax and find a peaceful place, Coron might be the best place for you. It has lesser crowds enabling you to contemplate on things and throw away your anxieties in life. It provides not only a relaxing spot but gives the most exciting underwater experience for you.

On the other side, if you want to have more beach experience or wander around the shore, choose El Nido. It serves as a great pictorial location for your instragrammable posts. Its town vibe creates a more significant impact on your traveling experience. El Nido beaches have the most 5-star reviews in terms of beaches.

Whatever you choose between the two, rest assured you will enjoy every location you are going to visit. If you are planning to visit Palawan for the first time, this is the best guide for you. The suggestion given above is based on personal experience and traveler’s majority opinion.

About the Author: WayPH

Our mission is to bring each of the 7,107 Philippine islands to you. We constantly make sure that our tour packages are high-quality and with reasonable rates. We do not just want to satisfy your travel needs, we make sure that we go beyond your expectations by taking you to the most memorable trip of your life, each and every time.

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