Best Palawan Hotels 2026: El Nido, Coron & Puerto Princesa
Key Takeaways: Palawan hotels range from PHP 700 fan-room guesthouses in El Nido town to PHP 40,000+/night all-inclusive island resorts. The decision splits by area first — El Nido for island hopping, Coron for wreck diving, Puerto Princesa as a transit hub. Book El Nido accommodation 2–3 months ahead for December to February; same-week bookings are difficult when the 500–800 available rooms fill. Budget traveler sweet spot: guesthouses in El Nido town or Coron town at PHP 800–1,800 private room.
El Nido has approximately 500–800 registered accommodation rooms across the town and nearby beaches — a small supply relative to peak season demand. The Philippine Department of Tourism accredits hotels in Palawan; accreditation records show the province has seen 30%+ accommodation growth between 2019 and 2024, largely in El Nido. El Nido Resorts (four island properties) operates as an eco-resort with maximum guest capacity enforced — their Miniloc and Lagen island properties charge PHP 25,000–45,000/night all-inclusive and maintain strict island-carry limits.
For area comparisons and what each zone offers, see Palawan Travel Guide. For activities near each hotel area, see Best Things to Do in Palawan. To plan your schedule around hotel locations, see Palawan Itinerary.
El Nido’s accommodation scarcity during peak season (December–February) is structural, not seasonal — the town’s geography, sitting between the water and the barangay road, physically limits expansion. Building permits in the Bacuit Bay protected zone are tightly restricted. This is why prices spike sharply in peak season while other Philippine destinations have more elastic supply.
El Nido Hotels
Best Luxury: El Nido Resorts — Miniloc Island
The benchmark property in the Bacuit Archipelago — a private island 20 minutes by boat from El Nido town. All-inclusive (meals, island hopping tours, kayaks, snorkeling). The island has no roads, no tricycles, and no other guests from other properties — total isolation with full resort facilities.
Why it’s special: Private access to Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon before public tour boats arrive. The resort’s Small Lagoon access in early morning (6:30–8am) is one of Palawan’s most exclusive experiences.
Room types: Water cottages over the lagoon (most sought after), beach cottages, garden cottages.
Price: PHP 25,000–45,000/night all-inclusive (2 guests, based on cottage type and season).
Booking: Direct via El Nido Resorts website — packages include transfers from El Nido town.
Best Boutique: Matinloc Resort
Set on a private cove of Matinloc Island (part of the Tour B/C route), Matinloc Resort offers a more intimate version of island resort living. Smaller than El Nido Resorts — 30 rooms versus 100+ — with a similar premium experience at a lower price point.
Room types: Beachfront villas, hillside rooms. Private terrace with sea view on most rooms.
Price: PHP 8,000–18,000/night. Breakfast included on most room types.
Downside: Access is by private boat from El Nido town — transfers arranged by resort. If weather cancels boats, you’re stranded (rare but possible).
Best Mid-Range: Sava Beach Villas (El Nido town)
One of El Nido town’s most-reviewed mid-range properties. Clean, well-maintained rooms with air conditioning, consistent hot water, and a courtyard area. Walking distance to the main pier and tour booking offices.
Price: PHP 3,500–6,500/night (private room with A/C and breakfast).
Advantage: In El Nido town — easy to walk to pier for 7:30am tour departures without needing early tricycle.
Best Budget: Spin Designer Hostel (El Nido)
El Nido’s best-maintained hostel — bunks in air-conditioned dorms from PHP 700, private rooms from PHP 2,000. The design aesthetic punches above the price point: proper lockers, ensuite bathrooms on private rooms, rooftop social area. Booked months ahead in peak season.
Price: Dorm PHP 700–1,200, private PHP 2,000–3,500.
Note: Cash-only check-in; card for booking deposit.
Best Value: Entalula Beach Resort
A quiet beachfront property 15 minutes by tricycle from El Nido town center. Fewer tourists than the town-adjacent properties, direct beach access (small cove with calm water), and good value for families wanting beach time without tour structure.
Price: PHP 3,000–5,500/night. Family rooms available.
Coron Hotels
Best Luxury: Busuanga Bay Lodge
A boutique waterfront property on Busuanga Island — private pier, infinity pool, sunset views over Coron Bay. 18 rooms with sea view. Superior service compared to Coron town’s larger hotels.
Price: PHP 8,000–16,000/night. Transfers from Coron Town included.
Note: Primarily suited for non-divers or those prioritizing comfort over proximity to dive operators.
Best for Divers: Sangat Island Dive Resort
Located on Sangat Island, a 20-minute boat ride from Coron town — the dive center is on-site, and the resort sits directly above several dive sites. Divers can roll off the dock into the water without a boat journey.
Why divers choose it: On-site PADI center, dive packages (PHP 12,000–20,000 for 5 dives + 3 nights), no morning boat logistics.
Price: PHP 4,500–9,000/night with breakfast.
Best Mid-Range: Coron Westown Resort
The most reliable mid-range hotel in Coron town — consistent quality, good restaurant, swimming pool, and easy access to the town pier where dive and island hopping boats depart. Filipino-international style, not boutique character, but dependable.
Price: PHP 3,500–6,000/night.
Budget in Coron Town
Corto Del Mar Hotel (PHP 2,500–4,000 private), Hotel Coron (PHP 1,500–2,500), multiple guesthouses along the main town road from PHP 800–1,500. Coron town is small enough that all budget options are within 10–15 minutes’ walk of the pier.
Puerto Princesa Hotels
Best Mid-Range: Palawan Uno Hotel
The most consistently reviewed hotel in Puerto Princesa — modern A/C rooms, reliable hot water, good in-house restaurant, walking distance to the main commercial strip (Rizal Avenue). Airport transfers: PHP 300 official tricycle from airport.
Price: PHP 2,500–4,500/night with breakfast.
Best Budget: Go Hotels Puerto Princesa
A reliable budget chain option (Robinsons Hotel group) — clean rooms, A/C, consistent standards. Near SM City Puerto Princesa mall. Not walking distance to city center attractions.
Price: PHP 1,200–2,200/night.
Transit Tip: Puerto Princesa Is Often Just One Night
Most travelers spend 1 night in PP before the shuttle to El Nido — choose based on departure time. Early-morning shuttles (6–7am) to El Nido: stay near the departure point (Mabini St area). Afternoon arrivals from El Nido before a flight: any central PP hotel.
Booking Timeline
| Period | Book this far ahead |
|---|---|
| December to February (peak) | 2–3 months |
| March to May (shoulder) | 3–4 weeks |
| November (early dry season) | 2–4 weeks |
| June to October (low) | Same week fine, but fewer options open |
Where to Stay: Area Comparison
| Area | Best for | Average mid-range cost |
|---|---|---|
| El Nido town | Island hopping, convenience | PHP 3,000–6,000/night |
| El Nido island resorts | Luxury isolation, seclusion | PHP 15,000–45,000/night |
| Coron town | Wreck diving, lake tours | PHP 2,500–5,000/night |
| Coron dive resorts | Serious divers | PHP 5,000–10,000/night |
| Puerto Princesa | Underground River, transit | PHP 1,500–4,500/night |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there all-inclusive resorts in Palawan?
Yes — El Nido Resorts (Miniloc, Lagen, Pangulasian, Apulit islands) are all-inclusive, covering meals and most activities. Price: PHP 25,000–55,000/night. These are the most remote and exclusive options. Matinloc Resort offers semi-inclusive packages. Most other Palawan hotels are room-only or bed-and-breakfast.
Should I stay in El Nido town or an island resort?
El Nido town for flexibility — you can book tours daily, change plans, and access a range of restaurants. Island resorts for a fully managed, private experience — less flexibility but much less logistics. Budget: stay in town. Honeymoon or special trip: island resort.
Is Airbnb available in Palawan?
Some Airbnb listings exist in El Nido town, but the selection is much thinner than Bali or Bangkok. For El Nido specifically, guesthouses and small hotels through Booking.com have more reliable quality controls and cancellation policies than private Airbnb rentals, which can be inconsistently managed.
What’s included in El Nido island hopping tours — do hotels offer these?
Tour operators in El Nido town sell tours independently; most hotels will assist with booking but don’t run their own boats. Tours include a shared outrigger boat, BYOB lunch (or packed lunch), snorkel gear, and a guide. Island resorts like El Nido Resorts include tours in the all-inclusive rate.
Is accommodation cheaper in Coron or El Nido?
Coron is generally 20–30% cheaper than El Nido for equivalent quality. El Nido’s limited supply drives premium pricing in peak season. Budget travelers get better value in Coron town.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Klook and Booking.com. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you book through these links.
Sources:
1. Philippine Department of Tourism — accommodation accreditation database, 2025
2. Booking.com — Palawan hotel listings and reviews, 2026
3. El Nido Resorts — official property information, 2025
