5-Days in Palawan Philippines: Puerto Princesa & El Nido Package

Palawan packs a lot into five days. This $755 package links Puerto Princesa and El Nido with flights, hotels, breakfasts, transfers, and two major tours, giving you a tidy route through some of the Philippines’ best-known sights. I especially like the included 20-kilogram baggage allowance and the small group limit of five people. I also like that the plan removes the usual guesswork around changing towns and arranging island trips.

The main catch is pace. You get only two nights in each destination, and the price excludes two entrance fees plus several meals. The trip also requires at least 14 days of advance booking, and the strict no-refund policy makes travel insurance and careful planning sensible.

Key details at a glance

• Two Palawan bases: Spend two nights in Puerto Princesa City and two nights in El Nido town.
• Major natural sights included: Visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River and join an El Nido island-hopping day.
• Flights and baggage covered: Domestic flights between Manila and Palawan are included, with a 20-kilogram baggage allowance.
• Small group size: The activity has a maximum of five travelers, which should make transfers and guided outings easier to manage.
• Two fees require extra cash: The Underground River environmental fee is PHP 150 per person, and the Big Lagoon entrance fee is PHP 200 per person.
• Helpful solo-trip support: The planning team, including Ash, Divine, and Bernard, is praised for steady communication and careful coordination.

What the $755 price really covers

At first glance, $755 per person may seem high for five days in the Philippines. The value becomes clearer when you count what is bundled: round-trip domestic flights from Manila, 20 kilograms of checked baggage, four hotel nights, airport and hotel transfers, four breakfasts, two lunches, the Underground River visit, and the El Nido island tour.

That is a useful amount of coordination. You are not left arranging separate airport rides, intercity transport, hotels, or boat excursions. For a first visit to Palawan, that convenience has real value, especially because Puerto Princesa and El Nido are not next-door stops.

Still, the package is not all-inclusive. You must pay for other meals, personal activities, and two stated entrance charges. The Underground River environmental fee costs PHP 150 per person. The Big Lagoon entrance fee costs PHP 200 per person. Those are modest amounts, but you should add them to your budget before booking.

The package is strongest for someone who values time and organization over finding the lowest possible price. If you enjoy comparing hotels, booking flights, negotiating transfers, and arranging boat trips yourself, you might assemble a cheaper trip. If you would rather land in Palawan and have the main pieces waiting, this price is easier to justify.

Day 1: A soft landing in Puerto Princesa

Your Palawan trip begins with a flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa Airport. The flight itself is part of the package, and the included baggage allowance is practical if you are carrying beach gear, several changes of clothes, or a larger suitcase.

A car meets you on arrival and takes you to your Puerto Princesa hotel. The first day is intentionally light, with no major sightseeing scheduled. That is a good choice after a flight. You can check in, settle down, and get your bearings before the early road trip and boat outing on the following day.

The hotel is described as one of the carefully selected properties in Puerto Princesa City, with a location that keeps the city’s natural and cultural sights within reach. The exact hotel name is not provided, so I would confirm the property and its location before paying. That detail matters because a central hotel and a more outlying hotel offer different evening options.

You are free to spend the rest of the day at your own pace. The package does not include additional activities on this day, so meals and any optional sightseeing are your responsibility. Treat this as a useful recovery period rather than a wasted day.

Day 2: The Puerto Princesa Underground River

Day two is the first major highlight. A car takes you to the starting point for the Puerto Princesa Underground River tour, then you board a boat into the cave system with a guide.

The Underground River is one of Palawan’s signature sights. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also named among the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Inside, the guide explains the cave’s geology and its unusual ecosystem, giving the boat ride more meaning than a simple photo stop.

The setting does much of the work. You move through a natural cave system by boat, with limestone formations around you and the river below. The guided format is useful here because the details of the cave and its environment can be easy to miss when you are focused on taking pictures.

A buffet lunch featuring Filipino dishes follows the Underground River visit. Two lunches are included in the package, and this is one of them. Since other meals are not covered, lunch inclusion helps keep the day’s costs under control.

The full outing takes about eight hours. That includes transport, the boat portion, the guided cave visit, and lunch. It is a full day, so you should not plan a demanding evening afterward.

One important cost is separate: the Underground River environmental fee of PHP 150 per person. It is clearly identified as an extra charge, so keep a little local currency available. Admission to the tour itself is listed as not included, but the package description does include the Underground River tour, so I would ask the operator exactly which admission elements are covered and which must be paid locally.

Day 3: The road from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Day three shifts the trip north. A private car carries you from Puerto Princesa through Palawan to El Nido. This transfer is one of the practical reasons to consider the package. Moving between the two destinations can be tiring to arrange independently, especially when you are also managing hotels and an island tour.

The drive takes much of the day, according to the schedule. The route gives you views of Palawan’s forests, coast, and rural scenery, though the exact travel time is not stated. Ask for the expected pickup time and road duration before departure so you can plan your breakfast and evening.

After arriving in El Nido, you check into a hotel in or near town. The property is selected for access to the beachside center, restaurants, and the next day’s boat arrangements. Again, the exact hotel is not specified, so confirm whether your room is directly in El Nido town or a short drive away.

The afternoon is open. This is a pleasant change after the road transfer. You can walk around town, eat at a beachside restaurant, and enjoy the coastal views without trying to fit in another formal excursion.

A recommended restaurant list is provided after booking. That can be useful in a place where meal choices may vary by location and opening hours. Since dinner is not included, this is also the point where your food budget begins to matter more.

Two nights in El Nido is enough for the main boat trip, but it is not a generous amount of time. If you want several island tours, extra beach time, or a slower stay, five days will feel short. This plan is better for a first look than for a relaxed exploration of the area.

Day 4: Big Lagoon and El Nido’s island-hopping route

Day four brings the trip’s most scenic water outing. A private car takes you to the departure point for the El Nido island-hopping tour, which lasts about seven hours.

The first stop is Big Lagoon, surrounded by high limestone cliffs and clear water. The Big Lagoon entrance fee is not included and costs PHP 200 per person. That separate payment is small, but you should know about it before setting out.

Shimizu Island follows. It is presented as a snorkeling stop, with coral and tropical fish beneath the water. If you enjoy seeing marine life, this is likely one of the most rewarding portions of the day. The boat tour format gives you a chance to alternate between time in the water and time aboard the boat.

The route also includes Seven Commandos Beach and Payong Payong Beach. Each stop offers a different kind of break, from swimming and beach time to simply sitting back and taking in the cliffs and sea. The appeal of this tour is variety. You are not spending seven hours at one beach or one lagoon.

A boat tour in El Nido is weather-dependent in practical terms, even though no specific weather policy is supplied here. Conditions can affect water time and the feel of the ride, so keep your expectations flexible. The schedule promises the listed stops, but the exact order and time at each place may vary.

Lunch is included on this day, bringing the total included lunches to two. Other drinks, snacks, and meals are not covered. Bring suitable sun protection and a way to keep personal items dry, but do not assume that extra equipment or activities are included unless the operator confirms it.

Bernard is named in connection with the El Nido outing, along with the boat captain. That personal detail matters because a good guide can make the difference between a basic boat circuit and a day that feels organized and friendly. The available feedback gives particular praise to the captain, Bernard, and the team after visiting five different locations.

Day 5: Leaving from Lio Airport

The final morning begins with hotel checkout and a car ride to Lio Airport. Lio is described as a short drive from El Nido town, which keeps the last transfer fairly simple.

The route back to the airport offers one final look at Palawan’s beaches, cliffs, and forested scenery. Your flight to Manila is included, along with the same 20-kilogram baggage allowance that applies to the domestic flights in the package.

The day is shown as taking about 12 hours, but the actual time depends on your flight schedule and transfer arrangements. Confirm the departure time, airport pickup time, and whether the flight returns to the same Manila airport you use for any onward connection.

Because this is a five-day plan, the last day is more about transport than sightseeing. Avoid booking a tight international connection unless you have checked the flight details carefully. The package does not state any guaranteed connection arrangement.

Small-group planning and communication

The maximum group size is five people. That is a strong feature for a trip with several car transfers and guided activities. A small group usually means less waiting during pickups and an easier time hearing the guide during the cave and boat tours.

The package also offers pickup, and all transfers are included. That removes one of the less enjoyable parts of island travel: arriving somewhere with luggage and having to bargain for a ride or figure out where the next driver is waiting.

Communication receives especially strong praise in the available feedback. A solo visitor credits Ash, Divine, Bernard, and the wider team with making the planning comfortable and the first trip to the Philippines memorable. For a solo traveler, that kind of contact can be valuable because there is no companion to help sort out a missed message or uncertain transfer.

You should still ask for a written schedule before departure. The listed start time is 12:00 am, which may be a system placeholder rather than the actual pickup time. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, but the 14-day booking requirement gives the operator time to make the arrangements.

Who will get the most from this package

I would recommend this plan to a first-time visitor who wants to see both Puerto Princesa and El Nido without arranging each part separately. It also suits solo visitors who value regular communication and included transfers.

It works well for people who want major sights rather than a long, slow beach holiday. In five days, you visit the Underground River, see several El Nido stops, and move through two of Palawan’s best-known bases.

Families and small groups may appreciate the maximum group size and the included baggage allowance. Most people can participate, according to the supplied tour information, and the activity is near public transportation.

I would be more cautious about recommending it to anyone who dislikes long transfer days or prefers to control every detail. Day three is largely devoted to moving to El Nido, and the schedule leaves little room for delays. I would also hesitate if your plans may change, since the booking is non-refundable and cannot be amended.

What to check before paying

Before booking, confirm the exact hotels in both destinations. The package promises selected accommodations, but the names and room details are not provided.

Ask for the precise flight times from Manila to Puerto Princesa and from Lio Airport back to Manila. The package includes all domestic flights, but your usable sightseeing time depends heavily on those schedules.

Also confirm the handling of the two extra fees. The amounts are stated as PHP 150 for the Underground River environmental fee and PHP 200 for Big Lagoon. Find out whether you pay the guide, boat operator, or attraction directly.

Finally, plan around the cancellation rules. The booking is non-refundable for any reason, and changes are not allowed. That is the biggest financial risk in an otherwise convenient plan.

Should you book this Palawan package?

Book it if you want a well-organized first taste of Palawan, especially if you are traveling alone or do not want to arrange flights, hotels, transfers, and boat tours yourself. The strongest points are the small group size, the two headline excursions, and the steady planning support associated with Ash, Divine, Bernard, and the team.

Think twice if you want extra days in each place, a flexible schedule, or full control over your hotel and meals. At $755, the package offers solid convenience, but it is not a bargain once you add food and the stated fees. For a short, carefully arranged introduction to Puerto Princesa and El Nido, though, it gives you a sensible route and a lot of the right sights.

FAQ

How long is the Palawan package?

The package lasts approximately five days, with two nights in Puerto Princesa City and two nights in El Nido town.

What destinations are included?

The trip includes Puerto Princesa City and El Nido on Palawan Island.

Are flights included?

Yes. All domestic flights for the package are included, with a 20-kilogram baggage allowance.

Where does the flight to Palawan depart from?

The first flight departs from Manila City and arrives at Puerto Princesa Airport.

Where does the return flight depart from?

The return flight departs from Lio Airport near El Nido and goes back to Manila City.

What tours are included?

The package includes the Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour and the El Nido Island Hopping Tour.

How many hotel nights are included?

You receive two nights of accommodation in Puerto Princesa City and two nights in El Nido town, for four nights total.

Are meals included?

Four breakfasts and two lunches are included. Other meals are not included.

Are the Underground River and Big Lagoon fees included?

No. The Underground River environmental fee is PHP 150 per person, and the Big Lagoon entrance fee is PHP 200 per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of five travelers.

How far ahead must I book?

You must book at least 14 days before the tour date. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.