Philippines- 7 Days Itinerary

Our trip to the Philippines started in Manila, where we caught a flight to Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan. Instead of rushing straight to the beach, we decided to stay overnight in Puerto Princesa, knowing the next day would be long and that leaving early would make everything easier.

Day 1 - The road to Port Barton and our first sunset

Early in the morning, we left Puerto Princesa and hopped into a van heading to Port Barton. The drive took about 4 hours, winding through jungle roads, small villages, and stretches of untouched nature. It was long, sometimes bumpy, but incredibly scenic, the kind of road trip that slowly pulls you into island life.

By the time we arrived at Port Barton Bus Terminal, it felt like we had stepped into another world. Quiet, simple, and beautifully slow.

We checked into Dam Dam Place, dropped our bags, and went straight out to explore. A cold drink at Cheers Brew Snack House was the perfect welcome, followed by a long walk along Port Barton Beach. We kept walking, discovering Papaya Beach, Coconut Beach, and White Beach, each one calmer than the last.

As the sun started to set over Port Barton Bay, we stopped at CocoRico Hostel, which has a bar that quickly became dangerous. Every evening from 7:00 to 7:30 pm, they run a happy hour with free drinks and let’s just say those 30 minutes can very easily change the course of your night.

Slightly tipsy and in great spirits, we then headed to dinner at La Lola, a cozy Spanish restaurant that felt like home after such a long travel day.

Day 2 – Island hopping and reggae nights

This day was all about the sea. In the morning, we joined an island hopping tour with Pauline L.o.D. Island Hopping, one of the highlights of our time in Port Barton.

We snorkeled at German Island Reef, explored Starfish Island, and spent time swimming in the unreal turquoise waters around Alguan Island. Lunch was included with the tour and served on one of the islands: fresh fish, rice, vegetables and fruit, simple but perfect.

In the afternoon, we relaxed at Pamaoyan Beach. It was wide, quiet and almost empty, the kind of place where time doesn’t matter.

That night, after showers and a short rest, we headed out to Nitevo Reggae Bar and Restaurant. Reggae music, fairy lights, cold beers and salty skin,the perfect island ending.

Day 3- From Port Barton to El Nido

Saying goodbye to Port Barton wasn’t easy. After breakfast, we packed up and took the van north to El Nido. The journey offered stunning views of the coastline and jungle, but the change in atmosphere was immediate once we arrived.

El Nido felt livelier, busier and more intense. We spent time at El Nido Beach, then escaped to Lio Beach, where things slowed down again and the sunset felt especially peaceful.

We ate at Punta Playa during the day and later had dinner at Enzo’s Lechon House & Restaurant, finally diving into proper Filipino comfort food.

Day 4 – Island hopping in El Nido: Tour A

El Nido is famous for its four island hopping tours: A, B, C, and D. Most travelers usually choose Tour A and Tour C, as they cover the most iconic landscapes: lagoons, limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters.

We chose Tour A and it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable days of the trip.

The day started early with stops at Big Lagoon, where we kayaked through emerald water surrounded by towering limestone walls and Secret Lagoon, hidden behind sharp rock formations. We continued to Shimizu Island, known for its snorkeling and relaxed at Seven Commandos Beach, shaded by palm trees.

Later, we visited Payong-Payong Beach, Paglugaban Island, and Miniloc Island, each one somehow more beautiful than the last. Lunch was included with the tour and served on one of the islands: grilled fish, rice, vegetables and fruit, eaten barefoot on the sand.

By the time we returned to El Nido town, we were sunburnt, exhausted and completely happy. Dinner at Maa’s Grill was the perfect way to end a day that felt almost unreal.

Day 5 – From El Nido to Coron

Day six was a full travel day. Early in the morning, we headed to El Nido Port, backpacks on and coffee in hand, ready to cross the sea.

The ferry ride from El Nido to Coron took a few hours, sometimes calm, sometimes rough the kind of journey where you mostly stare at the water and let your mind wander.

We arrived at Port of Coron in the afternoon, slightly tired but excited. Coron immediately felt different from El Nido: more local, less polished, a bit chaotic, but full of character.

Hunger hit hard, so we stopped at McDonald’s – Coron and that’s when we noticed something unexpected: they were selling spaghetti. In the Philippines, Jollibee, the most famous fast-food chain in the country, serves fried chicken, a burger and spaghetti and even McDonald’s seems to have adapted to that local taste.

Later, we headed to Cabo Beach, where things finally slowed down again. For dinner, we kept it simple and local at Andok’s, ending the day early, tomorrow was going to be big.

Day 6 – Coron Island: lagoons, lakes and unreal landscapes

Early in the morning, we grabbed breakfast at Julie’s, quick and easy, then got ready for a full island hopping tour around Coron Island, one of the most famous experiences in the Philippines.

We explored Twin Lagoon, swam in the crystal waters of Kayangan Lake and floated in the surreal depths of Barracuda Lake, each one completely different from the last.

Lunch was included with the tour, served at Atwayan Beach: simple food, eaten by the sea after hours of swimming and boat rides, exactly what we needed.

During the boat ride, we passed by Banuang Daan Elementary School, a small but meaningful glimpse of local island life, a reminder that this paradise is also home to real communities.

By the time we got back to Coron town, we were exhausted but incredibly happy. That night, we kept things easy and local with dinner at Andok’s Litson, the perfect no-frills ending to a big day.

Day 7 – Goodbye Coron, goodbye paradise

The final day came too soon. After one last slow morning, we arranged our Toto Airport Van Transfer, heading to Francisco B. Reyes Airport. The drive was quiet, one of those moments where the trip is already replaying itself in your head.

From Port Barton’s calm to El Nido’s drama and Coron’s raw beauty, Palawan gave us everything and still felt like it wasn’t enough.

We boarded the plane tired, happy, and already dreaming of coming back.