Starting from Iloilo City, I went to Cuyo Island and several destinations in the northern half of Palawan Island including Puerto Princesa City, Honda Bay, Sabang (St. Paul Underground River), Port Barton, San Vicente, Taytay, and El Nido.
This is the itinerary I did during my 12-day “do it yourself” (DIY) backpacking trip to Palawan including a summary of my budget and expenses.
Pre-trip (Saturday)
- Go to Milagrosa Fery Terminal in Iloilo River Wharf, Lapuz, Iloilo City
- Buy Iloilo to Puerto Princesa Ticket Reservation – “Deluxe Class” (P1070 + P20 terminal fee)
- Tel No: 337-86-27, 335-09-55
Day 1 (Monday) – Iloilo to Puerto Princesa Boat Ride
- 6:00PM – Arrive in Milagrosa Terminal, Iloilo River Wharf, Lapuz, Iloilo City
- 6:45PM – Board the Iloilo to Puerto Princesa (via Cuyo) Milagrosa RoRo Boat
- Dinner at the RoRo ferry’s canteen
- There are meals w/ rice available. Instant Cup Noodles – P30. Pepsi (330ml) – P25. Mineral Water (500ml) – P20. I suggest buying food at the supermarket / convenient store before going to the terminal. The canteen provides complimentary hot water if you brought your own “instant” foods.
Day 2 (Tuesday) – Cuyo
- 5:30AM – Woke-up. There are bathrooms onboard where you can also take a bath.
- 8:30AM – Arrived in Cuyo Port for a long stover
- 8:30aM to 9:15AM – Walking Tour of Cuyo Town
- Capusan Beach
- Cuyo Fortress Church
- Cuyo Plaza
- 9:15AM – Walked back towards the pier to look for a tricycle for hire to take me to Quijano Beach and Tabunan Beach. Found one for P400 but decided to take a habal-habal instead for only P200
- 9:45AM – Arrived in Quijano Beach
- 10:30AM – Arrived in Tabunan Beach and Pier
- Went back to Cuyo Fortress Church to take more photos
- 1:30PM – Returned to Cuyo Pier. Paid P20 terminal fee.
- 5:00PM – Milagrosa RoRo Ferry broke down and left Cuyo Pier two hours late
Day 3 (Wednesday) – San Vicente
- 11:30AM – Arrived in Puerto Princesa City Seaport
- 11:45AM – Disembarked RoRo ferry. Walked to Rizal Avenue. Boarded “San Jose Terminal” jeep to San Jose New Market Terminal (P12).
- 12:20NN – Arrived in San Jose. No El Nido buses left. Decided to go to San Vicente first instead of El Nido. Walked to Fort Wally Van Terminal.
- 1:30PM – Boarded “San Vicente” Van (P300)
- 3:40PM – Arrived in Roxas Terminal. 30-minute stopover
- 4:10PM – van left Roxas Terminal
- 5:30PM – Arrived in San Vicente Town Proper
- Checked-in at John Eric Lodge (P200 per night for two nights)
- Walked around the town proper. Went to pier, market terminal, bayside promenade / park.
Day 4 (Thursday) – San Vicente
- 9:40AM – Started walking to Long Beach in Brgy. New Agutaya
- 10:30AM – Arrived in Long Beach
- Walked towards northern-end of Long Beach
- Crossed the cliff area to Tandol Beach
- 2:40PM – Arrived in Tandol Beach
- Walked further noth towards Brgy. Alimanguan
- 3:30PM – Arrived in Brgy. Alimanguan. Ride habal-habal back to San Vicente Town Proper (P100)
- 4:00PM – Arrived in San Vicenete Town Proper
Day 5 (Friday) – Taytay / El Nido
- 7:15AM – Arrived in San Vicente Market Terminal. The bus already left. Boarded van bound for Puerto Princesa and dropped off at Roxas Terminal (San Vicente to Roxas Van – P120)
- 9:20AM – Arrived in Roxas Terminal
- 10:40AM – Boarded bus bound for Taytay (Roxas to Taytay bus – P70)
- 2:00PM – Arrived in Taytay Terminal
- Tricycle to Taytay town proper – P10
- 2:00PM to 2:25PM – Quick walking tour of Taytay Town
- Taytay bayside promenade
- Sta. Isabel Fort
- Taytay Church
- Cafe Rosa (viewpoint)
- Snacks – Ham and Egg Sanwhich (P110) & Coke 330ml (P25) at Casa Rosa
- Tricycle back to Taytay Terminal – P10
- 2:30PM – Arrived in Taytay Terminal
- 2:33PM – Eulen Joy “El Nido” bus Arrived in Taytay Terminal
- 2:45PM – Ride bus Eulen Joy bus to El Nido (Taytay to El Nido bus – P100)
- 5:30PM – Arrived in El Nido
- Check-in at El Nido Plaza Inn (P350 per night for two nights)
- Walked around the beachfront area until sunset
Day 6 (Saturday) – El Nido
- 8:45AM – Went to Rovic’s Inn to wait for the island hopping tour
- Booked Tour C (P700) with Kuya Jason – (+63)9083034967
- 9:40AM – Island Hopping “Tour C” Started
- Hidden Beach (Matinloc Island)
- Snorkeling off the coast of Tapiutan Island
- Picnic Lunch at Starbeach (Tapiutan Island)
- Skipped Matinloc Shrine and Secret beach since the engine of our pumpboat (outrigger) broke down
- Helicopter Island (Dilumacad Island)
- Cadlao Lagoon (Cadlao island)
- 5:20PM – Arrived back to El Nido Town Proper. Ended up paying only P600 after complaining about the engine breakdown.
- 5:30PM to 7:30PM – Walked to Calaan Beach to take sunset photos
- 7:45PM – Dinner at Squidoo. Had stuffed squid (P190) with garlic rice (P20) and mango shake with rum (P80)
- Booked Island Hopping “Tour A” for the next day
Day 7 (Sunday) – El Nido
- 9:00AM – Went to Og’s Guest House and boarded boat for Island Hopping “Tour A” (P550)
- Small Lagoon (Miniloc Island)
- Big Lagoon (Miniloc Island)
- Picnic Lunch at Umbrella Beach near Miniloc Resort (Miniloc Island)
- Secret Lagoon (Miniloc Island)
- Shimuzu Island
- 5:30PM – Arrived back to El Nido Town Proper
- Tricycle ride to Corong-corong Beach (P10)
- Walked to Santikan Beach and then to Marimikmik Beach for sunset shots
- 7:00PM – Tricycle ride back to El Nido Town (P30)
- 7:10PM – Dinner at Sea Slugs. Had Garlic Butter Shrimp with Rice (P250)
Day 8 (Monday) – Port Barton
- 6:00AM – Arrived in El Nido Bus / Van Terminal
- Boarded Eulen Joy Bus bound for Puerto Princesa (El Nido to Roxas bus – P200)
- 7:15AM – Bus left El Nido Terminal
- 9:00AM – Arrived in Taytay Terminal. 30 minute brunch stopover
- 11:30AM – Dropped off at Roxas Terminal
- 11:45AM – Boarded jeep bound for Port Barton (Roxas to Port Barton jeep – P100)
- 12:45NM – Arrived in Port Brton
- Check-in at Princesa Michaela Resort (P200 per night)
- Walked around town and beachfront area
- Attempted to walk to Pamuayan Falls
- Sunset at the beach
- Dinner at Jambalaya Cafe. Had Jambalaya (P180) and mango juice (P40)
Day 9 (Tuesday) – Sabang / Underground River
- 8:00AM – Jeepney ride to San Jose intersection in Roxas (Port Barton to Roxas Highway – P100)
- 9:15AM – Arrived in San Jose intersection (along the highway) in Roxas. Waited for bus headed to Puerto Princesa
- Bus ride from San Jose Intersection, Roxas to Salvacion Intersection, Puerto Princesa City (P60).
- 10:30AM – Arrived in Salvacion Intersection
- Bus ride to sabang (Salvacion to Sabang bus – P60)
- 12:45NN – Arrived in Sabang
- Paid for the environmental permit at the Tourism Office (P150)
- Check-in at Mary’s Cottages (P400 per night)
- 2:00PM – Started walking to the Monkey / Jungle Trail to Underground River
- 2:00PM to 4:00PM – Monkey / Jungle Trail
- 4:00PM – Arrived in St. Paul Underground River
- 4:00PM to 5:00PM – St. Paul Underground River Paddle Boat Tour
- Pumpboat ride to Sabang Pier (P600)
- Dinner at Mary’s Cottages. Had chicken curry with vegetables, rice, and buko juice (P201)
Day 10 (Wednesday) – Puerto Princesa City
- Breakfast at Mary’s Cottages. Had Filipino Breakfast – corned beef, egg, rice (P115)
- Walked to Sabang Pier
- Boarded jeep bound for Puerto Princesa
- 10:00AM – Jeep left Sabang Pier (Sabang to Puerto Princesa – P120)
- 1:00PM – Arrived in San Jose New Market Terminal in Puerto Princesa
- Rode “San Jose” Jeepney to cor Rizal Avenue and Valcenia St. (P12)
- Check-in at Backpackers (P200 per night for two nights)
- Puerto Princesa Walking Tour
- Snacks at Divine Sweets. Sans Rival and Iced Tea (P110)
- Mendoza Park,
- Plaza Cuatel
- Palawan Museum
- Puerto Princesa Church
- Puerto Princesa Baywalk
- Palawan Provincial Capitol
- NCCC Mall
- 6:00PM – Back to Puerto Princesa Baywalk for Sunset Shots
- 7:30PM – Dinner at Ka Lui. Tuna Steak with rice, extra rice, wheat grass juice, complimentary dessert (P285)
- Booked Honda Bay tour for the next day
Day 11 (Thursday) – Honda Bay / Puerto Princesa City
- 8:30AM – Van picked-us up for Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour (P1,100)
- 9:00AM – Arrived in St. Lourdes Wharf
- Started Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour
- Pandan Island
- Lunch at Pandan Island
- 12:00AM – Snake Island
- 2:00PM – Starfish Island
- 5:00PM – returned to Backpackers
- Went to Silica Beach
- 6:45PM – Arrived in Silica Beach for sunset shots
- 7:15PM – Dinner at Badjao Seafront Restaurant. Had Pick of the Day Seafood Platter: clam Soup, fish steak, prawns, veggies on the side, rice, and glass of iced tea (P368)
- 9:00PM – Tricycle ride to Backpackers (P80)
Day 12 (Friday) – Puerto Princesa City / Flight to Manila
- Checked-out of Backpackers
- Left baggage at NCCC Mall
- 9:00PM – Went around to more sights in Puerto Princesa
- Rode “Bayan – City Hall” jeep to City Hall (P7)
- Puerto Princesa City Hall
- Puerto Princesa Sports Complex
- Rode “Irawan Jeep” to intersection going to Baker’s Mill / Mitra’s Ranch (P7)
- Rode Tricycle to Mitra’s Ranch (P15)
- Walked to Baker’s Hill
- Bought Pasalubong in Baker’s Hill (P365)
- Rode Tricycle back to highway intersection (P15)
- Rode “Irawan” jeep to Rizal Ave (P7)
- 12:00NN – Lunch at Balinsasayaw. Grilled Chicken wit rice and Mt. Dew (P105)
- Claimed baggage at NCCC MAll
- Rode tricycle to Puerto Princesa Airport (P7)
- 12:45NN – Checked-in at Puerto Princesa Airport (terminal fee – P40)
- 1:45PM – Plane left for Manila
- 2:45PM – Arrived in Terminal 3, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City, Metro Manila
Summary of Expenses – Palawan 12D DIY Backpacking
- Transportation
- Iloilo to Puerto Princesa Milagrosa RoRo – P1070
- Montenegro Terminal Fee – P20
- Cuyo Terminal Fee – P20
- Puerto Princesa City to Manila Plane – P912
- Puerto Princesa Airport Terminal Fee – P40
- Transpo fares within Palawan – P1,731
- Accommodations – P2,650
- Food – P3,913
- Tour
- Cuyo Habal-habal tour – P200
- El Nido Tour A – P600
- El Nido Tour C- P550
- St. Paul Underground River Permit – P150
- Boat ride from Underground River to Sabang Pier – P600
- Honda Bay tour – 1,100
- Others (Personal Stuff) – P1,066.25
- Grand Total – P14,622.25
In the Philippine Ilonggo dialect, ambot ah literally means "I don't know." After graduating in college, I decided to hold off pursuing my profession and embarked on a free spirited journey of adventure and self-discovery. My travels have led me to many places across the Philippine Islands and South East Asia. I don't know where this path will take me but I'm certain I'll get a lifetime of stories out of it.
Amazing! bilib ko cmo Marc! for 12 days in Palawan ang nagasto mo is P14,622.25 lang ba. 12 days – pwerte! seasoned backpacker ka na gd. \m/
These makes me want to go to Palawan as well. Thank you gd Marc sa pag-share sang itinerary mo.
Thanks for dropping by Nang Jane! Mahal na ina gani gawa pero worth it guid ya. Nag cheat ko sa food, hehe, shouldn’t have spend that much by sticking to carinderias lang guid but I can’t resist seafood … dira nag kadto biggest ko nga expense :(
Hi there Marc! Wonderful Palawan adventures, I must say. It’s my turn to thank you for posting your detailed itinerary and expenses. Can’t wait to experience Palawan, too! Though I’m still torn between Banaue-Sagada and Puerto Princesa-El Nido for our next family summer vacay. :) I’m adding you to my blogroll, btw. :) More DIY travels for us!
Cool. Thanks for dropping by pizzalicious :) Banaue/Sagada vs Palawan, that’s a tough choice. I’m sure it’ll be a great trip either way. Good luck on your future travels :)
hi marc, thank you for sharing your Palawan adventures..the itenirary & expenses WoW… pwede pla mag DIY sa El Nido…excited narin ako for our Palawan trip…& bka mag DIY narin…sana pla may Dos Palmas krin as backpackers…anyways…thank you sa tips and god bless!
No problem. Good luck for your trip, hope you have fun in Palawan. Dos Palmas as “backpackers”? hmm… I don’t Dos Palmas is backpacker friendly since it’s an upscale resort. Dos Palmas does have an organized day tour of its resort though but I don’t think you can make a DIY trip out of it.
Wow! That was a messed up itinerary my friend. It’s better to first arrive in Puerto Princesa by air, and Day 1: tour the city. Day 2: go to Honda Bay for Island Hopping Tour, then on to Sabang. Day 3: In Sabang take the Underground River Tour and hike to the waterfalls. Day 4: We invite you to ride the ROYJEN Double-deck Charter Boat for a 2-3 day Sea Adventure from the Sabang to El Nido. Includes: Bay Trolling, Island Hopping, Snorkeling and freshly caught seafood meals.
Messed up? that’s harsh. I got to visit all the places I wanted, I’m sure that itself makes for a successful itinerary. I actually already saw your packages before the trip but I didn’t choose it because I was traveling alone and the price difference is very substantial. Though, I was interested in traveling across Palawan by boat so I could get to see the coast and outlying islands from a better angle but the chartered boat just wasn’t within my budget.
Thanks for posting your itinerary and expenses breakdown. So El Nido Plaza Inn is cheaper than Marina Garden, that gives me an idea on my next trip in El Nido.
I went to Marina Garden too before taking the room in El Nido Plaza Inn and, yep, the prince Marina Garden gave me was higher … I think it was more than P500. I asked them about their old cottages but it was still within the same price range. There was this resort called Dara Fernandez, which had a beachfront room good for 3 persons and they gave it to me for P500. I would’ve taken it if I weren’t feeling thrifty at that moment.
Unbelievable! For only P14,622.25? Ang galing mo!
Achievable naman basta you forgo some conveniences of travel like taking the cheapest forms of public transport.
Hi Marc!
Congratulations for nailing your first solo backpacking under a tight budget! :) This made me wonder if I could pull off something like this soon. I am wondering too if it is possible to be back from El Nido in Puerto Princesa (in the evening) with a Sabang sidetrip (St. Paul Underground River) in between. Do you have ideas/insights regarding how regular and what are the public transportation options from Sabang to Puerto Princesa?
Hi Mac,
Nice itinerary. probably the one i needed.
Pwede po pa specify po specifically pano po mag commute going to Baker’s Hill, Mitra’s Ranch.
San po ako maghahanap ng Irawan Jeep, saang side ng Rizal Avenue ko po sya makikita?
Thanks!
very interesting and helpful for backpacker wannabe /newbie
I want to go to Palawan again. Your post is inspiring. Thanks for sharing. Thumbs up!
Great! Thanks mate! Exactly the informations that i was looking for and i couldn’t find nowhere! Im in boracay now and tomorrow i will take ferry from iloilo to pp!!
Really thanks
Andrea Italy
That’s great to hear. Hope you have a great trip!
hi! nice blog. were planning to stay in sabang on our 1st day and go to underground river on our 2nd day, and honda bay for our 3rd day.how can we go to tagbanua(honda bay) from sabang (underground river)? thanks
The buses from Puerto Princesa bound buses from Sabang passes by the road going to Santa Lourdes wharf, the main jump off point to Honda Bay … from the highway, it’s quite a long walk to the wharf … probably around 15-minutes.
WHOA!!! I like this one, the best blog i’ve seen so far regarding DIYs and backpackings.
KUDOS to u and for sure, u have a fan in me. followed u already on twitter.
clen_david
Kewl. You just inspired me to blog more (for the moment). Thanks clen.
Will go backpacking in Palawan man this Sept! This post is very helpful guid! Salamat, Nong! Our trip will be a lot shorter though, around 5days lang. We wanted to squeez in El Nido but the travel time from Puerto is 8hrs daw? is it true?
wow! very detailed! Nice post! :)
thanks for visiting tina ^_^
Thanks for a very detailed post of itinerary and the corresponding costs. Been to Palawan thrice but never gone to places outside PPC. Im excited to try your itinerary going to El Nido. Is there a way to go there (El Nido) skipping Puerto Princesa?
If you’re up to splurge on airfare, SEAIR services direct flights to El Nido Airport from Manila.
pirti kanami sang blog mo, dako gid ni ma bulig sa akon ga plan ko mag lakat ng palawan upod ang bana ko…thank you sa info!!!!!!
Glad to be of service goldzax ^_^ i-enjoy niyo guid ang Palawan, it’s worth the travel guid ya.
Amazing details on pricing. Just what I was looking for for my upcoming first ever solo trip. I’ve always wanted to see palawan!!! just couldn’t find the time to do it. It’s gonna be just a 5 day trip though and like a poster above, may have to forgo “el nido”.
Thanks for all the info on the prices I have a rough estimate on how much to budget. I’m so nervous but quite excited. Can you tell me something about general safety in the area? I’m a bit concerned coz I’m female with no companions. Will be bringing my laptop because I need to take care of work in the evenings.
Ahh… Palawan in an excellent place to start traveling solo … coz there’s a lot of solo backpackers going there too. It’s a safe place to travel to, even Puerto Princesa City … I won’t don’t go as far as to say not to worry about your safety because it’s always present anywhere you go. I will say that its not an issue in Palawan … except when you go trekking in the jungles south of PPC, you must be cautious at the notorious malaria mosquitoes, hehe. On a budget, I spent P1,000 per day average. Spending much less is doable.
You’re amazing! I could have review the whole afternoon for my finals this week since I am a Dent.student but when I saw your blog about Palawan and this 12-day tour that you did, I am really speechless. I love travel as well and have been to different places and islands already but never been to palawan. And lucky I am to see this trip cause I am planning for our summer trip next year. I got an idea from you since we’ll be visiting Iloilo and Guimaras on summer. I am so thankful for this trip that you did. Great!! Great!! Great!! You made me happy and excited today!!! :)
Hope my blog didn’t distract you too much from your finals. I can relate Pau. I used to also just think about the prospects of visiting Palawan … it was so great I was finally able to go on the trip. Palawan is so worth it.
In a few days, I will be on my backpacking trip to Palawan…. And your blog had helped me a lot on the preparations….. it is very helpful especially the timing and the duration of your land/sea trips…. I could budget my time more efficiently.. thanks to you…. I did my share of backpacking trips as well…. and it never seizes to amaze me how enjoyable and fun the unexpected side of the trip… the rain, the bus leaving early or broken down along the way… and so on… hehehehe…
Thats what makes backpacking a real adventure……
I can relate Nilo :D I also appreciated blog posts that included DIY itineraries complete with timing and an idea of the costs when planning my trip. That’s why I have been inspired to post details about my trips as well. A lot of people don’t like to spend too much time on making itineraries because it takes out the fun of traveling. I agree at some point but I have experienced that no matter how perfect I plan my itinerary some mishaps are bound to happen anyways ^_^
Good luck on your trip Nilo!
Great blog!! We will be in Palawan on the 14th of march and will stay for 5 days. This is a great help. Salamat guid!
You’re welcome wine :D