4D3N El Nido + Puerto Princesa: A Must-Have DIY Guide 2024

Planning a trip can be confusing, especially when you want to see beautiful places like Puerto Princesa City and El Nido on Palawan Island. You might wonder, "How can I enjoy both places in 4 days and 3 nights?" 

This guide is here to help you figure it out. Whether it's your first time in Palawan or you've been before, this guide will make your trip unforgettable.

El Nido and Puerto Princesa are two of Palawan's most popular tourist destinations. 

These destinations are a dream come true for people who like beautiful scenery, such as the Big Lagoon in El Nido and the Underground River in Puerto Princesa, and activities like snorkeling, island hopping, and kayaking.

In this post, you can find information on how we traveled to El Nido and Puerto Princesa, the places we visited, itineraries, a breakdown of expenses, my insights about the tour, and tips. I hope you find this information useful for your next El Nido and Puerto Princesa trip.

TL;DR:

• A 4-day trip plan for El Nido and Puerto Princesa.
• A detailed tour for each day.
• Answers to common questions.
• Sample 4D3N Itinerary with Budget

Day 1: Arrival at Lio Airport, El Nido

There is only one airline that can take you to El Nido, and that is AirSwift. Our flight was delayed for an hour so we had to wait.

We arrived in El Nido in the afternoon. Upon exit, motor tricycle drivers were waiting outside the airport. Since we were 16 people when we traveled to El Nido, we preferred to book a private van. If you want a private van transfer, you can book a van transfer from El Nido airport to your hotel here.

It takes around 20 minutes to drive from Lio Airport to downtown El Nido, just 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away. After we checked in, we explored the El Nido Beach area and looked for dinner afterward.

Day 2: El Nido Island Hopping (Tour A)

El Nido offers four commercialized island-hopping tours: Tour A, B, C, and D. We chose Tour A because it's the most popular.

Our tour didn't have a hotel pickup, so we hired tricycles to drop us off at the meeting area. In our case, the meet-up area is the Forever Blessed Hotel on Serena Street, El Nido Beach Area (Near El Nido Docking Area). The meet-up area may vary depending on your tour package. Meet-up time is 8:00-8:30 a.m.

Upon arrival, we were asked to register and pay additional fees:

El Nido Tour A Additional Fees

• Environmental Fee: PHP 200
• Big Lagoon Fee: PHP 200 (paid on the Big Lagoon stop)
• Kayak Rental: PHP 300 to PHP 400 (paid at the Big Lagoon stop)

Once the payment was settled, we hopped on our boat and proceeded with the tour. Here are the highlights of our tour. Note that the itinerary may slightly change due to crowd control.

El Nido Tour A Highlights

• Our first stop was at 7 Commando Beach. According to our tour guide, it was named 7 Commando Beach because a massive fishing vessel was stranded here, and the name of the vessel was Seven Commando. The area has a beach volleyball court and a ball where you can also play.
• Our second stop was the popular Big Lagoon. It's one of the most beautiful lagoons in the area. Rippling clear waters and rock formations will surround you. The main activity here is swimming and kayaking. We went to the inner part of the lagoon. It was so peaceful and beautiful.
• Afterward, we had lunch at Shimizu Island. Our lunch was great, and fresh coconuts were also being sold in the area. We stayed in Shimzuo Island for a while before our next stop.
• We then continued to the Secret Lagoon. You will need to pass a small hole to enter the Secret Lagoon because the area is surrounded by rocks. 
• Our last activity was snorkeling. The snorkeling site is between Inatula Island and Shimizu Island.

DAY 3: Transfer from El Nido to Puerto Princesa

This section includes information on how to get to Puerto Princesa from El Nido and what to expect in the Puerto Princesa City tour.

The most popular and convenient way to travel between Puerto Princesa and El Nido is by van, which takes 5 to 6 hours. Alternatively, you can take the Cherry bus, but the travel time may be longer.

We decided to travel to Puerto Princesa in the morning and then book a city tour in the afternoon.

Shared El Nido to Puerto Princesa Van Schedules:

Van Schedule: Monday-Sunday (schedule may vary)      

• 05:00 AM
• 07:00 AM
• 09:00 AM
• 11:00 AM
• 6:00 PM

Note that the pickup times and places for private and shared van transfers differ. We booked the private van transfer because we are a group of 16, which allowed us to decide the pick-up time and place.

The shared van transfer pick-up location varies. If you booked online, double-check whether the transfer includes hotel pickup. The shared van transfer cannot guarantee a 4-5-hour trip because it will stop, pick up, and wait for other passengers.

You can also go to the El Nido Bus terminal early and then directly book a ticket there with your preferred schedule. The most common and recommended van company is the Eulen Joy Express.

We asked our private van to be picked up by 7 AM because I had read the reviews about delays, and I was right. We booked two private vans. The first van was on time, while the other van was late. We stopped for breakfast and grabbed snacks because we might be unable to take our lunch due to a tight schedule. We arrived in Puerto Princesa at lunch, so we were still able to continue our Puerto Princesa city tour scheduled at 1 p.m.

Puerto Princesa City Tour

When we arrived in Puerto Princesa, our tour guide was already there. She was kind enough to wait, so we immediately checked in and skipped lunch.

Our tour guide was very energetic, witty, and funny. She made our tour lively. Here are our tour highlights:

Puerto Princesa City Highlights

• Immaculate Conception Cathedral
• Plaza Cuartel
• Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (Crocodile Farm)
• Binuatan Creations
• The Baywalk
• Bakers Hill
• Mitra's Ranch
• Souvenir Shops

In the evening, we visited the night market area, where most souvenir shops, pubs, and clubs were open.

Day 4: Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour

This is the most popular attraction in Puerto Princesa. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to a "mountain to sea" ecosystem that includes some of the most significant and intact old-growth forests in Asia.

The Underground River is located in Sabang, which is 1 hour and 30 minutes away from the city, so we were scheduled to be picked up at 7 AM.

Puerto Princesa Underground River Highlights

• We were asked to register and wait for our boat when we arrived at Sabang.
• The boat will transport you to the neighboring island, where you will trek for a few minutes before reaching the entrance of the underground river.
• We had to wait because there was a lineup. When it was our turn, we hopped on our paddle boat and were given a headset for the audio.
• The guided paddle boat will take you through the beautiful tunnel system of the underground river, where you can see the natural beauty of the rock formations, which is still the best part of the trip.
• We then take our buffet lunch at Cacaoyan Park before being driven back to your hotel.

More Puerto Princesa Attractions and Activities

• Cacaoyan Forest Park: It provides Bali-inspired amenities where you can take pictures after lunch
• Mangrove Park: This is a guided paddle boat tour cruising through hundreds of enormous mangrove trees.
• Sabang X Zipline: A zipline that takes you 150 feet above sea level and provides breathtaking views of Sabang Beach. 
• Ugong Rock Zip Line: A single-rider zipline with a 71-meter drop

If you haven't booked one of these attractions or activities, your underground river tour guide will ask you if you want to book these activities.

Note that they collect an environmental fee of PHP 150.

By the way, try out the tamilok, an exotic delicacy with a woodworm soaked in vinegar.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the land travel from El Nido to Puerto Princesa take?

• The journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido typically takes 5 to 6 hours by road. However, the exact duration can vary depending on the mode of transport, traffic conditions, and tour changes.

How much fare from El Nido to Puerto Princesa?

• Fares for the trip between Puerto Princesa and El Nido vary. A seat on a minivan service can cost around PHP 600 to PHP 1,000 (approximately USD 11 to USD 20), depending on the service provider and whether you book a private or shared ride. The most common van companies are the Eulen Joy Express and Fortwally Travel.

Is there a bus from El Nido to Puerto Princesa?

• Yes, there are buses that run between El Nido and Puerto Princesa. The most popular bus company is the Cherry Bus. The travel time is at least 6-8 hours.

Is Puerto Princesa better than El Nido?

• It's not about which one is better; it's about what experiences you're looking for. Puerto Princesa is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Underground River, and city tours, offering a mix of natural wonders and urban conveniences. El Nido, on the other hand, is a paradise for island hopping, with breathtaking lagoons and beaches. If you love nature and seascapes, El Nido might be more appealing.

How many days do you need in Puerto Princesa?

• Spend at least two days in Puerto Princesa. This allows you to visit the Underground River and explore other attractions, such as Honda Bay or the city itself.

Can you do a day trip to El Nido from Puerto Princesa?

• While technically possible, a day trip to El Nido from Puerto Princesa is not advisable due to the long travel time (5-6 hours one way). It's better to stay overnight in El Nido to truly enjoy what it has to offer without rushing.

Sample 4D3N Itinerary with Budget

Here's a sample itinerary with a budget. You can change it accordingly. You can skip or add things to do or places to see. Note that the budget does not include airfare, accommodation, food, souvenirs, or shopping expenses.

I hope you found this article informative and engaging. It would also be helpful if you shared this link so that other people could read it. I appreciate you reading.