Palawan Paradise

Secret lagoons, WWII wrecks, and underground rivers in the world's best island.

Secret lagoons, WWII wrecks, and underground rivers in the world's best island. El Nido's limestone karsts hide bioluminescent bays. Coron's Japanese warships create underwater museums. Puerto Princesa's underground river weaves through darkness for 8km.

A Wine Memories curated trail · winememories.fi

4 experiences 🇵🇭 Philippines moderate 4 days

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Curated by Wine Memories

  1. 1
    ⛰️

    El Nido Lagoon Wine Kayak

    Kayak through the secret lagoons of the Bacuit Archipelago. Limestone cliffs, hidden beaches, and emerald water. Wine picnic on a private beach.

    adventure $$
  2. 2
    ⛰️

    Coron Wreck Dive Wine

    Dive through 12 WWII Japanese shipwrecks in crystal-clear water. The world's best wreck diving. Wine celebration at sunset overlooking the wrecks.

    adventure $$
  3. 3
    🗺️

    Puerto Princesa Underground River

    Paddle through the world's longest navigable underground river. A UNESCO World Heritage site. Wine at Sabang Beach after emerging from darkness.

    tour $
  4. 4
    ⛰️

    Busuanga Island Wine Safari

    African animals in the Philippines. Calauit Safari Park has giraffes, zebras, and gazelles. Wine at a lodge overlooking the African-esque landscape.

    adventure $$

Plan the trip

Getting there and around

Car required
No
Nearest airport
El Nido Airport (ENI) - limited flights, OR Puerto Princesa (PPS) + 5-hour van
Drinking and driving
BYOB is essential for island hopping - no wine sold on tour boats. Buy at El Nido shops (limited selection, ₱400-800/bottle) or stock up in Manila. Cooler bag + ice = sunset wine at secret lagoons.
Other airports
  • Puerto Princesa (PPS) - more flights, cheaper, but 5-6 hour van to El Nido
Without a car
Island hopping = boats only. El Nido-Coron: Montenegro/El Nido Paradise ferries (4-5 hours). Internal: tricycles ₱50-150, motorbike rental ₱500/day. Van transfers arranged through hostels.

Where to stay

Base yourself in
El Nido town (Days 1-3), Coron town (Days 4-6), Puerto Princesa (Day 7+)
Why there
El Nido: Best lagoons and beaches. Coron: Wreck diving and lakes. Puerto Princesa: Underground river access.
Booking tip
Book 2-4 weeks ahead Nov-May (peak). Walk-in deals June-Oct (monsoon but cheaper). El Nido waterfront fills first - book early or stay in Corong-Corong (10 min south).
Nightly range
₱500-8,000/night ($10-150)

Recommended stays

Shoestring
Spin Designer Hostel (El Nido) ₱500/dorm - rooftop bar, social. Coron Backpacker Guesthouse ₱600/dorm - central, dive shop next door.
Wanderer
One El Nido Suite ₱2,500/night - pool, breakfast, walk to beach. Coron Westown Resort ₱2,000 - waterfront, boat pier access.
Flashpacker
El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island ₱15,000+ - overwater cottages IN the lagoon. Club Paradise Coron ₱8,000 - private island resort.

What it costs

Includes
Mid-range accommodation, island hopping tours, meals, transport, BYOB wine
Wine prices
Wine selection is LIMITED. El Nido has a few shops with Australian/Chilean wines ₱400-800. Coron worse. STRATEGY: Buy 3-4 bottles in Manila duty-free, pack carefully. Drink on boats and beaches - no wine bars exist.
Meals
Street food: ₱50-150. Local restaurant: ₱200-400. Tourist restaurant: ₱400-800. Fresh seafood BBQ: ₱300-600.
Per person
₱3,000-6,000/day ($55-110)
Ways to spend less
  • Book island tours through your hostel, not beach touts (same price, better boats)
  • BYOB wine saves ₱₱₱ - corkage at restaurants is usually free
  • Stay in Corong-Corong (10 min from El Nido) for 30% cheaper accommodation
  • Slow ferry saves ₱600-1,000 vs fast ferry (5 hours vs 4 hours)
Transport
Tour A/B/C/D: ₱1,200-1,800/tour. Tricycle: ₱50-150. Motorbike: ₱500/day. Ferry El Nido-Coron: ₱1,800-2,500.

Booking and timing

Lead time
2-4 weeks ahead for peak season (Dec-May), especially El Nido. Underground River permits book out 1-2 weeks ahead.
Walk-ins accepted
Yes
Peak season
Christmas-New Year and Easter are PACKED. Book 1 month ahead minimum. Prices surge 30-50%.
Rainy season
June-October = southwest monsoon. Some tours cancelled, but discounts 30-50%, fewer crowds. September-October = typhoon risk.

Where to eat

Wine bars
  • Republica Sunset Bar - El Nido's only real wine spot, limited but decent
  • BYOB to beach/boat - THE Palawan wine strategy
Street food
  • Grilled seafood stalls on El Nido beach (evening)
  • Palawan chicken inasal at Trattoria Altrove
Restaurants
  • Republica Sunset Bar (El Nido) - beachfront sundowners, ₱350/glass wine
  • Pukka Bar (El Nido) - pizza, cocktails, sunset views
  • Kawayanan Grill (Coron) - best Filipino food in town
  • Kinabuch Grill (Puerto Princesa) - crocodile sisig specialty

If your time is short

Do not miss
  • Kayak through secret entrance to Small Lagoon (El Nido Tour A)
  • Sunrise at Kayangan Lake (Coron) - cleanest lake in Asia
  • At least one wreck dive or snorkel (Coron)
  • Underground River boat tour (Puerto Princesa)
If you only have one day
Not possible - this is a 7+ day trail. If only 1 day somehow: El Nido Tour A (Big/Small Lagoon + Shimizu Island)
If it rains
Underground River works in rain (it's underground!). Kayangan Lake OK in drizzle. El Nido lagoons doable but less magical.
Skip if time is short
  • Tour D (El Nido) - pretty but not essential
  • Puerto Princesa city - it's just transit, Underground River is the draw

Mistakes to avoid

  • Don't fly to Puerto Princesa expecting El Nido - it's a 5-6 hour van ride
  • Don't bring glass bottles on island tours - use plastic or metal for wine
  • Don't skip sunscreen - equatorial sun is brutal on water
  • Don't expect 4G on islands - download maps offline
  • Don't assume ferries run on schedule - weather delays common
  • Don't book El Nido Resorts thinking it's in El Nido town - it's a separate island

Worth stopping for

  • Big Lagoon: Arrive 09:00 before crowds, shoot from kayak with karsts framing the lagoon
  • Small Lagoon: The secret entrance archway is iconic - shoot from outside looking in
  • Kayangan Lake: Climb the viewpoint first (08:00 before heat), then lake photos
  • Wreck diving: Wide angle lens, natural light, shoot up toward surface through wreckage
  • Underground River: Low light challenge - high ISO, steady hands, focus on stalactites lit by boat lights
  • Wine shot: Dry bag on kayak with lagoon behind, or beach sunset with wine + karsts