Palawan, Philippines Trip Report (Mumbai → Manila → Puerto Princesa → El Nido → Port Barton) 🇵🇭
Just got back from an amazing trip (late April to Early May, 2026) to Palawan and wanted to share my experience for anyone planning a visit.
Flights & Transport Costs
✈️ Mumbai → Manila → Mumbai (Air India, via Delhi): ₹58,540 for 2 people
✈️Manila → Puerto Princesa → Manila: ₹23,000 for 2 people
🚐 Puerto Princesa → El Nido: 900 PHP/person
🚐 El Nido → Port Barton: 1,000 PHP/person
🚐 Port Barton → Puerto Princesa: 700 PHP/person
Total Cost for 2 people: ₹ 2L
1. El Nido (5 Nights)
Day 1
Reached Puerto Princesa and took a van to El Nido. After checking in and freshening up, we had dinner at Taste El Nido, a vegan restaurant. The food was absolutely amazing and became one of our favorite meals of the trip.
Day 2 – Tour A
We booked Tour A for 4,000 PHP for 2 people, including the environmental and lagoon fees.
This was one of the best tours I've ever done. We were only 6 people on the boat—two Filipino couples, two French girls, and the two of us. It felt very personal and uncrowded. The buffet lunch was outstanding. The highlight was the freshly grilled Queen Fish. Everything was cooked in front of us and served buffet-style on a beautiful beach. We loved every minute of it.
Day 3 – Relaxing Day
Took it easy and explored the town.
Had pizza at Bella Vita. Unfortunately, it was probably the worst pizza I've ever had.
Later visited Happiness Beach Bar for pita falafels and malabi dessert. The food here was excellent.
Ended the evening at Las Cabañas Beach with drinks and a stunning sunset.
Day 4 – Nacpan Beach
Spent 3–4 hours at Nacpan Beach.
The beach was peaceful and quiet. We enjoyed food and drinks at a beachfront café that also provided sunbeds. In the evening, we went back to Las Cabañas for another gorgeous sunset and had one of the best mango shakes of the trip.
Day 5 – Coconut Beach
Visited Coconut Beach. The beach itself was beautiful, but the drive there was quite thrilling. The road conditions were rough and honestly a little scary at times.
Day 6 – El Nido to Port Barton
The next day we traveled to Port Barton. What a beautiful and peaceful place. We didn't see a single Indian tourist during our stay, but there were plenty of travelers from Europe and other countries. The atmosphere felt much quieter and less commercial than El Nido.
Day 7 – Island Hopping Tour
The following day we joined a Tour A island-hopping trip. And honestly?
This was the best tour experience of my life.
The guides were incredibly kind and patient. Neither my partner nor I are swimmers, yet they made sure we got to experience the underwater world safely.
The marine life was breathtaking. At one point, a turtle swam right beside me. It felt completely unreal. The buffet lunch was fantastic, but the underwater experience was something I'll never forget.
Day 8 – Waterfalls & Food
The next day we visited nearby waterfalls and stopped for lunch at Kusinero Del Barrio.
As someone who loves food, this place was heaven.
Everything we ordered was delicious, and their desserts were exceptional. Definitely one of the culinary highlights of the trip.
Day 9 – Port Barton to Puerto Princesa
After Port Barton, we headed back to Puerto Princesa and spent a relaxing evening there. There’s a vegan restaurant in Puerto Princesa run by an old lady that is a must try.
Day 10 – Underground River Tour.
The next day we visited the Puerto Princesa Underground River. It was incredible. Seeing bats flying above our heads while moving through the cave system was surreal. The entire experience felt like stepping into another world.
We also tried the zipline over the ocean, which was a fun bonus and definitely worth doing.
Day 11 - Journey Home
The following day we flew back to Manila and then onward to Mumbai.
Final Thoughts
In one sentence: I didn't miss Indian food even once.
What made Palawan special wasn't just the beaches, lagoons, islands, or marine life—it was the people.
Everywhere we went, we met kind, humble, and genuinely warm locals. The tour guides were some of the most generous and enthusiastic people I've ever met. They were genuinely happy to share the beauty of their home, whether it was an underwater turtle, a hidden beach, or a freshly cooked meal on the shore.
Thank you, Palawan, for giving us memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. ❤️🇵🇭