6D5N Puerto Princesa and El Nido Tours with hotel

Puerto Princesa and El Nido pack two of Palawan’s best-known sights into one six-day route, with the UNESCO-listed Underground River on one end and El Nido’s lagoons and beaches on the other. I like the built-in airport pickup and hotel arrangements, and I like that breakfast, three lunches, transport, and activity fees are included. The tradeoff is a busy schedule, with a long transfer to El Nido and back.

I also like the flexibility on Day 5, when you get a half-day to explore El Nido on your own. Corazon Travel and Tours has also arranged more complex trips for families, including airline tickets and added stops such as Coron, with Sir Peter and Ron named in past arrangements. Still, this is a shared tour for up to 30 people, so you should expect a group pace rather than a private, custom journey.

Key points to know before booking

• The Underground River anchors Day 2: You get a seven-hour visit to one of Palawan’s major natural sights, with admission included.
• El Nido’s classic island stops fill two days: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Hidden Beach, Matinloc Island, Seven Commando Beach, and Helicopter Island are all included.
• Hotels, five breakfasts, and three lunches are covered: That makes the $349 price easier to judge, though meals not listed are your responsibility.
• Transfers are built into the plan: You travel by air-conditioned vehicle between Puerto Princesa and El Nido instead of arranging the route yourself.
• The group can reach 30 people: This keeps the price down but can make loading, meeting, and moving between boats or vehicles slower.
• Day 5 gives you breathing room: You have half a day in El Nido before returning to Puerto Princesa in the afternoon.

Why this six-day Palawan route works

Palawan is easier to enjoy when you divide your time between Puerto Princesa and El Nido. Puerto Princesa gives you access to the Underground River and a city-based half-day. El Nido brings the famous limestone islands, narrow lagoons, and small beaches.

I see the main value here as convenience. You do not have to arrange separate hotels, airport pickup, intercity transport, island visits, and the Underground River permit process on your own. For a first visit to Palawan, that can save a fair amount of planning.

The route is not slow. Day 2 combines the Underground River with the move to El Nido. Day 5 reverses that pattern, giving you a little personal time before the return drive. If you want long stays at each beach, this may feel rushed. If you want a broad first look at Palawan, the pace makes sense.

The price is $349 per person. That includes the hotel portion, air-conditioned transport, five breakfasts, three lunches, taxes and fees, the audio tour device rental, and the listed activity admissions. You still need to pay for meals not specified, and the tour does not promise that every meal is included.

At this price, I would judge the package mainly by how much planning you want to avoid. A shared vehicle and a group of up to 30 help keep costs reasonable. A private tour would likely give you more control over timing, but this package is aimed at travelers who prefer a fixed plan and a lower price.

Day 1: Airport pickup in Puerto Princesa

Your trip begins at Puerto Princesa International Airport on National Highway. A representative picks you up and takes you to your hotel, a welcome that removes one of the first small headaches of a new destination.

The stated start time is 2:00 pm. Since arrival times can vary, check that your flight fits the pickup arrangement before paying. The included airport transfer is useful, but the available details do not specify how late arrivals or flight delays are handled.

Day 1 is intentionally light. You are not asked to begin sightseeing immediately, so you can check in and prepare for the early activity and road travel ahead. I would use this evening to confirm the next morning’s meeting time, pack water and sun protection, and keep valuables easy to reach.

The hotel category and exact hotel names are not provided. That matters if your choice depends on a particular neighborhood, room standard, pool, or view. Ask for those details before booking if accommodation quality is central to your decision.

Day 2: The Underground River and the road to El Nido

The Puerto Princesa Underground River receives about seven hours on the schedule. It is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, so this is the trip’s main Puerto Princesa highlight.

The appeal is easy to understand. You get a rare natural attraction and a major Palawan landmark without having to arrange admission separately. The listed admission ticket is included, along with the vehicle and an audio tour device rental.

Seven hours is a serious block of time, not a quick photo stop. It allows for the visit and the practical work around it, such as group movement and transport. You should wear comfortable clothes and shoes and bring anything you need for several hours away from the hotel. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, so it is not best suited to someone who struggles with a full day of walking, boarding, or standing.

After the Underground River visit, you continue to El Nido. This is one of the most important details in the plan. You do not get a relaxed evening in Puerto Princesa after the river, because the route uses the same day to move north.

I like the efficiency, but I would not describe Day 2 as restful. If you prefer to settle into one place before a major excursion, this schedule may feel demanding. The payoff is that you wake up in El Nido for the island days instead of losing another full day to the transfer.

Day 3: Big Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Secret Lagoon

Day 3 brings the classic El Nido island experience. The first stop is Big Lagoon, where you board a kayak for a 30-minute visit. The kayak is a useful detail because it gives you an active way to see the lagoon rather than only viewing it from a larger boat.

Thirty minutes passes quickly. You should expect a focused stop, not a leisurely paddle with hours to linger. Big Lagoon is likely to be one of the most scenic moments of the tour, but the schedule favors seeing several places in one day.

Seven Commando Beach follows, also with about 30 minutes. You can play beach volleyball with local people or other visitors, or simply use the stop for a short break by the water. The activity gives the day a more social feel after the lagoon visit.

The short time here means you should decide quickly how to use it. If you want a swim, photos, and volleyball, you may have to choose your priorities.

The final listed stop is Secret Lagoon, again with 30 minutes and admission included. Its name suggests a tucked-away setting, but the practical point is that you get another short lagoon visit in the same day. The three-stop pattern gives you variety: kayaking, beach time, and a lagoon.

I like this mix because it avoids making the day all about one type of scenery. The drawback is predictable: the schedule leaves little room for lingering. A shared group also needs to move together, so punctuality matters.

Day 4: Hidden Beach, Matinloc Island, and Helicopter Island

The next island day begins at Hidden Beach. You have about 30 minutes here, enough for a short visit and photos, but not enough to treat it as a full beach day. The name is appealing, yet you should book this tour for the combination of stops rather than for extended time at any one beach.

Matinloc Island is next. The purpose listed here is a visit to a shrine, with another 30-minute stop. This gives the route a cultural point alongside its beaches and lagoons. I appreciate that the day is not simply a string of swimming stops, though the provided details do not explain the shrine’s background or the length of any commentary.

Helicopter Island closes the day. It is named for its shape, and the visit is listed as free of admission fees. That can be useful if you are watching extra costs, although the tour already includes the main listed fees and taxes.

Day 4 has the same strength and weakness as Day 3. You see several distinct places without arranging separate boat trips, but each stop is brief. You need to be ready when the group moves. I would keep your camera, towel, water, and other small items together rather than returning to your main luggage at every stop.

Day 5: Personal time in El Nido, then back to Puerto Princesa

Day 5 is the pressure-release point. You have half a day at leisure in El Nido, where you can visit other interesting places before leaving for Puerto Princesa in the afternoon.

The exact optional activities are not specified, so I would treat this as open time rather than as a promised extra excursion. That is useful if you want a slower morning, a personal errand, or a look at part of El Nido not covered by the two scheduled island days.

The afternoon transfer back to Puerto Princesa makes this a travel day as well. You should not plan an independent activity that depends on a precise departure time unless the operator confirms the schedule. The flexible morning is welcome, but the return journey means the day is not entirely free.

This arrangement works well for someone who wants a taste of El Nido without staying there for a full week. It is less suitable if you want to base yourself in El Nido and take several additional boat tours.

Day 6: A five-hour Puerto Princesa city visit

The final day includes a half-day Puerto Princesa tour lasting about five hours. The details describe interesting places in the city but do not name the individual stops.

That makes this portion harder to assess than the Underground River and El Nido days. You know the length and general purpose, but not the exact sights, admission charges, or amount of walking. Admission is listed as free for this half-day tour, which helps keep extra costs down.

The city visit gives you something to do before the experience ends back at the meeting point. Since the meeting point is Puerto Princesa International Airport, ask how the final schedule matches your flight. The supplied details do not state a guaranteed airport drop-off time or a minimum departure buffer.

I like ending in Puerto Princesa because it avoids an immediate El Nido departure on the final day. Still, you should get the exact Day 6 timing before booking a flight, especially if your departure is early or if you prefer a large cushion before check-in.

Hotels, meals, and what the $349 covers

Five breakfasts and three lunches are included. That is a useful saving across six days, but it does not mean you can leave your wallet at home. Meals not specified are excluded, so you should budget for additional lunches, dinners, snacks, and drinks.

The hotel stays are included, but the accommodation names and room details are not provided. I would ask about the hotels in Puerto Princesa and El Nido, the number of nights in each place, and whether rooms are private or shared before you commit.

The package also includes all fees and taxes, an air-conditioned vehicle, and an audio tour device rental. These inclusions matter because transport and admission costs can be awkward to arrange separately, especially on a tight schedule.

The air-conditioned vehicle is particularly helpful during the road portions. The plan includes the transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and the return trip, so you do not need to find separate transport between the two bases.

Group size, fitness, and the feel of the trip

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is not a tiny group, and it shapes the experience. You may spend more time gathering people, checking attendance, and waiting for everyone to board or leave a stop.

The group format is also why the package costs less than a private itinerary. If you care most about convenience and covering the major sights, this is a fair compromise. If you want to change the order of stops, stay longer at Big Lagoon, or skip a beach, you will have less control.

A moderate physical fitness level is required. The details do not provide a precise walking distance or accessibility plan, so ask questions if you have mobility concerns. The itinerary includes a long Underground River day, boat and island stops, kayaking at Big Lagoon, and repeated movement between vehicle and activity points.

The audio tour device is a nice practical touch. It suggests that some sightseeing is supported by recorded information, though the exact language and content are not stated. Do not assume that every stop includes a personal guide with a long explanation.

What the past arrangements tell you about service

Corazon Travel and Tours is the operator. Sir Peter is named in connection with a highly customized itinerary, and Ron is named as a strong point of contact on a family trip. The arrangements described include adding people before departure, booking airline tickets from Manila and onward to Coron, and combining several Palawan areas.

That is useful evidence if your plans may change before departure. It suggests the company has handled additions and more involved routes, although this six-day package itself remains a fixed shared tour.

I would contact the operator with any special requests before booking. Ask about hotel names, exact pickup timing, the city stops on Day 6, the transfer duration, and how the schedule works with your flights. Those questions are more important here than choosing between two minor sightseeing stops.

Who should book this Palawan tour?

I would recommend this package to you if you want a ready-made first visit to Palawan. It suits someone who wants the Underground River, El Nido’s main island stops, hotels, airport pickup, and shared transport in one purchase.

It also suits families or small groups who value help with logistics. The company has handled group additions and more complicated Palawan plans, and the included meals and vehicle reduce the number of daily decisions.

I would hesitate if you want a slow beach holiday. Thirty-minute island stops are designed for coverage, not long swims or quiet afternoons. I would also hesitate if your flight schedule is tight, because the package begins with a stated 2:00 pm start and ends at the Puerto Princesa meeting point without detailed flight-transfer guarantees.

The non-refundable policy deserves serious attention. Once you book, cancellations or amendments do not receive a refund. Confirm your dates, flights, hotel expectations, and group size first.

Should you book the 6D5N Puerto Princesa and El Nido tour?

Book it if the $349 price, included hotels and meals, shared vehicle, and famous Palawan stops match your priorities. You get a lot of ground covered in six days, with enough free time on Day 5 to keep the trip from becoming one long checklist.

Skip it if you want a private pace, detailed control over every stop, or long stretches at the beach. Before paying, confirm the hotel names, Day 6 attractions, pickup timing, transfer schedule, and how the plan fits your flights. If those answers work for you, this is a practical way to see Puerto Princesa and El Nido without building the entire trip yourself.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Princesa and El Nido tour?

The experience lasts approximately six days and includes activities in both Puerto Princesa and El Nido.

What is the tour price?

The listed price is $349 per person.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Puerto Princesa International Airport on National Highway in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 2:00 pm.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. A representative picks you up from Puerto Princesa International Airport and takes you to your hotel on Day 1.

How many people can join the shared tour?

The maximum group size is 30 travelers.

What meals are included?

The package includes five breakfasts and three lunches. Meals not specified are not included.

Is the Puerto Princesa Underground River included?

Yes. Day 2 includes a seven-hour Underground River visit, and the admission ticket is included.