Palawan has been dubbed as the best island in the world and has made international headlines in tourism for its gorgeous beaches and jaw-dropping rock formations. It is no secret how stunning this piece of paradise in the Philippines is. People crave for what Palawan has to offer. It is jam-packed with hidden gems and most of the islands remain relatively undeveloped and unexplored.
Whenever people hear of Palawan, El Nido and Puerto Princesa’s subterranean river always comes to mind first; but little did they know that aside from El Nido, there is also another equally gorgeous destination hiding in plain sight, Coron. The dilemma is, after hearing or reading about Coron, people start to become confused as to which destination is better as they are both equally marvelous, El Nido or Coron? To help you decide your next trip, here is an objective comparison of these two most desirable Palawan destinations.
Accessibility
Coron: Coron is easier and cheaper to get to than El Nido. Several airlines offer daily flights directly from Manila or Cebu to Busuanga Airport which is only 30 minutes away from Coron town proper. These airlines are: Cebu Pacific, Sky Jet, and Philippine Airlines. Watch out for promo fares because you can get a ticket for as low as 1000 pesos ($20).
El Nido: There are no commercial airlines that offer direct flights from Manila to El Nido as of writing (April, 2018) however, chartered flights served by Air Swift (a small boutique airline) are available from Manila and Cebu but are very expensive.
For a cheaper and more popular alternative, Fly with local commercial airlines from Manila to Puerto Princesa and take a van to El Nido. Travel time from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is 5-6 hours and transport fare starts from 500 pesos ($10).
Hopping from Coron to El Nido and vise versa is also possible. There is a fast ferry from El Nido to Coron daily that usually set sail at 9 AM and takes 5 hours of travel.
If you have some additional budget and time, you could join the Big Dream Boatman expedition between Coron and El Nido. Made famous by travel influencers, this is the number one ranked expedition in Palawan with multiple awards to its name.
Accommodation
Coron: Accommodation options in Coron are mostly basic but there are also a few upscale resorts that you can find if you plan on splurging on this side of Palawan. You can find transient rooms or hostels with very cheap price tags (some are even as low as $6 per night). If you just need a place to sleep and don’t mind staying in a basic accommodation, you can easily find it in Coron through numerous booking sites.
Mid-range accommodation options are plentiful with prices per night ranging from $30-70. Luxurious options however, are available but very limited. Some of the most luxurious accommodations in Coron are: Huma Island Resort, Sangat Island Dive Resort, Coron Soleil Garden Resort, and Two Seasons Coron Island Resort and Spa. Out of these, only the latter is truly worth the hefty price and is a real 5 star resort, comparable with the ones found in El Nido.
El Nido: Hotels in El Nido are expensive (even the basic ones are more expensive compared to Coron). However, there are more options to choose from in El Nido. There are plenty of different places to stay in El Nido for every budget. You can easily find transient rooms, hostels, hotels, resorts, villas, apartments and even luxurious private vacation houses for rent in El Nido. Prices range from $15 (pension house/hostel) to $600 per night.
More importantly, El Nido is the perfect place for splurging. This paradise is packed with more luxurious accommodation options than the famous Boracay Island. If your idea of a perfect vacation is a luxurious vacation, look no more because El Nido has got it all for you.
Some of the most exclusive luxury resorts to check out are Cauayan Island Resort, Matinloc Resort, El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island, El Nido Resorts Pangulasian Island, El Nido Resorts Lagen Island, Ipil Waterfront and Vellago Resort. These luxury accommodations are perfect for couples but they are quite expensive. To save money, you can book one of these El Nido honeymoon packages.
Attractions and Things to do
Coron: Coron’s charms lie in its rugged beauty. It is raw and undeveloped compared to the more commercialized El Nido. This smaller and more tranquil version of El Nido is actually nothing like it when it comes to the adventures it offers underneath the waters. Coron has got the limestone cliffs and the gorgeous rock formations found in El Nido but this eye-popping spectacle is mirrored beneath the waters as well, something that El Nido can’t brag about. If you’re heading to Coron and you are looking to treat yourself with a special experience, check out the famous Big Dream Boatman expedition.
- Island Hopping: When it comes to the number of islands to explore, Coron loses to its bigger neighbor but island hopping is still the best way to see most of the natural grandeur that Coron has to offer. Some of the beautiful islands to explore in Coron are: Banana Island, Bulog Island, Dimalanta, Malpagalen and Banol Beach.
- Diving: When it comes to diving, Coron wins hands down. The magic of Coron lies underneath its waters that once you get a glimpse of it, either you will never want to leave or you will keep coming back. This underwater paradise is rich in dive hotspots that are among the best in the world. Underwater mountains found in Barracuda Lake offer an alien world where you cannot find colorful marine life but crazy rock formations that are rather similar to the surface of the moon.
- Reef Diving: Coron is home to some of the country’s finest and most protected reef systems. For the more experienced divers, Coral garden offers a 40 feet drop surrounded by protected marine life. It also offers 80-meter visibility which gives you the opportunity to have the clearest dive you will ever have in your life. Another impressive site for reef diving is the skeleton reef which offers a colorful reef system that was made possible thanks to a sunken Chinese fishing vessel.
- Wreck Diving: If you are a wreck-diving fanatic, your diving experience in Busuanga Island (still in Coron) will remain unmatched for the rest of your life once you see dozens of massive Japanese war ships that were sunk during the First World War in 1944. This underwater museum offers an experience unlike any other. These massive ships are now home to a multitude of marine species which adds to the colorful marine life in the area.
- Snorkeling: We have already established that the real charm of Coron is underwater so snorkeling is one of the best activities that give you a more rewarding experience than El Nido. Some of the best snorkeling sites are: Kayangan lake (considered to be the cleanest and greenest lake in Asia), the twin Lagoons, Siete Pecados, and Dimalanta Island.
- Maquinit Hot springs: This is also one of the highlights of your Coron tour. If you want to rest your tired body the warm waters in the pool will totally relax you.
El Nido: Contrary to Coron’s underwater charm, El Nido’s beauty lies on its magnificent beaches. There are more islands in El Nido than in Coron and each of them are more beautiful than the other. You will easily fall in love with El Nido’s shoreline and some are even much better than some of the world’s famous beaches. Here, you will find a secret beach accessible only by swimming and kayaking.
- Island Hopping: Visiting El Nido without island hopping is not visiting at all. El Nido’s islands are more plentiful than Coron. There are numerous boat tours offered for island hopping depending on your budget. There are private boat tours that will take you to private islands and there are also the big boats that cater to big groups. Some of the best islands you can visit are Snake Island, Simizu Island, Dilumacad Island, Matinloc Island, Commandos Beach, and secret beach.
- Diving: Although Coron offers more world-class diving spots, El Nido is not far behind. There is also a few diving spots in the area like the underwater tunnel which is a 40-meter tunnel teeming with marine life 12 meters below the surface.
- Snorkeling: Just like Coron, El Nido also has snorkeling spots and one of them is the Big lagoon. Bacuit Bay also has many sites perfect for snorkeling.
- Beach Bumming: Luxurious vacation in El Nido is almost synonymous with beach bumming. With a number of very good island resorts, beach getaway in El Nido is unlike any other.
Convenience, Night Life, and Restaurants
Coron: If you love parties and nightlife and if you always prioritize modern comforts among others you will be disappointed in Coron. Aside from the usual local market places and a few eateries, you will not find any other shops here. Unless you go to big resorts or eat at your own hotel, you will not find restaurants easily in the area. It also follows that nightlife is almost non-existent.
Coron is so laidback. There are no reliable ATMs in town so even if you do see one it does not guarantee that it will accept your card so you need to make sure that you always bring cash with you when you stay in Coron for a few days.
El Nido:
In contrast, El Nido is much more lively and vibrant when it comes to nightlife. There are numerous restaurants and bars to choose from. There are also a lot of shops and convenience stores. Transportation, shopping, internet, and ATMs are all readily accessible. Some roads in El Nido are still not cemented but rest assured that infrastructure in touristy places is more convenient than Coron.
Value for Money
Coron: In terms of value for money, you are better off in Coron. Everything here is cheaper than El Nido. From flights to accommodation to dining and tours, Coron will give you so much more for your money. The price of a mid-range hotel room with modern amenities costs less and if you want to pay above $200 dollars a night then you will already be paying for a VVIP experience in Coron.
El Nido: If you have the money, we suggest that you splurge it in El Nido. If you are in your honeymoon for example, you will find better and more luxurious places in El Nido than anywhere else in Palawan. However, if you are a bit tight on budget, your $100 dollars will not go a long way in El Nido. Mid-range resorts that are located on the beach are very expensive and they typically cost more than $100 per night. Tours are also more expensive but you can share it with other groups if you want to save some money.
The Verdict:
We all love different things. We have different priorities and expectations. If you love diving and has a limited budget, Coron is perfect for you. However, if you love the beach, island hopping and nightlife and if you have the money, El Nido will surely deliver on your expectations and more.
