Black in Palawan: El Nido, Coron and the Honest Guide (2026)
Updated: Sep 26
Palawan is the reason people fly across the world for the Philippines: limestone lagoons, empty beaches, water you can see the bottom of at ten metres. It is also remote, sometimes rough, and priced for the people who fly across the world. This is a city page of our Philippines guide.
What it is actually like
Small towns full of travelers and boat crews. Nobody stares; everybody is on a boat by 9 a.m. As a Black traveler you will be a novelty only in the villages away from the tourist towns, and a friendly one. There is no community to speak of — this is a trip, three to five days, and one of the best you will take in Asia.
Where to base
El Nido — the lagoons and the famous island-hopping tours (A, B, C, D). Busy town, spectacular water, beaches at Nacpan and Las Cabanas.
Coron — the wrecks, the lakes (Kayangan, Barracuda), fewer crowds, better diving. Quieter town.
Puerto Princesa — the capital and main airport: the underground river, then move on.
Port Barton — the small, slow alternative between Puerto Princesa and El Nido.
Getting there and around
Fly to Puerto Princesa (then 5–6 hours by van to El Nido) or straight to El Nido's small airport (pricier, saves a day). Coron has its own airport. El Nido to Coron is a ferry of 4–5 hours. On the islands: tricycles, scooters, and boats for everything else.
Do these first
El Nido Tour A (Big and Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon) — or a private boat if there are four of you.
Nacpan beach for a day; Las Cabanas for the sunset.
Coron's Kayangan lake, the Twin Lagoon, and the Japanese wrecks if you dive.
The Puerto Princesa underground river on the way in or out.
Everything bookable in Palawan — island tours, private boats, transfers, diving.
What it costs
The priciest part of the Philippines: flights to El Nido, environmental fees, boat tours per head, and beachfront rooms. Guesthouses in town are cheap; food is island prices. Cash is king — ATMs run out.
The three rules
Cash before you land. El Nido and Coron ATMs empty in high season.
Book tours the day before, in town — walk-in prices beat online ones here.
Dry season is December to May. Boats stop and lagoons close in the storms.
Book it
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Before you land
Get the free chapter Your First 72 Hours in Asia as a Black Traveler — the airport, the money, the 24-hour rule and what the stares actually mean. Enter your email in the subscribe box at the bottom of any Black in Asia page and the PDF opens straight away.
Where to stay: Find hotels in Manila on Klook (affiliate link, no extra cost to you)
