Summary
Palawan island has become famous for its tropical scenery and island hopping, but in a head-to-head comparison of Coron vs El Nido, which is better?
Both of these places are amazing; consequently, it’s possible to do both (I’d recommend it!). However, if you’re limited on time, you may have to choose one or the other since the two provinces are separated in the Philippines by 100 kilometers of sea.
El Nido is more popular and more developed than Coron, but that’s not always a benefit. Coron is quieter and offers better snorkeling and diving. Both El Nido and Coron have amazing islands and beaches to explore.
In this travel guide, I’ll provide a complete breakdown of all the differences, and hopefully, it’ll assist you in deciding whether Coron or El Nido is better!
Table of Contents
Getting There
• El Nido
El Nido town can be reached by air, van, bus, or ferry.
The easiest, fastest, and most expensive (but recommended) way to get to El Nido Palawan is via direct flights sold by AirSWIFT.
The El Nido island airport (ENI) is not served internationally, so you will first need to fly to one of the big cities in the Philippines — Manila or Cebu — and then fly to ENI from there.
You can shop for flights to El Nido or Coron at Skyscanner.
• Coron
Flights to the Coron airport (USU) are generally cheaper than those to El Nido due to more airline options, including Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines.
If you plan to visit both El Nido and Coron, the most popular option is to take the fast ferry between the two locations.
You can also join a 4-day Palawan sailing expedition from Coron to El Nido (or vice versa) and see some of the stunning secluded islands along the way.
Things To Do
• El Nido
El Nido is island hopping heaven, featuring perfect turquoise lagoons, karst mountains, and the finest white sand beaches in Palawan.
If you have time, spend your first few days participating in all 4 of the El Nido island hopping day tours (A, B, C, and D). Moreover, you should experience the sunset at Marimegmeg Beach and explore mainland sights like Nacpan Beach and Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfall.
Overall, I think El Nido is the area with the most activities in Palawan. You could easily spend a week just on the boat tours! Even if you don’t get on a boat, El Nido has numerous beaches accessible on the mainland, which can be easily reached with a bit of driving.
• Coron
Coron offers an Ultimate Island Tour that takes you to the stunning Twin Lagoon and the renowned Kayangan viewpoint, along with several coral reefs and other hidden spots.
Other tours like the Island Escapade allow you to walk across the ocean on a narrow sandbar while visiting various incredible white sand beaches equipped with hammocks, fresh coconuts, and all you need for relaxation.
Furthermore, Coron is known for having the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Palawan, showcasing exceptional coral reefs, exotic fish, and sunken shipwrecks that outshine those in El Nido.
Although there are great beaches in Coron, they are primarily accessible only via boat tours, making them less reachable than the beaches in mainland El Nido.
Accommodation
• El Nido
El Nido provides a diverse range of budgets and luxury hotels, though it is generally pricier compared to other places in Southeast Asia. The value compared to Bali may not be as favorable.
I expect this will change, as tourist demand in El Nido is rapidly increasing, leading to new hotels being constructed to accommodate the growing influx of island hoppers visiting Palawan.
• Coron
Accommodation in Coron tends to be a bit more affordable and offers better value than El Nido. It primarily features budget hotels with only a few luxury options.
During my last visit to Coron, we stayed at the Coron Visitors Hotel, where we enjoyed a clean double room with cold A/C. This hotel is conveniently located near some excellent restaurants.
If you have a larger travel budget, you can easily find some nice accommodations in Coron.
Restaurants
• El Nido
There’s no competition here; El Nido boasts a far superior selection of restaurants, street food, and nightlife compared to Coron, with an abundance of quality dining options.
For instance, you can find affordable Asian food at places like CB Cafe, pizza at Altrove, fruit smoothie bowls at The Vegan Cafe, and excellent international and western cuisine at El Nido Boutique Artcafe.
• Coron
Coron may lag behind El Nido in terms of dining options, but the number of restaurants is quickly increasing. Our personal favorites included Om’s Thai, El Kuvo, and Levine’s Eatery.
These dining establishments offered delicious meals at reasonable prices. Overall, while finding good food in Coron isn’t challenging, it can’t compare to the extensive culinary options available in El Nido.
So… Coron Or El Nido? Which Is Better?
In summary, deciding between these two incredible places is quite challenging.
El Nido offers the finest hotels and restaurants, arguably the best island hopping experiences, while Coron features amazing island tours and superior snorkeling. Both locations have excellent beaches; however, the beaches in El Nido are more numerous and easier to access.
If you have the opportunity, definitely aim to visit both locations during your Palawan trip! Additionally, see my tips below on how to do that.
How To See Both Places
Historically, there wasn’t an easy way to travel between Coron and El Nido. They weren’t connected by flights or fast ferries; thus, you had to fly out to Manila or Cebu and then return to Palawan, which was both expensive and inconvenient.
Thankfully, that has changed now. Multiple companies operate a direct ferry between El Nido and Coron, and you can purchase tickets online at 12Go, Bookaway, or Biyaheroes.
For an even better experience, consider a sailing expedition with Big Dream Boat Man. Their expeditions last up to 4 days and 3 nights, taking you between Coron and El Nido, or vice versa.
This expedition is a fantastic way to go island hopping in paradise without the crowds and time constraints of standard day tours, allowing you to explore many beautiful islands that are off the beaten path and not part of the main day tours.
Happy travels!
More Palawan Travel Tips
Thank you for reading! I hope this comparison of El Nido vs Coron has been helpful. We consistently enjoy visiting Palawan and the other islands in the Philippines.
Are you seeking more travel tips for Palawan and the Philippines? Need more island hopping information for Coron or El Nido prior to your visit? Check out my comprehensive El Nido Travel Guide and Coron Travel Guide filled with free tips, information, and loads of photos!
Best Palawan Tour Packages
If you’re eager to explore the islands of El Nido or Coron with a tour package, numerous great online options are accessible.
GetYourGuide offers Palawan tours that include island hopping, scenic beaches, caves, water sports, and more.
This company has serviced our numerous tours and activities around the globe, and they’ve consistently delivered quality experiences. Highly recommended!
