After thousands of transfers between Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and Port Barton, we have seen the same mistakes happen to travelers again and again. Most are easily avoidable with a little planning. Here are the 15 most common ones.
Quick Answer
The most common Palawan travel mistakes are not withdrawing enough cash in Puerto Princesa, booking van transfers too late during peak season, underestimating travel time for flights, and not bringing reef-safe sunscreen. Plan cash, transport, and accommodation before you arrive.
1. Not Withdrawing Enough Cash in Puerto Princesa
El Nido has one ATM that frequently runs out of cash. Port Barton has no ATM at all. Withdraw everything you need in Puerto Princesa — at the airport or at any BDO, BPI, or Metrobank in the city. Budget at least ₱5,000 per day for food, tours, and tips. Running out of cash in El Nido midway through your trip is stressful and very avoidable.
2. Booking Van Transfers Too Late
The 7:30 AM shared van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is the most popular departure. During peak season from November to May it sells out days in advance. Travelers who try to book the day before often end up on a less convenient afternoon departure or paying premium prices for last-minute private vans. Book your transfer when you book your flight.
3. Leaving El Nido Too Late for Your Flight
The El Nido to Puerto Princesa journey takes 5 to 6 hours. Many travelers book a 10:30 AM departure thinking they will arrive by 4:30 PM with time for a 6:00 PM flight. Then they hit road works outside Taytay and arrive at 5:20 PM. Always take the 5:00 AM departure for any afternoon flight and allow 6 hours minimum.
4. Using Chemical Sunscreen at the Lagoons
Chemical sunscreen is prohibited at El Nido’s Big Lagoon and several other protected marine areas. Rangers check and ask you to wash it off before entering — in saltwater, this takes time and leaves you unprotected. Bring reef-safe mineral sunscreen from home. It is hard to find in El Nido and expensive when you do.
5. Not Booking Accommodation in Advance During Peak Season
El Nido has far fewer rooms than its visitor numbers suggest. Good mid-range accommodation for ₱1,500 to ₱3,000 per night books out weeks in advance during December and January. Travelers who arrive without a booking often end up in overpriced or poor-quality rooms that remain available only because no one else wanted them.
6. Choosing the Shared Van Without Checking the Group Math
For a group of 8 or more, a private van at ₱7,500 costs roughly the same per person as individual shared seats at ₱750. Yet many groups still book shared vans and end up scattered across two different vehicles, at the mercy of other passengers’ pickup points, and dropped at the town center rather than their resort. Check the group cost comparison before automatically choosing shared.
7. Skipping Port Barton
Most travelers fly straight to Puerto Princesa and head directly to El Nido. Port Barton — which sits halfway between the two — has equal or better snorkeling, significantly fewer crowds, and much lower prices for accommodation and food. Many travelers who visit call it the best part of their Palawan trip. It adds only one extra van transfer to your itinerary.
8. Booking Tours on the Same Day as Arrival
If you arrive in El Nido after a 5 to 6 hour van transfer, you will be tired. Booking an island hopping tour that starts at 9 AM the following morning after arriving at 6 PM the night before leaves almost no time to check in, settle, and rest. Give yourself one full day in El Nido before your first tour.
9. Not Bringing a Dry Bag
Every island hopping tour involves getting wet — sea spray on the boat, wading ashore at beaches, and swimming at lagoons. Phones, cameras, and documents that are not in a waterproof bag frequently get damaged. A basic 10L roll-top dry bag costs under ₱500 and protects everything you bring on the boat.
10. Not Paying the Environmental Fee Before the Tour
El Nido requires a ₱200 environmental user fee from every visitor. You need the receipt to board island hopping boats and access protected marine areas. Many travelers only find this out at the pier when the boat is about to leave. Pay the fee at the El Nido tourism office on your first day.
11. Expecting Reliable Wi-Fi
El Nido Wi-Fi is slow and unreliable. Speeds of 1 to 3 Mbps are normal. Video calls and streaming are usually not possible. Download offline maps, your accommodation confirmation, and your return flight documents before you leave Puerto Princesa while you still have reliable connectivity.
12. Forgetting Motion Sickness Tablets
Two situations in Palawan cause motion sickness in susceptible travelers: the final winding road section approaching El Nido on the van, and open-water boat crossings when the sea is choppy. Take Bonamine 30 minutes before either if you are prone to it. Philippine pharmacies sell it but they may be closed when you need it most.
13. Traveling During Holy Week Without Planning
Holy Week (Semana Santa) typically falls in April and is the busiest domestic travel period in the Philippines. Flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa book out entirely. Van transfers fill weeks in advance. Hotel prices triple. If you want to visit Palawan over Holy Week, book everything at least 2 to 3 months ahead or choose different dates.
14. Only Doing One Island Hopping Tour
Tour A is iconic and non-negotiable for first-timers. But Tour C (Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine) and Tour B (Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan) are equally impressive and significantly less crowded. If you have 3 or more days in El Nido, do at least two tours. Each one visits completely different locations.
15. Not Tipping Your Boat Crew and Van Driver
Your island hopping boat crew paddles you into lagoons, prepares your beach barbecue, and handles your equipment all day in the heat. A tip of ₱100 to ₱200 per person per day is standard and genuinely appreciated. Similarly, your van driver has been on the road since before dawn — ₱100 to ₱200 is the norm for a long-distance transfer. Tips are not mandatory but are a meaningful part of local service workers’ income.
Planning your Palawan trip? Start with your van transfer — the most important booking to make early. Book your Puerto Princesa to El Nido transfer here or message us on WhatsApp at +63 948 108 7090.
