One of the hottest topics in Palawan is El Nido vs Coron.
These destinations are the two most popular places to go island hopping in Palawan, so it’s no surprise that I heard this debate unfold in hostels, cafés and even on boats.
Everyone wants to know whether Coron or El Nido is better for island hopping… and, honestly, I get it. Not everyone has the time or energy to visit both, especially considering that they’re nearly 300 kilometres apart.
I’ve been to El Nido and Coron twice, so I’m here to share my honest take on which is better.
In this breakdown of El Nido vs Coron, I’ll talk about my own first-hand experience, the highlights in each destination and other important factors such as cost, convenience and crowds.
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Where are El Nido and Coron?
First, it’s helpful to talk about where El Nido and Coron are located.
While they are both on the Philippines’ archipelago of Palawan, they are almost 300 kilometres apart. Don’t be fooled by the Google Maps directions; you can’t simply drive between the two.
Getting from Coron to El Nido (or the reverse, El Nido to Coron) requires a short flight, a 3.5-hour ferry or a multi-day island-hopping expedition.
⛴️ Tip: Check ferry availability in advance on 12Go.
My Honest Take on the Coron vs El Nido Debate
Before I talk through the highlights in Coron vs El Nido, I want to start with my honest take on whether Coron or El Nido is better for island hopping.
I have visited Coron and El Nido twice, once in 2018 and a second time in late 2023.
Here’s where I’m going to be completely honest. I much prefer Coron to El Nido, the main reason being that El Nido is getting extremely crowded.
Coron
I noticed a significant rise in the price of tours, food and hotels in El Nido since 2018. I also noticed that the coral reefs in El Nido have been damaged due to overtourism.
In Coron, the corals are healthier overall, and it’s not quite as crowded but still just as spectacular as El Nido.
El Nido
That being said, if you asked me whether I’d rather go to Coron, El Nido or Linapacan – the remote area between Coron and El Nido – I’d pick Linapacan any day.
Both times I have been to Palawan, I opted to take the multi-day island-hopping expedition from Coron to El Nido (also available in the reverse direction).
Island hopping from Coron to El Nido
This remote area is only accessible by boat, and with just a small handful of expeditions running, you pretty much get it all to yourself.
Part of the experience is sleeping in bamboo huts on remote, sandy islands. Meanwhile, in the daytime, you stop to snorkel over spectacular reefs, swim to empty islands, and go cliff jumping.
It’s a truly spectacular part of Palawan, so if you have the time to do it, I really recommend you do it.
I’m hoping to visit for a third time, which is when you know something is truly good.
Big Dream Boatman offers the best value for money for these expeditions, keeping group numbers small (up to 20 people).
Naturally, these tours are popular, and often sell out – so make sure to check the availability in advance.
El Nido vs Coron: The Detailed Comparison
There are several things to consider when you decide whether to visit El Nido or Coron. What you can see is, of course, the most important.
However, you will also want to consider crowds, cost, convenience and accommodation.
1. Which is better for island hopping: El Nido or Coron?
El Nido and Coron are both spectacular destinations for island hopping. Both destinations have four set island-hopping routes (named A, B, C and D).
Each tour lasts one full day and visits a different set of attractions/beaches. For the full itineraries, you may want to open up a new tab here with my detailed island-hopping guides:
- 🏝️ The best El Nido tour – A, B C or D?
- 🏝️ The best Coron island hopping tours – A, B, C or D?
El Nido is famous for its lakes, lagoons and ‘secret’ or ‘hidden’ beaches.
The most popular tours are Tour A, where you can visit Big Lagoon (kayaking) and Secret Lagoon, and Tour C, which explores partially-concealed beaches and a historic shrine.
Coron, on the other hand, is best for snorkelling and visiting World II shipwrecks. It also has smaller lakes and lagoons.
In Coron, Tour A visits Kayangan Lake, thought to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines, and Tour B explores Barracuda Lake and Twin Lagoon, famed for their underwater cliffs.
El Nido highlights
Big Lagoon
Small Lagoon
Helicopter Island
Snake Island
Coron highlights
Barracuda Lake
Kayangan Lake
Twin Lagoon
Malcapuya Island
2. Which has better town activities?
The island-hopping tours in El Nido and Coron can quickly get expensive. If you want to spend some time in town rather than on a boat, it’s also important to consider which activities are available.
El Nido is a very busy tourist town with lots of restaurants, cafés and massage shops.
At the back of town, you can climb the via ferrata to the Taraw Cliffs for impeccable views over the bay (grab your Taraw Via Ferrata ticket online).
I also loved taking a tuk-tuk to the nearby Las Cabañas Beach to take the epic zipwire and visiting Lio and Napcan beaches.
Coron town is a bit smaller and less interesting, but I loved climbing Mount Tapyas at sunset for views over the bay and mountains. You can also visit the nearby Maquinit Hot Spring.
El Nido town highlights
Taraw Cliffs
El Nido town
Coron town highlights
Mount Tapyas
Mount Tapyas
3. Convenience, cost and crowds
El Nido and Coron are both easy to get to, with direct flights to Manila.
However, there are some differences in the cost once you arrive.
Group island-hopping tours are similarly priced in both destinations. However, overall, I’d say that the food and hotels in El Nido are more expensive.
In Coron, I also managed to rent a private boat for one day for 4500 PHP directly through my hotel.
In El Nido, the going price for a private boat is 17,000+ PHP – quite the difference. We were pretty shocked, having visited Coron first.
Visiting Banul Beach in Coron by private boat
4. Hotels in El Nido vs Coron
Palawan is particularly famous for its luxury private island resorts. If you’re travelling for a special occasion, you might want to treat yourself – they are popular with honeymooners.
Cauayan Island Resort and Spa and Matinloc Resort are particularly popular, and both are located near El Nido.
However, Coron does have the sprawling Two Seasons Coron Island Resort.
Best Island Resorts in Palawan
When it comes to regular hotel and hostel stays, El Nido has the widest variety of options. This makes sense, as Coron is a little smaller and doesn’t get quite as many tourists.
In El Nido, you will want to stay as near to El Nido Beach as possible because this is where the island tours depart from.
I stayed at the budget-friendly Frendz Hostel, which has a rooftop pool and coffee shop.
Where to Stay in El Nido
Frendz Hostel El Nido (£££)
I stayed here!
The Funny Lion (£££)
In Coron, make sure to stay in Coron town proper (between the bay and Mount Tapyas).
There may be fewer hotels to choose from, but there are still plenty of good choices for all budgets, with Two Seasons Coron Bayside being the go-to for comfier stays.
Outpost Hostel Coron (£££)
Two Seasons Coron Bayside (£££)
I hope you found my El Nido vs Coron comparison helpful. Leave a comment below to let me know how your trip plans – I’d love to hear from you.
Next up:
- Island hopping in Palawan itinerary – start here!
- Steal my Coron travel itinerary.
- How to plan your El Nido itinerary