7 days might sound short for an island as big and beautiful as Palawan, but with a car and a little planning, it’s more than enough to see the highlights without feeling rushed. We drove the entire route ourselves. Having our own car completely changed the way we experienced the island, we could stop whenever a viewpoint called to us, linger at beaches far from the crowds, and explore hidden corners that don’t appear on any tour map.

Palawan itinerary: a 7-day road trip

If you’re thinking of doing this route, I really recommend renting a car. That’s how we explored Palawan, and it made the whole trip feel much more relaxed. We didn’t have to wait for vans, adjust our plans to someone else’s schedule, or skip places just because they were a bit out of the way. We could stop for a swim when we saw an empty beach, pull over for a viewpoint, or change plans completely if the weather turned. If you want to travel the island the same way, you can check car rental options here, or read my full guide to renting a car and driving in Palawan, where I share the real experience, costs, road conditions, and what to expect.

This 7-day route takes you from Puerto Princesa all the way up to El Nido, with stops in Sabang and Port Barton along the way. It’s a straightforward drive, but the best parts are the unexpected ones in between: quiet stretches of coast, small villages, roadside stalls, and those random viewpoints where you just have to stop the car and look around. It’s not a packed, rushed itinerary. It’s simply the route we followed, at our own pace, and it ended up being one of our favourite road trips.

Stop 1: Puerto Princesa

We started our trip in Puerto Princesa, after arriving from Manila. Puerto Princesa is rarely anyone’s favorite stop in Palawan, but it’s a good place to begin. It’s practical, relaxed, and far less chaotic than other Philippine cities. After arriving, it gives you time to adjust, pick up your car, and ease into island life without pressure. That’s exactly what we did.

Top things to see and do in Puerto Princesa:

Puerto Princesa City Tour. Puerto Princesa itself isn’t the most exciting city in Palawan, but a short sightseeing tour gives you a glimpse into its history and daily life. Most tours stop at the cathedral, Plaza Cuartel, local markets, and a few souvenir shops. It’s a relaxed half-day activity that works well if you’ve just arrived or have a late flight. Think of it less as a must-see attraction and more as an easy introduction to the island before heading to the beaches and jungles farther north.

Spend your first day keeping things simple. Walk along the bay at sunset, where locals gather in the early evening and the air finally cools. Explore a few local eateries rather than chasing must-see attractions; Puerto Princesa is more about atmosphere than sights.
If you have extra time, the Iwahig Firefly Watching tour is a quiet, surprisingly beautiful experience, especially if you’re coming from a long flight. It’s calm, low-key, and a good contrast to the busier days ahead.
Honda Bay Island Hopping. If you’re looking for an easy beach day without leaving Puerto Princesa, Honda Bay is the best option. The tour usually stops at a few small islands with powdery white sand and clear, shallow water perfect for swimming and snorkeling. It’s not as dramatic as El Nido, but it’s relaxed, scenic, and very accessible.

Where we stayed in Puerto princesa

It is pointless to tell you where to stay in Puerto Princesa as we didn’t have an opportunity to see many places for ourselves and I don’t feel confident recommending something that might be a total flop. We stayed in Go Boutique Inn, a nice and modern small boutique hotel. It is a nice place to stay at for a couple of days, but it’s not near the beach if that is important to you.

Stop 2: Sabang and Underground River

From Puerto Princesa, the road to Sabang slowly climbs into jungle-covered hills, passing tiny villages, roadside fruit stalls, and long stretches of nothing but green. The drive already feels like you’ve left the city far behind. Sabang itself is a small, quiet coastal village that seems to exist almost entirely for one reason: the Puerto Princesa Underground River. If you’re planning to visit, make sure to read my full guide to the underground river first, because the permit system, boats, and logistics are a bit more complicated than they look online.

Top things to see and do in Sabang:

Visiting the underground river is the obvious highlight. The experience is carefully controlled, sometimes frustratingly so, but once you’re inside the cave, the noise and logistics fade away. Floating through vast chambers in near silence feels grounding in a way that’s hard to describe. I really enjoyed the experience despite mixed opinions you can find online. As you know, we had a rented car to get there, but if you don’t want to do that, there are many day trips from Puerto Princesa.
Outside of the cave, Sabang is wonderfully low-key. Walk along the beach in the late afternoon, watch fishing boats come and go, or sit somewhere with a cold drink and do very little at all. The area is surrounded by dense jungle, and everything feels close to nature. If you stay overnight, Sabang becomes far more enjoyable. Early mornings are quiet, and evenings feel almost suspended in time once the day-trippers leave.

Where to stay in Sabang

There are a few options in Sabang, but we chose Four Points by Sheraton and it was an excellent move. We loved it there. Not only it is located a few minutes walking from the place where excursions to the underground river start, but was super comfortable. I loved the terrace overlooking the beach and the pool. Basically, everything was amazing.

Stop 3: Port Barton

Port Barton is often described as “what El Nido used to be,” but that comparison doesn’t quite do it justice. It’s not a placeholder or a throwback—it’s simply its own place, with a rhythm that’s slower and less performative.

The road into Port Barton is rough in parts, but arriving feels like stepping into a pause. There are no big resorts, no pressure to do anything, and no sense of urgency.

Top things to see and do in Port Barton

Spend your days walking between beaches, swimming whenever the heat becomes too much, and letting plans form naturally:
Island hopping here exists, but it’s gentler and less structured than in El Nido. If you choose to go, it feels more like spending a day with friends than joining a tour.
Evenings in Port Barton are quiet. Simple dinners, bare feet in the sand, and early nights are the norm. It’s the kind of place where doing very little feels exactly right.

Best beaches to visit in Port Barton

White Beach

White Beach is the most famous and widely considered the most beautiful beach in Port Barton. It’s the kind of place that looks exactly like you imagine the Philippines: powdery white sand, crystal-clear turquoise water, and a line of palm trees swaying behind the shore. Despite its beauty, it still feels peaceful and uncrowded, mainly because of its slightly remote location. Many travelers rank it among the most beautiful beaches in the country. You can reach it by tuk-tuk, but if you feel like stretching your legs, it’s also possible to walk there, it takes about an hour along a quiet, scenic path. We saw the rain black clouds in the distance that day, so decided to take tuk tuk both ways.

Coconut Beach

Coconut Beach is a quiet, raw stretch of tropical coastline just outside town. As the name suggests, hundreds of coconut trees line the shore, creating that perfect postcard setting you secretly hope to find in Palawan. There’s very little development here, which is exactly what makes it special. It feels wild and untouched, with grazing animals sometimes wandering through and barely anyone around. It’s the kind of beach where you bring your own snacks, sit under a palm tree, and just enjoy the simplicity of it all. When we arrived there was almost nobody, but some locals asked us for money, like a fee for keeping the beach clean.

Where we stayed in Port Barton

Port Barton is very small, but it has a few nice accommodation. We stayed at Parrots Boutique Resort, which turned out to be owned by a Polish girl. We loved this place. Although small and simple, it was so charming. I especially loved the terrace outside each room, where we could have our meals. Also, I had some of the best food in the Philippines in this hotel.

Stop 4: El Nido

El Nido needs no introduction. Its limestone cliffs and turquoise water are some of the most photographed scenes in the Philippines. But while most people experience El Nido from a boat, exploring it by land reveals a softer, more spacious side.

Arriving by road after Port Barton, El Nido feels lively—but not overwhelming. There’s energy here, but also room to step away from it.

Top things to see and do in El Nido

Instead of rushing straight into island hopping, we started by exploring the coastline by car. Some of our favorite days were the simplest ones, just driving north or south and stopping whenever a beach looked inviting. Nacpan Beach stretches endlessly, wide and golden, perfect for long walks. Duli feels wilder and more remote, especially if the road is still a bit rough. Lio Beach, closer to town, is more developed but beautifully maintained, with calm water and space to relax. I put together a list of best beaches to reach by car from El Nido.
Sunsets are a daily ritual in El Nido, and honestly, they never get old. Las Cabañas (also called Marimegmeg Beach) and Corong Corong became our go-to evening spots (although the beaches were not my favourite, I actually quite disliked them, but they are good for sunest).
If you do choose to island hop (which we didn’t do), I’d suggest saving it for later in your stay. After a few days exploring by land, you’ll appreciate the dramatic lagoons and hidden beaches even more. And if you decide not to go at all? You genuinely won’t feel like you’ve missed El Nido. There is so much beauty accessible without ever stepping on a tour boat.
For panoramic views, hike up Taraw Cliff at sunrise if you’re feeling brave. It’s steep, sharp, and definitely not for everyone, but the view over Bacuit Bay is unforgettable. If you prefer something easier, there are newer viewing decks around town that offer similar scenery without the climb. Either way, seeing El Nido from above gives you a completely different perspective.
And finally, give yourself time to do absolutely nothing. El Nido can feel busy near the town center, but it doesn’t take much to escape the noise. Drive a little farther, walk a little longer, stay a little later. Some of our best memories weren’t from big attractions, but from random beaches we had almost to ourselves, spontaneous swims, and unplanned stops along the road. My favourite one? Watching planes ;and and take off from Lio beach.

Where to stay in El Nido

We stayed in H Hotel El Nido, which was ok and right in the centre of El Nido. The view was very nice from our room. However, I found this hotel (and others that we looked at) a bit underwhelming. The standard and quality did not go together with high prices. Since we were travelling during Christmas, the options were limited and booked way in advance and prices higher. But still, the hotels were just ok.

See also:

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Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
AirHelp helps to get compensation for cancelled or delayed flights.
Travel Payouts is my favourite platform for monetizing the blog.
Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
World Nomads and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
WeGoTrip sends you audio guides to your mobile, so you can visit places while learning history and interesting facts easily and for little money.
Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money. You can even save 50%.
Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.
Airalo is my eSim choice for alternative data abroad.

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7-Day Palawan Itinerary: The Best Route for a Self-Drive Road Trip

Palawan itinerary: a 7-day road trip

Stop 1: Puerto Princesa