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Palawan Island has become famous for its tropical scenery and island hopping, but in a head-to-head comparison of Coron to El Nido, which one is better?
Both of these places are amazing and it is possible to do both (I would recommend it), but if you are limited on time, you may have to choose one or the other since the two provinces in the Philippines are divided by 100. kilometers of sea.
El Nido is more popular and developed than Coron, but that’s not always a good thing. Coron is quieter and has better snorkeling and diving. Both El Nido and Coron do amazing islands and beaches to explore.
In this travel guide I will give a complete breakdown of all the differences and I hope it will help you decide between Coron or El Nido which is better.
Coron vs El Nido – Which is better?
Getting there
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El Nido 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 one of the direct flights sold by AirSWIFT.
El Nido Island Airport (ENI) is not served internationally, so this means you have to first fly to one of the major 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.
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Flights to Coron Airport (USA) are slightly cheaper than El Nido as there are more airline options, including Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines.
If you plan to visit both of them El Nido and Coro, then the most popular way to do it is by taking a fast ferry between the two places.
You can also join a 4-day Palawan sailing excursion from Coron to El Nido (or vice versa) and see some amazing secluded islands along the way (more on that later).
Matinloc Island in El Nido
Twin Bay in Coron
things to do
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El Nido is an island hopping paradise with perfect turquoise lagoons, karst mountains and the best white sand beaches in Palawan.
If you have time, spend your first few days knocking off all four El Nido Island Day Tours (A, B, C, and D). Next, see the sunset at Marimegmeg Beach, then explore mainland attractions like Nakpan Beach and Nagkalit-Kalit waterfall.
Overall, I think El Nido is the area with the most things to do in Palawan. You can easily spend a week on boat tours alone. And even if you don’t take a boat at all, El Nido has many beaches to visit is easily reachable by a short drive.
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Coron has the Ultimate Island Tour that takes you to the giant twin lagoon and the famous Kayangan viewpoint, as well as some coral reefs and other hidden spots.
Other excursions, such as the Island Escapade, allow you to walk across the ocean on a narrow stretch of sand and visit a number of other amazing white sand beaches, complete with hammocks, fresh coconuts and everything you need to relax.
Coron has the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Palawan.The coral reefs, exotic fish and shipwrecks you’ll see in Coron blow El Nido out of the water (no pun intended).
There are also great beaches in Coron, although the only way to get to them is by boat, so they are not as accessible as the beaches in mainland El Nido.
Entalula Beach in El Nido
Kayangan Viewpoint in Coron
Accommodation:
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El Nido has a wide range of budget and luxury hotels, although it is a little more expensive compared to other places in Southeast Asia, you get less value for your money compared to, for example, Bali.
I’m sure that will change.I think tourist demand has outstripped development in El Nido, so we have to wait for more hotels to be built to accommodate the huge influx of island hoppers that are now coming to Palawan.
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Accommodation in Coron is slightly cheaper and better value than El Nido, although it’s mostly budget hotels with just a few luxury options.
Last time we visited Coron we were on a tight budget so we stayed at the Coron Visitors Hotel where we got a clean double room with a cold AC.The location was close to some great restaurants.
With a larger travel budget, you can easily find some nice places to stay in Coron.
Frendz Hostel in El Nido
Aquilah Homestay in Coron
Restaurants
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There is no competition here. El Nido has a better selection of restaurants, street food and nightlife than Coron. There are tons of good places to eat.
Just for some examples, you can find cheap Asian food at places like CB Cafe, pizza at Altrove, fruit smoothie bowls at The Vegan Cafe, and upscale international and western food at El Nido Boutique Artcafe.
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Coron is second to El Nido in terms of places to eat, but the number of restaurants is growing rapidly.Our favorites were Om’s Thai, El Kuvo, and Levine’s Eatery.
These were great and the prices very reasonable.Overall, you won’t have a hard time finding good food in Coron, but it can’t stand up to the wide selection of food in El Nido.
Shimizu Island in El Nido
Snorkeling in Coron
Karst limestone peaks in Coron
So… Coro or El Nido?Which is better?
All in all, it’s a tough choice because both of these places are amazing.
El Nido has the best hotels and restaurants, and probably the best island hopping, but Coron also has phenomenal island tours and much better snorkeling available.
If you have time, definitely try to visit both places during your trip to Palawan. See my tips below on how to do it.
Pinagbuyutan Island in El Nido
How to see both places
In the old days, there was no easy way to travel between Coron and El Nido. They weren’t connected by flights or fast ferries, so you had to fly to Manila or Cebu and then fly back to Palava, which was an expensive hassle.
Fortunately, things have changed now, there are many companies that operate a direct ferry between El Nido and Coron, and you can book tickets online at 12Go, Bookaway or Biyaheroes.
Better yet, if you want to see some of the more secluded and amazing islands between El Nido and Coron, consider taking a sailing trip with Big Dream Boat Man are from Coron to El Nido or vice versa.
This can be a great way to island hop in paradise without the crowds and time constraints of a regular day tour, and you can see many new beautiful islands that are off the beaten track and not included in the main day tours.
Happy travels!
Helicopter Island in El Nido
Turquoise Bay in Coron
More Palawan travel tips
Thanks for looking. Hope this El Nido vs Coron comparison was helpful. We always enjoy visiting Palawan and the rest of the Philippines.
Looking for more travel tips for Palawan and the Philippines? Need more island hopping information for Coron or El Nido before you visit? Check out my complete El Nido travel guide and Coron travel guide with free tips, information and lots of photos.
Best Palawan Tour Packages
If you want to explore El Nido or Coron Islands on a package tour, there are many great online options.
Global Tour has Palawan tours that include island hopping, scenic beaches, caves, water sports and more.
We have used this company for many tours and activities around the world and they are highly recommended