El Nido to Puerto Princesa

About the journey from El Nido to Puerto Princesa

Once you have soaked in all the natural beauty of El Nido in The Philippines, there is still lots that the island paradise of Palawan has to offer. Puerto Princesa is the capital of the island and is a recommended option when heading south from El Nido. One of the best activities to add to your bucket-list in Puerto Princesa is firefly watching. These river tours will allow you a night off from the bustle of the city for a tranquil and memorable experience.

The 173 kilometer (107 mile) distance between the Palawan cities of El Nido and Puerto Princesa are best traveled by bus or minivan. The quickest option for traveling from El Nido to Puerto Princesa is with the Tourist bus operated by Cherry bus, taking around 5.5 hours with some rest stops on the way. Traveling by minivan from El Nido to Puerto Princesa can take anywhere between 5.5 to 7 hours depending on the operator.

If you are happy to pay a few dollars more, the recommended option for traveling from El Nido to Puerto Princesa is by minivan. Eulen Joy Express, Lexxsus Palawan, and Fortwally offer the shortest journey time of 5.5 hours, while many operators have English speaking drivers, and a free cancellation or change policy up to 48 hours before departure.

After traveling from El Nido, it is worth taking a day or two to enjoy the fun atmosphere, authentic food, and friendly people of Puerto Princesa before heading out on an island-hopping adventure.

 

What to see when traveling from El Nido to Puerto Princesa

When traveling from El Nido to Puerto Princesa, the dusty roads will take you partially along the beautiful coastline, providing you with a tantalizing view of Palawan’s beaches and ocean. Between El Nido and Puerto Princesa, small quiet towns dot the route, such as Taytay, where you can roam around the 350-year old Fort Santa Isabel. Port Barton on the west side of the island between El Nido and Puerto Princesa offers many terrific beach spots as well as the Pumuayan Waterfalls for good photo opportunities and a cool dip.

 

How to get from El Nido to Puerto Princesa

Taking a bus

The bus from El Nido to Puerto Princesa is a cheap and comfortable way to travel between the two Palawan hotspots. The bus departs from El Nido Bus Terminal 5 times a day. 

Cherry Bus provides journeys by Economy or Tourist Bus which differ slightly in price and what they offer. The Economy Bus costs $9 per person, takes approximately 6.5 hours, and has no toilet facilities onboard. The Tourist Bus costs $16 per person, takes 5.5 hours, and has toilet facilities. Make sure to arrive at the bus pick up point 30 minutes before the departure time, as buses leave on the dot and will not wait for late passengers. Be aware that tickets are also non-refundable.

Taking a standard minivan 

Traveling by minivan from El Nido to Puerto Princesa is a convenient and inexpensive way to make the journey. A good range of cost and minivan class options are available, with prices starting at $11 per person. Minivan operators depart at least 2 times a day from El Nido, although many depart more often. 

If you want to choose your own departure time and pick up location, there is also the option to book a private transfer which can take up to 10 people and starts at a total price of $109. It is important to note that if you do not specifically book a private transfer, you may be sharing the minivan with other travelers.

 

What is the best time of year to visit El Nido?

The best time of year to visit El Nido is during the driest months from December to May. If you want to avoid the hottest and busiest months in El Nido, it is recommended to visit before March.

 

When is the best time of year to visit Puerto Princesa?

Like El Nido, the best time to visit Puerto Princesa is in the dry season between December and May. Months before March are a more comfortable temperature and offer calm waters that are perfect for island-hopping.