Travel Planning Guide

Palawan Travel Fees Guide for First-Time Travellers (No-Surprises Edition)

Last updated: April 14, 20269 min read

Almost every destination in Palawan charges a mandatory environmental or entrance fee — and almost none of them accept cards. Budget at least PHP 400 in El Nido (ETDF), PHP 150 in Puerto Princesa (one eco-fee that covers both Honda Bay and the Underground River — keep the receipt), and PHP 200–400 in Coron. Cash-only at almost every gate.

El Nido ETDF

PHP 400 per person. Paid on arrival. Increased June 2024.

Puerto Princesa Eco-Fee

PHP 150 — covers both Honda Bay AND the Underground River.

Coron Entry

PHP 200–400 total (airport + border gate). Cash-only.

Quick-glance fee cheat sheet

These are the fees you are most likely to pay as a first-time Palawan visitor. Every figure is in Philippine Peso (PHP) and represents the per-person rate unless noted.

El Nido

ETDF (eco-tourism dev. fee)

PHP 400

Increased June 2024 from PHP 200

El Nido

Big Lagoon entrance

PHP 200

Small Lagoon also PHP 200 per person

El Nido

Kayak rental

PHP 300–350

Optional but required to enter the lagoons

Puerto Princesa

Eco-fee

PHP 150

Covers Honda Bay AND Underground River — one fee

Puerto Princesa

Honda Bay island entrance

PHP 50–150

Per island visited; varies by island

Underground River

Entrance fee

PHP 500

DIY visitors; usually included in package tours

Underground River

Audio guide

PHP 85

Mandatory; headset provided at the site

Underground River

Bangka boat fee

PHP 184

Transfer to cave entrance

Underground River

Docking fee

PHP 5

Small but real

Coron / Busuanga

Municipal env. fee (airport)

PHP ~200

Paid at Busuanga Airport on arrival

Coron / Busuanga

Busuanga ecotourism fee (border)

PHP ~200

Sometimes charged at a border checkpoint

Coron

Kayangan Lake entrance

PHP 300

Per person

Coron

Barracuda Lake entrance

PHP 200

Per person

Coron

Twin Lagoon entrance

PHP 200

Per person

Port Barton

Environmental card

PHP 50

Once per stay, not per day

Fees can change without notice. Always verify at the destination gate on your travel day.

El Nido fees: what you will pay in 2026

The biggest change since 2024 is the ETDF increase from PHP 200 to PHP 400 per person. This is mandatory and non-negotiable. It is collected at the El Nido Tourism Office when you arrive in town, before you board any island tour. Many blogs still list the old PHP 200 rate — that information is outdated.

Pay the ETDF first — before any tour boats leave

Tour operators check your ETDF slip before you board. If you go directly to the pier without paying, you will be sent back. Budget 20–30 minutes on your first morning to sort this before your tour departure.

If your island tour includes Tour A (which visits the lagoons), expect to pay PHP 200 per lagoon separately at the site — that is potentially an extra PHP 400 on top of the ETDF and tour package cost. Kayak rentals at the lagoon entry points run PHP 300–350 per set and are required to actually enter the lagoons.

  1. Pay the ETDF (PHP 400) at the El Nido Tourism Office before heading to the pier.
  2. Bring separate cash for each lagoon entrance (PHP 200 each) if on Tour A — these are not included in most tour prices.
  3. Ask your operator whether kayak rental is included before booking. It usually is not.
  4. ATMs in El Nido town are limited and frequently run empty in peak season (December–March). Withdraw in Puerto Princesa before you travel.

Puerto Princesa eco-fee: one payment, two destinations

Keep your receipt — it is valid for both Honda Bay and the Underground River

The PHP 150 eco-fee issued at CENRO in Puerto Princesa covers both Honda Bay island hopping and the Underground River entrance. Do not throw away the slip. Travelers who lose it have been asked to pay again at the gate.

Beyond the eco-fee, Honda Bay charges individual island entrance fees ranging from PHP 50–150 per island, depending on which islands your boat visits. A typical Honda Bay tour hitting 3–4 islands will cost PHP 150–600 extra in island fees alone — often collected at the wharf before departure or directly at each island.

Underground River: DIY cost breakdown vs package tours

The Underground River requires a permit — slots are capped daily and fill weeks ahead in peak season. Book online through an accredited operator before you arrive. If you go DIY, the individual fees stack up like this:

  1. Entrance fee — PHP 500
  2. Puerto Princesa eco-fee — PHP 150 (same receipt used for Honda Bay)
  3. Audio guide — PHP 85 (mandatory; headset provided at the site)
  4. Bangka boat transfer — PHP 184
  5. Docking fee — PHP 5
  6. DIY total: approximately PHP 924 per person

Package tours: PHP 2,200–2,500 all-in

Package tours from Puerto Princesa typically include all fees, boat, audio guide, permit, lunch, and transfers. For travelers who do not want to manage permit logistics, the package is usually worth the premium — especially if you are short on time or traveling in peak season when permits sell out fast.

Coron and Busuanga: the two-gate entry fee reality

Coron catches many first-timers off guard because there are two separate environmental fees charged at different points — one at the airport, one at the municipal border:

At Busuanga Airport

Municipal environmental fee of approximately PHP 200, collected from arriving passengers before you exit the terminal.

At the Border / Barangay Gate

Busuanga ecotourism fee of approximately PHP 200, sometimes collected at a checkpoint between the airport and Coron town. Not always active, but budget for it.

Total entry fees: PHP 200–400 depending on which gates are active on your travel day. Both are cash-only. Come off the plane with small bills.

Coron lake and lagoon fees

Kayangan Lake

PHP 300 per person

Barracuda Lake

PHP 200 per person

Twin Lagoon

PHP 200 per person

A full Coron island tour hitting all three costs PHP 700 in site fees alone, before boat and tour operator charges.

Port Barton: the simplest fee structure in Palawan

Port Barton charges a single environmental card fee of PHP 50 per person, paid once per stay — not per day, not per tour, not per island. It is the most straightforward fee in all of Palawan.

Pay once at the barangay hall or environmental office on arrival

Keep the environmental card on you during your stay. Some boat operators and beach entry points may ask to see it before you depart for island tours.

The hidden costs most budget guides miss

Beyond the official entrance fees, first-timers consistently get caught by the same small costs that add up fast.

Cash-only everywhere: El Nido, Coron, and Port Barton have very limited ATM availability. ATMs in El Nido town routinely run out of cash in high season (December–March). Withdraw enough before you leave Puerto Princesa — there is no guarantee of working ATMs once you arrive.
Snorkel gear rental: PHP 150 per set per day, typically not included in standard island tour prices. Ask your operator explicitly before you book if this matters to you.
Tour guide tips: Not mandatory but expected — PHP 100–200 per guide per tour is the local norm. Bring small bills.
Card surcharges: The few places in El Nido and Coron that do accept cards often add a 2–3% surcharge. Cash is always cheaper.
Underground River permit booking fees: The online permit system may charge a small platform or processing fee. Not large, but real — factor it in when comparing DIY versus package tour costs.
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Related guides and pages

Puerto Princesa Airport to El Nido: Private Transfer Guide (2026)El Nido to Puerto Princesa: Schedule, Travel Time, Costs (2026)Browse Palawan toursSee all travel guides

Frequently asked questions about Palawan fees

How much is the El Nido environmental fee in 2026?

PHP 400 per person. The fee was increased in June 2024 from the previous PHP 200 under Municipal Ordinance 01 Series of 2024. It is paid at the El Nido Tourism Office before any island tour and is non-refundable.

Does the Puerto Princesa eco-fee cover the Underground River?

Yes. The PHP 150 eco-fee issued at CENRO in Puerto Princesa is valid for both Honda Bay island hopping and the Underground River entrance. Keep the receipt — losing it means you may need to pay again at the gate.

How much cash should I bring to El Nido?

Budget PHP 400 for the ETDF, plus PHP 200 per lagoon if you are doing Tour A, plus PHP 300–350 for kayak rental, plus tour costs, food, and accommodation. ATMs in El Nido are limited and frequently run out of cash in high season (December–March). Withdraw at least PHP 3,000–5,000 in Puerto Princesa before you leave.

Are there two entry fees for Coron?

Yes. Many travelers are charged both the municipal environmental fee (approximately PHP 200 at Busuanga Airport on arrival) and the Busuanga ecotourism fee (approximately PHP 200 at a border checkpoint between the airport and Coron town). Total can be PHP 200–400. Both are cash-only.

How much does the Underground River cost to visit independently (DIY)?

Approximately PHP 924 total: PHP 500 entrance fee + PHP 150 eco-fee + PHP 85 audio guide + PHP 184 bangka boat fee + PHP 5 docking fee. Package tours from Puerto Princesa run approximately PHP 2,200–2,500 per person all-in, including transfers, lunch, and guide.

Is Port Barton's environmental fee per day or per stay?

Per stay. You pay PHP 50 once when you arrive and the environmental card covers your entire visit, regardless of how many days you stay or how many island tours you join.

Can I pay Palawan entrance fees by card?

Almost universally, no. El Nido, Coron, Port Barton, and all lagoon and lake entrance points operate cash-only. A small number of hotels and restaurants in El Nido town accept cards, sometimes with a 2–3% surcharge. Always carry sufficient Philippine Peso cash before leaving Puerto Princesa.