Accommodation

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Note:  I am no longer managing this place but simply contact me so I can connect you with the new manager. Mostly only the big hut is available, but it may be possible to rent some of my tents or bring your own. There is tons of space.

The top of this page shows the type of accommodation you can book at our kitesurfing camp, followed by recommended places to stay in the Palawan area according to our suggested itinerary for the area.

Here’s a map of the campground:

patoyo camping and tenting spots

Let us go for a stroll. You can click on the pictures below to take you to a page full of more pictures for that spot.

The top of the map above is north, the bottom is south. The village of about 7 families is located to our north and where the big hut is nestled:

The big hut – converted into a home with its own solar electricity, lights, charge station for phones, dining room table and living room with two hammocks. Room in the loft for eight mattresses, while four more can fit on the ground floor. 1000p/night plus 100p for each person above 1. Note that local roosters may keep up light sleepers. The outhouse with porcelain toilet is located nearby.

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But since the big hut is a popular option, in case that is already taken for your dates, and if you still want something fancy, glamorous camping (glamping) may be the option for you.

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About a 50m walk south we get to the first beach front tent space, A1 (A2 is located just behind A1 and would be hidden behind the hammocks in the picture below – this area is good for people who know each other):

Larger tent next to the base camp – 600p per night for one person, 800p for two for the bigger tent on the beach front, 5-700 for the small tent at A2. Comes with a hammock with mosquito netting and rain protection. The two hammocks you see in the picture below are in the common area and available for all. This area is not far from the kitchen or the campfire, so don’t expect a lot of privacy.

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Just past this is the base camp where the kitchen is, campfire, space for volunteers in the back (V on map), and the corporate headquarters/reception.

Further down the beach we get to the nicest spot, the Delux tent at B1 (“1” always means beachfront):

Delux – 800p a night for one, 900p for two, largest tent with biggest mattress, and a big hammock for two.

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After that there is a small maze of paths taking you to 5 other tent spots in the jungle, each at 4-600p.

Continuing along the beach we get to the C area, with no beachside property (all tents are 4-600p – meaning 400p for one person in tent, or 600p for two people in one tent). There is a large central area suitable for groups and which can fit 6 tents in closer proximity, with another two nestled in the jungle along a path connecting to the D area. There is a nice open area behind here where there is a larger campfire:

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The D area starts with a beachfront space followed by room for 7 other tents and connects by jungle path to the C area. D7 and 8 is a special nice area for two tents and campfire, and trees to hang at least two hammocks from. There is another small campfire space next to D3 and 4. The beachside D1 has two small trees to hang a hammock from.

 

Continuing along the beach we get to E1, a nice beachfront space with room for two tents, if need be. 6-800p for the big tent, 5-700 for a smaller tent in the back if there are more of you.

 

Continuing south we get to F1, another beachside space, with room for 4 more tents in the back. The same large tent for E1 is on its way for this last beachside spot. 6-800p/night.

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Then there is a long stretch of beach, which then bends around the corner for a secluded section where we plan to build some huts, but a good place to pitch your own tent if you like (300p per person per night):

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Your own tent or on the beach – During the dry season (roughly November to March), it almost never rains, there are no mosquitos or sandflies (there are no sandflies here at all), and many guests like to sleep on the beach under the stars. You are welcome to take your mattresses there but you must pay for one of the tents.

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Or for a more exotic experience, you can camp out on your own deserted island, Bolina Island. Just across from us, you can combine the journey there with a local island hopping day trip, bring some of our tents and a survival package from our kitchen, or get one of the locals to prepare a meal for you. The beach on the other side of our own island is also deserted and you can stay there for free.

Camp out on deserted island

And lastly, you can check out Alvin’s hut, located on Patoyo island where we first started. Located in the centre of a small community of about five fishermen families, next to the village’s drinking water well. Great island to explore if you like hiking, and located near to San Miguel. Possible interesting one night stop on your way back to civilisation. We organise this gratis and should cost 200p/pax.

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Places to stay elsewhere in Palawan

Get detailed info on the best and least expensive places to stay and itinerary to experience in the following locations along the Palawan corridor:

island-hopping-philippines-SM-hotel-230320152544
200 pesos a night half way
between El Nido and Coron

Manila
Puerto Princesa
El Nido
San Fernando

Sibaltan and Pical, Iloc near El Nido
San Miguel, Linapacan
(Coron and other areas yet to be explored)

I started out this website with the intention of stringing together homestays in rural areas, as I found the Filipinos in these areas genuinely warm-hearted, while I generally like to steer clear of the main tourists centers. An opportunity for like-minded travelers to experience the real Philippines and exchange culturally with people who are sincerely interested in getting to know them.

Unfortunately, I finally stumbled on the beach island paradise I had been dreaming of for a year and decided to change tack to focus on building a kitesurfing, eco-resort playground. I am now offering all this information for free in my suggested travel itinerary for the Palawan area.

puerto-princesa-low-price-050220152306200 pesos a night for a really nice place in Puerto Princesa, quiet neighbourhood, but shared.

Since I discovered this is a popular loop for tourists, I am also helping some boat operator friends organise tours through the hundreds of untouched islands between El Nido and Coron. Hailed as having the clearest waters in the world, the snorkeling is excellent, the people fantastic and few tourists know how to get to it. Rather than sit on a long, 12 hour ferry ride between El Nido and Coron, why not take a pleasant break from the tourism hustle and enjoy some real piece of paradise?

The islands I have explored so far are linked to from the boat prices page, while the boat tours page shows an overview of all of them. I will continue to document them, in between building jungle huts out of bamboo, whenever others book a tour to new islands.

island-hopping-in-the-philippines-island-1-140220152395 300p/night for official accommodation on this paradise island. Not found anywhere else on the net!

Most of the remote islands do not have official accommodation, but something can always be arranged when you go on a boat tour. Otherwise, you can always sleep on the boat for free. But some islands do have official accommodation and I will add those to this page as I explore them.

For each place that offers regular paid accommodation, I try to choose from a range of luxuries, but always only places that I find tasteful, hospitable, and preferably somewhat off the beaten track.

Maintaining an income through online work, I have been traveling around the world full time for the past 9 years and enjoy discovering and sharing such places. Not for everyone, but those of like mind truly appreciate it.

To get here you can join or book one of our private custom Palawan boat tours between El Nido and Coron. Tons of paradise beach islands to see along the way, excellent snorkeling in crystal clear waters, caves to explore, Spanish fortress and much more. Completely off the beaten path!

Palawan-boat-tours


Home » Palawan » Accommodation

hotel luci del farohotel luci del faro
08:13 31 Jan 24
We booked the 3 day 2 night expedition, from Coron to Sibaltan.First of all the booking part was really simple. I organized this trip to the Philippines last minute for my family (my parents and my uncles) but Karel answered all my questions very quickly and really made everything easier for me. It was an incredible experience. Albert, our tour leader, is a wonderful guy, always smiling and ready to help us. They assisted us in everything and really took care of making everything go smoothly. The accommodation on the islands is as spartan as you expect but the location of each hut alone is worth the trip. The wonder of nature was then added to the goodness of cuisine. It's really difficult to argue how you can cook all that goodness on a boat.If you are looking for an authentic experience, in contact with nature, off the beaten track, this company's private expedition is certainly for you.
Kate BrownKate Brown
00:22 27 Oct 23
What an unforgettable experience! We did a two night (3 day) island hopping tour from Sibaltan to Coron. Everything was so well organized and the boat crew were amazing and really made sure we had a great time. The accommodation was rustic, but added to the authentic experience of the Philippines. Karel always responded to any queries we had promptly. Our boatman, Albert, was the most amazing chef and we enjoyed every meal. The crew taught the kids how to fish with a line which was their highlight of the trip. They took us to the most unbelievable snorkelling spots along the way. Would highly recommend this trip.
Ian PascualIan Pascual
02:43 10 Aug 23
One of the most amazing, unforgettable things you can do in your life
Lou PrataliLou Pratali
11:04 25 Jul 23
This is a must to do!!Super ultimate tour is the best with Kayangan and barracuda lake, twin lagoons (my favorite), coral garden (blue fabulous coral) were the best. It’s really worth it to pay for private tour (3500 to 4000 PHP). You will also have to pay for entrance fees (150 to 200PHP by location) and eventually shopping at the market - must do (count 300 for 2 for fish, pork, fruits and vegetables, water).
Gérard BENOITGérard BENOIT
16:11 07 Feb 23
I was looking for a personalized excursion to the stunning Bacuit Gulf.Based on the comments, I contacted Mel.Very responsive, very efficient and perfect organization.The on-board staff were very friendly and very helpful.And I'm not even talking about the meal on board...a marvel.In all fairness, this excursion will remain an excellent memory and I cannot recommend Mel and his team highly enough.A big thank-you.
Alyse TarbottonAlyse Tarbotton
23:48 30 Aug 22
This tour went well above all our expectations! I couldn't recommend this enough! The boat crew, captain and tour guide were nothing but amazing, everyone was so kind, helpful and friendly. The crew knew the best spots to visit that weren't overcrowded with tourists, 3 times we were lucky enough to have whole islands to ourselves! It was my partner's birthday while away and everything went above and beyond, bonfire, cake, birthday card, singing and celebrating with us.If you love camping this is definitely a tout you should do, it has been the highlight of our trip!!
Danish KayaniDanish Kayani
10:24 31 Oct 19
Coron is the best place i have ever seen.. picturesque. Beautiful. Peaceful
We booked a 4 days/3 nights private boat trip from Coron to Sibaltan. The organization went very well from the beginning, the owner answered to all my questions, and we were able to choose which islands to visit and where to sleep. The first night we slept in a bungalow in Banana Island, the second we camped in Araw beach and the last we slept in a seafront bungalow builded on a tree in Pical on Iloc Island.The islands in that area are the most beautiful islands I have ever seen, with clear water, lots of coral reef and fishes to see, white sand and almost deserted. The crew was very friendly and polite and they organize every single meal and for camping they give you a tent which was just perfect! This was our highlight in our 2 weeks in the Philippines and I wish I had booked a longer trip. A private trip gives you the freedom to decide where and when to go.
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Gérard Benoit
Gérard Benoit
2023-02-08
recommends
I was looking for a personalized excursion to the beautiful bay of Bacuit. Seeing the comments, I contacted Mel. Very responsive, very efficient and perfect organization. The crew were very friendly and very helpful. And I'm not even talking about the meal on board...a marvel. In all fairness, this excursion will remain an excellent memory and I can recommend Mel and his team highly enough. A big thank-you.
André Mardoñal
André Mardoñal
2019-10-22
recommends
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The island world of Linapacan between Coron and El Nido with the clearest waters in the world is truly a dream for itself! Without a boat you won't be able to see it! But what this boat trips makes so amazing is the crew! Once you come on board they might be shy in the beginning but will make you feel welcome and home from the first moment. Not only that they are looking that you sit comfortable all the time, they will prepare fresh and delicious food what the buy from local markets. They know the best spots and most beautiful islands and will bring you to places where you get this "Robinson Cruisoe feeling". Every day you visit 3 to 5 spots for snorkeling, enjoying a beach or exploring a little island. The accommodation we had was good and simple. We slept in bungalows and tents right at the beach. Sheets and towels were always provided and sometimes towels. After a while you feel like a family on board. We loved living the boat life didn't wanna leave! If you doubt take a longer than shorter trip! For any questions please message me.
Sarah Uhan
Sarah Uhan
2019-01-31
recommends
All in all it was a really great experience. It's a once in a lifetime thing to do and you won't get more authentic and basic Philippino experiences anywhere else. We were not so lucky with the wind and waves so we couldn't do all the stops we wanted to unfortunately. So be aware that especially the months from January to May can be very rough on water. But we still saw some great places Benji took us. Benji and his family was very nice and they did everything they could. The food was amazing - always freshly made in authentic Philippino style and way too much for the 2 of us. Make sure to bring enough cash - many of the islands cost extra (entrance fee) and be aware that any kind of accommodation and food (200php per meal) is not included in the boat fee. Also the deposit and commission fee for the agency are a little over the top, especially since the crew does not get any of it. The costs all in all are rather high for phillipino circumstances especially given the basicness of it all. However if you think about that all 5 boat people (in our case) live off of the boat fee alone, you spent the money willingly. Be aware though that accommodation and sanataries are very basic if even existant. So you gotta have the right mindset. Bring tissue, sanatiszer and earplugs to get some better sleep. Another feedback I have concerning the size of the boat. I don't think it is sufficient for more than 4 people. If the weather is like it was these days, you always have to sit on top and it was already a little squeezy with us 2 and 5 boat people. So I guess 4 guests can be fine but more than that won't have the space. There is different boat sizes but make sure to talk about that with Karel in advance. Other than that it was really worth it and we got to see so many great beaches and reefs which we could have never been able to visit without the tour.
Eric Liu
Eric Liu
2018-03-15
recommends
It was scary to book a 5 day trip with no places to stay confirmed or a strong itinerary. And in the Philippines, communication is difficult. But that is part of changing mindsets to a rural island mindset. In the end, everything worked out. We had some tough moments with bugs. But we also had some amazingly beautiful secluded beaches, the best snorkeling in the world, relaxing on the beach, and freshly made food on the boat while docked at beautiful places (better than being on land). Note, we went with Benji. Recommendations: - you must get a local SIM when you arrive to make sure pickup and everything works out - some islands have bugs - use bug spray! Pros: - a fraction of the cost - away from the crowds - can customize what you want - just ask! - a truly local experience - saw a REAL rural town Cons: - locals aren't really polished tour guides - if you don't ask for it, you won't get it, need to be pretty proactive - pretty simple "activities" - no frills like bathrooms or kayaks etc.
Ángela Deand
Ángela Deand
2017-04-26
recommends
We can't be more grateful to have had the opportunity of experience the peace in Patoyo Kitesurfing Camping! Spending two weeks in Dimancal Island, gave us the chance to experiment the rural and traditional way of life, in touch with the nature and people. We have learnt how to cook with fire, how to open a coconut and how to survive in an environment where for a time we forget about unnecessary needs, just to focus on enjoy the small details and pleasures of life. Mentioning too the amazing snorkeling and beautiful islands around this place, which make it unique​ and special. It is a lovely option if you are running away from tourists and overcrowded places in the Philippines. You will find yourself in the middle of virgin beaches and nature, surrounding​ by charming people. We will definitely come back!
Caroline Danielle
Caroline Danielle
2017-02-13
recommends
We haven't done a Tao tour, but I would suspect that this is a cheaper version of the same thing. Our boat operator (Benji) and the entire crew were were fun, friendly and made an effort to ensure we had a good time. If you get a large group of people together it can be a really inexpensive alternative to other Coron-El Nino and vice versa island hopping tours. The food was good, but more expensive than as advertised by Karl. The price quote we got was 100 php a meal, but the boat charged us 200. Since the food was good we didn't mind the extra expense, but it is important to keep in mind if you're on a budget. Definitely plan for some incidental spending. Our boat did have some mechanical issues and as a result we ended up being stuck in the same place for longer than we wanted to be. That being said, little could have been done about it and the trip was fun nonetheless.
Hauk Are Fjeld
Hauk Are Fjeld
2017-01-01
recommends
If you believe that doing the touristic tours in El Nido and going to "The hidden beach" takes you off the beaten path, you are wrong. There are lots of beautiful places in Palawan, but few of these places are without any other tourists. If you want to spend some extra effort on getting away from the tourist places, and don't mind a little "primitive" living, Island Hopping in the Philippines is definitely something you should check out
Arnold Cabiguen
Arnold Cabiguen
2015-05-08
recommends
The snorkeling in this area is phenomenal. Clearest waters in the world. I guess it's because there is relatively such lower tourist traffic through here, and the locals really protect the reefs!
Karel Kosman
Karel Kosman
2015-05-08
recommends
Love it so much, just had to say it twice!

0 thoughts on “Accommodation”

  1. hi
    are you open during the month of april as well next year? how is the wind at that time.
    we are planning a trip with our two kids (11 and 14)
    thanks

    Reply
  2. Planning to go to Puerto Prinsesa Palawan on 25 or 26 December 2016. Planning to sleep in Puerto Prinsesa or sleep in Port Barton to look for the long beach then goi to Il Nido to Coron with your proposed trip – island hopping to different islands before reaching Coron. Please tell me how many days does it last. Inorder that we will know for our reservation dates for our plane tikets.

    Annalyn

    Reply

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