🇵🇭 Philippines · Northern Palawan
The Ultimate Guide to
El Nido, Palawan
Towering limestone karst cliffs, hidden lagoons, secret beaches, and powder-white sand — El Nido is the crown jewel of the Philippines.
Section 01
Best Time to Visit El Nido
El Nido’s weather dramatically affects what you can do. The dry season is essential for lagoon access and snorkeling. Timing is everything here.
🌞 Dry Season
November – May
Clear skies and calm turquoise seas — ideal for all four island hopping tours, kayaking into lagoons, and cliff jumping. Peak season is Jan–March.
✓ Best Time🌧 Wet Season
June – October
Southwest monsoon brings heavy rains and rough seas. Many tour boats are grounded. Some resorts close. Lagoon access is often restricted for safety.
⚠ Avoid Tours🏆 Peak Season
December – March
Best conditions, biggest crowds, highest prices. Book tours and accommodation months ahead. New Year on El Nido beach is an unforgettable experience.
✓ Ideal Conditions💸 Shoulder Season
May & October–November
Fewer tourists, lower rates, reasonable weather. Some afternoon showers in May but mornings are usually clear. Good value window.
↗ Good ValueSection 02
How to Get to El Nido
✈️ By Air — El Nido Airport (ENI) — Recommended
Air Swift operates flights from Manila, Cebu, and Clark. Small aircraft, limited seats — book weeks ahead. The airport is a 10-minute tricycle ride to town.
| Route | Budget | Mid/Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| Manila → El Nido (Air Swift) | ₱4,000–₱6,000 | ₱7,000–₱12,000 |
| Cebu → El Nido (Air Swift) | ₱4,500–₱7,000 | ₱8,000–₱13,000 |
| Tricycle airport to town | ₱50–₱100/person | ₱200–₱400 private |
🚐 Via Puerto Princesa + Van Transfer (Budget Route)
Fly to Puerto Princesa (PPS) — many airlines, cheap fares — then take a 5–6 hour van or bus ride to El Nido. Total travel time: 8–9 hours but significant savings.
| Step | Budget | Mid |
|---|---|---|
| Manila → Puerto Princesa | ₱600–₱2,000 | ₱2,500–₱5,000 |
| Van transfer PPS → El Nido | ₱600–₱800/person | ₱4,000–₱6,000 private |
🚢 Fast Craft from Coron (Scenic Island Route)
Coron to El Nido by fast craft takes 4–5 hours passing through stunning Bacuit Archipelago scenery. Operators: Atienza Lines, Montenegro Lines. Cost: ₱2,500–₱3,500. Seasonal — check schedules.
Section 03
Where to Stay in El Nido
El Nido offers three base options: El Nido Town (most convenient, best for tours and dining), Corong-Corong (relaxed village vibe, sunset views), or a Private Island Resort (ultimate luxury seclusion).
📍 Area Guide
| Area | Vibe | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| El Nido Town | Busy, convenient, tour boats depart here | First-timers, backpackers, social travelers |
| Corong-Corong | Quiet village, sunset views, local feel | Couples, those wanting to escape crowds |
| Nacpan Beach | Remote, pristine 4km beach, limited amenities | Nature lovers, off-grid escapes |
| Private Islands | Miniloc, Lagen, Apulit — ultra-exclusive | Honeymoons, luxury travelers |
Budget Picks (₱600–₱2,500/night)
🏠 Spin Designer Hostel
Boutique hostel with stylish dorms and private rooms, rooftop bar, and social events. One of El Nido’s best-value stays.
₱600–₱1,800/night · El Nido Town
🏠 El Nido Cove Resort
Budget beachside nipa huts and simple rooms, friendly staff, and easy access to tour boats departing from the shore.
₱1,200–₱2,500/night · Town Beach
🏠 Rooftop Garden Hotel
Clean, comfortable rooms with ocean views and a rooftop garden. Excellent location, walking distance to restaurants.
₱1,000–₱2,200/night · Town Center
Mid-Range Picks (₱3,000–₱10,000/night)
🏨 Buenas Noches Beach Resort
Charming resort on Corong-Corong beach with sunset-facing cottages, restaurant, and a relaxed atmosphere away from the crowds.
₱3,500–₱7,000/night · Corong-Corong
🏨 El Nido Beach Hotel
Well-appointed rooms steps from the beachfront, with a pool and bar. Reliable mid-range option in a prime town location.
₱4,500–₱8,500/night · Town
🏨 Belmond El Encanto (Alternative)
Boutique-feel property with hillside views, plunge pool, personalized service, and great breakfast spread.
₱7,000–₱12,000/night
Luxury Island Resorts (₱15,000–₱60,000/night)
✨ El Nido Resorts — Miniloc Island
Legendary overwater cottage resort in the Bacuit Archipelago. Surrounded by limestone cliffs, with house reef snorkeling from your doorstep. All-inclusive options available.
₱25,000–₱60,000/night
✨ El Nido Resorts — Lagen Island
Eco-resort in a mangrove-fringed lagoon. Solar-powered, wildlife-rich, and spectacularly isolated. The definition of responsible luxury.
₱20,000–₱45,000/night
✨ Cauayan Island Resort
Ultra-exclusive private island with only 10 villa suites, a private beach, overwater bar, and completely personalized service.
₱35,000–₱80,000/night
Section 04
Where to Eat in El Nido
🍛 Altrove El Nido
Italian-Filipino fusion, generous pasta portions, and wood-fired pizza. Great value and consistently packed for good reason.
🥗 Tatay’s Restaurant
Simple local Filipino food — grilled fish, fried rice, adobo. Huge portions at incredibly low prices. Popular with backpackers.
🌅 Republica Sunset Bar
El Nido’s most celebrated sunset spot in Corong-Corong — cocktails, Filipino tapas, and front-row seats to the golden hour show.
🦐 Parola
Open-air dining with a stunning view of the bay and town. Fresh seafood, Filipino specialties, and excellent local rice wine.
🍷 The Happy Gecko
Chic restaurant with a strong cocktail menu, creative Filipino-Western fusion dishes, and live acoustic music on weekends.
✨ Miniloc Island Resort Restaurant
Dining amidst the cliffs, with fresh catch prepared with French techniques. Multi-course dinners by the lagoon.
Section 05
Things to Do in El Nido
El Nido’s four official island hopping tours (A, B, C, D) are the backbone of any visit. Each covers different islands, lagoons, and beaches.
🛥 The 4 Official Island Hopping Tours
| Tour | Highlights | Cost/Person | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour A ⭐ Most Popular | Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island | ₱1,500–₱2,500 | First-timers, lagoon lovers |
| Tour B | Entalula Beach, Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan, Cathedral Cave | ₱1,500–₱2,200 | Cave explorers, beach seekers |
| Tour C | Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Star Beach | ₱1,800–₱2,500 | Photography, secret beaches |
| Tour D | Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan, Bukal Beach | ₱1,500–₱2,200 | Less-crowded, local feel |
🏖 Nacpan Beach Day Trip
One of the Philippines’ most beautiful beaches — 4km of golden sand lined with coconut palms and almost no development. 45 min from town.
₱600–₱1,200 trike + entrance
🛶 Kayak the Big Lagoon
Rent a kayak inside the Big Lagoon for the most intimate experience — paddle solo through the turquoise water surrounded by vertical limestone cliffs.
₱500–₱800 kayak rental
🤿 Scuba Diving
Dive sites around the Bacuit Archipelago include drift dives, coral gardens, and swim-throughs. PADI courses and fun dives available year-round.
₱2,500–₱4,500/dive · ₱15,000+ PADI
🧗 Cliff Jumping
Matinloc Shrine island features popular cliff jumping platforms into crystal-clear water. Included in Tour C — a thrilling highlight.
Included in Tour C
🌅 Corong-Corong Sunset Walk
Walk or tricycle to Corong-Corong village for the most breathtaking sunsets in El Nido — golden light on the limestone karsts, mirrored in the bay.
Free (drinks optional)
🏍 Inland Waterfalls & Village Tour
Explore El Nido’s interior — Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls, Maremegmeg Beach, and Tarquin Village. Full-day motorbike or van tour.
₱1,500–₱3,000/person
Section 06
Getting Around El Nido
🛺 Tricycle
Main town transport. ₱10–₱50 shared in-town. ₱200–₱600 to beaches outside town. Negotiate rate first.
🚤 Bangka Boat
Tour boats depart from the town beach. Private charters ₱4,000–₱10,000/day for custom island itineraries.
🛵 Motorbike Rental
₱500–₱800/day. Explore Nacpan, Las Cabanas, and inland areas independently. Some roads unpaved.
🦶 Walking
El Nido town is compact — restaurants, tour offices, and the beach are within a 10-minute walk.
🚐 Van Transfer
To Puerto Princesa airport: ₱600–₱800/person shared, ₱4,000–₱6,000 private. 5–6 hours.
🛥 Fast Craft
To Coron or Linapacan Islands. Book in advance — popular route during peak season.
Section 07
Sample Itineraries
Day 1
Arrive, settle, explore town beach and sunset at Corong-Corong. Dinner at Parola.
Day 2
Tour A: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island. Full day on the water.
Day 3
Tour B or Nacpan Beach day trip. Evening flight or departure to PPS.
₱5,000–₱18,000/person
Day 1
Arrive, town exploration, Corong-Corong sunset and dinner.
Day 2
Tour A (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Shimizu).
Day 3
Tour C (Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Star Beach). Cliff jump.
Day 4
Nacpan Beach day trip + inland waterfall visit.
Day 5
Tour B or D. Afternoon packing, evening transfer/flight.
₱9,000–₱30,000/person
Days 1–2
Settle in, Tours A & B back to back.
Day 3
Scuba diving day — two dives in the archipelago.
Day 4
Tour C + cliff jumping at Matinloc.
Day 5
Nacpan Beach full day with picnic lunch.
Day 6
Tour D + kayak rental inside Cadlao Lagoon.
Day 7
Rest morning, shopping, depart.
₱15,000–₱50,000/person
Section 08
Complete Budget Overview
Budget Traveler
₱2,000
estimated per day
Hostel · local meals · 1 group tour · shared trike
Mid-Range
₱6,000
estimated per day
Hotel · restaurant dining · 1–2 tours · private trike
Luxury
₱25,000+
estimated per day
Private island resort · fine dining · private boat charters
📊 Daily Expense Breakdown
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₱600–₱2,000 | ₱3,500–₱8,000 | ₱15,000–₱60,000 |
| Food & Drinks | ₱300–₱700 | ₱1,000–₱2,500 | ₱3,000–₱8,000 |
| Tours / Activities | ₱700–₱1,500 | ₱2,000–₱4,500 | ₱6,000–₱15,000 |
| Transport | ₱100–₱400 | ₱400–₱1,000 | ₱1,500–₱5,000 |
| Total Per Day | ₱1,700–₱4,600 | ₱6,900–₱16,000 | ₱25,500–₱88,000 |