scooter tour el nido

• Google_plus

TRAVEL AND ADVENTURES BLOG

El Nido Day Trip: By Motorbike

January 27, 2019 January 29, 2019

El Nido day trip is definitely a must for everyone visiting the beautiful northern part of Palawan. We all know that El Nido is home to some of the world’s most beautiful lagoons, white-sand beaches and breathtaking corals but it has so much more to offer!

E l Nido day trip can be done either on your own or by hiring a transport service. A day is enough to see most places outside of town.

Prior to our trip, we couldn’t find any recent post or reviews about getting around the island by motorbike. That’s why I decided to write a separate post and the only focus of this blog.

Also Read: El Nido Palawan: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

El Nido Day Trip: Why With a Motorbike?

We’ve been traveling around Asia for a year now and we always look for opportunities to explore different places on our own… and by motorbike for so many reasons!

If you know how to drive or don’t know how to but love the feeling of riding a motorbike then you’ll agree that it’s always the best idea. Some people find it risky, but hey, it’s part of the fun! We just prefer to explore on our own rather than joining tours. It allows us to choose what we wanted to see and how much time we want to spend seeing it. It’s also cheaper and usually faster compared to renting a car.

Note: Inland El Nido tours are also available either with a van or tricycle. You can organize with your hotel or through the numerous tour agencies downtown.

Also Read: El Nido Palawan:Your Ultimate Travel Guide

El Nido Day Trip: Motorbike Rental

You can find plenty of scooter and motorbike rental places almost everywhere in downtown El Nido. They’re also available along Corong-corong town.

We arrived in El Nido when Vlad, my fiance, realized that we’ve already passed by our hotel which was 2 kilometers away. He woke me up while I was having a nice nap, we got off the van and suddenly felt the strong heat of the sun; I wasn’t ready for it! I started getting grumpy and giving him the look: I’m not carrying my luggage and walking in the hot sun trying to figure out how to get to our hotel. Google maps wasn’t cooperating either (blame it to the poor internet connection in El Nido!).

A couple of tricycle drivers have passed and asked where we’re headed and offered us a ride to our hotel for P200. We refused thinking that it’s too expensive. Then we realized that maybe renting motorbike is a lot more convenient. El Nido is really hot so you just can’t comfortably walk in the streets during the day.

We found a rental place at the building by Caltex gas station in front of Corong-Corong market. There are a couple of other rental places there, so you don’t have to necessarily go to  El Nido town. We agreed at the price of P500 which the other guy on the street offered us for P700! Just try to haggle or keep looking at different rental places until you find a good deal.

Well, it’s a bigger and newer scooter (Yamaha 155) so it wasn’t that bad for the price. He allowed us to bring the scooter to El Nido airport too but its not recommended if you have heavy luggages.

If you want to rent the same scooter from the same guy, you can contact him at 0917-728-8804. He was really nice and easy to deal with.

Note: Prices in renting a motorbike in El Nido is between P500-P700 depending on the type of bike. But semi-automatic ones which are good for dirt roads are usually more expensive.

El Nido Day Trip: Places to Visit

Now it’s time to explore the beautiful El Nido. You’ll know when you’re outside of town when you’re no longer driving through the busy, crowded streets. You will be welcomed by the lush greenery of rice paddies, palm trees and beautiful views of the ocean. Here are the top places I recommend squeezing in your El Nido day trip:

Nacpan Beach

Not just a famous beach in El Nido but also known as one of the best beaches in the world! It took us 40-50 minutes driving through the nice scenery to find the sign going to the beach. From the main road, we drove through the wooden bridge and uneven dirt road before we got there.

By the entrance gate, we were asked to register our names and received flyers from different restaurants. We then drove all the way to the parking lot close to the beach.

It’s a perfect place to enjoy lunch, snacks or drinks at the beach. Though not fully developed, you’ll have some nice and decent places to choose from.

Read More: Best Beaches in El Nido

Going back to the main road, we continued driving north following the signs (don’t trust google maps on this one). Then, we found our way to the secluded Duli Beach.

It’s a famous spot for surfers to hangout too. There’s not a lot of restaurants here but if you want a more peaceful place to relax, then this is for you.

Note: They charge P50/person entrance fee.

Marimegmeg Beach

We didn’t want to drive through the dirt road at night so we headed back to town before 5pm. But where to spend the rest of the afternoon? Marimegmeg Beach it is!

We actually spent an extra day here to just relax cuz we didn’t feel like doing anything and it’s absolutely worth it. El Nido sunsets are definitely the best!

Read More: Best Beaches in El Nido

El Nido Day Trip: Other Places to Visit

If you have a few more extra days in El Nido, you can visit these other places too:

Las Cabanas Beach

Used to be a part of Marimegmeg Beach but locals started changing its name after Las Cabanas Beach Resort. Just keep walking along the beach and you’ll have another perfect place to relax and watch the sunset.

Mangrove Ecopark

Enjoy the walk along the mangrove forest that spans about 500 meters. Just follow the Taytay-El Nido National Highway after Marimegmeg Beach.

Taraw Cliff

If you like adventures and hiking with the view of the bay from the peak, then this is perfect for you! The best way to do it is by taking the original trail which is a lot more challenging and dangerous but it will bring you all the way to the top. The alternative option is to take the canopy walk for P400 including free helmet, harness and a guide for a small group which is short and safer.

Note: When doing the original route, make sure to book a guide who will assist you during the hike. You can book it in downtown the day prior. Rocks are sharp making the climb hard and dangerous.

Also Read: Best Beaches in El Nido

Blogging about inspiring travel destinations while sharing best travel tips that worked well for me and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Let’s explore this beautiful planet!

You may also like

Bangkok Travel Guide: Exploring Bangkok in 3 Days

September 1, 2018 September 8, 2018

Angkor Wat Travel Guide: Top 10 Things to Prepare

October 27, 2018

Beaches in El Nido: You Must Visit

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Exoticloops Motorcycle Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

EXOTICLOOPS MOTORCYCLE TOURS (El Nido) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

The Best El Nido Tour: A, B, C or D? – Island Hopping in El Nido

If you’re scratching your head over which is the best El Nido tour, don’t worry. Everyone who has been island hopping in El Nido has had the same dilemma. “A, B, C or D?” is the first question on everyone’s tongues.

Located in an area in the northern part of the Palawan archipelago in the Philippines, El Nido is renowned for its island hopping tours.

Why? The traditional bangka boats can access huge kart limestone lagoons with emerald water. There are white-sand beaches on almost every island, and most of the time they are backed by towering limestone cliffs or rows of palm trees.

On top of that, the best El Nido island hopping tours often visit fully or partially hidden beaches concealed behind limestone rocks. There are caves, coral reefs, and the list goes on…

To help you decide, I’ve set out exactly what is involved in each island hopping tour in El Nido and the best El Nido tour for every individual (including less-crowded options and luxury tours).

I’ve also explained the difference between the El Nido private and group tours and the benefits of each, as well as practical details on how to prepare for island hopping and where to get lunch.

Table of Contents

Where is El Nido?

El Nido is an area in the northernmost part of Palawan, an archipelago in the Philippines. It is also the name of El Nido town proper, from which the best El Nido island hopping tours depart.

The town is located in Bacuit Bay, approximately 15 minutes’ drive south of El Nido Airport. 

El Nido is a five-hour ferry ride away from Coron, another island popular for island hopping in Palawan – for that, see my guide to the best Coron island hopping tours .

The capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa (home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site thePuerto Princesa Subterranean Underground River) is a five- or six-hour drive south down the same island.

ESCAPE CHEAT SHEET

Planning your big escape? These are the booking resources I return to time and time again.

Book your hotel or hostel on Booking.com or Hostelworld .

Protect against accidents and emergencies with insurance from Staysure or SafetyWing .

Find a tour or experience on Get Your Guide .

Travel the world for free with TrustedHousesitters .

Is El Nido worth visiting?

El Nido is the most popular tourist destination in Palawan, without a doubt. Its island hopping tours are immensely impressive.

The islands in El Nido are practically spilling over with stunning landscapes, like lagoons, sandbars, caves, limestone cliffs, hills, and hidden beaches.

There are coral reefs and diving sites too, frequented by turtles, seahorses, nudibranch, reef sharks, and if you’re lucky enough to see them, eagle rays.

It’s not just island hopping that awaits in El Nido, however. The Taraw Cliffs, a series of jagged limestone cliffs which look almost like knives, tower over the town.

In the past few years, locals have built a safe but rickety boardwalk to the cliffs, where there is a viewpoint over the town and bay.

Since I first visited El Nido town in 2018, it has expanded significantly. What was once a small town with just a few accommodation options and one or two go-to bars is now a thriving tourist destination with restaurants and guesthouses by the dozens.

El Nido is also very well-known for its unique island resorts, especially the Cauayan Island Resort and Spa and Matinloc Resort .

How many days is enough for El Nido ?

The best amount of time to spend in El Nido is between three days and one week .

There are four main island hopping tours in El Nido. If you want to give yourself time to do all four tours, you need at least four or five days. 

If you only want to do Tour A and Tour C, the two most popular tours, you should visit El Nido for at least two or three days.

The tours run from 8pm to 4pm, taking up eight hours of the day.

Most of them involve vigorous activities such as swimming, snorkelling, and scrambling over rocks. Therefore, you may also need to put aside a day or two to rest and relax, as they can be physically demanding.

If you want to climb the Taraw Cliffs, put aside another full day because the opening times (8am to 5pm) coincide with the timing of the tours.

How to get to El Nido

There are several ways to get to El Nido. The best way to get to El Nido depends upon your full plan for travelling Palawan.

Most people start their Palawan itinerary in either Coron or Puerto Princesa.

If they start in Coron, they usually visit Coron, El Nido and Puerto Princesa in that order. If they start in Puerto Princesa, they do the opposite: Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and finally Coron.

Another option is to skip Puerto Princesa entirely, which means you can fly directly to El Nido airport. You won’t get a chance to visit the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. Your flight will also be more expensive because the cheapest flights in and out of Palawan are from the main airport in Puerto Princesa.

1. How to get to El Nido from Coron

There are two ways to get to El Nido from Coron. The first and quickest method is to take the ferry, which takes approximately four or five hours and costs approximately 2,600 PHP (£35).

This is also the cheapest way. 

However, the ferry is notoriously uncomfortable. Most passengers get very sea sick because the crossing has choppy waters. The ferries also leave early at 6am. 

The second and more adventurous route is to go island hopping from El Nido to Coron. I have done this twice and count both times as some of my favourite travel experiences in southeast Asia. 

Sleeping in handmade wooden huts on remote islands, you’ll spend the days snorkelling over some of Palawan’s best corals, as they haven’t been damaged by hordes of boats and tourists.

It’s also a chance to visit completely uninhabited beaches and islands, as well as the few island-based villages in the area. This area has incredible sunsets and sunrises too.

The tours usually last between three and five days. I have done the tour twice with Tao Philippines , who give back to the island communities by teaching them sustainable farming methods and providing them employment – a good cause. They are, however, expensive in comparison with the ferry.

2. How to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa

To get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa, you will need to take an air-conditioned minivan transfer between El Nido and Puerto Princesa . There are no local bus services.

The vans are cramped but comfortable. The roads can be windy, so take road sickness tablets. 

The journey takes approximately five hours dependent upon traffic and costs approximately 900 PHP (£12).

3. How to get to El Nido by air (from Manila)

There are flights from Manila to El Nido airport, a small airport 15 minutes’ drive from El Nido town proper. 

Tricycle taxis can take you to or from the airport. They should cost around 200 PHP (£2.80) one way.

The Best El Nido Tour: The Types Of Tours in El Nido

1. private island hopping tour in el nido.

A private island hopping tour involves renting a private boat.

The private tours visit routes A, B, C or D, the same destinations covered by the group tours.

The tour is set on a traditional bangka boat, suitable for up to three guests, and the total cost of the tour is split between all three guests. 

A private tour is ideal if you want to go island hopping as a family or as a group of friends. You don’t need to feel rushed or crowded. You also have more agency over the itinerary.

For example, you could ask your tour guide to skip one stop in favour of spending longer in a different destination.

2. Group island hopping tour in El Nido

A group island hopping tour is the most budget-friendly tour type in El Nido. They cover routes A, B, C and D.

The group tours accommodate up to 25 people, depending upon the size of the boat. The whole experience is more crowded and noisier.

However, it’s also easier to make friends with other travellers and adds a friendly, sociable atmosphere to the tour.

3. Island hopping by speedboat

The quickest and most luxurious tours in El Nido are the island hopping tours by yacht or speedboat.

The main benefit of taking a speedboat is that they are quicker, making it possible to beat the crowds to the best attractions. This is the most expensive but equally the most luxurious type of tour.

Most speedboat tours are three to five hours long, meaning that you can make the most of your day back in the town or catch a bus or flight later in the day.

• Premium three-hour speedboat tour of popular routes : Approximately 3500 PHP (£50) per person.
• Private five-hour speedboat tour of Bacuit Bay : 24,700 PHP (£350) for two people.

Entry fees for the El Nido island hopping tours

On top of the raw cost of island hopping in El Nido, you will need to pay an eco-tourism development fee of 200 PHP and entrance fees for the attractions you visit on the tour.

Usually, these are not included in the tour price, but check before you book to be sure.

The El Nido eco-tourism development fee is 200 PHP (£2.80). The fee goes directly towards sustaining the environment and isn’t kept by your tour provider. 

Most entry fees, including for Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon, are 200 PHP (£2.80).

They must be paid to your tour guide at the beginning of the trip.

How much does island hopping in El Nido cost?

Island hopping tours can cost up to 17,670 PHP (£250) for a private tour for three people or up to 3500 PHP (£50) for a group tour for one person.

This is once you take into account the additional costs of buying lunch, entry fees, and gear hire.

Let me break it down for you:

A group island hopping tour on its own costs around 2100 PHP (£30) per person. 

A private island hopping tour typically costs around 14,200 PHP (£200) for a group of three people. Split between three, this amounts to approximately 4730 PHP (£66) each.

On top of the raw tour costs, a typical day of entry fees will include the 200 PHP (£2.80) eco-tourism development fee and 200 – 400 PHP (£2.80 – £5.60) of entry fees.

For any lagoon tours, you will need to hire a kayak for around 250 PHP (£3.50) and/or a snorkelling mask for 150 PHP (£2). 

Lunch is no longer included in the tour price, as of June 30th 2023, so you will also need to account for buying your own packed lunch from one of the restaurants in the town.

This will cost around 200 – 400 PHP (£2.80 – £5.60) for a large budget-friendly meal.

The Best El Nido Tour: How to Prepare for Island Hopping in El Nido 

Island hopping El Nido requires some preparation.

1. Choose what to pack and wear for the best El Nido tour

The most important thing you need is a dry bag to protect your belongings from the water.

This can be purchased from market stalls in El Nido town if you don’t have your own.

The second most important thing, in my opinion, are reef shoes . On most of the tours, you will be walking over rocks or sand which might hide sea urchins or lion fish.

Again, sea shoes can be purchased in El Nido town if you don’t have any of your own.

Other items you should pack include:

• A reusable water bottle with water – all plastics are banned on El Nido island tours to protect the environment.
• A quick-dry beach towel.
• Change of clothes.
• Cash – you will need to pay by cash for any extras such as tourist fees, snorkelling or kayaking gear, and food and drinks from kayak vendors. 

For a full list of what to wear in Palawan , along with a free packing list and what to wear island hopping, I have a separate guide.

2. Allow time for your journey

The meeting place for most of the best El Nido tours are either on El Nido beach directly next to the town, where the island hopping boats are docked, or at one of the restaurants next to the beach.

It may take you around 20 minutes of walking to reach your meeting place if you’re staying within the town.

If you’re staying on the outskirts of the town or in the Napcan beach area, you may need to account for a tricycle ride to the beach and possible traffic.

Leave plenty of time for breakfast, travel, and finding the meeting point.

Also, don’t skip breakfast. You will need the energy for the day’s activities. Just remember that you’re going to be on a boat all day, and don’t make my mistake of having a huge breakfast before sitting on a stationary boat in the windy bay for half an hour directly afterwards. 

What To Expect on the Best El Nido tour

1. an early start.

The best El Nido tour will start early to beat the crowds.

Most of the tours depart El Nido Beach before 8:45 AM. Any later, and you may ‘miss the boat’, as the saying goes.

2. A few crowds 

El Nido is one of the most crowded destinations in Palawan (and in the Philippines as a whole). Where there’s natural beauty, there are crowds.

If you’re trying to avoid crowds, I’d suggest taking a speedboat tour to beat the crowds to the most popular spots. Tour B and D are also less crowded than Tour A and C.

The coral reefs in El Nido aren’t the best I’ve seen in Palawan. Some of the coral is dead because of over-tourism and unsustainable boating practices. I saw way too many boat anchors buried in the dead coral in El Nido.

There are still some thriving coral gardens, but if you’re looking for slightly more colourful corals and diverse sea life, you can see that island hopping between El Nido or Coron or on an island hopping tour from Coron.

4. No buffet lunch  

The buffet lunches were always a well-awaited part of the El Nido tours for me. However, since July 1st 2023 and under the direction of the Mayor of El Nido, meals are no longer included in island hopping tours. 

Therefore, you will need to purchase your own meal from the restaurants in the town before going on the tour. 

5. Changes of plans

Even on the best El Nido tour, you may need to change your plans.

Entry to attractions like the Big Lagoon are limited to a certain number of people. Tour guides will take you to a different nearby spot if they are turned away.

Sometimes, the schedule doesn’t always run to plan too. For example, I took tour C, excited to visit Matinloc Shrine, but the tour ran out of time and couldn’t stop there. 

The Best El Nido Tour: A, B, C or D?

In an ideal world, you’ll have enough time to go on all four El Nido island hopping tours.

However, if you don’t, you will want to make the most of the time you have.

The most popular El Nido tours are Tour A and Tour C . They are also the most crowded.

Tour A is popular because it visits Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon. Big Lagoon is considered the most impressive destination in El Nido.

Tour C is popular because it visits Hidden Beach and Secret Beach, two fully or partially concealed beaches with an added surprise factor. It also visits Matinloc Shrine, a spiritual site among the islands.

Tour B visits some of the best and less-crowded beaches in El Nido, while Tour D visits pristine beaches and Small Lagoon, a smaller-sized and therefore more intimate lagoon.

Let the following breakdowns help you to choose.

Tour A: The Best El Nido Tour for Kayaking in Limestone Lagoons

• Secret Lagoon
• Seven Commandos Beach
• Shimizu Island
• Corong Corong Beach

1. Big Lagoon

Tour A is considered to be the best tour in El Nido by many locals because it is the only tour which visits Big Lagoon, a huge limestone karst lagoon with shallow, green water.

Kayaking through Big Lagoon is a huge bucket-list activity in El Nido, and this is the only route covering the attraction unless you take a speedboat tour. 

While kayaking through around the lagoon is by far the best part of visiting Big Lagoon, there are also shallow areas of waters (almost like a beach) where you can leave your kayak and float in the shallows.

If you continue kayaking far enough into the lagoon, you’ll also come across areas with reeds and sea urchins. 

Round to the left, near the back of the lagoon, you can also find narrow grooves in the rocks just big enough for kayaks to pass through. Ask your guides the way if you can’t find them on your own.

2. Secret Lagoon

Crawling on all fours through a small cave and emerging into a circular lagoon enclosed by sky-high limestone is bound to be a memorable moment in your Palawan trip.

Secret Lagoon is one of many places in El Nido which is hidden by rocks from the outside

You definitely don’t need a kayak for Secret Lagoon, as it’ll only take you two or three minutes to take a swim around the circumference. The rest of the time you can spend admiring the rockfaces.

3. Seven Commandos Beach

Seven Commandos Beach is one of the closest beaches to El Nido town. 

Lined with palm trees and a few swings erected by locals, it is a great place to chill out and snorkel (the corals are on the right-hand side of the beach when you’re facing the ocean).

Seven Commandos Beach got its name from a rumour that seven World War II soldiers became stranded on the beach. Another rumour is that a fishing vessel was stranded on the beach and passengers set up camp there before repairing and sailing their boat away.

The former story is the most popular, because it’s said that locals found a rock carved with ‘Seven Commandos’ on the beach when it was first discovered.

4. Shimizu Island

Shimizu Island is usually the lunch stop on Tour A. The sheer limestone rocks barely make room for the it small, white beaches, and that’s exactly why it’s so beautiful. 

Tour B: The Best El Nido Tour for Visiting Less-Crowded Beaches and Caves

• Popolkan Island
• Snake Island
• Cudugnon Cave
• Cathedral Cave
• Pinagbuyutan Island

Tour B is a wise choice for anyone who wants to avoid the main tourist crowds. It shows you island hopping as it should be: wild, free, and stunning.

The beaches have some of the most fascinating formations in Palawan, especially Snake Island with its slithery, shifting sandbars. 

1. Popolkan Island

Small but sweet, Popolkan Island is one of the most popular snorkelling and diving destinations in El Nido. The great corals are what makes it the first stop on Tour B in El Nido.

2. Snake Island

Snake Island is definitely one of the most impressive islands in El Nido.

The main reason for this is that it has a sandbar, which emerges at low tide only. You can walk the three kilometres along the sandbar to get between the two islands.

Mangroves and thick palm trees (with the occasional monkey) rest alongside the beach.

If you have enough time, which is more likely on a private tour rather than on a group tour, locals can also show you how to climb to the shed at the top of the island. 

3. Cudugnon Cave

The caves are what really set apart Tour B from the other island hopping tours in El Nido.

Cudugnon Cave is tucked underneath a hill on Lagen Island, miles away from the civilisation of El Nido town. Yet, it still has plenty of history. 

The cave is a neolithic burial site for Palawan residents and people who settled in Palawan from Borneo, as part of an ancient practice to return humans to nature. Human bones have been found from as far back as 960 A.D. in the cave.

It’s also thought that Japanese soldiers hid in the cave during the invasion in World War II.

Even without all of the history attached to it, the cave is spectacular, as it is filled with limestone karst formations, stalactites, bats, and swallows. Access to the cave is during low tide only through a small opening. 

4. Cathedral Cave

Cathedral Cave earned its name because of its limestone passageway in the shape of a cathedral. Cathedral Cave is more of a drive-by destination rather than anything else, because venomous snakes live inside the cave.

5. Pinagbuyutan Island

Pinagbuyutan Island is one of the closest islands to El Nido town proper, around half an hour’s sailing from the town.

It’s a wild, desolate island, making it an ideal place to relax and snorkel over the beach’s corals without crowds interfering.

Tour C: The Best El Nido Tour for Visiting Secret Beaches

• Hidden Beach
• Secret Beach
• Helicopter Island
• Tapiutan Beach
• Matinloc Shrine.

Tour C has the adventure factor every island hopper wants. Discovering secret beaches never gets old, and that’s exactly what makes it one of the best island hopping tours for exploring ‘hidden’ or ‘secret’ spots.

Tour C is very popular, so I can’t say that the beaches are exactly a ‘secret’ anymore. Still, you’d have no idea they were there if it wasn’t for the tour guides.

Matinloc Shrine is also another reason why many like this tour, as the abandoned Virgin Mary shrine is an unusual sight among the miles of deserted islands and limestone rocks.

1. Hidden Beach

On the approach to Hidden Beach, you’ll see nothing but a wall of El Nido limestone. As you get closer, however, you’ll notice a slither of sand through an alley behind one limestone islet.

There couldn’t be a better tropical optical illusion. 

The bangka boats park in the deeper water a distance away from the rocks, as they can’t sail through. Then, you’ll need to clamber over the rocks through knee to thigh-high water to reach the beach.

The clamber is harder than it looks because it’s easy to lose your balance, so hold onto a partner if you can. Reef shoes are an essential. 

In the shallow passage of water leading to the main secret beach, I was lucky enough to be joined by a tiny family of tiny reef sharks, who peacefully took a length or two of the water before exiting.

The beach itself is a small trip of white sand, so the most fun part is paddling around the shallow water and spotting marine creatures. 

2. Secret Beach

You could say that Secret Beach is Hidden Beach’s more elaborate sibling.

Unlike Hidden Beach, it is fully concealed by limestone rocks and entry is by jumping into deep water and swimming through a narrow passageway into a secret limestone crevice with a beach.

Wear your reef shoes, because once you’ve squeezed through, you still have a small clamber to reach the sand.

With limestone on all sides, Secret Beach is a special place. 

3. Helicopter Island

If you were to fly above Helicopter Island, you’d see why it got its name. Even on the approach, you can tell that the island is shaped vaguely like a helicopter.

Tall, winding and covered in tufts of green, the island has a gorgeous white-sand beach overlooked by towering cliffs. 

Helicopter Island, in my opinion, was by far the most scenic beach on all of the El Nido island hopping tours.

First thing in the morning, the beach was pretty busy. However, it is still large enough that you can walk until there are no people around. The farthest ends of the beach are mostly deserted.

The beach is also lined with pretty decent corals. You hardly have to go far to find them: just swim a couple of strokes from the beach and you’ll find that the sand very quickly drops down onto a shallow coral reef with lots of rainbow fish.

4. Tapiutan Beach

Positioned alongside Matinloc Island, Tapiutan Beach is a popular stop for lunch, just through a narrow limestone pass and with yet more white sand and corals.

5. Matinloc Shrine

Matinloc Shrine is saved for last. It is a large, white shrine dedicated to Virgin Mary.

It looks rather out of place on Matinloc Island. However, it has been there since 1982, having been supposedly set up by adventurers who found treasure from World War II on the island and built the shrine to cover up their mischievous digging. 

The shrine has fell to ruins since they left with their treasures, and a beachfront mansion has met the same fate.

Tour D: The Best El Nido Tour for Snorkelling and Visiting Small Lagoons

• Small Lagoon
• Cadlao Island
• Pasandigan Beach
• Nat Nat Beach
• Paradise Beach
• Bukal Island

If want to experience smaller, quieter lagoons typical of El Nido and ‘hidden’ beaches with fewer crowds, this is the tour for you. Its best and first destination is what looks like a miniature version of Big Lagoon.

This is also another of the least-crowded island hopping routes in El Nido, so it’s a tour where you can really tune into the peaceful landscape.

1. Small Lagoon

Exploring Small Lagoon by kayak is more intimate than kayaking Big Lagoon, and there’s no way that you will leave feeling like you didn’t have time to see and experience everything.

Because it’s so much smaller, you can really take the time to soak up the scenery and look for marine life too.

Coloured a deep sea green, the lagoon has several cliff jumping spots and deep areas suitable for swimming. There are a few small caves which indent the limestone cliffs. 

2. Cadlao Island

Cadlao Island has yet another lagoon. This one is set on an impressive green island with a 609-metre hill. It’s also one of the largest islands that you’ll encounter while island hopping in El Nido. 

Because Cadlao Island is so close to El Nido, adventurous tourists can kayak out to Cadlao Island directly from the town.

The island has limestone karsts and there are coral reefs at the end of the bay, but the lagoon is by far the prettiest place (and a great place to snorkel, too).

3. Pasandigan Beach, Nat Nat Beach and Paradise Beach

Pasandigan Beach, Nat Nat Beach, and Paradise Beach are three beautiful beaches with shallow waters and fab marine life. If you’ve been wanting to snorkel, these are the spots to do so.

Pasandigan Beach is particularly known for its turtles and isolated vibe. You can swim directly to the corals on Paradise Beach from the silkily soft sand.

4. Bukal Island

Bukal Island is just about the cherry on top for Tour D. It has calm, family-friendly shallows, ideal for relaxing. The island is smaller than Cadlao Island, and has a far wilder appeal.

The Best El Nido Tour for Luxury

If you you’re looking for luxury, you’re in luck. There are a number of luxury boat tours that run from El Nido.

By far the most extensive luxury tour is the two-day private cruise on a 42-foot luxury sailing yacht .

The cruise involves sleeping in two private cabins on the yacht and visiting places far away from the typical tourist routes.

The yacht will take you to Malapacao Island for snorkelling, followed by a deserted sandbank at Lagen Island, and finally Dibuluan Island where the Survivor TV show was shot. 

If you want a shorter luxury tour, you can take a day cruise on a private 43-foot Beneteau Oceanis 430 yacht . This tour also takes you away from the tourist sites to Dibuluan Island and Lagen Island.

There is another popular group luxury tour aboard a 50-foot sailing catamaran , which is more affordable because the boat can be shared with a minimum of six other guests. The catamaran visits some of the best spots on the Tour A, B, C, D routes. 

The Best El Nido Tour Inland

Aside from island hopping, there are plenty of places to explore inland on the main island.

You can rent your own scooter to explore inland on your own but the easiest option is to take the Beyond El Nido jeepney tour .

Jeepneys are a traditional vehicle in the Philippines and an artistic symbol. The buses were converted from jeeps left behind by invaders in World War II.

This particular jeepney tour will take you to Lio Beach, a wide, windswept sandy bay with a long pier. I stayed in a resort next to the beach in 2018 and was blown away by the size of the beach.

The tour also passes through the El Nido countryside, taking you on a guided trek to the Bulalacao Waterfalls where you can swim or go cliff jumping. 

The final stop is Napcan Beach for sunset with free unlimited cocktails at a beach bar. So, if you want to party, this is your chance. It’s a popular tour for the hostel crowd.

How to Avoid Crowds in El Nido

Crowds are the one thing that can turn the best El Nido tours into the worst. However, they are avoidable with a little planning.

1. Take a speedboat tour

By far the best way to beat the crowds is to take a speedboat tour. Speedboat tours travel at almost double the speed of the bangka boats used for the normal boat tours in El Nido. 

This gives you the chance to arrive at popular spots before other boats get there. You can also visit the destinations in a different order to the island tours when they are most likely to be less busy.

2. Depart early

Book a tour that departs early. Most tours leave by 8.45am. If you’re on a tour that’s leaving late or seems disorganised, you’re not on the best El Nido tour. 

I find that tours booked online were far more prompt than tours booked through a hotel or hostel, as they depend upon positive online reviews for customers.

You can find tours on GetYourGuide or Klook . 

3. Visit El Nido during the low season

Visiting El Nido during the low season is the biggest power move.

Accommodation is cheaper. Island tours are less crowded. It’s a win-win, as long as the weather forecast holds out.

Where to Stay in El Nido 

One of the great things about El Nido is that it has a good range of value, mid-budget, and luxury places to stay.

There are two main backpacker hostels: Spin Designer Hostel and Frendz Hostel.

Spin Designer Hostel is by far the most bougie of the two, with activities like free margarita nights and free popcorn. Frendz Hostel is where I stayed. It has a rooftop pool with views over the town and sea. It’s one of the most social hostels I’ve stayed at.

If you’re on a luxury holiday, you absolutely must look at the private island resorts which surround El Nido. I was blown away by a visit to the Cauayan Island Resort and Spa in 2018. Matinloc Resort is also beautiful island resort.

In El Nido town, the most popular luxury resort is the El Nido Garden Resort .

If you want a mid-budget option instead, try the following hotels, but be aware that they book up fast:

• The Funny Lion
• SANSE Boutique Hotel
• H Hotel (vegetarian and vegan hotel)

You can also consider staying in the Las Cabañas Beach area, only a short tuk-tuk ride from the town proper. There are beachfront holiday apartments there.

Things to Do in El Nido 

1. get a massage..

There’s a massage parlour on the main road in El Nido called The Organic Spa El Nido, which honestly gives the best hilot massage I’ve had in the space of nearly two months in the Philippines.

2. Climb the Taraw Cliffs

Before the canopy walk existed, people used to scramble up the Taraw Cliffs to get photos of the bay from the precarious limestone ledges. Some people still do, illegally I might say, as it has been banned.

Now, locals have erected a canopy walk (the Taraw Via Ferrata) consisting of boardwalks which will take you safely to the top of the cliffs in a harness.

I can’t really compare the health and safety standards to those in Australia or Britain, but it seems sturdy enough, and it’s a wonderful way to take in the views. Plus, the climb only takes 20 minutes. 

You’ll need to book a ticket either at the office in town or online: get your Taraw Via Ferrata ticket .

3. Take the Las Cabañas Beach zipwire

El Nido Beach isn’t suitable for a beach day because of all of the boats docked or coming and going.

The best place is Las Cabañas Beach, which is approximately a 20-minute tuk-tuk ride from the town.

The area is fairly built up. To reach the beach, you must walk through a small outdoor mall with a gym, bougie restaurants and coffee shops.

The beach is usually fairly empty, as aside from the residents of the small strip of holiday apartments alongside the beach, not many people visit from the town.

One of the best attractions at the beach is the zipwire, which travels from a slope over the beach to an islet adjoined to Las Cabañas by a sandbar.

To reach the zipwire, you’ll need to walk up a very steep hill or rent a scooter driver to drive you up there (it’s around 20 minutes’ walk from the mall).

4. Go waterfall trekking

The Bulalacao Waterfalls are part of the Beyond El Nido jeepney tour , but you can also rent a tricycle driver to take you there and wait for you for several hours. Otherwise, rent a scooter from the town. 

There are two waterfalls – one big and one small. Both have swimming holes where you can take a dip. It’s a gorgeous two-hour hike through the jungle to and from the largest waterfall.

Where to Visit After El Nido

1. napcan beach.

Napcan Beach can be visited on a day trip from El Nido, as I did. The four-kilometre beach is perhaps one of the best in Palawan, lined with palm trees.

The incredibly soft sand merges into very safe, shallow, and warm water, making it a great place to swim.

However, you may want to stay the night (or two) because Napcan Beach is best known for the Napcan Beach Glamping site, which is quickly turning into a Palawan rite of passage.

It’s so popular that it books up months in advance. No wonder why, as it is a pretty once-in-a-lifetime experience to stay in a luxury bell tent on a tropical beach surrounded by palm trees and with a beach sunset to look forward to every evening.

You can book a transfer to and from El Nido and Napcan Beach online.

2. Port Barton

Port Barton is sometimes overlooked on a Palawan itinerary. However, the small village and its peaceful beaches are a gentle reprieve after the lively tourist town of El Nido. It is a three-hour drive south of El Nido.

Port Barton is also an island-hopping destination.

If you didn’t get lucky enough to spot a turtle in El Nido, this might be your chance, as Port Barton island hopping tours visit Turtle Spot, where they are frequently spotted.

The reefs in Port Barton are less busy than those in El Nido, and thought to be of better quality.

3. Puerto Princesa

As Palawan’s capital city, Puerto Princesa is a place where you can see how everyday life operates in urban Palawan.

There aren’t too many tourist attractions around in the typical sense, but eating at local restaurants, visiting coffee shops, and experiencing the mall culture still guarantees a great time.

Puerto Princesa is the departure point for tours to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive places in Palawan.

I took this full-day tour of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River from the city . Gliding into the 15-mile-long limestone karst underground river, with only the sound of fluttering bats and water dripping from the stalactites, is not something I will forget soon. 

You can book a transfer to Puerto Princesa online if you need to.

Tour A visits Big Lagoon, one of the most popular island hopping attractions in El Nido. Tour B visits mostly peaceful beaches. Meanwhile, Tour C is known for attractions such as secret beaches and Matinloc Shrine.

The most popular tours in El Nido are Tours A and C.

Tour C takes approximately eight hours.

The best season to visit El Nido is between November and March because the temperatures are manageable and there shouldn’t be much rain.

Katie Treharne

I’m Katie, the owner of Escape Artist Katie. I have been travel writing since 2018, including writing for luxury travel magazines and publications such as Wanderlust.

As well as being a digital nomad who works and lives abroad permanently, I’m a big advocate for  offbeat travel  and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

I hope you found my article useful – find out more  about  me here or keep up with my travels on  Instagram .

Riding Motorbikes Around El Nido

After the world’s bumpiest, least comfortable, and most over-crowded van ride from Puerto Princesa the night before, we’d have been forgiven for choosing to take our first day in beautiful El Nido, Palawan easy. Heaven knows, I argued strongly in favour of the ‘eat breakfast and then lie on the beach all day’ lifestyle, but found myself shouted down by Hogg and my traitorous brother, Leigh.

“Let’s get motorbikes and ride around the island!” came the cry from Hogg, and my brother was all too eager to follow suit.

I’m all about getting off the beaten path and being adventurous, but sometimes you just want to a day to throw yourself into a hammock with a good book and a six pack (or more) of ice cold beer, and just relax.

It wasn’t to be, but I can’t say I regret that.

Renting Motorbikes in El Nido

We weren’t the first tourists to think that renting motorbikes and exploring the island on our own might be a good idea, and there is an abundance of places in El Nido who have scooters, bicycles, and motorbikes available for hire for a reasonable rate (roughly $15 or 700 pesos for the day).

Despite not having a license of any kind to my name, nobody seemed at all phased at the idea of putting me astride a bike with my life (and potentially somebody else’s) in my untrained hands.

After leaving one of our passports with the bike hire company; we were handed keys and given a quick overview of how our bikes worked. With me being a rookie rider, we’d opted for gas powered scooters rather than full blown motorbikes; but that didn’t stop me from a few jaw-clenching moments of swerving or too sudden stopping as we made our way out of town.

The Drive to Heaven aka Nacpan Beach

Our first order of business for the day was to make the half hour or so drive north to isolated Nacpan Beach. Our bikes had come with maps that detailed the way as well as highlighting some suggested tourist spots along the way, but we tucked ours away as soon as we’d left town and were happy to let the road take us where it would.

Out of the crowded and warren-like streets of El Nido, we were able to stretch our legs and it was then that I started to realize what a brilliant idea hiring bikes had been. The day was warm and sunny, and the roads were eerily quiet as we flew past idyllic farms, lush green forests, and the backdrop of mountains that framed it all. The sky was impossibly blue. It was just one of those days where it felt damn good to be alive.

A few rickety bridges, a rough and bumpy back road, and a bit of speed-sapping sand later, and we were at the isolated and beautiful Naclan Beach.

Despite being a pretty popular tourist spot, the beach was quiet – with only about 12-13 people there. Couples were out in the mirror flat, crystal clear water or canoodling on the white sand, so a trio of single lads certainly looked out of place rugby tackling one another into the water.

A couple of vendors were on hand with ice cold beers and snacks, and we even splashed out on a BBQ lunch served on paper plates in a rickety old shelter.

It was an afternoon of simple pleasures – good, hearty food, the sun baking the water off us, and a bit of me time in a hammock to wrap it all up.

Fair Warning: They don’t sell sun screen at Nacpan Beach, so make sure you have some with you before you leave!

We’d forgotten to pack some, but were able to barter with an Israeli couple in exchange for a couple of San Miguel beers.

Hiking to the Waterfall

Most motorbike hire places will include a map in your bike hire, and this map mentions both a hot springs and a waterfall that are worth visiting. We had no real inclination to find the hot springs, but did think we’d squeeze the waterfall in to our day’s activities.

There are no shortage of locals standing along the side of the road in the heat trying to flag you down and offer to play tour guide; so like any group of single lads would – we opted to take the  tour with the prettiest girl.

After buying a couple of refreshments from a quaint little ‘shop’ they ran out of the shed by their house, we were off into the jungle for the 30-40 minute hike out to the waterfall. It’s not a hard hike by any stretch, but definitely not one I was enjoying attempting with my thongs on. I completed most of the 90 minute round trip barefoot.

You cross something like 8 or 9 rivers (streams, really) on your way to the waterfall, and they’re a blessedly cool reprieve from the oppressive jungle heat.

The waterfall is worth the walk, though, and we took a few minutes to take a dip in the chill water and pose like idiots beneath the waterfall while our guide watched on.

On the way back to the road, I struck up a conversation with our nineteen year old guide about her experiences living in a tourist town. We had a good chat about silly foreigners, but also discussed the darker side of things; the pushy foreigners, the creepy old men looking for young brides, and the realities of living in paradise.

It’s easy for us to get caught up in the romance of a tropical island where we can drink cheap fruit smoothies and get cheap massages, but it was a sobering reminder that the locals don’t have it as easy as we do. This girl completed the 90 minute hike we did about 5 or 6 times a day, and doesn’t get a whole lot of money for her efforts. If this bothered her, I didn’t pick up on it. Like so many of the Filipino people I met, she was cheerful and friendly.

Returning at Sunset

We arrived back in El Nido shortly after sunset. The whole day probably didn’t set us back more than $30 a head including a few beers at Nacpan, the waterfall tour, the bike hire, and our BBQ lunch on the beach.

We also had to pay to fill the tanks on our bikes before we headed back, but that didn’t exactly break the bank. The town’s only gas station was a tad hard to find, but nothing three burly lads couldn’t handle.

Have you ever rented motorbikes, scooters, or bicycles to get out and see a place on your own? Where?

From Facebook

Dive Into Philippines

🏝️Perfect El Nido Itinerary For 2 – 5 Days [2024]

Heading to El Nido and looking for the perfect El Nido Palawan itinerary? Perfect! We can help in this El Nido itinerary blog post.

Let’s be honest; even the name sounds exotic… Famed for its clean white beaches, crystal-clear waters, and the dramatic limestone cliffs of Bacuit Bay, El Nido is everything and more than you anticipate. Spend lazy days bopping around on emerald seas – island-hopping to hidden lagoons – or hang in hammocks, surrounded by palm trees and breath-taking views.

The ultimate paradise vacation destination that doesn’t need to break your wallet, visitors delight in long stretches of empty beaches, marvel at the colourful underwater world of the marine sanctuaries that teem with tropical fish, and end days relaxing shoreside watching world class sunsets.

Away from the water, El Nido offers other delights such as lush forests full of flora and fauna, with endemic animals and an abundance of birdlife. Other adventures await with an exploration of local caves and hikes to waterfalls, a thrilling Zipline between two islands, a canopy walk and a lively town for things to do in El Nido at night.

One of the most popular destinations in the Philippines, El Nido is a place everyone should tick off at least once!

Below, you will find the ultimate itinerary: El Nido, Palawan! We walk you through options whether you have just 2 days in El Nido or are looking for a full El Nido itinerary 5d4n. You can simply stop following our Palawan El Nido itinerary if your trip finishes in less than 5 days when you hit the number of days you have or pick the days that sound best from the El Nido DIY itinerary below.

We also have a complete list of what to do in El Nido Palawan so you can decide if the stops in our itinerary are perfect for you. You will find all the options for El Nido activities.

Finally, we also recommend some top places to stay in El Nido depending on your budget and some tips for visiting El Nido with kids.

Table of Contents

El Nido Itinerary 2024

Remember, this is a full 5 days itinerary in El Nido, Palawan. If you have fewer days, simply pick the days that most appeal.

This can be either an El Nido budget itinerary or a luxury one – you can pick the quality of accommodation and activities to suit your budget.

El Nido Itinerary 1 Day: Epic El Nido: Lagoons, Beaches and Fish!

Starting with the most popular activity in El Nido to do, join the full day El Nido Island Hopping Tour A to discover the beauty of Bacuit Bay.

• Head to El Nido beach and barter your way to an excellent deal for Tour A, one of the best things to do in El Nido
• Enjoy swimming at any two of the famed three lagoons: Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and explore or relax at 7 Commando Beach and Shimizu Island, all top El Nido tourist attractions
• Back to El Nido, discover El Nido Town proper for dinner, full of lively bars and restaurants

Click here for discounted tour A tickets now.

El Nido Itinerary 2 Days: El Nido Inland Adventures

Rent motorbikes, scooters or join an organised van-tour to discover the local nature and beaches, ticking off some of the top 10 places to visit in El Nido, Palawan.

• Start early with a visit to El Nido Public Market, stocking up on provisions for today’s trip
• After breakfast, head out to Makinit Hot Springs, before the heat of the day makes this an uncomfortable spot to visit
• Drive on to nearby Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls for an invigorating 40-minute trek up to the falls, refreshing with a chilly swim in the Jungle Pool
• The final stop of your day are the awesome twin beaches of Nacpan – a truly iconic beach and one of the places to visit in El Nido Palawan – and Calitang, a great spot for sunset
• Head home and dine at your hotel, before finding a fun karaoke bar for an evening sing-song

El Nido Itinerary 3 Days: Snorkelling or Diving Delights

On day 3 of your El Nido 3 days 2 nights itinerary, it is time to discover the best place in El Nido… the underwater world… with a day spent either snorkelling or diving.

• For snorkelling enthusiasts, head to El Nido beach and join Tour C, possibly the second most popular of all the tours and full of epic snorkelling points
• Visit Secret Beach, Hidden Beach, Star Beach, Helicopter Island (a highlight of El Nido Palawan places to visit) and a final stop at Matinloc Shrine. …and of course, somewhere along the way enjoy a great BBQ lunch!
• Once back in El Nido Town take a 15-minute tricycle ride to Papaya Beach to end your day with a last epic snorkel before catching another great sunset.
• For divers, prebook a full day’s dive from any one of the many operators found in El Nido Town proper. Stand out spots include Miniloc Island, with four dive sites, Twin Rocks, Banayan Point and Bikanayos Rock.
• Finish the day with a well earned drink beachside, watching another El Nido epic sunset… or it is sadly time to depart if you are enjoying an El Nido itinerary 3d2n.

You can book a luxury tour C here.

El Nido Itinerary 4 Days: Waves and Kites at Duli and Sibaltan

Pre-arrange a full day’s van-rental for this El Nido itinerary 4 days, and head to Duli to catch some waves, followed by a visit to awesome Sibaltan, with its wild 2km of coastline.

• First stop of the day is at Duli Beach for surfing lessons with Mike
• After a bite to eat at the onsite local restaurant, head off to Sibaltan
• Drop by the Balay Cuyonon Museum to discover the traditions of this local tribe
• Try your hand at kitesurfing at Sibaltan Beach or sit back and spectate
• For dinner, stop off at any one of the beaches near to El Nido for beachside alfresco dining… or it is farewell time if you’re enjoying an El Nido itinerary 4d3n

El Nido Itinerary 5 Days: Something Different, El Nido Style

Wondering what to do in El Nido, Philippines today? Challenge yourself by trying something different… followed by a last lazy afternoon at the beach.

• Reach the top of Taraw Cliff – either dramatically via a guided self-climb or the safer El Nido Canopy Walk. Located in Town proper, this is one of the El Nido best things to do.
• Try a freediving experience, learning to control your breath underwater
• Rent a clear-kayak for self discovery of Bacuit Bay’s lagoons and beaches
• Discover the birdlife of El Nido, all 279 species!
• Head back out to sea for Tour B, taking in the awesome Cathedral Caves
• Towards the end of the afternoon head to Las Cabanas Beach for a dramatic Zipline whiz between two islands or taking the more scenic return via a beautiful sandbank. Definitely one of the top 10 things to do in El Nido.
• End your day at any one of the bars or restaurants at Las Cabanas, catching the iconic sunset and planning out your next visit!

Complete List Of Best Things To Do In El Nido Palawan

Island hopping tours.

Discovering the hidden gems of Bacuit Bay archipelago is the reason most visitors arrive in El Nido. Drawn by the crystal clear waters that teem with schools of fish, starfish, sea urchins, colourful corals and turtles, island hopping tours are the most popular activities in El Nido.

Official tours, labelled Tour A, B, C and D, depart from El Nido around the Bay. Banca and speed boats are on offer, and you should ensure to barter a good deal. Join with fellow travellers to reduce rates or hire privately for the ultimate experience.

Enjoy a half or full day snorkelling and kayaking over reefs, enveloped by towering walls of jagged rock that cradle Robinson-Crusoe-styled inlets. Drop anchor and dine on freshly cooked fish, local fruits and refresh with coconut juice.

The four tours are unique, but on all tours, you’ll visit islands, beaches and snorkelling points.

• Tour A – lagoons and beaches
• Tour B – caves and islands
• Tour C – snorkelling and a shrine
• Tour D – island beaches

Bacuit Bay, El Nido attractions include Miniloc, famous for its two lagoons – the Big Lagoon and the Small Lagoon – and the islands of Matinloc and Tapiutan. Keep an eye out whilst swimming for elusive dugongs, graceful manta rays, cheeky sea turtles and much, much more!

Days spent exploring jaw dropping Bacuit Bay are truly memorable. Grab sun lotion, snorkel and fins, and discover what has made El Nido world-famous.

For discounted tickets for these tours click the following links: Tour A (super cheap), Tour B in a luxury wooden boat ,  Tour C in a luxury speedboat , or Tour D in a luxury catamaran .

Cathedral Caves

One of the highlights of Tour B, Cathedral Cave is a unique rock formation that is a top favourite for El Nido visitors. Named after its narrow, high-ceilinged entryway, visitors need to (dare to!) swim inside to discover the interior. Lit in parts by a natural hole in the ceiling, the deep interior is dark and noisy from the waves, making this a thrilling adventure. Huge stalactites and pillars surround you and the water is often filled with an incredible luminescent light.

But beware, as tour guides relate fables of sharks, rays and other bizarre animals said to have been spotted inside…!

Balay Cuyonon Museum

The Cuyonon tribe of Palawan, with ancestors traced back to early settlers and traders such as Chinese, Arabs, Indians, Malays and Spanish, were known for their customs and unusual style of living.

Located along Silbaltan’s beachfront, the Balay Cuyonon Museum features a replica of a traditional Cuyunon house, fully-furnished with tools and decor – almost all authentic.

An interactive museum, this is an ideal stop for families, as young children will enjoy banging on the drum that Cuyonon mothers used for calling home their children, playing with traditional toys or trying on a raincoat made from thick woven plant leaves.

A quiet and small museum, it provides an interesting insight into the tribe’s history and customs. …and be sure to combine with a walk along Silbaltan’s 2km spectacular beach.

Address: Sibaltan, El Nido, Palawan

Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls

Away from Bacuit Bay, Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls is one of the main tourist attractions in El Nido, Palawan. Just an hour outside of El Nido Town at Pasadena, the falls are located deep in the forest. Travel by jeep on an organised tour or self-discover by renting motorbikes, and enjoy this magical waterfall with a great “jungle pool” at the base that’s ideal for a cooling swim, making this one of the best places to visit in El Nido.

From the roadside, it’s a 30-40 minute trek from a local village to the falls. Enjoy a back-to-nature feel, as you trek alongside green rice fields, spotting carabaos and horses, and cross through some low-running rivers. Prepare to get your shoes and feet wet!

Combine this with a visit to the splendid Nacpan Beach.

Address: Pasadena, El Nido, Palawan

Makinit Hot Springs

Just 20km from El Nido Town, Makinit Hot Springs is a popular stop on all Inland Tours, in fact one of the top places to visit in El Nido. But be warned, it’s a dusty and pot-marked road that leads you to the Springs, muddy if it’s been raining recently.

Expect the unexpected here, as there are no concrete pools and it’s impossible to swim. Watch your step as near to the Spring it turns muddy and you’ll feel the heat coming up from the ground.

Enjoy the unspoilt nature of the place and heat of the water that can boil eggs… definitely a stranger “El Nido must do”!

Address: Brgy. Makinit, El Nido, Palawan

Las Cabanas Beach Zipline

Here’s something you don’t find every day… a zip line between two islands! Definitely one of the most unique things to do in El Nido, Philippines.

Located at Las Cabanas Beach – one of the best places in El Nido – just 15 minutes from El Nido Town, the Zipline platform is easily spotted at one end of the beach. Head uphill on a small hike from the main road, taking you to the bamboo structure. After a safety briefing, strap in for a thrilling ride!

Fly 750-meters across a coconut fringed beach and out over the sea to Depeldet Island… making this one of the world’s most picturesque zip lines and one of the best things to do in El Nido, Palawan.

You have the choice of sitting or superman position, and can either take a one-way to Depeldet Island or return to your starting position. We recommend taking the one-way and returning via the stunning sandbank that connects the two islands.

Address: Corong-Corong, El Nido, Palawan

Sunset At Las Cabanas

The beach at Las Cabanas faces west and offers one of the best places to go in El Nido to catch a spectacular sunset. The setting fireball disappears over a horizon speckled with islands and cliffs that are silhouetted against the sky, making for some dramatic photos.

The beach offers a handful of bars to unwind at, some with fire pits and chilled tunes. Or, in the fading sunlight, try your hand at gentle watersports such as SUP or kayak, a relaxing way to finish your day and both top things to do in El Nido.

Hang around for dinner at the beachside restaurants and marvel at the stunning star-lit sky.

Swim At Local Beaches

Discovering the beaches of El Nido is an epic day out! A favourite destination for beach enthusiasts, it doesn’t disappoint with picturesque scenery at every turn and some of the best beaches in the Philippines.

Possibly the most famous of El Nido places to visit are the inland twin beaches Nacpan and Calitang. Adjacent strips of white sand, these beaches are a short tricycle ride from El Nido Town proper.

Nacpan Beach is a quiet and serene spot, a far cry from busy El Nido Town. Bare, undeveloped, it stretches for an awesome 4km of fine white sand, cushioned by tall palm trees on one side and lapped by turquoise waters on the other.

Walk across to Calitang Beach and up the small hill at one end that offers a great photo spot of both beaches. Sunsets in Calitang are also spectacular, with the orange sky reflected in the calm waters, a highlight of things to see in El Nido.

Corong Corong Beach is another perfect place to chill out for a few hours, with shallow waters making this ideal for families with younger children. A hidden paradise, there are a handful of homes built on stilts right on the beach, making this spot a great way to discover local life.

End your day at Marimegmeg Beach or nearby Las Cabanas, both great for catching an epic sunset and top of the most romantic things to do in El Nido. Easy to reach from El Nido Town proper, these are popular settings, with activities such as biking, hiking, cliff-jumping, fishing, kayak, SUP and snorkelling.

Duli Beach is an uncrowded and remote stretch of beach that is a haven for surfers, definitely the best place in El Nido Palawan for cutting some waves! Known as Surfer’s Paradise, season dependent you can find some great waves (especially in the rainy months). Approximately 20 minutes from El Nido Town proper, rent a scooter for a cool ride through the lush interior countryside.

Search out Mike for renting a long or short surfboard (hence the beach is sometimes known as Mike’s Point), and if you’re lucky, he will help with some lessons too. More details here .

Kiteboard/Kitesurfing are growing attractions in El Nido Palawan, with the best location being Sibaltan approximately 42km from El Nido Town proper. Once there, look for Qi Palawan Kiteboarding, located within Qi Palawan Resort, a small eco-resort.

Sibaltan is a rustic village, with a long empty stretch of beach offering fantastic views. Through November to March fierce winds rip through it, providing some great conditions. If staying overnight, you’ll find some very cheap shoreside accommodation but little other entertainment in this sleepy end-of-the-world feel village.

Diving And Snorkeling

Dating back almost 250 million years, Bacuit Bay is one of the world’s top diving and snorkelling sites. Basically a huge slab of ancient reef, Bacuit Bay offers some of the highest levels of marine biodiversity in the world.

Snorkelling is fantastic as the Bay is shallow and the marine habitat diverse. Coral reefs are home to a myriad of colourful fish, such as schools of damselfishes and large parrotfishes in eye-popping patterns.  Check out Tour C for some of the best snorkelling spots around the Bay.

Inland, Papaya Beach is perfect for snorkelling fans, with reefs just a few feet from the shore. Ideal also for children who don’t want to swim out too far to spot colourful fish.

Whether you enjoy shallow dives or vertical walls, night dives or deep dives, El Nido has them all! With 20 dive sites, all within 20 minutes of the town, this is a dive-enthusiasts paradise. Macro highlights of the area include seahorses, nudibranch and a plethora of crustaceans. Big fish include reef sharks, rays, schooling jacks, snapper, barracuda and groupers. And loveable turtles are seen at most dive sites.

The ultimate El Nido Palawan attractions, you’ll find numerous companies in El Nido Town proper offering snorkelling and diving trips, including PADI operators, or check with your hotel.

Click here for a discounted scuba diving course for beginners in El Nido.

Free Diving

In El Nido’s calm and clear waters, why not take advantage of these ideal conditions and try something a little different.

Learn to free dive with a two day course, with no prior diving experience necessary. A combination of theory and in-water training will help you master different freediving techniques. By the end of the course, you’ll be diving between 10m and 20m for 1-2 minutes!

Are you already experienced? An underwater wonderland awaits you. Join a tour to some of the best dive sites in El Nido, where you will find submerged seamounts, amazing rock formations and huge walls covered in coral. …or for the more adventurous, underwater tunnels and caves.

You don’t need to join an organised tour to enjoy kayaking in El Nido. Rent a kayak from El Nido Town or the ideal location is Corong Corong Beach ten minutes outside of Town. Splurge on a clear kayak, giving an awesome twist to your trip, easily spotting colourful fish and corals. And, if with your partner,  take a double-kayak for double-the-fun!

Pick up some drinks and snacks, a waterproof bag with swimwear, water shoes, sunblock and sunglasses, set your GoPro and head off to explore nearby islands. Stop off at beaches, coves and lagoons, relaxing or snorkelling. At these quiet spots lookout for monkeys, hornbills and big monitor lizards, before heading out to explore the next bay.

Prefer the reassurance of kayaking with a group? You’ll easily find a half or full day group tour, taking you around the calm waters and lagoons of Bacuit Bay. Bear in mind that some of the spots you’ll visit are already included in the Island-Hopping A, B, C, D tours, so aim for somewhere new.

Away from busy boat crowds, kayaking is a wonderful way to explore Bacuit Bay and is an especially awesome angle from which to catch an El Nido sunset.

Bird Watching

Looking for things to do in El Nido aside from island hopping, something unusual and not regularly suggested in “top ten things to do in El Nido” listings? Why not spend a few hours discovering the wildlife of Palawan.

At the northern tip of Palawan, El Nido is home to an extensive area of old growth forest which holds several of the locally threatened species, such as the beautiful Palawan peacock-pheasant and the majestic Palawan hornbill.

With fauna and flora more closely related to that of Borneo, there are over 279 species of birds found in Palawan! Join guided tours of the area and have your cameras at the ready. Contact Wild Expeditions Palawan for more information.

Climb Taraw Cliff

Offering the best viewpoint in El Nido Town proper, climbing Taraw Peak – which rises 230 meters at the rear of the town – can be arranged via various local agencies. A popular pre-sunrise activity, you’ll be equipped with gloves and a guide, and should expect a 4-6 am-ish start.

Definitely one for the thrill-seekers, taking approximately an hour each way, this is a challenging climb/scramble, with vertical steps (without any hold-ropes) and sharp limestone rocks. Prepare to break a sweat on this!

If you’re afraid of heights, leave this one out. However the view from the top is simply breath-taking… but then the descent is even harder!

You can buy discounted tickets for this attraction by clicking here.

El Nido Canopy Walk

Looking for the same view as from the top of Taraw Cliff, but without the challenge? Head to El Nido Canopy Walk (El Nido Taraw Via Ferrata), where man-made steps with a combination of bridges and platforms, take you up in ten minutes to admire the spectacular view across El Nido Town and out to Bacuit Bay.

Armed with a helmet, guide and attached to a zipline, you will easily reach the viewing platform by a short walk up safe stairs and secure scaffolding. Open 8 am-5 pm, thrill at the scenic view and crossing a 75 meter long suspension bridge. Still challenging for anyone scared of heights, this is an extremely safe way to reach the top for splendid El Nido views, making this the top of things to do in El Nido town.

Address: Rizal St, El Nido, Palawan

Visit The Public Market

It’s an early start for this one, as every morning from 4 am the El Nido Public Market opens to sell fruits and vegetables from nearby farms, and freshly caught fish.

Drop by for a slice of real Philippine life or to search out some goodies before your full day kayak, island-hopping or road trip.

It is near Corong-Corong beach, on the side of the main road.

Address: Rizal St, Brgy. Corong Corong, El Nido, Palawan

Things To Do In Palawan El Nido Map

Find all the El Nido Palawan things to do on the map below.

Where To Stay In El Nido

There are so many accommodation options, it is easy to get flummoxed when trying to settle on the most ideal El Nido location. Options range from hostels to luxury Palawan hotels, from the lively and ideally-located El Nido Town proper to nearby beach resorts, to the crème-de-la-crème exclusive remote island resorts.

El  Nido Town is a small beach town that retains a rustic vibe. The beach is super busy, with island-hopping and diving bancas constantly departing and arriving, speed boats whizzing lucky guests off to remote island resorts. Restaurants, souvenir shops and tour operators can be found in the town, with a surprisingly wide range of cuisines catered for.

Looking for somewhere quieter, check out hotels at the beaches nearby El Nido Town. Offering a more “holiday destination” atmosphere, these mostly open out onto the beach, have small bars or restaurants facing the sea, with prime sunset-positions.

Or splurge for the ultimate stay at any one of the 5-star island resorts sprinkled throughout Bacuit Bay. Villas on stilts in calm lagoons, beach villas, private-pool villas, luxury spas, alfresco fine dining and luxury speed boats for island hopping tours… all add up to perfection.

Below I’ve listed a few different places to consider including a budget, mid-range and more expensive option.

BEST – Cauayan Island Resort Review

Picture-postcard perfect, Cauayan Island Resort is everything your mind conjures up when thinking of the Philippines. Tropical flowers, lush palm trees and beautiful wooden thatched villas – some on stilts over the lagoon, at the beach and dotted throughout the green middle of the island – are waiting to offer you a true slice of heaven!

A strong contender for the best El Nido 5 star hotel, the Resort is famed for its outdoor infinity pool, with the restaurant decking wrapped alongside. Dine under the stars on stunning cuisine, served by attentive staff… whilst gawping in awe at the star-filled sky at this remote location.

Approx 25 minutes by speed boat from El Nido Town beach, the resort offers rustic villas with modern interiors, with the majority having outdoor showers and some with private pools. A luxury spa, built on stilts at one end of the lagoon awaits you after your busy day island-hopping and snorkelling.

The inhouse dive team offer up to 15 dive sites, or try your hand at kayaking around the island – with a packed lunch if you want to make a day of it. Yoga, sunset-cruises, island guided treks and more can be arranged at this stunning resort.

Click here for the latest prices

MID-RANGE – El Nido Mahogany Beach Resort Review

Ideally located at Corong Corong, just outside of El Nido Town proper, this hotel is encased by a 5000sqm coconut grove and tropical gardens. Relax and unwind at this traditional Philippine resort.

Garden villas or deluxe rooms – mainly simple thatched villas – are scattered throughout the property. Featuring wood, rattan and wicker furniture, blended with modern elegant bathrooms, there’s an air of old-Philippines and years gone by.

Guests snooze in their wicker hammocks or enjoy in-room massages after days busy touring the area. Relax at the outdoor pool or enjoy a nice sunset cocktail from the poolside bar.

With a slight boutique feel, friendly staff and a chilled, relaxed atmosphere, this is our standout mid-range selection.

BUDGET – Amakan Bed | Bunk | Breakfast Review

Only six minutes from El Nido Town beach, this is the best place to stay in El Nido on a budget. A 2-star basic boutique bed and breakfast, the hotel is heavily tailored towards foreign clientele… with a Filipino twist.

Traditional bamboo walls and trellises mix with modern furniture. Chill out tables under sun umbrellas, subtle lighting and exotic plants all help to emit a relaxing environment.

Rooms are air-conditioned, with cable television and daily housekeeping. All budgets and room sizes are catered for, with a mixture of bunk beds, queen and quadruple rooms.

Breakfast buffet is served until 9.30 am, and there’s an inhouse restaurant – Lanai-at-Amakan – available for dinner, 6-9 pm.

Click here to see all our recommendations for the best places to stay in El Nido.

Visiting El Nido With Kids

In a nutshell, El Nido is a fantastic family destination. Children adore island-hopping, spotting hundreds of fish without even leaving the boat, hand feeding them with bread in the shallow lagoons, jumping on and off the boats in calm waters and exploring beaches with incredible cliffs that bring to mind the Jurassic age!

Safety onboard the bancas is well addressed, with adequate life-jackets, onboard advice before setting out and friendly helpful guides. Children love the snaking sandbars, catching fish on hand-lines, climbing hills for great island vistas, drinking from freshly cut coconuts, exploring caves and more!

Other El Nido top things to do with kids include water sports such as SUP, kayak and sailing. Trying a fun surfing lesson, picnicking on numerous gorgeous beaches, riding around the local area in fun tricycles, gliding along a thrilling zipline (for teenagers), and walking the canopy bridge up to Taraw Cliff for awesome early-morning views are just some of the top things to do in El Nido.

Finger-licking beach BBQs for lunch and vast dining options for dinner in El Nido Town (with doughnuts, pizza and ice-cream parlours) or alfresco dining under starry skies around swimming pools or beachside, suit even the pickiest of eaters.

Less than 30 minutes from El Nido Airport, the transfer is nice and short for parents with young children. Travel between December and March, avoiding the super hot months of April and May, ensuring to pack spray for mosquitoes and sand-flies. Follow our El Nido Palawan itinerary 3d 2n or take it slower spreading activities across an El Nido Palawan itinerary 5d 4n.

There are many things to do in El Nido with kids, making this a safe, fun and nature-filled beautiful Philippines family vacation destination.

How To Get To El Nido

El Nido is part of Palawan, a long island in the south of the Philippines. Home to two airports, Palawan has an international airport in Puerto Princesa, and a domestic airport at El Nido, with flights daily from Manila, Cebu and a handful of other Philippine locations.

Aim to arrive at El Nido Airport, as it’s a 5-6 hour overland drive from Puerto Princesa. However, flights are limited into El Nido and it is a very small airport that is sometimes closed in bad weather, thus select which option suits your travel plans best. To see all the latest flights and prices, click here.

You can read our full guide to traveling from Puerto Princesa to El Nido here.

Another way to reach El Nido is by sea, taking a ferry from Coron (approximately 4 hours) or other surrounding islands. Aim for a fast-craft and pay for upgraded seating whenever possible.

To see all the latest ferry times and prices, click here.

Read our guide here on getting to El Nido from Coron

Final Words

There are countless reasons to visit beautiful El Nido, from its splendid marine life and the islands of Bacuit Bay, to its world-class beaches, lagoons and lush inland hills. Epic sunsets, alfresco dining night-after-night, waterfalls, caves and more… all presented by fun-loving Filipino who enjoy nothing more than sharing with visitors their love for the country.

Numerous treasures await your discovery, book now!

We hope you enjoyed this sample itinerary for El Nido Palawan and complete list of things to do in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. We also have a guide for a Puerto Princesa itinerary here or you can read our  perfect Palawan And Coron Palawan Itinerary. .  Find all our other guides to Palawan here.

Related posts:

By Julia Rolph

Julia first discovered the Philippines in 2011, eventually settling in beautiful Bantayan Island, Cebu, with her daughter and Filipino partner.  The family spend every vacation exploring the Philippines, and Julia enjoys helping others discover this wonderful destination. When she's not sharing her vast Philippines knowledge here, she works as a travel planner planning trips for people who want to visit the Philippines

• 0 Shopping Cart 0  ₱ -->

El Nido – Motorbike / Scooter Rental

600 PHP/Bike or Scooter

Are you really an  adventurer  ? Discover by yourself or with our licensed tour guides the secrets of the northern part Palawan ! Our Honda XRM (semi automatics) bikes and Scooters are rented in a almost brand new state, all bikes are renewed frequently for more safety.

• Description
• Additional information

Experimented drivers only . Helmets included. The motorbike will be available at El Nido office after acceptation and  signature of a rental contrat . Valid ID required.

You may also like…

El Nido – Culture, Jungle et Plages – “Dans Les Terres”

Related products.

Taal Lake & Volcano 2 Days 1 Night trip

North Luzon “DETAILED” 6D6N – BackPacker

Bohol “ESSENTIALS” 4D3N – BackPacker

El Nido “White Sand Hunters” 9D/8N – BackPacker

Répondeur en Français  :

+33 6 51 38 70 91

Bureau d’El Nido :

+63 917 626 46 26 (WhatsApp/Viber)

EMAIL : [email protected]

EL NIDO Branch

10, Real Street Barangay Buena Suerte 5313 El Nido Bacuit Palawan, Philippines [email protected]

• Uncategorized

CECILIASOPHY

PASSION TO INSPIRE

• Dec 10, 2019

6 days Palawan On Motorcycle

Updated: Jan 10, 2020

It was my first visit to Philippines. Philippines has more than 7000 islands (OMG! 7000++!!!), the famous ones among Malaysian are Cebu and Boracay. I found Palawan from many Europeans blogs and decided to begin our first Philippines adventure at this island.

After reading many blogs to plan for the trip, what we originally wanted was to engage a sidecar tour at Puerto Princesa do a loop up north and return. The vendor wasn't prompt in response and the price quoted was space (sky) high. It wasn't our first sidecar tour ( check out our sidecar tour in Morocco), also not our first big bike tour ( we rented Harley Davidson Softtail Heritage in Japan), his price was obviously telling us to not consider his tour. We ended up with a 'go with the flow' plan to just hire scooter to explore around the towns.

Puerto Princesa - Nagtabon beach

The tricycle driver who sent us to lunch brought us to a motorcycle rental shop owned by his friend. The shop is just located right infront of the Puerto Princesa airport, which there are few car and bike rental shops running too.

We picked up a 110cc Honda Beat and rode out of town to catch the sunset at Nagtabon beach, located 30km away. It was during this ride of nice winding mountain road with rarely any cars when we decided we should go for a two wheels adventure for the rest of our trip.

Puerto Princesa - Sabang Beach - Underground River Tour

Next day we joined the Underground River Tour with local tour agent which transport us using a van for a 4 hours return journey. After this tour, we are determined to rent the bikes for the rest of our days as we could not stand seeing the driver having all the fun of driving the corners and we as passengers were bored to death!

We headed back to the bike rental shop, chose 2 Yamaha Aerox 155 (150cc) scooters, apparently the biggest cc bikes they have and managed to negotiate a good deal for 4 days (Approximately RM50 per day per bike). The vendor was very accommodating and the bikes were quite new in condition (One was actually brand new). When we were about to leave, it started rain heavily. We did the checks on horn, tyre, signal lights under the rain and it was quite fun!

Puerto Princesa - Roxas - Tay Tay - El Nido

I started off without great confidence as my mind was disturbed by the recent drop on Dieng. Dieng's ride was just 2 days 1 night but this would be 4 days. I was extremely alert and careful at the beginning, my speed maintained around 60 to 70km per hour and that wasn't ideal for our schedule. We had a total of 280km waiting for us and Google estimated at least 5 hours of riding excluding breaks.

I slowly picked up the speed as I rode, the scenery along the way, the curves & corners, the minimal traffic made the whole riding experience very relaxing. My fear reduced and finally could truly enjoy the journey and cornering with minimum of 90km/hour. It was AWESOME!

On the final stretch of 60km to destination El Nido, a sudden pain stroked my chest. I was hit by small stones few times along the way but this felt very different. Quickly stopped by the road and found a bee sticking to my chest. OMG! A bee sting! The bee fell off the ground while I unbutton my jacket, the pain was so sharp and lasting, I could not get off my bike but to pressing my chest during pain.

My buddy came back with a shock thinking I met an accident and broke my chest bones or had a heart attack. After few minutes when I finally could tell him it was a bee sting and he burst our laughing. He said I acted like a severe injured person and scared him to hell!

Gosh I wasn't acting at all it was really hurting! he helped me got off my bike and sat down by the road. He pulled the sting out from my skin and applied tiger balm ( the only cream we had......). After a short break, we continued our ride (of course Im still in pain....) and arrived El Nido around 3pm, on track! Well done~

What an adventure! Record set, a bee sting!

Island hoping Tour A at El Nido

We engaged the famous local island hoping tour A to enjoy the beach, sand, sun, crystal clear sea, fishes and corals.

El Nido - San Vicente

We were suppose to stay another day in El Nido but our plan was affected by Typhoon Tisoy. The typhoon wasn't hitting Palawan however it would still bring strong wind and rain. Having experienced typhoon once in Taiwan (check out my Taiwan solo ride ), I know how damaging it can be, so we changed our plan to ride back half way and stayed a night at San Vicente.

San Vicente is 80km away from El Nido, a laid back beach town with huge potential of tourist growth. The infrastructure wasn't well developed yet, road entering to the area was about few km of offroads, putting my skills and guts to test! some area around the town was still unpaved, not to mentioned the road out of town......

San Vicente - Tay Tay - Roxas - Puerto Princesa

We had a beachfront resort all to ourselves and we could hear the strong wind and waves from the beach caused by typhoon throughout the whole night.

It was drizzling coupled with strong wind in the morning during our departure. As the rain stop, we quickly jumped on the bike and rode out towards our destination.

The sky was very cloudy, we were very lucky to experience just drizzle along the way coupled with some strong wind at few places, fighting with the wind to hold still our steering and balance the bike was quite adventurous but we survived!

Philippines is one of the most westernized nations in SEA. Palawan is a safe island to ride, majority of the locals can speak English so language is not a barrier to us. The food is acceptable, fusion with western style like Pizza, spagetti, burgers etc (they were once colonized by Spain and US). We felt easy to travel around and enjoy very much their relaxing culture.

That's it! Another South East Asia country checked off our list! 6 days 5 night 700km Palawan on two wheels accomplished! Will definitely return to ride another island~

Recent Posts

17 Days Laos On Motorcycle

EL NIDO ITINERARY | Paradise in Palawan

There’s no doubt that El Nido is the most popular destination in the Philippines . Tourists flock from around the globe in search of island hopping adventures, epic beaches and top-notch snorkelling. The province of Palawan has all of this and more, and our El Nido itinerary will help you to make the most out of your time here by discovering all of the incredible things to do here.

El Nido is most famous for its island hopping tours and it’s easy to see why. The tours that we have done here have been absolutely next level good, and include some of the most stunning sights we have ever seen.

But the awesome thing about El Nido is that there is much more to do than just island hop. While most visitors come to El Nido to jump on a boat and cruise around the islands, they are pleasantly surprised by everything else that is on offer here.

On top of all the things to do in El Nido, there are also a ton of great places to stay and many impressive restaurants with delicious food. While El Nido may be one of the more touristy places that we have travelled, it didn’t diminish what an amazing place it is. Our El Nido itinerary was designed for you to squeeze the most out of every second you have in the most famous place in the Philippines.

Check out our  Southeast Asia Packing List  for a guide on what to pack for your Philippines adventure!

Disclaimer – This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a small commission if you make a purchase at NO extra cost to you. This will never impact our reviews and we only recommend products and services we firmly believe in.

How to Get to El Nido

While it is possible to fly directly into El Nido, this is quite an uncommon route to take. The most common route, and often the cheapest, is to fly into Puerto Princesa and take a van transfer to El Nido. Below we will break down the possible routes to El Nido.

The airline AirSwift flies in and out of the small airport in El Nido. Multiple flights arrive daily from various locations across the Philippines including Manila, Coron (Busuanga Airport), Cebu, Clark and Boracay (Caticlan Airport). Expect flights to cost between 6000-7000 PHP ($120-$140 USD) one-way.

The majority of travellers will fly into Puerto Princesa airport, towards the centre of Palawan . While we recommend spending a few days in Port Barton before heading north, you can also travel straight to El Nido from Puerto Princesa.

Whether you are traveling from Puerto Princesa, Port Barton or elsewhere on Palawan , the easiest way is to take a van transfer. You can take a private or shared van transfer, but as budget travellers we always go for the cheaper option. A shared transfer from Puerto Princesa should cost around 600 PHP ($11.79 USD) per person and will take approximately 5-6 hours .

There are numerous departure times daily leaving Puerto Princesa. Van transfers typically include a hotel pick-up in Puerto Princesa and a drop-off at the El Nido Bus Station at Corong-Corong in El Nido. Depending on your accommodation in El Nido, you can take a trike or walk to your hotel.

Book your van transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido here.

As we mentioned, we recommend staying a few nights in Port Barton along the way and you can also take a van transfer from Port Barton to El Nido. This should cost around 600PHP ($11.79 USD) per person and should take approximately 3 hours.

Book your van transfer from Port Barton to El Nido here .

The final way you may consider arriving to El Nido is from Coron .

There are a couple of high speed ferries that run daily between these two destinations. The ferry costs 1760 PHP ($35 USD) per person and takes around 3.5 hours. We would recommend booking at least 1-2 days in advance as the ferries do book out frequently.

Check departure times and book your ferry ticket from Coron to El Nido here .

Best Time to Visit El Nido

Dry season here is generally between November and April. During this period the days tend to be hot, dry and sunny. The wet season runs from May until October, although it typically only rains for a few hours each day which makes it feasible to visit here year round.

El Nido Accommodation

Finding the right place to stay is an essential part of creating a great El Nido itinerary. We usually like to book things last minute as we enjoy the freedom to change our plans and be flexible. Unfortunately, the popularity of El Nido doesn’t really allow you this freedom. As this was our second time visiting here we understood the need to book early to be able to stay in the place we actually wanted to stay.

El Nido is popular year round and you generally need to book a month or two in advance to be able to stay in one of the better hostels, hotels or guesthouses. Keep this in mind when planning your trip here.

Another thing to note is that El Nido’s accommodation is generally more expensive than other parts of the Philippines or Asia. For most of the Philippines, budget accommodation runs from $10-25 USD per night for two people. In El Nido, budget accommodation started at $30 USD per room.

Budget – Hostel: Spin Designer Hostel – The most popular hostel in El Nido – this is the place to stay of you are looking to meet other backpackers. There is a great atmosphere and a party happening almost every night and it all comes at a backpacker friendly budget. You better book quick though as it is usually sold out months in advance.

Budget – Private: Dora and Diego Travellers Inn – Budget accommodation is hard to come by in El Nido but Dora and Diego is the pick of the bunch. They had reliable Wi-Fi (which is unheard of in El Nido), air conditioning and the location was good too. A standard double room cost us 1000 PHP ($19.65 USD) per night which is a bargain in El Nido. The owners were also super helpful and gave us loads of great advice.

Mid-Range: Cuna Hotel – If you are looking for something a little bit nicer without breaking the bank then the Cuna Hotel is the perfect spot. It’s situated in El Nido town centre with easy access to all of the shops and restaurants and it has an amazing swimming pool to top it all off.

Luxury: Vellago Resort – Stay right on Seven Commandos Beach, which is one of the best beaches in Palawan. This is the ultimate luxury getaway in El Nido and each room is located right on the water.

Where to Eat in El Nido

To be completely honest with you, we weren’t huge fans of traditional Filipino food. Eating the local cuisine is one of the amazing parts of traveling, but we did eat quite a lot of western food here, which isn’t like us when we travel.

El Nido is full of great places to eat though and caters to any taste, whether that is western food or local Filipino cuisine. Below are some of our favourite places to eat in El Nido.

Boodle Fight – After spending two months in the Philippines we can report that this was the best local food we had by a mile and should definitely be a part of your El Nido itinerary. They offer a traditional Filipino boodle fight, which is a huge range of local food, served on banana leaves and it is designed to be enjoyed by a group of people in a family style.

They also serve single dishes and we ended up sharing a few dishes between us including pork sigsig, a veggie bowl and boodle pork. Each dish costs around 200 PHP ($4 USD) and it is sensational. This is the one place we recommend above all else in El Nido.

Bella Vita El Nido – If you are looking for chilled vibes and tasty pizza served right on the beach, then this is the place for you. We enjoyed watching the sunset behind the islands from the beach at Bella Vita. Pizzas cost between 350 – 490 PHP ($6.88 – $9.63 USD).

Thery’s Burgers, Fries & Shakes – Delicious burgers that taste very similar to home (which is Canada for us) as well as killer milkshakes. It’s a bit further from town but it’s worth the short journey. A burger and fries will set you back around 250 PHP ($4.91 USD).

Happiness Beach Bar – A cool, chilled out place to grab a bite to eat and watch the world go by on one of the main streets in El Nido town centre.

Midtown Bakery – This was our afternoon stop every day to pick up cheap and delicious freshly baked food or to grab a quick breakfast on the go.

3 Day El Nido Itinerary

We recommend staying 3 – 4 days in El Nido to enjoy an island hopping trip and some of the other activities in the area. If you plan on doing multiple island hopping tours then you may want to add in an extra day for each of these. The following is our suggested El Nido itinerary and will allow you to enjoy all of the best things to do in El Nido in a few action-packed days.

• Nacpan Beach
• Surf at Duli Beach
• Sunset at Las Cabanas Beach
• Island Hopping Tour
• Sunset at El Nido Beach
• Kayak at Corong Corong Beach
• Zipline at Las Cabanas Beach

Things to Do in El Nido, Philippines

While Island hopping is often considered one of the best things to do in El Nido, there’s a ton of other things to do on your trip here. There’s much more than just island hopping and I think a lot of people miss out on some of the other El Nido attractions as they come do the island hopping and then leave again.

Don’t make the same mistake and make sure to plan several extra days here as part of an action packed El Nido itinerary.

1. El Nido Island Hopping

Let’s just start with the obvious, El Nido must-do activity. Tourists travel from all over the world to island hop around the crazy islands here. It is a completely unique place and we fully understand why it is so popular here. It is phenomenally beautiful and we have never seen anywhere quite like El Nido.

We have been here twice and have done both Tour A and Tour C. Both were spectacular but as Tour A is usually the busiest we would advise choosing Tour C, which we have done a more extensive review of below. Whichever tour you decide, you will still see incredible landscapes and snorkel over some beautiful coral reefs full of wildlife.

While it is spectacular and totally worth doing, we did also want to mention it is probably the busiest boat tour we have ever been on. There were close to a hundred people, if not more, at each location we stopped at and it’s important to come here with that expectation in mind. If you accept that, I think you’ll still have a really great time.

For those travellers not on a budget, we suggest taking a private tour and creating your own itinerary for the day. There are 4 tours in El Nido that all follow the same route and if you can arrange a private tour, you may be able to miss out on some of the crowds of people.

Due to the popularity of island hopping here, the government has regulated the boat tours. The tours have been split into 4 and are known as Tours A, B, C and D. Each tour takes a different route and visits different places throughout the region. But whichever tour company you go with, they can only offer you one of these 4 tours and the price is also supposed to be regulated.

This is where each of the El Nido island hopping tours are scheduled to visit:

Tour A – Book here

• Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon
• Secret Lagoon
• Shimizu Island
• Seven Commandos Beach

Cost: 1200 PHP

Tour B – Book here

• Snake Island
• Panagbuyatan Island
• Cathedral Cave
• Cudugnon Cave
• Entalula Beach (depends on tours)

Cost: 1300 PHP

Tour C – Book here

Helicopter Island

Hidden beach.

• Talisay Beach

Secret Beach

• Matinloc Shrine

Cost: 1400 PHP

• Cadlao Lagoon
• Paradise Beach
• Pasandigan Beach
• Bukal Beach

You may find some slight variations between each tour, but the main El Nido attractions will remain the same. Tour A used to visit both the Big and Small Lagoon but this is no longer the case, due to the new government regulations.

On our most recent trip to El Nido we opted to go on Tour C to mix it up a bit. After some research on all of the different tours we figured this would be a great choice to give us a little taste of everything that El Nido has to offer – amazing landscapes, beaches and snorkeling – without the mass of tourists on Tour A.

Although the prices of the tours are supposed to be regulated most places still offer a discount and this was the case for us. Our homestay, Dora and Diego, charged us 1300 PHP per person including the environmental fee which is a decent discount. They also provided us with aqua shoes free of charge, which was a nice bonus.

We made our way down to the beach early on the morning of our tour and waited on the beach with the masses until our boat was ready and they had all the correct paperwork in place.

Tour C involves the most travel between the different stops, which means you only get around 30 – 35 minutes at each place. This actually proved to be the perfect amount of time and we never really felt rushed at all throughout the day.

This was the first stop on the tour and it is known as Helicopter Island due to its shape. From the air it looks like it is shaped like a helicopter and even from the water you can see why it has gained this name.

There is a beautiful long stretch of golden sand where the boats pull up and drop anchor, and the moment we arrived a turtle swam right beneath our boat which was an epic start to the day. We grabbed our snorkel gear and jumped into the crystal clear water.

The main attraction of Helicopter Island is the reef that is found right off the beach. A short walk or swim from your boat will take you to the reef where you can climb in and go on the hunt for some cool wildlife. There is some cool coral, especially if you swim a bit further from shore and away from most of the tourists, and you are likely to see loads of colourful fish and even a turtle or two.

When I picture island hopping around El Nido it is places like this that immediately spring to mind. Stunning beaches, hidden away from view that you have to swim into to actually see them is what this trip was all about for us.

It’s cool when you pull up on the boat and it looks like there is absolutely nothing to see. But jump in the water and go for a quick swim and you will come across a crescent beach, enclosed by rocky cliffs, like nothing you have ever seen before.

The beach can be accessed from both sides and there is a small lagoon that connects the two sides which is an incredible shade of light blue. The lagoon and the beach are surrounded by towering cliffs that add even more drama to the entire scene. In the middle of this lagoon is an opening into Hidden Beach and the small bay contained here.

I can only imagine what it was like for the first people to stumble across this place. This was our personal favourite spot on the tour and it was mind blowingly good. Pictures make it look awesome and it is even better in person.

Lunch at Talisay Beach

The great part about this stop is that it is the one time you get to escape the crowds. There are lots of different beaches dotted around the area and each beach holds 2 – 3 boats. The boats on Tour C spread out so they don’t all go to the same spot. We got to enjoy a quick swim to cool down while our tour guides cooked up an absolute feast for us on the beach.

Considering what you pay for this tour, the family style lunch you have prepared for you is next level. Not only is the food amazing, but the presentation was top notch with our fruit cut and assembled together to look like a turtle. Enjoying the delicious food on a remote beach in the Philippines certainly made for one of my all-time meals.

After Hidden Beach, this was probably the second best stop on the tour. There is a small cave carved through the rocks that is only a few feet wide which you have to swim through to reach Secret Beach. With our snorkels on we dived several metres below the surface and swam through the cave.

When we emerged, we were greeted with a truly spectacular sight. There is a small patch of white sand that is surrounded on all sides by jagged cliffs. The beach is completely enclosed and there is no way to see in from the outside. We spent our time hanging out in the water and exploring some of the hidden caves within the rocky enclosure.

It is really hard to put into words just how incredible it is to once again arrive at a place where it looked like there was nothing and then a short swim takes you to a hidden paradise.

Snorkel at Matinloc Shrine

The first snorkel spot at Helicopter Island was cool, but the reef next to Matinloc Shrine was a cut above. We were the only boat here at the time and the reef here was full of vibrant coral.

The reef is on a shelf and there is a severe drop off when you swim out a little further. The coral got even better here and we managed to spot several different clownfish at different places on the reef. The drop off is also the place where you are most likely to see turtles cruising around as well.

Snorkelling the colourful coral reef at Matinloc Shrine was the perfect way to end the day and tire us out completely. We were able to sit back and enjoy the boat ride home with a full day of adventure under our belts.

Things to Know about Island Hopping Tours

• The coastguard inspects all of the paperwork for each boat and they only begin to do this at around 8.00 am. This means that the tours generally all leave at the same time, and even if you are on a private tour you can’t leave before everyone else.
• There is a 200 PHP ($3.93 USD) environmental fee for all of the boat tours. This is a one-time fee which means if you go on multiple boat trips during your stay here then you will only have to pay the environmental fee the first time. Just be sure to hold onto the receipt for this fee.
• There is no plastic allowed on the boat tours (which is awesome) and they will go through your bags beforehand and make you throw out any plastic items you have with you.
• Water shoes are recommended, although they are not a necessity. Some tours will provide them and others will charge you a rental fee.
• All of the tours include a huge spread of fresh seafood, veggies, rice and fruit and it is usually served on a stunning beach somewhere. One of the most scenic places you will ever eat lunch.
• Snorkel equipment is provided free of charge by almost every tour company in El Nido.
• Water is usually included in the price but alcohol will cost extra.
• Tipping for island hopping tours here is quite common.

2. Nacpan Beach

Chasing beautiful beaches around the world is sort of our thing. So we had to check out Nacpan Beach after several people had mentioned how great it was. We jumped on our scooter and made the 40-minute drive out to Nacpan Beach. The drive is mostly easy, but the last few minutes down the small side road are along a bumpy and unpaved road.

The entrance fee for Nacpan Beach is 100 PHP ($2 USD), although the day that we visited there was no fee for some reason, though we never determined why. After parking our scooter we walked through the palm trees onto one of the better beaches in the Philippines.

The golden sand stretches for a hundreds of metres in both directions and the water is a spectacular shade of blue. There is a small, hilly headland to the left hand side and the rest of the beach is lined with palm trees. It really is quite special.

Where you first arrive there are several restaurants and bars lining the beach and there are a bunch of sun loungers which you can rent for the day (which costs anywhere from 100 – 400 PHP). But if you walk a few minutes in either direction you will find a quiet section of the beach with very few people around. Most tourists tend to stay around the main area to have easy access to the restaurants.

We spent the morning lapping up the sun, swimming in the blue water and walking up and down the beach. If you are looking for a place to stay outside of El Nido town centre then there is a Mad Monkey Hostel located right on the beach which would make for an epic couple of nights.

There aren’t many beaches as good as this one and other than island hopping this is one of the best activities in El Nido, Palawan.

3. Sunset at Las Cabanas

Sitting on a beach and watching the sun set with friends is one of the ultimate ways to end the day. The place in El Nido where we enjoyed doing this the most was Las Cabanas Beach. It is only a 5-minute scooter or tricycle ride from the town centre and you get an incredible view of the outlying islands.

The sky transformed into sensational pinks and oranges as the sun dropped lower in the sky and there aren’t many better backdrops to enjoy a sunset.

The other awesome thing about sunset here was the atmosphere. The beach was quite busy but everyone was just hanging out, having a good time and enjoying some good vibes. The beach is lined with bars and restaurants as well, meaning you can watch the sky change colours with an ice cold drink in your hand. Delightful.

There were a few clever people that rented kayaks and paddleboards and enjoyed the sunset from the peace and tranquillity of the water which is another cool option as well. Paddleboard rental costs around 200 PHP per hour and kayak rental was 100 PHP per hour from Las Cabanas Beach.

4 . Corong Corong Beach

This isn’t one of the nicest beaches in the area but it was really quiet. We also spent an evening here for sunset and while it wasn’t quite as cool as Las Cabanas Beach, it was a close second.

One of the main reasons we enjoyed it so much is because Bella Vita Restaurant is located right on the beach here. It was wicked to watch the sun go down while eating delicious pizza and sipping on cold drinks from the second floor of the restaurant.

One of the really cool things you can do from here during the day is to rent kayaks, and if you are feeling fit and strong you can paddle to Seven Commandos Beach, which is part of the island hopping tours.

You will need to set aside most of the day to do this as it is a longish paddle and you will want to enjoy some time on the beach after putting in the effort to get there. The cool thing is that you can hopefully avoid some of the tours that only stop here for a short time before heading off to the next destination. 

Unless you are looking to rent kayaks from the beach, I wouldn’t recommend coming here during the day as there are better beaches in the area.

5 . Lio Beach

Lio Beach is one of the quietest beaches in the area. There is a swanky resort built right by the beach, but there are a lot of palm trees between it and the water so it’s easy to forget the resort is even there. The view from the beach is awesome as you look out onto some of the towering karst cliff islands.

There were free sun loungers on the beach and almost nobody else was there, which is crazy in a place as busy as El Nido. It was nice to enjoy some peace and tranquillity for a couple of hours away from all the hustle and bustle.

The peace does get interrupted every 30 minutes or so as the beach is right next to El Nido airport. Far from ruining the experience, it was actually really cool to watch the planes fly in over the beach with the islands in the background.

There is a free shuttle that runs throughout the day from El Nido town centre to Lio Beach so you won’t even have to rent a scooter or pay for a tricycle to get out here. Enjoy the quiet, resort-style feel of this beach for a few hours and recharge your batteries for the more adventurous activities.

6 . Surf at Duli Beach

El Nido isn’t well known for surfing, but there is actually a place you can catch some waves here if you are keen. Duli Beach, which is slightly further north than Nacpan Beach, is the place to go if you want to surf.

You can make your own way out there on a scooter or you can organize to be taken out there on a lesson from El Nido town centre. It is also good to ask around or check online to make sure there are waves there the day that you want to visit as it isn’t the most consistent surf spot.

This is a great option if you are looking to do something different and will definitely make for a fun day out.

7 . Watch Sunset from El Nido Beach

The owner of our homestay actually suggested this to us on the day that we arrived in El Nido as we were tired and couldn’t really be bothered to head to one of the other beaches for sunset. She told us to head right over to the east end of El Nido Beach as that was where the best views are and where the last rays of sunshine hit before the sun disappears.

This was an awesome suggestion and we managed to catch a sweet sunset that was only a few minutes’ walk from where we were staying. The view out to the islands is extremely impressive and again there were very few people that actually walk to the end of the beach to enjoy the sunset.

There’s also a really cool rooftop bar in this far corner of the bay although you will need to get there early to secure a seat. If we had come here early enough this would have been the best way to enjoy the sunset.

8. Rent a Scooter and Explore

We make this suggestion literally everywhere we go but it always ends up being the best part of our trip. Renting a scooter allows you so much freedom to get out and explore the local landscape, and more often than not, it enables you to escape the crowds.

Having a scooter makes it easy to reach all of the nearby beaches like Nacpan and Duli and just cruising around the local roads is always a good time. You can rent scooters from 350 PHP ($6.87 USD) per day and this is a small price to pay for a day full of adventure.

9. Zipline at Las Cabanas Beach

If you are looking for an adrenaline rush then head to Las Cabanas Beach where you can zipline from high above the beach over to Depeldet Island. This is the perfect activity for the adventure lovers out there and the views you get to enjoy will make it even better. Prices for the zipline start at 500 PHP ($9.81 USD) for a one way trip.

As budget backpackers we decided not to do the zipline as a return trip is almost the same price as an island hopping tour. For those of you here on holiday or that just have a bigger budget, this would be a great activity.

Final Thoughts

El Nido is one of the most unique and spectacular places in all of the Philippines. The huge array of islands in the surrounding waters are spectacular and the number of hidden beaches, lagoons and snorkel spots is ridiculous. If you don’t mind sharing these spots with a crowd of people then you will absolutely love it here.

On top of the world class island hopping, there is also a load of other amazing things to do in El Nido. From beaches to surfing, El Nido has it all. While the main attraction is certainly island hopping we recommend staying for at least 3 – 4 days and enjoying an action-packed El Nido itinerary.

Planning a trip to the Philippines? Check out our other blog posts on the area:

• PALAWAN ITINERARY | El Nido, Coron and Port Barton
• PORT BARTON ITINERARY | Adventure Travel Guide
• PERFECT 3 WEEK PHILIPPINES ITINERARY
• WHITE BEACH PORT BARTON
• ISLAND HOPPING IN CORON | Complete Guide
• SOUTHEAST ASIA PACKING LIST

*Please note, prices are a reflection of our experiences while traveling the Philippines in May 2019 and are subject to change. Prices quoted in PHP were the exact prices we paid and USD conversions are listed for your convenience.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Hi, we're Luke and Roxy, a travel couple from Ireland and Canada. We are all about finding awesome, off the beaten path adventures and love to find the cheapest way of doing things. Thanks for visiting our blog!

Recent Posts

28 BUCKET LIST CANADIAN ACTIVITIES

PERFECT 3 DAY CAMERON HIGHLANDS ITINERARY

CASTLE ROCK DUNSBOROUGH

Privacy overview.

El Nido, Palawan: 13 Things to Do

05/14/2022 by Kristin Addis 3 Comments

Often referred to as the gem of the Philippines, El Nido’s reputation is thoroughly justified by its alluring scenery. From dramatic rock formations surrounded by sparkling turquoise water to hidden lagoons, incredible beaches, and a local market – El Nido is a summer chaser’s dream!

The list of things to do in El Nido is extensive and can even be a little intimidating, so hopefully this guide will help you determine where to focus your time as you explore this epic tropical paradise!

Table of Contents

1. El Nido Island Hopping Tours

One of the most popular things to do in El Nido is island hopping – and for good reason! Because El Nido is comprised of 45 islands and islets, it’s no surprise that a great way to get the most out of your trip is jumping on a boat and exploring all that the sea and land has to offer. Most travelers agree that a trip to El Nido isn’t complete without at least one island hopping experience.

Due to the popularity of this activity, it’s become increasingly easier to find and book tours – and the options are very accessible and straightforward. The tours are named alphabetically as A, B, C, and D. Each and every tour will give you the opportunity to explore stunning lagoons, private beaches, vibrant sea life, and the magical essence of El Nido! For detailed information on the cost, destinations, and booking for each individual tour, check out my post all about El Nido island hopping .

El Nido Island Hopping Tour A Review (Group Tour)

El Nido Island Hopping Tour B Review (Group Tour)

El Nido Island Hopping Tour C Review (Group Tour)

2. Rent a Kayak

For an adventurous and independent way to visit stunning beaches and avoid crowds, rent a kayak! Since the beauty of El Nido is in the beaches, renting a kayak is a great opportunity to find some off the beaten path beaches that the tours don’t always visit – all while getting a good workout in. That said, you can hit up 7 Commandos Beach, a Tour A stop, in the evening to get an off-peak experience.

You can rent a kayak in El Nido town, but the paddling will be much longer than if you rent a kayak in  Corong Corong Beach , about 10 minutes from the town of El Nido. Get there by flagging down a tricycle or hopping on a scooter! There are options for regular kayaks priced at 500 PHP for a full day or 300 PHP for half the day – if you want to splurge, you can even rent a clear kayak to see the amazing water beneath you… and sea life if you’re lucky! You’ll find kayaks for rent all along the beach if you just take a walk.

Check out  this  great guide for an extensive list of beaches that can be accessed independently and how to get to each of them.

3. Scuba Dive or Freedive

El Nido is home to approximately 30 dive sites and you can count on frequent trips to at least 10 of them depending on tides and conditions. Bacuit Bay is a mecca for exquisite sea life and mind blowing natural structural formations. The bay is also protected from the ocean’s strong currents – so scuba diving in El Nido is accessible to divers of all experience levels.

If you’re interested in freediving, you can also learn how in El Nido. Check out Freediving Dimension and for a review of my experience learning how to do it in Indonesia, you can read more here .

4. Visit El Nido’s Public Market

A fun and tasty way to get a glimpse into authentic local culture pretty much anywhere you visit is to walk through the town’s public market. With a daily market (starting at 5:30am), El Nido is no exception! Stop by the  public market  before starting the day’s adventure for some fresh fruit or veggies, or rehydrate after a long day at the beach with a fresh Filipino coconut. As always, remember that other countries probably have different sanitation standards than your own. To be extra safe, consider opting for fruits or vegetables that are uncut that you can peel or wash with sterilized water to reduce the risk of coming face to face with harmful bacteria.

To be honest, though, I almost never follow this rule and after 6 years of traveling, even after eating raw veggies and street food the whole time, I’ve never had food poisoning.

5. Las Cabanas Beach

Las Cabanas is one of El Nido’s most beautiful and popular beaches. No boat? No problem. Las Cabanas can be reached by a 100-150 peso tricycle from El Nido town, which is a major bonus for those who value the ability to do and see certain places independently. Being a bit more developed than El Nido’s other beaches, Las Cabanas makes for a perfect day trip where visitors can sunbathe, enjoy a swim, sip on a fresh coconut, or try local food and drinks at one of the many intimate beach bars. This is also one of the best places in El Nido to enjoy the sunset over the ocean due to the nearly perfect orientation of the beach.

6. Hike Taraw Peak

At 230 meters above sea level, Taraw Peak is the highest point overlooking El Nido town, the bay, and nearby beaches. The hike to the top is apparently super steep and sketchy at times, but it provides panoramic views of Bacuit Bay, amazing landscapes, and limestone paths. This strenuous 2 hour hike is best done at sunrise to avoid the intense heat that builds up the more times you hit snooze. It’s highly recommended to hire a professional guide and wear proper shoes for this one, as it is a challenging and physically exhausting trek – making the one of a kind view from the top even more rewarding.

As of 2019, tours are no longer available to hike to the top due to a couple of tourist deaths last year. That said, new reviews are still popping up on Google Maps all the time, so I suspect that if you ask around town, you can still find a local who will take you up there, provided you’re clear on the dangers and want to take the risk. Alternatively, there’s a canopy walk that gives you a nice, though not as epic, view from the top with more ease and safety. It costs 400 pesos per person and a helmet is required.

7. Nacpan Beach

Nacpan Beach is known as one of the most stunning beaches that El Nido has to offer. The quintessential postcard image, Nacpan is not only a beach and sunset lover’s dream but a photographer’s dream, fisherman’s dream, I think you get the point… Nacpan Beach is straight up dreamy! Close your eyes and picture paradise and this beach might just be what you see. There is even a small wave that is surfable some days! Nacpan is one half of the ‘Twin Beaches’ (Calitang being the other), so you can easily enjoy both glorious places in one trip.

If you’re comfortable on a scooter, this is easy to combine with the Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls for a day trip. If not, you can get a tricycle from El Nido town for about 1500 pesos roundtrip. Pricey, but when shared, it’s still cheaper than an island hopping trip.

8. Road Trip on a Scooter

There’s really nothing that compares to the freedom you get by riding the roads of villages, hills, and forests on a motorbike. With all that El Nido has to offer, renting a scooter is really the best way to fit it all in without having to book tours and rides every step of the way. Scootering around is such an adventure in and of itself, plus, the costs of tricycles can add up pretty quickly while a motorbike will only cost you about 500 PHP per day. Just don’t forget your helmet!

El Nido Budget Guide

9. nagkalit-kalit waterfalls.

First Name:

On the route from El Nido proper to Nacpan you’ll find a quick and beautiful half hour hike to two waterfalls, a big one and a small one. Stops like this are a great example of why El Nido is the perfect place to rent a motorbike – so that you can stop wherever you want to and experience as much as possible. This is also a great opportunity to get a little hiking in if Taraw Peak is a strict no while you’re there. Plus, there is a natural pool to swim in at the bottom of one of the falls!

The reviews of the falls are mixed , with some calling it unimpressive, and apparently you have to pay 250 pesos for a ‘guide’. If you’ve enjoyed the waterfalls of Siquijor it might not be worth the trek but if you’re dying for something different and out of the sun, it’s an option.

10. Catch the Sunset from Corong Corong Beach

I stayed on the slightly quieter Corong Corong Beach and loved that I could walk down to see the sunset each night. The way that the water receded to show sandbars in the evenings was perfect (though that entirely depends on the moon phases, of course!). I highly recommend staying at El Nido Overlooking and booking your island hopping tours through them while you’re there. It’s a 4-villa resort with beautiful decks, one with a private pool, and some quiet and solitude that you can’t get from most other places in El Nido.

11. Serena Street in El Nido Town for Great Food

Flocks of travelers combined with loads of restaurants and the glittering sea gives El Nido town its charm. Some say it’s overwhelmingly busy but regardless of how you feel about it, El Nido is definitely full of life. Narrow dusty streets welcome dogs and cats alongside plenty of tricycles and scooters. The chaos that seems to take over even the smallest of Southeast Asian towns can be quite hectic and you may find yourself thinking “wasn’t I just here?” every time you turn down a new street. If you’re not sure which way to go and every street prior looked the exact same, Serena Street will feel like a little breath of fresh air. Lined with fine restaurants, high quality local shops, and even decent WiFi here and there, Serena Street is one you’ll finally be able to distinguish from the others.

12. Big Dream Boatman Expeditions

I would have loved to do the multi-day island expedition of Coron and El Nido when I visited El Nido. It’s a fantastic alternative to the crowded tours in Palawan and has amazing reviews . Big Dream Boatman specializes in helping travelers discover hidden gems, so it’s perfect for adventurers who want to get off the beaten path.

13. Dryft Darocotan Island

Treat yourself to a digital detox on a remote island north of El Nido, and stay in sustainable, uniquely designed glamping hut. I am speaking of Dryft Darocotan Island , a remote glamping paradise that offers an opportunity to get off the grid, as there’s no internet nor reception! The property overlooks a private, pristine beach that is perfect to sun tan, meditate, read or take a nap on. You will eat all your meals at the in-house restaurant, which serves simple yet delicious food based on what’s available for the day. After a few days of island hopping adventures, Dryft is the perfect place to R&R!

As I said at the beginning of this post, there are TONS of things to do and places to see in El Nido, each providing a different vantage point of the gorgeous horizon, dotted with candy shaped mounds of islands. While the town itself isn’t as idyllic as some of the smaller spots in the Philippines, El Nido makes up for it with its gorgeous beaches and variety.

Island Hopping in El Nido, Everything You Need to Know about Private and Group Tours

Where to stay in el nido, about kristin addis.

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

 subscribe to our newsletter

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

05/14/2019 at 12:03 pm

Hey Kristin, Always love reading your blogs when they pop up in my email and then just got the lovely surprise that you linked to our kayaking beach guide! Thanks so much. Cat x

Kristin says

05/14/2019 at 7:26 pm

For sure! It was a great guide!

nick jones says

05/18/2019 at 8:45 am

thanks kristin for give information which help us in traveling.

Things to do in El Nido Palawan Philippines | 2024 Travel Guide

By: Author Adam

Posted on Last updated: 1 February, 2024

El Nido Palawan, Philippines, has some of the most beautiful scenery we have ever encountered. This cluster of islands is off the tip of Palawan Island and is full of dramatic rock formations and surrounded by bright blue waters.

There are a ton of things to do in El Nido, so give yourself a week in El Nido if you can. The town has enough food options and the basics for a week-long trip. We put together this complete travel guide to help plan your trip to El Nido Palawan.

El Nido Palawan Travel Guide

Jump to information about El Nido Philippines:

• How to get to El Nido Palawan
• Things to do in El Nido
• Best Restaurants in El Nido
• Best Places to Stay in El Nido
• Day Trips in El Nido
• EL Nido FAQ

Best El Nido Island Hopping Tours

The best way to explore El Nido and the Palawan is by joining an island hopping trip. There are several different tours that visit different beaches of El Nido and the nearby Palawan Islands.

This is the cheapest place to book El Nido tours . They offer all the below island hopping tours, private island hopping tours, Linapacan Islands tour where you sleep on the beach and snorkel in the most amazing island destination

Most Popular El Nido Island Hopping Tours:

• El Nido Tour A
• El Nido Tour B
• El Nido Tour C
• El Nido Tour D
• Ultimate Adventure Tour (3 to 5 days island hopping)

If you only have time for one tour, this is the most popular island hopping tour in El Nido . You’ll see some of the best beaches of El Nido and cover a lot of ground in one day. However, t his is our personal favorite island hopping tour in the Palawan.

How To Get To El Nido Palawan Island

There are three ways to travel to El Nido : Air, boat, or land. We’ve taken all three. Previously, there were only two, and it was a long journey from the capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa.

• Traveling to El Nido from Manila – Fly to El Nido Airport (Airport Code ENI). There are several flights a day from various tourist destinations in the Philippines, like Boracay, Manila, Coron (Busuanga), Cebu, etc. From Manila, the flight time: 80 minutes. Prices  vary based on season and where the flight is to/from.
• Travel to El Nido From Coron – Flight time to El Nido: 40 minutes. Prices  vary based on season and demand average 3,800P – 5,000P. There are ferry boats from Coron to El Nido, and they are the easiest and cheapest way to travel between the two Palawan islands. On our last trip to El Nido, we took the Montenegro ferry from El Nido to Coron. Make sure to book online in advance because the ferry sells out days in advance.

Related Article: Coron Palawan Guide

Expedition Cruise To El Nido

Hands down, the most adventurous way to travel between Coron and El Nido is an Expedition Cruise . A newer offering is a super unique adventure cruise traveling between Coron and El Nido. The expedition cruises range from three to five-day options, and you’ll stop and camp at various islands that lie between Coron and El Nido.

We recommend booking an expedition cruise with El Nido Paradise . They have six different expedition cruises. The cruises include all your meals, water, rum & coke, snorkel equipment, tents & bedding, and amazing scenery. Prices vary based on the dates and length of the expedition cruise. Click here to book online.

Related Article: Best Way Coron to El Nido Ferry or Plane?

 Top 20 Things To Do In El Nido Palawan

El Nido is more than just a place. It’s a cluster of 45 small islands on the tip of Palawan Island. There are plenty of things to do in El Nido to fill a trip itinerary for more than a week exploring all that El Nido has to offer. Our ultimate guide will hopefully convince you to add more time to El Nido.

The islands of El Nido are some of the most beautiful and enchanting in the entire world. Here is a list of the top activities in El Nido, some must-know El Nido travel tips, and our favorite island hopping tours.

1. Swim Through The Hole To Secret Beach

Secret Beach is a pristine piece of sand hidden from sight by large limestone cliffs on all sides. Once inside, it feels like you are the only person on the planet.

From the water level, there is a hole in the rock wall that leads to a small, completely enclosed beach. This tiny hole in the rocks and the beach on the other side is what brought us all the way to El Nido and was a big reason for our first trip to the Philippines back in 2014.

Secret Lagoon lived up to the hype. You can visit Secret Lagoon on El Nido Tour C when visiting El Nido.

Secret Beach is one of the best places in the Philippines and should be on everyone’s itinerary. Hands down, it’s one of the best things to see in El Nido. A trip to Secret Beach is accessible on the El Nido tour. Book El Nido tour C online here .

2. Kayak in El Nido’s Big Lagoon

The Big Lagoon in El Nido is a magical place. The water here is a one-of-a-kind color surrounded by tall rock formations. It’s nothing short of breathtaking. It’s paradise!

Update: Plan your time right. Now, you can only visit Big Lagoon El Nido or Small Lagoon during your Tour A in El Nido, and traditional Filipino boats are not allowed inside the lagoons. You must take a kayak.

Related Article: El Nido Tour A

3. visit snake island.

This island is another great example of the beauty of El Nido. Look at the pristine beaches! What makes Snake Island so special isn’t necessarily the island itself but the strip of sand leading up to it.

When the tides are right, Snake Island has a thin strip of sand wiggling its way through the bay, pointing right at Snake Island. Snake Island is the top thing to do on the El Nido Tour B day trip.

4. Diving In El Nido

El Nido is home to over 30 dive sites, with frequent trips to about ten, depending on the tides and conditions. Bacuit Bay is home to a wide range of beautiful sea life and interesting structural formations. Book a dive online now . There are two and three dank options for a full day of diving in El Nido.

The Dilumacad Underwater Tunnel – Located about a mile and a half from the shores of Dilumacad Island (Helicopter Island), there is a dive site most local divers call ‘ The Tunnel.’ 12 meters under the surface. There is a 40-meter tunnel that you can swim through filled with fish and other sea life. It’s just another one of the amazing things to do in El Nido. For more info on the Dilumacad Underwater Tunnel

5.  Secret Lagoon & Beach

The southern bay of Miniloc Island has some of the most remarkable stone structures around El Nido. Large pieces of limestone rise out of the sea, forming thin curtains of black rock.

Some of these rocks have small holes in them that make you wonder how they were formed. This secret beach is a popular lunch stop on the El Nido day trip A tour .

The tours actually stop here for reasons other than the beach. Tucked behind a tall wall is the Secret Lagoon El Nido, surrounded on all sides by tall, jagged limestone.

A short crawl through an opening in a rock brings you into an open-top natural cathedral. There is also a cave to explore at this stop as well; be sure not to miss it.

6. Hike up to Taraw Peak

For the best views of El Nido Town and Bacuit Bay, head up to Taraw Peak. As of 2023, there are two versions of this hike. The new hike costs 400 pesos and brings you along a well-cared-for path that is generally easy, with a fun suspension bridge and a formal viewing platform at the end.

While the new version is nice, we prefer the original hike. This hike is more strenuous, with some real rock climbing and a much more rugged path. The hike and the higher 700 peso price are totally worth it once you reach the top.

From here, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of El Nido while perched high on the jagged limestone rocks 230 meters above sea level. You really need to take a guide for this hike; don’t attempt it alone. Most tours leave at 4:30 a.m. to watch the sunrise from Taraw Peak.

Cost: 400 pesos per person, or 700 pesos option for the longer trek

7. Spend A Day At Las Cabanas Beach

Las Cabanas is one of the best beaches reachable by land from El Nido town. A long walk or a short tricycle ride to the beach entrance. Las Cabanas Beach seems to go on forever and is largely empty.

There are a few resorts popping up and a few restaurants to have a beer or a meal. Las Cabanas makes for a great day trip from El Nido and is one of the best things you can do independently or without a boat. If you want to spend the night, we suggest Las Cabanas Beach Resort .

8. Splash around in the Small Lagoon El Nido

After a short ride from El Nido town is the Small Lagoon. This lagoon sits on the northern end of Miniloc Island. What makes this a thing to do in El Nido is the fact that it’s an open-top cathedral of limestone—vertical walls of stone from a lagoon of shallow water in nearly a perfect circle.

Once inside, staring up at the imposing walls, it starts to look like a very alien landscape. The water, depending on the tides, isn’t really deep enough for swimming, but it’s fun to splash around and listen to the echoes off of the stone. You can reach the small lagoon on the El Nido Tour A day trip.

9. Visit The Matinloc Shrine

An abandoned shrine to the Virgin Mary seems a bit out of place in the middle of this tropical paradise. Also, on the island with the shrine are some amazing lookouts.

A quick hike up the rocks brings you to a viewpoint where you can see the entire channel running between the small islands. The viewpoint kind of reminds me of Kayangan Lake in Coron, which should also be on your Philippines itinerary.

10. Visit Hidden Beach

Tucked away behind high walls of stone, a small opening reveals shallow pools of clear water and soft sands. It’s only visible to the open side by a tiny break in the natural stone walls. Visit this island by joining an El Nido Tour C day trip.

There are so many secret beaches waiting to be found on island hopping tours.

Related Article: El Nido Tour C

11. Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls

A 1-2 hour hike through the lush forest area brings you to the Nagkalit-Kalit waterfalls. The falls are a 10-meter tall trough of water that slides down the rocks and shifts right and left. There are two falls, and at the base is a pool to take a swim in.

If you have lots of time in El Nido, this can be a nice day trip, but don’t expect to be blown away by the waterfall during the dry months.

12. Helicopter Island

Shaped like, you guessed it, a helicopter, this island looks remarkably like a giant helicopter sitting in Bacuit Bay. The island is home to a few nice beaches and is part of the El Nido Tour C day trip.

There are also many dive trips that will take you to this part of the bay. The biggest draw to the island is the shape, and it’s best seen from a boat.

You don’t necessarily need to stop at the island unless you just want to have some beach time, but there are so many things to do in El Nido you might not have time to lie around.

13. Eat Pizza at Altrove

Of all the amazing things to do in El Nido, it may seem strange to include pizza on the list of things to do, but it’s that good. Every night, there will be a line down the street. It’s worth the wait. If you ask us, it’s one of the best restaurants in El Nido . | Read Trip Advisor Reviews 

14. 7 Commando Beach

Visit the island where 7 Japanese commandos lived for a period of time near the end of WWII. The names of the soldiers are said to be written on stones around the island, but not much else is known about these soldiers, including what happened to them.

15. Visit Cadlao Lagoon

Located on the far side of the large Cadlao Island that you can see from El Nido Town is the lagoon by the same name. This is the highlight stop on Tour D, along with a few other nice beaches on the island on the way to the lagoon.

This is really the only tour you might be able to do independently by renting a kayak and following the shoreline of  Cadlao Island.

16. Rent a scooter and go exploring

One of the best ways to explore El Nido by land is by renting a scooter or motorbike. Scooters are very reasonable to rent by the day and are a lot more fun than being part of a shuttle van tour. Quickly cruise between Las Cabanas Beach and Nacpan Beach, with many sights along the way.

Don’t forget your insurance! You never know when you’ll need it. We suggest getting  travel insurance with Safety Wing. Which coverage includes medical, trip interruption, lost luggage, and more. Often, rates are as low as $12 a week. 

17. Day trip to Nacpan Beach & Twin Beaches

Nacpan Beach and Calitang Beach are about a 30-minute drive from El Nido town.  To reach Twin Beaches, rent a scooter, join Tour E (inland tour), or pay a tricycle driver to bring you (1500 pesos a whole day fits three ppl).

This is a nice beach – probably one of the nicer beaches on the mainland of the E Nido Area. However, it is just *nice* compared with all of the amazing beaches surrounding El Nido.

Nacpan Beach is worth a visit if you are staying for a long time or need a break from the day trips. It also pairs well with Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls, especially if you rent a scooter.

18. Try Local Filipino Food

Get a taste of classic Filipino food. There are a few restaurants in El Nido offering traditional Filipino food. One of our favorite local restaurants was Maa’s Grill (pictured above), located right in El Nido Town.

Related Article: Must Eat Filipino Food 

19. Zipline in El Nido

Soar high above the beautiful Las Cabanas Beach across the water to the small island in front of the beach. The ziplines will carry you 2500 ft across the bay to Depeldet Island.

Prices to ride start at about 500 Pesos, with chances to add to your adventure.

20. Watch The Beautiful Sunsets Of El Nido

El Nido town is facing the west, so every night, you are blessed with an amazing sunset to finish your action-packed day in El Nido. Grab your camera and a Filipino beer and enjoy while reflecting on all the amazing things you’ve done in El Nido.

Optional Things To Do In El Nido

Makinit hot springs.

I would put this on the maybe list or something to do in El Nido if you have been in El Nido for a long time and have done everything else. You can’t really swim here – Many other posts about things to do in El Nido listed the hot springs as something to do, but seriously?

You are surrounded by some of the most beautiful islands in the entire world, but you are going to go and look at a couple of muddy puddles of hot water. I would recommend doing any one of these other top things to do in El Nido over this.

Surfing at Duli Beach

The next big beach further north of Nacpan Beach is Duli Beach. The nice deep beach is the place to go if you want to catch some waves while visiting El Nido. Its position is higher up the Palawan Island without the clusters of islands in front.

This means the surf is not blocked, and some decent waves roll up the shores of this beach from November to March. So if you want to go surfing in El Nido, Duli Beach is where you want to be.

Renting a scooter or motorbike is the easiest way to reach Duli Beach, but if you are carrying a board, you might want to hire a trike to bring you. The ride out to Duli Beach will take around 45 minutes in a car, slower on a trike or bike.

Related: Siargao – The Surf Capital of the Philippines

Where to stay in el nido.

There are tons of hotels in El Nido, something for everyone’s budget. If budget is no concern, this is one of the best El Nido resorts .

Rooms are becoming more and more available to book online . Hotels and El Nido resorts range from gorgeous over the water beach huts and sustainable island resorts to budget-friendly rooms , or you can even rent an entire beachfront home.

Suggested El Nido Hotels & El Nido Resorts

Budget El Nido Hotels $25-50 a night – Ipil Suites El Nido center of town – Check Prices

Midrange El Nido Hotels $50-$100  night – Last Frontier Beach Resort Adults Only – Check Prices

Luxury El Nido Hotels $100-$1,000+ a night – Miniloc Island Resort overwater bungalow rooms – Check Prices   or Matinloc Resort private beach – Check Prices

Luxury Island Resorts $1,500+ a night – No other El Nido Resorts compare to Cauayan Island Resort – Check Prices

El Nido Day Trips

I would plan on making a day trip while in El Nido at least every other day because most of the best things in the Palawan are on the outer Palawan islands.

There currently are five tours A/B/C/D/E. Prices for El Nido Day trips average 1200-1400P per person. For more details & a review of El Nido Tour C , and for El Nido Tour A . 

TIP : Make sure you have a big boat for day trip tour C – A big boat is always better and more comfortable, but El Nido tour C goes into the open water outside the bay for a short bit, where it gets rough in the afternoon. You will get wet in any boat, but a little boat would be the worst. Art Cafe’s boat is a good size for that tour. 

• Bring water shoes for El Nido tour C , and Tour B – Many of the stops have sharp rocks when coming in and out of the boat. El Nido Tour A is manageable without, but Tour C is much better with water shoes.
• Bring a water bag or a GoPro on tour C to bring a camera with you into Secret Beach.

More El Nido Palawan FAQ:

Is El Nido worth visiting? Yes, El Nido is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines, and Palawan Island has been voted one of the best islands in the world by multiple publications.

Is El Nido an island? El Nido is on Palawan Island, and El Nido generally refers to the town on that island and the surrounding 45 small islands. Many of the most stunning beaches and scenes are from the small islands surrounding El Nido Town.

Does El Nido have an ATM:? Yes , El Nido has an ATM, so getting money is possible. However, ATMs in El Nido and remote parts of the Philippines can run out of money or be out of service. One of the best tips is to always keep enough cash on hand for at least a day or two.

Why is El Nido Palawan famous? The beaches of El  Nido are famous for stunning beaches surrounded by tall limestone cliffs and rocks with beautiful clear waters. Scenes like this can be found on many of the small islands referred to as El Nido.

Best Restaurants in El Nido Palawan

Altrove : There is a line for a reason. It’s some of the best food in El Nido. They do a good stone oven pizza with a nice crust, which is enough for two if you are not too hungry. The crust is thin but nicely puffed at the edges, with real cheese and good toppings. Some nights, there is a 30-person line at Altrove, and some nights, there is no wait – earlier is better. 

Art Cafe: This open-air cafe and tour center has been a staple in El Nido well before this place was on most travelers’ maps. Always good food and quality tours.

Big Bad Thai Bistro: Another favorite in El Nido Town is this Thai restaurant that makes a pretty good curry for being on a remote island in the Philippines. The Atmosphere and views are too bad either.

See our Full El Nido Restaurant Review Here

We fell in love with the Palawan and have been back to El Nido Multiple times. Hopefully, our El Nido Palawan guide will help you plan your trip to the Philippines and El Nido!

Siargao Island Philippines: Everything you NEED to Know

Everything you need to know before you go to Siargao Island. Here’s our guide to this little piece of paradise called Siargao!

Best 15 Things to do in the Palawan, Philippines

The Palawan is hands down one of the most beautiful places on the planet! Here is a list of things to do in Palawan Philippines.

Everything You Need to Know About Coron Palawan – 2024 Guide

Looking for picturesque islands in the Palawan? Head to Coron. Guide: where to eat, things to do in Coron, where to stay in Coron, travel to

If you like our El Nido travel guide, please pin it!

• El Nido Itinerary: Exploring Paradise in the Philippines

by Julie Apr 10, 2024 Itinerary , Philippines , Travel

El Nido is one of the hottest (most popular) places to visit in the Philippines right now. It’s even more popular than Boracay. In this 5 day El Nido itinerary guide, I’5-daym going to show you how you can explore some of the Philippines’ most amazing islands and beaches.

Situated on the west coast of Palawan island and only about 1.5 hours by plane from Manila, El Nido is famous for its stunning limestone islands with their hidden lagoons and secret beaches dotting Bacuit Bay. Imagine Halong Bay in Vietnam or Yangshuo in China but in the middle of the clearest and bluest water you’ll ever see in your life. THAT’S El Nido.

If you’re looking for where else to visit in this beautiful country, check out my 15 favorite destinations in the Philippines .

For a list of ALL my Philippines itineraries and travel info check out my Philippines Travel Guide page. 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate and a Bookshop.org Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Please see this website's  Disclosure for more info.

In This El Nido Itinerary Post, You’ll Find…

• About This El Nido Itinerary
• Day 1: Island Hopping Tour A
• Day 2: Nacpan Beach
• Day 3: Sibaltan Tour
• Day 4: Las Cabanas Beach
• Day 5: Island Hopping Tour C
• Extending Your El Nido Itinerary
• El Nido Travel Guide & FAQs

You can do this 5-day itinerary in any order. Just take this itinerary as a suggestion in planning your own trip to El Nido.

El Nido Tours A, B. C, and D:

One of the most popular things to do in El Nido is the island hopping tours . These tours are called Tour A, B, C, and D . They go to different parts of the Bacuit Archipelago like to Secret Beach, Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, etc.

Tour A is the most popular one followed by Tour C. I did both A and C.

I also did a tour of Sibaltan (don’t skip!), which is another area in Palawan. It’s harder to get to than the Tours A-D destinations. The Sibaltan Tour only takes place on certain days. When I was in El Nido it was on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

The tours can be quite tiring , so I recommend resting at one of the beaches around El Nido between tours . I’ve arranged these 5 days in El Nido so that you can rest between tours: Tour day – beach day – tour day – beach day – tour day.

How to Get Around El Nido

I’ll explain how to get to each of the beaches here, but overall you’ve got a few options. None of them are great. First, if you can, renting a scooter or motorcycle is the best. You can do this for around 300 pesos per day. BUT if you’re like me and can’t drive one, you can get around by tricycle (tuk-tuk), free shuttle bus (Lio Beach), or van (Nacpan Beach).

The free shuttle bus to Lio Beach leaves from this place (near Frendz Hostel) .

Start your island-hopping adventure with Tour A. Yes, it’s the most popular tour and there will be an annoyingly large number of people.

However, you want to start with this one because the places you visit on this tour (Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon) are the most unique and magical in all of El Nido. 

Tour A Itinerary

These are the most common stops on Tour A:

• Big Lagoon – Brilliant and beautiful! This is the best part of the tour. Kayak through a lagoon (See above photo).
• Secret Lagoon – Cool! Wear water shoes here because you need to walk and swim over lots of rocks to a hidden lagoon.
• Shimizu Island – We went snorkeling here, but the coral was dead here so there weren’t that many fish.
• 7 Commando Beach – This is a beautiful beach with crystal-clear water.
• Payong Payong Island – My tour didn’t go here; instead, we went snorkeling at Advance Reef and saw quite a lot of colorful fish and coral.

Lunch on Tour A

Compared to the tours I’ve been on, the lunch was fabulous. We had fish, fruit, salad, rice, shrimp, and mussels. We had lunch on the boat.

Cost of Island Hopping Tour A:

These prices are as of April 2024:

• Tour: US$17 – $23 (depending on travel agency)
• Entrance fee to Big Lagoon: 200 pesos (US$3.54)
• Tourism Development Fee : 200 pesos (US$3.54) (a one-time fee that covers all tours for the next 10 days)
• Kayak rental: 300 – 400 pesos per kayak (US$5.31 – $7) – Pay this at Big Lagoon
• Snorkel and Mask Rental: 150 pesos (US$2.65)

The total cost of the tour can be up to US$34 – 39. Compared to prices in Europe, the U.S., and Latin America, this is inexpensive. However, compared to prices on Cebu (check out my Cebu Itinerary ), it’s pricey.

How to Book Tour A

You can book your tour BEFORE you get to El Nido or AFTER you get to El Nido.

Make sure you’re booking with someone who takes safety seriously . I ended up getting my foot crushed in Mexico getting on a boat to go to some secret beach. The boat company didn’t care and I got no help from them. You also don’t want a tour where the guides are creepy and spend all their time flirting with the guests. That’s what happened to me on my tour in El Nido.

I like booking tours through Get Your Guide because they’ve always been responsive and helpful . If I’m not happy with the tour, I can leave a review and I can contact Get Your Guide. You can also read the tour reviews so that you know you’re getting a good tour ahead of time.

Klook is also a reliable booking agency. They often have discounts on tours.

If you want to book when you get to El Nido, book through your hotel. That’s what I did.

• El Nido Tour A with Corazon Travel & Tours
• El Nido Tour A Lagoon and Islands through Klook
• Tour A of El Nido through Klook
• El Nido Social Tour A with Photographer
• El Nido Private Tour A

On the second day of your five days in El Nido, head to one of the best beaches near El Nido–Nacpan Beach . It’s a beautiful, long beach with clear water and nice soft sand. Nacpan Beach is located in Nacpan village , a dusty town with unpaved roads and a few shops and restaurants. The beach is surrounded by just a handful of hotels and hostels.

You have to pay an environmental fee of 50 pesos (US$1) to visit Nacpan Beach. Pay the fee when you arrive in Nacpan town.

How to Get to Nacpan Beach

You have two options without a motorcycle:

• Hire a tricycle for 1,200 pesos (US$24) round trip.
• Take a shuttle from El Nido. It costs 400 pesos one-way or 700 pesos round trip . Check Nacpan Beach Shuttle website for current times and pickup and dropoff locations. Another shuttle service, Discover El Nido , has more frequent times. Here is the pickup spot in El Nido.

It takes 30-45 minutes by public transportation to get to the beach.

Where to Hang Out at Nacpan Beach

When I arrived on Nacpan Beach (facing the ocean), there were crowds of people on the beach to the left, but the beach on the right was empty.  Turn right and just keep on walking and you should find a beautiful spot all to yourself.

How’s the Swimming at Nacpan Beach?

The water is as clear as a bathtub , but it’s also shallow , which is not ideal for swimming.  When I was there, the waves were a bit rough in the morning, but then toward the end of the day, they calmed down.

Stay for the Sunset & Dinner

Make sure to stay to watch the sunset. It’s quite magical!

There are also places to eat on the beach . I had a pizza at Sunmei Restaurant. It was ok. They put tons of cheese on it but not enough sauce, so it was kind of bland. You can also have a bite and a drink at the infamous party hostel called Mad Monkey Hostel.

The last shuttle is at 7:00 pm , but double-check with the driver. 

The highlight of my time in El Nido was taking the Sibaltan Tour . Sibaltan is on the opposite side of Palawan from El Nido. It’s an untouristy and unspoiled section of the Palawan– it’s like visiting your own private slice of paradise.

This tour should NOT be skipped.

Sibaltan Itinerary

This was the Sibaltan itinerary : 

• Snorkeled and/or kayak over a reef teeming with the most colorful and abundant fish I’d seen in Palawan. And you won’t have any other tour boats around you.
• Visited a deserted island with the second most beautiful sandbar you’ll see in the Philippines. The best one was Kalanggaman–visit my Malapascua itinerary to find out how to visit this island). The water is so warm and so crystal clear it’s like you’re swimming in a pool or a bathtub.
• Visited a primary school at a traditional fishing village . This was a great cultural experience that is a nice break from beaches.

This tour was very new and only one business was doing it. If you’re not going to do the 3-day or 5-day island hopping tour from El Nido to Coron I’d do this tour.

You can read all about the tour in my comprehensive guide to the Sibaltan Tour through Happiness Hostel . 

If it’s too windy, though, the Coast Guard won’t allow the boat to go out or you might not be able to do the snorkeling part of the tour. I was lucky and we had calm seas.

How to Book the Sibaltan Tour

When I did the tour, it was only available from Happiness Hostel . You didn’t need to stay there to buy the tour.

The tour only took place on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays . It cost me 1,950 pesos (US$40) and the price included all forms of transport and lunch. The tour lasted from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm .

PRO TIP:  Here's a list of essential items to pack for all of your island-hopping tours while in the Philippines:

• Dry bag - Your stuff will get wet while on island hopping tours so a dry bag is ESSENTIAL for the Philippines.
• Waterproof bag or pouch for your cell phone especially for your visit to such places as the Big Lagoon and the Secret Lagoon in El Nido and island hopping in Port Barton.
• Water shoes - It's important to have a pair because sometimes you'll need to be walking on rocks to get to your destination. You'll thank me later for bringing them.
• Sunscreen - You buy sunscreen in the Philippines, too, but it's pricey (500 - 700 pesos depending on the store--shop around!)
• Mask and snorkel -  I recommend bringing your own mask and snorkel. If you're new to snorkeling, start with the full face mask and snorkel . That's what I did.

Day 4: Las Cabanas

I was pretty beat after every one of my Island Hopping adventures and needed a day to recuperate. So, I suggest taking it easy on day 4 and heading out to Las Cabanas (a.k.a Vanilla Beach) for some good R&R . An alternative is a visit to Lio Beach.

Las Cabanas is a great place to swim, relax on the beach, see a spectacular sunset, and grab a drink and a meal on the beach.

How to Get to Las Cabanas

The best way to get there is to take a tricycle from El Nido . It takes around 15 minutes. It cost me 150 pesos (US$3) one way. 

When you get dropped off at Las Cabanas, you’ll see a shopping complex with a McDonalds. Just keep on walking through the corridor of the shopping mall until you get to the beach .

When you return, you can just pick up one of the very many tricycles that are waiting for customers outside of the McDonald’s at Las Cabanas (150 pesos). You can’t miss it.

What to Do at Las Cabanas Beach

You can lay out your towel and swim on the beach right in front of the shopping complex. There are some beautiful views of the limestone rocks and islands of Bacuit Bay including Helicopter Island.

When you get to the beach, turn left and keep walking down the beach passing the ziplining and hotels . You’ll come to a fairly empty beach with some shallow water and few tourists. You can lay your towel down here or you can keep on walking, passing a bunch of rocks and a fancy hotel with its own dock for boats. Here you’ll come to an empty beach with a stunning view of the limestone islands and with some decent swimming.

Make sure to stay for the brilliant sunsets. While watching the sunset, grab a happy hour drink at Maremegmeg Beach Bar.

The sunsets at Sunsets at Las Cabanas are also spectacular.

After the sun has gone down, head to one of the restaurants at the shopping complex. I had an excellent meal at Local Provisions Kitchen and Mini Bar, which sadly closed down. 

PRO TIP: When you arrive in the Philippines, you can buy a SIM card at the airport . There are 2 companies used throughout the Philippines: Globe and Smart . Each of them gives you 10 or 12 GB of memory for 30 days for 1,000 pesos (US$20). I used 2 GB in 30 days.

If you have to "add load" (add minutes or data) for some reason, you can do it at a convenience store around the Philippines. Tell them you want to "add load". You need to give the clerk your phone # to complete the transaction (I usually store my SIM card # in my Contact List).

BUT that's not it. You then need to register your phone . If you have Globe, dial *143#. I usually have the store clerk or someone at my hostel or hotel help me complete the registration. If you don't register after every time you add data to your phone, the minutes and data disappear.

If you’re staying for a fifth day, I recommend getting in one more island hopping tour and that is Tour C. I’m suggesting this one over Tours B and D because here you’ll visit some unique places and see some stunning limestone rocks and island scenery .

Tour C goes pretty far away from shore. When I did my tour, the sea was REALLY rough . It was so rough that the boat captain had to cancel some stops on the tour.

Here’s what you’re supposed to see on Tour C:

• Helicopter Island – snorkeling – the coral is dead so you’ll see very few fish
• Hidden Beach – This is probably the scariest and most interesting part of the tour – you need to swim and walk over huge rocks. If the ocean is rough, the waves can throw you upon the rocks. If you’ve got good guides they’ll help walk you over them.
• Talspay Island – Here you’ll have lunch on the beach and snorkel – but again the coral is dead, so there’s not much fish.
• Secret Beach – We couldn’t visit Secret Beach because the sea was too rough.
• Star Island – After Secret Beach, you’re supposed to go to Star Island, but we went to some reef for more snorkeling. I didn’t go snorkeling because it was too cold and windy.

How Much is Tour C?

• Cost of Tour: US$21 – $30 (includes transport, guide, and lunch)
• Eco-Tourism Development Fee: 200 pesos (if you did another tour, you don’t need to pay this as long as you STILL have the environmental fee pass)
• Entry Fee to Matinloc Shrine: 280 pesos
• Snorkel, mask, fins, and kayak rental fees: Varies

How to Book Your Tour?

You can book your tour before or after arriving in El Nido. I recommend booking through your hotel or through a third-party website like Get Your Guide, Klook, or Viator.

• El Nido Tour C Hidden Beaches and Shrine
• Island Hopping Tour C – Goes to Star Beach and NOT the shrine.
• El Nido Private Tour C 

A great way to extend your El Nido itinerary by 2 or 3 days is by staying on a remote “desert” island . I wish I had done this during my stay. I had booked this remote island getaway but had to cancel it after getting sick.

There are several choices. All of them are on the island of Darocotan . So, I guess it’s not really deserted. But the people who’ve done it say it feels like you’re the only ones on the island. Most have you stay in primitive bungalows and cost over US$100 without meals . I heard the meals are expensive, which is expected given the remoteness of the island and cost of transport.

Here are some popular places to stay:

The Island Experience – This island paradise experience gets rave reviews! Accommodations are basic bungalows. Rating: 9.0/10 | Check Rates & Book Your Stay: Booking.com

Dryft Darocotan Island – INSANELY COOL huts right on the beach. Rating: 9.4/10 | Check Rates & Book Your Stay: Booking.com | Agoda

PRO TIP: Before I went to El Nido, I was warned about the bad quality of water. Of course, don’t drink it, but also don’t even brush your teeth with the water. Don’t eat any food that hasn’t been cooked because it could have been washed in the contaminated water. I didn’t have any stomach problems (I did get sick with a respiratory illness, though) because I followed this advice, but I met a lot of people who got so sick that they ended up in the hospital. 

• How to Get to El Nido?
• Where to Stay in El Nido?
• Where to Eat in El Nido?
• When to Visit El Nido?

How to Get to El Nido

Palawan may be the Philippines ’ most popular tourist destination at the moment, but it also has one of the country’s least developed road systems . Some locals and hotel owners told me it’s because Palawan’s corrupt governor siphoned off funds that were supposed to go to road construction. Some of the roads to popular destinations are still unpaved and some of its most beautiful places can only be accessed by motorcycle.

How I got to El Nido from Port Barton

I flew from Manila to Puerto Princesa , where I stayed for a few days. There’s a tour that takes you through an underground river.

Then took a shuttle to Port Barton. I bought my ticket through 12Go . I stayed for several days in Port Barton. You can check out my Port Barton blog post for ideas on what to do there. It’s worth visiting.

Finally, I took another shuttle from Port Barton to El Nido . I bought my ticket through 12Go .

How I departed El Nido

I took the ferry to Coron from El Nido . The water was very rough and it was really windy. I then flew from Coron to Cebu for the last leg of my Philippines itinerary. You can read about the Philippines itinerary around Cebu here.

You can get to El Nido by plane, plane + bus, or boat. Check flights on Skyscanner and ferry times on 12Go .

By Plane to Palawan

• Manila / Cebu – Puerto Princesa – ( Port Barton ) – El Nido: A cheaper way to get to El Nido is by flying from Manila to Puerto Princesa (US$50) and then taking a van to El Nido (550 – 700 pesos / US$11-$14). The van takes 5-6 hours. You can also insert a stopover for a few days in the lovely and remote beach town of Port Barton (600 pesos / US$12).
• Manila / Cebu – El Nido:   You can fly from Manila or Cebu directly to El Nido. BUT flights are pricey. US$130-$175
• Manila / Cebu – Coron – El Nido : An alternative is to fly into Coron (US$70) and then take a ferry to El Nido (1,800 pesos / US$36 – buy a ticket from Isla Expeditions on Serena Street). Coron is one of the best places for diving in the Philippines as it’s home to many shipwrecks from WWII.

By Boat to Palawan

• Manila – Puerto Princesa – El Nido: The boat from Manila leaves each Friday at 7 pm. It takes 24 hours and costs 2,689 pesos (US$54) for tourist class. You can then take a van to El Nido.
• Manila – Coron – El Nido: Another popular way to get to Coron is by ferry. The ferry leaves Manila every Friday at 7 pm. It takes 11 hours and costs 1,400 pesos (US$28) for tourist class.

For info on how to get to/from the airport in Manila, check out my First-Timers’ Guide to Getting Around the Philippines .

You can also find out more info on getting to and from El Nido in my Port Barton post. 

Where to Stay in El Nido

Finding a place to stay in El Nido has its ups and downs depending on what your budget.

For budget backpackers , there are lots of stylish, hip places to stay like Happiness Hostel. Unfortunately, they’re rather noisy—loud music until late at night making it hard to sleep.

If you’re a mid-range traveler , you’ll have a hard time finding a decent place that’s clean, comfortable, and not too noisy. You might want to try private rooms in hostels . They are usually around US$50/night .

However, if you can afford some luxury , you’ll find loads of unique choices.

There are 4 areas to stay in around El Nido:

• El Nido town – Noisy but convenient and has decent choices for all budgets. Lots of restaurants.
• Nacpan Beach   – Quiet with a nice beach but far from the restaurants and nightlife of El Nido. Amazing luxury hotels but horrible budget and mid-range hotels.
• Las Cabanas – Great sunsets but not many choices on places to stay
• Corong Corong – Sunsets are great but the beach isn’t great for swimming. However, lots of choices of places to stay.

I stayed at a few places in El Nido. However, if I ever returned to El Nido, I’d stay at Nacpan Beach .

Best Places to Stay in El Nido Town

El Nido town is a convenient but VERY noisy place to stay. Expect lots of partying. Try to get as far from the main strip (a block from the beach) as possible if you want some quiet.

You will find some very good places to stay here for those on a budget and those looking for a place under US$100. 

This is the BEST area for food . You’ll find lots of great restaurants. 

Unfortunately, the beach isn’t great. You wouldn’t want to swim in the water

Happiness Hostel ($)  I stayed here. The hostel has a friendly staff, clean rooms, comfy pod beds, but it gets noisy until midnight. The common area is small and at night it turns into a party. There’s no WiFi in the rooms because management says people watch Netflix and keep others awake. I probably wouldn’t stay here again. ( Agoda | Booking.com )

Spin Designer Hostel ($-$$) – Highly rated boutique hostel with dorms and private rooms. Great location that’s far enough away from the loud music and partying. RATING : 9.0/10 | CHECK RATES & BOOK YOUR STAY: Hostel World | Booking.com | Agoda

Chislyk Inn ($$) – AMAZING views and an AMAZING location! RATING: 9.1/10 | CHECK RATES & BOOK YOUR STAY: Booking.com | Agoda

H Hotel El Nido ($$$) – This fabulous hotel is in a prime location with prime views of Bacuit Bay. RATING: 9.2/10 | CHECK RATES & BOOK YOUR STAY: Booking.com | Agoda

Places to Stay on Nacpan Beach

I loved the secluded Nacpan Beach. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer many good places to stay if you’re looking for a quiet place under US$100. Now for those who can afford some luxury, you’ve got several hotels right on the beach to choose from.

Nacpan Beach Villas ($$$) – I love the location of this beautiful hotel—right on Nacpan Beach! Charming bungalows with outdoor terraces. Rating: 9.6/10 | Check Rates & Book Your Stay: Booking.com | Agoda

Nacpan Beach Glamping ($$$) – Great location and a FUN place to stay! Rating: 8.6/10 | Check Rates  & Book Your Stay: Booking.com | Agoda

Places to Stay at Las Cabanas Beach

Las Cabanas is a nice beach, but it has many good places to stay. There’s a hostel called Lexias Hostel and Workspace , but reviews are pretty bad.

Seaview Villas ($$$) – Beautiful views; located in the mountains with beautiful views of the ocean; there’s a swimming pool. Rating: 9.0/10 | Check Rates & Book Your Stay: Booking.com | Agoda

Places to Stay on Corong Corong Beach

When I was in El Nido, Corong Corong was the place you stayed at for cheap accommodations. However, recently it’s increased in popularity since the Pandemic. The beach isn’t one that you can swim in but there are some nice views and FABULOUS sunsets. To get to El Nido town, you’ll need to take a tuk-tuk.

Outpost Beach Hostel ($) – It’s a party hostel, but the views and sunsets are so STUNNING that I’d consider staying here. Rating: 8.9/10 | Check rates & book your stay: Hostel World | Booking.com | Agoda

Corong Beach Resort ($$) – A RARE gem for those looking for rooms right on the beach for less than US$100! Comfortable and clean! Rating: 9.3/10 | Check rates & book your stay: Booking.com | Agoda

Buko Beach Resort ($$$) – BEAUTIFUL location AND BEAUTIFUL views! Hotel has a pool. Rating: 9.2/10 | Check rates & book your stay: Booking.com | Agoda

PRO TIP: No one likes to think about insurance, but accidents do happen. I highly recommend getting travel insurance. During my travels over the past 2 years, I've been using SafetyWing for my insurance. They're very affordable for all ages, and digital nomads can use their insurance long-term.

Where to Eat in El Nido

El Nido has some good restaurants for western and vegetarian food. Expect to spend at least 350 pesos per dish (US$7), which is more expensive than other destinations in the Philippines (250 pesos (US$6). I wasn’t able to find very good Filipino food, though. I ate at two places and although the food is cheaper (150 pesos

If you want to get drinks, El Nido has lots of Happy Hour deals at two for one drinks (200 – 250 pesos). Rum and cokes are especially cheap at around 60 pesos.

Here are the restaurants I tried while in El Nido. I recommend getting the pork tacos at the Hub (look for Frendz Hostel).

• Happiness Café – vegetarian restaurant – excellent food, but very pricey; try the falafel sandwich; their breakfasts are fun
• Art Café – Italian (pizza, pasta) – this restaurant is expensive, the menu is uninspiring, the service is unfriendly , and the food is just not good; the ONLY reason you should go here is for their fast WiFi. They have THE best WiFi in El Nido
• taste – Vegan restaurant – I went here for breakfast – I had the muesli and it’s just about THE best muesli I’ve ever had in my life – expect to pay at least 300 to 400; it’s pricey and their WiFi is unreliable
• Tuk Tuk Thai – thai food of course – not good food at all; skip this place; expect to pay at least 350 for a dish
• Chicken Schwarma place – I don’t remember the name of the place; it’s on Serena Street; the food is good; it’s food to go
• Angel Wish – I didn’t eat here, but my friend did and raved about the seafood and the price; It was always busy, busy, busy when I walked by
• IBR Restaurant – Filipino food – My first and last taste of sisig; not good but price was decent
• Silog Republic – when you’re walking by this place, the barbecue chicken looks good and the price is decent, but the food isn’t inspiring

When to Visit El Nido

End of November – Beginning of March – It’s the coolest time temperature-wise; you might experience occasional rain showers and rough seas at times while other times things will be dry and calm; I was there at the end of January and it was hot in the morning and early afternoon and then it sometimes got cool and windy in the late afternoon, making swimming in the ocean uncomfortable; you’ll see lots of Europeans tourists

End of March – May: the driest season; Filipinos like to come here at this time; the weather is hot but the sea is calmer and you don’t have to worry about monsoon rains

June – Beginning of November: monsoon season; prices drop and seas become rougher and there are frequent rain showers

Final Thoughts on El Nido Itinerary

El Nido is a fascinating destination. You’ll have so many one-of-a-kind experiences—remote islands, colorful tropical fish, secret lagoons, and hidden beaches. I am sure you will have an adventure of a lifetime.

For a quick jump back to different parts of this Eli Nido Itinerary:

Feel free to leave your questions here or tell me about your own experiences in El Nido!

Best Resources for Planning Your Trip to the Philippines

Book your flight to the philippines.

Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights to the Philippines. They will turn up results for all airlines including major ones and local airlines. You’re going to find EVERYTHING that’s available and thus get the cheapest price.

Book Your Accommodations for the Philippines:

The best hotel booking sites for the Philippines are Agoda and Booking.com . Both sites have the biggest selection, and they consistently churn out hotels and hostels at the lowest prices of any other booking site. Another website for backpackers and budget travelers is Hostel World .

Book Your Tours for the Philippines:

The three best tour booking sites for the Philippines are Viator and Get Your Guide . Viator has the biggest selection. Get Your Guide has terrific customer service. They will help you if you have trouble with your tour, especially if the tour company cancels your tour or doesn’t show up. I also like using Klook for booking tours in Southeast Asia.

Buy Your Ferry and Shuttle Tickets for the Philippines

Check ferry and shuttle schedules and buy your tickets on 12Go . It saves you from having to trek all the way to the ferry terminal or bus station to buy your ticket.

Stay Connected When in the Philippines:

To have access to the internet while you’re out and about in the Philippines, get a physical SIM card or an eSIM. I was very happy with the eSIM that I used from Airalo , so I can highly recommend them. Their instructions weren’t the most user-friendly, but the eSIM worked as well as any physical SIM card I used.

Are you on Pinterest?

Hey! How about saving one of these pins to Pinterest to read for later?

And feel free to follow me on Pinterest, where you'll find lots of travel articles for everywhere around the world.

More Travel Guides for the Philippines:

• Learn how to take public transportation and a Grab and taxi around Manila -  First-Timers Guide to Getting Around Manila
• Manila Itinerary: 2 Days Exploring the Culture and History of Manila  - In this guide, you'll get a detailed step-by-step itinerary for seeing the sights in Manila.
• Port Barton Itinerary: What to do for 3 Days in Port Barton  - Find out how to discover the most beautiful beach in the Philippines.
• One of my favorite experiences in the Philippines was an island-hopping tour of Sibaltan. Get the details here:  Sibaltan Tour: Finding Your Secret Paradise in Palawan, Philippines
• El Nido Itinerary: An Adventure of a Lifetime - Learn where to go, what to eat, where to see, and of course, what to do in El Nido.
• Bohol Travel Guide: Exploring the Natural Wonder of the Philippines will tell you exactly what to see and do in Bohol, how to get there, where to stay, and much, much more!
• Siquijor Itinerary: Exploring the Island of Fire will give you the skinny on everything you need to know to travel to Siquijor.
• Malapascua Itinerary: Plan Now! Go Later! will help you plan your trip to Malapascua and Kalanggaman Islands.
• Find out what my 15 favorite places to visit in the Philippines are.
• Solo Travel Guide for the Philippines will give you some pointers on how to best travel solo in the Philippines cheaply and safely and still have a kick-ass time!

What a comprehensive guide to a beautiful part of the world! I look forward to visiting some day, to take in the stunning sights and experience the culture.

El Nido looks beautiful! Would love to visit!

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Submit Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

What are you looking for?

About the bamboo traveler.

Welcome to The Bamboo Traveler, a travel blog dedicated to helping those travelers who want to dig deeply into the history, heritage, and culture of a place. Whether it’s through the pages of your passport or the pages of a book, I’ll help you travel the world and uncover the history, culture, food, architecture, and natural beauty of some of the world’s most fascinating places.

Follow the Bamboo Traveler

Traveling to Japan soon?

Get all my great travel tips as well as this FREE Japan travel and itinerary guide sent to your email right away!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Recent posts.

• Japan Itinerary: The Perfect 3 Weeks in Japan
• En Vía Oaxaca Tour Review: Is It Worth It?
• Valladolid Travel Guide: The Sultana of the East
• 24 BEST Things to Do in Merida for Culture, Food & History Nerds
• 30 Books on Colombia That’ll Give You Serious Wanderlust
• 36 Books on Japan That’ll Spark Your Wanderlust
• Manila Itinerary 2 Days: Culture, History & Food
• Port Barton Itinerary: 3 Days in Paradise
• Philippines Itinerary: Island Hopping in Paradise

Get Your FREE Japan Itinerary Guide Here!

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive the latest travel tips for Asia and get a free 4-page PDF version of my 3-Week Japan Itinerary.

Pin It on Pinterest

The Best El Nido Itinerary: 3 Days in El Nido

Are you planning a 3 Day El Nido itinerary? Here’s our in-depth travel guide to help you plan your trip to one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines! With gorgeous white sand beaches, tall palm trees, many lagoons and incredible underwater life.

El Nido is a must-visit if you’re exploring Palawan, Philippines. With 3 days in El Nido, you can discover the best things to do in El Nido and around the area with multiple island hopping tours! Let’s find out what to do in El Nido!

El Nido has become very popular over the last few years – and there’s a reason why! It’s a tropical paradise with beautiful rock and limestone formations surrounding the area! From El Nido town many boats offer island hopping tours to some of the most beautiful locations with beaches, lagoons and snorkelling opportunities.

This is definitely a spot to add to your Philippines itinerary and here’s all the information you need to know before your visit to El Nido.

This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you .

Quick Tips for an El Nido Itinerary

Table of Contents (Skip to a section!)

• Currency  – Philippine Peso  (compare to your own currency  here )
• Language  – Tagalog & English
• Cuisine  – Filipino Cuisine  (seafood, rice, bbq & curries)
• Paying  – Most places only take cash!
• Wifi – It’s getting better, but not it’s not super fast in El Nido
• Philippines Power Voltage  – Plugs C & F (220 V)
• Visa  – Free 30 Day Visa for UK Citizens ( more info here! )

Here’s a quick list of things you can check or book before your trip!

• Check for any public holidays in the Philippines ( check here! )
• Book your flights ( check prices here! )
• Book your accommodation ( book here for hotels  &  here for hostels !)
• Planning the rest of your trip? Here’s our 3 Week Philippines Route & Itinerary !
• Also take a look at our The Best Coron Itinerary: 3 Days in Coron, Philippines !

3 Day El Nido Itinerary

Here’s our recommended 3 day El Nido itinerary, as we were on a budget and also visiting Coron we only managed to do one island hopping tour in El Nido. Although on this itinerary, it’s totally possible to squeeze Day 1 & 3 together to make an extra day for island hopping! We have more helpful tips in this travel guide after this El Nido itinerary.

Day 1 – El Nido town & Sunset at the beach

Once you arrive in El Nido, head to your accommodation to check in or drop your bags off. If you’re hungry, grab some food in El Nido town – we recommend Seed Dreams near the beach. If you haven’t already booked a tour, today is the day to find one ready for Day 2!

Chill and watch the sunset at Las Cabañas Beach

The best way to start your 3 day El Nido itinerary is by visiting Las Cabañas Beach! It’s our favourite beach in El Nido and it’s one of the best places to watch the sunset! We fell in love with the sunset colours on the ocean and the palm trees and chilled here for a few hours. There’s many restaurants and bars along the beach, so there are plenty of choices if you want food or a drink!

It’s easy to get to the beach by scooter or tricycle to the Mcdonalds  south of El Nido town. From there it’s a short walk past a few shops down to the beach. Here’s the location of Las Cabañas Beach !

After watching the sunset at Las Cabañas Beach , either head back to the accommodation you’re staying at or make your way to El Nido town and browse around all the shops, and markets and grab some dinner if you haven’t already!

Day 2 – Go on an Island Hopping Tour

Day 2 of your El Nido itinerary is all about exploring the beautiful islands in the area. Bring your hat, snorkel, and reef-friendly sunscreen and head to El Nido beach to find your boat (pick-up is also available with some companies).

Island Hopping Tours

El Nido is one of the most popular places in the Philippines to go island hopping and it’s not hard to see why! At first, we were a little overwhelmed by the number of tours available but after talking to companies in El Nido and our own research – it now makes a lot more sense.

There are many spots to visit and it’s impossible to visit everything in a day, so there are specific island hopping routes named Tour A, B, C, and D, plus other mixed routes or private boats.

Where does each Island Hopping Tour in El Nido visit?

El Nido Tour A  – Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island & 7 Commando Beach

El Nido Tour B  – Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Entalula Beach, Cudugnon Cave & a Snorkeling Spot

El Nido Tour C  – Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Talisay Beach & Hidden Beach

El Nido Tour D  – Ipil Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise & Pasandigan Beach, Natmat Beach & Bukal Beach

Ultimately Tour A and C are the most popular tours with B and D being quieter.

How to book an Island Hopping Tour in El Nido?

You can book an island hopping tour with any company around the town or at your accommodation. The price will be around 1,400 pesos per person and most companies will charge around this price or more. We booked ours online but ended up getting put on any boat that had free space, but it was an amazing day overall!

You can book your island-hopping tour online here !

Tour A – Island Hopping Tour

We chose tour A ( the most popular one ) and had a great time! The weather wasn’t completely in our favour, and it rained on and off throughout the day. Our boat had some awesome people onboard which always makes an experience better.

For us, the highlight of Tour A is kayaking around one of three beautiful lagoons around Miniloc Island. The colour of the water in the ocean around El Nido is incredible and everything you’d want from an island hopping tour during your 3 day El Nido itinerary!

Lunch is included with all tours, and if you’re vegan or vegetarian (or any dietary preference), make sure you tell them in advance as they start preparing the food at the beginning of the day and bring ingredients onto the boat.

There are options to buy drinks at some spots throughout the day, especially from locals on small boats with coconuts, beer and ice creams!

Recap – Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island & 7 Commando Beach

The island hopping tours usually end between 4:30pm and 6 pm at El Nido beach! After a pretty busy day exploring the water and the sun, you may want to head back to your accommodation and change before grabbing dinner! We’ve mentioned it before, but we do recommend Seed Dreams for food!

Have a look at our 3 Day Coron Itinerary: 3 Days in Coron, Philippines !

Day 3 – Explore the island: Waterfalls & Beaches

On day 3 of your El Nido itinerary, it’s time to explore the beautiful beaches and waterfalls on the mainland! The best way to do this is by renting a scooter! It is possible by tuk-tuk but it can be quite expensive with extra stops. If you don’t want to rent a scooter, we suggest only visiting Napcan Beach and Lio Beach.

We rented a scooter from  Bella’s Motorbike Rental for 500 PHP in the morning and visited the following spots on this 3 day El Nido itinerary:

Bulalacao Waterfalls

The first stop of the day is Bulalacao Waterfalls! It will take around 25 minutes to get to Bulalacao Waterfalls from El Nido beach. Once you arrive it’s a short 20-minute walk through the jungle to reach the falls and you’ll be rewarded with a dip at the end! The waterfall isn’t super impressive but it’s lovely if you prefer fresh water to the sea. There’s also a small entry fee and here’s the location !

Nacpan Beach

If you’re only going to visit one stop of the day, make sure it’s Napcan Beach. You can spend all day at this beautiful long stretch of beach whether you rent a sun lounger or put a beach towel under the shade of a palm tree. Here’s the location !

There’s quite a few restaurants to choose from local Filipino food to more luxurious resort food. You will also find vendors selling coconuts – and that’s the perfect drink to have at the beach.

Whilst you’re exploring Napcan Beach, check out Twin Beach which is on the far left side of Napcan Beach. You can admire a small strip of the island with the ocean on both sides!

It takes another 25 minutes to get to Napcan Beach from Bulalacao Waterfalls and the roads are okay if the weather is dry.

After soaking up the sun and waves at Napcan Beach it’s time to head back to El Nido town area with one final stop on the way – Lio Beach ! Here’s the location !

Lio Beach is a beautiful big stretch of beach lined with wonderful tall palm trees. We didn’t realise it at first, but the area is pretty developed. There’s many shops and restaurants but it feels like a mall complex – it’s a very cool area and it’s actually right next to El Nido Lio Airport .

We watched a few planes come in and take off which we honestly never get to do. There’s a pier to walk down and you can explore the area until sunset on your 3 days in El Nido.

After an awesome 3 days in El Nido, you’ve come to the end of your El Nido itinerary. We have a few more things to do in El Nido if you’re interested in adding to this itinerary! Carry on reading to find out where to stay, our restaurant recommendations and general tips on visiting El Nido.

More things to do in El Nido

• Challenge yourself with a climb up Taraw Cliff
• Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls – After a 45-minute hike through the jungle lies a double waterfall! It’s around 270 PHP per person with a guide and you can get a dip in the falls!
• Dagmay Beach – Continue driving from Napcan for a quieter beach.
• Cervantes Viewdeck – An awesome viewpoint with a bumpy drive.

We’re not going to lie, the Taraw Cliff hike is pretty intense but very rewarding with views of El Nido and the surrounding islands. If you’re up for a challenge on your El Nido itinerary, late afternoon is the best time to do this hike.

It takes around 30 minutes to reach the top but there’s no actual path . It’s pretty much climbing up rocks and definitely not a hike to do in sandals. The rocks are quite sharp and we would only recommend it to hikers who know how to handle these types of trails as it’s quite dangerous .

Where to stay in El Nido

Raje Residence  $ – A great budget-friendly accommodation within walking distance from El Nido.  Find them on Booking.com here !

Frendz El Nido Hostel  $$ – This hostel is by far the best-looking hostel in El Nido (yes it has a pool!) The price is a little higher than other hostels in the Philippines, but it’s totally worth it for a bit of luxury. It also has a great atmosphere and location.  Find them on Hostelworld here !

Where to eat in El Nido

Seed Dreams  $-$$ – Right by El Nido Beach, this is our favourite restaurant in El Nido with friendly owners and great vegan options! ( location ) Taste El Nido  $$ – The place to go if you want a smoothie bowl to start your morning! ( location !) Happiness Beach Bar  $$ – This chill hostel has a big menu serving breakfast, lunch and dinner! ( location !)

How to get around El Nido

El Nido town is easily walkable, however, some guesthouses and hostels are quite far outside of the town centre. There are a few different ways to get around El Nidom so here’s your options for spending 3 days in El Nido.

Renting a scooter – The best way to get around El Nido is by renting a scooter! This will give you the ultimate freedom, as long as you’re comfortable riding one. We rented ours from  Bella’s Motorbike Rental in El Nido town and highly recommend them! Prices are around 500 PHP which is a little higher than other destinations in the Philippines, but that’s the going price for El Nido.

Tricycles (Tuk-Tuks) – Tricycles are everywhere in El Nido town and many guesthouses will be able to sort out transport for you during your 3 day El Nido itinerary.

Tours – If you book an Island Hopping Tour, the company may sort out a pickup for you to get to El Nido beach.

How to get to El Nido

There are a few ways to get to El Nido from different locations around the Philippines using ferry, minivan or flying! Here are a few options for you:

Book your transport online & check your options here ! Also here’s the link for Skyscanner for flights.

Flying to El Nido – El Nido has an airport connecting to popular destinations such as Manila and Cebu. Flying usually takes around 1-2 hours and many guesthouses in El Nido can arrange pick-up or drop-off. The airport is actually next to Lio Beach and the local airline is Air Swift.

How to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa – A more budget-friendly option (if you have time) is to fly into Puerto Princesa in Palawan and catch a 4-5 hour bus or minivan to El Nido. ( the last bus to El Nido leaves at 6 pm ) This is a great plan if you want to explore Puerto Princesa before your 3 day El Nido itinerary.

How to get to El Nido from Port Barton – It takes 4.5 hours by minivan to get from Port Barton to El Nido and there is a slightly cheaper option using local buses (Port Barton to Roxas and then Roxas to El Nido).

How to get to El Nido from Coron –

Ferry from Coron to El Nido – The ferry takes around 6 hours using Montenegro Shipping Lines The price is currently 2,640 pesos (and keeps increasing each year). These ferries don’t run daily but this may have changed, so double-check on Montenegro’s Facebook !

Flying from Coron to El Nido – In 2024, it may be the same price to fly from Coron to El Nido as the ferry companies have increased the price so much! Check Skyscanner in advance to see if you can book a flight for cheaper than 2,640 pesos (£38).

3 or 5 day Island Hopping from Coron to El Nido – Another way to get to El Nido is on a remote island hopping tour where you sleep on different islands along the way with a fun crowd of people! Tao Expeditions are the most popular tour company, although there are others. Find out more here!

Best time to visit El Nido, Palawan

The best time to visit El Nido is between January to April when the weather is dry and sunny! As the Philippines has a tropical climate, it’s not guaranteed it won’t rain at any moment – but the rainy season is from June to October which usually isn’t a great time for island hopping in El Nido.

Typhoons can also happen in the Philippines, so if you’re travelling during the rainy season – check the weather here – and be prepared for crazy stormy weather.

What to pack for 3 days in El Nido

El Nido has a tropical climate all year round, so you’ll want to pack clothes for hot weather and also a swimming costume! A hat, sunglasses and reef-friendly sunscreen are also recommended to keep safe!

On island hopping tours you can rent a snorkel and aqua shoes, but it’s also great if you have your own throughout the Philippines. Find them here – Aqua shoes and snorkel gear. Here are a few other travel essentials:

• International Worldwide Travel Adaptor  – The ultimate plug for travelling to multiple countries!
• Amazon Basics Packing Cubes  – The best way to pack a bag or suitcase.
• Stainless Steel Water Bottle  – These bottles are our favourite travel product!
• Sawyer Mini Water Filter  – Filter your own drinking water!
• Waterproof Bag 20L with Waterproof Phone Case  – Keep your things safe when island hopping!
• Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit  –  The best small lightweight tripod! We use a  Joby GorillaPod  with our  Sony A6000  and would highly recommend it!
• Mosquito spray  – if you’re prone to mosquito bites, this is one of the best sprays!

Environment & Sustainability

It’s important to make sure we’re looking after our planet when travelling and every country around the world is different. Countries such as the Philippines do not have clean water from the tap which means a lot of visitors buy plastic bottles.

To avoid buying plastic water bottles we highly suggest bringing your own reusable water bottle . All over the country, there are refillable water stations in guesthouses, restaurants and sometimes in transport areas. We didn’t need to buy a plastic water bottle once – which is amazing!!

Another gadget we carry around with us is our Sawyer Mini Water Filter – a straw that filters unsafe water and makes it 100% drinkable. We’ve used it throughout many countries in Southeast Asia and haven’t fallen ill.

Another way to look after the environment during your 3 days in El Nido – is to take your litter with you, don’t collect shells or rocks from the beaches, avoid plastic bags, and purchase durable long-lasting clothing. El Nido does actually have a ban on single-use plastic (apart from bottles) so the community will really appreciate your efforts!

Check out our Eco-Friendly Travel Products Guide !

Prices in El Nido

The prices of accommodation in El Nido are slightly higher than in other places in the Philippines as the most popular thing to do is island hopping – it means you’ll be spending a bit more money! Here’s an example of prices you can expect to pay during your El Nido itinerary:

• Accommodation  –  800 – 1000 pesos
• Restaurants  –  130 – 260 pesos
• Island Hopping Tour  –  around 1640 pesos
• Scuba Diving (per dive)  –  1600 pesos
• Ferry to Coron  –  2,640 pesos
• Scooter Rentals  –  350 – 500 peso s

Don’t forget about Travel Insurance! –  SafetyWing  Nomad Insurance

SafetyWing  is a totally flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your El Nido itinerary and anywhere else in the world.  Find out more here!

Is El Nido worth visiting?

Yes! The area of El Nido is definitely worth a visit if you’re exploring the Philippines. We have to admit, the town is still developing and all the best things to do are outside of El Nido town – but the island hopping tours and beaches are absolutely beautiful. If you’re trying to decide between 3 days in El Nido or 3 days in Coron, we’d suggest El Nido overall but Coron if you’re a diver!

More  Philippines  guides:

• The Best Coron Itinerary: 3 Days in Coron, Philippines
• Moalboal Itinerary: The Best Things To Do (2024)
• 3 Week Philippines Route & Itinerary: Where to visit in 2024
• The Best 2 Days in Manila: Things to do & Itinerary (2024)
• The Best Bohol Itinerary: 3 Days in Bohol, Philippines
• Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls: 2024 (After Typhoon Odette!)
• The Best 3 Days in Siquijor Itinerary – Philippines (2024)
• All our  Philippines posts !

That’s the end of our  The Best El Nido Itinerary: 3 Days in El Nido!  Have the best time in El Nido and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!

LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT FOR LATER & SHARE IT WITH OTHERS!

Amy & Dan are the founders of The Sunrise Dreamers. They are travellers from the UK who have been on the road since 2017 whilst living in places like England, Canada, Thailand and the Canary Islands. They share their knowledge of travelling the world with detailed travel guides and tips. They're experts in vegan travel and show their audience how to travel on a budget.

Similar Posts

Ultimate 3 week Sri Lanka Itinerary: 2024 Guide

Planning 3 weeks in Sri Lanka? You’re in the right place! Sri Lanka is an amazing country to explore with…

3 Day Koh Tao Itinerary: Best Things To Do (2024)

Looking for a 3 day Koh Tao itinerary? Here’s our in-depth travel guide on the best things to do in…

The Best Ipoh Itinerary: 2 Days in Ipoh (2024)

The charming city of Ipoh, Malaysia is full of street art, street food and incredible nature. In this 2 day…

The Best 3 Days in Siquijor Itinerary – Philippines (2024)

Planning a 3 day Siquijor itinerary? This guide is for you! Siquijor is a magical island in the Philippines with…

The Best 2 Days in Manila Itinerary (2024)

Planning a 2 day Manila itinerary? We’ve got you covered! With 2 days in Manila, you can discover the history,…

What to do in Colombo: 7 Amazing Places to Visit in 2024

Are you wondering what to do in Colombo? Sri Lanka’s busy capital city is filled with beautiful temples, hidden foodie…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

3 Day El Nido Itinerary [2022 Guide + Budget]

December 30, 2018 | Asia by Melissa Hogan | el nido • palawan • Philippines | 1 Comment

El Nido, found on the northernmost tip of mainland Palawan in the Philippines is home to gorgeous islands, white-sand beaches, and lagoons. It’s the jewel in the crown of the island once voted most beautiful in the world. Whether you like snorkeling, boating, or beach bumming, this little town will make the perfect homebase during your visit.

Traveling to El Nido for the first time? This detailed El Nido itinerary and travel guide will make it easy for you to plan a trip, save money, and maximize your time.

Table of Contents

How to Get to El Nido

Day 1 – island hopping, nagkalit-kalit waterfall, nacpan beach, makinit hot springs, mangrove ecopark and las cabanas beach, 3 day el nido budget, book your trip to philippines, don't miss: philippines activities, related posts.

If you’re visiting internationally, you’ll most likely land in Manila. My suggestion: don’t linger longer than you need to – just use Manila as a travel hub. I recommend staying at Go Hotels Airport Road if you need an overnight stay. It’s affordable, new, and clean. They’ll call you an Uber to get you back to the airport the next day.

You can fly directly into El Nido from Manila in about an hour on daily flights operated by AirSWIFT . This is the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to get to El Nido from Manila, which of course means it’s also the most expensive. Once you land, a 15 minute tricycle ride will get you and your luggage into the town center.

If you want to save some money and have the time, you can instead fly into Puerto Princesa further south in Palawan and then take a bus or shuttle van to El Nido. The flight itself is about 90 minutes and there are multiple daily flights operated by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia. The bus/shuttle ride north typically takes about 6 hours so you’ll need to set aside a whole day for the journey from Manila. This is the cheapest, and also most popular, way to get to El Nido.

Now that you’re there, how will you spend your time?

One thing I learned in El Nido is that you need to be flexible with your plans. When an activity involves water, it may get cancelled. If you have the time, set aside two days for island hopping. It’s what El Nido is famous for and for good reason. The beaches are filled with white sugar sand and turquoise water, the snorkeling is superb, and the cliffs are astounding. If you only do one thing in El Nido, make it an island hopping day trip.

There are four tour routes around the islands and every tour operator has the same options at the same price: Tours A-D with A and C being the most popular. In fact, you’ll have a hard time even trying to book Tour B or D. You can book in advance online, through your hotel, or through offices in town but you won’t know for sure which tours are going ahead until the morning of. The coast guard makes the decision each morning on which, if any, routes are good to go because of sea conditions. Given this, you’ll need to be flexible with your schedule. Have a backup plan if tours get cancelled – motorbike rentals go quick on those days.

No matter which island hopping tour you pick, you’ll be back in town before sunset. Head back to your hotel and clean off the day’s sweat, salt water, and sunscreen before heading out to watch the sunset and grab some dinner:  Altrove  for pizza, Artcafe for light fare, or Maa’s Grill for Filipino food.

Day 2 – Hike, Waterfall, Beach

For a change of pace, spend your next day exploring by land. You can either book a tour, hire a tricycle driver, or rent a motorbike and drive yourself but no visit to El Nido is complete without a trip to Nacpan Beach. I recommend driving yourself as it’s faster and cheaper but if you’d rather, you can find someone to drive you out, wait, and drive you back.

Start your morning off with an early hike up Taraw Peak right in El Nido town. It’s a strenuous, steep, hour long climb up a karst formation but you’ll be rewarded with an amazing view of El Nido . You can ask around and hire a local to act as a guide for about P1000. This can be a potentially dangerous climb so use your best discretion. If you’d rather skip, just sleep in a little and have a nice leisurely breakfast.

About 30 minutes north of El Nido make your first stop at the Nagkalit-kalit Waterfall . It’s a 45-min hike through the jungle to get to the waterfall but the path is well trod so it’s a relatively easy walk. The trail is well marked and fairly easy to follow but I’d still recommend hiring a local guide since there’s one fork where you could get lost and they’ll watch your things while you swim. I also recommend wearing a pair of water shoes since you’ll make eight stream crossings in each direction. Swimming in the cool water at the base of the falls is your reward at the end of the trail. There are no facilities there’s so you’ll likely make the hike back in your wet swimsuit. It’ll help keep you cool.

After the waterfall, it’s onwards to the beach! It takes about another 30 minutes to get there and most of the way is over dirt road which can get pretty slow and bumpy in a tricycle. You’ll pay a 100 peso entrance fee but it’s worth it to get to enjoy the 4km long white beach. Nacpan Beach has been called the most beautiful beach in the world and I can’t really argue. White sand and warm water as far as you can see. If the path is open (it was closed due to legal action when I visited in 2017), head to Calitang Beach in the west end to catch a view of the twin beaches.

Be sure to leave in time to get back to town before sunset. After dinner, take a walk along the beach and stop for a drink in one of the nightlight spots like SAVA , Pukka Bar , or Happiness Beach Bar (they have swings!). Or maybe chill out in my favourite spot, Rooftop , an open air bar where you can choose to hang out on bar stools, pillow filled couches, or lounge on big floor pillows. As with many places in El Nido, you take your shoes off at the door.

Day 3 – Explore by Motorbike

On your third day in El Nido you may want to take another island hopping tour. But if you want to do something a bit off the beaten path, you can rent a motorbike and explore the region . A standard bike rental goes for 500 pesos/day while an automatic scooter-style will set you back 750. I took my bike for a loop around the northern part of El Nido, which seemed to confuse the locals. Instead of taking the turnoff to Nacpan continue on the Taytay-El Nido National Highway, but don’t be fooled… this ain’t no highway. The paved road ends at the turnoff so you’ll be riding on a dirt road until you hit New Ibajay about 12km later. There’s a shop or two along the way if you want some light snacks.

Stop in Sibaltan for lunch and check out the kite surfers if the weather is right. Walk the beach and explore the quiet little village. It may be complete now but I found the paved road would come and go throughout the day so be prepared for a potentially bumpy, dusty ride.

Next, stop at Duli Beach and hang out with the surfers. It’s a 2km long sandy beach and you’ll likely have it mostly to yourself. You’ll need to pay a P50 entrance fee and park your bike a short walk from the beach. It’s a veritable oasis compared to the crowds at Nacpan Beach.

On the way back south to El Nido town, stop at the Makinit Hot Springs, if you can find it. You’ll need to pay close attention to the spot on Google Maps as there’s no sign and the family who act as guides will need to be home for you to visit so it’s a bit of a crap shoot.

If you have time, stop at the Mangrove Ecopark south of El Nido town and take a walk on the elevated walkways through a stand of mangroves. You might even spot some snakes, monkeys, or monitor lizards. This isn’t a well-known spot so you’ll likely have it to yourself. Finish up your day with sunset at Las Cabanas beach.

Three Day Total: P5260-P6460 + accommodations

*The cost of meals varies depending on whether you have Filipino food or Western food and where you eat. I found that meals tended to range in price from a little under P200 to P350 or more for a Western meal. You may save money by getting a hotel or guesthouse that includes breakfast. Beer was around P70 in a restaurant/bar and typically P45 in stores.

*Eco Tourism Development Fee – This is P200 fee is required for all tourists visiting El Nido. It is paid once per person, valid for all tours for a 10 day period. If you’ve already paid the fee, take the receipt with you.

Tips for Visiting El Nido

• Keep a spare power bank charged. Power outages are not uncommon.
• Pack a dry bag – you’ll want to keep your things in it for island hopping trips.
• Bring water shoes.
• Most places only take cash but there are two ATMs in town where you can withdraw money: RCBC ATM and BPI Branch ATM

Book Your Flight

Find a cheap flight by using Expedia . It's one of my favourite search engines because it allows you to search for and compare flights from multiple airlines.

Book Your Accommodations

You can book your hotel with Booking.com as they have the most comprehensive inventory so they are best for booking a hotel. If you want to stay in a vacation rental or cottage in Philippines, use VRBO to find the perfect place for the whole family.

Book Your Car Rental

If you want to travel on your own timeline, be sure to book your car rental with Discover Cars early.

Book Your Travel Insurance

While Philippines is generally a safe country, you never know when something could happen. Be prepared with travel insurance from SafetyWing . Travel insurance has certainly saved my butt before.

Want more great travel content?

January 4th, 2019 at 10:30 pm ( # )

Thanks for linking to my blog! Love your post and can’t wait for the day I get to go back and enjoy such a beautiful place ?

Leave a Comment

Name (required)

Email (will not be published) (required)

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

Hi, I'm Melissa! I'm a web designer and digital marketer by trade, a newbie gardener, a shoe lover and a travel junkie. The travel bug hit me hard in 2012 and, ever since, I've been attempting to make the most of it while still working 9-5.

I want to inspire you to get out there and see the world, push your own limits and look good while doing it.

Join the Monthly Check-In

Get a regular dose of travel and style tips and tidbits sent straight to your inbox.

About Melissa Hogan

I'm a web designer by trade, a one-time amateur bellydancer, a shoe lover and a travel junkie. The travel bug has only hit me hard in recent years but I'm attempting to make the most of it while still working 9-5.

• Explore Destinations
• Book a Flight
• Book Accommodations
• Book Activities
• Get Travel Insurance
• Find a Packing Guide

All content © 2012-2024 Melissa Hogan

Top 14 El Nido Palawan Activities and Tourist Spots: Stunning Beaches, Islands & Lagoons

1. Chill at Nacpan Beach

2. marvel at the beauty of big lagoon.

• 3. Kayak in Small Lagoon
• 4. Dip in the Secret Lagoon

5. Discover the Hidden Beach

6. find the secret beach, 7. relax at shimizu island.

• 8. Lounge in Seven Commandos Beach

9. See the View from Matinloc Shrine

• 10. Lie on the Sandbar of Snake Island

11. Catch the Sunset at Las Cabanas Beach

12. climb the taraw cliffs, 13. plunge into nagkalit-kalit waterfalls, 14. dive and explore the marine life, experience the beauty of el nido.

Explore one of the best island destinations in the world found in the Philippines' Palawan province, El Nido. Find out why El Nido island hopping tours are a must-do for visitors traveling to the Philippines from different parts of the world.

One of the  top tourist destinations in the Philippines , both for local and international explorers alike, thanks to its undeniable and exotic beauty is El Nido  in Palawan.

This quaint little beach town located in the northernmost part of mainland Palawan has become a top travel destination, with more convenient access to more flights and a wide array of top-rated El Nido resorts  and El Nido hotels  (some of which offer  Philippine luxury vacation packages ), some of the best beach resorts in the Philippines , Philippines honeymoon resorts , and budget El Nido hotels that cater to backpackers, El Nido has opened its doors to wanderers from all walks of life.

• Find El Nido tours and activities you can add to your itinerary
• Read our article how to enjoy El Nido Palawan on a budget
• See destinations for solo travel in the Philippines

Imagine deserted powdery white sand shores with clear and turquoise waters, breathtaking limestone cliffs, secret islands, and dramatic sunsets – truly El Nido should be on every traveler's bucket list because of its unspoiled beaches . 

See our popular El Nido Tours and Activities

Private el nido lio airport transfer to/from any hotel in el nido town palawan, palawan el nido shared island hopping tour a with lunch & transfers | secret lagoon, shimizu island, private puerto princesa airport to or from el nido town transfer service.

El Nido weather is almost always in summer mode, making it a great year-round destination. The main attraction of El Nido are islands, beaches, and lagoons that you can easily travel to when you join El Nido island hopping tours . The most popular is the El Nido island hopping Tour A and El Nido Tour C . You can read our guide on what to expect at El Nido island hopping excursions.

More than the many beautiful islands off its coast, the island also satisfies adventure-seekers and nature lovers by offering exciting  tours in El Nido such as cliff climbing, kayaking, trekking to waterfalls, and lounging on pristine Palawan beaches in the main island.

• Boracay to El Nido Philippine tour packages
• Boracay to Palawan Philippine tour packages
• Puerto Princesa to El Nido tour packages
• Cebu to El Nido Philippine tour packages

Experiencing El Nido is like getting lost in a dream, one that you wouldn’t want to wake up from. Its grandeur and charm will surely let you have a taste of paradise and heaven on earth. Can’t wait to explore El Nido yet? Start preparing your trip with this list of all the El Nido activities and tourist spots that you should not miss when you explore this exquisitely gorgeous tropical destination.

Deserted golden sand, clear blue waters, and a surreal view of the ocean await you at Nacpan Beach. Just the thought of lounging under the sun in this paradise makes you wish for that dreamy escapade. That's why joining an  El Nido land tour to Nacpan Beach  is worth the wait. 

The 45 minutes to 1-hour drive from the El Nido town proper is well worth it once you set foot in this slice of heaven. Read a book, listen to music, or watch the waves kiss the shoreline as you take in the beauty that Nacpan Beach has to offer. Local and foreign tourists rave about the 4-km long Nacpan Beach in El Nido because of the laid-back vibe here. 

Nacpan Beach is part of the Twin Beaches with the adjacent Calitang Beach. You can climb up to the highest point and see the view of the two beaches. If you're trying out Nacpan Beach tours, buy some drinks or snacks in the beach bar as you work on your tan. The sunset in Nacpan Beach is also a must-see, the cherry on top for a perfect tropical getaway in El Nido, Palawan.

• Book a  direct flight to El Nido  for your upcoming Palawan itinerary
• See other Palawan tours you can try
• Check out this  El Nido land tour to Nacpan Beach, Lio Beach & Bulalacao Waterfalls

As you enter through the Big Lagoon, everything is a sight to behold – the crystal-clear blue water, the ray of light peeking through the top of the cliffs, and the luscious limestone formation. It has become famous for being featured in several movies and postcards because of its beauty, as seen from drone shots to kayak views.

See our popular El Nido Island Hopping Tours

Palawan el nido shared island hopping tour c with lunch & transfers | secret beach, hidden beach, palawan el nido shared island hopping tour d with lunch & transfers | cadlao lagoon, paradise beach.

Due to the local government's efforts to keep the pristine condition of El Nido islands and avoid overcrowding, island-hopping boats are not allowed to go inside of the Big Lagoon anymore. The time spent and the number of tourists is also strictly controlled.

• Check out other destinations where you can experience island hopping in the Philippines
• Read our article on Port Barton resorts

Tourists, however, can board kayaks and paddle their way through the shallow entrance that will lead to a giant natural pool with turquoise waters surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.

3. Kayak in Small Lagoon 

Another Miniloc Island destination is the famous Small Lagoon. As the name implies, it is relatively smaller compared to the Big Lagoon, but can't be discounted when it comes to the beauty and charm it exudes.

Unlike the Big Lagoon where the opening can be easily entered, the Small Lagoon has a smaller entrance. You can swim or ride a kayak and go through a crack on a limestone wall to get inside during your El Nido Tour D island hopping .

Once you’re inside, you can take a dip or kayak around the peaceful waters of Small Lagoon and enjoy its calm surroundings with the sound of nature as your default soundtrack. Its serene turquoise waters that make up a natural pool in the middle of cliffs are the perfect spot for floating or kayak rides.

Similar to the policies implemented in Big Lagoon, the number of tourists and time spent in Small Lagoon has limitations as well to keep its enchanting vibe. 

• Boracay to El Nido flights Clark to El Nido flights

4. Dip in the Secret Lagoon 

This unique natural pool in El Nido's Miniloc Island is also known as the Hidden Lagoon. This popular El Nido Big Lagoon has a sweet surprise that awaits you once you enter a small opening on the majestic limestone cliffs. It's usually part of the El Nido island hopping Tour A . 

When getting here, your boat will make its way to a small white sand beach in the southern part of Miniloc Island. You'll pass through a hollow rocky cave-like opening so be extra careful and dock your head. You can easily wade into the opening if it's low tide.

• Check out our  Puerto Princesa to El Nido tour package with Port Barton island-hopping side trip
• Book an  El Nido island-hopping tour on a party boat

Once inside, you'll be greeted by a small natural pool surrounded by remarkably high limestone cliffs –  this is the Secret Lagoon.

You can dip in the natural cold pool and bury your toes in its beautiful white sand. Unlike the Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon, the water here is cooler because of the cliffs that cover it from the sunlight.

However, a Hidden Lagoon tour is done during low tide, the water is only knee-high deep and activities are limited to quick dips or picture taking. But the mysteriousness of the Secret Lagoon is what makes it a worthy destination. 

​ Similar to the Big Lagoon, you will need to board a kayak or swim from your boat to get to this Hidden Beach. The pristine small stretch of white sand beach called the Hidden Beach is usually a part of El Nido Tour C island hopping , referred to as one of the best tours in El Nido aside from Tour A. 

Boats cannot fit in the entrance to go to the Hidden Beach. Since the distance from where the boats dock and the beach itself is quite far; the best way to get inside is by riding a kayak from your boat where you'll pass through towering karst cliffs.

You can choose to swim going to the beach, but I'm telling you, it will take time. At the end of your kayak ride (or long swim), you will see a pristine beach with a stunning view of another opening going to the open sea, framed by two walls of pointy limestone cliffs. Truly a breathtaking view.

The crystal clear water here is more shallow than the Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon and is excellent for a relaxing swim. The white sand of Hidden Beach lined with lush greenery is also the right spot for sunbathing or building sandcastles if you have kids with you.

El Nido isn't done yet with hidden and secret places! A highlight and must-see during an El Nido island hopping Tour C  is the Secret Beach. This hidden enchanting beach in El Nido is said to have been the inspiration behind the novel "The Beach," by Alex Garland. It was then adapted into a film starring Leonardo di Caprio. 

Once your boat arrives, you'll see nothing but a big wall of limestone cliffs with no beach in sight. To see the Secret Beach, you'll need to swim through the hole under the towering cliffs. A sweet surprise in the form of a hidden unspoiled beach awaits you behind the wall that surrounds it.

Be careful when swimming through the hole, especially if the waves are strong. Kayaks cannot go in through the hole, so your only option is to swim. Your tour guide will provide you with life vests and assist you as you make your way inside. But the struggle will be all worth it when you see the immaculate Secret Beach. 

Shimizu Island (also spelled as Simizu Island) is the perfect stop for you to relax in its cool white-sand beach or whip out your snorkeling gears to explore its colorful marine life. In fact, a Shimizu Island tour  will let you lounge on one of the  best beaches in El Nido and a popular lunch stopover as well.​

You can spot here different species of fish in various shapes, colors, and sizes. You can explore the beauty of Shimizu Island underwater by snorkeling or you can relax and lounge by its white sand beach.

The island-hopping tour usually includes lunch at this island stop. You can swim some more or take a nap under the shade of the limestone cliffs as your boatmen and guide clean up and prepare to leave for your next stop.  

8. Lounge in Seven Commandos Beach 

The 320-meter long Seven Commandos Beach is said to have been named after seven soldiers who were stranded here during World War II. You can visit this when you book the  El Nido Tour A island hopping  activity.

Seven Commandos Beach is a postcard-worthy white sand beach lined with coconut trees and a massive wall of limestone cliffs in the background. It's the perfect last stop for tourists to lounge by the sand with a freshly opened coconut in hand. 

The Seven Commandos Beach has a shore wide enough for tourists to play beach volleyball or work on their tan. The beach is also known for its gentle waves; you can relax by the crystal-clear waters after a tiring day of kayaking in the lagoons.

It's also the right spot for snorkeling because of the calm waters and precious marine life. But you can always opt to have a lazy afternoon on its shores and enjoy the tropical island life.  

Unlike the beaches and lagoons of El Nido whose main highlights are their pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. This island-hopping stop in a El Nido island hopping Tour C is a unique one.

The Matinloc Shrine, specifically the Shrine of Our Lady of Matinloc, is an abandoned spiritual oasis that sits on top of Matinloc Island and offers one of the best views of El Nido.

There's also a mini-museum on the island where you can learn about the shrine's history. The story says that a Matinloc devotee had a vision of a dome with 12 pillars and inside was the image of the Virgin Mary.

The shrine was built based on this vision, and once it was complete, they were blessed with a bountiful harvest of fish, thus becoming a holy place for Matinloc devotees. The way to the viewing deck is through the limestone cliff staircase, so make sure to wear your slippers or aqua shoes. Once you reach the top, you can climb further to the jagged cliffs to see a 360° view of the neighboring islands and the blue waters of El Nido. 

10. Lie on the Sandbar of Snake Island 

Snake Island, aptly named because of its s-shape white powdery sandbar that connects a small island to the mainland of El Nido, is a popular attraction included in the  El Nido Tour B island hopping . The sandbar only appears during low tide and is truly a sight to behold. 

Snake Island excursions feature gorgeous sandbar strip, hidden in Bacuit Bay, which is the perfect spot for a romantic stroll as you take in the breathtaking view. Dip your feet in the sand or lounge by its shores as the waves meet from both sides gently crash into you. Not to worry though, there are no snakes in Snake Island. Its other name is Vigan Island. The beauty of Snake Island and its serene vibe make it a must-try when in El Nido. 

See our popular El Nido Snake Island Tours

Palawan el nido shared island hopping tour b with lunch & transfers | snake island, cudognon cave, hassle-free 5-day el nido palawan package at seda lio 5-star hotel with island hopping & snorkeling.

The beach is lined with several bars and restaurants. You can buy drinks and snacks while waiting for the sunset or chill and enjoy the laid-back vibe of this El Nido tourist spot. 

Some of these bars and restaurants also have bean bags or chairs by the beach where you can grab the perfect spot for sunset-watching. Our tip is to find a seat by the far left to get the best view of the sunset. 

If you want a different way to enjoy this beach in El Nido, you can also try the Las Cabanas El Nido zipline where you can be treated to an incredible view. At night, you can also enjoy romantic dinners or chill drinking sessions by the beach here. 

There are two ways to climb the Taraw Cliffs: the regular hike or by a Canopy Walk. But both will require you to face your fear of heights. The regular hike up the Taraw Cliffs will have you ascending its steep and sharp limestone rocks. Doing this hike will require a guide and proper hiking shoes, so you have a better grip. 

An alternative and much safer way to see the view from the Taraw Cliffs is by doing the Canopy Walk. Compared to the regular hike, a El Nido canopy walk tour provides you with safety equipment like helmets and harnesses. There are built-in walkways in the cliffs that you can explore to get the best views. This option is an excellent activity for inexperienced hikers.  

Aside from the islands, beaches, and lagoons of El Nido, you can also dip into the natural pool of Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls. The hike to the waterfalls is an adventure itself, but the cool temperature of the water compensates for the effort of trekking to the place. 

"Nagkalit-kalit" translates to "Nagsaglit" in Tagalog which means "taking a moment." You will surely forget the time as you adore the beauty of the waterfalls and the joy it offers to tourists who stumble upon it.

Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls is located in between El Nido town proper and Nacpan Beach. It’s usually a stop in El Nido inland tours. From the main road, you will have to trek for about 20-45  minutes in the jungle and rivers to reach the waterfalls. Once you arrive at Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls, you can choose from the big or the small falls and plunge into the natural pool for a refreshing swim.  

While Palawan’s  Coron is regarded as a top diving spot, El Nido also offers several underwater adventures for diving enthusiasts. There are over 40 diving spots that you can choose from in El Nido. From coral gardens, tunnels, steep vertical walls, sandy flats, to deep dives, El Nido has them all for you. 

• Cebu to Coron to El Nido tour
• Coron to El Nido tour
• El Nido to San Vicente tour
• El Nido-Cebu-Bohol tour package

Most of the diving spots on the island are around its islands and beaches that are included in  El Nido island-hopping tours . The most popular diving site in El Nido is South Miniloc, where you can find vibrant coral gardens. You might even get the rare chance to spot sea turtles.

See our popular Diving Tours

Bohol panglao beginner-friendly scuba diving tour with equipment, instructor & snacks, bohol panglao fun dive in 2 spots with snacks | danao wall, haka point or alona wreck, exciting 5-day bohol beach club resort intro to diving package with airfare from manila & meals.

Take it from us; El Nido will leave a mark on you. If you think that falling in love at first sight, isn't real, think again because El Nido will cast a spell on you. Its effortless natural beauty, charming tropical island vibe, and breathtaking sceneries along with the warmth of its people will surely find a way to your restless heart. We're sure that El Nido will be on the top of your favorite travel destinations once you explore it for yourself.

• Manila to Puerto Princesa flights
• Cebu to Puerto Princesa flights
• Clark to Puerto Princesa flights

Start planning your island getaway to El Nido and tick it off your travel bucket list. To make your itinerary planning more relaxed and your adventure more convenient, make sure to research  El Nido tours and activities from El Nido island hopping tours to inland activities. Check out glamping resorts in El Nido for a unique experience.

See our popular El Nido Vacation Packages

5-day nature & islands adventure package to puerto princesa and el nido palawan, affordable 4-day el nido palawan package at den'gi inn with island hopping tour & daily breakfast, fun-filled 4-day el nido palawan package at charlie's el nido with island hopping & airfare, popular articles.

Best Palawan Guide: Top Tours, Where to Stay, How to Get Around

20 Most Beautiful Sandbars in the Philippines: White Sand, Longest, Vanishing

11 Best Santorini-Like Resorts in the Philippines: Near Manila, Cebu, Palawan, Vigan

15 Best Tropical Bali-Like Resorts in the Philippines: Near Manila, Siargao, Cebu, Bohol

10 Best Treehouse Resorts in the Philippines for a Scenic Getaway at Mountains, Beaches & Rivers

Other interesting articles.

7D6N Iloilo, Guimaras, Bacolod Itinerary: Tourist Spots & Island Hopping Tours

Top 10 Must-Try Tours & Activities in Siargao

El Nido Tour A Island Hopping Guide: Most Popular Palawan Activity

Download the Philippines’ biggest travel marketplace to your phone to manage your entire trip in one place

Scan this QR code with your phone camera and press the link that appears to add the Philippines’ biggest travel marketplace into your pocket. Enter your phone number or email address to receive an SMS or email with the download link.

Top things to do in the Philippines

Discover all the adventures you can experience in the Philippines

Philippines Tour Packages

Boracay Island

Bohol Island

Cebu Island

Coron Palawan

El Nido Palawan

Siargao Island

Iloilo City and Nearby

The Perfect 4 Day El Nido Itinerary

El Nido is seriously the best. Due to its recent Instagram hype I was a little hesitant on if it was as good as the photos or if they were heavily edited, but it blew me away. The water color, coral reefs, and limestone mountains are stunning. Add to the mix super friendly people and a trendy downtown and you’ve got one of our new favorite destinations.

We sadly only had 4 days in El Nido before continuing on to Coron , but I could have stayed for weeks. Here’s how to make the most out of 4 days in fabulous El Nido.

El Nido Itinerary Day 1

Arrive and head to las cabanas beach.

Try to get an early flight so you can have almost a full first day on El Nido. While you can fly to Puerto Princesa and take a van, we decided to spend a little more for the direct flight to El Nido. We flew Airswift and it was such a great airline experience. They even greeted us with umbrellas on the tarmac so we would have shade while walking to baggage claim! Once we checked into our hotel, Entalula Cottages (simple/rustic rooms but AMAZING views, location, and staff), we decided to hit the beach. Luckily Las Cabanas Beach is a short trike (El Nido’s version of a tuk tuk) ride away.

We were expecting a normal beach experience but Las Cabanas is awesome! The water is so warm and crystal clear and there are adorable little beach clubs lining the sand. Lay on a lounger for free at most spots. All you have to do is buy food or drink. We recommend margaritas and ceviche!

Get a Massage

After relaxing on the beach all day, get a massage! Massages are one of the best parts of Southeast Asia. They are so cheap compared to the US and the quality is awesome! We randomly chose Athalias and loved it so much we came back again two days later. My sister, Becca, joined us for this trip and all three of us swear it is the best massage we’ve had in our entire lives. Plus the ladies that run the shop are so sweet and their little kids are precious! A one-hour massage will cost you around $10 USD.

Eat at the Local Seafood Stalls

Relax at your hotel for a bit and then head to dinner. While El Nido has so many cute restaurants in town we decided to go local on night one and dine at the seafood stalls near the basketball court. This reminded me so much of Los Kioskos in Galapagos . The seafood is definitely fresh and crazy cheap. We spent $7 for 3 people. If you’re squirmy on street food you may want to pass but we enjoyed it!

Sip and Shop

Afterwards, grab a cocktail or local beer, San Miguel, at one of El Nido’s rooftop bars. Be sure to stop by a few boutiqes too for an inexpensive tank top or straw purse souvenir!

El Nido Itinerary Day 2

Ride a motorbike to nac pan beach.

Beach day again! This time rent a motorbike and head to Nac Pan Beach. The journey is a little far at 45 minutes and I don’t recommend it if you are a first time scooter rider. We saw a few crashes and tourists with injuries. (Including one of our own!) The roads at Nac Pan are dirt and difficult to steer on. But don’t let that stop you from going. You can always take a trike or we recommend hiring a guide to drive you on the motorbike so you get the full experience.

Okay, so we thought Las Cabanas beach was gorgeous. Wait until Nac Pan. It is jaw dropping. The huge white sand beach leads to beautiful water and unlike the other beaches there are legit waves! We body surfed and it was so much fun! The beach is lined with beach clubs here too. The chairs have a rental price but we got drinks at a bar and sat on the swing seats. We also stopped by the Mad Monkey since it is the same hostel chain our friend works at in Cambodia . Be sure to eat a seafood lunch with your toes in the sand at one of the little local restaurants.

Good to know: You typically have to pay an entrance fee to Nac Pan but it was free the day we visited plus they were handing out drink coupons!

Dinner and Drinks at Sava

After a full beach day, scoot back to town and freshen up for dinner and drinks at Sava. This restaurant is so trendy and the food was great. It appears to turn up a bit at night with a DJ, but we called it early since we had a full tour day the following morning.

El Nido Itinerary Day 3

Island hopping tour c.

If you’ve done any research on El Nido you know that island hopping is the thing to do and that everyone recommends tour A and C. Well we do too! Although after talking with a local travel agent I’m sure the other tours are equally awesome and even better in the fact that they are less crowded! We booked our tours through our hotel but they all appear to be more or less the same.

You are on a shared boat with some other people and you visit different islands for snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing. It also includes an awesome primarily seafood lunch with fresh fruit. (The best mango I’ve ever had!) They go to the same stops but in different order to avoid crowds, but it definitely still gets crowded sometimes.

Insider Tip: Bring some extra cash for beer and coconuts from the boat man and to rent a kayak on some tours. Secret beach and Helicopter Island were our favorite stops on Tour C!

Tour C Stops:

• Secret beach
• Hidden beach
• Lunch beach
• Helicopter Island

Sunset Happy Hour at Republica

After your tour head to Republica for a great sunset happy hour. This was one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen. The entire sky turned orange and we could see for miles. Get there early to get a good spot for photos! They have good sangria but skip the tapas. You can take a cheap tricycle to Republica so you don’t have to worry about driving.

Dinner and Drinks in Town

After sunset, grab a trike back to town for delicious falafel. Holy Smoke is a street stand but don’t let the simplicity fool you. They have delicious falafel. And in the Philippines, who knew?! Wash it down with a cocktail at The Pangolin and people watch from the second floor.

Island Hopping Tour A

Time for more island hopping! We saved the best for last because Tour A is definitely the all-star of the tours. It used to include both big lagoon and small lagoon, the highlights of El Nido. But they recently changed it so you have to choose one or the other. I wanted big lagoon but it was sold out so we did small lagoon instead. I thought I was going to be disappointed but no way! Small lagoon is awesome and was one of my favorite stops! I’ve heard big lagoon is even better. Try it and let us know. We also loved snorkeling the reef. It is so alive and you can see all kinds of creatures working in symbiosis.

Tour A Stops:

• Small lagoon
• Hidden lagoon
• Papaya beach

Get Another Massage

Yep, time for another massage! This time opt for the aloe vera treatment since you may be sunburnt. It’s $4 extra but so worth it!

After your massage head to Athena Café or Happy Hostel for drinks and appetizers. Both spots are super cute and trendy. End the night with dinner at Art Café or Trattoria Alcove. The latter always has a line but their pizza is great. We ate at their Coron location.

What to Bring to El Nido

You’ll read everywhere that you need a drybag and watershoes in El Nido. We skipped on the watershoes but we did bring our dry bag from home. It was the first time we packed it on our long-term travels and it was a game-changer. It definitely came in handy but you could probably get by without one too. Don’t stress about buying watershoes and drybags beforehand. They literally sell them on every corner in El Nido. But if you want to purchase before you pack, check out these stylish water shoes and backpack style dry bag.

Is El Nido too Touristy?

We had some concerns, but honestly to be so crowded the underwater world looks untouched. Some spots on Tour A were pretty packed and while the orange life vests and non-swimmers being dragged by guides in a chain are unappealing, the natural beauty is unparalleled and absolutely worth the tour. For a less crowded experience, consider taking a private boat. We didn’t know this was an option at the time we booked our tours, but we did do this in Coron and loved it. The price difference isn’t much, especially if you have a group.

This 4 day El Nido itinerary is packed full of fun but as always we recommend taking it slow and enjoying this paradise a little longer. Island hoppng in El Nido is an incredible experience and a must-do on your Southeast Asia travels.

All the Feels for El Nido,

Note: We visited El Nido in March 2019.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .