good tour el nido

Which is the best El Nido Tour? – A, B or C (a Photo Guide)

By: Author MC Miller

Posted on Last updated: September 23, 2020

Categories Philippines , Travel Blog Post

El Nido is a tropical paradise popular for romantic beach getaways in the Philippines and home to 45 stunning islands which can be reached on a boat tour.

Tour companies all over town advertise A, B & C island hopping tours. We had so many questions.

But which El Nido tour is the best? What are the best islands to visit in El Nido?

So we decided to stay in El Nido a little longer to do all the tours available.

Which El Nido Tour? – A, B or C (a Photo Guide)

We categorised the tours into the Iconic Lagoon Tour, the White Sand Beaches & Caves tour and the Snorkelling tour.

Read on to see what each tour has to offer (with lots of photos) so you can decide which tour to do first!

Or, jump straight to a tour here:

• Tour A – Iconic Lagoon Tour
• Tour B – White Sand Beaches & Caves
• Tour C – Snorkelling Tour
• Which El Nido Tour Operator?
• Bonus: Save $20 off any El Nido Hotel

Tour A – The Iconic Lagoons

When you think of El Nido you probably think of the iconic Lagoons – the big lagoon and the small lagoon. If this is what you are interested in, pick Tour A.

If we had time for only one tour in El Nido, this would be it. The landscapes & the lagoons are something unique to El Nido and something that you simply do not see elsewhere.

The tour costs 1200 PHP per person ($22 USD).

Tips for Tour A:

• If you want to hire a go pro, save it for Tour C, there is not a lot of snorkeling on Tour A;
• Hiring/buying reef shoes is a necessity. You can hire a pair for 100 PHP per person on the beach before you depart;
• El Nido is an ocean friendly town so no plastic water bottles are allowed on the boat. Bring a reuseable water bottle for water.

Small Lagoon

The first destination on the El Nido Tour A is the Small Lagoon. An absolutely stunning turquoise lagoon.

Here, you have the choice of swimming into the Lagoon or kayaking (costs 300 PHP per kayak).

We highly recommend hiring a kayak as it would be extremely tiring swimming and you likely would not get to experience the full extent of the small lagoon.

Next stop was Big Lagoon – our favourite spot in El Nido and the most instagrammable place in El Nido in our opinion.

Like Small Lagoon, you have the choice of swimming into the Lagoon or kayaking (costs 300 PHP per kayak).

If you choose to swim you probably won’t have access to some of the best parts of the lagoon.

Secret Lagoon

After exploring the Big Lagoon, we got to visit the Secret Lagoon.

We loved that Tour A is action packed and includes lots of adventure activities such as crawling through a little hole to get to the beach on the other side.

The water at this lagoon was not as spectacular or impressive as the previous spots we had visited but we loved the adventure of accessing the lagoon.

Shimizu Island

After all this activity it is time for lunch on the beautiful Shimizu Island.

If you have a drone, Shimizu Island is the perfect place for a drone shot.

For lunch, we ate a delicious array of food prepared by the Umi Travel crew consisting of grilled fish, pork, prawns, vegetables and fruit. Yummo!

Seven Commando Beach

The final stop on Tour A is Seven Commando Beach.

This beach is a stunning strip of sand dotted with little beach huts to relax in as well as vendors selling various cool beverages for you to enjoy.

It is possible to use your snorkel at seven commando beach.

Tour B – Outstanding Beaches & Caves

If you are staying a little longer in El Nido, we highly recommend taking Tour B with Umi Travel & Tours – the beaches & caves on Tour B are just outstanding!

If you want to witness beautiful beaches, pick Tour B.

The tour costs 1300 PHP per person ($24 USD).

*** Note: Same Tips for Tour A (above) apply to Tour B.

Entalula Island

The first stop of the day was Entalula Island.

They don’t call Tour B ‘The Beach Tour’ for no reason. Entalula Island is the most beautiful beach with crystal clear water and white sand.

There is also super cool large rock formations on this island.

Snorkeling at Popolkan Island

Tour B is not considered ‘The Snorkeling Tour’ however, we did experience some great snorkeling at our next stop – Popolkan Island.

Snorkeling is absolutely fabulous all over the Philippines – the coral is vibrantly coloured and the fish are plentiful.

Snake Island

After a refreshing snorkel, the next stop of the day is Snake Island.

Luckily, snake island is not called snake island due to the snakes that live on the island but due to the snake shaped sandbar that joins one end of the island to the other.

We were very excited to visit snake island to get a drone shot of the sand bar however, it was high tide when we visited. Regardless, snake island was absolutely stunning and we got to see many orange starfish lining the beach.

A delicious lunch (same as Tour A) is served at snake island.

Cudugnon Cave

We love adventuring so we were happy to hear Tour B included a secret cave – Cudugnon Cave.

The cave involved entering through a tight hole and climbing. The guides at Umi Travel & Tours were quite helpful in this regard and helped us every step of the way through the cave.

An interesting fact about the cave is it was used by the Japanese during WWII to store treasure and was only discovered just recently.

The beach directly next to the cave is beautiful too. The good thing about Tour B is that it is less popular than Tours A & C so fewer people are at each destination.

Pinabuyutan Island

This was our favourite island of the day. It was so picture perfect.

At one end of the island is a palm tree lined beach and the other end of the island is the cutest Instagram-worthy house where a local family live.

If you feel like a drink, vendors kayak to the island to sell beer, soft drinks and ice cream.

Tour C – The Snorkeling Tour

If you love to snorkel then Tour C is the Tour for you. Many debate whether Tour A or C is better in El Nido as these are the two most popular Tours.

We preferred Tour A at a pinch (for the iconic factor) but Tour C proved pretty awesome too! If you have the time we strongly encourage you to do both!

The fish & marine life we saw on Tour C was world class.

The tour costs 1400 PHP per person ($22 USD). The boat travels the furthest away from El Nido on Tour C and hence it is the most expensive tour.

Tips for Tour C:

• If you want to hire/bring a go pro, this is your tour!
• Hiring/buying reef shoes is a necessity. You can hire them for 100 PHP per person.

Matinloc Shrine

Matinloc Shrine is usually a stop on Tour C but the team at Umi Travel & Tours were fabulous – they gave the day trippers the choice whether to visit the shrine or go snorkeling.

The people on the boat choose to skip the shrine and go snorkeling instead. A decision well made as the snorkeling was absolutely unbelievable in this area.

It is also a great place for epic photos on the front of the boat. The crew was very happy to oblige with some ‘couple goal’ shots for us.

Hidden Beach

Hidden Beach was one of the coolest places we saw on Tour C. If you have a drone, get it ready for hidden beach, the shot is most certainly a winner.

From where the boat docks, you must swim in to find the hidden beach located within.

As it was low tide when we arrived it was quite easy and we were able to walk most of the way in to hidden beach.

Helicopter Island

Another fabulous view from the sky is Helicopter Island.

Helicopter Island is also a nice place to go snorkeling off the beach. The best spots for snorkeling were at both ends of the island.

Talisay Beach

During Tour C, lunch was served at Talisay Beach. It wasn’t our favourite beach of the day.

However, it was a very relaxing place to enjoy the delicious lunch prepared.

Secret Beach

Another awesome place to visit during Tour C is secret beach. This would also be an epic drone shot as from the sky it vaguely resembles a love heart. Unfortunately our drone had lost power by this time of the day – bring extra batteries!

Much like Secret Lagoon, you are required to jump out of the boat and access Secret Beach through a little hole.

At high tide, it can be a little more difficult to access and you must dive underwater to enter.

Fortunately we arrived during low tide and accessing the secret beach was relatively easy.

So which is the best El Nido Tour?

That’s a hard question because we loved them all. We definitely recommend doing all three if you have the time but if you have ONLY enough time for one tour we would personally recommend Tour A.

Our Tour Company – Umi Travel & Tours

For all three of our El Nido Tours we went with Umi Travel & Tours. The staff were fun, professional and made sure we were safe the entire time during the 3 day adventure.

We met Sheen from Umi Travel & Tours who informed us that we would really be missing out to choose just one tour. And she was right! All three of the Tours in El Nido are equally fabulous and have different benefits to offer.

We also appreciate that they serve an absolutely delicious lunch consisting of grilled fish, chicken, pork, prawns, grilled vegetables, rich & fruit.

We would highly recommend this company for a tour in El Nido.

Umi Travel and Tours Hama Street, Barangay Masagana Zone 3 El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

You can find more information at  Umi Travel and Tours   website . You can also them on  Facebook &   Twitter , and Instagram .

Where to Stay in El Nido?

We stayed at  Sea Cocoon  during our time in El Nido and loved it. You can read more about our stay and see pictures  here !

There are so many fabulous places to stay in El Nido. Search & book with this Booking.com discount link and save $20 off your stay!

We hope this helped you plan your El Nido island tour! If you have anything to add or need some advice, leave a comment below!

Save this ‘El Nido Tour Guide’ to Pinterest so you can find it again later!

We were guests of Umi Travel & Tours. However, that does not impact our opinion. As always, all opinions are own own.

MC Miller is a travel blogger and writer who has travelled America extensively and abroad to over 80 countries. He founded Couple Travel The World in 2017. Since then, he has spent over 6 years on the road as a full time travel couple. When he not traveling he likes to spend quality time with his partner Bett, planning our their next date or romantic getaway!

View all posts

El Nido Island Hopping: A Full Guide to Tours A-D

Island Hopping in El Nido is an absolute must-do in the Philippines. Take a boat tour along the stunning lagoons and paradise islands in Bacuit Bay. The protected bay hosts 45 islands that belong to the most beautiful destination in the world. There are four El Nido island hopping tours that all take you along different islands. Read everything you need to know about the El Nido Tours.

El Nido Island Hopping Tours A-D

All well-rated island hopping tours include drinking water, snorkel gear, a kayak, the new (2019) environmental tax, and a delicious lunch on the beach. The lunch usually consists of fish & chicken, rice, eggplant salad, and freshly cut fruits. You can sometimes request collection from your hotel, too.

Here are all your hotel options in El Nido.

El Nido Tour A

Island Hopping Tour A takes you around Miniloc Island. Discover Secret Lagoon, kayak in the stunning and popular Big Lagoon, lunch at Shimizu Island, and experience sunset at 7-Commando Beach. Costs: 1200 – 2200 PHP/Pax. (~ 23 – 42 USD)

See tickets and availability for this tour

Please note: You can’t bring any plastic bottles on the El Nido island hopping tours with you. Read more tips on how to reduce plastic while traveling .

El Nido Tour B

Sail to the white sandbank called Snake Island, Entalula Island, movie-like Pinagbuyutan Island, and the Cathedral & Cudugnon Caves. Costs: 1200 – 1600 PHP/Pax. (~ 23 – 31 USD)

Book El Nido Tour B online

Good to know: Due to a new environmental policy, all combination and party boat tours are banned.

El Nido Tour C

Discover Hidden and Secret Beach, snorkel at Matinloc Shrine, and explore stunning Tapiutan and Helicopter Island. There is a big chance to see turtles on this tour in the Philippines .   Costs: 1200 – 1700 PHP/Pax. (~ 23 – 33 USD)

Pre-book your island hopping tour C here

Please note: Smoking on the El Nido island hopping tours is prohibited.

El Nido Tour D

Swim in the popular Small Lagoon, go beach hopping around Cadlao Island (for good snorkeling) and visit Pasandigan Cove, Nat Nat Beach, and Bukal island. Costs: 1200 – 1500 PHP/Pax. (~ 23 – 30 USD)

See availability for El Nido Tour D here

Private island hopping tours in El Nido

The absolute best way to experience El Nido’s Bacuit Bay is by private boat. This way, you can avoid all tourists, combine the above locations, and create your own tour. This does have a price tag, but will be 100% worth your money. Book a private tour at ArtCafe .

Best Island Hopping Tour in El Nido

Which of these El Nido tours should you book? A few years ago, tour A and tour C were the most popular. However, due to recent changes to put less pressure on the environment, all tours are equally very impressive. We personally would recommend adding tours A, B, or D to your Philippines Travel Guide .

Where to book an El Nido Island Hopping Tour?

Since the new regulations in 2019, there is a limited amount of people per day that may enter Bacuit Bay. We recommend you book at least two days ahead to be sure you have a spot. There are a few things to keep an eye on while booking an El Nido boat tour. Book a tour online or in town at ArtCafe .

• Don’t go for the lowest price! The lowest-priced tours will mix you with another group, so they get a full boat. The quality of these tours can’t be guaranteed.
• Make sure drinking water is included because you are not allowed to take plastic bottles.  
• Check if the tour includes the environmental tax. (200PHP) – Feb 2019
• Check if snorkeling gear & kayak are included.
• Try checking the company’s reviews on TripAdvisor.

By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support. ♥️

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to El Nido via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

Explore Islands around El Nido by Clear Kayak

How to get to el nido in palawan, best things to do in coron, palawan.

Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.

My family of 5 decided to do tour A using a private speed boat. How much do you suggest we tip the workers?

Hey! We’d usually opt for 10% of the total price but try to pay the workers directly and not the operator. 😊

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

  Notify me when new comments are added.

El Nido Tour A Island Hopping – Complete 2024 Guide

El Nido Tour A is one of the best things to do in Palawan and this particular tour is the most popular among the other El Nido boat tours such as B, C, and D.

Island-hopping in El Nido has been on my bucket list for years and I’m stoked to have finally ticked it off. That being said, I guarantee you will enjoy El Nido Tour A just as much as I did.

I have put together this complete guide of Tour A El Nido including where to book, how much it costs, and what to expect on the tour.

Table of Contents

WHERE TO BOOK EL NIDO TOUR A

There are countless tour agencies in the town offering El Nido Island Hopping Tours and it can be very overwhelming trying to find the right company at the right price.

I personally booked Tour A El Nido online in advance with Viator and it couldn’t have been easier!

This is the most top-rated El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with great reviews.

The tour includes a full day of island hopping on an outrigger boat to Seven Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon/Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and a BBQ lunch on the boat.

BEST EL NIDO TOUR PACKAGE

The BEST Island Hopping trip you can get is the El Nido Tour A !

It includes hotel pickup, lunch, entrance to the lagoon, the environmental fee, and a fun guide to spend the day with!

EL NIDO TOUR A PRICE

Prices range from 1200 pesos ($21) to 2200 (about $40). While you can book with agencies in El Nido Town, I recommend pre-booking online for different reasons:

First, tours on Viator include hotel pickup, the environmental fee, and the entrance to the lagoon, which are excluded with other tour operators.

Secondly, El Nido Tour A is the most popular of them all and, therefore, it sells out very fast. I tried to book in town twice before giving up and booking 2 days in advance on Viator.

Lastly, the best time of the day to visit is in the morning, and some tour operators will only depart in the afternoon, which isn’t convenient.

Check out the tour here below.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON TOUR A EL NIDO

El Nido Tour A begins at the meeting point on the beach in El Nido Bay to sign in to the registrar and meet the other travelers joining in on the adventure.

These tours El Nido start at around 9 am and returns between 4 pm – 5 pm.

Do note that an additional environmental fee of 200 pesos is valid for 10 days, so hang on to the ticket if you plan on doing other El Nido boat tours.

You will also have to pay a 200 pesos fee to enter the big and small lagoons.

Before jumping on the boat, there are many beach vendors selling waterproof phone cases, dry bags, reef booties, and other products that you may be interested in purchasing. Prices vary so put your bartering skills to the test.

Once you’re all geared up, head to the boat to begin the El Nido island-hopping adventure!

SEVEN COMMANDOS BEACH

The first stop on the tour is Seven Commandos Beach and what a place to begin. As our boat was pulling into the cove, I couldn’t believe the epic landscape in front of my eyes.

Azure waters, glistening white sands, coconut palm trees, and a few beachside shacks line the shores.

This is what the Philippines is all about and Seven Commandos Beach is hands-down one of the best beaches in El Nido!

We spent around 45 minutes on 7 Commando Beach, soaking up the sun and taking several dips in the ocean to cool off.

You can also purchase a fresh coconut from one of the beach hut vendors for as little as 50 pesos. Hold off on plastic straws and help to reduce the use of single-use plastic.

There are some fun-fuelled activities to be had on Seven Commandos Beach such as playing a game of beach volleyball with your mates or flying out over the water’s edge on the tree swing.

If you want to get an Instagram-worthy photo, head to the cluster of palm trees at the eastern end of 7 Commando Beach and work some angles before continuing on to the next location.

BIG LAGOON – EL NIDO TOUR A

The next stop of Tour A El Nido is the famous Big Lagoon at Miniloc Island.

When we arrived on the boat I could finally see why Big Lagoon was at the top of everyone’s list of things to do in El Nido!

The towering limestone cliffs of Miniloc Island are other-worldly and the deep blue-colored waters inside Big Lagoon are too inviting not to go for a swim!

One of the best activities to do at Big Lagoon El Nido is to rent a kayak and paddle your way through the opening of the lagoon and explore the deep blue waters inside.

The cost to rent a kayak is an additional 250 pesos which is worth every cent.

If you opt not to go kayaking in Big Lagoon, it’s possible to swim from the boat into the opening of the lagoon where the water is quite shallow.

From here you can walk around beneath the curving limestone cliffs and take a moment to let the phenomenality of this place soak in.

I decided to fly my drone camera to capture the beauty of it all from a birds-eye perspective. Safe to say these were my favorite photos I took on the El Nido island hopping tour!

The BEST Hotel in El Nido

Need a place to stay? Lagùn Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of El Nido Town.

Whether you’re here to explore the sights or relax in comfort, Lagùn Hotel offers the best of both worlds.

Take Your Photos & Videos To New Heights!

The DJI Mini 3 Pro is the most affordable, user-friendly drone camera suitable for all levels!

This travel-sized drone captures 4K/60fps video, 48MP photo, and has 34 minutes flight time.

SECRET LAGOON EL NIDO

Secret Lagoon El Nido is around the corner from Big Lagoon which is the next stop on the tour.

The name isn’t quite fitting for this location as it’s one of the more popular spots for most El Nido boat tours.

Despite its popularity, Secret Lagoon is something you just have to see with your own eyes!

Our boat anchored just off the shore from Secret Lagoon and the boat crew started to prepare lunch while we were off exploring.

We had around 45 minutes to check out the small caves and sandy coves that surround the lagoon.

The limestone cliffs that envelop Secret Lagoon are some of the most impressive ones that you’ll come across when Island Hopping in El Nido.

You could marvel at these classic El Nido cliffs for hours and ponder how they came to be.

Buffet Lunch is served on the boat and what a spread it is! A mix of BBQ prawns, fish, chicken, pork and fresh salads, noodles, rice, and fruits.

SHIMIZU ISLAND

Last but not least on Tour A El Nido is Shimizu Island. Yet another natural beauty that lies in the archipelago of islands in the north of Palawan!

We were one of just three other boats at Shimizu Island so it was far less crowded than some of the other spots on the El Nido Island hopping tour package.

There’s quite a bit of exploring to be had on the island to its number of secluded beaches, small caves, and snorkeling around the colorful coral reefs.

The turquoise waters surrounding the island are more vibrant than the other islands we visited that day and it seriously looked good enough to drink!

The sun was already starting to set which cast some pretty cool shadows of the cliffs on the top of the ocean.

After an epic day on the water, it was time to make the return journey back to El Nido which takes approximately 1 hour.

Salty, sun-kissed, and exhausted, I think a beer is in order at one of the beachside bars to conclude your El Nido Tour A!

Capture All Your Adventures!

I’m sure y’all know by now that GoPro’s are arguably the best action cameras on the planet!

The new GoPro HERO 11 boasts 5.3K video, 27MP photo, HyperSmooth stabilization, and waterproof up to 10m!

OTHER EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING TOURS

Looking for the best El Nido Island Hopping Tours?! The options are El Nido tour A, B, C, D.

Visit the Viator website to see all of the top-rated tours in El Nido. Make sure to book online in advance to be guaranteed the best rates!

WHERE TO STAY IN EL NIDO

El Nido has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.

See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:

Luxury: Lagùn Hotel

Lagùn Hotel is one of the best and most modern hotels in El Nido featuring an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, restaurant, bar, and free wifi throughout the property.

The rooms are fitted with a flat-screen tv, wardrobe, work desk, fridge, kettle, private bathroom, and some with a balcony.

Recommended place to stay for couples, families, or friends after enjoying an island hopping El Nido.

Mid Range: Sea Cocoon Hotel

I personally stayed at Sea Cocoon Hotel which is located right in the heart of El Nido town and just a minute’s walk to the beach.

Sea Cocoon Hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, restaurant, bar, and a shared lounge.

The rooms are spacious and modern with air-conditioning, large comfy beds, a wardrobe, a balcony, and a private bathroom. A buffet breakfast is also included for all guests.

Affordable place to stay for couples, families, or friends.

Budget: One Hostel El Nido

One Hostel is one of the best budget accommodations in El Nido which is centrally located and within walking distance of the bus terminal, shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, and beaches.

There are dorm rooms, double rooms, and quadruple rooms available with air-conditioning. The hostel also has free wifi and a shared lounge area for guests to hang out.

It’s the perfect place to stay in El Nido for solo travelers, couples, or friends on a budget.

FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN EL NIDO, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM

What to pack for the philippines.

When visiting the Philippines, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

Must-Have Travel Essentials

Hidden money wallet.

Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!

Reusable Water Bottle

The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!

Travel Backpack

The Nomatic Travel Backpack has 20+ innovative features, perfect for everyday use!

Quick-Dry Travel Towel

The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!

Portable PowerBank

Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!

More Philippines Travel Guides

Click the button below to view all articles related to the Philippines!

FINAL THOUGHTS – EL NIDO TOUR A

I hope you enjoyed reading this El Nido blog about island hopping El Nido and if you have any questions at all about El Nido Tour A ,   please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

Search and book accommodation worldwide.

Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.

Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.

Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.

Search all rental cars in your next destination.

Need travel insurance for your next trip?

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.

Click here to find out how you can support the site organically .

Many thanks!

2 thoughts on “El Nido Tour A Island Hopping – Complete 2024 Guide”

Thank you for your web site. This has the most helpful information of any site I’ve found so far, and puts me more at ease in making plans for February. Please send information as far as the boat used for the El-Nido A tour. Such as: the size, how many people on the boat., and restroom facilities. I wish you much sucess with your site. Gordon

Hi Gordon, thanks for the positive feedback! The boat is a traditional bangka boat and usually the tours have around 6-10 people. There are no toilets on board the boat but there are some toilet facilities on the islands that you will visit. Have a fantastic trip!

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail.

Work with us

Support the site

Plan Your Trip

Travel guides

Destinations

Hotel guides

Find best tours

Travel Gear

Travel resources

How to start a blog

Photography guides

Follow On Socials

© 2024 Jonny Melon Adventure Travel Blog. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms | Sitemap

El Nido Island Hopping – Guide To The Best Tours

Posted on Last updated: June 4, 2023

El Nido is a small, beachside town on the northern tip of Palawan island, which has become increasingly popular over the last few years.

It’s mostly used as a base for exploring the incredible natural splendour of the surrounding archipelago.

Known as the Bacuit Archipelago, the area is home to some of the most beautiful islands, lagoons, and beaches in the world. There’s stunning scenery everywhere you look.

The waters are incredibly clear and the sand is always brilliant white. Striking limestone rock formations pepper the sea, with tropical trees and coconuts in abundance.

Enjoying the untouched beaches of El Nido

I was lucky enough to explore the area with some island hopping tours during my trip through the Philippines , and I’m here to tell you how to do the same. A bit of island hopping is a must on any El Nido itinerary .

In this guide, I break down everything you need to know about going island hopping in El Nido, and share some tips on how to make the most of your visit.

If you’re looking to spend some incredible days in paradise island hopping amongst pristine beaches and clear water, El Nido is the place for you!

You might just be unsure about what tour to do, which is where this El Nido tours overview comes in!

• 2 My El Nido, Palawan island hopping experience
• 3.1.1 Pinagbuyutan Island
• 3.1.2 Snake Island, El Nido
• 3.1.3 Entalula Beach
• 3.1.4 Seven Commandos Beach
• 3.2.1 Paradise Beach
• 3.2.2 Pasandigan Beach
• 3.2.3 Helicopter Island, El Nido
• 3.2.4 Cadlao Lagoon
• 4.1 The El Nido lagoons on Tour A
• 4.2 The caves on Tour B
• 5 Where to stay in El Nido

Snorkelling in El Nido

A brief run down of the El Nido standard tours

Taking a Palawan island hopping tour is without a doubt the best and most popular way to experience the area. There are four main El Nido island hopping tours. Named simply A, B, C, and D.

Tour A is the most popular of the bunch, meaning it’s also generally the most crowded. But it’s a favourite for good reason, boasting some of the most epic islands and stunning lagoons.

It makes stops at Small Lagoon, 7 Commando Beach, Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, and Shimizu Island.

Check out prices & availability for your El Nido Tour A on GetYourGuide , Klook , or in the calendar below!

Exploring Seven Commandos Beach in El Nido

Tour B is less popular and more laid back than Tour A. This makes for an amazing day of adventure and sightseeing without as many tourists.

Tour B’s stops include Pinagbuyutan Island, Vigan Island, Cathedral Cave, Cudugnon Cave, and Entalula Beach.

Check out prices & availability for your El Nido island hopping Tour B on Klook , GetYourGuide , or the calendar below!

Me and my friends @solarpoweredblonde and @offgoesannie chilling on the beach at Pinagbuyutan Island. Drone shot by @solarpoweredblonde

Tour C is a strong contender for the most popular tour and is often considered the best one. This, of course, means that it can also get quite busy.

But it stops at some incredible destinations, including Helicopter Island, Secret Beach, Mantiloc Shrine, Hidden Beach, and Star Beach.

Check out prices & availability for your Tour C in El Nido on Klook , GetYourGuide , or the calendar below!

The turquoise water of El Nido, Philippines

Tour D explores the path less-travelled. It’s the quietest of the four and avoids most of the ‘must-see’ attractions.

But it stops at some hidden gems: Ipil Beach, Paradise Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, Pasandigan Beach, Bukal Beach, and Natnat Beach.

Click here to book your spot on El Nido Tour D , or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

Some of the beautiful corals you will see when snorkelling on your El Nido island hopping tours

My El Nido, Palawan island hopping experience

Most travellers here just pick one or two of the four classic El Nido boat tours and follow the crowd. But island hopping in the area has become incredibly popular. So the standard tours can get quite crowded and feel overly ‘touristy’.

Fortunately, there are other ways to do it. We organised all of our El Nido island tours through Outpost Beach Hostel , and I’m really glad that we did.

The tours we took allowed us to see the best bits of all the classic tours with a great group of people. All while avoiding the crowds.

| READ MORE: 15 BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN THE PHILIPPINES |

The sunset view from Outpost Beach Hostel in El Nido, Palawan

The Hostel is set right on a stunning beach, just outside of El Nido town. The crowd is young, vibrant, and interesting. And this atmosphere certainly carries over to the tours.

Unlike most El Nido island hopping boats, the hostel’s boats are occupied only by people who have booked directly with Outpost Beach Hostel, which means the typical hostel crowd. All the passengers are laid-back backpackers.

There aren’t any families or older couples on board. This creates a really cool atmosphere for enthusiastic, adventurous travellers and makes for plenty of great conversation. We couldn’t have asked for more!

Click here to book your stay at Outpost Beach Hostel (you can book the boat tours once there!)

Making friends on one of the Outpost Beach Hostel island hopping tours of El Nido

The Outpost Hostel’s El Nido Tours

Outpost Beach Hostel only offers two tours which they alternate between on a daily basis. One day is a combination of tours A and B and the next day is a combination of tours C and D.

These tours can be organised with the hostel directly when you arrive. The combo tours are great because they each blend a popular tour with a less popular tour, allowing you to get the best of both worlds.

They stop by at most of the main highlights of the standard tours. But they do so in the opposite direction – for the sake of avoiding the crowds. It’s a simple trick that makes a world of difference.

Docking in the beautiful clear water of the islands around El Nido

We genuinely felt like we were visiting private beaches most of the time. Both of the hostel’s island hopping tours are the usual all-inclusive fare, each stopping for lunch along the way.

And so far as lunches go, the one they offer is pretty amazing. They cooked up some delicious barbecued fish which we ate on the beach. And there’s free-flowing rum on the cruise back at sunset!

A lovely grilled fish lunch served on the beach during our island hopping days

The tours are a fixed price of 1,500 pesos per person. Just a little more expensive than each of the classic tours (which go for around 1,300 pesos on average).

But each of the combo tours offers highlights from two classic tours, so they could be seen as more affordable.

Each of the combo tours offers a unique experience, and I’m really happy we ended up doing both. Here’s a breakdown of each tour, with some more detailed information on my favourite stops.

Click here to book your stay at Outpost Beach Hostel!

Grilled fish and pork buffet lunches on the beach… I could get used to this!

El Nido Tour A and B Combo

The stops include:

– Pinagbuyutan Island

– Snake island

– Pupolcan island

– Entalula island

– Seven commandos beach

Pinagbuyutan Island

A narrow strip of white sand and coconut trees line the shores of Panagbuyutan, with rugged rocky cliffs towering up above. It’s an impressively dramatic island that juts boldly out of the sea.

The main destination here is Ipil beach, where visitors can relax, swim, and explore. There’s a distinctly desert island type atmosphere, with very little evidence of human presence.

And being a Tour B stop, it’s not particularly popular, meaning it’s usually really quiet. It’s worth venturing beyond the beach if time allows. There are a bunch of little secret coves and pockets tucked away.

Snorkelling with millions of fish during our boat trip in El Nido

Snake Island, El Nido

Vigan Island, or as it’s more commonly known, Snake Island, is a tiny island just off of mainland Palawan.

It earned the name Snake Island thanks to the long, winding sandbar that connects it to the mainland (not for actual snakes – you can relax).

The sandbar is usually covered in roughly half a meter of water. Most visitors spend their time walking through the water and soaking up the breathtaking scenery.

There is also a little viewpoint from which you can see the sand bar from above.

The view of the sandbar of Snake Island from the viewpoint

Entalula Beach

Entalula Beach is a textbook paradise. The water is impossibly clear, the sand is dazzlingly white, and the rock formations are truly stunning.

It’s almost entirely undisturbed wilderness, with a series of tiny bays and coves to explore. Each one peppered with tropical vegetation.

A stop here will likely entail a lot of swimming and splashing in the warm waters, relaxing on the pristine beach, and admiring the unreal natural beauty.

As a tour B stop, it’s usually pretty quiet, so there won’t be hoards of tourists to detract from the magic.

Enjoying those island hopping days in El Nido, Palawan, shot with a GoPro dome to get the 50/50 over/under effect

Seven Commandos Beach

Seven Commandos Beach is a little bigger and more popular than many of the others. So while there are usually quite a few other people, the beach is big enough to share.

It remains almost entirely undeveloped, with the exception of a few huts and shelters. The palm-lined beachfront is a prime spot to relax and have a few dips in the water.

It’s also a popular spot to do a bit of snorkelling. You may even spot a sea turtle or two while exploring the beach’s underwater world.

Drone shot of Seven Commandos Beach by my friend @solarpoweredblonde

El Nido Tour C and D Combo  

– Paradise beach

– Bukal Island

– Pasandigan beach

– Cadlao Lagoon

– Helicopter Island

Here are some of the best bits in detail.

Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach is certainly one of the lesser-known gems of El Nido. It’s a stop on Tour D, so it’s often less busy than the better-known islands.

The beach certainly lives up to its name, with a small white-sand shorefront, palm trees, and crystal waters. While there isn’t much to do other than admire it, hang out, and swim, it’s a great little beach with a charming remote-island vibe.

Island hopping in El Nido, Philippines

Pasandigan Beach

It might not be called Paradise Beach but Pasandigan Beach comes second to none when it comes to natural beauty. Fine white sand, clear turquoise water, palm trees lining the edge of it and sheer cliffs in the backdrop.

Even if you may soon get used to these beautiful scenarios while island hopping in the Philippines, trust me when I say it never gets less impressive. This is a fun beach for chilling, tanning and swimming.

Drone shot by my friend @solarpoweredblonde of one of the beaches during our island hopping tour in El Nido

Helicopter Island, El Nido

As a Tour C stop, Helicopter Island is one of the most popular in El Nido and can be busier than other stops. But there’s a good amount of space, so it doesn’t feel overly crowded.

Believe it or not, the island actually resembles a helicopter from certain aerial angles. Hence the rather obscure name. It’s a great place to relax and swim, but it also offers some fantastic snorkelling.

The waters by the shore are home to a stunning variety of underwater life. So be sure to put on a mask and dive under the surface for an otherworldly experience.

Cruising towards Helicopter Island… can you see the helicopter?

Playing on the beach of Helicopter Island

Cadlao Lagoon

Cadlao Lagoon is the only lagoon that the Outpost Beach Hostel tours visit. The standard island hopping tours go to more famous lagoons, which ultimately are always incredibly busy.

During the tour C and D combo we visited Cadlao Lagoon which was a perfect in between experience.

We still got to see the stunning scenery of the clear turquoise water surrounded by the steep limestone cliffs, with only a few other boats around.

Trees and dramatic rock formations hang over turquoise waters at Cadlao Lagoon. It’s a little pocket of heaven on Tour D that immerses you fully in an incredible landscape.

The rocky walls that surround it are sheer, with plants growing from the cracks. And the water is perfect for a swim.

Here the hostel boat put some kayaks in the water for us to explore the lagoon with. You should also grab a mask and snorkel and swim close to the cliffs, the underwater views are so different from those of a beach!

Kayaking in El Nido

The Classic El Nido, Palawan tours attractions

While the hostel’s tours hit most of the top attractions, there are a few that they miss out. The following are some of the best attractions that are offered on the classic tours.

The El Nido lagoons on Tour A

The main element that’s lacking in Outpost Hostel’s tours is a focus on lagoons . They revolve more around the beaches, which are great. But there are some amazing lagoon stops on Tour A which the hotel leaves out.

El Nido is famous for its stunning lagoons, with Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon being two of the most popular. They’re basically isolated little pockets of seawater, surrounded by stunning cliff faces, vegetation, and rock formations.

The lagoons are almost the opposite of an island; water surrounded by land rather than the other way around. So they can be a refreshing change.

The tour boats tend to be too big to access the lagoons, due to shallow sections and small entrances. So you can usually rent a kayak to explore them or brave the waters and opt to swim.

Island hopping in El Nido

The caves on Tour B

The caves of El Nido may not have the same tropical charm as its beaches and lagoons. But they certainly make for an interesting and memorable experience.

Cathedral Cave and Cudugnon Cave are two of the most popular, both of which can be explored on tour B. Cudugnon Cave is accessed by climbing through a small hole in a cliff face.

Once inside, it opens up to reveal steep, jagged ceiling and rocky walls. There are holes overhead, pouring in golden sunlight and creating an ethereal vibe.

Cathedral Cave is larger and less closed off. And it’s a pretty amazing space. The boat anchors nearby and you can swim or kayak inside.

Some of the fish you can see when island hopping tours in El Nido

Where to stay in El Nido

As you may have guessed from this post I stayed at Outpost Beach Hostel , and I loved it. Besides the epic island hopping tours, Outpost is possibly one of the best hostels I’ve ever stayed at.

The hostel itself is very cool, located right on the beach with spacious communal areas. They have a great restaurant and bar, with fun social events on every night.

They also have a 10:30PM curfew time so you can get drunk and socialise, but if you want to go to bed early you don’t have to cope with loud party travellers.

Click here to see the latest prices and availability at Outpost Beach Hostel!

Sunset views from Outpost Beach Hostel in El Nido

The dorms all have aircon, with big and spacious beds and big drawers under the bunkbeds to lock up your belongings.

If you don’t want to stay in a hostel there are a few guest houses and boutique hotels next to it along the beach, where you can get a private room.

That way you can have your own room but still go to Outpost in evenings, bond with the hostel crowd and join their island hopping tours.

However Outpost is around a 5-minute tuk-tuk journey out of El Nido town centre. If you prefer to be central a couple good options are either El Nido Garden Resort or El Nido Beach Hotel .

Click here to see other accommodation options in El Nido!

Chilling on the beach at Pinagbuyutan Island during our tour A&B combo in El Nido

Final Thoughts about island hopping in El Nido

The island hopping tours that are available in El Nido offer a range of fantastic experiences to suit a variety of tastes and preferences. Outpost Hostel’s tours are a great option, but everyone’s different, and some may choose to stick with the standard tours.

If the classic tours sound more appealing to you, you can book them ahead of time online. I’ve listed them below with a recap.

Tour A – The most popular one that hits all the main highlights, but also the busiest one

Tour B – Goes off the beaten track to spots without as many crowds

Tour C – Great snorkelling and caves, second most popular and contender with tour A for the title of best tour in El Nido

Tour D – Visits the hidden gems the other tours don’t go to.

This is also a good option for those who want to have everything booked and sorted before travelling.

The incredibly turquoise water of El Nido

Whichever tours you choose, you’re bound to have an unforgettable adventure! Just be sure to pack wisely for your trip .

Island hopping in El Nido was one of the most magical things I’ve experienced. We went island hopping also in Siargao and in Coron , but the boat trips in El Nido were simply way more fun.

With so many incredible sights, perfect-temperature water, amazing island vibes, and wonderful weather, the area is nothing short of paradise.

I hope you find this El Nido island hopping guide useful in deciding what tour to do, and in planning your own time in El Nido!

Looking for more Philippines travel tips? Check out these guides!

• Swim with the sardine run & turtles in Moalbol
• A perfect Cebu Island 5-day itinerary
• Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls, Cebu – the ultimate guide
• Guide to hiking the highest peak in Cebu Island

Enjoyed reading my guide to island hopping in El Nido, Philippines? Pin it!

El Nido Palawan Island Travel Guide For The Philippines

For myself and many other travelers, El Nido Palawan island was the place that put the Philippines on the world map (and our bucket lists).

El Nido’s exotic turquoise lagoons and jagged limestone rocks are way too unique and beautiful to miss, and the photo ops here are limitless.

It’s rare that you’ll see this place missing from a travel blog or a list of the best islands in the world, and rightfully so. All of the beaches and island hopping tours in El Nido Palawan are top notch.

Best of all, El Nido is quite affordable, and there are high quality hotels and restaurants here to suit every budget and type of traveler, from backpacker to luxury seeker.

This El Nido travel guide will give you some details on how to get there, what to do, where to stay, best beaches of El Nido, top El Nido sunset spots, and all about how to experience this paradise of the Philippines yourself!

Where Is El Nido Palawan Island?

El Nido is a small town and municipality located on the northern tip of Palawan island, in the Philippines.

The area around El Nido Palawan has lots of small islands (almost 50 total), making it pretty much heaven for tropical island hopping!  

How To Get To El Nido Palawan

El Nido town can be reached by air, van, bus, or ferry.

The easiest, fastest, and most expensive (but recommended) way to get to El Nido Palawan is one of the direct flights sold by AirSWIFT.

The El Nido island airport (ENI) is not served internationally, so this means you will first need to fly to one of the big cities in the Philippines — Manila or Cebu — and then fly to ENI from there.

You can shop for flights to the Philippines at Skyscanner.

Read More: How To Get To El Nido Palawan

Where To Stay In El Nido

Maligaya Beach Bungalows

El Nido Moringa Resort

Frendz Hostel El Nido

Karuna El Nido Villas

How To Get Around El Nido

El Nido town is pretty small and easy to get around.

It’s small enough to be walkable by foot for restaurants and most other things, but if you want to do some exploring outside of town you’ll need transport.

Scooter rentals are about 500 peso ($10 USD) per day. You can flag down a tricycle taxi for 100-250 peso per trip, but the scooter is more economical for long trips or multiple stops.

El Nido Island Hopping Tours

By far the biggest draw of El Nido Palawan would have to be the incredible island hopping boat tours that can be done here.

The tours are split into 4 different areas of coverage: A , B , C , and D . You can find a summary of each of them below.

In my opinion, there is no ‘best’ tour, because they’re all amazing! Do them all if you have time.  

‘Tour A’ is the most popular touring route in El Nido, and for good reason.

The crazy blue lagoons and pointy rocks have made this one of the best bucket list items in the Philippines. Lots of great kayaking and photo ops on this tour!

Other top sights on Tour A include the Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach.

El Nido Tour A: Book Now (or Read More )

Big Lagoon El Nido

Witness some of Palawan’s best beaches and caves on El Nido Tour B!

The main sights of Tour B are Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Entalula Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Cathedral Cave. Sometimes this tour also includes Papaya Beach.

You won’t want to leave Pinagbuyutan or Entalula. These two islands are really spectacular. If you have a drone, Tour B is also one of the best for getting incredible aerial shots.

El Nido Tour B: Book Now (or Read More )

Pinagbuyutan Island

Explore hidden beaches and shrines on El Nido Tour C!

This is the longest tour in the bunch, and it takes you the farthest from El Nido town, but you get to see massive dinosaur shaped islands and exotic limestone coves.

The main sights of Tour C are Matinloc Shrine, Tapiutan Island, Secret Beach, Hidden Beach, and Helicopter Island.

El Nido Tour C: Book Now (or Read More )

Matinloc Island

See two more beautiful lagoons on El Nido Tour D!

This Palawan tour is underrated and has the least crowds, but all of the sights are amazing, as usual. You’ll have some great kayaking opportunities at the lagoons, and the snorkeling spots on this tour are some of the best.

The main sights of Tour D are Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Cove, Cadlao Lagoon, and Small Lagoon.

El Nido Tour D: Book Now (or Read More )

Cadlao Lagoon

Best El Nido Day Tour Packages

Klook has high rated El Nido day tours for very competitive prices:

• El Nido Tour A – Island hopping to Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and 7 Commando Beach.
• El Nido Tour B – Island hopping to Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Entalula Beach or Papaya Beach.
• El Nido Tour C – Island hopping to Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Tapiutan Island, and Hidden Beach.
• El Nido Tour D – Island hopping to Paradise Beach, Natnat Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, and Small Lagoon.

You also get free lunch and hotel pickup. These are better prices than many of the tour companies you’ll find on the street in El Nido town!

The other advantage of booking an online tour like this is that you can pay by credit card or Paypal, so you won’t have to run to the ATM constantly (and the ATMs in El Nido are not known for being very reliable in the first place).

Book Now: El Nido Tour A / B / C / D

El Nido Palawan island hopping in the Philippines

Multi-Day Trips In El Nido Palawan

Aside from the popular 1-day tours, you can also join multi-day sailing trips in El Nido and the surrounding area, with some expeditions lasting up to 4 days and 3 nights, taking you all the way from El Nido to Coron , or vice versa.

This can be a great way to go island hopping in paradise without the crowds and time constraints of a simple day tour, and you get to see a lot of nice new islands that are off the beaten path and not included on the main day tours. It’s also a fun way to meet other travelers.

There are several companies offering multi-day trips in Palawan, but one of the highest rated is Big Dream Boat Man . They’re based in Coron, but they also have sailing expeditions that start from El Nido!

Book Now: El Nido Palawan Sailing Expeditions

El Nido Beach Guide: The Beaches Of El Nido

El Nido has quite a few nice beaches on the mainland that can be seen without island hopping tours.

Here are some of our top El Nido beach recommendations:

• Marimegmeg Beach. A prime sunset spot, with nice white sand and lots of restaurants, bars, hotels, and beach clubs. Even though this beach has plenty of accommodation, it’s not nearly as developed as El Nido town.
• Las Cabanas Beach. Another nice beach that’s just a short walk from Marimegmeg, and it has nice island views. You can reach Las Cabanas and Marimegmeg by driving only 15 minutes from El Nido town.
• Nacpan Beach. Probably the most famous beach in mainland El Nido Palawan. It’s a 4 kilometer strip of white sand, with a twin beach next to it called Calitang Beach. There are some nice beachfront hotels, clubs, and restaurants popping up here by the shore. You can get to Nacpan with a 45-60 minute drive from El Nido town.
• Dolarog Beach. A small but scenic beach that can only be reached by boat or walking. It’s home to the Dolarog Beach Resort , and it has unreal views of Pinagbuyutan island .
• Duli Beach. A big, beautiful white sand beach on the north side of El Nido Palawan island. This one is home to the Duli Beach Resort .
• Corong Corong Beach. One of the closest beaches to El Nido town, so you can reach it in just 5-10 minutes of driving. This beach has lots of hotels and beachfront resorts.
• Lio Beach. Also known as Airport Beach, this is a clean, peaceful beach located right behind the El Nido airport. It has nice scenery and a number of resorts to choose from, including Seda Lio and Charlie’s El Nido .

These are some of the best beaches in El Nido mainland, and many of them have nice accommodation on the beachfront.

Regardless of which beach you choose to visit, you’re sure to enjoy some amazing scenery!

Best Sunset Spots In El Nido Palawan

The two most famous spots for sunset in El Nido are definitely Marimegmeg Beach and the adjacent Las Cabanas Beach.

These beaches have lots of nice restaurants, bars, and clubs along the beachfront, so you can sit and relax while watching the evening scenery.

Another great spot to see the El Nido sunset is Corong Corong Beach, which is located right by town.

Bangka boat in the El Nido sunset

More Things To Do In El Nido Palawan

If you’re looking for more things to do in El Nido, here are a few recommendations:

• Taraw Peak Climb. This is a limestone cliff peak with amazing views of El Nido town and the whole Bacuit Bay. Taraw is located close to El Nido town and you can hike to the top of the jagged limestone rocks in about 30 minutes, but it’s an intense climb, so a guide is highly recommended for safety reasons.
• Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls. These are some nice waterfalls near El Nido that you can reach with a 30-60 minute hike through the jungle. You may have to hire a guide for 200 peso (~$4 USD). The best time to visit the falls is in the wet season months (May to November) or after a big rain, otherwise the falls may be only a small trickle.
• Scuba Diving. El Nido is known as a wonderful place for scuba diving, and there are many dive shops in town. You can see bright coral reefs and lots of underwater wildlife here.

What To Bring To El Nido Palawan

If you’re putting together an El Nido packing list, here are a few ideas of good things to bring.

Most of the items below can be found in El Nido town in a pinch, but the quality of stuff you buy on the street won’t be guaranteed (personally, I’m not about to use a junky knockoff bag from a street vendor to protect my expensive camera gear).

It’s best to buy vetted products online!

• Waterproof Bag: Essential for keeping your electronics safe on the boat tours. I brought a 30 liter bag and was able to fit my drone, tablet, camera, phone, and a bunch of other stuff inside. Everything was kept dry, even when I took the bag swimming a few times to reach hidden beaches!
• Waterproof Phone Pouch: Same as above, but these are for your phone only. Great if you don’t have other electronics and just need something small to protect your phone.
• Snorkeling Gear: Many of the islands have nice corals and fish, and you won’t want to miss out on them. Snorkels and masks can be rented on the boat too, but if you plan to do multiple tours it’s more economical to bring your own gear.
• Water Shoes: Save your feet a lot of grief and wear water shoes! We got so many cuts while walking to shore from the boats.

Is El Nido Safe?

Yes, El Nido is safe! We’ve spent months in El Nido town and I’d say it’s a very safe place.

The Philippines does have some problems with drugs and violent crime, but this hasn’t touched the small, remote town of El Nido and it’s been a popular tourist spot for many years now.

You’ll be surrounded by international tourists at all times. Just keep your wits about you and follow normal precautions, and you shouldn’t have any issues.  

Best Time To Visit El Nido Palawan

Palawan island is a tropical destination, so it’s warm all year round.

The best months to visit are November to May, when it’s less rainy and not quite as hot.

How Long To Stay In El Nido

I would try to spend at least 4 or 5 days in El Nido Palawan.

Remember, there are 4 different El Nido island hopping tours, not to mention the amazing multi-day sailing expeditions that are possible if you have more time. You could easily spend a few days visiting some of the beaches near El Nido town as well.

Best Restaurants In El Nido

El Nido has lots of good places to eat now, but these are some of our favorites:

• Altrove . Best pizza in town.
• Botanica Cafe . Good food, fair prices, and they have A/C.
• El Nido Boutique Artcafe . The most well known restaurant in town. A little pricey. Great food, and they sell souvenirs and tour packages. Good WiFi.
• The Vegan Cafe . Good fruit smoothie bowls for a hot day.
• CB Cafe . Our go-to eating place last trip. Great food! Low prices and big serving sizes. Good WiFi.

El Nido Spa & Massage

El Nido has several spa and massage places to choose from, and the prices can be very affordable, at 500 peso ($10 USD) or less for a 1 hour body massage or foot massage.

A few El Nido spa places you can check out are The Organic Spa (in El Nido town) and Asian Massage El Nido or Namaste Yoga & Spa (in Corong Corong).

Many of the high end resorts in El Nido also have their own spa and massage centers, which are usually pricey but top notch.

It’s the perfect way to unwind after a full day of hiking or touring the islands.  

Other Tips For El Nido Palawan

• Credit Cards: Most restaurants, hotels, and other things in El Nido are cash only. I like to book my bigger purchases online (like hotels and tours), that way I can pay for them with credit card and save my precious cash for fresh coconuts!
• ATM: El Nido has several working ATMs now with big withdrawal limits. The pull fee is like 250 peso.
• Electricity: There used to be long brownouts in El Nido every day, but the electricity situation in Palawan island has improved quite a bit. On our latest visit, there were still daily brownouts, but they were quite short and didn’t really impact our trip at all. Many hotels and resorts in El Nido also have generators in case there’s a problem with the electricity.
• WiFi: Most hotels and places in town have bad WiFi connections. This is gradually improving. For now, the best solution is to buy a local SIM card and use your phone as a hotspot. We had great speeds with Globe in the El Nido area.
• Language: Like many places in the Philippines, English is widely spoken by the locals in El Nido, so you don’t need to learn Tagalog to visit.
• Hygiene: There have been some issues with sickness and food prep hygiene in El Nido town. This problem seems to be more common at the end of the dry season, although we’ve never gotten sick after multiple trips to El Nido. Just check restaurant reviews beforehand, and don’t drink or brush with the tap water in Palawan island. It’s easy to find filtered or bottled water in town.
• Toilets: When island hopping, generally there are no toilets on the boats or small islands. You can find bathrooms at Seven Commandos Beach, but on most of the smaller islands your best bet is to do it in the ocean or in some bushes. If you can take care of business before starting your day tour, that’s even better!
• Mosquitoes: There is some malaria present in Puerto Princesa city, but it’s very rare in El Nido Palawan. I’ve never heard of a tourist getting malaria in El Nido. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist there, but it’s certainly not common at all. There is still a risk of dengue fever from mosquitoes in El Nido, which can be pretty nasty, so it’s a good idea to wear mosquito repellent, especially in or near the jungle. You don’t need to wear mosquito repellant while enjoying the beaches and island hopping in El Nido, though.

Where To Stay: Best Areas

Most people used to stay in El Nido town, but nowadays there are also lots of great options in the outer beaches like Marimegmeg, Corong Corong, and Nacpan.

As the tourist scene in El Nido expands, so has the wide variety of accommodation! The outer beaches are a lot more scenic, but El Nido town has more options for restaurants, shops, and hotels, and it’s where the boat tours generally depart from.

We travel on a budget, so we’ve always stayed in town. We found the prices and convenience hard to beat, and you can still visit the El Nido beaches on a short trip from town if you’d like.

However, if you have a bigger hotel budget ($50 USD per night or more) then I’d highly recommend staying in one of the outer beaches for the best possible scenery!

I’ve included a few hotel recommendations below for El Nido town and also the outer beach areas.  

El Nido Hotels

Where we stayed.

We stayed at David’s Guesthouse in El Nido town for 1,600 pesos ($31 USD) per night. This price got us a clean double bed with cold A/C and a private bathroom.

Keep in mind this is a relatively remote town in the Philippines, and the hotel scene in El Nido is still struggling to develop and catch up with rapid demand, so don’t expect luxury in this price range.

Even so, this is one of the best budget friendly hotel options we could find in town. The location was perfect -— just a 3 minute walk to the beach and all the best restaurants -- and the owner was very helpful in booking all of our island hopping tours!

Prices may fluctuate from time to time, so just keep an eye out for a good deal.

We stayed at this hotel in the center of El Nido town

Coron vs El Nido – Which Is Better?

Palawan island has become famous for its tropical scenery and island hopping, but in a head-to-head comparison of Coron vs El Nido which is better?

Both of these places are amazing, and it’s possible to do both (I’d recommend it!), but if you’re limited on time you may have to choose one or the other since the two provinces are separated in the Philippines by 100 kilometers of sea.

El Nido is more popular and more developed than Coron , but that’s not always a good thing. Coron is quieter and has better snorkeling and diving. Both El Nido and Coron have amazing islands and beaches to explore.

I wrote up a complete comparison of all the differences, and hopefully it’ll help you decide between Coron or El Nido!

Read More: Coron vs El Nido – Which Is Better?

More El Nido Palawan Travel Guides

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for El Nido Palawan island in the Philippines.

Don’t forget to check out my other travel guides for each of the El Nido and Coron island hopping tours! You can find the links below.

Palawan Island Hopping — Tour A | B | C | D | Coron

You may also like, how to visit dhigurah island: budget paradise in maldives, how to visit tanjung puting national park in indonesia, sanur bali travel guide: 23 best things to do, coron vs el nido: which is better all differences explained, banggai islands travel guide & itinerary for sulawesi, paisu pok lake in banggai: bluest lake in indonesia.

I just love how detailed you are in your posts. I will be using your affiliate links someday.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

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

A Guide to El Nido Island Hopping Tours

Experience the best of bacuit bay with tour island hopping tours.

El Nido Island Hopping Tours offer a unique and unforgettable experience to explore the stunning landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and hidden gems of the islands of Bacuit Bay, Palawan. Tour A, B, C, and D are the most popular island hopping tours in Bacuit Bay, Palawan. Tour A takes you to the lagoons and beaches of Miniloc Island, Tour B to the caves and beautiful beaches, Tour C to the hidden coves and beaches of Matinloc Island, and Tour D to the lesser known lesser known beaches of Cadlao Island. Let's explore the different individual tours and determine which one best suits your needs.

Come to Palawan!

El nido island hopping tours, el nido tour a.

• Departure Time: between 8.30-9.00am
• Departure point: El Nido town
• Attractions: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach
• Duration: 6 hours
• Tour A is offered daily and can be booked as a shared or private boat tour
• Bangka outrigger boat can fit 12, 15, or 25 passengers, depending on availability.
• Kayak rentals are available for both the entire tour or just for the Big Lagoon

El Nido’s Big Lagoon is a stunning natural wonder surrounded by towering limestone cliffs , making it the most photographed attraction in Bacuit Bay. If you’re planning a trip to El Nido, the Big Lagoon is a must-visit destination that should not be missed.

Access to the Big Lagoon is via a shallow but large channel, which can accommodate several outrigger boats at the same time. During low tide, visitors can walk or kayak through the channel. Once inside the lagoon, visitors can enjoy a natural swimming hole with emerald green waters, surrounded by massive and towering karst walls.

It’s important to note that access to the Big Lagoon is limited to a certain number of visitors per day. To secure your slot to the Big Lagoon, it’s recommended to Book Tour A in advance.

Secret Lagoon

The Secret Lagoon of Miniloc Island may not be a secret anymore, but it remains one of the most popular attractions in El Nido. Concealed behind karst limestone cliffs , the Secret Lagoon offers a hidden world waiting to be explored.

To access the Secret Lagoon, visitors must scramble or swim through a tiny crevice on the rock’s face, depending on the tide. Once inside, visitors are treated to stunning views of emerald shallow waters and unique rock formations that make for perfect photo opportunities.

Shimizu Island

Shimizu Island is renowned for being one of the top snorkeling spots in El Nido, thanks to the diverse range of corals and marine life that can be found here. With its towering limestone rock walls and pristine white sandy beach, Shimizu Island is the perfect place to stop for a picnic lunch during your island-hopping adventure.

Named after a Japanese diver who lost his life while exploring an underwater cave here, Shimizu Island has become a popular stopover for boats doing the Tour A circuit around Miniloc Island.

7 Commandos Beach

Seven Commandos Beach is the ultimate beach paradise in El Nido, with its high cliffs sheltering the whitest sand and crystal-clear water that you can imagine. The sunsets here are breathtaking and are not to be missed.

Although this isolated beach is located on the mainland, it can only be accessed by boat due to the mountainous terrain. It has become a popular stop on island hopping Tour A , and is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to El Nido.

Named after a stranded fishing vessel, Seven Commandos Beach has a fascinating history. When the vessel was repaired and left the beach, locals discovered a huge stone engraved with the words “7 Commandos,” which they believed was the name of the vessel

El Nido Tour A by Shared Boat

El Nido Tour A by Private Boat

El nido tour b.

• Attractions: Snake Island Sandbar, Cudugnon and Cathedral Caves, Entaluala Island and Popolkan Island
• Tour B is offered daily and can be booked as a shared or private boat tour

Snake Island

Snake Island, also known as Vigan Island, is one of the must-visit destinations on El Nido’s Island Hopping Tour B. The island gets its name from its S-shaped sandbar , which connects it to the mainland.

The unique shape of the sandbar allows visitors to walk through it during low tide, making for a memorable experience. You can also splash around in the shallow waters on both sides of the sandbar.

For those who love a good hike, Snake Island also offers a trek to a stunning viewing point at the top. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the white sand stretching out like a long tongue, winding its way along the island.

Cudugnon Cave

Cudugnon Cave is another popular attraction on Island Hopping Tour B in El Nido. This cave is believed to have been a burial site during the Neolithic period, and artifacts and human bones have been discovered inside.

To enter the cave, you’ll need to squeeze through a small rocky hole, but once inside, you’ll be captivated by the breathtaking rock formations and high ceilings. The cave roof’s crevices are home to swiftlets (known as Balinsasayaw) and bats.

Just a few steps away from the cave’s entrance, you’ll find a secluded white sand beach where you can relax in a peaceful environment after exploring the cave.

Cathedral Cave

El Nido is not just famous for its stunning beaches and lagoons but also boasts some amazing caves that are often overlooked by tourists. One of the most awe-inspiring caves is the Cathedral Cave, located on Pinasil Island, just a boat ride away from Cudugnon Cave.

Although it may not look impressive from afar, as you get closer, you’ll be amazed by the huge cavern with an opening even higher than the Underground River . The cave is navigable by boat and has spectacular rock formations and a high ceiling that resembles a cathedral.

The cave is also an important nesting site for the Cave Swallow, whose nests made of dried saliva are the main ingredient in the exotic bird’s nest soup.

While the crystal-clear emerald water inside the cave looks inviting, it’s too risky for swimming since it’s the habitat of venomous sea snakes.

Entalula Island

Entalula Island is a pristine and beautiful spot that offers visitors a serene and private island experience. The island’s crystal-clear waters and colorful coral reefs make it an ideal place to snorkel and discover the vibrant marine life beneath the surface. The island’s lush vegetation and rocky cliffs provide a beautiful backdrop for its pristine beaches.

Popolkan Island

Popolkan Island is a fantastic snorkeling spot that offers an excellent experience for underwater enthusiasts.

El Nido Tour B by Shared Boat

El Nido Tour B by Private Boat

El nido tour c.

• Attractions: Matinloc Island, Secret Beach, Hidden Beach Helicopter Island and Tapiutan Island.
• Duration: 7 hours
• Tour C is offered daily and can be booked as a shared or private boat tour

Helicopter Island

Helicopter Island, also known as Dilumacad Island, is a stunning destination in Bacuit Bay. Its towering limestone cliffs covered in lush vegetation and pristine beaches are typical of the area’s stunning islands.

Helicopter Island gets its name from its cliffs’ resemblance to a helicopter’s shape when viewed from a distance, although some visitors may find it challenging to see the similarity.

The island boasts excellent snorkeling spots and underwater tunnels that advanced divers will appreciate. Besides water sports, Helicopter Island is also an ideal spot for relaxation and rejuvenation. Its 300 meters of beach is perfect for picnicking during island hopping trips or basking in the sun.

Secret Beach

The Secret Beach is a must-see attraction. Situated on the edge of Matinloc Island, Secret Beach is a pocket of fine white sand encircled by towering rock walls . Accessing the Secret Beach can be a challenge as visitors must swim through a narrow crevice in a rock wall. During rough seas, even experienced swimmers may find it difficult to enter. However, the reward for reaching this secluded location is a pristine beach with crystal-clear waters.

Local lore suggests that Alex Garland, author of the novel-turned-film The Beach, lived and wrote his bestseller in El Nido, likely inspired by the Secret Beach’s beauty. Take a visit to the Secret Beach and experience the allure that captivated Garland and countless others.

Hidden Beach

Tucked away in the nooks and crannies of the islands, the Hidden Beach is a small paradisiac cove concealed by limestone rock and impossible to see from the open sea . The beauty of this beach is created by towering limestone cliffs and mystical rock formations.

Part of El Nido’s Tour C, the Hidden Beach is a popular stop and a must-visit destination. With its white sands and crystal clear water, this beach is perfect to visit during high tide when the water is calm, making it an ideal spot to take perfect photos. To access Hidden Beach, visitors have to swim to get there, which may be challenging due to the current.

The Hidden Beach is also a great spot for snorkeling, where you can easily see various species of corals and fishes. Its secluded location provides a tranquil atmosphere, making it an excellent place to relax and unwind.

Matinloc Shrine

Matinloc Shrine, formally known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Matinloc, is a hidden abandoned site located at the foot of towering karst cliffs on the western coast of Matinloc Island in El Nido. This shrine was built in 1982 but has since been neglected and run down. Nevertheless, visitors are still permitted to visit the area and explore the ruins.

While some may consider this place as a spiritual haven, many visitors come to Matinloc Shrine for the breathtaking panoramic view it offers. To reach the viewpoint, you need to climb a small limestone hill located close to the shrine. From there, you can enjoy an awe-inspiring view of Tapiutan Island, which lies opposite Matinloc.

Located in Tapiutan Island, Star Beach is a must-visit destination that offers a breathtaking view of the neighboring Matinloc Island. This beautiful beach is known for its crystal-clear waters and white sand, making it perfect for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and even enjoying lunch.

The beach is aptly named Star Beach as it is home to numerous harmless starfishes that can be found resting on the seabed. Whether you’re an experienced snorkeler or a first-time visitor, the underwater world of Star Beach is a sight to behold.

El Nido Tour C by Shared Boat

El Nido Tour C by Private Boat

El nido tour d.

• Attractions: Cadlao Island and Small Lagoon
• Tour D is offered daily and can be booked as a shared or private boat tour
• Kayak rentals are available for both the entire tour or just for the Small Lagoon

Small Lagoon

Small Lagoon, located on the picturesque Miniloc Island, is one of the most fascinating and popular destinations to explore in El Nido, Palawan. It is considered an iconic spot and is frequently photographed alongside the Big Lagoon.

To enter Small Lagoon, visitors can either swim through a small hole in a rock wall or paddle through in a kayak during low tide. Once inside, a hidden world awaits, waiting to be explored by kayaking or swimming. The crystal-clear waters of the lagoon are surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs that provide a stunning and memorable view.

Cadlao Lagoon

Cadlao Island, the largest island in El Nido’s archipelago, is a picturesque paradise that resembles a “ mini-Tahiti “. The island’s lush landscapes, including a conspicuous peak towering 640 meters above sea level, offer a breathtaking view to visitors.

One of the most spectacular natural wonders on Cadlao Island is the Cadlao Lagoon. Its emerald waters surrounded by towering limestone cliffs create a breathtaking view that will take your breath away. This lagoon also offers an excellent spot for snorkeling, where you can explore the shallow coral gardens just off the beach.

Kayaking in Cadlao Lagoon is an unforgettable experience that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty.

Pasandigan Cove

Pasandigan Cove is a hidden gem located in the stunning Cadlao Island. With its inviting stretch of white sand and bright blue waters flanked by towering limestone cliffs, it’s a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the pristine nature .

Unlike other crowded beaches in El Nido, Pasandigan Cove is a well off-the-beaten-track destination, allowing travelers to discover a tropical paradise without the usual crowds. It’s a great place to unwind, sunbathe, and swim in the crystal-clear waters.

Nat Nat Beach

Nat Nat Beach is a hidden gem in Cadlao Island, offering visitors a secluded paradise away from the crowds. Its soft white sand and calm turquoise waters are sheltered by sheer limestone cliffs, adding to its raw and untouched beauty.

One of the best things about Nat Nat Beach is its lack of commercialization. It’s a peaceful and unspoiled destination that few tourists know about. This means that you can have the entire beach to yourself, allowing you to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach on Cadlao Island is a true tropical gem and a must-see attraction on Tour D . This secluded beach boasts powdery white sand and emerald waters, living up to its name as a true paradise.

For a truly memorable experience, kayaking is the perfect way to explore the beach and surrounding area. Alternatively, you can simply unwind with a good book or capture stunning photos of the breathtaking scenery.

With no crowds to disrupt your peace, Paradise Beach is the perfect escape for those seeking a serene and tranquil retreat.

Bucal Island

Bucal Island is a hidden gem in El Nido, boasting a small but beautiful white sand beach perfect for a relaxing getaway. This peaceful oasis is an ideal spot for a quiet picnic or a refreshing swim in its crystal-clear waters.

The island’s shallow and transparent waters are also perfect for snorkeling, offering a chance to explore the vibrant marine life teeming with colorful fishes and corals.

El Nido Tour D by Shared Boat

El Nido Tour D by Private Boat

El Nido Tour A Review – Is it the Best Island Hopping Tour?

By: Author Adam

Posted on Last updated: 30 August, 2023

El Nido is a paradise on earth, and Tour A holds some of the best sights in the Palawan. In my book, El Nido has some of the prettiest water and beaches. It’s definitely one of the best places in the Philippines .

The best parts of the area can only be reached via a booked day trip, and El Nido Tour A takes you to some of the most famous and beautiful parts of the archipelago. When looking for things to do in El Nido, be sure to include the El Nido tour A! It’s one of the best Palawan attractions .

El Nido Tour A Itinerary

• Small Lagoon

Secret Lagoon

Simizu island.

• 7 Commandos Beach or Entulala Island (depending on the company)

El Nido Tour A cost:  $32 + 200 PHP Eco-Tour Fee (Govt’) Good for 10 days and multiple trips

Best tour operator for El Nido Tour A:  You can book Tour A in person in town or during high season. We highly suggest booking online in advance to secure your dates. Book online here with Viator .

We traveled with The Alternative Cafe for El Nido Tour A (Better Food), and we went with The Art Cafe for the El Nido Tour C (Bigger/Better Boat).

Duration:  Full Day (Usually 9 am – 4 pm)

Related Article: El Nido Tour C

Small Lagoon El Nido

After a short ride throughout the bay, our first El Nido Tour A stop dropped us at Small Lagoon. It’s on the northern end of Miniloc Island and is an open-top cathedral of limestone.

Vertical walls of stone form a lagoon of shallow water in the shape of a nearly perfect circle. Staring up at the imposing walls from the inside, it starts to look like a very alien landscape.

Note: You can only visit either Small Lagoon or Big Lagoon on Day Trip A. This is done to keep both sites from getting overcrowded. 

Related Post: Visiting El Nido’s Snake Island

Big Lagoon El Nido

The Big Lagoon portion of the El Nido Tour A is all about cruising. For me, this was the best part of the day. The whole tour was great, but the water in the lagoon…just look at it. When I die, sprinkle my ashes here.

There were a few spots to jump off the boat and swim, but there wasn’t a ton of sea life besides the giant sea urchins. This part of the El Nido Tour A experience was more about being in the turquoise water surrounded by dark, jagged limestone cliffs.

The lagoon is extremely shallow, and the deckhand sat off the bow of the boat, helping the captain miss rocks our entire trip in the lagoon. Some of my favorite pictures from El Nido Tour A and the Philippines, in general, are from here.

Related Article: Best Restaurants in El Nido

The lunch stop was yet another ridiculously beautiful island. I almost got tired of looking at such amazing scenery. It made my eyes hurt and made me never want to leave.

Lunch on El Nido Tour A had several options. It included the Philippino version of paella, grilled fish, chicken, salads, fresh fruit, and more. We took this trip with the Alternative Cafe, and their food, both onshore and on tour, was great.

The most striking feature of the island was an outcropping of rocks a short walk from where we docked the boat. A razor-thin blade of black limestone found all over El Nido  stuck straight out of the sand. This piece reminded me of the top fin of a fish, and I wondered how it just stood straight up in the bright white sand. This place is just amazing.

Related Post: Visiting Nacpan Beach

This picture is what sold me on making the trip to El Nido and is a good part of the reason we came to the Philippines. You will find a mess of boats jockeying for position while their passengers jump out to swim through the hole in the rocks that leads to the secret lagoon.

However, these days, it’s more special than it is a secret. El Nido Tour A seems to be the most popular tour, and for good reason. The scenery they show is stunning; it’s one of the shortest rides, and, of course, it has the secret lagoon as an ace up its sleeve. The view ties as to as epic as Kayangan Lake in Coron .

7 Commandos Beach

Seven Commandos Beach would be a great beach in any other part of the world but is just okay by Palawan standards. Most tours finish here because it’s close to El Nido and it’s an easy place to stop.

The story behind the beach is arguably more interesting than the beach itself. As the legend goes, Seven Japanese commandos took refuge here during WWII and ended up living here for a time (actual information is a little cloudy, but this is what the guides told us).

Other companies like the ArtCafe stop at a different beach off the mainland for their last activity. By the looks of it, it’s a prettier beach, and there are fewer people who stop there. It might be something to check out and consider when booking (ask first; things change) if you want to do a tour other than El Nido Tour A.

Related Article: El Nido to Coron Ferry

Tips for a good Tour A in El Nido:

• Book online in advance here
• See if the operator would be willing to run the tour in reverse order. This will get you to most groups’ last stop first and miss the crowds at every stop on EL Nido tour A.
• Find a boat that is leaving earlier than the rest, another great way to have the stops to yourself.
• Book with an established place to ensure your tour leaves as scheduled.
• Rent the snorkel gear; it’s a little extra, but you’ll be disappointed if you don’t.
• Rent or bring a water bag for the camera and other gear (50 PHP rental).
• Bring water shoes – El Nido Tour A is manageable without, but it would still be nice to have them. El Nido Tour C, you really should have them.

Related Article: El Nido Palawan Guide

*When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in El Nido check prices on Booking.com , we’ve found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.*

Recommended Hotel in El Nido – Cuna Hotel

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!

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

Updated Travel Guide to El Nido Palawan from real travelers that have done everything in El Nido from best day trips to restaurants

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

Like This Article? Make Sure To Pin It For Later

THE 10 BEST El Nido Tours & Excursions

Tours in el nido.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Private Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Motorcycle Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. El Nido Private Tour A w/ Lunch

2. El Nido Full Day Tour C with Buffet Lunch

3. El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch

4. Seacret Luxury Catamaran Yacht Group Island Hopping Tour

5. EL Nido Tour A

6. El Nido Tour Group B with Lunch (Full Day)

7. El Nido Tour A - Group w/ Buffet Lunch

8. Discover Scuba diving in El Nido

9. El Nido Tour B - Caves and Islands Tour (Private / Shared)

10. Private Underground River Day Tour with Lunch from El Nido

11. El Nido Island Tour A Fees included No hidden Charges

12. El Nido Island Hopping Tour C with Lunch

13. El Nido Palawan Private Tour C, with Lunch

14. Port Barton Full Day Island Hopping with Buffet Lunch

15. El Nido Tour A - Big Lagoon Premium Tour (Private / Shared)

16. El Nido Island Hopping Day Tour from Puerto Princesa City

17. El Nido Tour C - Hidden Beaches & Snorkeling tour(Private/Shared)

18. 5D4N Puerto Princesa & El Nido Experience

19. Small-Group El Nido Island Hopping Tour

20. El Nido Tour B - Private Tour with Lunch (Full Day)

21. El Nido Tour D Full Day w/ Beach Lunch

22. Coron Island Escapade Group Tour with Island Lunch

23. El Nido Jeepney Adventure

24. Palawan: El Nido - 4 Days 3 Nights

25. 3D2N El Nido Experience

26. Private Transportation from El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan

27. Palawan: Puerto Princesa + El Nido - 4 Days 3 Nights

28. El Nido Tour C Private

29. El Nido Tour D - Lagoons & Beaches Premium tour(Private / Shared)

30. El Nido Island Hopping Tour D with Lunch

What travellers are saying.

• El Nido Full Day Tour C with Buffet Lunch
• El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch
• El Nido Private Tour A w/ Lunch
• Seacret Luxury Catamaran Yacht Group Island Hopping Tour
• EL Nido Tour A
• El Nido Paradise
• Turtle Divers
• Tribe Banua
• El Nido Yachting Club
• Ape Tours El Nido
• Umi Travel and Tours
• El Nido Boutique & Artcafe
• Nativ'Exploration Palawan
• Kraken El Nido
• Nomads Diving Center
• Dive Sibaltan

The Ultimate TOUR A Experience in El Nido, Palawan (Story & Guide)

Our second day marked the beginning of our exploration of the islands, beaches, and limestone formations in El Nido.

Tour A is one of the most popular in El Nido. Unlike Tour C, which is known for its hidden and secret beaches, Tour A focuses on the breathtaking lagoons.

We were early for our rendezvous at the port. We smiled and chatted with fellow tourists, seizing the opportunity to connect with other travelers. There, we met Michael and Sarah, a Swiss couple, who shared their travel stories with us and expressed their enjoyment of the Philippines . This is one of the best things about travel – the people you meet along the way.

By 8 AM, we hopped on the boat and the tour began.

Although Tour A is renowned for its breathtaking lagoons, our first stop that morning was the beach. The clear waters and limestones of 7 Commandos Beach were a stunning introduction to El Nido .

1. 7 Commandos Beach

7 Commandos Beach is the closest to El Nido town, so it’s typically either the first or the last stop on the tour.

We had no complaints about starting here, as it gave us a fantastic glimpse into the wonder of  El Nido with its white sand, clear waters, and limestone cliffs, fulfilling every desire for relaxation in an island paradise.

Approaching the island 🙂

READ STORY: 7 Commandos Beach of El Nido, Palawan

2. Big Lagoon

After spending a few minutes walking along the long stretch of beach, we headed to the Big Lagoon. The entrance to the Big Lagoon, with its surreal and magical pathway, was a breathtaking experience.

It felt like two colossal cliffs were parting ways to welcome us, like entering a different realm. It was incredibly beautiful!

READ STORY:   Big Lagoon of El Nido: Just Like a Fantasy Movie

3. Shimizu island

Next, we headed to Shimizu Island.

One of the boatmen, who sat beside me, revealed that this was their favorite island – a sentiment shared by many tour guides and boatmen. When I inquired why, he mentioned that it’s where we would have our lunch.

Shimizu Island, named after a Japanese scuba diver who tragically died while exploring its underwater tunnels, offers the perfect setting for beach bumming while enjoying seafood, delectable ensalada, veggies, and fruits. We enjoyed it immensely!

READ STORY:   Shimizu Island, El Nido : Our Boatmen’s Favorite Island

4. Secret Lagoon

Our next stop was the Secret Lagoon. We halted near a cluster of huge rocks. As all the tourists headed in one direction, we followed, swimming and walking on sharp rocks until we reached a small opening.

Passing through a hole, we found ourselves inside an enclosed lagoon. It was an awe-inspiring sight!

READ STORY:    Exploring the Secret Lagoon of El Nido

5. Small Lagoon

The Small Lagoon was our final destination and one of the most unforgettable adventures in El Nido.

We kayaked to a narrow entrance, feeling an exhilarating rush as we ventured inside the Small Lagoon. It was simply amazing how nature has crafted such breathtaking beauty.

READ THE BLOG POST: 15 Best Resorts in El Nido

READ STORY: What I learned while Kayaking at Small Lagoon, El Nido

In conclusion, if you seek the ultimate summer destination in the Philippines, El Nido is, without a doubt, the place to be!

El Nido: Tour A Travel Guide 2024

Welcome to El Nido, a slice of paradise in Palawan, Philippines! Tour A is a must-do for any visitor, known for its stunning lagoons, picturesque beaches, and awe-inspiring limestone formations. BOOK EL NIDO TOUR A

Key Destinations on Tour A

• Big Lagoon: A majestic and serene lagoon surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. Ideal for kayaking and swimming in its crystal-clear waters.
• Small Lagoon: Accessible via a narrow opening, this lagoon is a hidden gem perfect for snorkeling and exploring by kayak.
• Secret Lagoon: Nestled behind limestone rocks, it’s a unique spot accessed through a small hole, leading to a secluded pool of water.
• 7 Commandos Beach: Known for its powdery white sand and vibrant marine life, it’s great for relaxation and snorkeling.
• Shimizu Island: Famous for its stunning coral reefs, it’s an excellent spot for snorkeling. Also, a popular lunch stop where you can enjoy fresh seafood and local dishes.

READ MORE: 15 Best Resorts in El Nido

Travel Tips for Tour A

Best Time to Visit : The dry season from December to May offers the best weather conditions for exploring.

Booking the Tour : Book your tour in advance, especially during peak season. Many local operators offer Tour A , but prices and inclusions can vary.

Packing Essentials : Bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, water-resistant bags for electronics, and snorkeling gear. Although some tours provide snorkeling equipment, it’s always best to have your own for comfort and hygiene.

Environmental Preservation : El Nido is a protected area. Always follow the ‘leave no trace’ principle, avoiding littering and disturbing marine life.

Staying Hydrated : It’s crucial to stay hydrated under the sun. Bring a refillable water bottle; many tours provide water refills.

Safety Precautions : Always listen to your guide, especially when swimming or snorkeling, as currents can be strong in some areas.

Photography: Don’t forget your camera! El Nido offers some of the most photogenic landscapes in the world.

Tour A in El Nido is a breathtaking experience that showcases the beauty of Palawan’s natural landscapes. By following these tips, you’re set for an unforgettable adventure in one of the Philippines’ most stunning destinations.

Updates log 01/10/2017 – First published Updated the guide for 2024

More El Nido Blog Posts

• Puerto Princesa to El Nido by bus and van 
• Manila to Puerto Princesa by Ferry 
• Coron to El Nido by Fast Ferry

 previous

AirSwift Promo and Seat Sale 2024 (Latest Discounts & Deals)

newer 

69 Visa-Free Countries for Philippine Passport Holders in 2024

You might also like.

Exploring the Secret Lagoon of El Nido

PAGURIRAN ISLAND and Lagoon: The Hidden Charm of Sorsogon

15 BEST BEACHES in PALAWAN (world-class islands and beaches)

One comment, leave a reply cancel reply, privacy overview.

• Meet the Team
• Work with Us
• Czech Republic
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Scandinavia
• Philippines
• South Korea
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Budget Travel
• Work & Travel
• The Broke Backpacker Manifesto
• Travel Resources
• How to Travel on $10/day

Home » Southeast Asia » Philippines » El Nido

EPIC EL NIDO Itinerary! (2024)

If you want to spend your holiday lazing in the sun on white-sand beaches before jumping into crystal blue waters, then El Nido is the perfect holiday destination!

This Palawan Island municipality is full of things to do and great places from which to set out. Go snorkeling in the rich tropical waters, or tour the archipelago on an exciting day trip! We’ve put together all the very best of what to do in a comprehensive El Nido Itinerary. You can also find out when to visit El Nido, learn insider tips, and where to stay during your trip!

Whether you’re spending two days in El Nido or backpacking the Philippines for two months, you will adore this island paradise! Read on to discover everything you’ll need to know to have a wonderful trip in El Nido.

Unlock Our GREATEST Travel Secrets!

Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox.

Best Time To Visit El Nido

Where to stay in el nido, el nido itinerary, day 1 itinerary in el nido, day 2 itinerary in el nido, el nido itinerary: day 3 and beyond, staying safe in el nido, day trips from el nido, faq on el nido itinerary.

The best time to travel to El Nido, Philippines is during the dry season. This is the Palawan island’s peak season, and it will get busy, but the weather is so perfect, and there’s so much to do, that the crowds won’t bother you. Depending on how you like to travel, you may also prefer it! 

The driest and coldest time of year is from December to February, making this the best time to go . Why not spend Christmas basking in the sun? 

The rainy season in the Philippines can grow quite stormy and sometimes limit the activities available. If you do choose to travel during this time for the cheap flights and small crowds, be sure to keep an eye out on the weather. It can be just as fun, as long as you pick the right days to go!

El Nido is a small town, and every part of it is beautiful! Still, you can choose between neighborhoods that are perfect for island hopping, partying, lazing on the beach and exploring the lush landscape outside your door! 

Our favorite place to stay in El Nido is Corong-Corong Beach and they should be on every Philippines backpacking itinerary . If you’re staying on an island renowned for its white sand beaches, why not stay right on one of the best! This area is also great for partying because much of the best nightlife takes place right on the beach. 

Step outside your room and into the water, and spend all day lazing on the sand sipping on cocktails. You’ll forget grey skies ever existed! Especially with the El Nido trip itinerary we’ve got planned.

If you want to see more of the local culture, stay in El Nido Town. You’ll have easy access to all the tours from here and most stops on our El Nido itinerary. You can also meet people, local and foreign, and find fantastic Philippines food! The accommodation in the town itself is also more budget-friendly, so broke backpackers can still afford to explore the famously beautiful area without breaking the bank!

Check out this post for more advice on where to stay in El Nido!

Best Hostel in El Nido – Outpost Beach Hostel

With a lively, social atmosphere and a fantastic location right on Corong-Corong beach, we cannot picture a better budget option! You’ll meet new people, have a rave of a time, and spend all the time on the beach or island hopping. The rooms are lovely, and you can relax in the lounge or the in-house restaurant! 

If you prefer to stay in hostels, this is our guide to the best hostels in El Nido .

Best Airbnb in El Nido – Magestic Hut In The Jungle

You cannot find a better experience in the Philippines staying here. You get to stay in private hut!

This Airbnb has the number one view we have seen on the site, and it doesn’t end there. The owners are totally switched on about saving energy and using the resources mother nature gave us.

They even teach you about the permaculture, let you pick from the garden, and show you just how their solar panel system works in the tropics. And most of all, the place is geared towards travelers coming through, so they made the ideal hangout location on site.

Just sip on some coconuts or have a San Miguel while you meet new people staying nearby or on the location. As for location, there’s nothing better than having the option to go hiking in your backyard, but if you are looking for some social life there are some awesome coffee shops within walking distance with the choice of neat little cafes that will definitely have halo halo, – a must-try local dessert!

Best Budget Hotel in El Nido – Cuna Hotel

La Cuna has bright, spacious rooms, comfortable beds, and terrific staff. It is El Nido’s best budget hotel, with a great pool and plenty of amenities. Dine and drink in your room or at the hotel bar or restaurant, and relax in the peaceful, in-town hotel. 

Best Luxury Hotel in El Nido –  Balai Adlao

This charming hotel is situated in the center of El Nido. A few minutes walk from everything you could want, the hotel is a perfect home base! Enjoy a buffet breakfast, a private balcony, and great services. The hotel is ideal for solo travelers and couples, and it’s the best place to stay in El Nido in three days! 

El Nido is such a small town that you certainly don’t need to catch public transport! You can comfortably walk everywhere, or even rent a bicycle and explore the greater El Nido area by bike! Most hotels rent out bicycles, which means they are also a very convenient option.

If you’re spending more than three days in El Nido, you may want to explore beyond the island! We’ve found some great tours for that, but catching public transport and exploring on your own is also a great option. While you cannot discover many of the little islands and snorkeling coves on your own, you can visit the other areas on Palawan island .

The island is massive, and it can take almost a day to cross it by bus or van, so choose your destinations wisely! The vans are like large taxis, and can take some time filling up. They will usually stay in one town until they are up to capacity, so if you choose to travel this way, hop into one that looks pretty full!

The bus is the cheapest and second most popular option for inter-town travel on Palawan. They travel every one to two hours, so you’ll never have to wait too long!

Las Cabanas Beach | Big Lagoon | Small Lagoon | Zipline | Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls | Full Moon Party

Day one in El Nido combines all of the island town’s best activities: swimming, tanning, and beach parties! If you’re wondering what to do in El Nido, look no further! 

Day 1 / Stop 1 – Swim and Tan on Las Cabanas Beach

• Why it’s awesome: Pristine beaches and gorgeous coastal waters.
• Cost: Free!
• Food nearby: Get breakfast at the casual Las Cabanas Beach Resort.

One of the main reasons we love to visit El Nido is for the absurdly beautiful beaches! That means they have to be first on the list. Step out of your hotel and onto the sand or make the short walk from town. 

The waters are warm and clear and the scene picturesque. Take a dip in the water before relaxing on the sand or on a lounger! You can spend all day here, but since there’s so much to do, we recommend a few hours to rejuvenate and shed all your stress. Afterward, you will move onto the rest of the thrilling day’s activities on your El Nido itinerary!

Most beaches have bars and cafes lining a section of them and loungers available. So, you can enjoy a mojito or a beer while you catch that tan.

Be sure to apply a lot of sunscreen, as the sun here is very hot. You will also want waterproof so that you can dive into the water whenever you feel a little warm! For more advice on what to bring to El Nido, check out our Philippines packing list !

Day 1 / Stop 2 – Kayak in the Big Lagoon

• Why it’s awesome: Limestone cliffs and crystal make this one of the most gorgeous stops.
• Cost: A kayak costs USD $27 for the day, or USD $8 per hour
• Food nearby: Pack a picnic- the Big Lagoon is left untouched by restaurants and eateries!

Rent a kayak or join a tour of El Nido’s Big Lagoon! The lagoon is massive and impressive, with limestone cliffs rising up on every side, and clear water revealing equally interesting formations below the water!

You can spend hours here exploring nooks and crannies and jumping off your boat into the ocean. There’s both deep and shallow water, so people of all ages and swimming abilities will be comfortable. 

You can also grab a snorkel in El Nido to better explore the Lagoon below the water. As soon as you’re tired, you can climb back into your kayak and paddle over to the next exciting area!

This is one of the most picturesque natural places in the world, so don’t forget your best travel camera ! You can also hire a local to row for you so that you can find the best parts of the giant lagoon easily and save all your strength for swimming.

Insider Tip: There are spiny sea urchins in much of the lagoon, so be sure to stick to the deeper areas, or find a shallow spot that’s clear of them!  

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Explore the Small Lagoon

• Why it’s awesome: The Small Lagoon is so beautiful and very close to El Nido town.
• Cost: Like the Big Lagoon, a kayak costs USD $27 for the day, or USD $8 per hour.
• Food nearby: Pack a picnic to enjoy, because there are no restaurants around!

This local paradise is one of the best El Nido attractions! Rent a kayak or go with your tour group to spend hours in this little lagoon. The visibility is superb, and the crystal waters stay pristine no matter the weather. This makes it a great place to visit during those rainy months!

The water is warm and much of the lagoon is shallower than the other snorkeling spots. There are sometimes small jellies, which are wonderful to see but will stop you from swimming! They are so ephemeral and sweet though, you won’t be too bothered!

The views are amazing, and there’s so much to see and admire. It gets quite crowded during peak season. That’s why we’ve made it a later stop for the day so that you miss both the hottest time of the day (and the busiest)!

Like its larger partner, this lagoon has plenty of great cliff jumping spots and gorgeous limestone formations, as well as a few caves to explore.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – Zipline

• Why it’s awesome: Combines adrenaline-pumping fun and great views.
• Cost: USD $10 one way.
• Food nearby: Grab a snack at The Beach Shack!

Get your adrenaline pumping on a zipline! The El Nido zipline stretches across the beach and the bay to the nearby Snake Island. At 750m long, it’s such a great way to see the sights as you fly along!

Once you’re on Snake Island, why not stay awhile and do some snorkeling. You can then walk back to the mainland at low tide, or swim back to shore! It’s an easy swim being so close, but if you’d prefer, you can also be pulled back up the zipline, for an additional USD $8.

The walk up to the zipline platform is steep, but only takes 5-10 minutes, so it’s suitable for everyone. You can also reach it by scooter or tricycle if you’re renting one for the day!

Your departure is Las Cabanas Beach, which is a great place to return for a beer and a bit of relaxing after the activity!

Insider Tip: Wear walking shoes rather than slip slops. The short trek up is steep and rocky.

Day 1 / Stop 5 – Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls

• Why it’s awesome: It’s a beautiful waterfall and a lovely walk.
• Food nearby: Pack a picnic to enjoy at the falls.

Leave the beach behind and explore deeper into Palawan island! We love this El Nido itinerary stop not only for the waterfall but for the walk there. It’s a light hike. You’ll stroll through exotic vegetation and spot some creatures before coming up onto the impressive waterfall. You’ll also be walking through the river several times, so prepare to get a little wet!

You can swim in the small pool, and take plenty of photos (it’s a great Instagram opportunity). If the water flow isn’t too heavy, swim under the waterfall! The falling water feels like a massage on your shoulders and head.

The hike is a casual forty minute walk through the wilderness. This is the only stop on your itinerary for El Nido that goes deep into the jungle, so enjoy the adventure! You can hire a guide to avoid getting lost or throw caution to the wind and explore alone.

Day 1 / Stop 6 – Full Moon Party

• Why it’s awesome: You can party all night with free-spirited folk.
• Cost: Free entrance!
• Food nearby: Find local food and drinks at Marimegmeg Beach Bar.

If you book your trip to El Nido during the full moon, you’re in great luck! If you haven’t booked your flights yet, see if you can catch this monthly event. The full moon parties are legendary, and it’s one of the best things to do in El Nido!

Don your brightest clothes, get a little luminescent paint and glitter, and embrace the free-spirited fun! With drinking, dancing, and the opportunity to meet and bond with new people from all over the world, this is guaranteed to be a fantastic night. 

The beach party includes live reggae bands and great DJs who know just how to keep the party going all night. You’ll also see fire dancers and giant bonfires, where you can dance or sit and enjoy the night. 

If you’re not in El Nido, Palawan during full moon, don’t fret. You may not have all the best the island has to offer, but beach parties are a common sight in El Nido, and there’s always something going on!

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Cathedral Caves | Shimizu Island Snorkeling | Vigan Island | Balay Cuyonon Museum | Sibaltan Mangroves | Ille Cave | RoofTop Bar and Boutique

The second day on our two day itinerary in El Nido will take you snorkeling and island hopping, as well as exploring some of the mainland! Set out on a self-led El Nido walking tour and explore all the great sights in and beyond the town and municipality. 

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Cathedral Caves

• Why it’s awesome: The gorgeous soaring rock formations are really impressive.
• Cost: Boat rentals are negotiable, but expect to pay ~ USD $80.
• Food nearby: Boat tours include lunch, but if you’re going yourself, pack a picnic.

On day two of your El Nido itinerary, catch a boat to the gorgeous Cathedral Caves for a natural wonder that competes with Europe’s best cathedrals! The cave is almost hidden to the eye from outside, so you will need a guide. Once you get inside though, the stone ceiling soars up in spires and chutes!

You can’t swim here, but there is so much beauty to marvel at. It’s the perfect stop before you head a little out of El Nido to snorkel, the next activity on our El Nido itinerary! Be sure to bring your camera.

Insider Tip: If you’re only looking for places to swim, skip this stop- it’s absolutely gorgeous, but strong currents and the possibility of sea snakes make it unfit for swimming!

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Go Snorkeling off Shimizu Island

• Why it’s awesome: Shimizu island has some of Palawan’s best snorkeling!
• Cost: Pay an environmental fee of USD $10
• Food nearby: Find something tasty at the vendors who sell fresh-tasting food at the beach.

A must-see on our two-day itinerary in El Nido, Shimizu Beach, has as much to admire under the water as above it! Explore the underwater wonderland, admiring the multicolored fish that make the coral home. 

You’ll find creatures large and small swimming around the otherworldly metropolis. The corals here are still alive and vibrant with color. Swim slowly and see everything you can. Who knows, maybe you’ll even see a cuttlefish or an octopus, changing its color and texture to suit its location?

The island itself is small and charming, and locals have set up small cafes and shops to cater to those that snorkel and swim here. The rocky landscape is also very interesting to explore, and you can jump off the small cliffs into the water (if you find a safe place). Remember to never  walk on coral. Only bring children to this activity that are old enough to respect the coral.

You can spend all day here and want for nothing, whether you’re renting a boat and doing the trip on your own, or joining a tour. One of the best places to visit in El Nido, this lovely island is the perfect place for all ages to explore! 

Day 2 / Stop 3 – Vigan Island

• Why it’s awesome: Explore the little island separated from El Nido by a sandbar.
• Cost: Free access!
• Food nearby: Get lunch at The Nesting Table, just off El Nido’s coast, or find ‘street’ food on the little island.

No trip to El Nido is complete without visiting Vigan Island! Also known as Snake Island, this is one of the top El Nido points of interest. It can be reached by walking along a picturesque sandbar at low tide or swam to at high tide. 

The island’s nickname, thankfully, does not arise from a proliferation of snakes! Rather, it was dubbed that because of the snake-like shape of the sandbar that leads to it. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy the sun and swim in the clear shallow water!

On the walk up to the viewing deck at the island’s highest point, you’ll walk through a lovely Mangrove forest! See if you can spot any of the indigenous monkeys. Remember, if you do spot these beautiful creatures, don’t try to touch them as they are wild!

>It’s a terrifically calming stop on the El Nido itinerary, and very photo-worthy. Just avoid peak times, as it can get very busy!

Day 2 / Stop 4 – Balay Cuyonon Museum

• Why it’s awesome: It’s a great opportunity to see how the locals lived.
• Cost: Admission is by donation so you choose how much to pay!
• Food nearby: Get something light and local at Efrena Beach Restaurant in Sibaltan town.

We think it’s always important to learn a little about the local culture and history when you go on holiday! It allows you to appreciate everything you see in a far deeper way and with valuable context.

This small museum shows how Cuyunons lived and how some continue to live, after arriving on the island thousands of years ago! The museum, a traditionally-styled replica of a Cuyonon homestead, is situated right on the beach in the town of Sibaltan. 

It’s an interactive museum, allowing you not only to learn about how the Cuyonons lived but experience it yourself! The museum was established so that local Cuyonons can learn where they come from and maintain an element of their traditions and culture, and so that those touring El Nido can learn more about them as well!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Sibaltan Mangroves

• Why it’s awesome: Beautiful and ethereal, kayaking among the mangroves is amazing!
• Food nearby: You can find some fantastic food at Tangway Resto Gallery.

For a totally different aesthetic, rent a kayak or join a boat trip of the Sibaltan river running between Mangrove plantations . These beautifully bending trees line the riverbank for a kilometer, and they are a really lovely sight! 

You can rent a kayak or two from the friendly locals and explore the river on your own- there’s nothing too dangerous in the waters or surroundings, so a guide is not necessary although you may prefer to have one so that you know just where to go!

This lovely stop is another example of how little El Nido optimizes for tourist attractions and retains a natural, authentic atmosphere. It’s a relief when you grow accustomed to destinations where you can see nothing without forking out some cash!

Day 2 / Stop 6 – Ille Cave

• Why it’s awesome: It’s a network of caves and a museum!
• Cost: Free.
• Food nearby: Enjoy casual local cuisine at the nearby Minnuya Restaurant.

Few people planning a trip to El Nido know about the fascinating Ille Cave! This jacked limestone tower is surrounded by forest and fields and offers some of the most interesting mainland views! 

The site contains so much history that it’s been made into a museum! Many artifacts have been found in the cave, and it was certainly once used for shelter by ancient tribes. You can find many of the artifacts still housed here with displays and descriptions! Archeologists continue to research the area, so there’s new information all the time.

Stroll through the impressive chambers and discover hidden gems! The hike up takes about forty minutes, and it’s challenging and difficult. You can come here with a guide, or you can find it yourself if you’re willing to spend a little more time looking for it! Locals can always point you in the right direction.

Insider Tip: While you’re there, you should definitely make the extra walk up to the top of the mountain. It’s not far and the incredible views are well worth it. But wear hiking shoes, as the terrain is rocky!

Day 2 / Stop 7 – RoofTop Bar and Boutique

• Why it’s awesome: Great vibes, good music and plenty of cocktails.
• Food nearby: The food at the bar itself is amazing and very well priced.

If you’re looking to have some nighttime fun with a laid-back atmosphere, RoopTop is the best bar in town. You can go barefoot, relaxed, and enjoy cocktails and good people without a thought of leaving.

The bar plays reggae and chill dance music. They also serve a great variety of drinks and are known for their perfect, strong Cosmopolitans. Likely to become your go-to place for a few drinks in El Nido, the RoofTop Bar welcomes all! 

If you’re looking to party hard and dance all night, it may not be where you’ll spend all your time. Even then, it’s the perfect first stop.

The three-story bar offers plenty of space to relax, with futons, couches, and floor pillows arranged around tables. The happy hour lasts long and the views are lovely. You really can’t go wrong with this stop on our El Nido Itinerary!

Outpost Beach Hostel

With a lively, social atmosphere and a fantastic location right on Corong-Corong beach, we cannot picture a better budget option!

• Reception (limited hours)
• Airport Transfers

El Nido Yoga Class | El Kusina | Mountain Biking | Canopy Walk | Sailing El Nido’s Ocean

With three days in El Nido, it’s time to experience more of the local culture and lesser-known El Nido landmarks! These activities and attractions are a wonderful way to get to know the locals better and experience more than the average tourist.

Go to an El Nido Yoga Class

• Choose between a morning and evening yoga class so that your day is free.
• Relax and get in touch with your body while challenging it in this beautiful setting.
• Classes are designed for complete beginners to the highest levels!

What better way to relax in paradise than with a yoga class with views over the island and ocean? We love this activity in the itinerary for El Nido because it’s such a different experience to most, and there can be no better place for us to recommend a little yoga! 

If you enjoy regular yoga and have a few flexible skills up your sleeve, you can join one of the more advanced classes. If you’ve never done it before but like the idea of doing some calm exercise to work off those great boozy nights, the beginners classes are fantastic!

You can take the class before or after an island hopping tour or a day spent swimming and enjoying the sun! Our favorite is the evening class, because the only way to improve a well-run paradise-setting yoga class is to throw in a sunset. It will certainly give you a good night’s rest. Of course, it’ll get you loose and limber for the night’s dancing!

There are a few yoga places you can choose between in El Nido. Our favorite is Namaste El Nido – their instructors are professional and good, their different classes are suited to different skill levels, and the view from the yoga rooms is beautiful!

Another great option is the simply named Yoga El Nido. Here the views are even more impressive, and their instructors are also fantastic. This studio, however, is only open from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

Take a Cooking Class at El Kusina

• Learn how to make delicious Filipino food and learn about their lifestyle.
• Enjoy a few rounds of rum while you cook up a storm!
• Start with a visit to the local market and choose your fresh ingredients.

We always love taking cooking classes while we travel! What better memento to bring home than the ability to cook some of your favorite local dishes! This way the amazing memories can sink in every time you make a little Filipino cuisine.

El Kusina is the oldest running cooking class in El Nido, and depending on when you go, you may find it’s the only one! The experience is fantastic. Nina runs the classes with modern equipment in a simple, traditional setting. She and her partner started the classes to address a lack of tourism activities in the town itself. 

It’s a wonderful way to learn about the workings of Filipino food and cooking practices . You’ll also learn more about the local Filipino culture, and get a new appreciation for the beauty of El Nido!

At El Kusina, you can choose between private sessions and a spot in public ones! Both are brilliant, as you can either meet and have fun with new people, or bond with the group you came with! You’ll learn how to cook five different dishes, including starters, mains, and a pudding. You’ll even get the online cookbook, so you’ll never forget how to make it! The classes take four to five hours, and you can choose to do it in the morning or the evening.

Mountain Biking through the Forest

• Fantastic adventure activity and way to experience El Nido in a different way.
• Rent a bicycle for a couple of hours or for the whole day and explore Palawan.
• You can choose between a bicycle tour or self-led adventure.

If you have any experience with mountain biking , you’ll know how different it is to ordinary road biking and how fantastically fun! Rent a bicycle at one of the rental places dotted around El Nido, or get one at your hostel- most accommodations provide them at a reduced fee!

Palawan has a good amount of mountain trails ideal for mountain biking. If you have an experience, or are at minimum lead by someone with a fair bit of experience, then find a trail map and pick up some bikes! If not, we suggest you join a group. El Nido tours are organized daily, and you can join or create a group. You can also get a tour guide with your bicycle rental and tour Palawan that way!

The best part about exploring Palawan beyond the beaches is that you’ll come across hidden villages nestled among the hills! Cycle among tropical rainforests and spot the creatures that make it home. Then say helo to the locals and see if you can buy a memento. The jungle is pristine and the villages virtually untouched by the outside world. 

You can take it easy and follow trails that tackle only slight uphills. Alternatively, challenge yourself to a day of hard riding and see some of Palawan’s best mountain views!

El Nido Canopy Walk

• A safe way to see the limestone cliffs of El Nido from up high.
• Spectacular and Instagrammable views over the island!
• Can feel physically challenging, but you have time and a great guide.

A fantastic way to see El Nido is from above! Trek the canopy walk to get the best views in El Nido. The walk takes about an hour and includes some steep sections which can be physically challenging but the view from the top is so worth it! Just pace yourself and bring plenty of water. 

Once you’re at the top, you’ll have views all along the canopy. Every moment is worth a photo, so don’t forget your camera! You can also include the dream catcher section, and we think it’s well worth the little extra cost. Here you can stand, bounce, or lie on a network of ropes in the structure of a dream catcher, but what it catches is you! What a dream!

Despite the uphill, this is not a very challenging walk, and experienced hikers may find it a little boring. You can always take the day and hike up well-marked trails to the top of the limestone cliffs. Just keep in mind that it’s safer to have a guide, as the cliffs can be treacherous, and you should only go if you have a full day to dedicate to the activity.

Sailing El Nido’s Ocean

• Beginners can take a course to learn to sail in idyllic conditions off El Nido’s coast.
• You can also join a two day expedition to explore beyond Palawan.
• Watch or join in on weekly Sunday sailing races. There are activities for everyone.

Another fantastic El Nido activity is sailing on a catamaran! This is an absolutely awesome way to experience Palawan’s gorgeous bays. Find secluded beaches all to yourself and watch the turquoise water pass you with a light spray!

You can rent a catamaran for a few hours or for the day and learn to sail on your own. The catamarans are very handy, because their double hull makes even complete beginners tip with difficulty.

You can also take a sailing course for an hour, and learn all the ins and outs of it! You can then go take a well-deserved rest and move onto a swim and tan, or then rent the catamaran and take it out for a spin on your own! If you’re spending the weekend in El Nido, be sure to check out their Sunday sailing fun! It’s a popular activity both for locals and tourists.

For something completely different, go on an overnight sailing-camping trip! No experience is needed, and you’ll spend the day sailing, and the night on a private island. If you don’t like camping, you can also choose to stay at a cottage on Snake Island!

All meals on the trip are included, and you can go with a group of two through twenty! This is such a unique way to experience Palawan. Enjoy the challenge and relax with a laid-back itinerary!

El Nido is considered a very safe place to travel! The island paradise experiences very little violent crimes. Petty theft does occur, and it’s always a good idea to keep your cash and valuables safe and carry as little on you as possible. Most hostels and hotels have lockers available- unless you’re sure yours has one, bring a padlock.

An important safety warning is to avoid drinking tap water. Like on most islands, the water can be unsafe to drink and lead to a very uncomfortable vacation in El Nido, if not hospitalization. Don’t stress, you can buy water at every corner, and most hostels provide it for purchase or for free!

Keep in mind that ATMs are hard to find in the island town. It’s better to come prepared with cash in the local currency. You will also find that bartering lowers the prices of many products, as locals are trying to make some extra money from tourists’ ignorance about local prices.

Jellyfish and sea urchins may share parts of the ocean with you when you go. There is also at times broken glass in the sand from inconsiderate tourists. Wear slip slops or rock shoes to ensure you don’t cut your feet! However, if you do get stung , apply vinegar to help with the pain.

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for El Nido

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Go beyond a three day itinerary in El Nido, and explore the greater Palawan! These day trips take you to the nearby islands and to some of Palawan’s other great towns.

Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches

One of our favorite day trips from El Nido! This is the perfect day out, and you’re back before the nighttime celebrations begin! Spend the day cruising among the islands and jumping off your boat into the warm turquoise waters. 

You’ll have plenty of time to snorkel and spot some fantastic fish and coral reefs. Maybe you’ll even see a turtle lazily gliding by! Island hopping is everyone’s favorite activity in El Nido, Palawan and for good reason. Spend the day experiencing all the best of paradise!

This El Nido tour package includes a barbeque lunch on one of the islands and a very laid-back itinerary. All you need to do is make sure you’re on the boat before it sets off for the next island!

Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Tour

For something totally out of the ordinary, take a tour of the Puerto Princesa Underground River ! The eight-hour trip takes you through the incredible river- the longest navigable underground river in the world!

The tour includes kayaking through the sequence of caves in an otherworldly adventure. You’ll see a unique ecosystem of fauna and flora as you delicately explore. The tour also includes a buffet lunch of Filipino delicacies! 

You will have to make your way to Puerto Princesa City for this tour. The trip takes about four hours, so it’s a good idea to stay in this area for an extra day. You can easily find a bus or taxi to make the trip! 

Puerto Princesa: Half Day City Tour

While you’re in Puerto Princesa, catch a tour to see all the best of the charming coastal city! Join a walking tour that will take you to all the city’s highlights and attractions, or you can do a driven tour to tick more off and enjoy a rest.

Tours stop at the lovely Roman Catholic Cathedral, the weaving centre where you can learn about traditional Filipino weaving practices, and the World War II fort! You’ll also get to taste local delicacies, like hopia ! 

With an enthusiastic local guide, this is the perfect way to spend the day before returning to El Nido. 

Coron: Town Tour with Maquinit Hot Spring

Another of the best day trips from El Nido is this town tour! The colorful town of Coron is a beautifully photogenic place to visit. The tour takes you to all its top highlights, and then on to the saltwater hot spring!

Here you can relax with gorgeous views and a pleasantly warm soak. Trek up the 700 step climb to the Mount Tapyas Viewing Deck, where you’ll enjoy unparalleled views over Coron! It’s a beautiful sight, and one you shouldn’t miss while on this side of the island! 

The tours start in Coron, so you’ll have to catch a bus or van to the town. That’s why our next day trips sets out from here too! If you want to stay the night in Coron, read our guide on where to stay in Coron .

Coron: Barracuda Lake, Skeleton Wreck, Twin Lagoon Boat Tour

Explore the thriving life that make an old shipwreck home on this brilliant Palawan tour from Coron. This is another one of our favorite island hopping tours, and includes a  visit to an old wreckage where you can swim among the newly formed corals and imagine what once was.

You’ll have a fantastic local-style buffet for lunch on one of the islands! Stop at some of the areas best snorkeling and swimming areas, and enjoy a day out on the boat.

One of our favorite parts of these island hopping tours is that even the snorkeling masks are included, so you can enjoy the trip without concerning yourself about any of the little details!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Find out what people want to know when planning their El Nido itinerary.

Why should I visit El Nido?

Because it’s one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever set your eyes on in the entire world! It’s pure vibes!

What is the best thing to do in El Nido during summer?

Summer is all year round but the rainy season does hit hard here. Island hopping is what it’s all about and it’s best in the dry season.

How do you travel around El Nido?

Hop on one of the tricycles, which are a bit like a tuk tuk and are super cheap and a fun way to get around!

What are the most fun things to do in El Nido?

Island hopping of course is the most popular, but you can also explore Ille Cave and kayak through Sibaltan Mangroves.

It may be small, but El Nido, Palawan is an incredible place to visit! There’s so much to do, and there’s a surprising variety of activities to fit into a three day itinerary in El Nido. We’ve put together all the greatest activities and day trips, so that you don’t have to wonder what to do in El Nido!

Palawan is certainly a holiday destination for those looking for an island paradise. This means that there are not hundreds of activities for every kind of traveler, but there’s much more than enough to keep you entertained! Spend time lazing on the perfect sand beaches, snorkeling in the crystal clear water, and exploring the island’s natural beauty and historic culture.

This El Nido itinerary can be used for those spending only one day in El Nido or a whole week! Space out the activities after day two, or fit everything into a weekend. You’re bound to have a brilliant island vacation!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Rhenz Caguioa

Share or save this post

Hello .. I come across your blog while I was searching info for travelling to El Nido in next month. your post is very informative and loaded with all necessary details especially for the backpackers. Thank you so much for sharing it. I really enjoyed reading and also appreciate your efforts to share such long and informative details.

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.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.

Not Another Backpacker

El Nido Tour D Review: Exploring the Best of Cadlao Island

Majestic limestone formations, secluded beaches, and a turquoise blue lagoon – that’s what you can expect to see on El Nido Tour D!

While the other island hopping tours in El Nido head to several different islands in Bacuit Bay, Tour D focuses primarily on the island of Cadlao – the largest one in the area.

However, this doesn’t mean Tour D is any less spectacular! I find that Cadlao Island is one of the most special places I’ve ever been to and Cadlao Lagoon is one of my favorite places in all of El Nido!

For this reason, I decided to write a detailed review of El Nido Island Hopping Tour D for you. Here, I’ll show you what destinations you’ll get to visit when joining this tour and where you can book your island hopping tour in El Nido!

Note: Your trust is important to me. Therefore, I’d like to point out that this article contains referral links (also known as affiliate links). This means I get a small commission if you buy a product after clicking on one of the corresponding links marked with a *. There are no extra costs for you, but it helps me keep this blog ad-free. Thank you!

El Nido Tour D Itinerary

Ipil Beach is a small yet beautiful beach on the mainland in El Nido. However, you can only reach it by boat or kayak, as there are no roads or paths leading to this beach from El Nido town! Here, you can swim in clear water, while enjoying the view of Helicopter Island and Cadlao Island (, which is where you’ll head next).

Cadlao Lagoon

Cadlao Lagoon is the highlight of El Nido Tour D, and in my opinion, it’s the most underrated lagoon in El Nido! It’s located on the western side of Cadlao Island and features magnificent turquoise-blue water. You can either swim inside or rent a kayak (, which you’ll have to do when booking the tour!) to paddle through this natural paradise.

The water is a mixture of saltwater from the sea and freshwater that’s originating in a small stream nearby. Thus, the water is not as warm as in other places in El Nido, though it’s wonderfully refreshing and the blue color of the water is just out of this world!

If you head to the right, you’ll be surrounded by high limestone cliffs, or you can chill out at a small beach on the left-hand side of the lagoon. Furthermore, if you like to snorkel, you’ll have a blast exploring the sea life at the beginning of the lagoon, where you can find Butterflyfish, Nudibranchia, and blue starfish!

Pasandigan Beach

Pasandigan beach is located in front of the jaw-dropping, gray limestone that’s towering on Cadlao Island.

When you’re here, you should make sure to ask your tour guide for Pasandigan Cave. This cave is hidden inside the limestone but can easily be entered. Inside, you can bathe in cold yet refreshing water that drops down from the limestone and mixes in with the saltwater.

It’s a cool little adventure (sorry, but I’m a sucker for bad jokes…) that should not be missed, though it’s often being overlooked by tourists!

Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach didn’t get its name for nothing! Like Pasandigan Beach, it’s located in front of beautiful rock formations, which provide the perfect background for your holiday photos!

Here, you’ll also find a nice swimming area with clear water and beautiful white sand. It’s a great spot to swim and relax before heading to the next stop on your island hopping tour!

Nat Nat Beach

Another great spot on El Nido Tour D is Nat Nat Beach, which is Cadlao’s closest beach to town. However, this beach is not as ideal for swimming but perfect for snorkeling, as most of the area is covered in corals, which makes it a true underwater paradise!

To snorkel, you’ll want to head to the southern side of the beach, where you’ll find large amounts of corals and thousands of fish! Many locals even agree that it’s one of the best snorkeling spots in all of El Nido!

Bukal Beach

Bukal Beach is located on Bukal Island (or as I like to call it: “Cadlao Junior”), which is on the Eastern side of Cadlao, and offers a wonderful view of its large neighbor.

It’s the perfect beach to kick back and relax in clear water while enjoying the view of Cadlao Island and Bacuit Bay!

How Much Does the El Nido Island Hopping Tour D Cost?

The El Nido Island Hopping Tour D costs 1200 PHP (appr. 24 USD). Though, if it’s your first island hopping tour in a 10-day period, you’ll also have to pay a 200 PHP (appr. 4 USD) environmental fee on top, which amounts to a total cost of 1400 PHP (appr. 28 USD).

Still, it’s the cheapest island hopping tour in El Nido and the best way to see Bacuit Bay if you’re traveling Southeast Asia on a budget !

Where Can I Book El Nido Tour D?

You can book El Nido Tour D from any travel agency in town, e.g. the one from Art Café , as island hopping is the major attraction in El Nido!

The tourism department has implemented fixed prices. This saves you the hassle of running around looking for the best deal, as the prices are the same anywhere in town. However, if you book your ticket online, for example through GetYourGuide* , you may be charged a service fee on top of the regular price!

Keep in mind that you need to buy your ticket at least one day in advance, and don’t forget to bring your ID when booking the tour!

For more tips about activities in the region, check out my article about the best things to do in El Nido !

Conclusion: Is the El Nido Island Hopping Tour D Worth it?

Yes, I think El Nido Tour D is the most underrated island hopping tour in El Nido! Most people choose to book Tour A or Tour C due to the infamous Small and Big Lagoon from Tour A and the hidden beaches of Tour C.

Nonetheless, Tour D also has great places to offer that should not be overlooked! Plus, it’s cheaper and typically less crowded than any other island hopping tour in the area!

The only thing you should consider when booking Tour D is that most places on Cadlao Island can also be reached by kayak. Therefore, you may want to check out the other El Nido tours, if you’re planning to do a lot of kayaking in the area and are not keen to visit the same places twice!

If you book an island hopping tour in El Nido, you should make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, and (obviously) swimwear. Lunch and snorkels are usually included in the island hopping packages, though I recommend confirming this with your travel agency or tour guide before hopping on board!

El Nido Tour D is not only the cheapest, but also the least crowded island hopping tour in the area. This means you can enjoy the marvelous beaches of Bacuit Bay in a quiet setting without too many tourists being around!

In my opinion, the highlight of El Nido Tour D is Cadlao Lagoon, which consists of astonishingly turquoise-blue water surrounded by incredible lime stone formations! Plus, there’s also a small beach where you can relax and a beautiful snorkeling area, where you can find plenty of fish and corals. What else could you ask for?

Helpful Travel Resources for Your Trip

Do you still need to book your trip? Here, I’ll show you what resources I use:

TRANSPORTATION

• Skyscanner *: I book (almost) all my flights through Skyscanner. This site scans the web for the best deals within the blink of an eye. Plus, it shows you prices for the whole month, which makes it easy to find the cheapest day to fly!
• 12GoAsia*: This site specializes in providing cheap tickets for planes, buses, and trains all over Asia!

ACCOMMODATION

• Agoda *: Agoda usually has the best prices for accommodation and offers unbeatable 24-hour flash deals!
• Booking*: Alternatively, you can also find good deals and a wide selection of hotels and guest houses on Booking.com.
• Hostelworld*: If you’re looking specifically for a hostel, you’ll be amazed by the variety of options Hostelworld has to offer!

You are reading: El Nido Tour D Review: Exploring the Best of Cadlao Island

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.

Related Articles

Where to stay in el nido: best neighborhoods and hotels, my 10 favorite beaches in palawan, the worst slums in manila: one day in “happyland”, port barton in palawan: best things to do + helpful tips for your vacation.

• January 2024
• December 2023
• February 2023
• January 2023
• December 2022
• November 2022
• October 2022
• September 2022
• August 2022
• September 2021
• August 2021

Detailed El Nido Itinerary for 3 or 4 Days + Tips

El Nido is one of the most beautiful places in Palawan, Philippines, featuring towering karst mountains, turquoise lagoons, incredible coral reefs, and colorful fish.

One of the most popular activities to do during any El Nido itinerary is to go on an island hopping tour. It’s easy to see why, as the islands here are truly out of this world, with some of the clearest and bluest water you’ll ever see!

Aside from visiting the islands, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy such as exploring the beautiful beaches on the mainland, hiking to a panoramic viewpoint, or taking a dip in a waterfall surrounded by the lush jungle.

If you’re visiting soon, this guide will show you exactly how to plan your 3 or 4 days in El Nido itinerary, including useful tips on how to get there, where to stay, and more.

Read more about Palawan Philippines:

• Comprehensive guide to El Nido Tour A
• Everything you need to know about El Nido Tour C
• Best 10 day Palawan itinerary for first-timers
• Port Barton travel guide

*** This article may contain affiliate links, meaning each time you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you which helps a lot in keeping this website running. Thank you for your support :)

El Nido Travel Essentials

Recommended activities and tours in El Nido:

• Island Hopping Tour A , Tour B , and Tour C (cheaper when booking online)
• El Nido Combined Tour A and C
• El Nido Tour D (least crowded tour)
• Taraw Cliff Canopy Walk and Viewpoint (cheaper when booking online)
• Jeepney Tour of El Nido Beaches and Waterfall

Where to stay in El Nido:

• Luxury: Lihim Resorts
• Mid-range: Cadlao Resort
• Budget: Frendz Hostel  or Spin Designer Hostel   (dorm and private rooms)

How to get to El Nido:

• Book a flight from Manila to El Nido here
• Book a ferry from Coron to El Nido here
• Book a bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido here
• Book a bus from Port Barton to El Nido here

Table of Contents

How many days in El Nido is enough?

I recommend spending at least 3 days in El Nido. But with 4 days you’ll have more than enough time to explore the attractions on the mainland and do two island hopping tours.

Below is a suggested 3 or 4 day El Nido itinerary:

Day 1 : Visit the beaches near El Nido Town: El Nido Beach, Corong Corong Beach, Vanilla Beach, or Las Cabanas Beach

Day 2 : El Nido Island Hopping Tour A

Day 3 : El Nido Island Hopping Tour C

Day 4 : Taraw Cliff viewpoint, Lio Beach, Bulalacao Waterfall, Nacpan Beach

4-Day El Nido Itinerary: Day 1

Visit the beaches near el nido town.

Start your 4 day El Nido itinerary by exploring some of the beaches near El Nido Town.

There are several beaches to choose from depending on your preferences. Below I’ll walk you through them:

El Nido Beach

This beach is the closest to El Nido Town and is mainly used as a pick-up and drop-off point for the El Nido island hopping tours.

Although the scenery here is beautiful with the limestone mountains and turquoise waters, it’s not ideal for swimming due to the boats covering the main strip.

Nevertheless, it’s still a great place spot to hang out, especially in the evening as there are lots of restaurants and bars lining the beach.

Vanilla Beach and Las Cabanas Beach

Vanilla Beach , also known as Marimegmeg Beach, is one of my favorite beaches in El Nido, and I highly recommend visiting it during your El Nido itinerary.

It has soft powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water, which makes it perfect for swimming.

The beach is also clean and the waves aren’t rough. However, the restaurants and bars here are slightly expensive, so if you’re on a budget, I suggest bringing a packed lunch.

It can also get a bit crowded during sunset, so it’s best to arrive early to secure a good spot.

On the western end of Vanilla Beach is Las Cabanas Beach , which offers an even better sunset view.

During low tide, you can walk across the sandbar that connects the beach to a small island.

Still, if you’re feeling adventurous, I recommend trying the zipline instead. The price of the zipline starts at 600 pesos one way or 1,000 pesos for a round trip.

Corong Corong Beach

Located about a 5-minute drive from El Nido Town is Corong Corong Beach .

Although the beach is not suitable for swimming due to its rocky nature, it serves as a perfect location to enjoy the sunset.

If you want to swim, I recommend renting a kayak from Corong Corong Beach and heading to the nearby beaches such as Lapus Lapus, Papaya, or Seven Commandos Beach.

It’s worth noting that Seven Commandos Beach is included in the El Nido Tour A , so you may want to skip it for today if you’re already planning to book Tour A.

Explore El Nido Town

End the first day of your El Nido itinerary by exploring El Nido Town. The town comes alive at night and features a wide selection of restaurants, street food stalls, and bars.

My favorite place to eat in town is the spring roll stall found at the entrance of El Nido Beach. The food available here is both cheap and delicious, with each piece costing only 10 pesos.

Maa’s Grill is also another great place to eat Filipino food at affordable prices or Basil’ Pizza & Pasta El Nido for delicious wood-fired pizza.

4-Day El Nido Itinerary: Day 2

No trip to El Nido would be complete without doing at least one island hopping tour. There are four tours available – Tour A , B, C, and D. Below are the places you’ll visit on each tour:

Tour A : Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commandos Beach, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach. BOOK HERE

Tour B : Entalula Island, Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Papaya Beach. BOOK HERE

Tour C : Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine. BOOK HERE

Tour D : Cadlao Island, Small Lagoon, Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach, Bukal Island. BOOK HERE

Most travel agencies in El Nido offer the same price for each tour (I personally checked while I was there) so if you want to save money, I recommend booking your tour on Klook here to get a discount !

All tours include a buffet lunch, life jacket, and a licensed tour guide.

El Nido Tour A

For day 2, I recommend booking Tour A to witness some of the most beautiful beaches and lagoons in and around El Nido.

Tip: I recommend booking your tour in advance on Klook here as it costs only 950 pesos compared to 1,200 pesos when booking in person!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK EL NIDO TOUR A

Note that the tour price doesn’t include the entrance fee for the Big Lagoon and eco-tourism development fee.

Both will cost an extra 200 pesos each, bringing the total price of the tour to 1,350 pesos if you book on Klook or 1,600 pesos if you book in El Nido.

Tip : The eco-tourism development fee can also be used for tours B and C and is valid for 10 days.

Tour A is the most popular tour in El Nido, so it can feel a bit crowded. However, it’s worth it if you want to see some of the most stunning beaches and clearest water.

Below are the spots you’ll visit on Tour A:

Big Lagoon : This was one of the highlights of my 4 days in El Nido! Here you’ll kayak through a turquoise lagoon flanked by towering limestone cliffs. Be sure to turn left before reaching the end of the lagoon to see the cave tunnel. Note that the kayak costs an additional 300-400 pesos.

Seven Commandos Beach : Although located on the mainland, Seven Commandos Beach is only accessible by boat. It boasts soft white sand, crystal-clear water, and rows of palm trees. This is the only stop on the tour where you’ll have access to a toilet. There’s also a restaurant here where you can buy drinks and snacks.

Secret Lagoon : This spot is accessible through a small opening in the limestone cliffs. You do have to wade through water, so make sure you’re wearing water shoes to protect your feet from the sharp rocks.

Shimizu Island : Shimizu Island usually serves as the lunch spot. However, it’s too crowded, lunch will be served on Payong-Payong Beach instead.

Payong-Payong Beach : Another idyllic beach with jagged rock formations and turquoise waters.

Related post: Everything you need to know about El Nido Tour A

4-Day El Nido Itinerary: Day 3

El nido tour c.

Another day, another island hopping tour! Kick off the third day of your El Nido itinerary with Tour C to explore some of the islands located further away from El Nido.

Tip: To get the best deal, make sure to book your tour in advance on Klook here as it costs only 1,200 pesos compared to 1,400 pesos when booking in person!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK EL NIDO TOUR C

However, note that the eco-tourism development fee of 200 pesos isn’t included in the tour price. If you’ve already paid this fee on Tour A the day before, you won’t have to pay it again.

Keep in mind that the waves can be rough on Tour C, so if you’re prone to seasickness, be sure to take some medication before the tour.

That being said, I personally enjoyed Tour C more than Tour A because it was less crowded and I got to see more fish.

Below are the spots you’ll visit on Tour C:

Helicopter Island : Shaped like a helicopter, this is usually the first stop on Tour C. Although the waves can be a bit rough, you can still swim here. Luckily we had the beach almost to ourselves as we were among the first ones to arrive but keep in mind that it can be crowded after 10 a.m.

Hidden Beach : This beautiful white-sand beach is hidden behind a large rock formation and is only accessible by swimming. The coral is breathtaking and I even got the opportunity to see several clownfish.

Secret Beach : This is another beach that’s only accessible by swimming through a small opening in the limestone cliffs. The corals here are also beautiful and home to many colorful fish.

Matinloc Shrine : Some tour operators may skip this spot as it costs an additional 200 pesos per person to enter. However, I think it’s worth visiting because it offers a stunning view of the ocean and nearby islands, plus it takes only about 5 minutes to reach the viewpoint.

Cadlao Lagoon : The tour I booked also included kayaking at Cadlao Lagoon, which is normally part of Tour D. The lagoon features pointy rock formations, turquoise water, and stunning corals.

Related post: Detailed Review of EL Nido Tour C

4-Day El Nido Itinerary: Day 4

On day 4, I recommend hiking to Taraw Cliff early in the morning. You can then rent a motorbike or hire a tricycle to visit beaches and waterfalls further away from El Nido Town.

If you can’t ride a motorbike, you can instead join this jeepney tour organized by Frendz Hostel which includes visits to Lio Beach, Bulalacao Waterfalls, and Nacpan Beach.

The tour price includes all entrance fees, lunch, water, beach club access with unlimited cocktails, tour guide, and photographer.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A JEEPNEY TOUR OF EL NIDO

Taraw Cliff Canopy Walk & Viewpoint

For a panoramic view of El Nido, make sure to add Taraw Cliff to your 4 day El Nido itinerary.

Previously, it was possible to hike to the top without a guide, but due to recent accidents, it is now mandatory to hire a guide.

For a safer and cheaper alternative, I recommend the canopy walk and viewpoint instead.

After a short but steep 15-minute hike through the forest and along a canopy bridge, you’ll finally arrive at a stunning viewpoint overlooking the turquoise ocean and towering mountains.

The entrance ticket costs 430 pesos for the canopy walk and viewpoint only or 730 pesos if you’d also like to add the dreamcatcher option which is another viewpoint.

Be sure to book your entrance ticket on Klook here to get a discount!

Harnesses and helmets are provided, and a guide will accompany you and help you take photos.

Tip : I recommend doing this activity early in the morning to avoid the heat.

Opening hours : 8 a.m to 5 p.m, daily

After the hike, head to Lio Beach for a refreshing swim in the ocean. This beautiful white-sand beach is located near the airport so you can watch the planes land and take off as you cool off in the ocean.

The beach is lined with palm trees, providing plenty of shade to relax or you can rent sun loungers.

Bulalacao Waterfall

For another refreshing swim, you can also visit Bulalacao Waterfall . The waterfall can be reached after a 20-minute hike through the forest. The entrance fee for the waterfall is around 300 pesos, which includes a guide.

Another waterfall that you can visit is Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls , but it’s further away, and you also need to pay an entrance fee and be accompanied by a guide.

Nacpan Beach

For a spectacular sunset, end your El Nido itinerary at Nacpan Beach .

This beach is one of the longest in El Nido and stretches all the way to Twin Beach , which is also worth visiting.

There are mostly expensive restaurants on the beach, but luckily there are also a couple of local restaurants that cater more to budget travelers.

You can rent sun loungers and umbrellas or find an empty spot under the shade of palm trees.

Note : The road leading to Nacpan is full of potholes, which can be challenging on a rainy day. Therefore, if you’re not experienced, I wouldn’t recommend riding a motorbike there.

Where to Stay in El Nido Palawan?

Since most of the island hopping tours don’t include hotel transfers, I recommend staying in El Nido Town so you’re within walking distance of the meeting point.

Additionally, staying in town means that you’ll have a better chance of finding affordable hotels, plus you’ll have easy access to restaurants, bars, shops, laundry shops, etc.

During my El Nido itinerary, I personally stayed at two hostels: Frendz Hostel and Spin Designer Hostel .

Both are located in the middle of town and offer various room types, including dorms (mixed and women-only) and private rooms. They also provide free high-speed Wi-Fi.

Frendz Hostel has a social vibe with super friendly staff. They even have a rooftop pool overlooking the ocean and offer daily activities like island hopping, karaoke, game nights, etc, making it easy to meet other travelers.

I stayed in their women-only dorm, which has 6 beds and an ensuite bathroom. They also have more bathrooms outside on each level.

Although it’s kind of a party hostel, they keep the noise down after 11 p.m so you can have a good night’s sleep. Check rates and availability for Frendz Hostel here.

Spin Designer Hostel , on the other hand, is quieter and better suited for those who don’t want to party every night. They are slightly more expensive than Frendz but the room rate includes a delicious buffet breakfast. Check rates and availability for Spin Designer Hostel here.

If you’re looking for affordable hotels outside of El Nido Town, Coron Corong Beach is a good option. For high-end resorts, it’s recommended to stay on Lio Beach or Nacpan Beach.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN EL NIDO

How to get to El Nido?

If money isn’t an issue, you can fly directly from Manila to El Nido with Air Swift for approximately USD 100 for a one-way trip. Check latest price here.

For those on a budget, I suggest flying first into Puerto Princesa. Flight tickets from Manila to Puerto Princesa are much more affordable and start at USD 30 one-way. Check latest price here.

Once you land in Puerto Princesa, you can take a van to El Nido. The entire journey takes around 5-6 hours. The van will make a few stops along the way for food and toilet breaks. Check latest price for the van here.

If you’re coming from Port Barton, the total journey by van takes around 4 hours. Check latest price here.

If you’re coming from Coron, you can take a ferry which should take around 5 hours. Check price here.

Note : When arriving in El Nido by van or bus, you’ll be dropped off at El Nido Transport Terminal near Corong Corong Beach. To get to El Nido Town, you’ll then have to take a tricycle which should cost about 80-100 pesos.

Getting Around El Nido

Walking : If you’re only sticking to El Nido Town and doing the island hopping tours, you can easily get around on foot.

Motorbike : If you want to visit the attractions further away from town, you can instead rent a motorbike for about 500 pesos per day.

Tricycle : The tricycle is another option for getting around if you can’t ride a motorbike. A single trip starts at 50 pesos depending on the distance and your negotiation skills.

El Nido Travel Tips

Best time to visit.

The best time to plan your El Nido itinerary is from December to April during the dry season.

May to November is considered the wet season, with July and August being the wettest months of the year.

I visited El Nido in November and had near-perfect weather except for one day when it rained for two hours in the morning.

Unfortunately, the internet coverage in El Nido isn’t the best, particularly on the islands and around Nacpan Beach but still works fairly well within El Nido Town.

If you need to buy a local sim card, you have the choice between Globe and Smart.

For convenience, I recommend buying your sim card at the airport since they have staff who will assist you in setting up the sim. The price of a sim card at Puerto Princesa Airport starts at 540 pesos or 1,500 pesos at Manila Airport.

If you’re on a tight budget, you can buy a sim card at any convenience store in El Nido instead.

I paid 65 pesos for a Globe sim card but had to go through the whole process of registering the sim card myself, which was a little complicated. Luckily, one of the staff at Frendz Hostel helped me so a huge shoutout to him!

There are a few ATMs in El Nido that you can easily find by typing “ATM” on Google Maps.

Just make sure to only use the local ones like BPI or RCBC and avoid the Euronet ATMs as those have the highest fees and worst exchange rates.

I hope you found this 4 day El Nido itinerary helpful. If you have any questions about planning your trip, let me know in the comments.

Steph is an outdoor enthusiast who’s always down for adventure. When she's not traveling abroad, you’ll either find her exploring her own backyard or researching her next trip. She writes adventure travel guides featuring waterfalls, mountains, and beaches and shares her tips on how to travel on a budget without compromising on comfort and experience.

5 Best Pamukkale Tours from Antalya for Any Budget

El nido tour a: detailed review + discount, you may also like, port barton philippines: top things to do [2024 guide], best 10 day palawan itinerary for 2024 + tips, el nido tour c: detailed review + discount, leave a comment cancel reply.

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

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt out if you wish. Accept Read More

Top Tours in El Nido, Philippines

El nido tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Private Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Motorcycle Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. El Nido Private Tour A w/ Lunch

2. El Nido Full Day Tour C with Buffet Lunch

3. El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch

4. Seacret Luxury Catamaran Yacht Group Island Hopping Tour

5. EL Nido Tour A

6. El Nido Tour Group B with Lunch (Full Day)

7. El Nido Tour A - Group w/ Buffet Lunch

8. Discover Scuba diving in El Nido

9. El Nido Tour B - Caves and Islands Tour (Private / Shared)

10. Private Underground River Day Tour with Lunch from El Nido

11. Palawan Highlights 4 Days Ultimate Getaway

12. El Nido Island Hopping Tour C with Lunch

13. El Nido Palawan Private Tour C, with Lunch

14. Port Barton Full Day Island Hopping with Buffet Lunch

15. El Nido Tour A - Big Lagoon Premium Tour (Private / Shared)

16. Private Tour A Island Hopping in El Nido

17. El Nido Island Hopping Day Tour from Puerto Princesa City

18. El Nido Tour C - Hidden Beaches & Snorkeling tour(Private/Shared)

19. 5D4N Puerto Princesa & El Nido Experience

20. Small-Group El Nido Island Hopping Tour

21. El Nido Tour B - Private Tour with Lunch (Full Day)

22. El Nido Tour D Full Day w/ Beach Lunch

23. Coron Island Escapade Group Tour with Island Lunch

24. Palawan: El Nido - 4 Days 3 Nights

25. 3D2N El Nido Experience

26. Private Transportation from El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan

27. Palawan: Puerto Princesa + El Nido - 4 Days 3 Nights

28. El Nido Tour C Private

29. El Nido Tour D - Lagoons & Beaches Premium tour(Private / Shared)

30. El Nido Island Hopping Tour D with Lunch

What travellers are saying.

• El Nido Full Day Tour C with Buffet Lunch
• El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch
• El Nido Private Tour A w/ Lunch
• EL Nido Tour A
• Seacret Luxury Catamaran Yacht Group Island Hopping Tour
• El Nido Paradise
• Turtle Divers
• Tribe Banua
• El Nido Yachting Club
• Ape Tours El Nido
• Umi Travel and Tours
• El Nido Boutique & Artcafe
• Nativ'Exploration Palawan
• Kraken El Nido
• Nomads Diving Center
• Dive Sibaltan

Top 14 Things to See and Do in El Nido Palawan: 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 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 developed to become a travel destination, with more convenient access to more flights and a wide array of 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 backpacker hostels that cater to everyone's budget, 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
• 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 palawan lio airport to or from any el nido town hotel transfer service, 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 is several island-hopping destinations that you can easily travel to. 

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 things to do in El Nido 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. It's why joining an  inland trip in 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

This majestic lagoon in Miniloc Island looks like a scene straight from a destination movie. It's like you're transported to a different dimension where you're surrounded by towering cliffs lined up to watch over you. It is one of the highlights of an El Nido Big Lagoon Private Tour .

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 Small Lagoon tour .

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.

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 Matinloc Island Premium Private Tour .

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.

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 speedboat island hopping tour  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 a Big Lagoon tour . 

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 Matinloc Island Premium Shared Tour 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 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 a Cave Exploration Private Tour . 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 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 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 in 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

Boracay 20-minute aquanaut helmet diving experience with gear & underwater photos, boracay island scuba diving with instructor & equipment, boracay island aquanaut helmet diving experience.

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.

Best Korean BBQ in Manila: Unlimited & Ala Carte Samgyupsal Restaurants

10 Best Philippines Rainy Season Activities & Travel Destinations: Indoor Things to Do & Places to Visit

Where to Eat in Vigan: Best Restaurants & Must-Try Local Food

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

• 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.

• 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
• 35 BEST Things to Do in Oaxaca for Food, Culture & History Lovers
• Ultimate Malapascua Itinerary (+ Kalanggaman Island)
• Siquijor Itinerary: 4 Days on the Island of Witches
• A Foolproof Japan Packing List for Summer 2024
• How to Get from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City in 2024

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

• South Africa
• Afghanistan
• North Korea
• Adventure + Outdoors
• Amusement Parks
• Backpacking Trips
• Boating + Cruises
• Budget Travel
• Bus + Train Travel
• Coasts + Islands
• Country Trips
• Fall Vacations
• Family Vacations
• Green Travel
• Heritage + History
• Honeymoons + Romance
• Inspiration + Guide
• Landmarks + Attractions
• LGBT Travel
• Markets + Bazaars
• National Parks + Reserves
• Nature + Wildlife
• Parks + Gardens
• Pets + Animals
• Photography
• Airlines + Airports
• Budgeting + Currency
• Business Travel
• Celebrity Travel
• Customs + Immigration
• Deals + Rewards
• Family Travel
• Hotels + Resorts
• Luggage + Packing Tips
• Offbeat News
• Photography Tips
• Responsible Travel
• Solo Travel
• Tech + Gear
• Travel Etiquette
• Travel Warnings
• Bars + Clubs
• Celebrity Chefs
• Restaurants + Cafés
• Wine + Vineyards
• Beach Hotels
• Boutique Hotels
• Hotel Openings
• Hotel Reviews
• Luxury Hotels
• Mountain + Ski Resorts
• Spa Resorts
• Vacation Rentals
• Asia Cruises
• European Cruises
• Festivals + Events
• Museums + Galleries
• Style + Design
• Travel’s Best
• Hotel with Agoda.com
• Hotel with Booking.com

Leh Ladakh bike trip blog — Ladakh bike trip guide &…

Guide to Shenzhen nightlife — Top 5 things & what to…

Ladakh trip cost per person from Delhi — How much does…

India travel tips — 25+ what & things to know before…

India trip tips — 9+ things to know before going to…

All about tips in Nepal — How much to tip in…

Cambodia travel tips — 15+ what to know & things to…

When is the best time to visit Kyoto? — The best,…

Must eat in Hong Kong — 7+ must eat & must…

Must eat in Georgetown — 10+ famous, must-eat & best street…

Must eat in Melaka — 10+ famous Malacca street food &…

Hong Kong Soya sauce Chicken Rice and Noodles — The first…

Top hotels in Siem Reap — 8+ best places to stay…

Top hotels in shanghai — 15+ best hotels in Shanghai

Top hotels in Malacca — 10+ good & best hotels in…

Top places to stay in Bali — Top 10 best areas…

10 must-know things for your best first time European river cruise

Top 3 best luxury cruises in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Cherry blossom festival Korea 2024 — Top 5 cherry blossom festivals…

Ghibli museum blog — The fullest Ghibli museum guide for first-timers

Kyoto festival — Top 10 best events & most famous festivals…

National Palace Museum Taipei blog — What to see in National…

Japanese waterfall — Top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan in…

19+ most beautiful towns in Europe every tourist need to visit…

Georgia travel photos — 20+ captivating photos show Georgia is heaven…

Explore Damnoen Floating Market — The oldest floating market of Thailand

Visiting Fenghuang Ancient Town — One of the most charming ancient…

Mekong Delta travel blog — Beyond rivers of Southwestern Vietnam

14 reasons why you should travel when you are young

Shigaraki Tanuki – An animal symbol of good luck in Japan

Living in the charms of cave houses in Andalucia, Southern Spain

20+ jaw-dropping tiny homes around the world

• Philippines

El Nido travel blog — The fullest El Nido travel guide for first-timers

The Philippines is known as an island nation with countless beaches, along with large and small islands stretching out. That’s why this country has attracted a large number of tourists thanks to the charm of beaches of all shades, from wild and rustic to brilliant and charming. And if you are looking forward to discovering a beautiful place with beaches, turquoise lagoons that have all the above colors abroad, then come to EL Nido once.

• Top 12 most interesting things to do in El Nido, Palawan
• Philippines itinerary 9 days — Suggested itinerary for 9 days in Philippines explore: El Nido – Coron – Cebu
• Boracay travel blog — The fullest Boracay travel guide for first-timers
• Coron travel blog — The fullest Coron travel guide for first-timers
• Boracay trip blog — The fullest guide for a budget trip to Boracay, Philippines

So, is El Nido worth visiting, how to visit El Nido, what to do in El Nido and how to plan a perfect trip to El Nido for the first-time perfectly? Let’s check out our El Nido travel blog (El Nido blog) with the fullest El Nido travel guide (guide to El Nido, El Nido guide) from how to get to El Nido, best places to visit, best time to come, what to eat as well as top things to do in El Nido to help you maximize your trip as follows!

The northernmost coastal town in the Palawan province should be on the list of tourist destinations in the Philippines because it is a place with beautiful islands, white sand beaches and many lagoons surrounded by the most beautiful limestone ranges in Asia.

El Nido is also the gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago, which is home to 45 islands and islets, each with a unique geological formation. Among the countless archipelagos in the Philippines, El Nido is one of the three longest archipelagos in the country and is located in the northern area of Palawan, southwest of Manila.

The archipelago owns nearly 50 beaches with diverse ecosystems. Before its current popularity, El Nido had its main source of income from fishing. Today, tourism industry has become the main economic source, local authorities also limit the construction of new hotels to protect nature and the environment. Besides, El Nido is also known for its tourist exploration activities such as swimming, diving, and kayaking.

Overview of El Nido (# el nido travel blog)

El Nido is a municipality in the northernmost part of the province of Palawan, Philippines. It has impressive natural beauty, from breathtaking lagoons, white sand beaches, rocky islets and towering limestone boulders to glassy waters filled with rich marine life. With its rich pristine beauty, El Nido receives countless compliments from visitors. This tourist destination has also been mentioned many times as one of the most wonderful islands and beaches in the world.

El Nido consists of more than 40 islands scattered throughout the Bacuit Archipelago. Each island has unique geological wonders that are both breathtaking and pristinely majestic. The waters surrounding this place are a beautiful combination of blue colors.

El Nido is very famous in the world for its clear blue beaches and beautiful coral reefs. For me, after visit once, I just want to stay in this paradise forever and never return. The beauty is truly captivating, the cost is cheap, it is truly a trip of a lifetime.

When it comes to the Philippines, you can’t miss El Nido. It owns many beautiful islands, clear water, along with unique underwater flora and fauna such as coral, Nemo fish, Dory fish,… and is considered one of the paradises on earth.

When traveling to El Nido, visitors often go to Coron island. These are the two most famous destinations in Palawan. With a limited time of 5 or 6 days, people usually only choose one of the two. But if possible, I recommend spending 2 weeks to go to both.

Although it is a first-class metropolis, the town still has a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere. If you are passionate about modern convenient life, El Nido is not a great choice. However, if you want to explore nature and want to relax, then try experiencing self-sufficient travel in El Nido. Over the years, it has received a record number of tourists in the region, more than 500,000 visitors per year.

In Palawan, Puerto Princesa serves as the gateway to El Nido and along with Coron, these three areas are the most visited areas in Palawan.

A few interesting things about EL Nido (# el nido travel blog)

Of the countless archipelagos that make up the Philippine island nation, El Nido is one of the country’s three longest archipelagos and is located north of Palawan, southwest of Manila. This is both a class 1 urban area and a nature protected area of the Philippines.

Specifically, this archipelago owns nearly 50 beaches with a full range of ecosystems. And one thing you will definitely get when traveling to EL Nido is a check-in background that cannot be better with beautiful islands undulating in the clear sea water, or the white sandbars in the heart of the most beautiful limestone ranges in Asia.

Many times, tourist places in EL Nido are among the top places worth visiting, or have the most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia and Asia, so you can rest assured. This trip will definitely be worth what you spend.

Some reasons to travel to El Nido (# el nido blog)

• You can come to EL Nido for any personal reason. But most tourists choose this place because of its attractive beauty
• EL Nido is home to the most beautiful beaches in Asia
• Great sea for diving with rich ecosystem and clear water
• Enjoy fresh seafood
• Enjoy stunning views in a relaxing, peaceful space
• Explore mysterious caves and lagoons
• Experience the beaches that are ranked among the most beautiful in the Philippines and the world
• The cost of traveling to EL Nido is not high compared to other beaches in Europe, America or Australia

When is the best time to go to EL Nido? (# el nido blog)

Although nature has gifted this island nation with picturesque beaches, there are times when nature does not favor it. Summer is the time when the sea is the most beautiful, the waves are calmest and safest. If not, you can come between December and March but be careful that the waves are a bit big at this time.

I went in February and thinking it was beautiful. Of course it’s beautiful, but the sea is quite rough. Before I go, searching online, everyone said this time was the best time to visit. But after asking the locals, March, April, May are the best months to come because during this time the sea is calm, the waves are not big, diving and taking photos is easy.

Regarding price, like the rest of the Philippines, the cheapest time to travel to El Nido is from June to October. The period during the rainy season has a humid climate, not suitable for exploring the beauty of EL Nido. However, airfare and hotel prices are often much cheaper.

How to get to EL Nido?

From Vietnam, you can book flights to Mactan-Cebu International Airport or Manila International Airport first and then take a boat or plane to EL Nido. Airlines operating this route are usually Philippine Airlines, Cathay Pacific, All Nippon Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines,…

And book your flight tickets early. Because ticket prices will range from $205 – $290 along with flight time depending on the waiting time which can be 3 hours or more than 24 hours. Therefore, when you book early, you can hunt for tickets quickly and cheaply.

From Puerto Princesa to El Nido

After arriving at the airport, you will have two options. One is to book a flight to Puerto Princesa (the capital of Palawan – about 7 hours by car from El Nido) with flight time from Manila to Puerto Princesa about 1 hour 20 minutes and ticket price only about $45. Then take a bus, shuttle bus, coach or taxi for about 5 more hours. For each means of transportation, please refer to this information to make it easier to choose:

• Bus: Traveling time is about 6 hours with a cost of about $12/ticket.
• Passenger car: It takes about 5 hours 30 minutes, ticket price $15/ticket.
• Taxi: Takes about 5 hours 30 minutes, cost about $115.
• Minivan: If you don’t stop in Puerto Princesa to explore for a day, after landing you can go outside the airport gate to catch a minivan (16-seat car) to get to El Nido. Outside the gate, there are many vans for you to choose from, the price is around 550~600php/person. There will be a lunch stop along the way.

The road is quite far so it will be quite tiring for those who suffer from motion sickness, but I spent the whole trip admiring the scenery on the side of the road. People’s houses grow many beautiful flowers, many roads along the coast and downhill are also very spectacular.

By air (# el nido travel guide)

As for the second way, you can buy a ticket to fly directly to El Nido airport. It only takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, but flights are usually less frequent and ticket prices are slightly higher, about $85 – $150. From the airport, it will take about 30 minutes to El Nido town.

You can use the airport shuttle service to El Nido town if you choose this way. But in general, you should prioritize the first way.

But note, because the flight from Manila to El Nido is a short flight, the type of plane used will be ATR 42 or ATR 72, the engine propeller is exposed, the passenger capacity is only from 40 to 80 passengers. Therefore, the flight will be a bit shaky, you should prepare anti-sickness medicine before boarding the plane. In return, you will admire the beautiful scenery of El Nido from above. The number of flights is also fixed at 4 per day and the price will be a bit high. AirSwift is also the only airline operating this flight.

From Coron to El Nido (# el nido travel guide)

Ferries from Coron to El Nido depart once a day, 3 times a week, operated by MBCA / Overcomer. Travel time is from 7 to 8 hours. You should book ferry tickets before departure date.

Getting around El Nido

Popular means of transportation in El Nido are jeepneys and tricycles (a motorbike with a covered vehicle on the back). The fixed price for getting around El Nido town is $0.20 (~PHP 10). Besides, motorbikes help you conveniently move even on the steepest and most difficult roads. Motorbike taxis, called “habal-habal” by locals, are commonly used by tourists to move quickly from one place to another. They often park right in town or circulate to find customers.

If you want to experience the many interesting things in this worth place of visit, you can choose to take a jeepney to tour the city for only $0.16/first 4km and $0.49 for the next kilometer. In addition, you can also take a taxi, bus or rent a motorbike to travel on your own for your convenience.

Tips: My experience is don’t ask the price if you don’t want to charge overprice. Just hop on and show your place you want to go. If it’s close, pay 20php, if it’s far (near Las Cabanas), pay 50php.

In fact, it’s even cheaper, but I think this price is more worth the distance. Get off the car and pay like that. Occasionally, a driver will frown and criticize, just tell him “Usually I still go at that price, what do you think it is this my first time going to a tricycle?”. But if you asked him how much it cost to get here, he would double it.

It’s best to just catch a tricycle on the street where the price is easier to pay, instead of catch it at the stands in the village, not cheap at all.

In general, if you’re lazy and don’t mind the price, just go because there are no other public vehicles here.

If you come to El Nido with a small group, renting a tricycle is a good choice. Because they can carry four people. This means of transport is also easy to find around town.

If you have motorbike driving skills, renting a motorbike yourself can be cost-effective, and you can use it for the duration of your stay or a whole day to explore El Nido. This is a good choice for solo travelers or couples.

What to do and where to go in El Nido?

Nacpan and calitang.

Just one beach is enough to mislead tourists, but Nacpan and Calitang combine to create a masterpiece, Twins beach. With such pristine, peaceful and romantic beauty, just setting foot there is enough to forget all your troubles.

You can get here by renting a motorbike or three-wheeled vehicle (Tricycle). Among them, Nacpan beach is more famous and is considered the most beautiful beach in the area with a coastline stretching 4 km. Twins Beach is a suitable destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Las Cabanas Beach

A beach that has attracted a lot of attention lately is Las Cabanas. 5km from El Nido town, known for its creamy white sand and coastal coconut groves.

Dolarog Beach

One of the beaches with the most visitors is Dolarog. This is because this beach has exceptionally clear blue sea water. Moreover, it is located next to the lush tropical forest and the location can see the Bacuit archipelago, so you can combine many activities of swimming, checking in, and watching the sunset right in the fairy land.

It is a beautiful beach located next to a lush tropical forest, offering visitors panoramic views of the Bacuit Islands and beautiful sunsets. The beach is famous for its wild natural beauty and is suitable for young children because the water level is quite shallow.

Seven Commandos Beach

Talking about the beach with the most beautiful scenery in this archipelago, we must name 7 Commandos. The water color here is so incredibly clear that you can see your feet clearly. There are also unique limestone rocks, white sand beaches and shady coconut groves, creating an extremely good scene for healing the mood.

It is a popular destination for many tourists and is part of the tours offered in El Nido. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in El Nido with crystal clear water, interesting limestone rocks, white sand beaches and shady coconut groves.

It is a pristine, uninhabited beach like Nacpan. Although it is not an easy place to get to, it will definitely bring great experiences to you.

Corong-Corong Beach

Located right in El Nido town with a coastline stretching over 3km.

An interesting experience that can effectively help you reset your mood is to try watching the sea from above. There is a 750m long Las Cabanas Zipline connecting from Las Cabanas beach to Dependent Island for you to experience. The cost will depend on the style you want and ranges from $10 – $15.

Las Cabanas Zipline is a 750m long zipline starting from Las Cabanas beach and Depeldet island. Zipline prices depend on the type of zipline you want. The popular sitting style costs 500 pesos (10 USD) one way, and the Superman style costs 700 pesos (13 USD).

Taraw Cliff

In addition, there is a place that is the best in itself and also helps you see the beauty of the best El Nido: Taraw Cliff. This location is located right in town and about 40 minutes by car from the sea. And one thing you should pay attention to is that you should use the Ferrata Canopy Walk to get to the top safely.

Another tip is both quality and economical is that you can book a 1-day El Nido island tour for convenience. You don’t need to worry about missing out on anything great, you don’t need to prepare too much and the cost is only from $20.

The islands of El Nido are known as paradise on earth and are very famous for their many beautiful landscapes. When the sun goes down, it’s time to go out to experience the nightlife. There are two main places to enjoy nightlife in El Nido. One is Marimegmeg beach with bustling bars. If you just want to sip a few cocktails, just head to some of the bars in town near the beach.

The nightlife in El Nido is quite bustling, you can easily find a cafe, bar or restaurant that suits your style to relax and enjoy after a long day of water activities.

Some other places to visit

El nido town.

Canopy Walk

El Nido island tours

The islands and beaches in El Nido will usually be grouped into different tours including Tour A, Tour B, Tour C, Tour D, etc. However, the best places to visit include in Tour A and Tour C. In addition, you can also book Tour A and Tour C or Tour B and Tour D packages to experience camping on the island, which is also very interesting if there is no time limit. Details of locations in the Tour.

In addition, you will enjoy lunch on the boat or on the island prepared by the tour guide on the boat and a local resident. Typical coastal foods and eating utensils are also made from natural materials or reusable dishes are brought along. This contributes to preserving nature and the environment on these islands. It can be said that the people and government here have done very well in developing sustainable tourism and preserving the most intact nature.

The best places to visit including in “Tour A” and “Tour C.” So, if you are not limited by time when visiting El Nido, choose both Tour A and Tour C.

You can’t go to El Nido without taking a island hopping tour – that is, renting a boat to visit places around the island.

El Nido island tour packages:

Tour A — Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven commandos island.

The way to Big Lagoon is through quite shallow water, and to get in you have to rent a kayak or… swim.

• El Nido Tour A Lagoons & Islands

Small Lagoon

Secret Lagoon

The entrance to Secret Lagoon is small and slippery, with quite sharp rocks

Next to Secret Lagoon is a very beautiful corner to take photos, unfortunately I didn’t notice that the camera was getting steamy so it was blurry.

Shimizu Island

Shimizu Island is only for viewing, there is no place to get on

Seven Commandos Island

Seven Commandos is the final place of tour A I went on. It’s afternoon, it’s 4 pm and the sun is starting to shine less. The sea without sunshine looks gloomy. So when you go to the beach, you have to go on a sunny day to be beautiful

Tour B: Entalula beach, Pinagbuyutan Island (most beautiful island), Snake Island, a certain cave that can only be viewed from the outside.

Snake Island is also very beautiful, it has a beautiful sand line connecting 2 islands in the middle of the sea. In Vietnam, there is also Diep Son Island, but it is nothing compared to Snake Island.

Pinagbuyutan Island

Pinagbuyutan Island has green grass as beautiful as in a movie. The island of my dreams. Come to this island, please take tour B. My lens is not wide enough to capture this place

Snake Island

• El Nido Tour B Caves & Islands

Tour C: Helicopter island (because it looks like a helicopter, I think it looks more like a whale), Matiloc Shrine, hidden beach, Tapiutan island, Star Beach.

• El Nido Tour C Hidden Beaches & Shrine

Tour D — Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Beach, Natnat Beach, Bukal Beach.

You can combine 2 tours together, for example “ Combo Tour A+C ” and “ Combo Tour B+D .”

Tour booking information

Usually, tour prices in El Nido are the same, tour A is about 1,200 pesos, tour C: 1,400 pesos, in general the only difference is the boat and the tour seller or the guide tour, but the itinerary is the same. In addition to the tour fee, you also have to pay an additional 200 pesos environmental fee (pay once and use it all for the tour).

You can book a tour anywhere, but I used Klook’s tour ( tour A here , tour C here ) because their price is 100 pesos cheaper than the selling price there, so those who go in a large group can buy it. to save money for dinner.

All tours last nearly a full day, departing from around 9:00 am – 3~4:00 pm. The average cost is about 1200~1400php depending on the place, including lunch, diving goggles, environmental protection fee… The boat drivers and servers are also very polite and kind, so at the end of the day, you should tip them another 100php to be nice.

Please note that if you buy a tour at a hotel or in town, most prices are high. I advise you to go near the port and ask Joanna’s house to buy a tour. She usually reduces the price to only 1000php. Even when buying tickets to Coron, she sells them cheaper.

What to eat in El Nido?

If you are looking for the answer to the question of what makes EL Dino so fascinating to tourists, the following specialties are also part of the answer. So, if you have the opportunity to come to this beautiful sea, you must try these dishes:

• Fresh seafood
• Traditional oven-baked pizza
• Filipino style meat stew
• Adobe is eaten with white rice
• Halo halo – fruit mix in syrup
• Arroz Caldo porridge – chicken

A delicacy that makes El Nido famous is bird’s nest soup. In fact, the name El Nido means “nest” in English. It is made from the saliva of the Balinsasayaw bird, which forms its breeding and breeding nests in the crevices of the El Nido limestone mountain. This is an expensive dish and a must try when you come here.

In addition, pizza and traditional Filipino dishes are also extremely attractive.

If you walk around El Nido town in the evening, enjoy the local cuisine here. Especially the Pizza that any visitor to El Nido must try.

There are many traditional eateries in town, also known as turo-turo or “point-point” in English. There are many different dishes for you to choose from and pay when you order. Meals cost between 60 – 75 pesos (1 USD) and include rice, meat, soup or vegetables. While bars and restaurants have prices ranging from 150 – 300 pesos (6 USD) per meal.

• Art Cafe – visited at least once by everyone and is the best WiFi spot in town. The menu at Art Cafe is extensive, including seafood, pizza, pasta and salads.
• Rooftop – is a colorful bar/restaurant located above a clothing store on El Nido’s main street. Although it’s a bit more expensive, it will be an enjoyable experience.
• Agape – Located in a great location right on the beach and is one of the few restaurants that serves lunch. Try the seafood pasta and Greek salad here.
• Angel Wish – is one of the cheapest seafood restaurants in El Nido and will save you a lot of money.
• Squidos – fresh seafood with famous stuffed squid.
• Bacuit Grill Bar and Restaurant – is an outdoor dining facility, perfect for those who want to watch the sunset over the bay.

In addition, you can try streetfood, which are Filipino barbecue-style dishes, and go to the beach near the port in the afternoon.

There are also a lot of foods along M. Quezon Street, most of which are Western dishes. On this street there is a delicious ice cream shop, please try it.

Suggested El Nido itinerary 5 days

My itinerary for reference:

• Day 1: Hanoi – Manila – Puerto Princeas – El nido (arrive in El nido around 5pm)
• Day 2: Take tour A, spend night in town
• Day 3: Rent a motorbike to go to Nacpan, return early in the afternoon to zipline at Las Cabanas and watch the sunset
• Day 4: Tour C and evening in town (actually had to change to tour B because tour C was canceled)
• Day 5: Get on the boat to Coron (8 hours), about 8:00 a.m., arrive at Coron at 3 or 4 p.m.

Besides island hopping, you should spend a day renting a motorbike to go to Nacpan beach (650php/day).

This beach is super beautiful with a kilometer long white sand beach, about 30km from El Nido town (I will remember this beach all my life because it is so beautiful).

You should rent a motorbike to feel the beauty along the way. On the way to Nacpan, there is a section where you have to turn onto a quite small dirt road, so pay attention to Google maps to use. If you’re afraid of driving to explore, rent a trycicle to get there.

Next to Nacpan beach there is a very beautiful Twins beach, but this area is currently banned from entering. You can go around to get in but there are still people blocking you from climbing the small hill.

If you have one more day, you should use it to hang out around town. In the afternoon, go to Las Cabanas beach to play zipline and watch the sunset. This is the best sunset viewing spot on the island, the beach is also beautiful.

There is another spot near the town center: climbing Taraw to see the whole town from above. To go this way, the ticket costs about 400php/person.

Where to stay?

El Nido includes four villages: Buena Suerte, Corong-Corong, Maligaya and Masagana located entirely on two small peninsulas. El Nido has many accommodation options for any budget. From high-end resorts, hotels, luxury to mid-range, motels. You can also choose a homestay or camping to experience local life.

The “El Nido Town” that people commonly know is actually the Buena Suerte settlement parallel to the beach in Barangay. Meanwhile, Masagana is famous for its many resorts and Caalan beach. And Corong-corong is located on the southern tip with fine white sand. In general, hotels in El Nido are quite expensive.

The town center, known as El Nido Town Proper or “Poblacion”, bustles with hotels, restaurants and the best nightlife in El Nido.

You can stay in 4 main areas:

• Town of El Nido (Buena Suerte). This is where the most activities are held. You can find many hotels along the beach and nearby streets, suitable for those with a budget or mid-range travel budget. The area is close to many restaurants, bars, shopping and tourist offices.
• Corong-Corong. It feels like an isolated tropical paradise, nestled in the southern beaches of El Nido, the closest area to the bus station.
• Caalan Beach (Masagana). The resort has begun to thrive, but is still quite sparsely populated, much like Corong Corong.
• Islands: Accommodation on the islands is mainly luxury and expensive resorts.
• The area around Las Cabanas beach, this area is mainly a resort, quiet, and quite far from the port. Every day if you need to go to the tour center, you will have to take a tripcile quite a distance. Room prices are often high because of the resort, but pretty.
• Town center: Central but cheaper than Las Cabanas, nice rooms are quite expensive but many cheap rooms for those who like to travel, near the port, near the town center with many bars, cafes, bustling and bright I really enjoyed going to the port.
• Accommodation at Caalan beach is great for first-time visitors to El Nido because it has both a beachside feel and is easily accessible at a low cost. Corong-Corong Beach offers a peaceful seaside atmosphere suitable for those who want to relax gently. Meanwhile, accommodation in Nacpan often caters to those looking for luxury with high-end resorts.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island ( Booking )
• Cuna Hotel ( Agoda , Booking )
• Sea Cocoon Hotel ( Agoda , Booking )
• S Resort El Nido ( Agoda , Booking )
• Rosanna’s Pension ( Agoda , Booking )
• One El Nido Suite ( Agoda , Booking )
• El Nido Resorts Lagen Island ( Agoda , Booking )

Check out more top and best hotels in El Nido on Agoda.com or Booking.com

How much does it cost to travel to El Nido?

The cost of self-sufficient travel in El Nido, Philippines, can vary depending on many factors such as length of stay, type of accommodation, experience and personal preferences. Below is a cost estimate for an economical self-guided trip to El Nido:

• Accommodation: 22 – 65 USD per night, depending on accommodation type and tourist season.
• Food: A simple meal at a local restaurant can cost from 2 – 4.5 USD.
• Tickets for sightseeing and activities: 26 – 78 USD for each island hopping, diving, and day tour activity.
• Transportation: 13 – 30 USD per day, depending on the vehicle you choose.

By choosing economical services and accommodation, you can travel to El Nido on your own with a budget of about 65 – 130 USD per day. However, consider your personal finances and preferences to plan a suitable trip. If backpacking, the cost can be cheaper, about $25 – $75 per day.

Note: The above costs do not include air tickets.

Some things to note before you go

• Because there are many water activities, make sure you are fully prepared with sunscreen, swimsuits, and common medications. In addition, the weather in this region is also a typical humid tropical monsoon climate, so make sure you bring enough hats and jackets.
• The number of ATMs on the island is also limited, you should withdraw money in advance in Puerto Princesa or Manila to have cash ready in advance when needed. When you arrive at the airport, you can buy a local SIM card to get a 4G internet connection. This helps you access information, navigate, and stay in touch easily throughout your journey.
• The most popular network operator in the Philippines are Smart and Globe. When purchasing, you can ask the staff at the counter to activate your SIM card.
• Like the rest of the Philippines, tipping is not mandatory in El Nido. Most establishments include a service fee, but gratuities are still appreciated by the service team.
• Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon are two famous tourist attractions in El Nido Philippines. To regulate visitor traffic and minimize environmental impact, Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon cannot be visited on the same tour on the same day.
• In addition, you also need to learn about new special regulations in El Nido before you come. This will help you avoid unnecessary problems.
• Local ATMs are often out of cash: Cash is widely circulated in every part of the Philippines, and El Nido is no exception. There are only a few ATMs in El Nido and they often run out of money so you need to withdraw and bring plenty of cash just in case. Most visitors will use the BPI Bank ATM on Real Street.
• Only high-end establishments and luxury resorts can accept electronic payments or credit cards.
• Is there a fee to visit attractions in El Nido? Yes, most island and beach attractions charge a green fee (in addition to the entrance fee). Additionally, there are currently three premium locations in El Nido, namely Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon and Secret Beach, all with additional fees.
• Note on health issues: There are a few cases of visitors being poisoned at El Nido, you should be careful to only eat and drink at clean, reputable establishments and avoid eating raw vegetables or fruits that have not been washed with clean water. We should prepare a bag of medicine for common diseases in our suitcase to avoid getting sick here.

El Nido is not only a destination of discovery, but also a journey that takes us to immerse ourselves in the mystical beauty of nature and the sincerity of the local community. Come to El Nido and experience the most beautiful memories with the valuable experiences we have shared with you.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to El Nido you can refer to

• El Nido Tour A + C
• El Nido Tour D Lagoons & Beaches
• Tour A El Nido, Palawan
• Tour El Nido Land
• One-Way Fast Ferry Ticket Between Coron and El Nido
• El Nido Nacpan and Duli Beach
• Puerto Princesa to El Nido Van Transfer (Shared or Private)
• El Nido Tours in a Luxury Speedboat
• Shared Van Transfer between El Nido and Port Barton
• Tour El Nido C + A
• El Nido Tour A,B,C,D w/ Envi&Lagoon Fees (No Hidden Charges)
• Tour A of El Nido, Palawan

Read more Philippines guide here .

Related articles

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Leh ladakh bike trip blog — ladakh bike trip guide & tips for first-timers, guide to shenzhen nightlife — top 5 things & what to do in shenzhen at night, ladakh trip cost per person from delhi — how much does ladakh trip by bike cost, india travel tips — 25+ what & things to know before traveling to india.

Coron itinerary 5 days — What to do & how to spend 5 days in Coron?

Arashiyama travel blog — The fullest Arashiyama travel guide with top things to do in Arashiyama

Explore Fenqihu old street — What to do in Fenqihu in a day trip?

Where to go in Kunming? — 15+ top Kunming attractions & best places to visit in Kunming

Must eat in melaka — 10+ famous malacca street food & must try food in melaka, editor picks.

Leh Ladakh bike trip blog — Ladakh bike trip guide &...

Guide to Shenzhen nightlife — Top 5 things & what to...

Ladakh trip cost per person from Delhi — How much does...

Popular posts.

What to buy in USA? — 17+ must buy in USA...

Must buy souvenir in Taiwan — Top 17+ most famous, cheap...

Must buy in Korea — Top 23 cheap, famous & best...

Popular category.

• Inspiration + Guide 1460
• Trip Inspiration 468
• Thailand 209
• Food + Drink 208
• Coasts + Islands 193
• South Korea 168
• Vietnam 166
• Travel Photos 144
• Work for Us
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy