El Nido Travel Guide

My El Nido travel guide will give you all the information you need to enjoy your stay in this amazing destination!

El Nido is a place you’ve probably never heard of. In fact, it’s so remote it is known as the final frontier! I had never heard of it before my trip to the Philippines.

However, after visiting, I can honestly say that this is one of the most amazing places I have ever visited.

The scenery is the main reason it is just phenomenal and that’s just from land once you get out into the water it becomes even more incredible.

The beaches are also perhaps the best I’ve ever been to. Long stretches of golden sand, free of the crowds that quality beaches are normally associated with.

Apart from you and a few other people, you basically have the beach to yourself. It is definitely the best beach resort in Palawan, if not the whole of the Philippines!

Now you’re probably wondering why I referred to El Nido as the final frontier. Well, ask any backpacker who has been there (and has not flown straight from Manila), it’s not an easy place to get to!

However, this doesn’t detract from the beauty and wonder of the place and it’s an essential part of any Philippines travel itinerary!

Without further ado, let’s get into my El Nido blog!

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El Nido Travel Guide

How to Get to El Nido

Getting to El Nido is no easy task!

If you are visiting Manila then you can fly to El Nido with ITI, (Island Transvoyager Inc.). They offer three daily flights from Manila to El Nido and vice versa. A list of times can be found here.

We used this service from El Nido to Manila and although good there are a few caveats. The cost is around PHP 7,000, which is about £100 or $156 so it’s not cheap.

There is a strict 10 kg limit for checked-in luggage and if you are over the limit. You’ll have to pay a fine, so for us, the trip got even more costly. They are also very strict about what you can take.

If you have any shells or souvenirs like this, you will have to leave them behind annoyingly! Check out my Philippines packing list to ensure you don’t go over the 10 kg limit!

However, on the plus side, the journey is very quick (the flight lasts about 45 minutes to an hour) and it’s more convenient than the other option.

The other option is to travel by bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, which is the main city in Palawan. This journey is considerably cheaper, it costs around PHP500, which is definitely more backpacker-friendly.

However, the journey lasts around 5 hours and depending on your luck you could be in a very cramped minivan. The roads are not the best, so expect a bumpy ride to El Nido at times.

Personally, I would recommend getting a minivan. The one we got was comfortable enough and had a DVD player onboard though this stopped working after a few bumps on the concrete roads!

One downside of these minivans is that they don’t leave until they are full. You could be waiting for a while before you start your journey.

Where to Stay in El Nido

If you’re wondering where to stay in El Nido, then you’re not short of accommodation options. There’s a lot ranging from beach resorts to backpackers and guesthouses. The majority of the beach resorts are located in Las Cabanas Beach, which is around a 10-minute scooter ride from the main town.

There are a number of backpackers in El Nido, which charge about PHP500 per night. This is the average rate for a bed. You might be able to get it cheaper if you look around, but this is a good price for the area.

There are a few hotels, as well as a few being built. Hotels charge about PHP1000 a night and most are fairly good. I would recommend the backpackers or guest houses, you’ll get better value for your money. You’ll also meet people here.

I’ve listed some of the best hostels in El Nido for you to choose from below!

Accommodation	Description	Link
Outpost Beach Hostel	This is one of the best hostels in El Nino. Located close to the beach, it’s a great place to meet fellow travellers.	Book Now
Frendz Hostel	This is the place to stay if you want to meet people and party. Rooftop pool is a good reason to stay too!	Book Now
Spin Designer Hostel	A beautiful hostel close to the action. This hostel has a kitchen, free breakfast and wifi!	Book Now
Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach	Located 45 minutes away from El Nido at Nacpan Beach, this is a good place to stay if you want somewhere more chill than in the centre.	Book Now

If you don’t want to stay in a hostel, there are plenty of hotels in El Nido. I recommend using Agoda to book one. You can often find great deals with hotels offering discounts throughout the year!

Why You Should Visit El Nido!

What makes El Nido so great is its natural beauty and the fact that it is largely untouched. A protected area and the beauty of the area is visible the moment you arrive. It is definitely one of the hidden gems of Southeast Asia and one of the best places to visit in the Philippines!

Large limestone cliffs tower above you, a fact I did not fully realise until late on our first night when I glanced out the window and saw what looked like a massive wall in the distance. Even at night and only partially visible it was an incredible sight.

In the day, they are even more remarkable, it is easy to see why Alex Garland came up with the idea for his famous novel The Beach while he was in El Nido! It truly is incredible and it only gets more so when you get out into Bacuit Bay on an island hopping tour.

An open-water cruise in El Nido is the best way to see the beauty of the area!

The tour takes you to some amazing beaches. With names like Secret Beach and Hidden Beach, it inspires images of island paradises. This is certainly true, the beaches are remarkable, Secret Beach was a particular favourite.

You jump off the Bangka (which is the boat that you’ll be travelling on) and swim over to a rocky outcrop, where there is a small hole. Swim through and you enter into a tiny cove, where lo and behold there is a beach. With snorkelling gear you can see fish and other marine life swimming by you, it truly is amazing!

There are five different tours titled A to E, which cost about PHP1000 with food and drink included. So if you are in El Nido for a while you can see the majority of the amazing islands that are in the bay. It is definitely money well spent.

There are plenty more things to do in El Nido. A 10-minute scooter ride brings you to one of the best beaches in El Nido, Las Cabanas. It’s a 5-minute walk from the drop-off point at the side of the road, but it doesn’t disappoint.

The beach truly is world-class and compared to Boracay is not busy in the slightest. There is also Nacpan Beach, but that is a little further along from Las Cabanas and will cost more to get there.

Compared to visiting Manila, El Nido was absolutely incredible! Beautiful landscapes and nature beat a sprawling mega-city any day! That’s reason enough to visit El Nido!

Things to do in El Nido

Despite its small size, it can be hard to know what to do in El Nido. There are a lot of things to do in here. There are numerous island hopping tours you can do, while you could spend hours at the various beaches in the vicinity.

Below are a few of my suggestions for what to include on your El Nido itinerary!

Diving/snorkelling

As with most beachside destinations in the Philippines, you can go diving or snorkelling in El Nido. I went snorkelling while I was on my island hopping tour and it was great.

The water is so clear, so it is easy to see all the various creatures that are swimming around!

If you want to go diving, then you will have to get a PADI, but once you have that it is easy. There are daily dive tours and with over 850 species of sea creatures and a lot of coral, it is definitely worth it!

Hiking

Considering that El Nido is surrounded by towering limestone cliffs it’s not surprising that there are a number of hiking trails in the area.

Hiking is somewhat down the list of what travellers want to do in El Nido, but there are a number of good hikes, should you fancy something different to do.

The Taraw Cliff hike is a particularly good one. It’s probably best to hire a local guide to do this hike, but you will not regret it. As Journeying James outlines, the views from the top of the cliff, overlooking Bacuit Bay, are incredible, to say the least!

Island Hopping

Island hopping is probably the main activity to do in El Nido, and that is for good reason. It is probably the best place to go island hopping in the Philippines! Bacuit Bay is incredible and there are many great places to visit during an island hopping tour. You have four different packages to choose from, which are imaginatively named A to D!

If you are here for a while, then it may be worth doing all four, as there are many amazing beaches and great locations to see. The average cost of a tour is PHP1,200-1,400, although this can vary depending on where you book the tour.

It’s best to look around and haggle to try and get a good deal. This El Nido tour package is one of the best you can do, and it may be worth doing all the tours if time permits!

You will also have to pay a PHP200 Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) before you head off on your tour. This is mandatory and you won’t be able to do the tour without it, so don’t forget to pay! The tours normally include food and drink in the price, but it is best to check beforehand.

You can also do a Coron Island Tour if you fancy heading over to the nearby island. The islands are just as beautiful as El Nido, and it would be a scenic excursion from El Nido for a few days!

Tour	Destinations	Price
A	Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Beach, Shimizu Island and 7 Commandos Beach	PHP 1,200
B	Entalula Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Snake Island, Cudugon Cave, Snorkellig	PHP 1,300
C	Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Talisay Beach	PHP 1,400
D	Bukal Beach, Ipil Beach, Nat-Nat Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Beach	PHP 1,200

Relax on the beach

The Philippines is home to some incredible beaches and the beaches in El Nido might just be the best of the lot. I was slightly disappointed by Boracay, after hearing about it being the number-one-ranked beach in the world. The reality of seaweed and big crowds didn’t meet up to my expectations.

That was completely different in El Nido. The beaches are absolutely incredible. You don’t have the crowds that you do in Boracay and the views are just awe-inspiring. You also have a number of beaches to choose from, with Las Cabanas and Nacpan Beach a tricycle ride outside of the town centre!

Eating

There are plenty of great places to eat in El Nido. Whether you want Filipino street food or something a bit more familiar there are lots of choices. One place I highly recommend is a sort of ‘Swedish’ restaurant.

I say sort of, as there was a massive Swedish flag hanging outside of it and we just assumed it was run by Swedes. They do great burgers, burritos and many more Western dishes and their prices won’t break the bank!

Partying

Although there are not as many bars as there are in Boracay, there are still a few decent places where you can go and get a drink.

The beachfront at Bacuit Bay is where the majority of the bars are located. This is a great place to go at night if you’re looking for a good time and to meet some people.

The bar that we spent the majority of our time at was the reggae bar. Although I was drunk, it had a good atmosphere and drinks weren’t overly expensive.

There are not many bars in the centre of the town, so if the bars are not to your liking, you can always buy some alcohol and just have your own party on the beach!

How Much Does It Cost to Travel in El Nido?

Before going into this, it’s important to note that there are no ATMs in El Nido that accept foreign cards. This is extremely important to note before you arrive.

If you end up with no cash up like me, then you are really in a tight spot. Thankfully, I had a friend who was able to lend me some to see me through our stay.

Otherwise, the only way around this situation is to go to the petrol stations at around 4 pm to get cashback. However, this is expensive as they charge a hefty fee for the transaction.

Only use it as a last resort!

This is one of the most important Philippines travel tips to know. Always take a lot of money with you wherever you go. ATMs can be sparse and temperamental!

You have to set yourself a budget for El Nido. I’d recommend around PHP10,000, but if you are staying longer than 5 days, it might be best to bring more.

Other than this, visiting El Nido is not that expensive, considering it’s located far from the major towns in Palawan!

If you are sensible and don’t go overboard, you can have a great time and not break the budget. That does depend entirely on how long you stay.

For example, if you stay for a week, then you are likely to do one or two island hopping tours, which could cost anywhere between PHP2,500-3,000. Keep this in mind while you are here and planning on what to do.

Here is a breakdown of what you would expect to pay for things in El Nido

• Accommodation – PHP 500 upwards per night, hotels will cost more
• Food – PHP 150 per meal, again this depends on what and where you are eating. Street food at turo-turo’s can be obtained for about PHP 40-60
• Island hopping tour – PHP 1,200-1,500, this can be negotiated
• Eco-Tourism Development Fee – PHP 200
• Bus fare to and from El Nido – PHP 500 x2
• Tricycle rides around El Nido – PHP 8.00 within the town, this will go up if to travel to somewhere like Las Cabanas for instance. However, you can always haggle over the price with the driver.

Therefore, an average day on El Nido, which includes an island tour, will set you back around PHP2,000-500. Which is not too bad. This figure depends upon your activities in El Nido. If you don’t do an island hopping tour, then the cost reduces significantly.

However, as this is without a doubt one of the best things to do in the Philippines, not just El Nido, it would be a waste not to do one!

If you really want to keep costs down, then staying in one of the hostels, and limiting your alcohol intake, will help you achieve this!

Concluding Thoughts

That really is about as bad as it gets in El Nido. The place truly is paradise on Earth and a trip to the Philippines is not complete without visiting.

It may be a bit of a trek to get there, but it is definitely worth it!

I hope you like my El Nido travel blog. Have you been to El Nido? What were your thoughts? I’d love to hear from you, leave me a comment below!

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