El Nido Travel Guide: The Real Deal
Limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and the best island hopping in the Philippines. But which tour is actually worth it? Here's the honest breakdown.
Last updated: September 2026
First, Understand El Nido
El Nido is a small town on the northern tip of Palawan, facing Bacuit Bay. The bay is dotted with islands, hidden lagoons, and dramatic limestone cliffs that rise straight out of the water. It's the single most-photographed place in the Philippines — and for once, the photos aren't lying.
The town itself is small, walkable, and a bit dusty. Don't come for the town beach (it's mediocre). Come for the island-hopping tours that leave from the main pier every morning. That's the whole game.
How long to stay: 4-5 days is ideal. Enough for 2-3 island tours plus a beach day. Less than 3 days and you'll feel rushed.
Island Tours: The Big Decision
There are four standard tours (A, B, C, D). They all cost ₱1,200–2,000 ($19–32), include lunch, and last 7-8 hours (9am-4pm). Here's the honest rundown:
Tour A — Big & Small Lagoon
Worth it. The postcard tour.The most popular tour. Big Lagoon (kayak through turquoise water between cliffs), Small Lagoon (hidden cove), Secret Lagoon (cave entrance), plus snorkeling at Seven Commandos Beach. This is the one you came for. $15-18
Tour C — Secret Beach & Matinloc
Worth it. The locals' favorite.Fewer people, more dramatic scenery. Matinloc Shrine (abandoned chapel on a cliff), Secret Beach (hidden between cliffs), Helicopter Island (aerial view is amazing). Snorkeling is better than Tour A. $18-22
Tour B — Cathedral Cave & Snake Island
Only if you have time.Cathedral Cave, Snake Island (long sandbar), and snorkeling spots. Fine but less spectacular than A or C. If you only do two tours, do A and C. $15-18
Tour D — Cadlao Lagoon & Pasandigan
Skip unless you love quiet beaches.The least popular tour. Cadlao Lagoon (kayaking), Pasandigan Beach, and a few snorkel stops. If you've done A and C, this is filler. $15-18
Beaches Worth Leaving Town For
Nacpan Beach — the free one
4km of golden sand, 20 minutes north of town by motorbike. No entrance fee, no tours, no schedule. Palm trees, clear water, a few beach bars. This is what backpackers dream about. Rent a motorbike ($6) and spend a full day here. The twin-lagoon viewpoint at the south end is a 15-minute hike and worth it.
Las Cabanas — the sunset one
10 minutes southwest of town. A wide, laid-back beach famous for its sunset. Zip-line over the water ($5) if that's your thing, or just grab a beer and watch the sky. There's also a cool treehouse bar at the far end.
Marimegmeg Beach — the chill one
Adjacent to Las Cabanas. Smaller, quieter, and dotted with sunset bars. A favorite with the hostel crowd for late-afternoon sessions.
Real Costs in El Nido (2026)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hostel dorm bed | $6 - $10 |
| Island tour (A/C) | ₱1,200 - ₱2,000 |
| Local meal | $2 - $5 |
| Motorbike rental / day | $6 |
| Daily total (backpacker) | $30 - $45 |
Getting to El Nido
El Nido has a tiny airport (ENI) with direct flights from Manila on AirSwift ($60-90) — convenient but pricey. Most backpackers do it the cheap way:
Fly to Puerto Princesa (PPS) from Manila ($25-50) → shared van to El Nido (5-6 hours, ₱600–880). Vans leave every hour from 6am-6pm. Book at the airport or any travel agency. The road is fully paved now, so it's not the bone-shaker it used to be.
From Coron, there's a 4-hour ferry (₱2,600–3,080). The boat from El Nido to Coron leaves at 6am daily.
Where to Stay
Most hostels cluster in the town center, a 5-minute walk from the pier. All prices are dorms.
Budget: Frendz Hostel ($6, social, the party spot), Spin Designer Hostel ($8, newer, clean), Mad Monkey El Nido ($9, pool, reliable).
Splurge worth it: Outpost Beach Hostel at Nacpan Beach ($10) — you wake up on the best beach in El Nido. Take it for 2 nights.
In dry season (Nov-May) book 2-3 days ahead. In wet season you can walk in.
Sample Itineraries: 3 or 5 Days in El Nido
Here's how to spend your time without tour fatigue:
| Day | 3-day plan | 5-day plan |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive, walk the town, sunset at Marimegmeg | Arrive, settle in, sunset at Marimegmeg |
| Day 2 | Tour A (Big & Small Lagoon) — $15-18 | Tour A (Big & Small Lagoon) — $15-18 |
| Day 3 | Tour C (Secret Beach & Matinloc) — $18-22 | Tour C (Secret Beach & Matinloc) — $18-22 |
| Day 4 | — | Nacpan Beach full day (motorbike $6) |
| Day 5 | — | Las Cabanas sunset, fly out |
El Nido vs Coron: Quick Comparison
Both are Palawan's stars, and most travelers do both (4-hour ferry between them). If you must pick:
| Factor | El Nido | Coron |
|---|---|---|
| Scenery | Lagoons and limestone cliffs — the postcard shot | Lakes and wrecks — more dramatic, less famous |
| Underwater | Good snorkeling | WWII wrecks — best in the country |
| Vibe | Busier, more touristy, more developed | Quieter, grittier, more local |
| Cost | $30-45/day | $30-45/day |
Scenery-chasers pick El Nido, divers pick Coron. Full breakdown in the Coron guide.
What Nobody Tells You
Planning a bigger trip?
El Nido is part of the Palawan trail — see the full Palawan guide, or check sample itineraries that include it.
Frequently Asked Questions About El Nido
Where is El Nido?
On the northern tip of Palawan, facing Bacuit Bay. The town is small and walkable; the bay in front of it is full of limestone islands and lagoons. AirSwift flies Manila-El Nido (ENI) in about an hour ($60-90), but most backpackers fly to Puerto Princesa and take a 5-6 hour van (₱600–880).
Which El Nido island tour is best?
Tour A (Big and Small Lagoon) and Tour C (Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine) are the two that matter — do those if you only have two days. Tour B is decent filler; Tour D is the one to skip unless you specifically want quiet beaches. All four cost $15-22 including lunch and run 9am-4pm.
How many days should you spend in El Nido?
4-5 days. That's two island tours (A and C), a Nacpan Beach day with a rented motorbike, and a sunset at Las Cabanas. Three days works if you're moving fast, but you'll skip the beach day — which is half the point.
How much does El Nido cost per day?
$30-45 as a backpacker: hostel dorm $6-10, meals $2-5, motorbike $6 a day, island tours $15-22. The tours are the one thing that will blow the budget if you do one every day. See the trip cost breakdown for the wider picture.
How do you get to El Nido from Coron?
A 4-hour ferry, ₱2,600–3,080 ($42-49), leaving El Nido at 6am daily (Montenegro or Atienza). The Sulu Sea stretch is genuinely rough from June to October — take motion sickness pills, sit outside if you can, and don't book a dive for the next day. Same ferry runs the other direction, Coron to El Nido.
When is the best time to visit El Nido?
December to May: dry, calm crossings, clear water, peak crowds. June to October: wet season — tours still run, hostels drop to $4-5, beaches are empty, but you'll get rain squalls and occasional cancelled boat days. Budget travellers tend to prefer the wet season; photographers don't.
Related Guides
Plan more of your trip: Philippines Backpacking Guide · Backpacking Itineraries · Budget Database · Coron GuidePuerto Princesa Guide