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.
🗺️ 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 $15-25, 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) | $15 - $22 |
| 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, $8-12). 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 ($25-30). 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.
⚠️ 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.