El Nido in Palawan – Everything You Need To Know for a Successful Vacation!

El Nido on the Filipino island of Palawan is a true paradise, featuring stunning islands, beautiful rock formations, and some of the nicest beaches in the world!

How can you see this little paradise yourself, what’s the best way to get there, and what are the things you absolutely have to do while you’re there?

Having lived in El Nido myself for over a year, I decided to create a detailed El Nido travel guide to help you plan the best possible vacation you could ever have!

Here, you’ll find the best things to do in El Nido as well as helpful tips on how to get there, where to eat, and where to stay!

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!

Best Things to Do in El Nido in Palawan

Are you asking yourself what to do in El Nido during your vacation? Look no further! Here, you’ll find a list with my favorite activities:

1. Go Island Hopping in El Nido!

Island hopping in El Nido should be at the very top of your bucket list for Palawan! After all, there’s a reason why it’s not only one of the best things to do in El Nido but one of the most popular activities in all of the Philippines!

The Bacuit Bay in El Nido is home to 45 islands with beautiful white beaches, high limestone cliffs, and breathtaking lagoons, which you can visit on a day tour.

To visit these beautiful islands in El Nido, four different tours are offered, which are called Tour A, B, C, and D. In my article about the four El Nido Island Hopping Tours you will find more information about the different itineraries and helpful tips for booking your trip!

Keep in mind, that while you should participate in at least one tour, you could also book several ones, as each tour will take you to different places in Bacuit Bay (and all of them are downright breathtaking)!

During my stay, I went island hopping in El Nido regularly and every time I was amazed all over again by the natural beauty Bacuit Bay has to offer!

2. Visit El Nido’s Beautiful Beaches!

Although island-hopping is the highlight in the area, there are many things to do in El Nido besides island hopping as well. During your vacation, be sure to check out the surrounding beaches on the mainland as well! These are the best beaches in and around El Nido:

• Nacpan Beach: Nacpan Beach is probably the most popular beach in El Nido and in my opinion it’s one of the best beaches in all of Palawan! The beach is located about 16 kilometers north of El Nido and has a length of four kilometers! This means, even in high season, you’ll find a quiet place where you can relax! In addition, Nacpan Beach not only features endless white sand and numerous coconut palm trees but also crystal clear water. Even if you swim far out, you’ll still be able to see the ground beneath your feet – amazing!
• Duli Beach: Duli Beach is located another 9 kilometers north of Nacpan Beach and is known for equally white sand and great waves. For this reason, Duli Beach is particularly popular among surfers. If you want to jump on the board yourself, you can rent a surfboard or book a surf lesson at Duli Beach Resort on the southern side of the beach!
• Vanilla Beach: Vanilla Beach is also known as Maremegmeg Beach and Las Cabanas Beach and it’s the most beautiful beach in El Nido Town. It only takes about 15 minutes from town to get there by scooter, or you can take a tricycle (a local motorbike taxi). Plus, Vanilla Beach is the best beach in El Nido to watch the sunset from, while sipping on refreshing drinks in one of the beach bars! I recommend heading to The Beach Shack, where you’ll find 2 for 1 cocktails during happy hour!
• Lio Beach: Lio Beach is situated along the way to Nacpan and Duli Beach and is only about 7 kilometers away from town. While it’s definitely worth checking out, I honestly have to say that Lio Beach is my least favorite beach in El Nido. Lio district is owned by Ayala, one of the richest families in the Philippines, and I find the way it’s laid out looks a bit unnatural and there are security guards around every corner, which I think is a bit odd. Still, it’s a nice place to go if you want to end your night with a nice meal by the beach!

3. Hike Up the Taraw Cliff Canopy Walk!

If you’re keen to do a short hike, you should head up to do the Canopy Walk, which is the safer version of the formerly known Taraw Cliff hike!

Unfortunately, Taraw Cliff is now closed, as the climb is a bit sketchy and some people got hurt climbing here (I was told that some people even died doing this hike, but I can’t confirm this with a reliable source). Therefore, it’s no longer being offered or advertised. Still, if you happen to find a guide to take you up there, I can highly recommend it! The view from the top is utterly stunning and the hike itself is very adventurous!

If you don’t find a guide for Taraw Cliff or you’re not feeling comfortable to climb on sheer rock, you can do the El Nido via Ferrata Canopy Walk (also known as “Taraw Cliff Canopy Walk” instead. The viewpoint is not as high up as the top of Taraw Cliff but you’ll still get a beautiful view of El Nido and the bay! The hike to the viewpoint takes only around 20 minutes and leads you through the backside of the limestone cliffs, where stairs and even a suspension bridge were built; making it easy for visitors to climb up!

To get there, head to the Canopy Walk Office on Rizal Street between 8 am and 5 pm. The ticket costs 730 PHP (appr. 14 USD) per head and you will be toured by a guide who shows you the way!

In my opinion, it’s the best way to see the town and surroundings from a bird’s eye view and one of the things you should not miss out on during your vacation in El Nido!

4. Try Out New Water Sports in El Nido!

If you’re looking for an active vacation, you can also try your luck with different water sports in El Nido:

• Surfing in Duli Beach: You’ve always wanted to try out surfing? No problem! As mentioned above, you can rent a board or book a surfing lesson at Duli Beach and hop on the waves yourself! The surf season starts in September and goes all the way through March. However, some days are better for surfing than others. Just check the Windy application for the size of the waves. Alternatively, you can try kite surfing in the small town of Sibaltan north of El Nido!
• Diving in El Nido: If you’re into diving, you shouldn’t miss the fabulous underwater worlds of Bacuit Bay, where you can find more than 800 species of fish, sea turtles, and even Black Tip Reef Sharks. Of course, you can also get certified in El Nido and do your PADI license, for example at the diving school Submariner!
  P.S. If you’re looking for more places to dive in the Philippines, you should check out Malapascua Island, which is famous for Tresher Sharks and is considered to be the diving capital of the country!
• Kayaking in Bacuit Bay: If you’re traveling Southeast Asia on a budget, kayaking in El Nido is a great way to explore the bay without paying lots of money for an island hopping tour! You can rent a kayak at El Nido’s main beach and kayak to Cadlao Island or rent a kayak at Vanilla Beach. From here, you can easily paddle to 7 Commandos Beach and Papaya Beach, which are both absolutely splendid! During my long stay in Palawan, I went kayaking regularly and in my opinion, it’s one of the most underrated and yet one of the best things to do in El Nido!

5. Do the Sibaltan-Loop by Scooter!

When visiting Palawan, you should make sure not to miss out on the beautiful sceneries the mainland of the island has to offer! One of the best ways to explore the island’s countryside is to hop on a scooter and do the Sibaltan-Loop, which starts in El Nido and goes around the northern tip of Palawan. In total, the route is 65 kilometers long, which makes it perfect for a day trip!

I personally did this loop twice and I don’t understand why not more people talk about it; the scenery on this loop is simply stunning! You’ll pass by small Filipino villages as well as countless palm fields, and you’ll get beautiful views of the coast – just wow!

Along the way, you can also visit the Bulalaco Falls and Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfall and stop in two villages; San Fernando and Sibaltan on the eastern side of the route. Plus, you can also spend a night in Sibaltan, which is known for its long beach with shallow water and awe-inspiring sunrises!

Keep in mind though, that accommodation in Sibaltan is limited. So, it’s best to book a place to stay ahead of time!

6. Explore the Waterfalls around El Nido in Palawan!

Keen to chase some waterfalls? No problem! These are the best falls to visit in El Nido:

1. Bulalaco Falls:

My favorite waterfall in El Nido is the Bulalaco Waterfall, which is located about 14 kilometers north of El Nido and is easily accessible by scooter. Click here to see the exact location of the falls! From the side of the road, it is about a 30-minute walk through the jungle, where you have to cross several waterbeds that are about ankle- to knee-deep high.

Once you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by a charming waterfall running down into a small pool where you can cool yourself off. It’s surrounded by plenty of bushes, trees, and banana leaves that are contributing to a tropical jungle setting.

There are also several places to sit and if you like, you can even climb up to the top of the waterfall and enjoy the view from above! This place is truly magical and although El Nido is quite touristic, not many people make their way here. Therefore, it’s a perfect place to enjoy yourself in peace away from the crowds!

The entrance fee is 75 PHP (appr. 1,50 USD) in total (25 PHP to enter the area and 50 PHP at the waterfall).

2. Nagkalit-Kalit Falls:

Alternatively, you can also hike to the Nagkalit-Kalit Falls, which are located here.

However, the way to get there is quite tricky, and you will definitely need a guide! Usually, there are people on site who are willing to take you there for a few hundred pesos but the total cost also depends on your negotiating skills.

Like the track to the Bulalacao Falls, this hike is about a 30-minute walk through thick jungle (make sure to bring insect repellent!). Then you’ll arrive at a idyllic waterfall, where you can bathe in the refreshing pool or hike up to enjoy the view from above!

Although I personally like the Bulalacao Falls a little better, the Nagkalit-Kalit Falls are also a great activity for your El Nido vacation! It’s just incredibly peaceful to sit here, watch the water run down the rocks and listen to birds chirping in the jungle!

Travel El Nido off the beaten path: I was lucky enough to be in El Nido during the pandemic when not many tourists were around, but even if you travel during the peak season, the waterfalls in the area are great places to visit if you want to get away from the crowds!

7. Join a Yoga Class in El Nido!

Do you think there’s no better way to start the day than immersing yourself in a meditating yoga session? Then we’re in the same boat!

I was super happy to find a great yoga studio called Yoga Tayo with a teacher who is not only incredibly welcoming but also very knowledgeable. She offers yoga classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 am and Wednesdays at 5 pm at Lio Beach. Just make sure to book the class one day in advance to secure your spot, for example through her Instagram page!

Note: One class costs 450 PHP (appr. 9 USD)!

Restaurants in El Nido in Palawan

If you’re planning a trip to El Nido, you’re probably also looking for good places to eat at. Being a food lover myself, I put together a list of my favorite restaurants in El Nido:

• Bella Vita: Bella Vita is my absolute favorite restaurant in El Nido! It’s located right on the beach in the Corong Corong district and serves one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had (and I’ve been to Italy several times!!). If you crave Italian food during your El Nido vacation, you should definitely try the Tartufata Pizza! It’s topped with prosciutto, mushrooms, and truffle oil and it’s just out of this world!
• El Nido Boutique Art Café: Art Café is the oldest restaurant in El Nido and has been open since 1995. Downstairs you’ll find a tourist shop and travel agency, whereas there’s a colorful and artsy café on the second floor; serving a mix of Filipino dishes and international meals. I can especially recommend their omelet breakfast with homemade bread and Filipino-style Chocolate-Avocado-Shakes (I know this combo sounds weird but it’s actually reeeally good!).
• Happy Home: Right at the Main Beach of El Nido, you will find a family-owned restaurant called ‘Happy Home’, which is particularly known for its huge portions and unbelievably good value for money. My favorite dish is the Seafood Curry, which is overloaded with fresh mussels, shrimp, different kinds of fish, squid, and calamari. It only costs about 200PHP (appr. 4 USD) and is big enough for two to share!
• Alab Restobar: Alab is a relatively new restaurant in El Nido, as it only opened during the pandemic but it quickly became one of my favorites! It’s known for its diverse menu, serving a variety of local meals and international dishes. I’ve tried a lot of their food and can particularly recommend their Eggplant Katsu, Samosas with Mango Chutney, and Indian-style Chicken Tikka Masala (yum!). However, you can’t go wrong with one of their Filipino favorites like pan grilled fish or Lumpia spring rolls either!
• Mama Odessa Café & Boodmo Brewery: I bet you’ve never had Ukrainian food in Southeast Asia before! Am I right? Then it’s about time you did! At Mama Odessa, you can get authentic Ukrainian food and freshly brewed beer, like IPAs and Hefeweizen! This may not be your typical Filipino experience but it’s definitely worth checking out if you want to try out something new!
• Tuko: Being located in the center of town, Tuko is the perfect spot for dinner and a night out! The food menu changes constantly but is sure not to disappoint. Upstairs, you’ll also find a balcony bar, where you can sip on mouthwatering cocktails and dance all night long!
• Soul Kitchen: If you happen to be in Lio Beach and are looking for vegan food, be sure to stop at Soul Kitchen! The chefs here create gorgeous vegan Filipino dishes with a twist, using local ingredients like banana blossoms and young bamboo!
• Seed Dreams: Seed Dreams is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant at El Nido’s main beach. Here, you will find delicious plant-based meals like Eggplant Steak with rice (a vegan alternative to the Filipino national dish “Adobo”) or vegetarian curries. During my long stay in El Nido, I was a regular at the chef’s former restaurant “Paul’s Vegan”!

Of course, these are only a few examples of the restaurants El Nido has to offer. You can also find many small eateries in town, where you can eat local food for little money!

Accommodation in El Nido

During peak season, accommodation in El Nido books out within the blink of an eye. For this reason, I would advise you to book your accommodation in advance. Hostelworld* is my go-to if I’m looking for a cheap hostel with a social atmosphere, whereas Agoda* and Booking* offer competitive prices for guest houses and hotels!

Plus, Agoda also offers unbeatable 24-hour flash deals, which is perfect if you’re booking your accommodation last minute!

However, keep in mind that accommodation in El Nido is quite expensive compared to other places in the Philippines. There are a few budget options but overall the prices are on the higher end of the scale!

Best Hostels in El Nido

Are you looking for a hostel with a social atmosphere? Then I can recommend the following hostel, which I’ve visited several times:

• Frendz Hostel*: Frendz is a typical backpacker-party hostel with a rooftop bar and pool, which makes it easy to meet fellow travelers!

Although I haven’t visited these hostels myself, I’ve heard positive reviews about them:

• Outpost Beach Hostel*: If you’re looking for a beachfront hostel with a fun, social atmosphere, Outpost is just the ticket. They also organize nightly events and “outsiders” (people who don’t stay here) are also welcome!
• Spin Designer Hostel*: For those who are looking for a more laid-back hostel in the center of town, Spin Designer is a great option.

Best Budget-Hotels in El Nido

If you’re looking for a simple room to stay in for little money (15 to 30 Euros per night), I can recommend this accommodation:

• Lualhati Garden Cottage*: Lualhati Garden Cottage is located in the center of town and offers simple but clean rooms for a fair price!

Although I haven’t visited these places myself, I’ve heard positive reviews about them:

• Cliffside Cottages*: Being located in the heart of town, Cliffside Cottages provide simple rooms with views of the surrounding lime stone!
• Lolo Panding Inn*: Another good budget-hotel is Lola Panding Inn, which also provides views of the surrounding lime stone cliffs as well as a shared kitchen and a terrace to relax on!

Best Mid-Range Hotels in El Nido in Palawan

Are you willing to spend a little more to stay in a nicer accommodation? Then you’ll find my favorite mid-range hotels in El Nido here (40-80 Euros/ night). I’ve visited all the following hotels and can highly recommend them:

• Blue Mango Villas*: Blue Mango is located in Corong Corong district, which is a very good area to stay in, as it’s in between town and Vanilla Beach. In Blue Mango, you’ll find spacious, modern rooms (some of them with ocean-views) and a cozy outdoor area as well as a restaurant on site! It’s a great place to stay in if you value comfort and a good location!
• Duli Beach Resort*: Duli Beach Resort is the perfect place to stay if you want to get away from the crowds of El Nido and stay right at the beach away from town! Even if you don’t want to spend your entire vacation in Duli Beach, I recommend coming here for a night or two, so you can surf during the day, watch the sunset at night, and wake up to the sound of the waves!
• El Nido Viewdeck*: In the center of town, you’ll find El Nido Viewdeck, which truly lives up to its name. From here, you have a beautiful view of the limestone formations surrounding El Nido and each room has its private pool!

Note: If your budget allows it, I’d recommend to book an accommodation with a generator, as brownouts happen very regularly in El Nido. This is especially annoying at night when you can’t sleep because of a non-working aircon or fan!

Furthermore, you can also find some luxury beach resorts in El Nido like Coco Beach Resort* in Corong Corong, Angkla* at Nacpan Beach or Lihim Resort* in Caalan near town. But since this is a backpacking blog, I’m not going to dive further into those types of accommodations!

How To Get to El Nido in Palawan

Manila to El Nido in Palawan

• Flight: Airswift is offering flights from Manila to Lio Airport, which is only 7 kilometers away from El Nido town. If you’re just planning a vacation in El Nido and you don’t want to take the detour through Puerto Princesa, this is the best way to get there!

Puerto Princesa to El Nido

From Puerto Princesa, there are several ways to travel to El Nido:

• Public Transport: There’s a bus going from Puerto Princesa to El Nido several times a day. The price starts at 430 PHP per head but varies depending on which bus company you choose. Keep in mind, that the bus stops along the way, which is why the ride can take up to eight hours. Halfway, you’ll stop at a restaurant, where you can eat lunch and use the bathroom.
• Van: If you want to get to El Nido a little faster, you can also book a van at the bus stop in Puerto Princesa. The fare costs between 500 – 700 PHP but the price also depends on your negotiation skills. If you take the van, you can expect to arrive within 5,5 to 6 hours, including a 20-minute stop to eat lunch!
• Own Transport: Do you prefer to drive to El Nido from Puerto Princesa yourself? No problem! In the capital of Palawan, you can also hire a car or motorbike for your vacation. However, if you decide to go for this option, you’ll have to return to Puerto Princesa at the end of your trip to return the vehicle!

Still need a ticket? Book your bus or van tickets from Puerto Princesa to El Nido online through the booking portal 12GoAsia*!

Note: If you still need a flight to Puerto Princesa, I recommend checking out Skyscanner*. In my experience, this site offers the best prices on the internet, and it shows you a direct price comparison for the whole month!

Port Barton to El Nido

Many people decide to stop for a visit to Port Barton, as it’s situated halfway between Puerto Princesa and El Nido. In this section, I’ll show you how you can get to El Nido from Port Barton:

• Public Transport: If you decide to use public transport to travel from Port Barton to El Nido, you will have to change transport in the small town of Roxas, as there’s no direct bus route. Take the Jeepney (local public transport) at 8 am from Port Barton to Roxas. The ride takes around 90 minutes and the fare costs 150 PHP (appr. 3 USD). From here, you can take a bus to El Nido for 180 PHP (appr. 3,60 USD), which takes around 3,5 hours!
• Van: Although traveling by public transport is possible, it’s much easier to book a van from Port Barton to El Nido, which should take around 4,5 hours. The fare costs around 350 PHP (appr. 7 USD). Yet again, this also depends on how good you are at negotiating!
• Own transport: If you already rented a vehicle in Puerto Princesa to take to Port Barton, you can just ride to El Nido yourself. This way, you can leave whatever time you want and are more flexible with your schedule!

If you want to avoid haggling with van drivers, you can book your ticket in advance through 12GoAsia*!

Helpful Tips for Your Vacation

• Electricity: From my own experience, I can say that the power supply in El Nido is very bad and power outages happen VERY regularly. You would be very lucky if there wasn’t a single brownout during your vacation! For this reason, I recommend booking accommodation with a generator, as nothing is more annoying than not being able to sleep because of a non-working air-con or fan!
• Wi-Fi: Most accommodations in El Nido provide free Wi-Fi and you can also find Wi-Fi in a lot of cafés and restaurants in town. So, connecting to the internet shouldn’t be a problem!
• Water supply: Keep in mind, that you should not drink tap water in the Philippines. Instead, you’ll find several “water refill stations” in town, where you can fill up your bottle with filtered drinking water for just a few pesos. This is cheaper than buying water bottles and saves a lot of plastic!
• SIM cards: There are two major internet service providers in the Philippines – Globe and Smart. Depending on the area you stay in, one or the other can provide faster loading speeds. Just ask the locals, which one works better in your area! You can buy a SIM for only 50 PHP (appr. 1 USD) at the local Sari stores (small Filipino shops), where you can also top up your balance!
• Bring Sunscreen: As you can probably imagine, you should use a lot of sunscreen during your vacation in El Nido to avoid a nasty surprise. Although sunscreen is for sale in numerous local shops in town, I recommend bringing your own protection, as it’s very expensive to buy in the Philippines. A small bottle of sunscreen can cost 10 dollars or more!
• Insect repellent: Furthermore, you should either bring insect repellent from home or buy insect repellent in El Nido (the local price for insect repellent is not as high as for sunscreen :D). I can recommend the “OFF!”-brand, which you can buy in almost every store in town. This will not only protect you from mosquitos but also from sand flies that are lingering around Nacpan and Duli Beach. These flies are tiny and barely visible but if you don’t protect yourself, you’ll wake up with loads of itchy bites the next day. So, do yourself a favor and apply insect repellent when visiting those beaches!!
• ATMs: If you need to pull out money during your vacation, I recommend going to BPI. Although there are several ATMs in El Nido, the ones from BPI are the only ones that let you take out 20000 PHP (appr. 380 USD) at a time, whereas the other ATMs have a limit of 10000 PHP per transaction. Considering that all ATMs in town charge you 250 PHP (appr. 5 USD) per transaction if you don’t have a Filipino bank account, you can save a lot of money over time if you take out larger amounts!
• Language: In Palawan, the official language is Tagalog – one of the two main languages in the Philippines. However, most locals speak very good English, which is why you shouldn’t have any issues with communication. Still, I recommend learning a few words of the local language to be respectful!

FAQ

Conclusion: Is El Nido in the Philippines Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Although El Nido in Palawan is quite touristy nowadays, there’s a reason why it’s one of the most popular places to visit in the Philippines! The surrounding islands, exquisite rock formations, and crystal-clear water in El Nido are just out of this world!

Plus, there are plenty of things to do in El Nido and although the town and the island hopping tours can be a bit crowded, there are also great places off-the-beaten-path to find! Therefore, it’s the perfect travel destination in the Philippines if you want to visit tropical islands and picturesque beaches, while also being able to explore less crowded places on the mainland!

After all, there’s a reason why Palawan has been awarded to be ‘the most beautiful island in the world’ several times!

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