2026 EL NIDO PALAWAN DIY TRAVEL GUIDE

I was welcomed by an extremely stunning sunset the moment I set foot in El Nido Palawan for the first time. The sky gradually turned into a gorgeous pastel palette. A few settled at the beach too – in awe of the evenfall hues reflecting into the ocean creating an entirely calming mood. The restaurants ashore started to be filled with people who are tired and famished from exploring the best of the islands. I could hear distant chatters and merry laughter. The small waves softly crashed into the shore – a great music to my ear. I took it as El Nido’s way of telling me that I might have gone in there alone but everything’s going to be all right. So, it did.  

Impressive rock and limestone formation, the crystal waters of the lagoons and beaches that come by surprise, fascinating caves, rich marine life, beaches with grainy to powdery cream to white sand, swells and waves good for surfing, hospitable locals – this is what El Nido, Palawan is all about. To date, it still has among the best islands in the Philippines and the world with its unique and amazing attractions that continuously invite everyone from anywhere around the globe to explore its wonders.  

About El Nido Palawan

El Nido is a municipality situated at the northern most part of the mainland Palawan. It was once a part of the municipality of Taytay. It is formerly known as Bacuit later renamed into El Nido (Spanish term for The Nest) by the Spaniards when a nest of a particular bird specie used for a special soup that costs a fortune was found in it.

Language Spoken

Though Tagalog and English are widely spoken in the town due to the frequent interaction with the tourists, often times, locals can be heard speaking in Cuyonin – a language of a group of indigenous people who migrated from Cuyo island to El Nido. Apart from Cuyonin, other prominent indigenous groups residing in the islands of Palawan include Tagbanua, Palaw-an, Calamianin and others.

Best Time to Visit

Best time to visit El Nido is from March to May – the dry season in Philippines. Swells at Duli Beach during this season, on the other hand, are not good for surfing. Best time to visit El Nido for such activity is during the last two quarters of the year. On the other hand, waves may be rough on rainy season making it impossible to go on an island hopping activity but the lean season is the time of the year when the businesses offer promos.  

Getting to, Around and Away El Nido Palawan

By Plane

1.a. From Manila to Puerto Princesa City
Cebu Pacific and Philippines Airlines have several flights daily from Manila to Puerto Princesa City.

1.b. From Puerto Princesa City to El Nido
Once arrived, you have to travel for 4-5 hours by land to El Nido by bus or by van. The land travel costs Php 800.00. First trip is as at 5:00 AM and the last trip is at 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. You may book your land travels at Book-A-Way Travel. This trip may take about 5 to 6 hours.

You may also coordinate with your hotel or resort’s front desk for the pick up and drop off at the airport for a hassle-free transfer.

2. From Manila/ Clark Airport to El Nido
Air Swift and CEB Go have daily flights directly to El Nido. This, though, can be more expensive yet more convenient than flying from Manila to Puerto Princesa City.  

By Ferry

1. From Manila
Atienza Shipping Lines has a vessel that sails once a week for 24 – 26 hours every Thursday night departing from Baseco Port in Quezon City. Fare ranges from Php 2500.00 to Php 3,000.00.

2. From Coron, Palawan
Jomalia and Montenegro Shipping lines have fast crafts sailing daily from Coron Port to El Nido PPA at 8:20 AM and 12:00 NN respectively. Fare would be around Php 2,500.00. The trip takes 3 hours to 4 hours depending on the weather and sea condition.  

You might also want to read: Coron Palawan Travel Guide 2026

Going Around

Restaurants, bars, ATMs, convenience stores, souvenir shops, tour agencies’ offices, the port and the beach aren’t far from one another. Apart from the attractions that require island hopping activity, El Nido also has inland points of interest such as Nacpan Beach, Las Cabañas, Water Falls, Duli Beach, Taraw Cliff Canopy Walk. These can be reached through riding a motorbike or through renting a private van or tricycle.

Mode of Transportation for inland tours and rates:

1. Motorbike rental (self drive) – Php 500.00 to Php 700.00/ day (excluding the gas)
2. Tricycle – starts at Php 1,500.00 for up to 3 persons
3. Van – Php 5,000.00 up to 10 persons

Things to Do

1. Island Hopping. The best way to enjoy the attractions in El Nido is through island hopping. Tour operators usually pick the guests up from their hotels at around 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM for this.

2. Swimming and Snorkeling. If you do not have your own gear, you can rent a mask and snorkel for only Php 150.00 from the boat parking/ docking area prior to your tour.

3. Diving. There are several agencies near the port and boat docking area that offer SCUBA diving. The package usually includes the diving gear, dive master as a guide, boat transfer and environmental fees. During my trip, I had a great time diving with Palawan Divers.

4. Trekking to Mt. Mansilawit or Canopy Walk. If you wish to get a good view of El Nido from heights, among the best activities to try is trekking to Mt. Mansilawit and the famous Canopy Walk of Taraw Cliff.

5. Chase Waterfalls. There are few waterfalls in El Nido that can be explored. You can either charter a tricycle or rent a motorbike in going there.

6. Kayaking and Paddle Boarding. Kayak rental starts at Php 300.00 for the small ones and Php 400.00 for the bigger ones. It is also the best way to explore small and big lagoon.

7. Watch the sunset at the beach. Best place to enjoy the sunset is at Las Cabanas, Dolarog Resort, Duli Beach and Nacpan Beach.

8. Surfing at Duli Beach. El Nido isn’t just all about beaches and lagoons but also swells good for surfing. Best time to do surfing in Duli Beach is during the last two quarters of the year.

El Nido Palawan Island Hopping Tour Packages

Among the top activities in El Nido Palawan is of course, island hopping. These tours will take you to among the best and breathtaking scenes and sights that this town is best known for. You may opt to have your tours pre-planned by arranging them with your hotel or you may enjoy a stroll around downtown as you look for some. The rates are almost similar for every operators but prices may vary depending on what they offer (i.e.: other tour operators have larger boats). Take note as well that before the tours, an amount of Php 400.00 for eco tax is usually collected. Some tour operators, on the other hand, may seem to offer more expensive rates but they actually include this fee already. Below are the most recent tour packages and rates for an El Nido Palawan Island Hopping Tour:

TOUR A – Php 1,500.00

Small Lagoon
Big Lagoon
Secret Lagoon
Shimizu Island
Seven Commando Beach  

An additional Php 200.00 is collected if visiting the big lagoon. If you wish to kayak, you may rent one for only Php 300.00.

TOUR B – Php 1,600.00

Snake Island
Entalula Beach
Pinagbuyutan Island
Cudungnon Cave
Cathedral Cave  

TOUR C – Php 1,700.00

Matinloc Shrine
Secret Beach
Hidden Beach
Talisay Beach
Helicopter Island

TOUR D – Php 1,500.00

Cadlao Lagoon
Inat-nat Beach
Paradise Beach
Bukal Island
Pasandigan Beach

Inland Tours

Duli Beach
Nacpan Beach
Las Cabañas
Waterfalls
Zip line and Canopy walk  

Where To Eat

There are various restaurants and small canteens around where you can choose from. Food price ranges from Php 200.00 to 350.00 per head per meal. But often, they cannot be found by the beach or the main strip. Among the many restaurants around the vicinity (that I have also personally tried), the following are the frequently visited ones:

1. Tales of the Islands – despite not having a view, it is quite a place for brunch and dinner as they offer bowls that you yourself may even personalize.
2. Osaka Castle – offers flavorful plates and bowls of Japanese food
3. Angel Wish Cafe – a perfect all day breakfast place by the beach
4. Basil – offers good pasta and pizza
5. Hot Gossip Beach Bar and Cafe – a cafe with a beach access and best view of Cadlao island
6. Altrove Trattoria El Nido – specializes on pizza and pasta
7. Athena Cafe – offers Greek food experience to be best enjoyed with the view of the beach
8. Art Cafe – an Instagram-worthy cafe that offers pasta and music jam every night near the beach
9. Skyline Bar and Restaurant – quite a spot to cool down and chill out at night
10. Happiness Express – A chill and instagram-worthy restobar just across Athena Cafe  

Where To Stay in El Nido Palawan

If you’re down for some upscale hotel and resorts, you should check on the following

1. Panorama Boutique Hotel & Beach Club
Facebook page: Panorama Boutique Hotel & Beach Club, El Nido
Email: panoramaelnido@gmail.com
Mobile: +63 998 240 5291

2. The Nest El Nido Beach Resort
Website: www.thenestelnido.com
Mobile: +63 917 714 5779

3. Frangipani El Nido
Website: www.frangipanielnido.com
Mobile: +63 917 628 3689

4. El Nido Moringa Resort
Website: www.moringa-respot.com/
Facebook page: El Nido Moringa Resort
Mobile: +3 999 537 3006

5. Vellago Resort
Website: http://vellago.com
Email: info@vellago.com
Mobile: +63 917 884 4082

6. El Nido Bayview Resort
Website: www.elnidobayviewresorts.com/
Facebook page: El Nido Bayview Resort
Email: elnidobayviewresort@gmail.com
Telephone: +632 401 6547
Mobile (Globe): +63 917 889 2727
Mobile (Smart): +63 921 989 6907  

Sample 4 Days – 3 Nights El Nido Palawan Itinerary

DAY 1: (PM) Arrival at Puerto Princesa City
Travel to Puerto Princesa City to El Nido
Check in to accommodation

DAY 2: Tour A
Places to Visit:
1. Small Lagoon
2. Big Lagoon
3. Secret Lagoon
4. Shimizu Island (Lunch Area)
5. Seven Commando Beach

DAY 3: Tour C
1. Matinloc Shrine
2. Secret Beach
3. Hidden Beach
4. Talisay Beach
5. Helicopter Island

Evening:
Travel from El Nido to Puerto Princesa City
Check into accommodation

DAY 4: Home Bound

Note: Itinerary may still depend on your flight itinerary. This itinerary works best if the booked flight for departure from your place of origin to Puerto Princesa City is in the afternoon so you could still have time to travel to El Nido and rest.   

Sample 4 Days – 3 Nights El Nido Palawan Itinerary and Budget

DAY 1: Arrival & Sunset watching
Van fare from Puerto Princesa to El Nido – Php 800.00
Food – Php 800.00
Accommodation – Php 2,500.00

Total: Php 4,100.00

DAY 2: Island Hopping
Tour A – Php 1,500.00
Dinner – Php 450.00
Lagoon fee – Php 200.00
Kayak rental – Php 300.00
Eco Fee – Php 400.00
Accommodation – Php 2,500.00

Total: Php 5,350.00

DAY 3: Island Hopping
Tour C – Php 1,700.00
Dinner – Php 450.00
Accommodation – Php 2,500.00

Total: Php 4,650.00

DAY 4: Home Bound
Van Fare – Php 800.00

GRAND TOTAL: Php 14,900.00

Take note that this sample budget considers the following:

*an itinerary and budget for a solo traveler with a decent accommodation
*Excluding souvenirs and airfare 
*Complimentary breakfast is offered in the accommodation
*Lunch is included in the tour

Tips in Traveling to El Nido Palawan

1. Bring dry bag and aqua shoes. There are several occasions that will require you to walk and pass through rocks in waters.
2. Use reef-friendly sunscreen.
3. Be a responsible traveler. Do not take home sand, shells, rocks or anything from the islands. Do not leave and throw anything to the ocean.
4. Do not feed the fish nor touch the corals.
5. Food can get a little expensive around the beach strip. The cheapest you can get is at Php 200.00 Php 350.00 for a meal in a small canteen or local restaurant.
6. El Nido is a solo traveler-friendly town. You can just simply join tours by the agency and ask the tour guides to take photos of you.
7. Use of single-use plastic straw and bags is banned in El Nido. Shakes and drinks are sold with bamboo or paper straws and bringing of shopping eco-bags sometimes is necessary when buying something from shops.
8. If you’ll be booking a flight and will coming from Puerto Princesa City, make sure that you’ll book your departure late in the afternoon and your return early in the morning to maximize your stay in El Nido.
9. Matinloc Shrine has an entrance fee of Php 100.00 per head that is not included on the tour package fee.
10. Best place to watch the sunset is in Las Cabañas beach.

Parting Words

It was only once a dream of mine to visit El Nido, Palawan as I have only heard and seen it on pictures and on TV. I was very glad to be able to visit it. It would have been lovelier if you could also experience its beauty – you and the next generations. With that, let’s all be responsible enough to take care of it through our simple efforts. Small yet collective efforts will always have greater impact.