El Nido was one of the top destinations in the Philippines that I wanted to visit during my early years of traveling. This coastal town found on the northernmost tip of mainland Palawan is home to gorgeous islands, white-sand beaches, and lagoons. It should be on your bucket list of places to go in the country because the sea views here rival the best of Asia. El Nido had changed quite a bit since my first visit. There had been a lot of improvements including how easier it is to get to, now, and the wider variety of options available for tourists.
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Traveling to El Nido for the first time?
This detailed travel guide will make it easy for you to plan a trip, save money, and maximize your time. Scroll down to read must-know travel tips before you go, followed by a sample itinerary + budget breakdown, recommended hotels/places to stay, things to do/places to visit and lots of extra travel tips.
How to get to El Nido — Most travelers arrive in El Nido by flying to Puerto Princesa Airport and traveling by land to El Nido. Travel time from Manila to Puerto Princesa is around 1h30m. From Puerto Princesa to El Nido travel time is around 5 to 6 hours by shuttle. If you want to skip the long land journey, you can fly directly to El Nido Airport. This is the fastest but more expensive way. For adventurous travelers who want to maximize their Palawan trip, book a flight to Coron-Busuanga Airport (USU) and continue the journey to El Nido by ferry.
Book your hotel early — Grab rock-bottom rates and avoid fully-booked rooms by booking online as soon as you know you’re going. Click below to compare discounts and read reviews by other travelers.
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Don’t miss island hopping in El Nido — The boat tours around Bacuit Bay islands are the main highlight in El Nido.
Check prices online and pre-book discounts — Save money by checking discounts on tours & airport/hotel transfers. Booking before you leave also saves you time & avoids the hassles of bringing large amounts of cash during your actual trip.
Bring all the cash you need — Do not rely on getting money from the limited number of ATMs in El Nido. It will be safer to withdraw your money in Puerto Princesa. Better yet, pre-book your accommodations and tours online before arriving.
Go on a 3-day trip, or longer — El Nido island hopping tours usually start in the morning and run the whole day. Taking into account the long journey from Puerto Princesa, you’ll have to add one day each for your arrival and departure in Palawan. So, 3 days is the minimum, but I recommend that you spend at least 4 days so that you can enjoy 2 full days for island hopping or inland tours. They are worth it!
El Nido does not have to be expensive — Many people think of posh island resorts with a mention of El Nido. Truth is, there are many options here for travelers on a tight budget. If you can afford to stay in a luxury resort, go for it! If you are traveling on a tight budget, stay at many budget-friendly hotels and hostels in mainland El Nido. Then, enjoy the islands on day tours.
El Nido is very solo travel-friendly — This town is one of the few places in the Philippines that can be traveled easily and cheaply by solo travelers. The daily island hopping tours accept joiners & there are a lot of these tours organized daily, even during low tourist seasons. - Marcos Detourista
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