Travel Guide and Itinerary for El Nido
TL;DR
From towering limestone cliffs to the best beaches, tours, and eats, our ultimate El Nido guide and itinerary shows you exactly how to explore Palawan’s paradise without missing a thing.
El Nido, Palawan, is a dream destination for many travellers searching for crystal-clear waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, and unforgettable island adventures. But planning a trip here can be tricky: from choosing the right island-hopping tours to figuring out where to stay, eat, and how to get around, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
We’ve spent days exploring El Nido, from the busy lagoons of Tour A to the quieter stretches of Nacpan Beach, to compile our guide.
Whether you’re a backpacker or a first-time visitor, we’ll provide a practical, easy-to-follow itinerary without missing the highlights. We’ll show you how to maximise your time, avoid common pitfalls, and enjoy the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and sunsets. Along the way, we’ll share insider tips on hidden gems and must-do experiences, so you can feel confident exploring.
By the end, you’ll know exactly why El Nido is worth visiting and how to make your trip smooth, fun, and unforgettable.
El Nido Travel Guide
El Nido Philippines Map
Is El Nido Worth Visiting?
El Nido is one of those places that genuinely live up to the photos, with towering limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and some of the most memorable island-hopping anywhere in Southeast Asia.
Beyond the boat tours, you’ve got beautiful mainland beaches like Lio and Nacpan, plus easy sunset spots close to town. It’s simple to mix adventure days with slow beach time.
Yes, El Nido is touristy – with all the pros and cons. In the evenings, the main street turns into a walking street filled with restaurants, bars, travellers swapping stories from the day, and a fun, lively atmosphere.
If you come expecting a hidden gem, El Nido is not for you. But if you want dramatic scenery, great boat trips, and a social travel vibe, El Nido is 100% worth the trip. Plus, the untouched paradise on the beaches and islands around El Nido is never far away!
Where to Stay in El Nido
We learned the hard way that if you want to stay in a nice hotel or hostel with good reviews in a good location (like Happiness Hostel), you have to book well in advance.
We booked last minute and ended up staying at SG Tourist Inn. The location is in the more local part of town. The rooftop is amazing and the staff is lovely.
How to Get to El Nido
El Nido is located on an island, so your two options to get here are by plane or by boat.
- Fly to El Nido
You can reach El Nido by direct flight from Manila, Cebu, or Coron.
- Fly to Puerto Princesa
Flights to Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan, are often more affordable than to El Nido. If you have the time, we highly recommend opting for this route and stopping in Port Barton along the way.
Here’s our full Port Barton travel guide:
- Ferry to El Nido
El Nido is connected by ferry to places like Coron (around 3.5 hours, 40$) or Manila (around 35 hours, 40$). You can check times as well as prices and book tickets on 12Go.
- Island Hopping Tour to El Nido
The most scenic and fun way to travel between El Nido and Coron is by island-hopping tour. You’ll sleep on remote islands and visit remote beaches as well as snorkelling sites. We have written a full review of our experience:
How to Get Around El Nido
The centre of El Nido is walkable.
To get to destinations further out, like Vanilla Beach or Lio Beach, you can just flag down a tricycle. Prices are fixed, so there’s no need for haggling.
Of course, you can also rent a scooter, but we didn’t try.
Things to Do in El Nido
1. El Nido Tour A
Tour A is the most popular tour in El Nido. It covers:
- Big Lagoon – great for kayaking.
- Secret Lagoon – a tiny lagoon, which you can only access through a small rock opening.
- 7 Commando Beach – a picture-perfect beach.
- Shimizu Island – scenic beach and lunch stop.
We have written a full review about our experience. Spoiler, yes, it’s crowded, but we highly recommend it:
2. El Nido Tour B, C and D
If you have extra days in El Nido, Tours B, C, and D each offer a totally different side of Bacuit Bay – from caves and sandbars to secret beaches and quiet lagoons.
Tour B is perfect if you enjoy a mix of scenery and history. Highlights include:
- Snake Island – walk across the sea on a long sandbar.
- Cudugnon Cave – a fascinating cave once used as a wartime hideout.
- Cathedral Cave, whose towering rock formations resemble a natural cathedral.
- Pinagbuyutan Island – limestone cliffs and clear water.
- Pangalusian or Lagen Beach – wind down.
Tour C is often considered the most adventurous route and is a favourite for snorkelling. It takes you to some of El Nido’s most iconic hidden shores, including:
- Hidden Beach and Secret Beach – both tucked behind limestone walls and accessed by swimming through small openings.
- Matinloc Shrine for panoramic views and history.
- Star Beach – stop to relax.
- Pass by Helicopter Island – named for its unique shape.
Tour D is the best choice if you prefer fewer crowds and a slower pace:
- Small Lagoon – kayak through aquamarine water and limestone walls.
- Cadlao Lagoon – perfect for swimming or kayaking beneath towering cliffs.
- Pasandigan Beach – a quiet stretch of sand ideal for sunbathing and relaxing.
- Ipil Beach and Natnat Beach – swim, explore interesting rock formations, and enjoy the quieter side of El Nido’s coastline.
You can book the tours in El Nido or online (e.g. on Klook).
3. El Nido Via Ferrata Canopy Walk
Hiking Mount Tarwa used to be an adventure for the seriously fit and daring – until the El Nido Via Ferrata Canopy Walk opened. Nowadays, you get a guide, a helmet, and a harness, and you’re sent on your merry way across hanging bridges and ladders. The hike is not too hard – if we can do it, most people should be able to do it – and it’s absolutely worth it. The views from the top across Bacuit Bay, El Nido, and the limestone cliffs are stunning.
You can also add on the Dreamcatcher, which is mostly a photo spot.
For reasons beyond our comprehension, you might get a better deal on Klook, so it’s worth comparing.
4. Watching the Sunset at Las Cabanas / Vanilla Beach
What used to be called Las Cabanas is now marketed as Vanilla Beach. A short 15-minute drive from town, this beach comes with the perfect mixture of convenience and beauty. While it becomes successively more built up (there’s even a McDonald’s), it’s still very much worth a visit – especially around sunset.
The more daring can even take the zipline to Depeldet Island.
5. Other Beaches of El Nido
There are plenty more beaches around El Nido, but the more noteworthy ones are:
- Corong Beach – Just 5 minutes from El Nido town, this beach is more about the atmosphere than swimming. The sunset views here are fantastic. It’s also a great area to stay if you want beachfront accommodation that’s quieter and more affordable than right in town, with several good restaurants and bars along the shore.
- Lio Beach – Around a 15–20 minute drive from town, Lio Beach strikes a nice balance between development and natural beauty. You’ll find a long stretch of white sand, clear water, and a good selection of restaurants and loungers, but it still feels open and scenic. The nearby airport sounds like it could be an issue, but flights are so infrequent that it rarely disturbs the peaceful vibe.
- Nacpan Beach – Located about 45 minutes from El Nido town along a bumpy road, Nacpan is often described as one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. It’s a wide, golden stretch of sand with clear water and very little development, which gives it a remote, untouched feel. Aside from a few simple food spots, there’s not much here – which is exactly the appeal. It’s perfect for a long beach walk, a swim, and a full day of switching off. If you have the time, this beach is absolutely worth the trip.
Where to Eat in El Nido
The location of our accommodation was in a more local part of town with many local eateries. Here, we often got a main dish and rice for a super affordable price. For snacks, you can head to Midtown El Nido Bakery.
In the centre of El Nido, we liked
- Angel Wish for affordable food with a sea view.
- The Food Truck @ El Nido for Southeast Asian cuisine.
On Corong Beach, we can highly recommend
- Bella Vita for lovely pizza with a view (especially around sunset).
- La Plage for a great atmosphere and tasty seafood dishes.
How Many Days in El Nido Do You Need
You need at least two days in El Nido – one day to go on an island hopping tour and one day to explore El Nido town and its beaches. Depending on how much island hopping you plan to do, you can easily add a third day to your El Nido travel itinerary.
Here’s our 2 week Philippines itinerary, including two days in El Nido:
El Nido Itinerary 3 Days
Here’s our suggested 3 day El Nido Palawan itinerary:
Day 1 – El Nido Tour A
Start your time in El Nido with the classic Tour A, which gives you a first taste of Bacuit Bay’s dramatic limestone cliffs and turquoise lagoons. Kayak through Big Lagoon, squeeze into the Secret Lagoon, and relax on the sand at 7 Commando Beach and Shimizu Island. It’s busy, but the scenery absolutely lives up to the hype.
Day 2 – El Nido Town and Beaches
Begin the day with the Via Ferrata Canopy Walk up Mount Taraw for panoramic views over El Nido town and Bacuit Bay. It’s a fun, short adventure that adds a bit of adrenaline to your beach-heavy itinerary.
Afterwards, spend the day relaxing at a mainland beach. Stay close with Corong Beach, head to Lio Beach for a livelier but still scenic stretch of sand, or make the trip out to Nacpan Beach if you want a long, wild-feeling shoreline.
Drive out to Las Cabanas / Vanilla Beach for sunset. Grab a drink, find a spot on the sand, and watch the sun drop behind the islands offshore.
Day 3 – Tour B, C or D
On your final day, pick one more island-hopping tour depending on your vibe. Choose
- Tour B for caves and unique sandbars like Snake Island.
- Tour C for hidden beaches and some of the best snorkelling.
- Tour D for a quieter day of lagoons and relaxed beach stops.
Any of them is a great way to end your time in El Nido.
El Nido Tips
ATMs in El Nido
As tourism picked up in El Nido, so did the number of ATMs. There are plenty of ATMs dotted around the centre of town and also a few further out on Corong Beach, Vanilla Beach, or Lio Beach.
Supermarkets in El Nido
There are some smaller shops dotted around town. We liked Prince Hypermart. It’s a big supermarket with a decent array of products.
Internet in El Nido
The internet in our accommodation worked well. Our eSIM card worked fine around town. It became patchier while island hopping, but who needs internet while in paradise anyway?
Is El Nido Safe
El Nido is generally considered safe for tourists, and the risk of ending up in a violent crime is low. Petty theft and scams do occur, so stay aware of your surroundings and be street smart.
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission. You would help us a lot if you did so. Thanks.
