Located at the northern most tip of Palawan, El Nido is surrounded by breathtaking islands, white sandy beaches and incredible lagoons to swim in. During our 6 week trip in the Philippines, we spent a total of 6 days in El Nido. It is an incredibly beautiful area with many things to do!
Getting to El Nido
There are a number of ways to get to El Nido depending on where you are coming from.
From Puerto Princesa: It is possible to take the bus or fly from Puerto Princesa. The bus is definitely the cheaper option but does take approximately 5 hours. The cost is Php865 per person (USD16). Alternatively, the flight time is 30 minutes.
From Coron: If you are coming from Coron the best way is by ferry which is a 3.5/4 hour journey. The ferry departs daily at 12pm. This can be booked through ‘Palawan Days’ online prior to departure. There are two ferry companies, however the one we used was Montenegro Ferries. The cost is Php1855 per person for a one way transfer (approx. USD35).
From Cebu / Manila: There is an airport at El Nido which only Swift Air operates out of. As the airport is small, there are limited flights per day. This also means that flying out of El Nido airport is expensive. A flight from El Nido to Cebu will cost approximately USD150 per person (based on November rate 2018).
Things to do in El Nido
#1 Visit Small Lagoon
Small Lagoon is as the name suggests, a small lagoon. It is about a 20 minute boat ride from El Nido town and is the first stop on the ‘Tour A’ boat ride. The water at Small Lagoon is beautiful, however it does get incredibly busy so make sure to get there as early as possible.
#2 Visit Big Lagoon
The names just keep getting more original!! Big Lagoon is a must on any day trip from El Nido. What was magical about this location, was that you have to kayak to reach the main part of the lagoon. And it is well worth it! Dramatic rock formations frame the lagoon with crystal blue waters that are perfect to swim in. It was the perfect surprise!
The price to kayak is Php500 (USD6). But do not hesitate.. you will not regret it!
#3 Secret Lagoon
This place may have been a secret in the past, but it certainly is not any more. To reach Secret Lagoon you must crawl through a rock formation. On the other side, you will find yourself in a small lagoon. While beautiful, the crowds can be off putting. Don’t let that deter you though as the beach area at Secret Lagoon is also worth the visit!
#4 Snake Island
We travelled to Snake Island twice as we loved it so much (on different days). The sand bank that forms the ‘snake’ between the two islands only appears when the tide is low. As the area is more open than the lagoons, it also feels less crowded! Which is a bonus. There is also a small hill on the mainland island which offers lovely views.
If you are on a tour, the tour leader will take you to Snake Island at an appropriate time depending on the tide.
#5 Pinabuyutan Island
This is a MUST! Seriously one of the most incredible / beautiful / unique places we have been to. Dramatic rock formations overlook a palm tree filled mainland situated on a white sandy beach. It felt like we were in a Jurassic Park movie. The island is small but WOW it is something special.
#6 Entalula Island
Another MUST on a boat trip. When we came here in the early afternoon, there was no one to be seen. It was absolute paradise. There is something special about this beach that makes us want to return again and again.
This island is not included in all of the group tours. We actually decided to visit Entalula Island as part of a private tour.
#7 Seven Commando Beach
Much busier than the rest, Seven Commando Beach is situated close to El Nido town (by boat). It makes for the perfect location to end a boat tour. On the beach are multiple kiosk stores selling food and drinks. You also find a lot more tourists who come to spend the entire day!
The sunset from Seven Commando Beach is beautiful so it is worthwhile staying there until the sun goes down. You will not regret it!
#8 Enjoy a Sunset
One of the best places to watch the sunset in El Nido is from Las Cabanas beach which is a short tricycle from El Nido town.
How the Boat Tours in El Nido work
Boat Tours in El Nido are restricted to what time they can depart in the morning. This means about 8am/8.30am the main beach strip of El Nido is packed with tourists waiting to depart for the day.
Group Boat Tours
It is necessary to book a boat tour the day before to avoid disappointment of missing out. All companies offer similar tours. These being, Tour A, B, C, D, E. Tour A is certainly the most popular however! Prices for the day trips range from Php1200 – Php1400 (USD24 – 30).
Private Boat Tours
If you are like us and like being flexible with your time, we would highly recommend booking a private tour. That way you can choose which islands you visit and how long you would like to spend at each place!
If you have 4 people, the price per person is almost equivalent to the cost of a group tour per person.
Below is a list of what you will have included in a private tour:
- Php7000 for the entire boat (USD 130)
- Delicious lunch including fresh fish, squid, prawns, chicken, vegetables and fruit
- Entrance Fees
- The flexibility to choose where you like to go (this also means avoiding the crowds who are following one of the tour packages)!
Accomodation
As the number of tourists visiting El Nido continue to grow annually, so too does the number of hostels / air bnbs / hotels. Below is a list of some of the places we would recommend staying.
Luxury
- Lagen Island – situated on a private island from mainland El Nido, Lagen Islands offers luxurious accomodation. With a combination of over-water and on land bungalows this resort will ensure full relaxation during your stay!
- Pangulasian Island – another private island, this eco-luxury resort is situated on a pristine beach with dense tropical forest in the backdrop. Enjoy romantic sunsets, private dining on the beach and ultimate pampering sessions at the spa!
Moderate
- Frangipani El Nido – fantastic boutique hotel situated a 5 minute tricycle ride from the centre of El Nido. The restaurant here is worth visiting even if you are not staying there!
- Talisay Hotel El Nido – Small AirBnB at the edge of town. About a 5-8 minute walk into the heart of El Nido. Clean, modern rooms. Only problem is the noise at night with cars passing by!
Budget
- Ipil Suites – situated in the heart of El Nido town, rooms come with air-conditioning and free wifi access.
Helpful Tips
Tip #1
There are only two ATM’s in El Nido and when we were there one was broken and the other ran out of money. Have a look at the app World Remit as this helps to withdraw money elsewhere other than ATM’s.
Want to read about our time in Coron? Click here.
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