El Nido is a small coastal town in the north of Palawan Island, and is one of the best-known and most visited places in the Philippines. Most travellers come here mainly for boat trips amongst the limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons and secluded beaches. It is the surrounding islands that make El Nido one of the country’s most iconic destinations.
Compared to Coron, El Nido is more developed and offers a wider choice of restaurants, cafés, shops and accommodation. The city centre is bustling from morning till night, but if you venture a little further out of town, you’ll discover peaceful beaches and places where you can enjoy nature without the large crowds.
Island hopping teda nie je jediným dôvodom, prečo sa tu oplatí zostať niekoľko dní. If you fancy a bit of a break between excursions, want to spend a day on the beach or try something different, there are plenty of other places and activities around El Nido, which we’ll be covering in this article. You can read more about island hopping itself in our separate article.
How to get to El Nido?
There are several ways to get to El Nido. Your choice depends mainly on where you’re travelling from, how much you want to spend, and whether you prefer comfort or a more economical option.
Lietadlom priamo do El Nida
The most convenient option is to fly directly to El Nido Airport (ENI), also known as Lio Airport. You can get here on domestic flights, for example from Manila or Cebu.
The cheapest route via Puerto Princesa
Ak chcete cestovať lacnejšie, môžete letieť z Manily do Puerto Princesa. A flight ticket will cost you around €20 to €30. From Puerto Princesa, you then continue by minibus directly to El Nido. You can book your ticket in advance, for example via 12Go, and the price is around €11. The journey itself takes about five hours, so make sure you allow plenty of time for the trip.
From Coron by boat
If you’re coming from Coron, you can choose between a standard ferry and a multi-day boat expedition. The ferry journey takes about four hours, and ferries usually set off in the morning, between about six and seven o’clock. A ticket costs around €42 and you can also book it on 12Go.
Where to stay in El Nido?
There is a fairly wide range of accommodation options in El Nido. Here you’ll find simple hostels and homestays for budget travellers, comfortable mid-range hotels, as well as more luxurious beachfront resorts. When making your choice, it’s worth considering not only the price, but also whether you want to be in the thick of things or would prefer to enjoy a quieter setting.
El Nido Town
El Nido Town is the ideal choice if you want everything within easy reach. In the town centre, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafés and shops, and you can also walk to the harbour, from where most of the island tours set off. However, do expect a livelier atmosphere and more people about.
Corong Corong
Corong Corong offers a good balance between the convenience of the city centre and a quieter setting. It is just a few minutes’ drive from the town; there are restaurants and other amenities nearby, and it is also situated in an area renowned for its beautiful sunsets.
Lio Beach and Vanilla Beach
Lio Beach and Vanilla Beach are ideal for those looking for greater comfort, a more well-maintained setting and more luxurious accommodation. There are resorts and villas in the surrounding area, allowing you to enjoy a more peaceful holiday away from the busiest parts of the city centre.
Nacpan Beach
We particularly recommend Nacpan Beach to travellers who want to stay by a long sandy beach and enjoy it almost entirely to themselves. However, you should bear in mind that it is about a 30- to 40-minute drive from the centre of El Nido, so you will need to allow more time for journeys into town.
You can view the current range of accommodation in El Nido via this link.
But let’s take a look at the top 8 things worth experiencing in El Nido.
Nacpan Beach: One of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines
If we had to recommend just one beach in El Nido that’s really worth setting aside a whole day for, it would be Nacpan Beach. It is one of our favourite beaches, not only in the Philippines but worldwide.
What to expect at Nacpan Beach
It is about a 35-minute drive from the centre of El Nido. On arrival, you’ll be greeted by a stretch of fine golden sand almost four kilometres long, lined with palm trees and lapped by the turquoise sea. Unlike the beaches in the immediate vicinity of the town, here you’ll find more space, a more peaceful atmosphere and the ideal conditions for a day without any plans or the need to rush off in search of new experiences.
There are several restaurants and bars right on the beach; you can treat yourself to a massage or hire a sun lounger with an umbrella. Entry to the beach is free.
How to get to Nacpan Beach
If you don’t have your own scooter or car, you can arrange a tuk-tuk ride from the centre of El Nido. Počítajte približne so sumou 1 200 PHP za cestu, cenu si však radšej overte a dohodnite vopred.
Duli Beach: A beach for lovers of surfing and a laid-back atmosphere
Ak hľadáte pláž, ktorá má úplne inú atmosféru než rušnejšie miesta v okolí El Nida, zamierte na Duli Beach. Nachádza sa približne 45 až 50 minút jazdy od centra a asi 28 minút od Nacpan Beach. It’s a bit further out, so it’s best to get there by scooter or car.
Why Duli Beach is different
Duli Beach je známa najmä vďaka podmienkam na surfovanie. It is the surfers and the laid-back atmosphere that give it its distinctive character. Instead of the usual beach resorts, you’ll find simpler establishments here – beach bars playing reggae music and an atmosphere where nobody’s in a particular hurry. Mobile reception may be poor here, so you can take a break – at least for a while – from constantly checking your phone.
Activities at Duli Beach
As well as surfing, you can play beach volleyball here or do some yoga or Pilates at sunset, if classes are available. What we particularly liked about Duli Beach was its atmosphere. Hoci sami nesurfujeme, toto miesto nás bavilo práve tým, aké je odlišné od ostatných pláží v okolí.
Prices for surfing lessons
If you’d like to give surfing a go, a one-and-a-half-hour lesson for beginners will cost you around 800 PHP. A lesson for more advanced surfers costs around 1,500 PHP, whilst hiring a surfboard on its own, without an instructor, costs around 500 PHP. Prices may vary depending on the season, so it’s a good idea to check them before you visit.
Lio Beach: A well-maintained beach near the airport
Lio Beach is a great choice if you’re looking for a lovely beach with good facilities. It is situated just a few minutes from the airport and about a 15-minute drive from the centre of El Nido. Compared with some of the other beaches in the area, it seems better maintained and more organised, whilst still retaining a pleasant holiday atmosphere.
Things to do at Lio Beach
In the surrounding area, you’ll find restaurants, cafés, shops and stylish resorts. Môžete si tu naplánovať pokojné popoludnie pri mori, zahrať plážový volejbal alebo si oddýchnuť na lehátku. Whether you can go surfing depends on the current weather and the waves.
One of the interesting features of Lio Beach is its proximity to the airport. If you’re lucky, you can watch planes landing and taking off from here.
Las Cabanas Beach: The most famous spot for watching the sunset
If you want to experience a stunning sunset in El Nido, Las Cabanas Beach is definitely a must-see on your itinerary. It is situated next to Vanilla Beach and is one of the most popular places for people to head to at the end of the day.
When to arrive for the sunset
It’s usually at its liveliest here between around 4.00 pm and 6.00 pm, when the beach gradually fills up with holidaymakers. Niektorí si vychutnávajú drink v jednom z plážových barov, iní sa prechádzajú po piesku a čakajú, kým slnko zapadne za horizont. Je to ideálne miesto na spomalenie po dni plnom zážitkov.
We recommend arriving well in advance, finding a spot at one of the venues and enjoying the sunset at your leisure.
Where to park
OUR TIP: If you’re coming by car or scooter, park at Vanilla Beach and continue on foot to Las Cabanas. The sat-nav might lead you down narrow streets that don’t lead straight to the beach. It’ll be easier on foot, and you’ll avoid getting lost unnecessarily.
Zipline on Vanilla Beach
If you fancy something a bit more action-packed than lazing around on the beach, have a go on the zipline at Vanilla Beach. Instead of the usual view from a vantage point, you’ll be able to enjoy the surrounding countryside whilst flying over the sea.
The route runs from the beach to a small islet on the other side and is approximately 750 metres long. A one-way journey costs around 600 PHP and a return journey 1,000 PHP.
Zipline býva v prevádzke zvyčajne od 8.30 do 17.00, no všetko závisí od počasia. In strong winds, it may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.
Canopy Walk: El Nido ako na dlani
One of the best ways to see El Nido from above is the Canopy Walk. This is a short excursion not far from the town centre, during which you’ll reach a viewpoint offering panoramic views of the rooftops of El Nido, the limestone cliffs and Bacuit Bay.
How the Canopy Walk works
The whole experience usually takes around 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the route chosen and the pace. During the climb, you will be wearing a safety harness and will be accompanied by a guide. So you don’t need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy this activity, although if you’re afraid of heights, it’s worth considering whether you’ll find it enjoyable.
An interesting part of the Canopy Walk is the journey to the viewing point itself, which leads along elevated walkways and sections of rope.
Entrace fees and Dreamcatcher
The price of a standard ticket was around 400 PHP per person and included the route through the rope sections as well as the viewing platform. The extended experience on the Dreamcatcher ride, which resembles a giant spider’s web, cost around 650 PHP. As prices and availability of individual routes may vary, we recommend checking them before your visit.
When is it worth going?
The Canopy Walk is ideal for a morning or an afternoon when you don’t want to go on another boat trip but still want to do something different. Another advantage is its location close to the city centre, which makes it easy to combine a visit with lunch, a coffee or a stroll around town.
Cuisine at El Nide
The cuisine certainly deserves a category of its own, and you’ll be able to enjoy it to the full at El Nido. You’ll find plenty of local businesses and markets here, as well as excellent international restaurants and lovely cafés.
Where to eat in El Nido
If you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine, you absolutely must visit Osaka Castle. They offer a wide selection of sushi and ramen, delicious gyoza and other Japanese specialities.
If you like Thai food, Not So Thai is a great choice.
Oppa Kitchen is also a very popular spot, where you can sample a variety of fish specialities. Na voľný stôl si tu však pravdepodobne budete musieť chvíľu počkať.
Nightlife in El Nido
The final item on the agenda is nightlife. El Nido really comes alive after dark, and you’ll find plenty of karaoke bars, clubs and venues with live music here.
The most famous dance club is the Amigos Bar. If you’re looking for something a bit more laid-back, head to the Tribu Kuridas bar for some live music – there’s a great atmosphere there every evening.
Travel Guide Philippines
El Nido is a place full of contrasts, experiences and colours. One day you can explore hidden lagoons on a boat trip, the next enjoy the almost deserted Nacpan Beach, and in the evening watch the sunset at Las Cabanas with a drink in your hand. However, these tips are just a small taste of what the Philippines has to offer, and it may well be in those unexpected moments that you’ll find your fondest memories.
If you’re looking for more inspiration on other places to visit in the Philippines, we recommend our ebook. In it, you’ll find practical tips, tried-and-tested itineraries, recommendations for food and accommodation, and plenty of other useful advice from our own travels. It will help you plan your trip so that you can enjoy the very best it has to offer, completely stress-free. You can find the ebook here.
In our e-book you will find everything in one place:
- Practical tips for travelling in the Philippines: visas, money, atms, transport, accommodation, drones and other useful information
- 205 unique places well worth visiting, including beaches, waterfalls, viewpoints and walking routes
- Recommendations for our favourite local restaurants, cafés, beach clubs and companies that organise the best excursions
- 12 perfect itineraries for different lengths of stay and types of traveller
- Locations: El Nido, Port Barton, Balabac and Coron in Palawan, El Nido to Coron expedition, Siargao, Bohol and Manila
Why it’s worth visiting El Nido
El Nido is one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines, and we’re not at all surprised. Here you’ll find brilliant options for day trips, stunning beaches, as well as a charming little town, excellent cuisine and a lively nightlife. It simply has everything you’d expect from an exotic holiday destination.
If you’d like to find out more about El Nido and are also interested in other places – whether in Palawan or on other islands such as Siargao, Bohol or Coron – buy our e-book, which will ensure you’re perfectly prepared for your holiday. In it, you’ll find unique places, direct contact details for the best companies, discount codes for trips and various itineraries.
* All links in this article, including accommodation via booking, are affiliate links. All in one place. It won’t cost you any extra money or effort, it will make your planning easier and save you time. We would be delighted if you booked your dream holiday through them 🙂
