8 Best Things to Do in El Nido, Palawan

Are you looking for the best things to do in El Nido? It’s a popular beach destination on the island of Palawan, so you can’t miss it on your Philippines Itinerary.

Wondering what to do in El Nido? Relax on the epic beaches, go on an island hopping tour, kayak and snorkel in the lagoons, hike Taraw Peak, and zipline between the islands.

This ultimate guide to visiting El Nido includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in El Nido, Palawan.

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Where is El Nido?

El Nido is a popular beach town on the island of Palawan in the Philippines. It is famous for its stunning karst limestone formations, turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and island hopping tours around Bacuit Bay.

Best Time to Visit El Nido, Palawan

The Philippines has a tropical climate with warm weather and very high humidity. Palawan has two seasons: a dry season from November to May and a rainy season from June to October. Typhoons can happen during the rainy season.

The best time to visit El Nido is from November to May, as the scenery is beautiful and the weather is comfortably warm. In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation, ferry tickets, and tours in advance!

Recommended post → Palawan Itinerary

How to Get to El Nido

Most people come from Manila, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, or Coron. There are several ways to get there, such as direct flight, fast ferry, minivan, or bus.

The distance between El Nido and Puerto Princesa is about 270 km, and the travel time is 5-6.5 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport. We have a detailed post on how to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido with all the information you need.

The easiest and fastest way to get to El Nido is to fly directly to Lio Airport (airport code ENI) from Manila, Cebu, or Coron/Busuanga. The flight takes about 1.5 hours from Manila and 40 minutes from Coron. AirSwift is the only airline that offers direct flights to Lio Airport.

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Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights.

Coron to El Nido by ferry

The fast ferry takes just 3.5 hours (depending on the sea and weather conditions). As the ferries run rarely, tickets can sell out quickly (especially in high season), so we recommend you buy online.

Ferry tickets start from 46 USD per person for one way.

You can buy your boat tickets easily online through 12Go or Bookaway.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the ferry departs! The ferry terminal has a port fee of 20 PHP (0.35 USD).

Where to Stay in El Nido

There are many luxury hotels and resorts in the town, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in El Nido

Luxury: El Nido Resorts Pangulasian Island
Mid-Range: Dryft Darocotan Island
Budget: Frendz Hostel

more hotels

Things to do in El Nido, Palawan

1. Go on an Island Hopping Tour

One of the best things to do in El Nido is to join an island hopping tour, which is a fantastic experience. Bacuit Bay is home to 45 paradise islands. So, if you’re in Palawan, take at least one island hopping tour to visit the surrounding islands, the pristine beaches, the stunning limestone formations, and some hidden lagoons.

There are four Island Hopping Tours to choose from: A, B, C, and D. Each offers a different route and a wonderful experience. The boat trips last around 7 hours, starting around 9 AM and finishing between 4-5 PM.

We booked the Island Hopping Tour A via GetYourGuide.

The 2019 environmental rule has limited the number of tourists in El Nido’s three most visited places, the Small Lagoon, the Big Lagoon, and the Secret Beach. Nowadays, these sites cannot be visited on the same day.

Read the full post → El Nido Island Hopping Tours

2. Kayaking in El Nido

Looking for one of the best things to do in El Nido? On the island hopping tours, you can rent a kayak for 250-300 PHP (4.5-5 USD) and enjoy kayaking at the Big or Small Lagoons.

Both lagoons have an entrance fee of 200 PHP (3.5 USD). Kayak through the lagoons, see the famous limestone cliff formations and enjoy snorkeling or swimming in the crystal clear turquoise waters.

Check island hopping tour prices and availability HERE.

In the town, you can rent a double kayak and explore the nearby beaches on your own. Renting a kayak for a full day costs around 500 PHP (8,60 USD).

3. Nacpan Beach

Nacpan Beach is a beautiful 4 km long white sandy beach with crystal clear waters. It is about a 45-minute drive from the town. There are regular shuttle services to the beach.

You can also get there by tricycle or scooter. The road to the beach is relatively well-maintained, but a small part is muddy and bumpy. The parking is free. The entrance fee to Nacpan Beach is 50 PHP (1 USD).

Alternatively, book a jeepney adventure tour with lunch, including visits to Nacpan Beach, Lio Beach, and Bulalacao Waterfalls.

El Nido’s beautiful beaches are perfect for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and relaxing. Spend a few hours on the best beaches, then have lunch at a nearby restaurant and continue exploring the sights.

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Don’t miss Duli Beach, just a 30-minute drive away.

4. Taraw Cliff Hike

Looking for more things to do in El Nido? The Taraw Cliff is the highest peak in El Nido and offers incredible panoramic views. This hike is difficult and dangerous due to the sharp and unstable rocks.

You can climb to the top at your own risk! Wear suitable shoes and clothing, bring enough water, and rent a local guide to help you get over the rocks. An alternative option is to take a safe canopy walk.

The Taraw Cliff Canopy Walk entrance fee is 400 PHP (7 USD), which includes a helmet, harness, and tour guide. The Canopy Walk is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.

Here are all your hotel options in El Nido.

5. Zipline Between Islands

One of the best things to do in El Nido is ziplining between the islands. Take a ziplining tour around sunset for the best view, and bring a GoPro to catch the fantastic experience.

The zipline at Las Cabanas Beach is open from 9 AM to 5:30 PM.

You can do a sitting or Superman position or a combination of both. The zipline costs between 500 PHP (8,60 USD) and 1100 PHP (19 USD) in El Nido, Palawan.

6. Las Cabanas Beach

Are you looking for one of the best beaches in El Nido? Las Cabanas Beach is easily accessible, about 15 minutes from the town center. You can get there by tricycle, which costs 150 PHP (2,60 USD) for two people, or by scooter.

It is usually crowded, as Las Cabanas Beach is the best place to watch the sunset.

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Arrive before sunset, try the local food, and have a few cold beers at one of the beach bars.

Keep reading → Coron Guide

7. Visit El Nido’s Public Market

In the Philippines, we loved visiting local markets. For budget travelers, prices are lower than in supermarkets or shops, and you can support local businesses.

The local market is the perfect place to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, or fish and get some suggestions from locals on where to go.

Best restaurants in El Nido

There are many restaurants and beach bars where you can enjoy vegan food or try some local dishes.

Trattoria Altrove (Delicious pizza)
Happy Home Restaurant (Ideal place for lunch or dinner)
Taste El Nido, 100% Plant-Based Cafe (Vegan dishes)
Boutique Artcafe (A popular restaurant)
Happiness Beach Bar (Fantastic atmosphere with delicious food and drinks)
Bella Vita (The perfect place to watch the sunset)

8. Corong Corong Beach

One of the best things to do in El Nido is to explore the tropical beaches. When you visit Corong Corong Beach, you can easily combine it with Las Cabanas Beach, a 10-minute drive away.

Corong Corong Beach is perfect for a romantic walk and watching the sunset.

Important note
All tourists must pay El Nido’s Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF), which is 400 PHP (7 USD) and valid for 10 days.

How to Get Around El Nido

The best way to get around is to rent a scooter. Motorbikes are cheap to rent and provide a lot of freedom and flexibility to reach the attractions and beaches. But you can also travel by tricycle or shuttle services.

You can rent a scooter in El Nido for around 400-600 PHP (7-10.5 USD) per day.

Internet is not available in many areas of the Philippines, and the Wi-Fi connection is also not very stable, so we recommend using an offline map!

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

How many Days do you Need in El Nido?

We recommend you plan at least 3-4 days and enjoy the best things to do in El Nido. Spend a full day on the most beautiful beaches, take an exciting island hopping tour, climb Taraw Cliff, and explore the town. Then, travel to Coron.

El Nido to Coron Boat Expedition Tour

Are you looking for an unforgettable experience in Palawan, Philippines? You can join a 4-day, 3-night from El Nido to Coron boat expedition tour or vice versa. Explore paradise islands, visit hidden gems, and enjoy magical sunsets and delicious food.

Although there are several boat expeditions, we recommend Big Dream Boatman.

Expeditions usually cost around 600 USD. The price includes meals, beverages (including alcoholic beverages), towels, snorkeling gear, and three nights of island-style accommodations (cottages and camping).

Book your best boat expedition tour HERE.

We hope our list of the best things to do in El Nido will help you plan your next trip to Palawan. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go

8 Best Things to Do in El Nido, Palawan