El Nido is one of the most special places in the Philippines. Limestone cliffs rising straight out of turquoise water, lagoons that look like they were painted, and island hopping that sets the bar for everywhere else. You hear about it constantly, see it on every “best of” list, and then you get there and it somehow still exceeds expectations.
Through the Limestone
Jagged cliffs rise from glass-still water, and the bangka slips between them into a world that doesn't look real.
How to Get to El Nido
There are a few ways in. We’ve taken the 5-hour van ride from Puerto Princesa — it’s a haul, but the drive through the Palawan countryside is part of the experience and nobody’s in a rush. We’ve also flown direct from Manila on AirSWIFT, which cuts the travel day down to almost nothing. And as of March 2026, there will be Clark to El Nido flights — huge news if you’re based in Central Luzon like we are. Clark is an easy, uncrowded airport, and a direct flight to El Nido from there changes the calculus completely. We’re planning to use it for our December trip.
What Makes El Nido Special?
The island hopping. Full stop. It’s probably the best in the Philippines, and there’s a reason every tourist in Palawan ends up here. You choose from tours A, B, C, and D depending on what you’re after — more snorkeling, more beaches, more lagoons. We picked Tour A — the lagoon and snorkeling route — and it was the right call.
Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon — the turquoise water in these places doesn’t look real. You paddle in on a kayak or swim through a narrow entrance and suddenly you’re in this enclosed world of limestone walls and glass-clear water. It does get busy on the main routes — the bangkas line up at the popular stops — but it’s well-managed and you’re out for most of the day with lunch included.
The snorkeling on the island hopping was the standout. That’s what will get us going back — and we’re planning to return this December with a big group, taking a private boat from El Nido to Coron with a night stop along the way. There’s a ferry route, but with our group size a private boat makes more sense and should be pretty special. For more of the best snorkeling spots across the Philippines, see our complete snorkeling guide.
Into the Lagoon
The kayak glides through a narrow gap in the rock. Inside, the water turns from deep blue to luminous turquoise, and the world goes quiet.
Is Nacpan Beach Worth the Trip?
We liked Nacpan so much on the island hopping day that we went back by car. It’s outside El Nido town — you’ll need a rental car or taxi — but it’s a really special beach. Long, wide, uncrowded compared to town, and the kind of place where you plant yourself for the afternoon and don’t want to leave. If El Nido’s town beach is nice-but-not-world-class, Nacpan is the one that delivers on the postcard promise.
Where Should You Stay in El Nido?
- Spin Designer Hostel — Clean, social, and well-designed. The best budget option in town with a rooftop bar. ₱800–1,200/night ($14–22 USD).
- Corong Corong Beach Resort — Where we stayed. Right on the beach, modern rooms, solid restaurant, and the staff arrange island hopping seamlessly. ₱2,500–4,000/night ($45–72 USD).
- Frangipani El Nido — Mid-range boutique with a pool and garden setting. Walking distance to everything. ₱2,500–3,500/night ($45–63 USD).
- One El Nido Suite — Upscale hotel with a rooftop pool and limestone cliff views. The best value in the high-end bracket. ₱3,500–5,000/night ($63–90 USD).
- Pangulasian Island Resort — El Nido Resorts’ luxury property on a private island. All-inclusive with world-class snorkeling right offshore. ₱25,000+/night ($450+ USD).
Beneath the Surface
Reef fish scatter through coral cathedrals as sunlight filters down in shifting columns. This is the snorkeling that keeps bringing us back.
When you go island hopping, bring your own rice and viand packed in banana leaves — that's how Filipino families do it. The tour boats stop at beaches where you can eat together, and sharing food with your boatman is just good manners. They'll remember you for it, and sometimes they'll take you to spots they don't show other tourists.
Where Should You Eat in El Nido?
- Trattoria Altrove — The best Italian in Palawan. Wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta in a charming garden setting. Worth a reservation. ₱500 ($9 USD) per person.
- El Nido Boutique Art Cafe — Our go-to. Good coffee, varied menu (pizza, Italian, Greek), upstairs balcony with music, and strong WiFi. A place you end up at more than once. ₱300 ($5.40 USD) per person.
- Bella Vita — Authentic Neapolitan pizza that’s genuinely great. If you’re craving real pizza in Palawan, this is it. ₱400 ($7.20 USD) per person.
- Happiness Beach Bar — Beachfront bar and restaurant with Filipino-fusion dishes and fresh seafood. Great sunset spot. ₱350 ($6.30 USD) per person.
- Midtown Bakery — The local budget move. Fresh bread, pastries, and sandwiches for a quick breakfast before island hopping. ₱100 ($1.80 USD) per person.
What to Expect
El Nido has a tourist markup — like Boracay and the other big-name spots, you’ll pay more here than in Puerto Princesa or the quieter towns. But by Western standards it’s still very reasonable, and the infrastructure surprised us. ATMs work, power is reliable, WiFi is good. The town is walkable and well-set-up for tourists without feeling like it’s lost its character.
The island hopping was a little more crowded than expected — the popular stops get busy with bangkas — but it’s managed well and doesn’t ruin the experience. The lagoons are still magical even with other boats around, and once you’re in the water, the snorkeling makes you forget about everything else.
How Many Days Do You Need?
A long weekend is about right. We did three or four days — enough for a full day of island hopping, a return trip to Nacpan, some meals worth remembering, and time to just sit on the beach and take it all in. You could stay longer if you wanted to do multiple tour routes, but a long weekend hits the sweet spot.
One More Sunset
The limestone turns gold, the water darkens, and El Nido reminds you that some places are worth coming back to — again and again.
Practical Tips
The snorkeling on the island hopping tours is genuinely world-class — bring your own mask if you’re particular about fit, as rental gear varies. If you’re here in March, the Kulambo Festival sees locals parading in traditional mosquito nets with dancing and singing — quirky and worth catching. For the best rates on tours, book through your hotel rather than the touts on the beach. And if you’re connecting onward to Coron, the El Nido to Coron ferry (3-4 hours) or a private boat charter turns the transit into part of the trip. For more Palawan inspiration, read our Palawan: Unspoiled Beauty blog post.
- Getting There: Fly direct to El Nido (ENI) via AirSWIFT from Manila or Cebu, or fly to Puerto Princesa (PPS) and take a 5–6 hour van ride. The van is cheaper but a full day of travel.
- Best Time to Visit: Dry season November through May is ideal. Typhoon risk runs June through November — island hopping tours can get cancelled in rough weather.
- Getting Around: Town is walkable. Tricycles ₱50–150 for rides around town. Scooter rentals ₱500–700/day for Nacpan and beyond.
- Money & ATMs: ATMs are unreliable — BDO and Landbank only, and they run out of cash regularly. Bring enough pesos from Manila or Puerto Princesa to cover your stay.
- Safety & Health: El Nido District Hospital handles basic issues, but for anything serious you'll need to get to Puerto Princesa (5–6 hours). Tap water is not safe — buy bottled.
- Packing Essentials: See our Philippines packing list — 60+ items customized for the tropics, island hopping, and rainy season travel.
- Local Culture & Etiquette: Use "po" and "opo" for respect. Address service staff as "Kuya" (older brother) or "Ate" (older sister). Tipping isn't expected but ₱50–100 for boat crew is appreciated.