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If you are planning to visit Palawan in 2025, we highly recommend a trip to El Nido Beach. Not only is El Nido one of the most beautiful beaches in Palawan, it may well be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It definitely ranks amongst our favorite beaches. Most people who visit El Nido absolutely love it.
However, there are some unexpected challenges and difficulties if you stay in the El Nido Beach area. What’s more, there are some important things that you need to know before you visit El Nido Beach.
In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know to plan your trip to El Nido. We will include hidden gems in the area, the best and cheapest accommodation around, the best places to eat, and a few things that you need to be prepared for.
Having visited El Nido a few times over the years, we have a lot of information, top tips, and advice to share. Please read this article carefully.
Is it worth visiting El Nido?
The quick answer is yes, it is definitely worth visiting El Nido Beach. In our opinion, El Nido Beach on its own is enough reason to visit the beautiful island of Palawan. Here are a few reasons that we recommend this beach so highly. Firstly, the beach itself is uniquely beautiful. There is something very captivating and special about the geography of the area. El Nido Beach is beautifully framed by tall, jungle-covered peaks. El Nido Beach is a northwest-facing beach; this means that you get a very beautiful sunset. As a relatively popular tourist spot, there are plenty of places to eat and lots of things to see and do in the area. There are also a lot of hotels, guesthouses, and resorts situated around El Nido Beach, so it is very well set up for visitors.
FIND OUT MORE – Why should you stay in El Nido?
What are the challenges of visiting El Nido?
Although El Nido is a popular tourist spot, we did not feel that it is overcrowded or intense in the wrong kind of ways. There are, of course, plenty of people around; however, the beach has a happy, friendly, and sociable vibe. From time to time, you may find that cafes or restaurants can be a bit crowded; however, this does not detract from the overall experience and beauty of the area.
1 Power cuts
It is also important to be aware that El Nido experiences regular power cuts. This can be very frustrating, especially if your accommodation does not have a backup generator (in some cases, they may have a generator but only use it sparingly). If the power goes out, it can be uncomfortably hot without a fan or air conditioning to cool you down. It is also frustrating because phones and laptops will lose charge. If you are relying on Wi-Fi to access the internet, this will also be disrupted.
So, although El Nido is a very beautiful place for a holiday, it is not the best place if you are a digital nomad or if you are trying to work remotely. If you are planning to visit El Nido, we do recommend bringing a portable power bank so that you can charge your phone during a power cut. We also recommend bringing a head torch in case the power cuts out at night.
2 Unreliable ATM machines
Another challenge of visiting El Nido is the unreliable ATM machines (in fact, this is a widespread problem throughout the Philippines). We recommend that you always have plenty of surplus cash. In the Philippines, try to withdraw money at least three or four days before you run out of cash so that you can return to the ATM machine if it is out of order or unavailable. Many shops, cafes, and restaurants around El Nido did not yet accept bank card payments.
How do you get to El Nido Beach?
FULL TRAVEL GUIDE – Puerto Princesa to El Nido
Most people who visit the Philippines fly into Manila. From Manila, you can generally find cheap domestic flights to Palawan (consider AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Scoot for cheap flights in the region).
The best way to get to El Nido Beach depends exactly on where you’re traveling from. The most popular and affordable route is to fly to Palawan. There is an airport located at Puerto Princesa. From here, you can take a bus to Palawan.
They generally use minibuses for this route (in most cases, you can expect your minibus to be crowded). You can book a minibus through a local travel agent in Puerto Princesa. Many guesthouses and hotels will also be able to help you book minibuses. Expect to pay around 600 – 800 pesos per person (£8 – £12 or $10 – $15). They may charge a lower price for children over 5 years old (they should be allocated their own seat if they pay for a ticket). Children under 5 years old are generally considered to be infants and do not need to pay, but they may not be allocated a seat.
The journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is pretty tiring. After we were picked up, our driver spent a lot of time driving around town, running errands, and picking other people up (this can add at least an hour to the journey time).
There is one official stop in the journey. This is a great opportunity to buy some food, drinks, and stretch your legs. You can also use the toilet. Your bus driver may be willing to drop you outside your hotel if it is on route; however, you may need to be willing to walk a little bit in El Nido to reach your accommodation.
What are the best things to do around El Nido Beach?
There are lots of things to see and do around El Nido Beach. There are plenty of cafes and coffee shops in the area, so if you just want to chill out with a drink and enjoy the beautiful scenery, you have plenty of places to choose from. Here are some other activities in the area:
1 Take an island hopping trip
One of our favorite activities in El Nido is the island hopping trips. They have an impressive variety of trips available. Most of the island hopping trips visit several lagoons, various beaches, and small islands in the area. You have the opportunity to kayak in the lagoons, snorkel around small islands, and relax on beautiful beaches. Island hopping trips generally include food and drinks. We were extremely impressed with the variety, quality, and quantity of the food. If you book with a local tour operator in El Nido, island hopping trips range in price from 1,200 pesos to 1,400 pesos.
You also need to pay an environmental tax, which costs 200 pesos, and entry to the Big Lagoon costs 200 pesos. You also need to rent a kayak for 300 pesos if you want to explore the lagoons. Alternatively, you can take a private tour, which starts at around 10,000 pesos. We recommend Gracias Travel and Tour, which is located on El Nido Beach. They are super friendly and offer excellent prices for their trips and tours. We also found the guides particularly friendly, and the trip was very enjoyable.
FIND OUT MORE – Island hopping in El Nido AND Big Lagoon El Nido Visitor’s Guide
2 Go scuba diving
The water around the El Nido Bay is beautifully clear and packed with a wide variety of marine life. This is a fantastic place to try scuba diving. There are several diving schools situated along El Nido Beach. They offer courses and experiences for people of all levels, whether you are completely new to diving or whether you are an experienced advanced diver. It is likely to cost around 4,100 pesos for a fun dive (around £55 or $70).
3 Have a go at freediving
If you’re looking for a niche alternative to scuba diving, why not try freediving? Freediving is an immersive and serene sport where you dive long and deep on a single breath hold. There are many skills involved in freediving, including relaxation, breathing control, equalization, and movement in the water. If you do a freediving course, you will also learn about physiology, underwater rescue dives, and safety in the water. A good beginners freediving course should train you to dive to around 12m – 20m. It is not possible to freedive directly off the coast in El Nido; the water in this area is not deep enough for any serious freediving. If you are interested in freediving, we recommend that you book a trip with Seaborn El Nido Freediving School. They have some amazing instructors and also know some epic freediving spots in the El Nido Bay Area.
4 Palawan zipline Adventure
FIND OUT MORE – Palawan Zipline Adventure – Full Guide
Did you know that you can take a zipline to a small island off the coast of Palawan? If you’re looking for a unique, exciting, and exhilarating experience, why not ride a zipline from a hill on the coast to a small jungle island situated off the coast at Las Cabanas Beach? The Las Cabanas zipline was one of our favorite activities in the El Nido area.
You will need to take a tricycle (Tuk Tuk) from El Nido to the McDonald’s at La Cabana Beach (around 150 – 200 pesos); you will then need to walk around 15 minutes along the beach. It costs 600 pesos to do the zipline (this is around £8 or $10). The zipline is not particularly busy, so you’ll probably not need to wait for more than about 10 or 15 minutes. At the end of the zipline, you will need to walk back along a sandbar to reach the mainland. We highly recommend doing it at sunset.
5 Try sea kayaking
If you’re looking for an independent Adventure in El Nido, why not rent a sea kayak and paddle around the beautiful coastline? You can find plenty of water sports shops along the coastline offering sea kayak rental. If you rent a kayak, you should be given a life jacket and a paddle. Kayak rental is generally charged per hour, with prices typically ranging between 200 – 400 pesos per hour.
If you’re hoping to rent a kayak for a longer period of time, you should be able to negotiate a cheaper deal. We enjoyed kayaking to Cadlao Island; that is a beautiful concealed Beach on the southwest tip of the island, and there is also some beautiful coral for snorkeling in the area. It is likely to take around 20 or 30 minutes to kayak to this island. Only attempt to see kayaking if you are confident in the water, and always make sure you wear a life jacket.
LEARN MORE – check out out Guide to Kayaking in El Nido (route maps and essential tips included!)
6 Visit a local fruit market
If you are hoping to escape the classic tourist activities and you would like to connect with culture, we highly recommend a visit to the fruit market in El Nido. The fruit market is an authentic local experience; they sell a wide range of tropical fruit and vegetables. It takes around 30 minutes to walk to the fruit market from El Nido Beach. We enjoyed exploring the fruit market; you can stock up on a wide range of fruit, including bananas, papaya, dragon fruit, and watermelon. If you do decide to buy anything from the fruit market, we recommend that you ask prices carefully, shop around, and barter.
7 El Nido Via Ferrata Canopy Walk
If you love a good viewpoint and you want to challenge yourself, we highly recommend a visit to the dizzying El Nido Via Ferrata walkway. Situated at the top of a high peak overlooking the bay, this is an amazing spot to take in the scenery and get some stunning shots of the beautiful landscape. This is a fun and iconic activity. You can book the Canopy Walk on KLOOK (it costs £6 – £10 or $8 – $12).
8 Take a walk up the coast
For a more relaxing and peaceful activity, we recommend walking North up the coast from El Nido Beach. As soon as you leave the town, you will quickly find yourself in rural Palawan, walking through beautiful little villages past small tranquil beaches. Walking up the coast, you can still find guesthouses, cafes, and even the occasional restaurant. Taking a walk at the coast is a great way to escape from the hustle and bustlie of El Nido and experience a peaceful, tranquil, and beautiful part of Palawan.
What are prices like around El Nido Beach?
In general, the Philippines is relatively expensive compared to other countries in Southeast Asia (the Philippines is noticeably more expensive than Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia). Not only is the Philippines relatively expensive, but El Nido is also an expensive destination within the Philippines. It is more challenging to find cheap local Filipino street food in the area, and accommodation is noticeably expensive. Here are some examples to give you a feel for prices in the El Nido area:
- Chicken kebab: 300 – 400 pesos
- A pizza: 1,000 pesos
- An ice cream: 100 – 200 pesos
- Siomai (4 pieces): 56 pesos
- A t-shirt in the Night Market: 350 – 700 pesos
What food and drink can you find around El Nido Beach?
If you are on holiday in El Nido, then there are a lot of fantastic choices for food and drink. You can find plenty of bars, cafes, and restaurants around town. You can also find plenty of international cuisine in the area. Here are a few of the best places to eat and drink in El Nido:
- Gorgonzola Pizza & Pasta: fresh tasty Italian food, artistic vibes, stone-baked pizza
- Oz El Nido: trendy boho cafe and tattoo studio, amazing smoothie bowls
- Big Bad Thai: tasty Thai food on the seafront
- Brunch El Nido: fresh waffles, bagels, shakes, and coffee. A great spot for breakfast
- Sunset at Las Cabañas: beautiful restaurant and bar on Las Cabanas Beach, an amazing spot for cocktails and delicious fresh Mexican food
If you’re traveling on a low budget, you will struggle to find cheap local street food in the El Nido area. There are, however, a few local places where you can get food more cheaply. Here are the best food options if you are traveling to El Nido on a low budget:
- Siomai: you can find dumplings called Siomai for around 56 pesos for 4 pieces
- Bakeries: don’t miss the Midtown El Nido Bakery on Rizal Street; this is a great way to fill up on a low budget
- Rice porridge: watch out for rice porridge; this is a cheap, simple, and tasty meal. Great if you are wanting hot food on a low budget
- Convenience store: there are a handful of convenience stores situated in the El Nido Beach area; you can buy snacks, drinks, and pot noodles.
How do you travel around the El Nido Beach area?
If you are staying on El Nido Beach, most things are within walking distance. It is possible to walk the entire length of the town in around 20 minutes. In fact, this is a particularly beautiful area to walk, especially if you walk along the beachfront.
However, if you are wanting to travel further afield, there are also plenty of tricycle (Tuk Tuks) available in El Nido town. It has a touristy area, and prices tend to be a little bit higher. When you agree on the price of a Tuk Tuk, it is important to make sure that the price includes everyone in your group.
Also, make sure that your driver clearly understands the destination. In reality, you are only likely to need to use a Tuk Tuk for one journey (to get to the Corong Corong beach and Las Cabanas Beach area). 150 – 200 pesos one way is a fair and reasonable price for this journey.
You do not need to return with the same driver because you will find plenty of drivers waiting around in the evening to take people back to El Nido. Apart from this journey, you are unlikely to need to use a taxi or Tuk Tuk in the area.
What are the best places to stay near El Nido Beach?
We found it particularly difficult to find accommodation in the El Nido area. As a long-term travel family, we are generally looking for a balance between space, location, and affordability. If you are taking a holiday in El Nido, you will probably not be put off by the price of accommodation. However, if you are a low-budget traveler, you will need to hunt around to find a suitable place. To help you find the best accommodation in the area, here are a few of our recommendations.
1 Forest Bay Inn El Nido
Amazing value for money. Much better than average guest houses in El Nido. Clean, lovely, well designed & tranquil. Nice natural vibes. Dorms & double rooms. £20 – £30 or $25 – $35. Reserve Forest Bay on Agoda or you can Reserve Forest Bay on booking.com
2 Spin Designer Hostel
Chilled, sociable and trendy hostel with dorms and private rooms. Great price and a good location in town. Prices generally range from £15 – £35 or $18 – $40. Book the Spin Designer on Agoda or book Spin Designer on booking.com
3 H Hotel El Nido
Stylish, comfortable and vegan friendly. Excellent location in the heart of El Nido. Trendy luxurious 4 star hotel – large windows and rooftop lounge to make the most of the views. Rooms range in price from £150 – £190 or $180 – $220. Reserve H Hotel on Agoda or H Hotel on booking.com
4 Cadlao Resort
Beautiful resort with spacious and luxurious cottages offering comfort privacy and beauty. Outdoor pool and stunning tranquil beach front location to the north of El Nido. Cottages range in price from £190 – £320 or $210 – $350. Book early – Cadlao Resort on Agoda or you can also book Cadlao Resort on booking.com
Is El Nido a good destination for Family Travel?
On our most recent trip to El Nido, we visited with two kids, and Emma was pregnant. We absolutely loved our trip and really enjoyed exploring the El Nido area as a family. In our opinion, this is a very good area for Family Travel. We already mentioned some of the challenges of traveling in El Nido; if you are visiting the area with kids, these challenges can feel even more difficult (for example, if there is a power cut in the night and your kids are struggling, it can be absolutely awful). So, if you are planning to visit El Nido with kids, it is particularly important to be prepared for some of the challenges.
It can also be difficult to find family-friendly accommodation in the area, especially if you are traveling on a relatively low budget. Many of the trips and activities in El Nido are fantastic for families, especially if you have active and adventurous kids. If you are booking an island hopping trip, kids may be free (but kids over 5 do need to pay the environmental tax of 200 pesos). We also recommend that you request a child-size life jacket in advance. In general, the food in the Philippines is not too spicy, and there is plenty of kid-friendly food around El Nido. So, although there may be a few challenges, overall, we would rate El Nido highly as a destination for Family Travel.
