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If you’re planning a trip to Palawan in 2025, you may be trying to work out whether it is worth staying in El Nido.
Working out where to stay and how long to spend in each place is a fundamental part of planning any travel itinerary. There are some important things that you need to consider about El Nido in order to weigh up your decision—things that you may not have thought about—so read this article carefully to make an informed decision.
We have explored Palawan and visited El Nido several times, and we are excited to share our own experience, advice, and tips with you. We hope that this article helps you make an informed and objective decision about whether to stay in El Nido.
HOW TO GET TO EL NIDO – Puerto Princesa to El Nido – Travel Guide
Is it worth staying in El Nido?
The quick answer is yes. In our opinion, it is definitely worth staying in El Nido. If you’re taking a trip to Palawan, El Nido is definitely one of the highlights. Here are a few reasons that we highly recommend staying in El Nido:
1 El Nido is a stunning beach area
El Nido is genuinely one of the most beautiful beaches that we have seen in all of our travels (this may sound like a bold claim, but it is true). El Nido beach is framed by steep, stunning, jungle-covered peaks and looks out to beautiful islands situated on the west coast of Palawan. This is also a fantastic spot for beautiful sunsets.
2 There are lots of things to see and do around El Nido
Another reason to stay in El Nido is that there are loads of things to see and do in the area. Go sea kayaking, take an island-hopping trip, and explore lagoons. You can even take a zipline to an uninhabited island. Walk the El Nido Via Ferrata Canopy Walk. Or just chill on the beach. El Nido really does have something for everyone.
3 El Nido has a friendly, sociable vibe
El Nido has a friendly, sociable vibe. It is a popular travel hub, so it is a great place to meet other travellers and get to know people. The beach is lined with chilled-out bars, cafes, and restaurants. El Nido may not be the place for crazy all-night parties, but there are some fun bars.
4 El Nido is a fantastic hub
El Nido is a fantastic hub in Palawan. It has plenty of amenities, including travel agents who can arrange tours, trips, and transportation. You can easily find tricycle tuk-tuks to explore the area. There is also a fantastic range of food, including international options such as kebabs, pizzas, chips, fried chicken, and burgers. (In fact, there is even a McDonald’s situated close to Las Cabanas Beach.)
There is a lot of accommodation available in El Nido
The range and choice of accommodation is also a great reason to stay in El Nido. There are plenty of guest houses, hostels, hotels, and resorts in the area. El Nido is relatively expensive (and you do not get a lot for your money), but this is true for most of the Philippines. The range of options in El Nido does mean that it is easier to find somewhere which meets your needs. El Nido has everything from small budget guest houses to luxurious beach bungalows.
What are the disadvantages of staying in El Nido?
Although we adore El Nido and highly recommend staying in the area, there are some disadvantages and challenges. Firstly, prices in El Nido are a little bit higher than in other areas of Palawan. El Nido is a popular tourist hub, so it can be more difficult to find affordable local food. It can also be more difficult to barter and get reasonable prices. El Nido is also liable to regular power cuts; this can be very frustrating, especially if your accommodation does not have a backup generator. We strongly recommend traveling with a portable power bank and keeping your devices charged. It is also helpful to have a head torch in case the power goes out at night.
Find out about Other Challenges of Travelling the Philippines
How long should you spend in El Nido?
The journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido takes most of a day, so if you only spend one or two days in El Nido, you will spend a large proportion of your time in transit. If possible, we recommend spending at least three full days in El Nido. Spending less than three days in the area means that you will not be able to do all of the activities. If you have five or more days, you should have sufficient time to do all of the best activities and also time to slow down and relax. In our opinion, five days is the optimum amount of time to spend in El Nido.
