El Nido is found at the northern tip of Palawan in the Philippines, where cliffs rise from clear blue water and hidden lagoons are around every corner. If you want to kayak in a lagoon, snorkel over coral, or watch the sunset with your feet in the sand, a bit of planning goes a long way. Here’s what you need to know to make your El Nido holiday worth remembering.
Why Should El Nido Be On Your Philippines Bucket List?
El Nido is more than just another beach on a tour to the Philippines. For many travelers, it’s the main reason to visit Palawan. The bay is filled with tall islands, hidden lagoons, and coves you can only reach by boat, so every day brings a new adventure.
With some of the clearest water in the country, a relaxed town with great local food, and easy boat tours that bring you close to nature, El Nido is a must-visit. If you like both adventure and relaxation, especially mornings by the water, El Nido has it all.
How Do You Get to El Nido, Palawan, Philippines?
Most vacations to El Nido start in Manila. From there, you have two options. The quicker one is a direct flight from Manila to El Nido on a small aircraft that lands at El Nido airport (ENI), a short ride from town.
The other route is flying from Manila to Puerto Princesa, Palawan's main gateway airport, then continuing overland. Puerto Princesa to El Nido takes around five to six hours by van. It's a longer journey, but the road cuts past rice fields, fishing villages, and the coast, so it’ll not feel tiring.
Route | Mode | Duration |
Manila to El Nido | Direct flight | 1 hr 15 min |
Manila to Puerto Princesa | Flight | 1 hr 20 min |
Puerto Princesa to El Nido | Van or bus | 5 to 6 hours |
Tribe Travel Tip: If your dates are flexible, book the direct flight into El Nido airport. It costs a bit more but saves you a full day of road travel.
What Is El Nido, Palawan Weather Like Through the Year?
El Nido has only two seasons. The dry season, from November to May, brings warm days, calm seas, and the clearest water for snorkelling. December through March is the busiest time, while April and May are the hottest, with daytime highs touching 33°C.
From June to October, the southwest monsoon takes over. Rain becomes more frequent, seas get choppier, and some island hopping tours get called off on rough days. August tends to be the wettest month.
Seasons | Months | What to expect |
Dry (Amihan) | November to May | Sunny, calm seas, peak crowds |
Wet (Habagat) | June to October | Frequent rain, rougher seas, fewer tourists |
Tribe Travel Tip: If you want good weather without the peak-season prices, aim for late November or April. You still get calm seas, just with fewer boats crowding the lagoons.
Also read: Best time to visit the Philippines
What Are the Best Things to Do in El Nido?
There's no shortage of things to do in El Nido, and most of it revolves around water.
Kayak through the Big and Small Lagoon
These two lagoons, ringed by high cliffs, are the postcard shots you've probably already seen. Paddling in at your own pace, away from the tour boat crowd, is where the place really earns its reputation.
- Where: Part of Island Hopping Tour A, reached by boat from El Nido town
- Best time: Early morning, before 9 AM, to beat both the crowds and the afternoon heat
Snorkel around Shimizu Island
The coral gardens here are shallow for beginners yet colourful enough to hold your attention for a while.
- Where: Included in Tour A
- Best time: Mid-morning, when the water is calm, and visibility is best
Explore Cudugnon Cave
Once home to early Palawan settlers, this cave is a quick, easy stop that adds a bit of history to a day otherwise spent in the water.
- Where: Part of Island Hopping Tour B
- Best time: Any time during the tour; it's a short walk-in stop rather than a full activity
Walk the sandbar at Snake Island
At low tide, a curved sandbar appears between two islands, letting you walk across open water with views on both sides.
- Where: Included in Tour B
- Best time: Check the tide schedule with your boatman, since the sandbar only shows at low tide
Watch the sunset from Las Cabanas Beach
A short ride from town, this beach faces west and turns into a relaxed evening spot with a few beach bars right on the sand.
- Where: About 15 minutes from El Nido town by tricycle
- Best time: Late afternoon, arriving an hour before sunset to grab a good spot
Which El Nido Island Hopping Tour Should You Choose?
El Nido's boat tours are organised into four set routes, named A, B, C, and D. Each one covers a different set of islands in Bacuit Bay, so picking the right one (or two) shapes your whole visit.
Tour | Location | Best for |
A | Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island | First-timers wanting the classic lagoon views |
B | Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Entalula Beach | Sandbars and cave exploring |
C | Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine | Snorkeling and quieter coves |
D | Cadlao Lagoon, Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach | A calmer, less crowded escape |
Tours run from around 9 AM to 3 or 4 PM, include a beach lunch, and cost between 1,200 and 2,000 pesos per person, plus a one-time 400-peso environmental fee.
Tribe Travel Tip: Tour A and Tour C are the most asked for, so book a day ahead in peak season.
Which El Nido Beach Should Top Your List?
El Nido's beaches aren't all the same, and picking the right one depends on whether you want quiet, convenience, or a good sunset view. Some are a short walk from your hotel, others need a tricycle ride, but each one has its own reason to visit.
- Nacpan Beach: About a 40-minute ride from town, this long, near-empty stretch of golden sand splits into two connected beaches with a small hill in between, perfect for a short climb and a wide view
- Las Cabanas Beach: The best spot for sunset drinks, with a handful of beach bars right on the sand
- Corong Corong Beach: A calm, more residential stretch with a few resorts, good if you want distance from the main crowds
- El Nido Main Beach: Right in town, within walking distance of restaurants and the island hopping piers, ideal if you'd rather stay closer to water
Where Should You Stay? Best El Nido Hotels for Every Style
El Nido hotels range from simple beachfront guesthouses to private-pool resorts on their own islands, so where you stay really depends on how you want your days to run. Staying in town keeps everything within reach, while the areas just outside it trade some convenience for more peace.
- El Nido Town: Best if you want to walk everywhere, close to the pier, restaurants, and tour operators
- Corong Corong: A quieter stretch a short ride from town, with newer resorts and easy beach access
- Lio Beach: Set slightly apart from the main crowds, good for a more resort-style stay with wide, open beach frontage
Tribe Travel Tip: Book your El Nido hotel at least a month ahead if you're visiting between December and April. Rooms near the town centre sell out fast once the dry season kicks in.
Should You Add Coron to Your El Nido Palawan Escape?
If you’re planning a long Philippines holiday, pairing El Nido with Coron makes for a good Palawan adventure. The two towns feel different: El Nido is all lagoons and quiet coves, while Coron is known for its shipwreck diving and Kayangan Lake.
Getting from El Nido to Coron takes either a 40-minute flight or a three-and-a-half to five-hour ferry, depending on sea conditions. The ferry is scenic and gentler on the wallet, but book it a few days ahead since seats fill up quickly in high season.
Ready to Visit El Nido?
El Nido is best enjoyed when you know what to expect before you land. The lagoons, the beaches, and the four island hopping tours are each their own experience, and knowing the difference helps you put together a vacation that feels just right. Get the weather right, book your island hopping tour ahead of time, and you're set for one of the best escapes the Philippines has to offer.
If you want your vacation planned from start to finish, including the Puerto Princesa route, hotel picks, and visa assistance, Holiday Tribe can put together a custom Philippines holiday package for any type of traveller. That way, you can just focus on the water.
