Who does not want to be in El Nido? El Nido Palawan is for everyone dreaming of paradise. Provided in this El Nido guide are latest information that will make it easier for your to plan your trip to the island. Know the latest travel requirements, information on getting there, accredited accommodation, activities, sample itinerary, budget and more.
Paradise is Here
North of the mainland Palawan is El Nido, a paradise considered by many as one of their dream destinations. With 45 islands and islets that harbor some of the country’s best white sand beaches, hidden lagoons, picturesque cliffs and rich marine life underneath, El Nido is indeed a piece of paradise.
The town is a managed and resource protected area of Palawan, 238 kilometers from Puerto Princesa. Contrary to common notion that El Nido is an expensive destination, the place is in fact, can be explored on a budget. With plenty of budget accommodations lined up on the streets of the town and lots of tour groups offering cheap packages, El Nido is another backpacker’s haven.
Get a tan on numerous white sand islands of Bacuit Bay; climb a cliff; dive to its diverse underwater life; snorkel and feed the tame fishes; sit and relax along the beach; watch the sun set; satisfy your cravings on its array of restaurants… El Nido is for everyone.
Perhaps it is now time to fulfill your dream, or revisit and rekindle the good times in paradise. El Nido is a promise of a perfect getaway. Experience paradise, experience El Nido!
How to Get to El Nido
From Manila, Caticlan, Cebu and Clark By Air
Air Swift has regular flights from Caticlan, Cebu, Clark and Manila to El Nido, and vice versa.
From Manila By Sea
There are also cargo ship operators that also ferry passengers from Manila to El Nido. Contact the shipping lines for schedule and fare information. Please note that these are smaller cargo ships/hauls that cater specially to cargo but also allow passengers.
Operator: San Nicholas Shipping Lines (M/B Andrea-1, M/V Catalyn-A, M/V Catalyn-C, M/V Catalyn-E, M/V Asuncion-IX, M/V Asuncion-XI)
Route: Manila-El Nido-Liminangcong and vice versa
Contact Info: (02)-243-4595
Operator: Atienza Shipping Lines (M/V Josilee-II, M/V April Rose, M/V Q-Carrelyn-III)
Route: Manila-Coron-El Nido-Liminangcong and vice versa
Website : http://www.atienzashippinglines.com
Email: [email protected]
Telephone No. : (02)-986-3118 and (02)-536-8123
From Puerto Princesa by Van
Coming from Puerto Princesa, air-conditioned vans to El Nido depart from as early as 7AM to as late as 9PM. Vans depart from Puerto Princesa Airport and from San Jose Terminal. Travel time is approximately 5 to 6 hours and one-way fare is P500.
Van Operators:
Daytripper Palawan: +63917-8488755
Lexus Van: +63917-5859612
Fort Wally: +63917-3488078
You can book your bus or van seat from Puerto Princesa to El Nido or vice versa below:
Bus from Puerto Pricesa to El Nido Palawan
Cherry and RoRo Buses regularly ply the Puerto Princesa-El Nido route and vice versa. Buses leave San Jose Terminal to El Nido with stop over in Roxas and Taytay from 4AM to 9PM. Fare is P380 for the aircon bus and P350 for the non-aircon.
You can book your bus or van seat from Puerto Princesa to El Nido or vice versa below:
Boat from Coron to El Nido Palawan
There are boats to El Nido from Coron daily. Fare is P2200 for foreigners and P1500 for Filipinos. Travel time: approximately 8 hours.
You can book your ferry from Coron to El Nido or vice versa below:
Where to Stay in El Nido
Accommodation in El Nido ranges from very basic for as low as P500 per room to high-end resorts that go by the thousands.
If you prefer more adventure, just pitch a tent or a a hammock in one of the islands in Bacuit Bay 🙂
For the list of DOT Accredited Hotels, Travel Agency and Establishments: Click HERE
Top-Rated High End El Nido Resorts
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El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island |
Cadlao Resort and Restaurant |
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El Nido Resorts Lagen Island |
Cauayan Island Resort El Nido |
Top-Rated Mid-Range Resorts and Hotels in El Nido Palawan
H Hotel El Nido |
Duli Beach Resort |
Dryft Darocotan Island |
Isla – The Island Experience |
Top-Rated Budget Resorts and Hotels in El Nido Palawan
Outpost Beach Hotel |
Kame House Backpackers |
Mad Monkey Hostel Nacpan |
Big Paul Hostel |
What to Do in El Nido
- Island Hopping: Island Hopping in Bacuit Bay is a must and touring these islands are quite easy because the packaged tours are organized into common itineraries known to all organizers. The rates are standard as set by the local government but if you are good in haggling, you can lower it down.
- A Tour: Small and Big Lagoons of Miniloc Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Shimizu Island and Seven Commandos – P1,200/person
- B Tour: Pangulasian Island, Snake Island, Codugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave and Pinagbuyutan Island – P1,300/person
- C Tour: Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Star Beach, Matinloc Shrine and Helicopter Island – P1,400/person
- D Tour: Cadlao Lagoon, Pasandigan Beach, Bukal Beach, Paradise Beach and Natnat Beach – P1,200/person
- E Tour (Inland Tour): Nacpan and Calitang Beaches, Makinit Hotspring, Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls – P1,200/person
- Scuba Diving: The average cost for a three-dive package is P3,600 per person inclusive of gear and equipments, lunch, DM, boat and marine conservation fee. Here are some of the dive shops in El Nido:
- Palawan Divers
Contact No: +63921-6205469 or +63908-3306778
Email Address: [email protected] / [email protected]
Website: www.palawan-divers.org - El Nido Marine Club
Contact No: +63916-6682748 or +63928-3834244
Email Address: [email protected]
Website: www.elnidomarineclub.com - Sea Dog Divers
Contact No: +63916-7776917
Email Address: [email protected]
Website: www.seadogdivingpalawan.com - Deep Blue Dive Seafari
Contact No: +63915-8921763 or +63916-7776917
Email Address: [email protected]
Website: www.deepblueseafari.com
- Free diving
- Snorkeling
- Cliff Climbing
- Kayaking/Kayak Island Trip
- Wind Surfing
- Beach Bumming/Camping
- Watch the beautiful sunset in Bacuit Bay or Corong Corong Bay
- Biking/motorbike tour to Makinit Hot Spring and other villages nearby
- Hike to Nagkalit-kalit Falls
- Explore the historical Ille Cave
- See the beautiful twin beaches of Nacpan and Calitang
- Visit Taytay, Roxas, Coron and Puerto Princesa
Tips
- Electricity runs from 2PM to 6AM only
- Bring cash, there is an ATM in town but is usually runs out of cash
- Unlike Coron that charges entrance fees to almost every spot, El Nido implemented a single payment of “Eco-Tourism Development Fee” for only P200/person for each visit of up to ten (10) days. This gives access to almost all public tourist sites in El Nido and Bacuit Bay
- If your entry and exit point to El Nido is Puerto Princesa, it is advised to reserve your seat in advance, call the numbers above
- Go to Bacuit Bay before sun down for the best view of sunset
- Touring El Nido can be done on a budget. Try Lagoon Tours of Sir Harvey Templado (+639263049680), they offer cheap package tours complete with meals, and they cooked real good foods 🙂
Sample Itinerary (4D/3N via Puerto Princesa)
Estimated Budget (Airfare excluded): P6000-P6500
Day 1: En Route to El Nido Palawan
0900H-1000H: Manila to Puerto Princesa
1000H-1100H: Puerto Princesa Airport to Fort Wally Terminal(San Jose Terminal)/Breakfast
1100H-1700H: Puerto Princesa to El Nido
1700H-1900H: Hotel check-in/fix stuff/rest
1900H-2100H: Dinner/Night Walk/Lights out
Day 2: Whole Day Island Hopping Tour
0700H-0800H: Call time/Breakfast
0800H-1700H: Tour A: Small and Big Lagoons of Miniloc Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Shimizu Island and Seven Commandos (Lunch included)
1700H-1900H: Back to hotel/fix up/wash up/rest
1900H-2100H: Dinner/Night Walk/Lights out
Day 3: Whole Day Island Hopping Tour
0700H-0800H: Call time/Breakfast
0800H-1700H: Tour C: Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Star Beach, Matinloc Shrine and Helicopter Island
1700H-1900H: Back to hotel/fix up/wash up/rest
1900H-2100H: Dinner/Night Walk/Lights out
Day 4: Back to Puerto Princesa
0600H-0700H: Call time/Breakfast/Proceed to terminal
0700H-1300H: El Nido to Puerto Princesa
1300H-1500H: Lunch in KaLui
1500H-1530H: To Airport
1530H-1730H: Check-in/Assemble
1730H-1830H: Puerto Princesa to Manila
hi!
my mom and i will go to el nido through puerto princesa this coming june. is it possible to squeeze in an underground river tour for a 4d3n vacay and then go to el nido afterwards?we will arrive in puerto princesa at 11am and our flight back to manila is also 11am. please help me. thanks!
Every traveler’s dream paradise. Very nice place.
do you have to pre-book months before your arrival at el nido hotels? or was it upfront check in and payment? please and thank you for your response.
Depends on season. If you are going there on summer/peak season, it is best to reserve ahead.
The best blog to inform about the El Nido trip. 🙂 Thanks.
Thanks! 🙂
me and my family here n USA plan to visit n el nido to coron but i ned someone to guide us n a cheap budget… pinos rin ako but di ko sure kung paano mag punta dyan n a budget way.. i found this site so i’ll try to contack u here u might be, give me some advice and information going there n el nido to coron
wait 4 ur response n my email [email protected]
Plan to visit n El Nido.
But I ned someone to guide me.Hope u can recomend me one. pls email me wen u do have time.
I will be inEl Nido this coming October 11 to 14. Feel free to contact me, here’s my email address: [email protected]
im planning to visit palawan, this comming november,,, at ano pong best na gagawin ko to save money,,. and what we shal do para mapuntahan din namin ang underground river, and some beautiful spot ng palawan,,,
Hi! This is the most helpful blog about el nido I came accrossed so far. I’m also planning for my next year’s trip to el nido. My plan could be different from the others in a little way. It’s because I don’t have plan to avail tour packages or to rent a boat ‘coz I will be bringing my own inflatable kayak. Is the airfare to Puerto Princesa cheaper than the direct flight to el nido? Do you think the plane crew would allowed me to check in my 25kg duffle bag with my inflatable kayak? Where would I pay for environmental fee if I will not be having a tour package?
Thanks for sharing your tips.
G300 Adventures
This is really helpful. I’d like to know more, do you happen to have a contact? Thanks! 🙂
me and my friend are planning to visit there soon pero dalawa lang kmi. kaya lang mamay ipabayad samin pero boat, meron dn ba silang joining groups sa tour?
me and my boyfriend henry martinez are planning to go to e l nido this coming feb 15 but we dont know f how far our hotel kalinga hotel to bus terminal please i hope ders someone to help me and give some suggestion tnx plz text me or call me whos willing to help me
this is my digit 09474171634
gel, thanks sa info. basta ikaw mag post lhat ng tanong q nasasagot ng blog mo haha.. punta aq el nido this week sana ma achieve ko ung budget na P4500-P5500 na yan! hahaha! excited much!
thanks!
going there with the Mrs next month, A comprehensive guide indeed =)
Thanks sir 😀
@Angel @Gael Now that u mention it.. can one do the boat rides from Taytay to the big and small lagoons? or that’s too far out? I’m choosing between Miniloc and Apulit Resort. The former is pricier of course, but then I thought it may be a “waste” to go to Apulit without seeing the lagoons. Help!
Site Bookmarked. We are planning to go to El Nido soon.. Thanks for sharing 😀
Angel, this is such a thorough guide. Very organized. Well-composed. I was silently asking a question and you had all the answers!!!! Thanks.
Tita Lili
thanks for this post! we’ll be going to coron on august, this really helps! thanks! 🙂
Great tips! I’ll check this out again pag pupunta nako ng El Nido… Thanks for sharing,,, =D
thinking of going back to El Nido or Taytay. Another comprehensive guide! thnx for sharing! Keep the posts coming! =)