Looking for the perfect El Nido itinerary? Excellent! We will help in this blog post.
Let’s be honest: even the name sounds exotic. Famed for its clean white beaches, crystal-clear waters, and the dramatic limestone cliffs of Bacuit Bay, El Nido is everything and more than you anticipate. Spend lazy days bopping around on emerald seas – island-hopping to hidden lagoons – or hang in hammocks, surrounded by palm trees and breathtaking views.
The ultimate paradise vacation destination that doesn’t need to break your wallet, visitors delight in long stretches of empty beaches, marvel at the colorful underwater world of the marine sanctuaries that teem with tropical fish, and end days relaxing shoreside watching world-class sunsets.
Away from the water, El Nido offers other delights such as lush forests full of flora and fauna, with endemic animals and an abundance of birdlife. Other adventures await with an exploration of local caves and hikes to waterfalls, a thrilling Zipline between two islands, a canopy walk and a lively town for things to do in El Nido at night.
One of the most popular destinations in the Philippines, El Nido is a place everyone should tick off at least once!
Below, you will find the ultimate itinerary to El Nido! We walk you through options whether you have just 2 days in El Nido or are looking for a full El Nido itinerary for 5 days. You can simply stop following our itinerary if your trip finishes in less than 5 days when you hit the number of days you have or pick the days that sound best.
We also have a complete list of what to do in El Nido so you can decide if the stops in our itinerary are perfect for you.
Finally, we also recommend some top places to stay in El Nido depending on your budget and some tips for visiting El Nido with kids.
El Nido Itinerary
There’s a lot you could try to squeeze into a trip to El Nido, but I don’t recommend spending your vacation rushing between attractions.
Instead, this itinerary gives you a mix of El Nido’s spectacular island hopping, beaches and mainland attractions while keeping each day relatively easy to organize.
If you only have two days, follow Days 1 and 2. With three days, add Tour C on Day 3. Days 4 and 5 give you more time to explore without simply repeating the same type of island-hopping experience every day.
This can be either a budget or luxury itinerary – you can pick the quality of accommodation and activities to suit your budget.
Note that in this article, I describe the current stops for each of the tours at the time of publishing. These can always change due to weather or local conditions. Tides can also affect accessibility of some of the stops.
Day 1: Take El Nido Tour A
For your first day in El Nido, take Tour A.
This is the classic El Nido island-hopping tour and the one I recommend prioritizing if you only have time for one. The tour I took visited Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Seven Commandos Beach. We also squeezed in an extra snorkeling stop.
Big Lagoon is the highlight. You’ll transfer into a kayak to explore the spectacular lagoon surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.
The tour also gives you plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling and enjoying the beaches, with lunch included during the day.
It’s very easy to organize. Simply book Tour A in advance and the tour company takes care of the itinerary for you.
Click here to book the El Nido Tour A I took.
Day 2: Explore Mainland El Nido By Tricycle
After spending your first day on a boat, use Day 2 to see some of mainland El Nido.
The easiest way to do this is to hire a tricycle and driver for the day.
You don’t need to work out complicated transport in advance. Tricycles around El Nido have price lists showing how much they charge to take you to different attractions, as well as rates for hiring the tricycle for a longer trip or the whole day.
Talk to a driver, agree on where you want to go and the price before leaving, and you’ll have transport between the different stops.
I’d make Nacpan Beach the main destination.
On the way, you can also stop at Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls. Reaching the falls requires a walk, so you can skip this if you’d prefer a more relaxing day and spend longer at the beach instead.
Have lunch around Nacpan and give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the beach rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.
On the way back toward El Nido, you could add another stop depending on how much time you have and what you arrange with your driver.
Finish the day at Marimegmeg Beach/Las Cabanas for sunset. There are places to eat and drink here, so there’s no need to rush back to town for dinner.
This makes Day 2 flexible. If you start early and visit the waterfall, Nacpan and Marimegmeg, it can easily fill most of the day. If you want a slower start, skip the waterfall and turn it into an afternoon trip to Nacpan followed by sunset at Marimegmeg.
Day 3: Take El Nido Tour C
For your second island-hopping day, take Tour C.
Tour C is quite different from Tour A. Rather than being centered around Big Lagoon, it heads farther out into Bacuit Bay and is known for its hidden beaches, snorkeling and dramatic limestone scenery.
The tour typically visits Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island, Star Beach and Talisay Beach, depending on the tour and conditions.
Both Hidden Beach and Secret Beach are particularly memorable because they’re hidden behind limestone formations and reached from the water.
This is another full-day tour, so I wouldn’t plan anything ambitious for afterwards. Head back to your accommodation, shower and enjoy a relaxed dinner in El Nido Town.
Tour C travels through more exposed waters than Tour A, so it can be affected by rough sea conditions. If Tour C is particularly important to you, don’t leave it until your final day in El Nido because it can be canceled if conditions are bad.
Day 4: Duli Beach Or Another Island-Hopping Tour
By Day 4, you’ve already experienced El Nido’s two most popular island-hopping routes, so I’d choose what you want more of.
If you’ve had enough boats, head north to Duli Beach.
Duli is much quieter than the beaches around El Nido Town and is known for surfing as well as its long stretch of sand. You can arrange transport there and spend a relaxed day at the beach. If you want to surf, you can organize a board or lesson once you’ve checked what’s currently available.
Alternatively, if island hopping is what you’ve come to El Nido for, take another boat trip.
Tour B is a good choice if you want something different from Tours A and C, with a greater focus on caves, sandbars and islands. Tour D is another option if you’d prefer more beaches and lagoons.
Day 5: Taraw, El Nido Town And Sunset
Keep your final day easy and close to El Nido Town.
Start the morning with the Taraw Canopy Walk/Taraw Via Ferrata for fantastic views over El Nido Town and Bacuit Bay.
The managed route uses safety equipment, constructed steps, scaffolding and bridges, so you don’t need climbing experience. It’s a convenient activity to do from town and doesn’t take up your whole day.
Afterwards, have lunch in El Nido Town and leave the afternoon free. By this point, you’ll have packed a lot into your El Nido itinerary, so there’s no need to squeeze in another major attraction.
Spend some time wandering around town, stop for a massage or a drink, do some shopping or simply head back to your accommodation and enjoy the pool or relax for a while.
For your final evening, head to Piece of Sky for sunset drinks and fantastic views over El Nido Town and Bacuit Bay before having a delicious final dinner there.
This is deliberately an easy final day. If you’re leaving El Nido in the afternoon, you can simply do the canopy walk in the morning, have lunch and depart. If you have the whole day, take your time and enjoy your last few hours in El Nido without another long journey or full-day tour.
To help you plan, here are the tricycle prices I was shown in September 2026.
What If You Only Have 2 Or 3 Days In El Nido?
If you only have two days in El Nido, I recommend Tour A on your first day and the Nacpan Beach/mainland trip on your second.
With three days, add Tour C.
That gives you Big Lagoon and El Nido’s classic island scenery, a day exploring the mainland and beaches, and a second island-hopping tour focused more on hidden beaches and snorkeling.
If island hopping is your main reason for visiting El Nido, you could swap Days 2 and 3 and take Tours A and C on your first two days. However, I like having a mainland day between them because the island hopping tours can be quite tiring so a slower paced day in the middle can work better.
Best Things To Do In El Nido
Island Hopping Tours
Discovering the hidden gems of Bacuit Bay archipelago is the reason most visitors arrive in El Nido. Drawn by the crystal clear waters that teem with schools of fish, starfish, colorful corals and turtles, island hopping tours are the most popular activities in El Nido.
Official tours, labeled Tour A, B, C and D, depart from El Nido around the Bay. Most travelers join a shared banca tour, although private tours and speedboat options are also available if you want more flexibility.
Enjoy a half or full day snorkeling and kayaking over reefs, enveloped by towering walls of jagged rock that cradle Robinson-Crusoe-styled inlets. Drop anchor and dine on freshly cooked fish, local fruits and refresh with coconut juice.
The four tours are unique, but on all tours, you’ll visit islands, beaches and snorkeling points.
| Tour | Best For | Main Attractions | Booking Link |
| Tour A | First-time visitors and lagoons | Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach | Book here |
| Tour B | Caves, sandbars and something different | Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Entalula Island, Pinasil Island | Book here |
| Tour C | Snorkeling, hidden beaches and dramatic scenery | Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island, Star Beach, Talisay Beach | Book here |
| Tour D | Beaches and a quieter island-hopping day | Nat Nat Beach, Small Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, Ipil Beach | Book here |
Tour stops can change based on weather, tidal and local conditions.
If you only have time for one: Take Tour A.
If you have time for two: I recommend Tours A and C.
If you love island hopping and have more time: Add B or D depending on whether you’d prefer caves and sandbars or more beaches and lagoons.
For discounted tickets for these tours click the following links: Tour A (super cheap), Tour B, Tour C or Tour D.
Big Lagoon
If you only visit one lagoon in El Nido, make it Big Lagoon.
Located on Miniloc Island, Big Lagoon is surrounded by enormous limestone cliffs with a narrow entrance leading into a spectacular expanse of turquoise water.
The best way to explore it is by kayak. Island-hopping boats stop outside the lagoon and you can rent a kayak to paddle through the entrance and explore inside. This was one of the highlights of my time in El Nido and somewhere I’d consider unmissable on a first visit.
Make sure you turn left with your kayak after you enter the lagoon where it forks. Then keep to the left and you can find a cave to paddle through.
Someone hiring out kayaks will come to your boat when you arrive at the entrance to the Big Lagoon and it’s easy to hire one. It cost PHP 400 for a two-person kayak or PHP 500 for a three-person option when I was here.
Big Lagoon is included on Tour A, which is why I recommend Tour A if you only have time for one island-hopping trip.
Click here to book the Tour A I took.
Secret Lagoon
Don’t confuse Secret Lagoon with Secret Beach on Tour C. They’re two different places.
Secret Lagoon is another stop on Tour A, located on Miniloc Island. Unlike enormous Big Lagoon, this is a much smaller lagoon hidden behind the limestone cliffs.
You reach it through a small opening in the rock, which leads into a natural pool enclosed by towering limestone walls.
It’s a quick stop compared with Big Lagoon, but squeezing through the entrance and discovering what’s hidden on the other side is part of the fun.
It was quite rough when we entered the lagoon, and it felt kind of crazy squeezing myself through the opening into the unknown (with help from my guides), but it was like a whole other world inside and one of my favorite places in the El Nido region.
Secret Lagoon is included on the Tour A I took along with Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Seven Commandos Beach.
Cathedral Cave
One of the highlights of Tour B, Cathedral Cave is an impressive cavern surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.
Its name comes from its enormous entrance and high interior, which give it the appearance of a natural cathedral. Light enters through openings in the limestone, illuminating the rock formations inside.
Cathedral Cave is usually viewed from the boat rather than being somewhere you spend a long time exploring, but it’s an impressive stop and helps make Tour B quite different from El Nido’s lagoon-focused tours.
Tour B also usually visits Snake Island and Cudugnon Cave, making it a good choice if you’d like to see some of El Nido’s caves and unusual limestone formations.
Click here to book Tour B to see this.
Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls
Away from Bacuit Bay, Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls is just north of El Nido Town on the road towards Nacpan. The falls are located deep in the forest. Take a tricycle, and enjoy this magical waterfall with a great “jungle pool” at the base that’s ideal for a cooling swim.
From the roadside, it’s a 30-40 minute trek from a local village to the falls. Enjoy a back-to-nature feel, as you trek alongside green rice fields, spotting carabaos and horses, and cross through some low-running rivers. Prepare to get your shoes and feet wet!
Local conditions and access can vary which can affect trekking time.
It’s easy to combine the waterfall with Nacpan Beach by hiring a tricycle and driver for the day.
Address: Pasadena, El Nido, Palawan
Sunset Drinks At Piece Of Sky
The ultimate way to finish any day in El Nido is with a cocktail at the Piece Of Sky restaurant on the top floor of the H Hotel in the middle of El Nido Town.
This place has the best service of anywhere I have been in Palawan as well as the best drinks! The views over the bay are unbeatable. You’ll want to come back every evening.
They also have fantastic food so why not stay for dinner as well.
Address: 6F, H Hotel, Real St, Buena Suerte Pob. (Barangay 2), El Nido, Palawan
Las Cabanas Beach Zipline
For something completely different from island hopping, try the zipline at Las Cabanas/Marimegmeg Beach.
The zipline takes you high above the water with fantastic views across the beach, surrounding islands and Bacuit Bay.
Getting to the launch point involves a walk uphill, so reaching the zipline is part of the adventure. Depending on current conditions and operating arrangements, access around Depeldet Island can also involve the sandbar or a short boat transfer.
You can usually choose between riding in a seated harness or paying a little more for the Superman position, where you fly face-down over the water.
It’s easy to combine the zipline with an afternoon at Marimegmeg/Las Cabanas Beach. Afterwards, stay for a drink, dinner and sunset.
Address: Corong-Corong, El Nido, Palawan
Sunset At Las Cabanas/Marimegmeg
The beach at Las Cabanas faces west and offers one of the best places to catch a spectacular sunset. The setting fireball disappears over a horizon speckled with islands and cliffs that are silhouetted against the sky, making for some dramatic photos.
The beach offers a handful of bars to unwind at, some with fire pits and chilled tunes. Or, before the sun sets, try your hand at gentle watersports such as SUP or kayak, a relaxing way to finish your day.
There are plenty of places along Marimegmeg/Las Cabanas to get a drink or dinner, so it’s easy to stay after sunset rather than heading straight back to El Nido Town.
Address: Corong-Corong, El Nido, Palawan
Visit Nacpan And El Nido’s Beaches
You don’t have to take an island-hopping tour to find beautiful beaches around El Nido.
Nacpan Beach is my top choice for a mainland beach day. This long stretch of sand is north of El Nido Town and has plenty of space to swim, relax and spend a few hours away from the much busier town.
The easiest way to visit is by tricycle. As I mentioned in my itinerary above, tricycle drivers around El Nido have price lists for trips to popular attractions, and you can also hire a driver for the day or to take you to this beach (the price is above). This makes it easy to combine Nacpan with Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls.
Closer to town, Marimegmeg Beach and Las Cabanas are particularly good choices later in the day. They’re easy to reach by tricycle and have restaurants and bars, making this one of my favorite places around El Nido to watch the sunset and stay for dinner.
Corong-Corong is another convenient coastal area close to town. It’s particularly useful if you’re staying there, hiring a kayak or looking for somewhere to enjoy the sunset, although I wouldn’t choose it over Nacpan for a dedicated beach day.
If you want something quieter and more remote, head farther north to Duli Beach. It’s particularly worth visiting if you want to surf.
Surfing At Duli Beach
If you want to try surfing in El Nido, head to Duli Beach.
This long, relatively undeveloped beach north of Nacpan is much quieter than the beaches around El Nido Town. Its more exposed location also means it can get proper waves when conditions are right.
Surfing is seasonal, so don’t assume there will be good waves throughout the year. When conditions are suitable, you can find board rentals and lessons at the beach, including options suitable for beginners.
Even if you don’t surf, Duli is worth considering if you want a quieter beach day away from El Nido’s main tourist areas.
It’s a fair distance from El Nido Town, so allow plenty of time for the journey and arrange your return transport rather than assuming you’ll easily find a ride back.
This company here can help with board rental and lessons.
Diving And Snorkeling
Dating back almost 250 million years, Bacuit Bay is one of the world’s top diving and snorkeling sites. Basically a huge slab of ancient reef, Bacuit Bay offers some of the highest levels of marine biodiversity in the world.
You’ll get opportunities to snorkel on the regular island-hopping tours, so you don’t necessarily need to book a separate snorkeling trip. Tour C is particularly worth considering if snorkeling is a priority, although the exact stops and conditions vary from day to day.
If you want to spend more time underwater, there are numerous dive operators in El Nido offering trips for certified divers as well as introductory scuba experiences for beginners.
Dive sites around El Nido include reefs, walls and channels, with tropical reef fish, turtles and other marine life among the things you may encounter.
If you’ve never tried scuba diving before, you don’t necessarily need to complete a full certification course to experience it. Look for a beginner discovery/introductory dive with a reputable dive center.
Click here for a discounted scuba diving tour for beginners in El Nido or here for a tour to 3 top diving sites for people with their diving certification.
Try Freediving
In El Nido’s calm and clear waters, why not take advantage of these ideal conditions and try something a little different.
El Nido is a great place to try freediving. Several local freediving schools offer beginner experiences and multi-day certification courses, teaching breathing, equalization, relaxation and—most importantly—how to freedive safely with a buddy.
You don’t need previous freediving experience to start. If you’re curious but don’t want to commit to a full course, 200Bar Diving Center offers a half-day PADI Intro to Freediving experience specifically for beginners, with no previous freediving experience required.
Click here to find out more and book an introductory freediving experience.
Go Kayaking Independently
If you want to explore at your own pace rather than joining another organized tour, you can also rent a kayak independently in El Nido.
Corong-Corong is a particularly convenient place to do this, with kayak rentals available directly around the beach. Single and double kayaks are available, and you may also find clear kayaks if you want to see into the water beneath you as you paddle.
Before setting out, ask the rental operator where they recommend going that day. Wind, waves and currents can change, and distances across the water can be deceptive.
Take plenty of drinking water, sun protection and a waterproof bag, and don’t try to cover more distance than you’re comfortable paddling back.
On a calm day, independent kayaking can be a fantastic way to spend a few hours on the water without committing to another full-day island-hopping tour.
Bird Watching
Beaches and islands might get most of the attention in El Nido, but keep an eye out for Palawan’s distinctive birdlife too.
Palawan has a high number of species found nowhere else in the Philippines, including the Palawan hornbill, which you may be lucky enough to spot around the forested and limestone areas of El Nido.
Bird watching is particularly worth considering if you’re already interested in wildlife, although you don’t necessarily need to organize a dedicated excursion. Look and listen for birds when exploring quieter beaches, forested areas and inland parts of El Nido, particularly earlier in the day.
Bring binoculars if birding is an important part of your trip.
Taraw Cliff And El Nido Canopy Walk
For one of the best views over El Nido Town and Bacuit Bay, head up Taraw Cliff on the El Nido Canopy Walk/Taraw Via Ferrata.
Rather than attempting the old-style climb up the jagged limestone cliff, this managed experience uses safety equipment, constructed steps and scaffolding to take you high above town. There are also bridges and viewing platforms along the way, including a suspension bridge with fantastic views across El Nido and the islands of Bacuit Bay.
You don’t need climbing experience, although there are plenty of steps and it’s still a challenge if you’re scared of heights. You’ll be provided with safety equipment and accompanied by a guide.
It’s also conveniently located right in El Nido Town, so it’s an easy activity to fit into your itinerary without needing another full-day tour.
You can buy discounted tickets for this attraction by clicking here.
Visit The Public Market
It’s an early start for this one, as every morning from 5:30am the El Nido Public Market opens to sell fruits and vegetables from nearby farms, and freshly caught fish.
Drop by for a slice of real Filipino life or to search out some goodies to snack on during your stay.
It is near Corong-Corong beach, on the side of the main road.
Address: Rizal St, Brgy. Corong Corong, El Nido, Palawan
Map Of El Nido Attractions
Find everything on the map below.
Where To Stay In El Nido
There are so many accommodation options, it is easy to get confused when trying to settle on the most ideal El Nido location. Options range from hostels to luxury hotels, from the lively and ideally-located El Nido Town to nearby beach resorts, to the crème-de-la-crème exclusive remote island resorts.
El Nido Town is a small beach town that retains a rustic vibe. The beach is super busy, with island-hopping and diving bancas constantly departing and arriving, speed boats whizzing lucky guests off to remote island resorts. Restaurants, souvenir shops and tour operators can be found in the town, with a surprisingly wide range of cuisines catered for.
Looking for somewhere quieter, check out hotels at the beaches nearby El Nido Town. Offering a more “holiday destination” atmosphere, these mostly open out onto the beach, have small bars or restaurants facing the sea, with prime sunset positions.
Or splurge for the ultimate stay at any one of the 5-star island resorts sprinkled throughout Bacuit Bay. Villas on stilts in calm lagoons, beach villas, private-pool villas, luxury spas, al fresco fine dining and luxury speed boats for island hopping tours, all add up to perfection.
Below I’ve listed a few different places to consider including a budget, mid-range and more expensive option.
BEST – Cauayan Boutique Private Island Review
Cauayan Boutique Private Island is a gorgeous luxury resort on its own private island in Bacuit Bay, making it a fantastic choice if you’re looking for somewhere special to stay in El Nido.
The resort has just 30 air-conditioned villas in eight categories. Options range from Lagoon and Beach View Villas for two people to Beach Front and Water Villas, while the huge Cauayan Pool Villas have their own private pools and can sleep up to four.
The Beach Front Villas are particularly impressive, with king-sized beds, private terraces just steps from the sand, indoor sunken tubs and outdoor showers.
There’s also an infinity pool, restaurant and bar, spa, fitness center, dive shop and activities center. You can go diving, kayaking and island hopping or simply spend your time enjoying the resort and its beautiful surroundings.
Another advantage is that shared land and boat transfers between El Nido Airport and the resort are currently included, along with breakfast.
This is certainly not a budget option, but it’s a great choice for couples, honeymooners or anyone who wants the private-island resort experience to be a highlight of their trip.
Click here for the latest prices
MID-RANGE – Mahogany Resort and Spa Review
Mahogany Resort & Spa is a lovely option in Corong-Corong if you want a quieter tropical setting while still being close to El Nido Town.
The resort is set among coconut trees and tropical gardens and has a good range of accommodation. Garden Villas are particularly spacious, with a king-sized bed, living area, private garden and terrace and their own dipping pool. There are also Bungalows with private balconies, Deluxe and Superior Rooms and larger Premiere Suites that can accommodate up to four people on request.
All room types have air-conditioning and hot water, and depending on the category, you’ll have garden or sea views.
The resort also has an infinity pool surrounded by tropical gardens, along with a gazebo and bar. Its Corong-Corong location is another advantage if you want to be away from the busiest part of El Nido Town while remaining within easy reach of its restaurants and activities.
It’s a particularly good choice for couples or anyone looking for a relaxing resort without paying private-island prices.
Click here for the latest prices
BUDGET – Anang Balay Turista Review
Anang Balay Turista is a solid option for budget travelers. A basic boutique hotel, it is the perfect place to stay if you want to be beachfront and save money. This prime position makes it a perfect hub for island-hopping adventures, as the tour boats pick up guests right out front.
The facilities focus on delivering simple, comfortable convenience. There is free Wi-Fi access throughout the property and a shared terrace with lovely panoramic views looking right out onto the scenic bay.
Additionally, Anang Balay Turista is home to a local travel agency, allowing you to seamlessly book transfers and island-hopping tours directly through the front desk.
Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms. All budgets and room sizes are catered to, with a mixture of single, double, triple and quadruple rooms. Just note that I stayed in the room advertised as having a “Balcony and Sea View,” but despite the name, mine didn’t actually have a sea view.
Click here for the latest prices
Click here to see all our recommendations for the best places to stay in El Nido.
Visiting El Nido With Kids
El Nido can be a fantastic destination with kids, particularly if your family loves beaches, swimming and being out on the water. I visited El Nido with my ten-year old son and he absolutely loved it – especially Tour A and snorkeling.
Island hopping is likely to be the highlight. Kids can spend the day traveling between islands, swimming and snorkeling, kayaking through lagoons and exploring beaches surrounded by El Nido’s incredible limestone cliffs.
However, exactly how easy the tours are with children will depend on their ages and confidence in the water. Getting on and off the boats can involve wading or swimming, and some stops are more challenging than others. Secret Lagoon, for example, involves getting through a small opening in the rocks and wouldn’t be something I’d consider essential with a young child – although I did see a family do this with a toddler who loved it.
Life jackets should be available on island-hopping boats, but I’d still check that your tour operator has an appropriately sized life jacket for your child before departing. I’d also bring plenty of sun protection and a dry bag for anything you don’t want getting wet.
There are plenty of family-friendly things to do away from the boat tours too. Spend a day at Nacpan Beach, hire a tricycle and driver to explore the mainland or head to Marimegmeg/Las Cabanas for the beach and sunset. Older children and teenagers may also enjoy the zipline or Taraw Canopy Walk.
El Nido Town has a huge choice of places to eat, so finding familiar food for less adventurous eaters shouldn’t be difficult. You’ll find everything from Filipino food and fresh seafood to pizza, burgers, pasta and ice cream.
Another advantage for families is El Nido Airport’s location close to town. If you can fly directly into El Nido, you avoid the long overland journey from Puerto Princesa.
I wouldn’t hesitate to visit El Nido with kids, but I would keep the itinerary relatively relaxed. Don’t try to fit an island-hopping tour into every day. Mixing boat days with beaches, pool time and easier mainland activities makes the trip much more enjoyable for everyone.
How To Get To El Nido
El Nido is part of Palawan, a long island in the south of the Philippines. Home to two airports, Palawan has an international airport in Puerto Princesa and a domestic airport at El Nido, with flights daily from Manila, Cebu and a handful of other Filipino locations.
Aim to arrive at El Nido Airport, as it’s a 5-6 hour overland drive from Puerto Princesa. However, flights are limited into El Nido and it is a very small (but lovely) airport.
To see all the latest flights and prices, click here.
You can read our full guide to traveling from Puerto Princesa to El Nido here.
Another way to reach El Nido is by sea, taking a ferry from Coron (approximately 3.5 hours) or other surrounding islands. Aim for a fast craft and pay for upgraded seating whenever possible.
To see all the latest ferry times and prices, click here.
Read our guide here on getting to El Nido from Coron
If you are traveling to or from Port Barton, read our guide to traveling between Port Barton and El Nido here.
Final Words
There are countless reasons to visit beautiful El Nido, from its splendid marine life and the islands of Bacuit Bay, to its world-class beaches, lagoons and lush inland hills. Epic sunsets, al fresco dining night-after-night, waterfalls, caves and more… all presented by fun-loving Filipino who enjoy nothing more than sharing with visitors their love for the country.
Numerous treasures await your discovery, book now!
We hope you enjoyed this itinerary for El Nido and complete list of things to do. We also have a guide for a Puerto Princesa itinerary here or you can read our perfect Palawan Itinerary. Find all our other guides to Palawan here.
