El Nido, Palawan is paradise. With towering limestone cliffs and crystal clear waters, it’s no wonder this place is popular with travelers from all over the world. I’ve been to El Nido 3x now, and it’s one of those places I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of traveling to.
How To Get To El Nido
El Nido From Manila
The fastest and most direct way to travel to El Nido from Manila is by flying AirSwift. This journey takes about an hour on a small plane. They are the only airline with direct flights to El Nido so this could cost anywhere between $200-300+ usd round trip.
El Nido by Bus from Puerto Princesa
A lot of travelers opt to fly to Puerto Princesa and take the 5-6 hour journey to El Nido costing around $10 usd for a shared van. Puerto Princesa has some great attractions and is much cheaper to fly into compared to El Nido so this is a great option if you want to explore El Nido & Puerto in one trip.
El Nido from Coron
If you plan on visiting both islands, great news! There’s now a a speed boat that can transfer you from Coron to El Nido. The ride takes about 3.5 hours and costs anywhere between $45-50 usd.
The Best Time to Visit El Nido
The best time to visit El Nido is during the dryer months of December to April. I’ve visited in January & Novemeber and the weather was great during those times.
Where to Stay in El Nido
Cadlao Resort
Staying in this resort was a DREAM. It’s located about a 15 minute walk from town so you’re close enough to the bars/restaurants but far enough to get a good night’s rest. The view here is incredible & their bungalow rooms are very comfortable with some sea view rooms available. A free tuk tuk shuttle is also available if you don’t feel like walking to town. Check Rates
The Nest
Another amazing resort to stay in is The Nest. It’s located in the same location as Cadlao so you get the same view & you’ll be a 15 minute walk from town. The staff here go above and beyond and I love that it’s locally owned! They have free shuttles to town as well as the last resort mentioned. Check Rates
Maremegmeg Beach Club
While I haven’t stayed here yet, i’ve been to their restaurant and this property is so beautiful. It’s in a location that’s ideal for viewing the sunset & swimming on the beach. Check Rates
Things To Do in El Nido
Island Hopping
This is the obvious one 🙂 Many tourists come to El Nido SPECIFICALLY for island hopping tours. There are set tours to choose from depending on what islands you want to see. Since boats are typically all going to the same places, the islands tend to be crowded sometimes.
If you’re looking for a more quiet tour that has a different schedule than the other boats, I would recommend Couch Tours. I’ve done 2 trips with Brian and his crew and they have provided an amazing experience each time.
El Nido Via Ferrata Canopy Walk
For an equally beautiful and thrilling experience, I’d recommend the Via Ferrata. It’s located right in town and the dreamcatcher upgrade is totally worth it if you want nice photos. FYI: There’s some steep rock scrambling required in the beginning.
Dewil Mangrove + Snorkeling
An absolute hidden gem! It’s a bit far from the main town of El Nido (40 min-1hr) but it’s so worth going to for a change of scenery & time in nature. You can tell the staff here care so much about conservation & the snorkeling is WAY better than the ones on the island tours. The coral they take you to is amazing.
Vanilla Beach
The sunset here should not be missed! Bring a towel to lay by the beach or head over to one of the beach clubs to sip cocktails on a lounge chair. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also opt to zip line from here to a nearby island.
Where to Eat in El Nido
Barakuda
If you are in the mood for an upscale dinner, I highly recommend Barakuda. We ended up coming here 2 nights in a row because the food was so good. The curried fish in banana leaf & basil lime snapper were highlights for me. This is the perfect spot for seafood lovers.
Maa’s Grill
For some authentic & casual Filipino food, I’d highly recommend Maa’s Grill. There’s usually a long line for this place but you can get seated right away if you go during odd times like between lunch & dinner.
Taste of the Islands
For a restaurant with a great amount of vegan options, I really loved the Taste of the Islands. The ambiance here is totally amazing & they have a nice variety from smoothie bowls to burgers.
Pong’s Pares
If you haven’t tried Pares yet, you have to try it! The broth is bursting with flavor. Our family also had the sisig here & thought it was delicious, would definitely recommend for a casual local meal.
If you’re interested in more Philippines travel destinations, you should also check out my Siquijor blog.