El Nido, Palawan, is a tropical paradise with white sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and inviting blue waters. It’s one of those picture-perfect beach destinations that allows you to unwind and forget about your troubles.
However, with so many stunning islands in the Philippines, choosing where to go and what to skip becomes a daunting challenge.
So, should you make your way to this enchanting town or move on to other better-known destinations?
There’s no doubting its allure, but is it truly worth your time and money? That’s exactly what this guide is about to uncover, so stick around if you want to know more.
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Why Should You Visit El Nido, Philippines?
Firstly, El Nido is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines.
If you’re someone who loves beach-hopping and being outdoors, then you’ll appreciate El Nido’s natural beauty.
Its pristine beaches, towering limestone cliffs, and crystal-clear turquoise waters make it ideal for snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, diving, and other activities.
El Nido is also relatively less crowded compared to other popular Philippine destinations like Boracay, offering a more serene escape.
You’ll have access to epic island-hopping tours that let you explore off-the-beaten-path with their unique caves, lagoons, and secluded beaches.
Lastly, this coastal town has a rich cultural heritage and indigenous history.
You can learn all about the Cuyonon and Tagbanua peoples, who have called this their home for thousands of years, through cultural tours.
The Best & Worst Time to Visit El Nido
Exactly when you go to a destination can often make or break your trip.
With El Nido, it’s no different; there are times when you’d rather not want to be there and other times when it’s absolutely fabulous. Here’s a closer look:
The Worst Time to Visit El Nido
The worst time to visit this tropical gem is certainly during the rainy season, from June to September.
This is when El Nido experiences heavy rainfall, increased humidity, and possible typhoons.
Thus making outdoor activities highly uncomfortable or even impossible at times.
Since most activities in El Nido involve being outside in nature, these conditions could disrupt your travel plans.
The Best Time to Visit El Nido
Unsurprisingly, you’d want to visit El Nido during the dry season for the best weather conditions. Taking place from December to May, the weather will be drier with gentle breezes, perfect for the outdoors.
This means you can go to all the beaches and enjoy island-hopping and other water activities without worry.
What Are Some Challenges to Visiting El Nido?
Here are the main setbacks to consider when visiting El Nido.
It Can Be Costly
El Nido can become quite costly if you’re not paying attention to your spending.
Of course, you can look for discounts and coupons, but it remains relatively expensive compared to other Philippine destinations.
This is especially true for accommodation, food, and popular island-hopping tours. And while finding budget options is possible, you can still expect to pay more for El Nido.
Consider These Safety Precautions
Safety is generally not a concern for tourists in El Nido, but you still have to be aware of a few things:
- Secure your belongings and keep them on you when entering crowded areas, as pickpocketers usually target tourists.
- Wear helmets and boots when riding motorbikes for your safety.
- Use mosquito repellant, wear long pants at sunset, and sleep underneath nets to protect yourself from Dengue fever.
- Watch out for box jellyfish when visiting beaches, especially right after it rains. Their venom is among the most deadly in the world and contains toxins that affect the heart, skin, and nervous system.
- Wear loose, breathable clothing to combat the hot, tropical climate. Also, try not to wear beachwear when walking around town to avoid unnecessary attention and stares.
How to Get Around El Nido
Deciding to visit a place or not could boil down to travel logistics, with how to get around being the biggest factor to consider. Here are your options for getting around El Nido.
- Walking: You can simply rely on your feet for short distances, as even at night, it’s usually safe.
- Tuk-tuk: This is a fun and popular way to get around the town, to beaches, and other attractions.
- Motorbike: If you know how to ride a motorbike, you can rent one to get around
- Boat: If you planon doing island hopping tours, you’ll get around by boat.
A Quick Look at the Best Things to Do in El Nido
Another super important factor to weigh up is what you can do during your visit to El Nido. This will really show you if it’s your type of vibe or not since it mainly involves nature.
1. Snorkel & Kayak in a Lagoon
El Nido is home to three pretty lagoons that you can go to for all sorts of water sports besides just kayaking.
Snorkeling, swimming, cave exploration, taking photos, and unwinding of its beaches are all up for grabs.
Oh, and the best season for diving and snorkeling is from November to May.
Big Lagoon is the largest, with warm, clear emerald-green water and limestone cliffs. You can rent a kayak here and explore the lagoon that way.
Secret Lagoon has sparkling waters surrounded by jagged rock walls; it’s also a great spot for kayaking and photography.
Finally, Small Lagoon, surrounded by limestone walls, is a well-known spot for cliff diving and swimming.
2. Go Island-Hopping
By now, it’s no secret that island hopping is the number one thing to do in El Nido.
So it only makes sense to book yourself a tour and see places like Shimizu Island or Snake Island.
And don’t worry — Snake Island doesn’t have actual snakes. It was named so for its sandbar, which resembles a snake from a distance.
On the other hand, Shimizu Island is a renowned spot for snorkeling.
3. See a Majestic Waterfall
Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls provides a scenic spot where you can hang around to appreciate nature, have a picnic, and snap some gorgeous photos for your socials.
The falls are a 30-minute drive from town before you reach Nacpan Beach.
Then, you’ll walk through thick forests and cross rivers for about 20-45 minutes, depending on your pace, to finally reach the two waterfalls, a big one and a smaller one.
4. Relax on Nacpan Beach
Located north of El Nido town, Nacpan Beach is a postcard-worthy strip of cream-colored sand, turquoise water, and coconut trees.
It’s truly one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the Philippines.
It attracts visitors not only for its soft sand but also for its surfable waves. There’s also a fishing village where local restaurants serve fresh seafood.
5. Watch the Sunset at Vanilla Beach
If you want a good place to watch the sunset, you can’t go wrong with Vanilla Beach. Plop on your beach towel and watch the sunset.
Then, afterward, you can head over to one of the beach bars and sip on a cocktail while chilling on a lounge chair.
For a bit of an adrenaline pump, you could always zip line from here to a nearby island.
6. Hike to Taraw Cliff
Taraw Cliff is a craggy limestone peak that offers some of the most gorgeous panoramic views of Bacuit Bay, which you can reach via a suspension bridge and canopy walk.
The cliff is one of the most iconic landmarks in the area and has become a go-to for hikers and rock climbers.
You’ll need to hike the Taraw Cliff Trail before reaching the viewpoint. It’s a 0.7-mile out-and-back trail that takes about an hour to complete, with plenty of rock climbing and scrambling.
While the views are stunning, do not underestimate how challenging this hike is, so ensure your fitness level is on par with the terrain.
7. Visit the Makinit Hot Springs
Make a point not to miss the Makinit Hot Springs while you’re in El Nido. It’s yet another scenic spot located just 12 miles away from El Nido town.
The road to these natural hot springs is arduous, filled with rocks and dust.
The hiking trail leading to it is difficult and covered in muddy tracks. That said, all the effort is worth it, as you’ll be greeted with an unspoiled natural attraction.
Unfortunately, you can’t take a dip in these hot springs as the water is far too hot, but take it from the locals and boil some eggs in it for a light snack.
The Final Verdict: Is Palawan’s El Nido Worth It?
The short answer really would be YES! It’s worth it because you can do it as cheaply or as luxurious as you want.
Not only that, it’s visually stunning, safe for travelers, and offers exciting activities. What more could one ask for?
So, if you’ve been convinced that this charming coastal town is for you, don’t miss out on this El Nido travel guide. Happy travels!