Travel Guide: El Nido (Updated)
North of the mainland Palawan is 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 its Earth, 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.
Helicopter Beach
How to Get There
From Manila
By Air
ITI has daily flights to El Nido, for booking and reservation contact ITI at (02)8515674. Travel time: approximately 1 hour.
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: atienzashippinglines@yahoo.com
Telephone No. : (02)-986-3118 and (02)-536-8123
From Puerto Princesa
By Air
Puerto Princesa City is accessible by air from Manila via Philippine Airlines, AirphilExpress, Cebu Pacific Air and Zest Air; from Cebu via Cebu Pacific Air; and from Busuanga (Coron) via AirphilExpress.
By Sea
By ferry, Superferry services Puerto Princesa especially during summer and peak season. Please check their website to get the latest schedule. (Update as of 2012, Negros Navigation bought Aboitiz Transport System, owner of Super Ferry, Supercat and Cebu Ferries. It launched 2Go Travel and Coron was dropped on its network.)
Puerto Pricesa to El Nido
From Puerto Princesa to El Nido, air-conditioned vans depart at 7AM and 11AM.
Fort Wally Van: +63917-2762875
Savior Van: +63929-6225974
Travel time: approximately 5-6 hours
Fare: (Puerto to El Nido) P600/(El Nido to Puerto) P500
Return trips (El Nido to Puerto Princesa): 7AM, 7:30AM and 9AM
Public buses departs from 5AM, 7AM and 9AM.
Eulen Joy Bus: +63919-7162210/+63926-6998700
Sweety Bus: +63919-7119221
Travel time: approximately 7-8 hours
Fare: P250
Return trips (El Nido to Puerto Princesa): 5AM and 830AM
As of February 2012, RoRo Buses started serving Puerto Princesa-El Nido route and vice versa. Buses leave San Jose Terminal to El Nido with stop over in Roxas and Taytay on these times: 4:00 AM, 6:00 AM – aircon, 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM – aircon, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – aircon, 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM – aircon and 10:00 PM – aircon. Fare is P485 for the aircon bus and P350 for the non-aircon. For booking and reservation contact +639175971186, +639228897013 or +639089202568.
From Coron
There are boats to El Nido from Coron daily. Fare is P2200 for foreigners and P1500 for Filipinos. Travel time: approximately 8 hours.
Snorkeling in Shimizu Island with the tame sergeant fishes
Where to Stay
Accommodations in El Nido range from very basic for as low as P400 per room to the high-end resorts that go by the thousands. I have tried staying in Lualhati Cottages (+63919-3196683) for a twin fan room at P400/night. My stay with them was very pleasant. It is located along the main road, five to ten minutes walk to Bacuit Bay.
If you prefer beach front accommodation, Og’s Inn, located along the Bacuit Bay, is a good choice for budget travelers. They have rooms fan rooms for as low as P500 and aircon rooms at higher rates. Og’as Inn is on the second floor of Og’s Restorbar, the place is equipped with free wi-fi. Contact number: +639167070393 or +639204040223.
Marina Garden Beach Resort, also along the beach, have good reviews too. They have rooms for as low as P955. Contact details: +63917 6247722/639088843711/marinagarden.elnido@gmail.com.
If you prefer more adventure, just pitch a tent or a a hammock in one of the islands in Bacuit Bay 
For list of other accommodations in El Nido please visit this site: http://www.elnidopalawan.com/sleep.html
Activities
- Island Hopping: Small and Big Lagoons of Miniloc Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos, Pangulasian Island, Snake Island, Codugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Pinagbuyutan Island, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Star Beach, Matinloc Shrine and Helicopter Island
- Diving
- Snorkeling/Fish Feeding
- 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
Underwater Bacuit Bay, this school of small fish is mimicking a big fish as defense mechanism.
Tips
- Electricity runs from 2PM to 6AM only
- No ATM in town
- 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
- I enjoyed the pizza of El Nido Boutique and Art Cafe, you might want to give them a try
- Go to Bacuit Grill before sun down for the best view of sunset, their Shrimp Spaghetti is good
- 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
Entrance to Small Lagoon
Sample Itinerary (4D/3N via Puerto Princesa)
Estimated Budget (Airfare excluded): P4500-P5500
Day 1: En Route to El Nido
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
Related Posts
*First published: Apr 14, 2011; Updated: Dec 26, 2012
Come and experience a unique adventure with our family in Deep Blue Seafari. We specialize in diving expeditions in the Palawan Area. We can organize different dive packages, which we will design based on your experience , budget, and things you like to see – average trips 2 to 5 diving days. Group packages available upon request. Charters also available for Palawan and Visayas region, please contact us for more details. We teach all PADI courses from Open Water to Dive Master and also Specialties like Deep Diver, Enriched Air and Wreck. This allows you to enhance your skills, confidence, knowledge and experience new dive environments. Let’s Dive, Explore, Experience, Palawan!!!
Do you offer Puerto Princesa – El Nido tour packages (Underground River, Honda Bay, City Tour, El Nido island hopping)? Please quote us for 5 pax on March 30 to April 3, 2014 including aircon room accommodation, breakfast, lunch and transfers. Thanks.
hi mr. lakwatsero,
i was able to booked my family & I to PP next year january 19-22. its a 4days 3 nights trip.im planinng to visit el nido since i was advise that i shouldnt miss that place kaya lang i wanted to see underground river din. is it possible for us to have that arrangement where we can see underground river & go island hopping in el nido? we’re group of 5..baka meron din po kayong maisusuggest sakin na itinerary where i can explore PP & el nido..is it better po ba to explore el nido muna before PP since sa PP airport po kami sasakay pupunta at pauwi ng manila or vise versa?? hope to hear from u po..thanks for the blog..more power ^_^
Hi,
You mentioned about pitchign tent in one of the isladns in Bacuit bay. Are we allowed to do that?
We are planning to explore Palawan, – We were wonderign if it is worth us bring our tent and staying back on one of the islands? I mean is it allowed? And how do we do it?
We had done it earlier in hundred islands – we jsut had to inform the local tourist office at lucap wharf. what shold we do in El Nido
One more thing – please make it easier to post comments – I cannot correct my spellign mistakes as your dialogue box does not allow me to move the cursor usign my mouse!!!
Wow! Thanks! Nakatulong yung blog mo sa akin. May 8 to 12 ako nasa el nido. Mag isa nga lang. Sana ma enjoy ko coz i love nature? Nabisita ko na ang prinsesa at coron…. sana ok din sa el nido
Hi, we are planning to visit Palawan, for 3days 2 night, or 4 days 3 nights , can somebody give me an advice which place is the best place, el nido, puerto princesa or coron. Please help me. Thanks
Napuntahan ko na po ang prinsesa. Ok naman po dun ksi may mga island tour, city tour at underground river. Mura at madaming masarap na kainan po dun. Sa coron ta,agang swimming and snorkling ang activities aside from mt tapyasn aakyatin ang bundok and maquinit hot spring. Walang masarap na kainan sa coron eh. Sa el nkdo try ko pa lang po ds may 8 to 12. Pero naka set po ako ng hotel plus tour ko ng 4,100 lang. Ako lang pomag ksa which ks mura as compared sa ibang napuntahan ko.
hi sir,
ask ko lang po kung maximum travel time na po ba yung 6 hours from puerto prinsesa to el nido??and regular po ba ung trips vice-versa?thanks po..
Hi whela, im not mr. Lakwatsero but i would just like to share to you my experience since just last month, we went to all 3 palawan destinations (puerto, el nido & coron) we traveled for 8hrs. thats from puerto princesa to el nido via van, and according to the van driver, they travel daily, their last trip is at 6pm. Again, this is just according to my experience last month.
thank you trabex..
hi mr.lakwatsero thanks for your tips! im planning to visit el nido on the month of september. ok lang ba yung buwan na yun? di po bumabagyo nun? maraming salamat kabayan!
GUYS how much should be pocket money? that include flight from manila vice versa. thank you so much….
Hi Lakwatsero
Good day. I called up fort wally, the number you stated on your blog for van service. I was informed that the fare for a group of 4 going to El Nido is Php 6,000. So, what is the P 600.00 fare goin to El Nido is all about? Please clarify. Thnx
Hi Jun, P6,000 is for the whole van rental. You should have said that you will be taking the public van and not renting the whole van.
Coool. my fav place is palwan.
Me and family stayed in a budget hotel (kase nga nkabudget tlaga kami hahaha)
http://gohotels.ph/puertoprincesa we stayed here and super nagenjoy kami with all the services and facilities.
Ilove my stay and i recomment it to those people in a tight budget
Hi! Hope matulungan mo ako. If sa boracay is mamimili ka ng hotels mula station 1 to station 3. (alam mo kung saang area ka lang mamimili). ano naman ang sa el nido?, saang lugar ba dapat mag-stay at maghanap ng hotel? Salamat!
hello mr. lakwatsero,
I am planning a trip with my boyfriend to palawan this summer, we are planning to visit both el nido & coron as we heard both place are amazing…
May I ask you for some suggestion on how we can go about the trip & hotel you will recommend? We’ve 5days, are there any ferry that is leaving el nido in the afternoon instead?
Thnk u thnk u sooo much!!
hello mr. lakwatsero,
I am planning a trip with my boyfriend to palawan this summer, we are planning to visit both el nido & coron as we heard both place are amazing…
May I ask you for some suggestion on how we can go about the trip & hotel you will recommend? We’ve 5-6days
Thnk u thnk u sooo much!!
sa The Beach Farm by JRV mura ng accommodation, simple, comfortable, at clean ng rooms. Located sa El Nido, Palawan. Ideal sa mga backpackers at budgeters! Like their page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/jrvbeachfarm
hi. read this site, thank you. I am planning to go there on August. please advice; ok lang ba if i go on august? hinde po ba mabagyo nun? and if its safe to travel alone? can i join a group tour? hope you could advice. thank u.
hello mr. lakwatsero,
I am planning a trip with my boyfriend to palawan this summer, we are planning to visit both el nido & coron as we heard both place are amazing…
May I ask you for some suggestion on how we can go about the trip & hotel you will recommend? We’ve 5-6days
Thnk u thnk u sooo much!!
Hi there… I am an avid follower of ur blogs and ur fb page… Super thanks to ur infos. very helpful… Maybe you can give some advice… My husband and I booked to Puerto Princesa this coming June 23-25 and were planning to go to El Nido unfortunately three days lang naibooked ko I thought keri na yung 3 days & 2 nights… My bad di ako nag research how long will it take getting to El Nido from Puerto Princesa… Late ko na nabasa sa blog mo…
Hi venustar624, Thanks for reading my blog
May I know the exact date and time of your flights?
June 23 Manila to PPS
6:30AM – 7:50 AM
June 25 PPS – Manila
3:20 PM – 4:25 PM
Do you think kya yung 1 1/2 day tour at kung meron nag ooffer na ganun set up…
Thanks for ur immediate response
Hi Venustar624, yes, possible and kaya naman with your sched. Athough 1 and 1/2 day nga lang ang magiging El Nido Tour nyo. Yes may mga nag offer ng ganung setup
WOW! This guide is what I’ve been looking for! I’ll follow your sample ITI since we’ll be in PALAWAn for 4days 3 nights as well on March 14 ETA 12:20PM, Departing PPS March 17, @ 10pm.. Kaya lang since mga kasama ko is gusto itry ang undeground river, pwede kayang isingit yun on our last day since gabi pa naman alis namin ng PP? Balak namin is on our third night, byahe na kami then tulog sa bus. diretso sa umaga sa undergorund river on our last day!
A very comprehensive guide indeed. Cheers! Kudos to you sir!
Hi Edgar! Yes, your plan is very doable since may mga night trips na ang RoRo bus between Puerto Princesa and El Nido. But you have to book in advance your PPUR Tour since they are limiting tourist per day sa underground River. Advise nyo na din yung tour handler nyo of your schedule
Also do not forget to reserve your RoRo bus ticket ahead para sure 
Enjoy El Nido and Puerto Princesa
hello mr. lakwatsero…..im a pinoy working in canada….going pinas for vacation this july to august…. however, july is the month of tagulan right….but i really want to go to el nido and july is the only month that i can do it….. watcha think????? great blog by the way very informative….thanks..
Dear Sir, I do think your going to El Nido on July is just about right for two reasons. You can book cheap flights to Puerto Princesa this early because it is off season for foreign tourist arrivals in Palawan. August, September and October are the months of “Habagat” or westerly winds and that may sometime rearraange the El Nido daily routine package offering,; cancellations are very rare occurence. July allows you the feel of special treatment and the rural aura of tranquility that El Nido offers during off season. You can enjoy your stay at El Nido both ways -alone or with friends – as the place is conducive to romance / intimaciy. I am Mr. Mel Cortes and a Palawano. I have no doubrt you will have fond memories of El Nido. Good Day!