El Nido, located in the northern part of Palawan Island, is a nature lover's haven, rich in natural resources and marine life. It’s a top destination for scuba divers and island hoppers, and it has rightfully earned its place as one of the best locations in the Philippines and the world. Voted "Best Island in the World" by Travel + Leisure magazine readers, El Nido consistently tops the list for both local and foreign tourists.

I've had the pleasure of visiting El Nido several times and most of my trips were DIY (Do-It-Yourself). I just book the hotels, airport transfers and tours via KLOOK. I use the DISCOUNT CODE, "THEPHILIPPINESKLOOK", to get additional discounts on bookings.
Where is El Nido?
El Nido is located at the northern tip of Palawan’s mainland, approximately 238 km northeast of Puerto Princesa, the province's capital.
How We Got There
We flew from Manila directly to Puerto Princesa City with Cebu Pacific Air the capital of Palawan. From there, we took a van from the airport directly to El Nido Town. The van dropped us at the town plaza because our hotel was located on the main road, right beside the beach, where only tricycles are allowed to pass.
If you’re arranging your own transportation, the typical fare for a van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido Town is 500 PHP (one way). If you've already booked a hotel, let the driver know where you're staying so they can drop you off at the closest point. Otherwise, just ask to be dropped off at the town plaza. You may book the van transfer via KLOOK below:
You may also consider flying directly from Manila to El Nido (Lio Airport) via Airswift. Lio airport is just 10-15 minutes drive away from El Nido town.
For those traveling from Coron, AirSwift offers a direct flight from Coron to El Nido via Lio Airport. Alternatively, Montenegro Lines (ferry) offers daily trips to El Nido. The journey takes about 3 ½ hours, with a regular fare of 1,760 PHP.
Another option to maximize your travel from Coron to El Nido is through expedition. We made another blog about this trip here.
Getting Around El Nido
Navigating El Nido is easy. We used tricycles to get to places like Las Cabanas and Corong-Corong, with fares ranging from 50-150 PHP. For farther destinations like Nacpan Beach or Duli Beach, you can take a van or a tricycle (though vans are much faster). A roundtrip van transfer to Nacpan costs around 600 PHP, or you can rent a motorbike for 500-700 PHP per day.
Sample Itinerary
In El Nido, the standard tour options consist of four tours labeled as Tour A, B, C, and D, each running from 9am to 5pm. If you can only choose two tours, I suggest opting for Tours A and C. You can easily reserve a tour through klook below and apply our code "THEPHILIPPINESKLOOK" for an extra discount.
Day 1: Arrival in Palawan
09:00 AM: Arrival at Puerto Princesa Airport
09:15 AM: Depart for El Nido by van
03:00 PM: Arrival in El Nido Town; check in at the hotel/resort
04:00 PM: Visit Las Cabanas Beach
This area has several beachfront bars where you can relax. We enjoyed happy hour here, sipping drinks while waiting for the sunset.

06:30 PM: Return to town
07:00 PM: Dinner
Day 2: Island Hopping (Tour A)
06:00 AM: Wake-up call and breakfast
We booked a private tour and arranged to leave at 7:00 AM to avoid the crowds. We managed to have a couple of sites to ourselves. Book your Tour A here.
07:00 AM - 04:00 PM: Island Hopping
Tour A is one of the most popular in El Nido, featuring lagoons and beaches on Miniloc Island:
Big Lagoon: Known for its crystal-clear blue waters and stunning limestone formations.
Shimizu Island: A great snorkeling spot where lunch is usually served.
Secret Lagoon: Accessible through a small hole in the limestone; a hidden gem with a neighboring beach that’s perfect for relaxing.
Seven Commandos Beach: A beautiful white sand beach with an interesting backstory, perfect for a relaxing end to the day.
Payong Payong Beach: Beautiful beach to relax.
04:30 PM: Return to the hotel
Day 3: Island Hopping (Tour C)
06:00 AM: Wake-up call and breakfast
Again, we opted for a private tour and left early to enjoy the sites without the crowds. Book your Tour C here.
07:00 AM - 04:00 PM: Island Hopping
Tour C takes you to the farthest islands in El Nido, mostly around Matinloc Island:
Hidden Beach: A beach hidden behind limestone formations, accessible only by swimming.
Secret Beach: Enclosed by towering rocks, accessible only through a small passage that can be tricky to navigate.
Helicopter Island: Named for its shape, it’s the closest stop to town and a great spot to end the tour.
Matinloc Shrine: A stunning location with breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere.
Talisay Beach: A calm, secluded spot surrounded by islands, perfect for snorkeling and a relaxing lunch.
04:30 PM: Return to the hotel
Day 4: Departure
07:00 AM: Wake-up call and breakfast; pack up for the trip back to Puerto Princesa.
08:00 AM: Depart El Nido
01:00 PM: Arrival in Puerto Princesa
03:00 PM: Flight back to Manila
Other Places to Visit in El Nido
If you have more time, there are plenty of other beautiful spots to explore. Consider taking Tour B or Tour D to visit additional islands and beaches:
Tour B
Tour B in El Nido, Palawan, is all about discovering beautiful spots that are less crowded but equally amazing. Here are the key places you'll visit:
Snake Island - This island has a sandbar that looks like a snake when it appears during low tide. It’s perfect for a stroll and offers great views of the surroundings.
Cudugnon Cave - A historical cave that can be visited when the tide is low. It’s a cool place to explore, and you’ll learn that it was once used as a burial site by ancient people.
Cathedral Cave - This cave is only accessible by boat and looks like a giant cathedral with its tall ceilings and impressive rock formations.
Pinagbuyutan Island - A peaceful island with a soft white sand beach and clear waters. It’s surrounded by tall cliffs, making it a great spot for swimming and taking photos.
Entalula Beach - A private beach with fine white sand, ideal for relaxing, snorkeling, and enjoying some quiet time by the sea.
Tour B is perfect for those who want to explore El Nido’s hidden gems and enjoy a more relaxed day out in nature. Book your Tour via KLOOK below.
Tour D:
Tour D in El Nido, Palawan, is all about visiting peaceful and less crowded spots. Here’s what you’ll see:
Cadlao Lagoon - A calm lagoon with green waters surrounded by high cliffs. It’s perfect for kayaking or swimming in the quiet water.
Paradise Beach - A small, beautiful beach with soft white sand and clear water. It’s a great place to relax, swim, or just enjoy the peaceful setting.
Natnat Beach - Another lovely, quiet beach where you can rest, swim, and soak up the sun. The beach is surrounded by greenery and cliffs, making it feel very peaceful.
Pasandigan Beach - A hidden beach that’s great for snorkeling. The water here is full of colorful coral and fish, perfect for underwater exploration.
Bukal Island - This island is known for its clear water and vibrant coral reefs, making it a favorite spot for snorkeling and seeing the underwater world.
Tour D is ideal if you want to get away from the crowds and enjoy a day of relaxing, swimming, and exploring El Nido’s quiet and beautiful beaches and lagoons.
Nacpan Beach: A 4-km stretch of pristine sand, reachable by van for 600 PHP (roundtrip). It’s a must-visit with a resto-bar, beach volleyball, and stunning views of Calitang Beach, which forms the Twin Beach with Nacpan.

You may consider booking your Nacpan transfer below.
Duli Beach: A bit farther out, Duli Beach offers a 2-km stretch of creamy white sand. It’s less crowded and is a great spot for surfing. Board rentals are available at Duli Beach Resort, the only resort on the beach.

This itinerary should give you a well-rounded experience of El Nido’s stunning beauty and diverse attractions. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning traveler like me, El Nido never fails to impress.
Comments