El Nido travel guide

El Nido is a coastal town in Palawan. El Nido comprises 45 islands and islets; limestone cliffs are also found here, which form a Karst backdrop similar to those found in Ha Long Bay, Krabi and Guilin. It is a popular destination for locals during the long holidays of the Holy Week, but has been relatively unknown to foreign tourists. El Nido is more than just a stereotypical tropical paradise. Beaches, clear waters, jungle, steep limestone cliffs and stunning inlets make for one of the world's most beautiful seascapes.

Before El Nido became a popular tourist destination, fishing and harvesting swift nests, nidos, were the main source of income. Tourism has become the municipality's main source of revenue; however, the authorities are trying to keep it sustainable and hotel chains are refreshingly absent. Huge tour groups are nowhere to be seen. El Nido is also known for water sports such as diving, snorkeling and kayaking.

Get in

Cadlao Mountain in El Nido (Photo: User: (WT-shared) Jdkoenig at wts wikivoyage, Public domain)

The town of El Nido sits beneath striking limestone cliffs. (Photo: Liisalaukkanen, CC BY-SA 3.0)

By plane

• El Nido Airport (ENI IATA). Air Swift. ☏ +632-3185941, +632-3185943. has flights to and from Manila and Cebu. It is best to book via their website. The airport can accommodate only small aircraft, so the prices tend to be much higher than to Puerto Princesa.

Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPSIATA) is Palawan's premier gateway. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Asia connect to Manila, Iloilo and Cebu. You can catch a bus, private or public van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido on arrival.

By van

Three van companies are doing regular shuttle trips to El Nido, departing from San Jose bus terminal in Puerto Princesa. Fares are ₱600 per person and ₱700 for hotel or airport pick ups (minimum 2 people) and the travel time is 4-5 hours.

Fortwally Shuttle Service You can book directly at Cell: 09172762875 or 09213118755 or email: fortwallytransport@yahoo.com (www.fortwallytravelandtour.com www.fortwallytravelandtour.com). Departure times Puerto Princesa-El Nido 7AM, 9:30AM, 11AM and 1:30PM, and 6:30PM, and from El Nido to Puerto Princesa 5AM, 7AM, 9AM, 1PM, and 6PM (depending on the volume of passengers). As part of lean season, Fortwally offers ₱600, one-way fare including pick up in airport or hotel. They also offer van sharing from Puerto Princesa to Sabang for ₱300/person.

Eulen Joy Shuttle Van PPS-El Nido-PPS have daily trips from Puerto to El Nido at 7:30AM, 10AM and from El Nido to Puerto at 7:30AM, 9AM, 1PM. Phone: PPS +63 9494498858, El Nido +63 9494498858. Tickets are available at Artcafe Travel Center and other outlets.

Lexus Company Tel. +63 9121002652.
From Sabang to El Nido: daily at 7:30AM, 8:30AM, 1PM, 2PM, 4:30PM.
From El Nido to Sabang: daily at 5AM, 8AM, 9:30AM and 11AM.
Sabang - El Nido fare is P900 but they will only run if they have enough passengers.
From El Nido to Puerto Princesa: Daily trip schedule starts at 2AM. AM: 2:00, 5:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00. PM: 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 8:30. Likewise, from Puerto Princesa to El Nido there are many daily trips. El Nido to Puerto Princesa fare is ₱900. Tickets are available from most guest houses and tour booking offices

Travelers prone to motion sickness may suffer as the local drivers aggressively overtake, swerve and slalom down the winding roads. Vans will not depart until full, which can leave little space for taller passengers. There is one break, at a rest stop with reasonable food. Vans will also stop to pick up & drop off locals en route, if there is space.

By bus

Slower than the vans, but cheaper and more comfortable by far, air-conditioned Cherry buses depart from San Jose Bus terminal, Puerto Princesa and El Nido Market every 2 hours from 4AM to 10PM. Fare: ₱380.

Non-aircon buses operate regular trips between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, stopping in Roxas and Taytay. Departures are daily at 5AM, 6AM, 7AM, 8AM from El Nido and from Puerto Princesa. Travel time is 5-6 hours, fare ₱350. Departure in Puerto Princesa from San Jose Bus terminal and from El Nido Bus terminal.

Oftentimes taxi drivers will try to get you on a more expensive chartered van because they receive commissions. When taking a taxi to the bus station be adamant about being dropped off at the bus terminal and not next to chartered vans.

By boat (from Coron Town and v/v)

The two mainstream choices are either the Montenegro fast ferry (3½ hours), or large outrigger boats (8 hours).

Montenegro fast ferry is a steel hull boat and leaves El Nido daily at 6AM for arrival in Coron at 9:30AM. For the return journey, departure in Coron is noon and arrival in El Nido is 3:30PM. Tickets cost ₱1760 one way, reductions for students, senior citizens and children apply.

The large outrigger boats depart most days of the week from Coron Town to El Nido and v/v. The costs vary from ₱1200 to ₱1400 and departures vary between 7:30-9AM, depending on the schedule. The journey is 8 hours and includes a hearty hot meal. These are larger comfortable bancas, built for ferrying passengers. The scenery during the trip is beautiful.

M/Bca Wave & Hannah: El Nido to Coron/Linapacan - Su W F 9AM. From Coron to El Nido/Linapacan - Tu Th Sa 9AM. ₱1400 Tel: 0949-144-1677 0916-543-5146

M/Bca Island Commander (120 passengers - two stories): El Nido to Coron Tu Su 8:30AM. Coron to El Nido M Sa 8:30AM.

Overcomer: El Nido to Coron - M 8AM, W 7:30AM, Th 8AM. Coron to El Nido - Tu 8AM, Th 7:30AM, F 8AM.
Tel: 0999-978-8564

By expedition boat El Nido to Coron Island Hopping Expedition Boat Tour
For the ultimate adventurous route, multi-day boat expeditions connect Coron and El Nido via the remote Culion and Linapacan island groups.
Trips usually run as 3D/2N or 4D/3N itineraries and include island-hopping, snorkeling pristine reefs, all meals, and overnight camping in beachfront bamboo huts (kubos) or tent camps.

See

Long boats await island hopping passengers to explore Bacuit Bay (Photo: Liisalaukkanen, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Snorkeling in the Green Lagoon, Bacuit Bay (Photo: Liisalaukkanen, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Breathtaking views of nature are the main reason to visit El Nido. The pristine waters of El Nido offer beautiful coral reefs, while its beaches are uncrowded unlike the popular Boracay, exploring the lagoons by kayaking is a great way of visiting the islets, coves and caves are also abundant. Inland El Nido, springs and waterfalls are also found. Bacuit Bay composes of limestone islands, where it's possible to either dive, snorkel or hike.

The easiest way to see the Bacuit Bay is on an island hopping boat. These boats carry 6-12 people and will visit 4 or 5 destinations in a day. These destinations include: secret beaches, blue or green lagoons, various islands, and amazing natural land-formations. The boats usually take set routes named A to D, but can vary depending on tides and weather. Each boat trip takes you to 4 or 5 different places and favorite tours are A and C, though all of them are fantastic. Boats normally cost around ₱850-1200 per person depending on the route and travel agency. The trip takes one day (cca 9AM-3:30PM), normally includes a good lunch and can be arranged from most guesthouses and travel agencies in El Nido. El Nido municipality also charges ₱400 as an Environmental and Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) which is valid 10 days. This fee is paid in cash only and is not included in any online tour booking. It's a good idea to book a boat with only 6 seats and experienced crew (e.g. at Relucio's).

If you have time, go for overnight island hopping (3 days 2 nights is a good option) where you get to camp on deserted island ala Survivor style. (Though most places you can be dropped at are included in the daily island hopping tours.) It gives you the best option to visit lots more islands that are included in those bundle package tours but at your own leisure time. Find a few more people to get a much better rate. Recommended place a booth at Aplaya Restaurant, look for Nhel who will give you the best deals and arrangements.

Do

Cultural. The Philippine Experience is an immersive adventure that offers an insight into the Philippines & its people. Reviews from guests are extremely impressive. There is a flora and fauna trek, a mini cooking course, making coconut milk and oil, coconut tree climbing, trying the national martial art and local crafts & games. Can be booked only via contact info on their website. It has scheduled dates and requires advance booking and runs from 9AM to 2:30PM and costs ₱1900 (Jan 2024).

Mountain Biking. There are numerous destinations to visit... even Nacpan beach is possible for the adventurous. Bikes range from ₱400-500 per day. Taking the budget, healthy way to see El Nido rewards travelers with routes through traditional villages along forest trails, roads and dirt tracks.

Rock climbing & walking. The western side of El Nido township lies in the shadow of an impressive sheer cliff face which is just the visible portion of an even more impressive headland. There are organized walking treks to the top of the headland and it's breathtaking views all the way.

Catch a tricycle taxi to Las Cabanas (₱150) and plonk yourself down out front of Orange Pearl Bar for a day away from the crowds on a white sandy beach and crystal waters. It's a short walk down a dirt road from where you will be dropped off.

There is also an island with some OK snorkeling which can be reached easily wading through waist deep water.

Island hopping, snorkeling, kayaking, trekking, cliff climbing; Bacuit Bay consists of islands with limestone cliffs which are ideal for climbing, diving and snorkeling; The most popular activity is island hopping costing from ₱1,200–1,500 per person for shared tours (2026), or ₱8,500–10,500 total for a private bangka charter (best value for groups of 4 or more). including BBQ lunch and snorkel gear. There are 4 basic day trips to choose from named Tour A to D and can be booked from all over town. The quality of the boat, guides & tour depends on who you book it through.

• El Dive, Hama Street, ☏ +63 999 1712915, info.eldive@gmail.com. This small dive center will offer you relaxing and long dives (departure at 8AM, come back at 4:30PM) among the colourful aquatic life of Bacuit Bay. The Japanese Yoshi Ohtsuka is the manager, he is the one who will welcome you there. He has about 20 years of experience in the diving industry, so he knows what he is talking about. The staff can speak at least English, French, Tagalog and Japanese. On

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