El Nido is located in the northern part of Palawan Island and is a popular base for exploring the paradisiacal beaches and islands of Palawan. The Bacuit Archipelago boasts dozens of islands with pristine white beaches, gigantic limestone rock formations, vibrant green lagoons, and an amazing underwater world. Unfortunately, El Nido hasn’t been a hidden gem for years and is now heavily visited by travelers. However, the places are still as beautiful as ever, and there are tricks to still have them somewhat to yourself. Curious about how to avoid the crowds and what else to do besides island hopping in El Nido? We’ve been there several times and have described all our tips, experiences and things to do in this article.
What to Do in El Nido?
While the center of El Nido may be busy, as soon as you step out of it, you’re immediately in the Asia you came here for. Therefore, explore the beautiful surroundings and use the center for entertainment in the evenings and, of course, for the many excellent restaurants you can find here. The following things, in our opinion, should not be missed when visiting El Nido.
Visit the 4-kilometer-long (2.5-mile-long) Nacpan Beach
Located a 45-minute drive from El Nido is the stunning Nacpan Beach. This is a wide sandy beach where you can sunbathe, read a book, sip a cocktail, or play a game of frisbee. There are several hotels and beach bars on Nacpan Beach where you can have lunch or stay overnight. We chose to stay for two nights at Mad Monkey hostel. This is a party hostel located directly on the beach, and if you enjoy a party, this is a very cool place. If you don’t want to stay at Nacpan Beach, it’s recommended to have lunch at Mad Monkey because the food here is very delicious.
Tip: If you want to stay at Nacpan but a party hostel is not your thing, check out Nacpan Beach Glamping. Here, you stay directly on the beach in a super beautiful and luxurious tent.
Explore the Area on a Scooter
If you have some experience riding scooters, it’s great to explore the surroundings of El Nido on a scooter. Scooters are available for rent everywhere in El Nido, and it will cost you about 500 PHP per day. Once you’re out of El Nido, you’ll find yourself amidst rice fields, palm trees, and beautiful winding roads. Beautiful beaches to visit include Duli Beach, Verde Safari Beach, and of course, Nacpan Beach.
Trade Your Flip-Flops for Shoes and Climb Taraw Cliff
Apart from the many beautiful beaches, El Nido also offers something else spectacular: Taraw Cliff. The climb to this viewpoint is definitely not for everyone. You’ll need to climb and scramble over sharp limestone rocks, sometimes ascending steeply for several meters (feet). It’s quite a challenge but very rewarding! It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to reach the top, and the hike is quite intense. It’s advisable to do this with a guide because finding the starting point on your own can be difficult, and they know the safest route. Bryan Hamora is a good guide. You can send him a message on Facebook, and then you can climb Taraw Cliff with him or one of his other guides. He provides gloves so you can grip the sharp limestone rocks while climbing. Once you reach the top, you can peacefully enjoy the beautiful view. Don’t forget to bring about 1.5 liters of water per person.
A Day of Island Hopping with the ABCD Tours
To explore the beautiful Bacuit Archipelago, there are 4 different boat tours to choose from. No matter where you book the tour, they all follow the same route. Almost everyone visiting El Nido goes on one of these tours, so you should be prepared to share the paradisiacal spots with many other people. If you’re not keen on this idea, you can opt for a private tour. These tours visit the same places but depart slightly earlier or later so that you don’t dock with 20 other boats. Make sure to specify in advance that you want to avoid the crowds.
A private tour will cost you around 8000 PHP per boat ($150), and if you join a group, you’ll spend between 1200 to 1400 PHP per person ($20 to $25). All tours last about 6 to 7 hours, and lunch is included in the price. You can book these tours anywhere in El Nido. Below, we describe the places you’ll visit on the different tours:
- El Nido Tour A: Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach.
- El Nido Tour B: Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Entalula Beach, the Cudugnon Cave, and a snorkel stop.
- El Nido Tour C: Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Star Beach, and Hidden Beach.
- El Nido Tour D: Ipil Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Beach, Natnat Beach, and Bukal Beach.
Extra Tour: Tour K by Kraken
Then there’s also tour K. This tour is by Kraken Tours, and it’s a bit different from the ABCD tours. With tour K, you can choose between 2 different tours: combining tour A and B or combining tour C and D. You depart a bit later in the morning and return during sunset. This way, they avoid the crowds, and you often dock as the only boat. Additionally, Kraken Tours’ boats are much larger than those of the ABCD tours and are equipped with a toilet, comfortable seating, and music on board. The food is incredibly good, and the staff works hard to create a pleasant atmosphere. This tour costs 3200 PHP per person ($60). In our opinion, it’s worth the extra money for a better experience!
Kayaking to Cadlao
Opposite El Nido lies Cadlao Island. From the beach of El Nido, you can kayak there. Since the boat tours mostly go to other islands, Cadlao is often quiet, allowing you to explore the various beaches of the island at your leisure. When we were there, we only had to share the beaches with a few monkeys. You can rent a kayak at Boutique & Art Café in El Nido. They rent out both transparent kayaks and regular kayaks. We opted for a transparent kayak, and although it was cool to see the corals and fish beneath us, a regular kayak is more practical. The transparent kayak sits a bit deeper in the water, making paddling heavier, especially when facing the wind. It takes about an hour to kayak from El Nido to Cadlao Island. Don’t forget to bring enough water, snacks, and sunscreen because there’s nothing on Cadlao.
Watch the Sunset at Las Cabanas Beach
Las Cabanas Beach is one of the most popular beaches in El Nido. Don’t expect a quiet beach here; instead, you’ll find many beach bars and restaurants. Nevertheless, it’s a nice beach to relax and enjoy good food for an afternoon. Also, the sunset from this beach is beautiful, and you can enjoy good cocktails at one of the swing bars on the beach!
Nightlife in El Nido
If there’s anywhere in El Nido where you can have a great evening, it’s at Pukka Bar. It’s often lively from around ten o’clock, and there’s frequently a band playing. When we were there, there was a very good reggae band playing, creating a cool atmosphere. The bar is located on the beach, and the lights don’t go out until the early hours. Although there are several bars in El Nido, this is the only place where it’s really a party every day so far. If you prefer to have a quiet drink or play beer pong without being in the midst of a partying crowd, Bar 147 is recommended.
The Expedition between El Nido and Coron
One of the coolest things to do in the Philippines is the expedition between El Nido and Coron. You sail from El Nido to Coron or vice versa and visit the most beautiful places along the route, such as paradisiacal islands and snorkeling spots. Throughout the expedition, you’re offline so you can fully enjoy all the beauty around you. During the expedition, you eat delicious fresh fish, and there are also many good options for vegetarians. You sleep in idyllic huts on deserted islands. The expedition is a must-do during your trip to the Philippines!
Shopping in El Nido
There are a few cool shops to find in El Nido with nice clothing, accessories, and souvenirs. One of the nicest shops is A Little Corner of Paradise. But the shop next to ‘Sausage with benefits’ is also cool to take a look at.
Best Restaurants in El Nido
We can say that the list of good restaurants has grown significantly in recent years. For example, you can get the healthiest vegan breakfasts or delicious lunches at Taste. Especially the fruit bowls are really delicious. Be sure to try our favorite bowl: the Detoxify Indigo. For a quick bite, you should go to Holy Smoke. This is a small Mediterranean spot where you can order wraps and sandwiches with falafel, shawarma, or kofta. All super tasty! You can choose your own vegetables and sauces from the salad bar. If you want to dine out in a cozy and romantic atmosphere, then the Italian Bella Vita is the place to be. You sit here by the water, and the restaurant is super cozy. And last but not least: the Happiness Beach Bar. Here too, they serve delicious food, and there is a cozy atmosphere. It’s nice to go here before sunset.
Our Favorite Places to Stay in El Nido
A cool hostel in El Nido is Spin Designer Hostel. The design of this luxury hostel is amazing, and there is a lot of art to be found. The large beds are super comfortable, and the shower is nice and warm. In the morning, you get a delicious breakfast included in the price. The most beautiful pool in El Nido can be found at Frendz Hostel. While you swim, you have a fantastic view of the sea and the mountains. Especially during sunset, it’s spectacular. There is a very nice atmosphere, and it’s the perfect place to make new friends. You can choose a comfortable double room or a dormitory if you have a smaller budget. Both rooms have air conditioning and comfortable beds.
  Spin Designer Hostel |
  Frendz Hostel |
