El Nido is a popular base for exploring the paradise beaches and islands of the Bacuit Archipelago. The Bacuit Archipelago has dozens of islands with powdery white beaches, gigantic limestone rock formations, bright green lagoons, and an incredible underwater world. Unfortunately, El Nido has been no secret for years and is now a popular destination for travelers. However, the places are still just as beautiful. Curious about how to avoid the crowds and what else there is to do in El Nido besides island hopping? We’ve been there several times and have described all our tips and experiences in this article.

How to Travel to El Nido?

Most people travel from Coron or Port Barton to El Nido. Below you can read how to travel from these destinations to El Nido.

What to Do in El Nido?

Here are the things we believe you shouldn’t miss when visiting El Nido.

Visit the 4-kilometer-long Nacpan Beach

Located 45 minutes from downtown El Nido, Nacpan Beach is a beautiful, sprawling, golden beach where you can sunbathe, read a book, enjoy a cocktail, or play a game of frisbee. There are a few small restaurants where you can enjoy fresh fish, grab a cold coconut, or order delicious cocktails. For a full meal, head to Sunmai Restaurant, and for the best cocktails, check out the cozy spot, Cara-Bar.

Stay at Nacpan Beach: Want to experience Nacpan Beach at its best? Book a night or two in the luxury tents at Nacpan Beach Glamping. You’ll stay in an amazing location right on the beach, surrounded by palm trees. There’s a lovely pool if you don’t feel like getting sandy. The beautiful tents come with a comfortable bed, a small fridge, and even air conditioning. Now that’s glamping!

Join the Jeepney Adventure Tour

Want to do something different than island hopping? Hop aboard this colorful jeepney tour. Jeepneys are the iconic transport of the Philippines, and during this tour, you’ll be taken on a day full of adventure and fun moments. You’ll start your day at the relaxed Lio Beach, where you can chill or challenge your travel buddies to a game of beach volleyball. The included lunch is served as a traditional ‘boodle fight,’ where local dishes are served on banana leaves, and you eat with your hands. To get into the party mood, you’ll play funny games during lunch to earn coins for drinks later in the day. A refreshing swim at a beautiful nearby waterfall is the perfect moment to cool off and unwind. You’ll end the day at Nacpan Beach with a cocktail or cold beer, enjoying the sunset. As night falls, hop back on the jeepney, which turns into a lively karaoke bar on wheels for the return journey!

Swap Your Flip Flops for Shoes and Climb Taraw Cliff

Besides the many beautiful beaches, El Nido offers something else: the spectacular Taraw Cliff. The climb to this viewpoint is definitely not for everyone as you need to climb and scramble over sharp limestone rocks, and sometimes even climb steeply for a few meters. It’s quite the challenge, but it’s worth it! It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to reach the top of Taraw Cliff, and it’s recommended to do the climb with a guide. The starting point can be hard to find, and the guide knows the best route to the top. Bryan from The Couch El Nido is a great guide for climbing Taraw Cliff. He provides gloves so you can hold onto the sharp limestone rocks while climbing. Once at the top, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful view. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water. You can message Bryan on Instagram.

Island Hopping from El Nido with ABCD Tours

To explore the beautiful Bacuit Archipelago, there are four different boat tours to choose from. It doesn’t matter which company you book with, as they all take the same route. Almost everyone visiting El Nido goes on one of these tours, so keep in mind that you’ll be sharing the paradisiacal spots with many other people. Tour A is the most popular with impressive stops like the lagoons, but these can also be the busiest spots. Tour B visits beautiful but slightly less crowded islands. Tour C is the second most popular tour with excellent snorkeling opportunities and paradisiacal beaches. Tour D visits places closer to El Nido and is underappreciated and less crowded.

• Tour A: Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach.
• Tour B: Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Entalula Beach, the Cudugnon Cave, and a snorkeling stop.
• Tour C: Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Star Beach, and Hidden Beach.
• Tour D: Ipil Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Beach, Natnat Beach, and Bukal Beach.

Watch the Sunset at Sunset at Las Cabañas

Las Cabañas Beach is one of the most popular beaches around El Nido. With great restaurants and cozy beach bars right on the beach, it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon relaxing and watching the sun set into the sea. If you come by scooter, first navigate to this location and walk through the charming street of shops and restaurants onto the beach. For the best spot to watch the sunset, walk all the way to the end of the beach at Sunset at Las Cabañas. Find a nice spot in the soft sand, order a cocktail, and let yourself be mesmerized by the sky turning shades of orange, pink, and purple.

Kayak from El Nido to Cadlao

Opposite El Nido lies the beautiful island of Cadlao, and on a calm day, you can kayak there from El Nido Beach. Since most boat tours go to other islands, Cadlao is often very quiet, and you can explore the island’s various beaches at your own pace. When we were there, we only had to share the beach with a few monkeys. You can rent a kayak at Boutique & Art Café in El Nido. It takes about an hour to kayak from El Nido to Cadlao Island when there’s little wind. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen because there are no facilities on Cadlao.

Go on an 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, visiting the most beautiful places along the route, like paradisiacal islands and snorkeling spots. During the entire expedition, you’ll be offline, so you can fully enjoy the beauty around you. During the expedition, you’ll enjoy delicious fresh fish, and there are many great options for vegetarians as well. You’ll sleep in idyllic huts on deserted islands. The expedition is a must-do during your trip to the Philippines!

Relax at Lio Beach

Just a 20-minute drive from downtown El Nido, you’ll find a beautiful wide beach with an iconic pier, called Lio Beach. Here, there’s a relaxing atmosphere and just enough to do for a perfect beach day. Explore the coastline by kayak, play some beach volleyball, or just chill in one of the cozy restaurants. If you feel like it, you can also rent a surfboard to catch the perfect wave, which is great for beginner surfers. Don’t be surprised if you occasionally see a plane or helicopter flying low, as they land at the nearby El Nido Airport.

Nightlife in El Nido

When the sun sets, El Nido’s vibrant nightlife comes to life. On C. Hama, the lively street parallel to the beach, you’ll find many cozy bars.

• SAVA Beach Bar is a fun beach bar where the evening often starts quietly, but later on, there’s usually dancing. Sometimes, there’s a live band, and other days a DJ spins the tunes.
• At The Pangolin Cocktail Bar, it’s all about perfectly mixed cocktails and a vibe that gradually builds into a party. The music ranges from funk and disco to house.
• Calamari Restobar is probably the most spontaneous party spot in El Nido. Sometimes, a microphone appears for a karaoke night that turns into a huge street party.
• Want to really let loose? Then Amigos is the place to be. This bar has a club-like atmosphere with a dance floor that never stays empty.

Tips for Great Restaurants in El Nido

• AP KALA Beach Bar & Modern Café – This is a stylish beach bar with a beautiful sea view, where you can enjoy delicious food and refreshing drinks.
• OPPA – Enjoy Korean cuisine at OPPA. This is the place for mouthwatering poké nachos and flavorful tuna tacos.
• Gorgonzola Pizza & Pasta – Known for its delicious, giant pizzas – perfect for sharing!
• Sip Sunset Lounge & Bar – A cozy beach bar where you can relax in a beanbag chair, enjoy a cocktail, and watch a magical sunset.
• Big Bad Thai Restaurant – Thai food lovers, this is the place! They serve authentic Thai dishes like spicy curries and pad thai.
• Hama Coffee – This coffee shop combines specialty coffee with delicious Asian dishes in a charming setting with views of the bay.
• Happiness Beach Bar – Experience the flavors of the Middle East and Mediterranean cuisine with dishes like falafel and hummus in a lively beach bar.
• Taste El Nido – This cozy spot offers a fully vegan menu with colorful smoothie bowls, wraps, and sandwiches.
• Bella Vita – Authentic Italian pizzas with a crispy crust, made with fresh ingredients. The pastas are delicious too!
• La Plage Restaurant & Beach Bar – At this beach bar, enjoy French dishes with an Asian twist.
• Osaka Castle El Nido Sushi & Ramen – A must-try for lovers of Japanese cuisine, with delicious sushi and flavorful ramen.

Our Favorite Spots in El Nido

One of the best places to stay in El Nido is Spin Designer Hostel. The design of this luxury hostel is amazing, and there’s fantastic art everywhere. The large beds are super comfortable, and the shower is always nice and warm. In the morning, you get a delicious breakfast included in the price. There’s also a relaxed vibe, and the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. The most beautiful pool in El Nido can be found at Frendz Hostel. While you swim laps, you’ll have an amazing view of the sea and the mountains. The view is spectacular, especially at sunset. There’s a really fun atmosphere, and it’s a great place to make new friends. You can choose from a comfortable double room or a dorm if you’re on a smaller budget. Both options have air conditioning and comfortable beds. Imagine waking up, stretching, and jumping straight into the sea for a refreshing dip. There’s no better way to start your day! At Corong Beach Resort, you can do just that because this accommodation is located directly on Corong Corong Beach, the quieter part of El Nido. It’s perfectly oriented to the sunset, so you can enjoy a beautiful color show every evening. You’ll sleep in a comfortable room with air conditioning, a hot shower, and a balcony.

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