El Nido

Location: El Nido is located in the northern tip of Palawan island, in the Mimaropa region of the Philippine.

Reason to visit: A great place for island-hopping lovers, and it is a place where you can experience the beauty and wonder of nature.

Transportation: The easiest way to get to El Nido is by air, as there are direct flights from Manila and Cebu to El Nido Airport, which is about 6 kilometers from the town center. You can also fly to Puerto Princesa and take a bus or a van to El Nido, which takes about 5 to 6 hours. Once you are in El Nido, you can get around by tricycle, motorcycle, or bicycle, which are available for rent in the town. You can also hire a boat to take you to the islands and beaches.

Duration: The duration of your visit depends on your preferences and budget, but we recommend spending at least 2 days in El Nido to enjoy its beauty and diversity. You can spend one day for one of island-hopping routes, and another day for relaxing or exploring the town and its surroundings.

Best time to travel: The best time to travel to El Nido is from November to May, which is the dry season and the peak season. The weather is sunny and pleasant, and the water is clear and calm. 

El Nido is a first-class municipality and natural reserve in Palawan province, Philippines. It is about 420 kilometers from Manila and 238 kilometers from Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan. El Nido is famous for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs, limestone cliffs, and diverse wildlife. It was ranked as the most beautiful beach in the world by Conde Nast Traveler magazine in 2021. El Nido has rich natural resources and ecosystems, and was praised by CNNGo as "the best beach and island destination in the Philippines.

Island-Hopping Trip: A Must-Do in El Nido 

El Nido is an administrative region made up of more than 40 islands, so one of the most popular activities in El Nido is island-hopping. There are four main island-hopping routes to choose from, each with its own highlights and attractions. You can book a tour with a local operator or rent a boat and customize your own itinerary. Here are the four routes we recommended:

►Route A: Small Lagoon-Big Lagoon-Secret Lagoon-Seven Commando Beach-Simizu Island.

This is the most popular and recommended route, as it covers some of the most iconic spots in El Nido, such as the Small Lagoon and the Big Lagoon, where you can kayak or swim in the turquoise water surrounded by towering limestone formations. You will also visit the Secret Lagoon, which is accessible through a small hole in the rocks, and the Simizu Island, where you can relax on the white sand and snorkel among colorful fish and corals. At Seven Commando Beach, although there are no snorkeling places around, it is a great point to enjoy the sunset. Here in addition to the blue sea and blue sky, there are also vendors selling drinks on the beach, you can buy some cold drinks here, sunbathe, enjoy your holiday.

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►Route B: Pangulasian Island-Cudognon Cave-Cathedral Cave-Snake Island-Pinagbuyutan

One of the highlights of the B-line island-hopping tour is snorkeling and taking beautiful photos. There is a place in the waters of Pangulasian Island that is especially suitable for snorkeling. The water here is not deep, clear and bright, and the corals are beautiful. The fish swim freely among the corals, and you will definitely like it if you love snorkeling. But the current here is very obvious, surging, and if you are not careful, you will drift to one side with the current, so you must pay attention to safety and do it according to your ability. Another highlight is to experience the original beauty on Snake Island. There is a shallow beach that stretches continuously, looming, like a snake swimming in the sea, so it is named Snake Island. This is a good place to take wedding photos.

►Route C: Secret Beach-Hidden Beach-Matinloc Shrine-Star Beach-Helicopter Island

This route is for those who love adventure and mystery, as it takes you to some of the most secluded and hidden beaches in El Nido, such as the Secret Beach and the Hidden Beach, which are both surrounded by high cliffs and can only be reached by swimming through narrow openings in the rocks. These spots are hard to find without guidance, especially the Secret Beach, and even if the guide drives the boat to the entrance, you may not notice it, which shows how hidden it is. This spot is affected by the sea level a lot, and if the waves are big and the water is high, the guide will cancel this spot according to the situation, because it is very inconvenient to enter and exit once the water is over the top of the hole, and people who are not familiar with the terrain can easily get stuck by the rocks, which is unsafe. This route is also the farthest sea area that you can reach in the El Nido island-hopping tour, because beyond the mountains is the vast sea, and you can see nothing but the sky and the sea in your sight. The biggest joy in this route is to climb the Matinloc peak and look at the beautiful scenery ahead, which is panoramic and stunning. On the way of Route C, you will see the crystal-clear water, the wide sea, and the beautiful corals that will make you want to jump into the sea and experience it right away. Finally, the Star Beach and Helicopter Island are ideal for snorkeling and sunbathing.

►Route D: Small Lagoon-Nat Nat Beach-Cadlao Lagoon-Pasandigan Cove-Paradise Beach-Ipil Beach

D-line is also called the offshore line, which allows you to cruise around this sea area in less than 10 minutes from the shore. This route is mainly for sightseeing the beaches of El Nido Island, and the most prominent scenery is the Cadlao Lagoon, which is a long and shallow beach. The narrow and long terrain is suitable for swimming and kayaking. You can choose this route if you love beaches and leisure vacations.

Other top things to do in El Nido

Hike Taraw Peak

If you are up for a challenge, you can hike Taraw Peak, the highest point in El Nido town. The hike is not for the faint-hearted, as it involves climbing steep and sharp limestone rocks. However, the reward is worth the effort, as you will be greeted by a breathtaking view of the town, the bay, and the islands. The hike takes about an hour to reach the summit, and another hour to descend. Make sure to wear proper shoes, bring water, and hire a guide for safety.

Visit Nacpan Beach

Nacpan Beach is one of the best beaches in El Nido, and arguably in the Philippines. It is a long stretch of golden sand, fringed by coconut trees and turquoise water. It is less crowded than the beaches in the town, and offers a serene and relaxing atmosphere. You can swim, surf, sunbathe, or just enjoy the scenery. You can also visit the nearby Calitang Beach, which is connected to Nacpan Beach by a sandbar. Together, they form the Twin Beaches, which are a sight to behold.

Explore the Mangrove Ecopark

The Mangrove Ecopark is a conservation project that aims to protect and restore the mangrove forest in El Nido. It is a place where you can learn about the importance and benefits of mangroves, as well as the local culture and history. You can take a guided tour of the ecopark, where you can walk on a bamboo boardwalk, see different species of mangroves, birds, and fish, and visit a traditional house and a museum. You can also join a mangrove planting activity, or rent a kayak or a stand-up paddle board to explore the mangrove river.