Welcome to paradise – El Nido, Palawan! This trip has been at the top of my bucket list for the year, and you can imagine just how much research and preparation went into making this dream trip a reality! Join me as I take you through the ultimate itinerary and travel guide to one of the most sought-after destinations in the Philippines! Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime in El Nido!
How to Get to El Nido
Via Air
To reach El Nido from Davao City, simply book a flight with Cebu Pacific Air and select Puerto Princesa as your destination. Cebu Pacific Air has daily flights to Puerto Princesa, so it’s no hassle to book. Stay on the lookout for seat sales and promo deals for your next travel!
Via Land
From Puerto Princesa, you can book a van transfer or take a bus going to El Nido. You can now enjoy the convenience and comfort with Cherry Bus Lazy Boy Seats, complete with an onboard comfort room! Lazy Boy Seats + CR bus offer three daily trips from Puerto Princesa to El Nido at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM. You can book your seats online here.
Rates: ₱420 – Economy, ₱600 – Regular AC , ₱750 – Lazyboy w/ CR
Where to Stay in El Nido
Lime Hotels and Resorts – We stayed overnight in their Deluxe Room with a balcony and sea view, which also included a sumptuous buffet breakfast. The rooms were sleek and modern. One highlight was their infinity pool, offering stunning views of the surrounding islands. Waking up to this paradise view from our window was truly unforgettable. For bookings, click here.
- Rates: Room starts at ₱5000+ depending on the dates and room type.
- Personal rating: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Location: Sitio Lugadia, Brgy. Corong Corong, El Nido, Palawan
Sitio Siblatan Tourist Inn – Immerse yourself in a unique and laid-back El Nido experience away from the crowds at Sitio Sibaltan located just an hour away from the town. Here, you can try kiteboarding lessons, Filipino cuisine cooking classes, cultural tours, island hopping around Sibaltan and Linapacan, and more. It’s the perfect escape for those seeking a different pace in El Nido.
- Rates: Hammocks starts at ₱300. Contact +639165469125 or visit their FB page for bookings.
- Personal rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Location: Sibaltan , El Nido, Philippines
Coral Cliff Hotel – A budget friendly hotel located in the heart of town. They can help arrange your van pick-up from Puerto Princesa airport, other island hopping tours, and transportation around El Nido. Kudos to the friendly staff at Coral Cliff!
- Rates: Room + breakfast starts at ₱2700. Contact +639694540341 or visit their FB page for bookings.
- Personal rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Location: Calle Real, Brgy. Masagana, El Nido, Palawan, El Nido, Philippines
7-Days Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in El Nido
Upon arrival in El Nido town, settle into your chosen accommodation. If you’re looking for budget-friendly options and convenient access to restaurants, cafes, and bars, staying in the town proper is recommended.
On your first day, book a day tour at El Nido Bayview Resort for a breathtaking sunset experience and a swim in their iconic “sea of stars” infinity pool. Entrance fee is ₱1,500, where you’ll have access to the pool, light meals, and enjoy happy hour with buy-one-get-one cocktails at the pool bar from 5 PM to 8 PM.
Day 2: Adventure Day hiking El Nido’s Taraw Cliff Canopy Walk
Get ready for an action-packed day filled with adventure, breathtaking views, and plenty of hiking! Before reaching the top of Taraw Cliff in El Nido, you’ll traverse a hanging bridge, steep metal stairs, and pathways among cliffs and trees. This adventure isn’t for the faint-hearted, but despite the short 15-20 minute climb, if you’re afraid of heights, it’ll be a challenge. However, the effort is entirely worth it once you get to the top with an incredible view. Book a guided tour with El Nido Taraw Via Ferrata / Canopy for an unforgettable experience.
- Rates: ₱400 – Hanging bridge + Viewdeck
- ₱400 – Dreamcatcher
- ₱700 – Hanging bridge, Viewdeck, Dreamcatcher
Day 3: Island Hopping Tour A
See the most iconic spots in El Nido with Tour A covering Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Payong-Payong Beach, Shimizu Island and Seven Commando Beach. The tour package comes with packed unch. Book this tour via Klook for ₱1,200. Get 5% off on your Klook bookings with code KATECINDY5OFF.
- Additional Payments exclusive of tour fee
- ₱200 – Environmental Fee
- ₱200 – Lagoon Entrace Fee
- Rates of Kayak at the Big Lagoon
- ₱300 – Regular Kayak
- ₱500 – Crystal Kayak
Don’t forget to pack Aqua Shoes. While you can rent them for ₱100 pesos, it’s better to bring your own as some areas are rocky. You can also bring your own snorkel; there are plenty of great snorkeling spots. Bring a water tumbler and snacks for the whole-day tour. While the package includes lunch, you might want some refreshments throughout the day. There are sari-sari stores in some islands, but the prices tend to be high. We found ourselves paying ₱150 for 3 pieces of Kwek-kwek, ₱80 each for bottled water and a Coke can, and ₱150 for a Magnum ice cream.
Pro tip: Stick with the regular kayak at Big Lagoon. Avoid the Crystal Kayak; it’s difficult to control and prone to tipping over. If you’re set on the Crystal Kayak for the gram and you don’t know how to row, hire a local guide for assistance.
Day 4: Beach Hopping at Lio Beach and Marimegmeg Beach
We had a free day and decided to spend it at Lio Beach. Admission is free, but transportation from the town proper to Lio Beach costs ₱450 one way for two people via tricycle. Lio Beach is a must-visit, offering a close-up view of airplanes landing at Lio Airport. Lounge chairs are also available for free on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are several restaurants and shops nearby. We were so lucky it wasn’t crowded when we visited. This is definitely one of my favorite spots in El Nido.
Marimegmeg Beach, as shown in the fourth photo, is lined with many beach shack bars and restaurants. While it is relatively close to the town, it tends to get crowded easily. Conveniently situated near Vanilla Beach, it offers easy access to various shops and even includes a McDonald’s.
Day 5: Island Hopping in Linapacan – Palawan’s beautiful hidden gem
Departing from Sibaltan, we took a boat ride for over an hour to reach Linapacan, a group of islands between Coron and El Nido. Islands we explored in Linapacan: Rawis Beach, perfect for snorkeling. Magransing Island with a stunning sandbar, and Banga Bangan Island.
Linapacan is truly a gem with some of the clearest, bluest waters I’ve ever seen in the Philippines. We were delighted to have the entire island to ourselves, feeling like “Castaways” from the movie. If you are looking for a break from the crowded tourist spots in El Nido, I highly recommend checking out Linapacan for an unspoiled experience of Palawan islands.
Day 6 Relaxation at ANGKLA Beach Club & Boutique Resort
For just ₱1000 per person, the day tour rate was fully consumable on food, drinks, and other services, allowing us to unwind at ANGKLA Beach Club & Boutique Resort. We had complimentary access to the pool and comfortable bean bags on the beach, complete with umbrellas.
The food was excellent, and the serving portions were generous, perfect for sharing! Nacpan Beach quickly rose to the top of my list as my favorite spot in El Nido. It’s an absolute must-visit for anyone traveling in Palawan. The beach stretches so far that it takes over 2 hours to walk to the end and back. The sand is incredibly powdery, and the water is crystal clear and super blue. I feel like I’m looking at a painting while staring at the sea.
Nacpan beach is located in the north of El Nido and it is about 17km from center. To reach Angkla Resort in Nacpan, you have a few transportation options:
Rates: ₱700 per person for roundtrip van transfer with hotel pick-up and drop-off. ₱400-500 for a one-day motorbike rental.
Day 7: Departure from El Nido
Departing from El Nido back to Puerto Princesa for our Cebu Pacific flight back to Davao, we took the 11AM Cherry Bus Lazy Boy. Highly recommend Cherry Bus for ease of travel and comfort, and you can book your seats in advance too.
After spending a week in El Nido, I grew to love it even more. I can’t wait to come back and see more of Palawan. The Philippines is such a beautiful country, and I appreciate it more every day.
Helpful Travel Tips
How to Commute: OnTheWay App for hailing tricycles in Puerto Princesa
In Puerto Princesa, Grab taxi or car delivery services are not available yet. Keep in mind that the Irawan Terminal, where the Cherry Bus will drop you off, is quite a distance from the airport. Therefore, you’ll need to hail a tricycle or book one in advance. This is made convenient with the OnTheWay App. Experience the convenience of ride-sharing in Puerto Princesa where you can book tricycles, motorcycles, and cars for transportation.
How to avoid food-poisoning in El Nido:
Avoid drinking tap water or beverages with ice from non-reputable restaurants and cafes. Unfortunately, the drinking water in the El Nido area is notoriously unsafe, often causing severe illness in visitors. When dining out, opt for bottled water and inquire about the source of water used for washing raw vegetables and making ice.
Essentials to bring:
Invest in a good dry bag. It’s a lifesaver for your gadgets. As someone who experienced a fall from a crystal kayak, I can attest that all our phones and cameras remained safe! You can purchase one for around ₱500 for a 15L bag in El Nido or buy it online in advance.
I hope these tips are helpful in planning your unforgettable trip to El Nido. Lastly, let’s do our part in preserving the beauty of our country. With the influx of tourists, let’s leave nothing behind but memories and a clean environment. Safe travels and enjoy every moment!
Stay tuned for the next blog, where I’ll share recommendations on where to eat and other activities you can do in El Nido. Until then, happy travels and enjoy exploring this paradise destination!
Read my Blog
Glowing Naturally with White Glow: My Honest Review
As a skincare enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for good, quality brands. Recently, I found out about this Davao homegrown brand – White Glow. They have been in the market since 2019 and have become a cult favorite among many Davaoeñas. People rave about it and it has steadily gained recognition among Davao locals…
The Only Mathematics I Love: Ed Sheeran +–=÷× Tour
Ed Sheeran’s albums have been one of the soundtracks of my high school and college. The very first songs that made me a fan were ‘The A Team’ ‘Give Me Love’ from his Plus album. Until today, I still find it cool that his album titles are mathematical symbols, although I hate math.
5 Must-Have Essentials That Every Traveler Needs
Are you traveling anytime soon? I’ve listed some of my favorite travel essentials that I personally swear by. Get yourself these affordable travel accessories to stay organized. (Links included in the photos!)
Leevin Life 
Leave a reply to Vanya Wryter Consulting Cancel reply