Trying to plan an El Nido itinerary that you won’t forget soon? With so many different island hopping tours to choose from, as well as epic activities on land, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
However, that’s also the beauty of visiting El Nido.
There’s so much to do that there’s something for everyone, whether it’s kayaking on lagoons, snorkelling, discovering ‘secret’ beaches, or trying the via ferrata.
If you’ve been looking forward to your El Nido trip for a while, I’m sure that you want to make sure that you spend your time and money wisely.
That’s why I have created this El Nido itinerary to help you choose the best activities for you – and outline why you might want to do one thing over the other.
I’ve visited El Nido twice in the past five years, so I’ve explored quite widely.
If you’re exploring more of Palawan, feel free to use my guide to island hopping in Palawan to help you plan the rest of your trip.
My Coron travel itinerary should also be helpful if you’re headed there next.
Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. If you decide to click through and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you – thanks for your support.
QUICK INFORMATION
Best time to visit: November to May
How to get there: Direct flight from Manila
Should You Visit El Nido?
First things first, should you visit El Nido?
If you’re a fan of island hopping (or at least the concept of it), the answer is yes.
El Nido town is surrounded by islands and islets with limestone cliffs, hidden beaches, lagoons and white-sand beaches.
Big Lagoon
That being said, El Nido is incredibly popular. Between December and May, it is very crowded with tourists. Most likely, they will be hoping to do the same activities as you.
Ultimately, I prefer Coron to El Nido because it is less busy and slightly cheaper. You can also see more shipwrecks in the area around Coron.
That being said, I would still visit El Nido because its scenery is more dramatic overall than Coron’s (especially Big Lagoon and Secret Beach).
Secret Beach
To quickly summarise, you will probably enjoy a trip to El Nido if you like the idea of:
- Snorkelling
- Kayaking over lagoons
- Discovering ‘secret’ and ‘hidden’ beaches
- Relaxing on white-sand beaches
- Travelling by a traditional bangka boat
- Hiking and Via Ferrata routes (the Taraw Cliffs!)
- Visiting coffee shops and trying Filipino cuisine
That being said, you will need to put up with a few crowds if you visit during high season.
How Many Days Do You Need in El Nido?
The last time I visited El Nido, I spent over a week in the town.
However, you only need three to five days for your El Nido itinerary.
My trip was much more slow-paced, as I was relaxing around the town and getting some writing done in the coffee shops.
There are four main island hopping tours in El Nido: A, B, C and D.
These depart at 8am and take up one full day.
Therefore, if you want to do all four tours, you need to plan to stay in El Nido for at least four days.
Most people only do two or three tours.
To climb the Taraw Cliffs, you also need an extra day because the via ferrata route is only open for bookings from 8am to 4pm. This clashes with the timings of the island tours.
It’s also worth mentioning that many of these activities are physically demanding, so rest days can be helpful if you struggle with lots of physical activity.
How to Get to El Nido
Getting to El Nido is easy if you fly from Manila or Cebu.
There are direct flights to El Nido Airport from both cities. Then, the airport is a 15-minute taxi ride from the main town.
A flight from Manila to El Nido only takes one hour and 30 minutes.
If you are visiting Coron before El Nido, then you can either take a direct flight or the ferry.
A flight from Coron to El Nido takes just 40 minutes and costs 3,500 – 4,400 PHP(£45 – £65).
The ferry from Coron takes around five hours. While it’s cheaper, it is notorious for causing seasickness.
You can easily book the ferry online via 12Go. You can use the widget below to check the availability.
The best way to reach El Nido, in my experience, is to take one of Palawan’s famous island-hopping expeditions from Coron, run by Big Dream Boatman and Tao Philippines.
Island hopping between Coron and El Nido
These expeditions last several days and explore a remote area of Palawan called Linapacan.
At night, you get to glamp in bamboo huts on remote islands. By day, you travel on a traditional bangka boat, stopping at coral reefs and empty islands.
I’ve done the route twice, and it’s truly incredible. I hope to go back again very soon.
If you need more information on these routes, feel free to check out my detailed guide on how to get from Coron to El Nido.
A Short History of El Nido
El Nido was likely inhabited by indigenous tribes, as fossils dating back to 2680 BC have been found. However, it has a long history of colonisation.
During the 16th century, Palawan was colonised by Spain. This is where the Spanish name ‘El Nido’ comes from.
It means ‘the nest’ in Spanish (likely a reference to birds’ nests in the limestone cliffs above the town).
Throughout the 19th century, different forces, including America and Japan, occupied El Nido. The Japanese were eventually defeated in 1945.
Tourism began to grow in the ’80s and ’90s, with folks attracted to the remote location and island hopping activities.
Where to Stay in El Nido
The first time I visited El Nido was in 2018. Back then, there were limited places to stay.
However, that’s not the case anymore, as it is a busy tourist town with hotels, guesthouses, and luxury hotels.
El Nido is also famous for its luxury island resorts, such as the Cauayan Island Resort and Spa and Matinloc Resort. The former is very famous among honeymooners.
I was on a budget when I visited El Nido for the second time, so I stayed at the town’s popular Frendz Hostel.
Meeting other backpackers at Frendz was effortless, as it has a rooftop pool and a social downstairs space with a coffee shop.
Frendz Hostel El Nido (£££)
I stayed here!
The Funny Lion (£££)
Cauayan Island Resort and Spa (£££)
Best for a special occasion
El Nido Itinerary: Things to Do and See
My first piece of advice for your El Nido itinerary is to work out what you really want to do.
Are you in El Nido to go island-hopping, to relax, or to splash out on a special occasion? Do you want to see the most famous sights or explore a more remote area?
I’m going to list all of the main things to do in El Nido, and who they suit best, so you can decide what’s worth your time.
1. Take an island-hopping expedition to Coron
If you adore exploring areas that are outside of the traditional routes (like me), then you must take the Big Dream Boatman expedition.
Lasting for several nights, these expeditions explore the remote area of Linapacan between Coron and El Nido.
As they cover the route between El Nido and Coron, they’re a great add-on to the end of your El Nido itinerary or as your form of transport from Coron to El Nido.
Linapacan is my favourite part of Palawan because it’s full of uninhabited islands and colourful coral reefs, and it doesn’t have any crowds.
The expeditions cater to a small group. They travel on a traditional bangka boat, stopping at coral reefs throughout the day and remote islands with bamboo glamping huts at night.
Big Dream Boatman expedition
The Big Dream Boatman expeditions last for four nights and three days. They cost $649 (or $599 on sale), which equates to under $165 per night. Accommodation (bamboo huts), meals and snorkelling activities are all included.
Rightly so, their tours are very popular, so I’d recommend reserving your spot as early as possible.
Check the availability on the Big Dream Boatman website.
2. Take an island-hopping tour
The island hopping tours are the reason why many people come to El Nido.
They are labelled A, B, C and D. Each tour route is very different
If you’re short on time, I’ve provided a quick summary below. However, for a more in-depth breakdown of each tour, check out my guide to choosing the best El Nido tour.
Tour A: Best for visiting El Nido’s lagoons
Take Tour A if you want to visit El Nido’s famous lagoons.
Big Lagoon
Secret Lagoon
Tour A is the most popular tour in El Nido (shortly followed by Tour C). So, its main downfall is that it can be very crowded.
It visits Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, followed by Seven Commandos Beach and Shimizu Island.
Check the availability for Tour A.
Tour B: Best for relaxation
Tour B is the most relaxing tour in El Nido. It’s not as popular as tours A and C, so it’s also less crowded.
If you’re in El Nido to relax, this is a wise choice.
Snake Island
Tour B only visits beaches, so if you think you’ll be bored relaxing on beaches most of the day, it’s not the tour for you.
It visits the famous sand bar at Snake Island, as well as Pinagbuyutan Island and Popolkan Island.
It also stops at Cudugnon Cave, a neolithic burial site.
Check the availability for Tour B.
Tour C: Best for visiting El Nido’s ‘secret’ beaches
If you like the idea of discovering ‘secret’ beaches, Tour C should be your first pick.
I feel that there should be a disclaimer after ‘secret’, because these spots are not as secret as they once must have been.
However, it’s true that Hidden Beach and Secret Beach are either fully or partially concealed by rocks. That adds a surprise element to the tour.
Secret Beach
Hidden Beach
Helicopter Island
Tour C also visits Helicopter Island, one of my favourite beaches in El Nido, and Tapiutan Beach.
Check the availability for Tour C.
Tour D: Best for visiting a less crowded lagoon
Tour D is a nice alternative to Tour A.
It visits Small Lagoon, which is less-crowded than Big Lagoon on Tour A.
Small Lagoon
It also visits the lagoon on Cadlao Island, another lesser-known spot.
Finally, Tour D offers some beach time at Pasandigan Beach, Nat Nat Beach and Paradise Beach.
Overall, it should be less crowded and more relaxing than Tour A.
However, you may find Small Lagoon underwhelming if you have already visited Big Lagoon on Tour A.
Check the availability for Tour D.
3. Rent a private boat to explore El Nido at your own pace
Renting a private boat is the best way to explore El Nido.
Most private boats will cover the routes for tours A, B, C or D. However, some also offer a flexible schedule if you want to request an additional stop or skip something.
The private tours generally cater for up to three people. The total cost is split between all three participants.
You also have the option of taking a speedboat tour (the quickest) or a yacht cruise (the most luxurious).
For example, this day-long yacht cruise has rave reviews, as it visits less touristic sites including Dibuluan Island and Lagen Island.
4. Climb the Taraw Cliffs
Aside from island hopping, climbing the Taraw Cliffs is my favourite activity in El Nido.
The dramatic limestone cliffs tower over the town, looking out over the port and the surrounding islands.
Recently, locals built a via ferrata route to the top of the cliffs. Before this, the only way to get to the top was to climb – an activity that led to several people getting injured.
The via ferrata route is only open from 8am to 5am and requires an advance booking, so you won’t be able to do it on the same day as one of the island hopping tours.
Check the availability online for the Taraw Via Ferrata.
5. Try the Las Cabañas Beach zipwire
The Las Cabañas Beach zipwire is an underrated activity near El Nido. The beach area is only a 20-minute tricycle ride from El Nido town.
It has a wide, sandy bay and a small shopping area with coffee shops, a modern gym and restaurants.
The zipwire (20 minutes’ walk from the mall) is located at the top of a steep hill. It extends from the hilltop to the island on the opposite end of the bay.
After doing the zipwire, we were told to walk back to the main beach across a sand bar.
The zipwire isn’t very fast, so even if you’re nervous about trying it, it’s not that scary. In all, it was a fun activity for a slower-paced day!
6. Visit the local waterfalls or Napcan Beach
There is so much to see within driving distance of El Nido, including a handful of waterfalls.
If you don’t want to rent a scooter to explore off your own steam, the Beyond El Nido jeepney tour is very popular.
The tour starts by visiting Lio Beach, a long sandy beach. I stayed at a resort here in 2018, and it’s one of the nicest resort beaches I’ve ever visited.
It then visits the Bulalacao Waterfalls, a popular waterfall in the countryside where you can go wild swimming.
The last stop is Napcan Beach.
I also visited Napcan Beach on my last day in El Nido, and while it’s popular glamping resort draws many people to stay overnight, it’s a nice spot for some beach cocktails and food.
7. Get a massage
I visited The Organic Spa El Nido three times during my one-week stay in El Nido town.
It’s located on the main road next to the beach, making it very easy to get to.
Their hilot (traditional) massages were divine.
9. Go diving
While Coron is best known for diving, El Nido shouldn’t be underestimated. Sealife in the area includes turtles, eagle rays, groupers and reef sharks.
There are a handful of PADI diving schools in El Nido. However, the best-rated according to Google Reviews, are 200 Bar Diving Centre and Tabanker Divers.
El Nido Itinerary for 2 – 5 Days
By now, you should have a good idea of which activities you really want to do.
I’ve written out some ideas for an El Nido itinerary for two to five days, but feel free to chop and change things as you want to.
El Nido Itinerary 2 Days
If you only have two days in El Nido, you will probably want to do either one or two island hopping tours.
If you only do one tour, you can spend the second day exploring in land, either by climbing the Taraw Cliffs and visiting Las Cabanas beach (for the zipwire) or taking the Beyond El Nido jeepney tour.
- Day 1: Take island hopping tour A, B, C or D.
- Day 2: Try a second island-hopping tour or explore inland (options include the Taraw Via Ferrata, Las Cabanas zipwire, Lio Beach, Napcan Beach or a jeepney tour).
El Nido Itinerary 3 Days
With three days in El Nido, you have an additional day to go island-hopping or explore inland.
You may also want to go diving instead of doing a third day of island hopping.
- Day 1: Take island hopping tour A, B, C or D.
- Day 2: Choose a second island hopping tour or try diving.
- Day 3: Explore inland, starting the day with the Taraw Via Ferrata.
El Nido Itinerary 5 Days
Five days affords you the most freedom.
With five days, you could complete all four island-hopping tours and still have time to spend a day exploring on land (perhaps with a visit to Napcan Beach).
Alternatively, spend a couple of days in El Nido, and head off on the Big Dream Boatman expedition to Coron.
- Day 1: Take Tour A (or the less crowded alternative, Tour D).
- Day 2: It’s time for Tour C to explore El Nido’s ‘secret’ beaches.
- Day 3: Either start your Big Dream Boatman expedition or explore in land.
- Day 4 and 5: Finish up with some more island hopping tours, or try diving instead.
I hope you found my El Nido itinerary useful!
El Nido is truly incredible, so I’m certain that you’ll enjoy your trip. If you’re exploring more of Palawan, I have a large collection of blog posts that will help you to plan your trip.
Continue reading if you’d like…
Suggested reading:
- Island hopping in Palawan – start here to plan your trip!
- The best El Nido tour – A, B, C or D?
- Coron travel itinerary
- The best Coron island hopping tours – A, B, C or D?
- The best ways to get from Coron to El Nido
- How to get to Coron Palawan by air, ferry and taxi.
- Puerto Princesa itinerary
- What to wear in Palawan + free island hopping packing list!