Day 1: Arrive and Explore Town
After the long van ride from Puerto Princesa (or flight to Lio), check into your hotel and get your bearings. El Nido town is small enough to explore on foot.
Afternoon: Walk along the town beach, pay your environmental fee (P200) and eco-tourism development fee (P200) at the Tourism Office. You'll need these for all tours.
Sunset: Head to Las Cabanas Beach (15 min by tricycle, P150) for your first El Nido sunset. Grab a beanbag at one of the beach bars, order a mango shake, and watch the islands silhouette against the sky.
Dinner: Try the restaurants along Hama Street: Happiness Beach Bar for seafood, Altrove for pizza, or Art Cafe for a mix of everything.
Day 2: Tour A (The Iconic Lagoons)
The most popular tour for good reason. Tour A visits the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach.
Tips:
- Rent a kayak at Big Lagoon (P200); it's the best way to explore the back channels
- Bring water shoes for Small Lagoon, as the rocks at the entrance are sharp
- Shimizu Island has the best snorkeling on this tour, so don't skip it for more beach time
Evening: You'll be back by 4 PM. Rest up, then explore the night market on the beach for cheap barbecue and fresh seafood.
Day 3: Tour C (The Adventurous One)
Many locals consider Tour C the best tour. It visits Secret Beach, Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, and Cathedral Cave.
Highlights:
- Secret Beach: swimming through a hole in the limestone wall into a hidden paradise is genuinely magical
- Helicopter Island: the best snorkeling of all the tours. Stay in the water as long as you can
- Cathedral Cave: dramatic light beams inside if you visit around midday
Evening: Catch sunset from the town beach or walk to the viewpoint at the end of Rizal Street.
Day 4: Nacpan Beach + Duli Beach
Take a break from boats. Rent a motorbike (P500-700/day) and ride north to Nacpan Beach, a 4-kilometer stretch of golden sand that's consistently rated one of the best beaches in the Philippines.
Morning: Ride to Nacpan (30-40 minutes). Spend the morning swimming, walking the beach, and hiking to the twin beach viewpoint at the north end.
Afternoon: If you're feeling adventurous, continue north to Duli Beach (another 30 minutes). It's a surfing beach with a wild, undeveloped feel.
Sunset: Back to Nacpan for sunset. It faces west and the colors are spectacular.
Day 5: Taraw Cliff Sunrise + Free Day
Sunrise: For the ultimate El Nido experience, book a guide (P500) for a sunrise climb of Taraw Cliff. Start at 5 AM, scramble up razor-sharp limestone with ropes, and reach the top for a 360-degree panorama of the entire Bacuit Bay as the sun rises. Bring gloves.
Morning: Recover with a big breakfast and a massage (P300-400/hour at any of the town spas).
Afternoon: Last swim at the town beach, souvenir shopping, or do Tour B or D if you want one more island-hopping day.
Budget Breakdown
Here's a rough daily budget for El Nido:
- Budget (P2,000-3,000/day): Dorm bed, local eateries, group tours, tricycles
- Mid-range (P4,000-6,000/day): Private room, mix of local and tourist restaurants, tours, motorbike rental
- Comfort (P8,000+/day): Boutique hotel, nice restaurants, private boat tours
Getting There
Most travelers arrive via shared van from Puerto Princesa airport (5-6 hours, P600-800) or fly directly to Lio Airport on AirSWIFT from Manila (1h 10m, more expensive but saves a full day of travel).