Looking for honest El Nido travel tips? Here’s exactly how to make the most of your Philippines trip, from island hopping and beaches to restaurants and where to stay in town.
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El Nido, on the northern tip of Palawan, is one of those places that really does live up to the photos.
The limestone cliffs, bright blue lagoons, and island beaches feel like you’ve stumbled into a movie set.
But it’s all real.
We’ve visited over 50 countries, and the Philippines had been on our list for years.
We finally spent a week there in May, exploring Palawan, Cebu, and Bohol, and El Nido was a highlight for us.
If you’re planning your first trip, this blog will help you get started with honest tips on when to go, how to get there, where to stay (we genuinely loved Sea Cocoon Hotel), plus a few places to eat and the activities worth your time.
And don’t skip the local trikes.
These colorful motorcycle sidecars are how you’ll get just about everywhere, and catching a ride in them is part of the El Nido experience.
If you’re deciding what to prioritize, the guide makes it easy. → Explore Philippines Travel Guide
How to Get to El Nido
The easiest way is to fly directly into El Nido Airport (ENI). It’s the most convenient option but flights can be pricey.
Many people choose to fly into Puerto Princesa instead and then take a 5–6 hour shared van ride up to El Nido town.
The van costs around ₱600–₱700 PHP per person (about $10–$12 USD), so flying into Puerto Princesa is a good budget-friendly option if you don’t mind the drive.
For context, we flew about 1.5 hours from Cebu to Puerto Princesa for $46 USD per person, and then later flew out of El Nido Airport to Bohol for $98 USD per person, so you can weigh the convenience vs. cost depending on your route.
When to Visit
- Dec–Feb: Peak season. Cool, dry, and lively.
- Mar–May: Hot sun, calm waters, hardly any rain. Amazing for island hopping.
- Jun–Aug: Fewer crowds, scattered showers, great underwater visibility.
- Sep–Nov: Mixed weather but lower prices and less crowded beaches.
Where to Stay: Our Experience at Sea Cocoon Hotel
When we started planning our El Nido trip, we knew we wanted to stay in the heart of town so we could walk everywhere — beach, restaurants, trike rides — all within a few minutes.
We ended up booking Sea Cocoon Hotel, and I genuinely can’t recommend it enough.
The rooms are comfortable, clean, and air-conditioned, which you’ll really appreciate after a long day in the sun.
The WiFi was fast enough for us to work when we needed to, which isn’t always a given on the islands.
We also loved having the pool to cool off in between island hopping days.
One of my favorite parts was the Sky Cocoon Café, where breakfast is included every morning.
The food was so good you’ll want to come back for lunch, dinner, and drinks, too.
Another bonus is that you can book all your island tours right through the hotel which is convenient when you don’t want to waste time figuring things out in town.
But what really stood out was the staff.
Everyone was so kind and helpful, they made us feel at home from the moment we arrived.
If you’re looking for a good value stay that’s right in the center of El Nido with everything you need, Sea Cocoon is it.
Check Sea Cocoon Hotel’s site for availability and current rates. This is one of those places you’ll be glad you booked in advance.
Where to Eat
Big Bad Thai — Great Thai food and an upstairs balcony with views of the beach. They accept cash only, so plan for that. Check their menu for current prices here.
Aubrie’s Plant-Based Vegan Cuisine — A great pick for vegan and vegetarian travelers, right in the town square with great aesthetics. They also accept credit cards, which isn’t all that common in El Nido. Check their menu for current prices here.
Oppa Kitchen — A personal favorite for us. It’s a small Korean-fusion spot with fast service. The crab kimchi roll was incredible. They accept cards too. Check their menu for current prices here.
RELATED ARTICLE: Scalp Spa in Korea Full Review
Top 3 Things to Do in El Nido
Island Hopping Tours
El Nido is famous for its island hopping. It’s the #1 thing to do here for a reason.
There are four main tours (A, B, C, and D) that each includes stops at lagoons, beaches, snorkeling spots, and usually a BBQ lunch.
They last around 6 hours.
Here’s a quick look at what you get:
- Tour A — Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Miniloc Island, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach (this is the tour we went with).
- Tour B — Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Cudugnon Cave, plus lunch on the beach.
- Tour C — Helicopter Island, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Talisay Beach.
- Tour D — Cadlao Island, Pasandingan Beach, Small Lagoon, Natnat Beach.
Most people choose Tours A or C for first-time visits since they’re the most photogenic.
Regular tour price starts at ~$23 USD per person.
If you want a more private experience, you can book a custom boat for the day, but expect to pay about double.
Nacpan Beach
Every time we asked locals what beach we had to see, they said Nacpan.
It’s about 45 minutes away by trike and cost us ₱1700 pesos (~$30 USD) round trip, and worth every peso.
The long stretch of soft sand and crystal-clear water away from the main strip made us feel like we had our own piece of paradise.
Spend a day here, grab a drink, and just relax.
Las Cabañas (Vanilla Beach)
This is the best place to catch the sunset in El Nido. Come before golden hour so you can find a good spot on the beach or at one of the beach bars.
We loved watching the sky turn every shade of pink and orange.
You don’t want to miss this one. It costs ~$8 USD to get to this beach if you hire a trike, and is about 15 minutes outside of El Nido Town.
Final Thoughts
El Nido is one of those places that somehow lives up to the hype, but it’s way better when you show up with a plan.
If you want everything organized in one place (where to stay, what to book, the best island hopping choices, plus our real recommendations), we put it all inside our Explore Philippines Travel Guide so you can spend less time figuring it out and more time enjoying it.
