I fell in love with El Nido on my recent trip to the Philippines, it is absolutely stunning. It is situated to the north of the island Palawan, and I was absolutely blown away by the crystal clear turquoise waters, dramatic limestone cliffs and white sandy beaches. It is a a great place to visit for a bit of adventure or for some relaxation in a tropical paradise.

Getting There From Manila

There are several ways to get to El Nido from Manila, which all depend on your preference and budget. The most efficient method is to take a direct flight to El Nido Airport, which takes about one hour and twenty minutes. There are daily flights with airlines such as AirSWIFT and Philippine Airlines. You can check Trip.com for flight schedules. An alternative and more cost effective route, but longer, is to fly into Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan, and then take a van to complete the journey to El Nido, which takes about five to six hours.

I experienced both routes on my trip. I initially flew from Manila to El Nido airport, and then took a tuk tuk to the hotel, which was approximately 10 minutes, so very convenient. The cost of the flight however was $132, compared to the flight I took from Puerto Princesa on the return trip to Manila, which cost $48, plus the cost of the van to the airport which was $12, so all in all a lot cheaper. However, the van journey wasn't that enjoyable, as it was full, so was a very cramped 6 hour trip. Plus the drivers can be very erratic, so can be a bit of an anxious journey!

Top Things To Do In El Nido

1. Island Hopping Tours: You can spend a day exploring the many gorgeous lagoons, hidden beaches and snorkel spots with tours A, B, C, and D. Each tour offers a slightly different itinerary, but I wouldn't get too hung up on which tour is best, as each one offers a magical experience. When I went Tour A certainly seemed to be the most popular, but I chose to do Tour D as I liked the idea of going with a slightly smaller group and I had an absolutely amazing time from start to finish. The lagoons were truly breath taking.

2. Nacpan Beach: Is a beautiful 4km stretch of white sand to the north of El Nido town centre. Here you will be able to enjoy a relaxing and peaceful stroll along the palm tree lined beach, where it is a lot quieter and calmer than the beaches around the centre of El Nido. You will feel like you're in paradise!

3. Taraw Cliff Climbing: If you want an epic adventure on your trip to Palawan, then you have got to hike up Taraw Cliff! It took me about 45 minutes to ascend to the top and is well worth the climb, as you are met with absolutely stunning views across the bay and surrounding islands. You can take an early morning hike and watch the sunrise. I would strongly recommend getting a local qualified guide to help you navigate your way up the limestone rock formations.

4. Island to Island Zip Line: What an experience this is! Located next to Las Cabanas Beach is the El Nido zip line, that runs from the mainland across the water to a small island and back again, giving you spectacular views of the ocean and surrounding cliffs. You can either go across in a seated position or superman. I did seated in one direction and superman on the way back, which cost 1,000 pesos. Superman is definitely more thrilling!

5. Kayaking: You can head down to the beach a rent a kayak to explore El Nido beaches and lagoons at your own leisure. The tours also include some kayaking in the lagoons, which is incredible!

Where To Stay In El Nido

El Nido caters to a diverse range of travellers, from those looking for budget friendly options, to those who like to indulge in 5 star luxury. I stayed in El Nido for one week, and resided in El Nido town for 4 days and then moved on to Corong-Corong for the remaining 3.

My preferred location was definitely staying in the town, as it was a bit more lively and everything I needed was within walking distance. However, the beach wasn't great there, but as I was doing the island hopping tours and a day trip to Nacpan beach, this didn't bother me too much. If you were wanting somewhere with a nice beach and in a slightly more peaceful location, then you should consider Corong-Corong.

Here are five hotels in a variety of locations, that I think are well worth considering;

1. The Funny Lion Hotel

Balinsasayaw Rd, El Nido, Palawan

Overview

• Rating: 3 Star.

• Location: Corong-Corong, away from the busy town centre, so location is a bit more peaceful.

• Rooms: Spacious and clean with modern amenities.

• Dining: On site restaurant serving Filipino and international food.

• Facilities: Rooftop pool and bar.

• Design: Modern and eco-friendly.

The Funny Lion is a boutique hotel with a peaceful atmosphere in the Corong-Corong area of El Nido. Very comfortable modern rooms, with excellent customer service. There is the added bonus of a shuttle to take you to a private secluded beach.

Price Range

$180 - $250 USD per night, rates will vary depending on room type and season.

2. H Hotel

El nido Corner of Real St, Rizal St, El Nido, 5313 Palawan

Overview

• Rating: 4 Star

• Location: Central in El Nido town, close to the nightlife, restaurants, shops and island tours.

• Rooms: Modern and well furnished, but rooms are compact.

• Dining: Rooftop bar and restaurant with views over the bay.

• Facilities: Rooftop bar, but no pool, spa or gym.

• Design: Minimalist, clean and contemporary.

The H Hotel is a stylish and modern boutique hotel, located right in the centre of El Nido town. The two best things about this hotel are the rooftop bar, with amazing views across the bay and the location, as you are in walking distance to all the shops, nightlife, restaurants and boat tours. However, standard rooms are on the smaller side (bigger suites are available) and facilities are limited, as there is no pool.

Price Range

$120 - $220 USD per night, rates will vary depending on room type and season.

3. Charlie's

Km 279 National Highway, Barangay, El Nido, 5313 Palawan

Overview

• Rating: 3.5 Star

• Location: Villa Libertad, which is a quiet area close to El Nido Town and airport.

• Rooms: Spacious and modern rooms with good quality amenities.

• Dining: On site restaurant serving Filipino and international food.

• Facilities: Outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi and gym.

• Design: Relaxed and upscale.

Charlie’s is a contemporary hotel in a peaceful location, situated close to El Nido airport, and a short distance to the more lively town. This hotel has spacious rooms, with a really nice outdoor pool and lovely chic on site restaurant.

Price Range

$125 - $225 USD per night, rates will vary depending on room type and season.

4. Lime Resort

Sitio Lugadia, Brgy, El Nido, 5313 Palawan

Overview

• Rating: 3 Star

• Location: Located in Corong-Corong, with easy access to beaches.

• Rooms: Bright, colourful, and well appointed, many with sea views.

• Dining: On site restaurant and rooftop bar.

• Facilities: Rooftop infinity pool and small gym.

• Design: Modern interiors with vibrant colours.

Lime Resort is a trendy, modern hotel, located in the Corong-Corong area, which is a great location for activities and beaches, but transport is needed to reach the town centre. Rooms are a decent size, with some having sea views, but please note some of the cheaper rooms have no windows. Lime Resort is at a very good price point for what it is, and the infinity rooftop pool looking over the bay is absolutely stunning.

Price Range

$80 - $150 USD per night, rates will vary depending on room type and season.

5. Lagun Hotel

Balinsasayaw Road, Brgy. Maligaya, El Nido, Palawan, 5313

Overview

• Rating: 3 Star

• Location: Barangay Maligaya, which is between El Nido Town and Corong-Corong.

• Rooms: Spacious elegant rooms with modern amenities.

• Dining: On site restaurant serving a mix of local and international food.

• Facilities: Rooftop infinity pool and spa services.

• Design: Modern design with Filipino touches.

Lagùn Hotel is a contemporary boutique hotel located at the south of El Nido town. The hotel features modern rooms, a lovely rooftop pool surrounded by the stunning limestone cliffs. While the hotel is not beachfront, its proximity to the town centre and the peaceful atmosphere make it a great choice for couples and solo travellers.

Price Range

Approximately $120 - $200 USD per night, rates will vary depending on room type and season.

Practical Tips for Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit: The best months to visit El Nido are from November to May for the dry weather. Rain season is typically from June to October.

• Getting Around: Tuk tuks are the most convenient and affordable way to travel around El Nido, and I would always recommend negotiating the price before starting your journey.

• What to Pack: Lightweight clothing, swimwear, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle and comfortable shoes are essential.

• Money: The official currency is the Philippine Peso.

• Safety: I felt very safe when I was in El Nido and there was nothing to cause me concern, but is always best to remain cautious of your surroundings and avoid displaying valuables openly. Travel insurance can also provide peace of mind in case of unexpected events.