El Nido is a popular backpacking town on Palawan Island. The central part of town is a classic tourist street with tons of restaurants and shops but you can also head outside of El Nido for some amazing day trips.
Explore the Town!
Just wandering the streets is the perfect way to explore. C. Hama Street is the main strip and has adorable restaurants to enjoy during the day and some great nightlife once the sun goes down. Below are some of my favorite spots!
Basil Pizza – This second floor pizza place looks right over C. Hama Street. There are so many options and the pizzas are a good size for 1-2 people!
Oz – Oz triples as a smoothie bar, tattoo parlor, and rooftop bar! Go for breakfast, a traditional Filipino-style tattoo, or for some late night drinks. Oz seriously has it all.
Biryani Kitchen – Perfect when you’re craving some Indian cuisine! Portions are not very large but delicious nonetheless.
The Food Truck – This permanent Thai food truck has a small selection but it sure is good!
Little Havana Bar – This is the cutest live music bar in El Nido. The best part: it’s located right on the beach!
Amigos – Although it is a small restaurant during the day, it’s better to go at night when the club opens up. Enjoy the dj and dance the night away.
Each night, G. Del Pilar Street fills with people, tables, and grills. You can select a meat and watch it cook right in front of you! The area can be overwhelming, especially when there’s a basketball game going on, but you definitely can’t miss it.
Go Island Hopping!
There are four island hopping tours in El Nido: Tour A, B C, and D. It does not matter which tour group you book with, each tour will take you to the same locations so just look for the cheapest deal you can find!
Click HERE to learn more and book online – NOTE: I recommend just booking in person, but if you feel more comfortable booking online then this resource is for you.
Tour A
- Small Lagoon
- Big Lagoon
- Secret Lagoon
- Shimizu Island
- 7 Commando Beach
Tour B
- Snake Island
- Pingabuyutan Island
- Entalula Beach
- Cudugnon Cave
- Varied Snorkel Sites
Tour C
- Helicopter Island
- Matinloc Shrine
- Secret Beach
- Talisay Beach
- Hidden Beach
Tour D
- Ipil Beach
- Cadlao Lagoon
- Paradise Beach
- Pasandigan Beach
- Natnat Beach
- Bukal Beach
While in El Nido I did Tour D and it was absolutely stunning. We were taken to the beaches and swimming spots listed above from 9am until 4pm for about $30 USD.
All four tours include snorkel gear and lunch. Ours actually did not provide us with snorkel equipment for our last stop and we were offered very small compensation for it, so be aware that it can unfortunately be up to the discretion of the boat driver at the end of the day.
Kayaks can be rented for about $6 each use. Unlike in Coron, you cannot rent a kayak for the entire day in El Nido, you are required to pay for a kayak at each location they are offered (which was a bit of a budget bummer).
The first island hopping tour can seem daunting when you don’t know what to bring or what to expect. Check out my blog post about the dos and don’ts of island hopping tours HERE!
Get Out of Town!
There are tons of options for day trips outside of El Nido that you should not miss. Once you are tired of the Main Street and Island Hopping, rent a motor bike or hire a tricycle to get out of town for some more adventures.
Palawan Zipline Adventure – The Palawan Zipline Adventure is perfect for mid-level thrill seekers. You can do a one-way or two-way zipline from Palawan Island to nearby Depeldet Island. If you only go one-way, you are not stranded! There’s a land bridge that connects you back to Palawan with a short walk.
Vanilla Beach – Vanilla Beach is just another gorgeous Filipino beach until the full moon comes. This is the spot for local Full Moon Parties. Don’t expect anything as big as in Thailand, but it’s still a party!
Lime Resort – Lime Resort was way out of my budget to stay at, but using the pool is completely free! Their rooftop infinity pool is perfect for sitting back and watching the sunset.
Nacpan Beach – Nacpan Beach is 45 minutes out from El Nido but it is definitely worth it. I actually stayed on Nacpan for several nights as the beach is lined with various resorts and a MadMonkey party hostel.
Duli Beach – Duli Beach is north of Nacpan and is a well-known surf spot for locals.
While traveling the Philippines you definitely cannot miss out on El Nido. There is tons to see and do along with great nightlife on the weekends. It is quite a touristy area but for good reason!
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