Palawan

El Nido

Towering limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and dreamlike island hopping.

Best time to visit

December to April

Air gateway

Lio Airport (ENI) direct, or Puerto Princesa (PPS) with a five-hour van transfer

Ideal stay

4 to 5 nights

Travel notes

Why go to El Nido

El Nido is the postcard everyone has seen and still underestimates. The limestone towers rise straight out of the water, and the lagoons behind them only open at the right tide.

Tours A to D cover different lagoons and beaches; A and C are the headline acts. Base yourself in town for logistics or Corong-Corong for sunsets.

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Watch before you go

Traveller films and destination footage for El Nido — a quick way to judge the pace of a place before you commit.

Gallery

El Nido in pictures

Tap any photo to open the full-screen gallery.

Day by day

A suggested itinerary

A starting point rather than a fixed plan — every day can be swapped, added to, or slowed down.

1
Arrival in Bacuit Bay
Transfer, town orientation and sunset at Las Cabanas Beach.
2
Tour A
Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Seven Commandos Beach.
3
Tour C
Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach and Helicopter Island.
4
Nacpan or kayaking
Nacpan Beach day trip, or kayak Big Lagoon at the quiet early tide.
5
Departure
Breakfast and transfer to Lio or the Puerto Princesa van.