You came to the country to see spectacular beaches and island views. El Nido in Palawan province will not disappoint. In terms of spectacular over-the-water “SEAnery”, El Nido is my favorite in the Philippines. Imagine hidden lagoons, uninhabited white sand beaches, and massive forest-covered limestone mountains rising out of pristine tropical waters.

This coastal town found on the northernmost tip of Palawan, should be on your bucketlist of places to go in the Philippines because the seascaes here rival the best of Asia.

To help with your trip planning, I’ve added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted below. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app for easy reference. But before you start ticking goals off your bucketlist, here are travel essentials & discounts you’ll need to check. Pre-book online for a hassle-free trip!

El Nido travel essentials

Click below to compare rates & read reviews:

El Nido HotelsTours + discountsFlightsAirport transfers

See also: El Nido Itinerary + Travel Guide, El Nido DOT-Accredited Hotels.

View all travel tips on: El Nido.

Where to stay in El Nido:

Matinloc Resort

Splurge / Matinloc Island

See discounts

Cauayan Island Resort

Splurge / Cauayan Island

See discounts

El Nido Coco Resort

Splurge / Corong-corong Beach

See discounts

Last Frontier Beach Resort

Splurge / Corong-corong Beach

See discounts

Columbus Inn

Mid-Range / Corong-Corong Beach

See discounts

Shipwrecked Pension House

Mid-Range / El Nido Town Proper

See discounts

Lolo Oyong Pension House

Mid-Range / El Nido Town Proper

See discounts

El Nido Bayview Hotel

Mid-Range / Marimegmeg Beach

See discounts

Bnky Bed and Breakfast

Budget / El Nido Town Proper

See discounts

Novie’s Tourist Inn

Budget / Corong-Corong Beach

See discounts

1. Go island hopping around Bacuit Bay islands

See amazing underwater and “over water” views of El Nido. These islands are found just off the coast of the town proper.

Location: Off the coast of El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

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2. Nacpan-Calitang Twin Beach

Location: Bucana, El Nido, Palawan. Save on Google Maps.

3. Taraw Cliff

Enjoy breathtaking views overlooking El Nido. This steep karst hill is located right within the town proper.

Location: Barangay Buena Suerte, El Nido, Palawan. Save on Google Maps.

Tour A: Lagoons & Beaches Island Hopping

Spots in Tour A include Hidden Lagoon (Small Lagoon)*, Big Lagoon*, Secret Lagoon*, Shimizu Island*, 7 Commando Beach.

4. Small Lagoon & Big Lagoon

Location: Miniloc Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido. Save on Google Maps.

5. Secret Lagoon

Location: Miniloc Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido. Save on Google Maps.

6. Shimizu Island

Location: Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan. Save on Google Maps.

7. Seven Commandos Beach

Location: Mainland El Nido, Palawan. Save on Google Maps.

Tour B: Caves & Coves Island Hopping

Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Entalula Beach*, Cudugnon Cave

8. Cudugnon Cave

Location: El Nido, Palawan

9. Snake Island

Location: Vigan Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan. Save on Google Maps.

10. Entalula Beach

Location: Entalula Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan. Save on Google Maps.

Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrines Island Hopping

Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine*, Secret Beach, Star Beach, Hidden Beach.

11. Secret Beach

Location: Matinloc Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan. Save on Google Maps.

12. Hidden Beach

Location: Matinloc Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan. Save on Google Maps.

13. Matinloc Shrine

Location: Matinloc Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan. Save on Google Maps.

14. Star Beach

Location: Tapiutan Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan. Save on Google Maps.

15. Helicopter Beach

Location: Helicopter Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan. Save on Google Maps.

Tour D: Islands & Beaches

Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Beach, Natnat Beach, Bukal Beach.

16. Cadlao Lagoon & Cadlao Island

Location: Cadlao Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan. Save on Google Maps.

More to see and do in El Nido

17. Try the Bird’s Nest soup

This rare and often expensive Chinese delicacy is made from the nest of swiftlets (Balinsasayaw) that are harvested in El Nido. One kilogram of the edible nest can fetch prices of up to USD1,000 in Hong Kong and the US. Get a taste of it in El Nido, where it is a lot cheaper.

18. Las Cabañas Beach

Get away from the crowded main beach of El Nido and enjoy peaceful late afternoon views. These sandy shores can be reached on a quick tricycle ride from the town proper.

Location: Taytay – El Nido National Hwy, El Nido, Palawan. Save on Google Maps.

19. Corong-Corong & Marimegmeg Beaches

Location: South of El Nido Town Proper. Save on Google Maps.

20. Calaan Beach

Location: Next beach cove north of El Nido proper beach. Save on Google Maps.

21. Inland El Nido

In addition to Nacpan and Calitang twin beaches, there are many places to see in El Nido mainland like Makinit Hot Springs, Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls, Kuyawayaw Waterfalls & Sibaltan Beach.

Where to go beyond El Nido

Coron

Location: Palawan province, MIMAROPA region. Save on Google Maps.

Coron Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

San Vicente

Location: Palawan Island, MIMAROPA region. Save on Google Maps.

San Vicente Travel Essentials

Where to stay

Port Barton

Location: San Vicente, Palawan Island, MIMAROPA region. Save on Google Maps.

Port Barton Travel Essentials

Where to stay

Sabang Beach & Puerto Princesa Underground River

Location: Sabang, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Island, MIMAROPA region. Save on Google Maps.

Sabang Beach & PPUR Travel Essentials

Where to stay

See rates & book online

El Nido – Sabang Shuttle Transfer

Honda Bay

Location: Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Island, MIMAROPA region. Save on Google Maps.

Honda Bay Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

See rates & book online

Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

Puerto Princesa City

Location: Palawan Island, MIMAROPA region. Save on Google Maps.

Puerto Princesa Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

Balabac Islands

Location: Off the coast of the southernmost tip of Palawan Island. Save on Google Maps.

Tours + discountsTours + discounts

What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in El Nido that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Places to visit in El Nido

El Nido tourist spots, things to do in El Nido, where to go in El Nido & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

Book your way to El Nido

How much does it cost to travel to El Nido? Click below to compare flight, ferry & buses fares posted on these booking sites:

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Where to Stay in El Nido

The most popular place to stay is in El Nido town proper area. You can find many hotels along the beachfront and nearby streets that cater to budget-conscious and mid-range travelers. This area is perfect if you want to stay within easy walking distance to a wide variety of restaurants, bars, shopping, and tourist offices.

If you want to enjoy El Nido's best, stay at many island resorts in Bacuit Bay. Not only do they offer amazing private beach views, they are also a short boat ride away from the island hopping highlights in town.

Stay at peaceful resorts along beaches near the town proper if you want to stay away from the crowds, including Corong-Corong Beach, Marimegmeg Beach, Sibaltan Beach.

Matinloc Resort

Splurge / Matinloc Island

See discounts

Cauayan Island Resort

Splurge / Cauayan Island

See discounts

El Nido Coco Resort

Splurge / Corong-corong Beach

See discounts

Last Frontier Beach Resort

Splurge / Corong-corong Beach

See discounts

Columbus Inn

Mid-Range / Corong-Corong Beach

See discounts

Shipwrecked Pension House

Mid-Range / El Nido Town Proper

See discounts

Lolo Oyong Pension House

Mid-Range / El Nido Town Proper

See discounts

El Nido Bayview Hotel

Mid-Range / Marimegmeg Beach

See discounts

Bnky Bed and Breakfast

Budget / El Nido Town Proper

See discounts

Novie’s Tourist Inn

Budget / Corong-Corong Beach

See discounts

Where to book

Click below & search recommended El Nido hotels/hostels/home rentals within your budget. Remember to set your min/max price, travel dates, and sort by review ratings. I often book online with these trusted booking sites below for rock-bottom prices & convenient bookings.

AgodaBooking.com

Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

Don’t Stop Here

Click below for more travel inspiration: