Located on the northern tip of Palawan’s main island, El Nido is considered the highlight of most Philippines vacations. Regarded as paradise, and the last frontier of the Philippines, it is one of those rare places that has maintained its natural beauty.

The secluded islands and lagoons, white beaches, fabulous resorts, and unique atmosphere all make El Nido the perfect destination for romantic vacations. Book your trip through us and we’ll provide the highest-quality services you could find for your budget, while recommending our favorite local resorts.

All packages include airfare, hotels and tours of your choice (if there is any), and we recommend a stay of at least three nights. Since Coron is very close by, and you’ll most likely be passing through Puerto Princesa on your way to El Nido, why not consider adding these destinations to make a full Palawan tour package.

our most popular el nido packages

Top

El Nido Classic Package

Includes :
  • Airfare and transfers
  • Beachfront resorts
  • Guided tours
Pros : All major attractions, resorts in great locations
Minimum nights : 3 nights
Hotels Rating :
Daily Price : 170 USD
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El Nido Budget

Includes :
  • Airfare and transfers
  • Accommodation
  • Group tours
Pros : Great value for money, all the essentials provided
Minimum nights : 3 nights
Hotels Rating :
Daily Price : 80 USD
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El Nido all inclusive

Includes :
  • Airfare and tranfers
  • Luxury beach resort
  • Private tours
Pros : Custom made vacation, highest standards guaranteed
Minimum nights : 3-4 nights
Hotels Rating :
Daily Price : 260 USD
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El Nido is one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines and has so much to offer. That’s why we’ve created a handful of packages that encompass all the essentials of a perfect El Nido vacation. Before you start to assemble single items to create your own custom package, have a look at the pre-made packages featured below. All of these packages can be modified upon request.

You can book any of these packages as standalones if you’re only planning to visit El Nido. If you wish to have a longer vacation, any of our pre-made packages can be joined with other destinations to make a full vacation package in the Philippines. Thanks to El Nido’s new airport, any destination in the Philippines would be suitable, but Coron and Puerto Princesa — the other two famous Palawan destinations — make the most sense. Combining multiple Palawan locations will save you both time and money.

Where to Stay? Our Top Rated Hotels in El Nido

El Nido town itself isn’t much to look at, but most of the cheap and affordable accommodation is there. Staying in town is also practical, because it’s close to the restaurants and bars, as well as to most attractions.

Rizal Street has many budget resorts and hostels, and there are also a few affordable options along the beach. Staying in this area is also recommended if you’re traveling by yourself or in a small group, and want to meet new people, you can also check the resorts in Las Cabanas where the zipline is also located, there you will also find restaurants and a beach to relax and enjoy the view of sunset.


If you wish to match your accommodation with the beauty of El Nido, staying in one of the resorts in El Nido is better. Most of the resorts range from 3 to 4 star hotels, and are a perfect island getaways. Islands like Lagen, Pangulasian, Miniloc, and Cauayan, are considered the best while the ones in town or lio are Seda and Lihim. Prices are high, but it will be an unforgettable vacation memory. Most of the private island resorts offer full board and are hugely popular by those in search of all inclusive packages.

All the resorts in El Nido tend to be fully booked during high season, so booking in advance is strongly advised. Booking in advance is even more important in case you plan to stay in the more high-end hotels. Go through our catalog of El Nido hotels, and choose the accommodation that meets your standards. We will make sure you get the best deals. In case you’re confused and can’t make up your mind on the best hotel for you, contact us for more information and advice.

El Nido Travel Essentials:

  • Location : 240 km northeast of Puerto Princesa (Palawan’s capital); about 5-6 hours long drive with at least 1 stop over along the way.
  • Flights : Several daily direct flights from Manila, at least 1 flight a day from Bohol, Boracay, Coron, and Cebu.
  • Boat : There is a ferry operating between El Nido and Coron daily. The trip takes 5-6 hours depending on the wave and weather. The schedule is only 1 ferry per day.
  • Best time to visit : November to May is the dry season and the best time to visit. November to February is sunny yet cool, while the rest of the year is relatively hot except on rainy season particularly June, July, August. Visiting during the wet season is also possible for spontaneous travelers, however island hopping tours can get cancelled on extreme rainy weather for safety reasons.
  • Attractions : Island hopping, snorkeling, scuba diving, and romantic getaways.
  • Extra tips : Perfect for honeymooners; bring your own snorkeling mask.

How to get there?

El Nido cliffs

The fastest, most convenient way to get to El Nido is by plane. There are daily flights from Manila with AirSWIFT, and the travel duration is 1 hour. There is also at least one flight from Cebu City, Panglao (Bohol), Caticlan (Boracay), and Clark, Busuanga (Coron) which leaves daily. They also have a recent flight from Manila going to Sicogon Island and Romblon (Tablas) at least 1 flight schedule but not daily. All flights land in Lio Airport—the only airport in Lio.

Direct flights to El Nido are relatively expensive, making it more cost-efficient to fly into Puerto Princesa and then take a van to El Nido. Flying to Puerto Princesa is a lot cheaper since there are several airlines serving this route many times a day and you also get to explore this part of palawan.

In case you prefer a private transit taking you directly to your hotel, we’ll coordinate the hotel pickup for you. Booking your van in advance is also possible, and especially recommended during high season.

3 Nights Ultimate El Nido Tour Package

Tailor made for you by our experts. Package Includes:

  • 3 Nights Accommodation
  • Daily Breakfast or Full Board
  • Roundtrip Domestic Flights
  • Private Airport Pickups
  • El Nido Private Island Hopping Tour A (Day 2)
  • El Nido Private Island Hopping Tour C (Day 3)
  • All Fees, Permits and Taxes

Limited time offer : $680 per person

El Nido Beach

"It was worth every cent. they took care of me from the moment i stepped out from the plane."

-Jeff shulman, usa, toured with us on nov 18-27, 2017

What to do in El Nido?

El Nido offers the best island hopping in the world, pure white-sand beaches, world-class scuba diving, and luxurious beach-front resorts. What else could you want from your holiday? It’s for these reasons that El Nido is cited in various travel magazines as the best island in the world.

Read on for more information about all the activities in El Nido or to book your preferred package. Alternatively, contact one of our travel agents and we’ll assist you in planning your complete El Nido itinerary.

El Nido Island Hopping Tours

Big Lagoon El Nido island hoppingOver the years, island hopping has become very organized in El Nido, and is now offered as a choice of four trips (A–D). These tours visit the most spectacular sites, but there are more than 50 perfect white-sand beaches in the area, meaning that a lot of them are not included in the usual itineraries.

A change to regulations has been made before and it is no longer possible to visit both the Big and Small Lagoons on the same day like it used to be. They are both now being regarded as standalone locations, and visitors usually choose to add one of them to the A tour.

We can easily book a private tour to take you to the islands and beaches of your choice, including the ones on the regular tours. Rates will be higher, but if your group comprises four or more people, the difference will not be that significant. In case you are staying at one of the luxury resorts on the small islands, booking an island hopping tour with the island resorts is the only option as you cannot book the tours that starts and ends from the town while staying in an island resort. If you are traveling with children, a private tour is also highly advised because it will give you the flexibility to do things at your own pace.

All island-hopping tours leave at 8:30 AM and are returning at 4:00 PM. They are divided into tours A, B, C, and D, with tours A and C comprising the best attractions El Nido has to offer. Group island-hopping tours prices range between US$24 – $28 per person (excluding environmental fee, lagoon fee, matinloc shrine fee that are per person and pick up/ drop off from hotels). Local guide, boat are included, but bring sunscreen as you’ll spend all day under the sun. Environmental fees and/ or Lagoon’s fee/ Matinloc shrine fee costs around US $4-5/ person. This tour is not possible if you are staying at an Island Resort.

Island camping in El Nido
Island hopping tour A consists of the three lagoons of Miniloc Island, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach. Miniloc Island is a small island with a private resort, but it’s most famous for the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon. You can swim and snorkel in all of them.

These lagoons are surrounded by tall limestone cliffs covered in greenery, giving the appearance of a natural cathedral. The lagoons are among the best sights you will see while island hopping anywhere in the world. Shimizu Island and Seven Commandos Beach are two amazing tropical islands with white sand beaches, as well as coral reefs close to shore where you can spot fish and turtles.

Island hopping tour B goes to Snake Island Sandbar, which is entirely submerged during high tide. Pinagbuyutan Island is almost entirely made from limestone, and Entalula is also densely vegetated and naturally stunning. On both, you can swim and snorkel, as well as relax under the palm trees. Two other destinations unique to tour B are the Cudugnon Caves — an archaeological site with excavations dating to 1000 AD — and a stop in the middle of the ocean dedicated to snorkeling. This tour is for people who wish to avoid the crowds.

Island hopping tour C is the one most recommended by the locals. It visits some of the most scenic spots in El Nido. The first is Helicopter Island, named for its shape. Afterwards, you’ll sail further west to explore Matinloc Island. There are two exceptional beaches on this island. Hidden Beach, which is hidden in a tunnel between Matinloc and an islet facing its eastern coast, and Secret Beach. The latter inspired Alex Garland’s beach in his novel The Beach. It is basically a sinkhole with a pocket of white sand, the entrance being a small hole at one of its corners. The last stop is usually Star Beach — a nickname obtained because of the abundance of starfish in its shallow waters.
El Nido island hopping tour
Island hopping tour D is mainly focused on exploring Cadlao Island — the biggest island in Bacuit Bay, and the one overlooking El Nido town. The first stop is on the mainland: Ipil Ipil beach, which is only accessible by boat. Afterwards, you’ll explore Cadlao. It is not only the biggest but one of the best islands in El Nido. You’ll sail in the island’s lagoon and visit four breathtaking beaches: Paradise, Pasandigan, Natnat, and Bukal. This tour is perfect for white-sand beaches, relaxing, and swimming.

Book more than one of the island-hopping tours to fully appreciate the beauty of El Nido. Going on several tours also significantly reduces the price for each one. If it’s hard for you to choose, visit our El Nido island hopping catalog for detailed information of all the tours available.

Scuba diving in El Nido

There are as many as 30 dive sites around El Nido. Most of these are just off the islands of Bacuit Bay—Cadlao area, Entalula Island, Miniloc, Paglugaban, and Matinloc. Among the main attractions are a wall that drops down to 40 meters, lively coral gardens, slopes, and lots of marine life.

This area is sheltered from winds by the tall limestone cliffs, which make the water calm and clear, and perfect for beginners and advanced divers alike. If you’re not certified yet, El Nido is one of the best places to take a course. It’s also a perfect opportunity to improve your diving skills as the clubs here are highly professional, with very advanced instructors and new and maintained gear.
Bacuit Bay Diving
The Miniloc area has the most popular dive sites in El Nido. South Miniloc boasts many coral gardens and schools of fish. This is because the currents between Miniloc and the facing Shimizu Island carry nutrients with them. The highlight of this dive is a big school of big-eye snappers. On the northern side of Miniloc, there is an area great for pelagic species. It faces the middle of Bacuit Bay and many big fish pass by, such as schools of barracuda, jack fish, and spade fish. If you are lucky, you might spot black-tip reef sharks, as well as eagle and manta rays.

The Cadlao area is very interesting too. Its most distinct dive site is an underwater tunnel named Dilumacad. It was discovered in the 90s and is around 40 meters long with a cavern in the middle. Although this spot is only suited to advanced divers, there are sites perfect for beginners right beside it consisting of shallow reefs and plenty of marine life.

Around 45 minutes from El Nido town, you will find the 40-meter-deep wall drop, near Entalula Island. There are two main types of dive here: a vertical drop and a drift dive. There is also a dive site near Paglugaban Island that is great for exploring rock formations and sea slugs (nudibranchs) All of these dives are great for all levels of diver.

For the serious divers, multi-day diving safaris to Coron and Tubbataha Reef leave from El Nido. This is something to take into consideration when diving here, because you’ll get a better price for a combined diving package. Book your ultimate diving package with us and we’ll fix the perfect diving trip for you, including the accommodation of your choice.

Other activities and day tours

El Nido zipline

Renting a kayak from your resort and paddle to the nearby secluded beaches. This is great for couples seeking a romantic castaway experience, small groups of friends, and families with children who are old enough. It’s a tiring activity and should only be done when the water is calm and with no currents.

Canopy Walk is a trekking activity at Taraw Cliff. In case Island Hopping tours get cancelled due to weather, this is an activity that you can do even with minimal rain. You can also do this activity upon arrival in the morning or if you have a late departure from El Nido, you can spare your morning to do this activity. This activity offers you a scenic view of El Nido town and the beach. Face your fear of heights and walk through stairways and a hanging bridge on your way to the cliff.

Las Cabanas Beach, located 30 minutes south of El Nido town, has a lovely resort. It’s a very beautiful and quiet beach, but the main attraction here is a 750-meter zip-line. This sets off from the main beach and takes you to Depeldet Island opposite. Afterwards, you can either ride back for an additional fee, swim back in the shallow waters, or walk during low tide. It’s a really fun thing to do, especially for families and groups. You can also enjoy a beautiful sunset in the afternoon at this beach while having your choice of drink in one of the restaurants by the beach. A truly ideal way to relax and enjoy the island vibe.

Another beautiful Beach is located about 40 minutes on the north side of El Nido town, which stretches to about 4 kilometers of sand beach that is cream colored with vast coconut trees and a beautiful turquoise water. Here you can lie on the beach for sun bathing or to swim. You can also do kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding.

Special El Nido Package Deal

Customized by our experts for your specific requests. packages include:

  • Beachfront resort of your choice
  • Private or group tours
  • All transfers and logistics
  • VIP service throughout your trip

We also recommend you explore the nature around El Nido. There are loads of small hidden beaches where you can have the whole place to yourself. This activity is mainly unguided, with the option of renting a tricycle or bike to get there. Some of the best beaches are Nacpan, the Calitang twin beaches, the 4-km white-sand Duli Beach (1 hour away), and Verde Safari/Dagmay Beach.

If you want to try some mainland attractions, you can go trekking to Nagkalit-Kalit Falls. It takes around 1 hour to drive there, with another hour of hiking. Another option is to hike to Ille Cave on the way to Nacpan Beach, where you can see excavated artifacts, some of which are believed to be 14,000 years old!

Some of these day tours are easily done by yourself, so there’s no need to make reservations in advance. Others are better booked ahead of time through us. Visit our detailed tour catalog to start booking your desired day tours and activities.

How does El Nido fit into your travel plans?

If you’re about to visit the Philippines, you should make El Nido a top priority. Aside from its jaw-dropping beauty, its remote location on Palawan separates it from the country’s other tourist attractions. That being said, other destinations on Palawan can easily be added to your Palawan package, such as Coron and Puerto Princesa.

The minimum number of nights we recommend you spend it El Nido is three, but most visitors choose to stay at least a week. This destination is the perfect getaway for couples, with some of the most romantic settings imaginable. Check out our El Nido honeymoon packages, or contact us to build your custom itinerary now.

22 Comments

  1. Nitesh

    Hi,
    I am interested in all activities in Boracay and El Nido as we are honeymoon couples.
    I have 2 night stay in Boracay and 4 night in Elndo. Please suggest.

    Posted on November 27, 2017
    • Admin

      Hey Nitseh!

      We are glad to see you managed to settle on an itinerary for your honeymoon – We really hope the extensive free advice we had given you has helped in picking out the destinations to visit and where to stay at each.

      For activities, please take a look at both this page about El Nido, and our and Boracay pages. There are plenty of possible attractions and tours suggested there.

      Of course, you are always free to mail us directly with any specific questions you might have. You already have our personal email address 🙂

      Best of luck and wishing you a lovely honeymoon vacation
      Philippinestravelpackage.com staff

      Posted on November 28, 2017
      • Susie

        Hi.we would like to have a reservation to see all three in palawan,el nido,coron and Puerto princessa but we dont know how to go around with it in including island hopping, tour..transportation and accomodation..and air. Looking for the cheapest a ailable… please help

        Posted on May 5, 2019
        • Admin

          Hi Susie,

          You can visit our Palawan page, it has a lot of information on how to go around the island and what to see.

          If you’d like to make a booking, please feel free to contact us.

          Posted on May 8, 2019
  2. maria luisa mendoza

    is theres a boat from puerto princesa to el nido and how much it cost per person, were planning to take a boat considering a long land trip in going there..were only 3 person/

    Posted on April 8, 2018
    • Admin

      Hi Maria,

      There isn’t a ferry any more, you’ll have to book a private bangka or speedboat from Sabang. It’s complicated, and a very long journey which is also costs much more than taking a van. Not to mention the fact that you’ll need to pray for good weather, and that such a long trip by sea is not safe.

      Maybe you heard that the road between Puerto Princesa and El Nido is not the best, and the journey is rough? that’s no longer the case… They finished the road all the way up to El Nido so the ride is very smooth the whole way. If you take the shared van, it’ll be 4.5-5 hours and cost you something like 500 Pesos.

      Posted on April 9, 2018
  3. Michelle

    Hi just curious are there hotes that offer day packages? Like packages meaning you would pay a fee to use their amenities for the day only? Please let me know as i alreadt have an accomodation but would like to pay to use amenities of hotel without having to stay overnight.

    Posted on April 21, 2018
    • Admin

      Hi Michelle,

      Some of the private island resorts offer a full day of admission, where you can use all the amenities offered to guests.
      Visit their official website and leave an inquiry.

      Posted on April 22, 2018
  4. Queenie

    Hello Ma’am/Sir

    I would like to inquire about the tour package and its inclusions. If i would choose package A and C, what are its inclusions, is food included? we’re planning to stay for 4 days and 3 nights. Do you also have a list of accommodation within town proper/beachfront. Thank you!

    Posted on April 24, 2018
    • Admin

      Hi Queenie and thanks for the good questions.

      All island hopping tours include a buffet lunch. There’s also unlimited free water on the boat, and snacks, beer and soft drinks can be arranged for a small extra fee.
      On top of that, the tour package includes masks and snorkeling gear, fins, lifevests and a licensed tour guide to accompany you throughout the day.

      For hotels in El Nido, we are still working on updating this page with all the resorts we work with. Currently it’s more than 30 different ones, but it takes time to write comprehensive reviews for each. Take a look at our hotel catalog for a sample of hotels we work with.

      The best thing would be if you contact us directly by filling out the inquiry form and giving us your phone number. Then we’ll have more info about what it is exactly you are after and can help you build your trip accordingly. you can find our contact us page here.

      Posted on April 24, 2018
  5. Donnabel Lalusis

    Hi, we are planning a holiday next year from Jan 2-5 going to el nido and if we can squeeze we want to visit coron as well. We are 12 adults and 4 kids. If you can send me a detail information and different option it will be perfect.And please can you send a picture of the hotel accomodations as well.I will really appreciate..Thank you in advance..hope to hear from you soon

    Posted on June 20, 2018
    • Admin

      Hi Donnabel and thanks for the comment! we have sent you a quote for this package.

      Generally speaking 3 days are not enough to squeeze in both El Nido and Coron so better if you extend by at least one day or settle on just one of these instead.

      Posted on June 21, 2018
  6. Ben

    Hi, traveling to El Nido Jan2-4, what’s the best package to avail?

    Posted on July 26, 2018
    • Admin

      Hi Ben,

      The best option would be to contact us by filling out this short inquiry form.

      That way, we have all the information we need to build the perfect package especially for you.

      Looking forward to hearing from you!

      Posted on July 28, 2018
  7. Jonathan

    Hello,
    We are planning to make an holiday over next year round about February 2019 3 nights and 4 day,is there a complete package including air fare Mnl to El nido which hotel is and El nido to Mnl also this tour package A and D included with breakfast and lunch.
    Thnks.

    Regards,
    Jonathan

    Posted on October 9, 2018
    • Admin

      Hi Jonathan,

      Check your email, you also left an inquiry and one of our agents has replied already.

      Posted on October 10, 2018
  8. Miriam Stephens

    Hello we want to inquire for about 14 pax from Jan 20-24 ,2019
    With direct flight as we travel along with two kids 3 and 1 year old. Please send me information for the package please. Thank you.
    Yham

    Posted on October 12, 2018
    • Admin

      Hi Miriam,

      The email you entered is not working for us.

      Can you please fill out our inquiry form and leave all relevant details such as accommodation level, where will you flying from and expected budget?
      Please also make sure to leave a phone number in case email doesn’t work again.

      Thanks and looking forward to planning your family vacation!

      Posted on October 14, 2018
  9. Jhulie Ponceca

    Wanna inquire for a family vacation on January 8 to 11, 2019 for 10 pix…. Package deal ( flight/hotel+tour informanation….. Manila to El nido if there’s a direct flight… if not let’s me know what we need to do and how much it’s gonna cost? We’ re looking for budget deals. Thank you

    Posted on October 24, 2018
    • Admin

      Hi Jhulie,

      Manila to El Nido is only with Air-Swift – a boutique airline so flights are quite expensive.

      For budget travelers, we usually recommend flying to Puerto Princesa and taking the van from there. You can even spend a night there first, and go on a tour of the underground river. The ride to El Nido takes roughly 4 hours.

      Once you make up your mind, you can contact us here. We’ll be happy to help you book your vacation!

      Posted on October 24, 2018
  10. Connie

    Hi I want to inquire for a family vacation of 3 adults and 3 kids and a baby on July start from the 9th till the 20th for only 7 days with full package (flight/hotel/tour)and are you able to set up flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa then to El Nido,Coron and interested to go for the underground river tour .could u give me the cost,the itinerary and the inclusions.thank you. U could reach me also at my cell (312)538-3100.

    Posted on January 13, 2019
    • Admin

      Hi Connie,

      I removed your phone number from the comment.

      Everything you request is possible, but i would think twice before taking small children to Palawan in July. The weather over there can be quite bad, and good chance it will disrupt your itinerary.

      Obviously in the end it’s entirely your decision, but i would suggest you consider other, “safer” locations such as Bohol for example.

      Please send us an inquiry so we can discuss it further and find the best option for you and your family.

      Thank you for leaving a comment and inquiring about our services!

      Posted on January 14, 2019

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