What are the best things to do in El Nido?
Top picks in El Nido include Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon tour, Nacpan Beach, Secret Beach, Seven Commandos Beach. See the full list and itinerary on this El Nido travel guide.
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0
Why visit El Nido
Travel guide for El Nido, Philippines — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
El Nido is a stop in Philippines, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon tour, Nacpan Beach, Secret Beach instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 40–120 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in El Nido
1
Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon tour
2
Nacpan Beach
3
Secret Beach
4
Seven Commandos Beach
5
Taraw Cliff viewpoint
6
Island-hopping Tour A or C
7
Cadlao Lagoon
8
Las Cabanas Beach sunset
Budget travel
Free things to do in El Nido
Nacpan Beach
Secret Beach
Seven Commandos Beach
Taraw Cliff viewpoint
Las Cabanas Beach sunset
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
El Nido itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon tour
- Visit Nacpan Beach
- Visit Secret Beach
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Seven Commandos Beach
- Visit Taraw Cliff viewpoint
- Visit Island-hopping Tour A or C
- 3
Day 3
More highlights
- Visit Cadlao Lagoon
- Visit Las Cabanas Beach sunset
Budget
El Nido trip cost
Budget
USD 20–40
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 40–120
per person / day
Luxury
USD 140–230+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in El Nido, Philippines. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for El Nido
Estimated total (USD)
$2,040
≈ $1,020 per person · $291 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $80/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match El Nido mid-range ground costs (budget 20–40 · mid 40–120 · luxury 140–230+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Botanica Cafe
The Beach Shack
La Tienda Delicatessen
Art Cafe
Habibi Restaurant & Shisha Cafe
The Alternative
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
El Nido Sands Inn
Tay Miloys inn
Gemini Travelers Lodge
Cadlao Resort & Restaurant
Relucio Traveller's Pension
Shopping
- El Nido Boutique & Artcafe
In pictures
El Nido gallery
Photos: Vyacheslav Argenberg, Fabio Achilli — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
El Nido travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit El Nido?
November–March for cooler, drier conditions.
How many days do I need in El Nido?
Plan at least 3 days in El Nido for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in El Nido?
Popular stays in El Nido include El Nido Sands Inn, Tay Miloys inn, Gemini Travelers Lodge. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to El Nido cost?
On the ground in El Nido (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 20–40 per person per day, mid-range about 40–120, and luxury about 140–230+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in El Nido, Philippines. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
