Three Perfect Days in El Nido, Philippines: Your Ultimate Itinerary
After quitting our jobs to embark on an extended career break, we wanted the first stop of our adventure to ease us into our new full-time traveller lifestyle. The Philippines, being relatively close to Australia, felt like the perfect transition. With just an 8-hour flight and a 2-hour time difference, El Nido promised to spare us from intense jet lag while offering views infinitely more spectacular than our old desk scenery.
From the moment our plane touched down at El Nido Airport and the warm, tropical air hit our faces, we knew we'd made a brilliant choice to kickstart our journey here. What followed was a magical three-day whirlwind of island-hopping adventures. We kayaked through mystical caves into crystal-clear lagoons, snorkelled above vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life, and sipped fresh coconuts under swaying palm trees that framed endless stretches of powder-white sands meeting turquoise waters.
I'm breaking down our entire three-day itinerary in El Nido, including where to stay, which tours are worth your time, which beaches you absolutely cannot miss, and my insider tips for dodging the crowds that flock to this slice of paradise. Consider this your ultimate guide to squeezing every delicious drop of relaxation from 72 hours in this tropical heaven!
The key things you need to know before you go
Timing is Everything: When to Visit?
El Nido operates on a simple two-season schedule that will potentially make or break your trip:
Dry Season (December–May): Your golden window for island hopping, diving, and endless sunshine. Temperatures hover between a comfortable 25°C and a toasty 33°C, with humidity around 66%. Yes, you'll encounter higher prices and bigger crowds, but the guaranteed sunshine is worth every extra peso. Occasional rain showers might surprise you even during the dry months, but they're usually brief and refreshing.
Rainy Season (June–November): Budget travellers, this is your time to shine. Fewer crowds, lower prices, but be prepared for unpredictable weather that could derail your island-hopping plans.
Budget Reality Check: El Nido Isn't Backpacker-Cheap Anymore
El Nido despite its relatively remote location, has not been spared from tourism-induced inflation. It’s one of the pricier destinations in the Philippines, and budget travellers should be prepared to spend a little more.
Hostels in El Nido range anywhere from $30 - $60 (AUD) per night for a dorm bed, and Hotels will set you back between $50 and $200. Restaurants are only slightly cheaper than what you’d pay overseas, so don’t expect to be dining cheaply in El Nido.
Cash is king in El Nido, with only a handful of restaurants in town accepting international cards. Make sure to exchange money in your home country before arriving in the Philippines to get the best exchange rate. Fortunately, El Nido is well equipped with several ATMs scattered across town, so you'll always have an opportunity to get more cash out if you need it.
You can’t bring more than 50,000 PHP cash into the Philippines!! To comply with international conventions against money laundering and regulate currency flowing into and out of the Philippines, you can only bring PHP 50,000 per person into the country without prior written authorisation from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (central bank of the Philippines). For many foreigners, this isn’t an overly large amount, so make sure you have a debit card that doesn’t charge you ATM withdrawal fees, as you will be able to withdraw more cash once you arrive.
Getting There: Three Routes to El Nido
Fly Direct to El Nido Airport (ENI): The stress-free option via Cebu Pacific (Air swift was purchased by Cebu Pacific in 2025). Book at least a month ahead for reasonable prices and skip the marathon van ride.
Fly + Van Combo: Budget-conscious travellers can fly into Puerto Princesa, then endure a 4–6 hour van journey. It's cheaper but it will be a less comfortable journey.
Ferry Adventure: Feeling adventurous? Take the 4-hour fast ferry between Coron and El Nido, multiple daily departures make this a scenic alternative.
Where to stay?
Budget Picks:
Spin Designer Hostel: A vibrant and trendy hostel that offers a unique design and a lively atmosphere for budget travellers and backpackers.
Outpost Beach Hostel: Perfectly located by the beach, this hostel provides comfortable accommodations with a very social vibe and plenty of onsite activities.
Frendz Hostel El Nido: This is the most centrally located hostel of the bunch, located in El Nido town. It’s a super social hostel, with a great rooftop pool and plenty of fun activities.
Mid-Range Comfort:
Barco El Nido: A stylish retreat that combines comfort with convenience, providing an excellent base to explore El Nido.
BonBob Inn: This charming inn offers cozy rooms and attentive service, making it a fantastic choice for a peaceful getaway.
Luxury Indulgence:
Angkla Beach Club: A beautifully designed beachfront property that caters to those seeking a more luxurious and relaxing holiday experience.
Buko Beach Resort: Nestled amidst lush greenery, this resort provides a serene escape with top-notch facilities and exceptional service.
Top Value (New in 2024):
Piece Lio: A fresh addition to the area, this accommodation promises exceptional value with contemporary amenities and a focus on guest satisfaction.
Day 1: El Nido Town Exploration & Sunset Magic at Las Cabanas
Our El Nido adventure kicked off with a curveball, an election day public holiday that shuttered nearly every restaurant and shop in town. While this threw our breakfast plans into chaos, it reminded us that sometimes the best adventures come from improvising!
Morning Fuel: Start your day at Nikibaker, a hidden gem on the town's outskirts serving the most divine baked goods with everything from flaky croissants, warm cookies, and even banana bread that you can get in loaves. A warning for Australian Coffee addicts: Like most Philippine cafés, Nikibaker uses Ultra Heat Treated Milk for their coffees (commonly known in Australia as Long-life milk) so if you aren’t a fan of the taste of UHT or long-life milk I’d recommend switching to Oat or soy during your adventures through the Philippines.
After breakfast, spend some time wandering through El Nido town. Explore the wide variety of boutiques and cafes that line the bay and watch the chaos of the hoards of explorers boarding the boats that depart for the extremely popular tours.
Lunch Options: When hunger strikes, hit Wilnag's Resto for authentic Filipino dishes that won't break the bank, or splurge at Café Athena for Greek cuisine with jaw-dropping bay views that justify the higher price tag.
Afternoon Beach Adventures: Hop in a tricycle (₱150 each way as of May 2025) to Las Cabanas Beach. You could choose to tackle the exhilarating zipline (but beware, as you may have to wait for a few hours during peak times) across the bay or get your retail therapy fix by exploring the beach's many stores. If relaxation is more your style, simply claim a spot on the sand, but note that the beaches can get pretty packed as sunset approaches, so stake out your spot early. The sunsets at Las Cabanas beach are known to be incredible.
Dinner and Dessert: Big Bad Thai offers authentic Thai cuisine for a relatively affordable price. It gets fairly busy, so reservations are recommended if you’re travelling in a big group or want to dine during their peak hours of 6-9 pm but it’s well worth the wait. Cap off your perfect first day in El Nido by treating yourself to some creamy gelato or traditional Halo Halo from Gusto Gelato.
Day 2: Island Hopping Adventure
Start your second day in Palawan with one of the best things you can do in El Nido, joining one of the four main island-hopping tours that depart from El Nido each day. The four tours are conveniently named A, B, C, and D, and each showcases a different part of El Nido’s incredible scenery.
We opted to join the most popular tour of the four, Tour A. This Tour departs from El Nido Town (on the main beach) at around 8:30 am and visits two incredible lagoons, an insane snorkelling spot where you may be lucky enough to see turtles, an island for lunch and a picturesque palm tree-lined beach.
Tour Options:
Group Tour: Budget-friendly but expect to share paradise with 60–90 other people across multiple boats. Our boat had approximately 20 people.
Private Tour: Pay more for schedule flexibility and a chance to experience these natural wonders without the crowds
The tour we booked: We booked this tour through Klook. It was quite cheap at $25 per person and overall we’d recommend it.
Highlight of the Day: We stopped at the Big Lagoon, where we rented kayaks (₱400 for a two-person kayak, 2025 prices) and paddled through some of the most turquoise water we'd ever seen. We also found a secret entrance and paddled through a limestone cave, which felt like pure magic.
Evening Eats: After a day of underwater exploring and relaxing on stunning beaches, refuel at Holy Smoke for Mediterranean favourites like shawarmas and fresh salad bowls, or splurge at Trattoria Altrove for many different pasta and wood-fired pizzas that'll transport you straight to Italy.
Day 3: Beach hopping around northern Palawan
For your final day in El Nido it’s time to get out and about to explore some of the best beaches in Northern Palawan at your own pace. Hire a bike from your hotel or a local rental like Bella’s rental. Renting a scooter in El Nido is a bit more expensive than other places in the Philippines, so expect to pay between 500 and 700 for a decent scooter.
Morning Fuel: Return to Wilnag's Resto to sample more Filipino specialties, consider it your cultural education with a side of deliciousness.
Nacpan Beach is a 45-minute drive from El Nido town. Here, you’ll find 3 km of white sand, crystal blue water, and some small waves. With endless beach clubs, restaurants, banana boats, and other activities, you could easily spend hours relaxing on the pristine sands. Due to its slightly remote location, you’ll have the majority of the beach to yourself, a stark contrast to the likes of Vanilla Beach.
When you’ve had your share of Nacpan beach, jump back on your bike and drive back to Kaye Artisano. Kaye Artisano is an incredible small artisanal retail hub that features several stores offering cool and unique souvenirs from local artists, in addition to several restaurants where you can sit back and enjoy some delicious food after a day of exploring.
Then ride or walk over to Lio Beach, which offers 4km of pristine white sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and fewer crowds than Vanilla or Las Cabanas Beach. It’s completely free to visit, and it’s very accessible from El Nido, being only a 15-minute drive away. For nature lovers, the Lio Wetlands Eco Forest Trail is a short walk away, and for adventurers, you can rent bikes, kayaks or paddleboards and play volleyball next to the beach. There are heaps of free sunbeds and a variety of cafes and restaurants which serve upscale meals and quick snacks.
Spend your final afternoon relaxing in one of the free beach chairs, enjoying the delicious food at the beachfront restaurants (they're on the pricier side but worth it), and taking advantage of the complimentary wifi.
Watching the Airswift planes land over the ocean while the sun sets over El Nido Bay is the perfect way to end three amazing days in this beautiful destination.
If you're planning to explore more of the Philippines or other parts of Asia, feel free to check out our other travel guides and stories here.
