Are you planning a 3 Day El Nido itinerary? Here’s our in-depth travel guide to help you plan your trip to one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines! With gorgeous white sand beaches, tall palm trees, many lagoons and incredible underwater life.
El Nido is a must-visit if you’re exploring Palawan, Philippines. With 3 days in El Nido, you can discover the best things to do in El Nido and around the area with multiple island hopping tours! Let’s find out what to do in El Nido!
El Nido has become very popular over the last few years – and there’s a reason why! It’s a tropical paradise with beautiful rock and limestone formations surrounding the area! From El Nido town many boats offer island hopping tours to some of the most beautiful locations with beaches, lagoons and snorkelling opportunities.
This is definitely a spot to add to your Philippines itinerary and here’s all the information you need to know before your visit to El Nido.
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Quick Tips for an El Nido Itinerary
- Currency – Philippine Peso (compare to your own currency here)
- Language – Tagalog & English
- Cuisine – Filipino Cuisine (seafood, rice, bbq & curries)
- Paying – Most places only take cash!
- Wifi – It’s getting better, but not it’s not super fast in El Nido
- Philippines Power Voltage – Plugs C & F (220 V)
- Visa – Free 30 Day Visa for UK Citizens (more info here!)
Here’s a quick list of things you can check or book before your trip!
- Check for any public holidays in the Philippines (check here!)
- Book your flights (check prices here!)
- Book your accommodation (book here for hotels & here for hostels!)
- Planning the rest of your trip? Here’s our 3 Week Philippines Route & Itinerary!
- Also take a look at our The Best Coron Itinerary: 3 Days in Coron, Philippines!
3 Day El Nido Itinerary
Here’s our recommended 3 day El Nido itinerary, as we were on a budget and also visiting Coron we only managed to do one island hopping tour in El Nido. Although on this itinerary, it’s totally possible to squeeze Day 1 & 3 together to make an extra day for island hopping! We have more helpful tips in this travel guide after this El Nido itinerary.
Day 1 – El Nido town & Sunset at the beach
Once you arrive in El Nido, head to your accommodation to check in or drop your bags off. If you’re hungry, grab some food in El Nido town – we recommend Seed Dreams near the beach. If you haven’t already booked a tour, today is the day to find one ready for Day 2!
Chill and watch the sunset at Las Cabañas Beach
The best way to start your 3 day El Nido itinerary is by visiting Las Cabañas Beach! It’s our favourite beach in El Nido and it’s one of the best places to watch the sunset! We fell in love with the sunset colours on the ocean and the palm trees and chilled here for a few hours. There’s many restaurants and bars along the beach, so there are plenty of choices if you want food or a drink!
It’s easy to get to the beach by scooter or tricycle to the Mcdonalds south of El Nido town. From there it’s a short walk past a few shops down to the beach. Here’s the location of Las Cabañas Beach!
After watching the sunset at Las Cabañas Beach, either head back to the accommodation you’re staying at or make your way to El Nido town and browse around all the shops, and markets and grab some dinner if you haven’t already!
Day 2 – Go on an Island Hopping Tour
Day 2 of your El Nido itinerary is all about exploring the beautiful islands in the area. Bring your hat, snorkel, and reef-friendly sunscreen and head to El Nido beach to find your boat (pick-up is also available with some companies).
Island Hopping Tours
El Nido is one of the most popular places in the Philippines to go island hopping and it’s not hard to see why! At first, we were a little overwhelmed by the number of tours available but after talking to companies in El Nido and our own research – it now makes a lot more sense.
There are many spots to visit and it’s impossible to visit everything in a day, so there are specific island hopping routes named Tour A, B, C, and D, plus other mixed routes or private boats.
Where does each Island Hopping Tour in El Nido visit?
El Nido Tour A – Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island & 7 Commando Beach
El Nido Tour B – Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Entalula Beach, Cudugnon Cave & a Snorkeling Spot
El Nido Tour C – Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Talisay Beach & Hidden Beach
El Nido Tour D – Ipil Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise & Pasandigan Beach, Natmat Beach & Bukal Beach
Ultimately Tour A and C are the most popular tours with B and D being quieter.
How to book an Island Hopping Tour in El Nido?
You can book an island hopping tour with any company around the town or at your accommodation. The price will be around 1,400 pesos per person and most companies will charge around this price or more. We booked ours online but ended up getting put on any boat that had free space, but it was an amazing day overall!
You can book your island-hopping tour online here!
Tour A – Island Hopping Tour
We chose tour A (the most popular one) and had a great time! The weather wasn’t completely in our favour, and it rained on and off throughout the day. Our boat had some awesome people onboard which always makes an experience better.
For us, the highlight of Tour A is kayaking around one of three beautiful lagoons around Miniloc Island. The colour of the water in the ocean around El Nido is incredible and everything you’d want from an island hopping tour during your 3 day El Nido itinerary!
Lunch is included with all tours, and if you’re vegan or vegetarian (or any dietary preference), make sure you tell them in advance as they start preparing the food at the beginning of the day and bring ingredients onto the boat.
There are options to buy drinks at some spots throughout the day, especially from locals on small boats with coconuts, beer and ice creams!
Recap – Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island & 7 Commando Beach
The island hopping tours usually end between 4:30pm and 6 pm at El Nido beach! After a pretty busy day exploring the water and the sun, you may want to head back to your accommodation and change before grabbing dinner! We’ve mentioned it before, but we do recommend Seed Dreams for food!
Have a look at our 3 Day Coron Itinerary: 3 Days in Coron, Philippines!
Day 3 – Explore the island: Waterfalls & Beaches
On day 3 of your El Nido itinerary, it’s time to explore the beautiful beaches and waterfalls on the mainland! The best way to do this is by renting a scooter! It is possible by tuk-tuk but it can be quite expensive with extra stops. If you don’t want to rent a scooter, we suggest only visiting Napcan Beach and Lio Beach.
We rented a scooter from Bella’s Motorbike Rental for 500 PHP in the morning and visited the following spots on this 3 day El Nido itinerary:
Bulalacao Waterfalls
The first stop of the day is Bulalacao Waterfalls! It will take around 25 minutes to get to Bulalacao Waterfalls from El Nido beach. Once you arrive it’s a short 20-minute walk through the jungle to reach the falls and you’ll be rewarded with a dip at the end! The waterfall isn’t super impressive but it’s lovely if you prefer fresh water to the sea. There’s also a small entry fee and here’s the location!
Nacpan Beach
If you’re only going to visit one stop of the day, make sure it’s Napcan Beach. You can spend all day at this beautiful long stretch of beach whether you rent a sun lounger or put a beach towel under the shade of a palm tree. Here’s the location!
There’s quite a few restaurants to choose from local Filipino food to more luxurious resort food. You will also find vendors selling coconuts – and that’s the perfect drink to have at the beach.
Whilst you’re exploring Napcan Beach, check out Twin Beach which is on the far left side of Napcan Beach. You can admire a small strip of the island with the ocean on both sides!
It takes another 25 minutes to get to Napcan Beach from Bulalacao Waterfalls and the roads are okay if the weather is dry.
Lio Beach
After soaking up the sun and waves at Napcan Beach it’s time to head back to El Nido town area with one final stop on the way – Lio Beach! Here’s the location!
Lio Beach is a beautiful big stretch of beach lined with wonderful tall palm trees. We didn’t realise it at first, but the area is pretty developed. There’s many shops and restaurants but it feels like a mall complex – it’s a very cool area and it’s actually right next to El Nido Lio Airport.
We watched a few planes come in and take off which we honestly never get to do. There’s a pier to walk down and you can explore the area until sunset on your 3 days in El Nido.
After an awesome 3 days in El Nido, you’ve come to the end of your El Nido itinerary. We have a few more things to do in El Nido if you’re interested in adding to this itinerary! Carry on reading to find out where to stay, our restaurant recommendations and general tips on visiting El Nido.
More things to do in El Nido
- Challenge yourself with a climb up Taraw Cliff
- Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls – After a 45-minute hike through the jungle lies a double waterfall! It’s around 270 PHP per person with a guide and you can get a dip in the falls!
- Dagmay Beach – Continue driving from Napcan for a quieter beach.
- Cervantes Viewdeck – An awesome viewpoint with a bumpy drive.
We’re not going to lie, the Taraw Cliff hike is pretty intense but very rewarding with views of El Nido and the surrounding islands. If you’re up for a challenge on your El Nido itinerary, late afternoon is the best time to do this hike.
It takes around 30 minutes to reach the top but there’s no actual path. It’s pretty much climbing up rocks and definitely not a hike to do in sandals. The rocks are quite sharp and we would only recommend it to hikers who know how to handle these types of trails as it’s quite dangerous.
Where to stay in El Nido
Raje Residence $ – A great budget-friendly accommodation within walking distance from El Nido. Find them on Booking.com here!
Frendz El Nido Hostel $$ – This hostel is by far the best-looking hostel in El Nido (yes it has a pool!) The price is a little higher than other hostels in the Philippines, but it’s totally worth it for a bit of luxury. It also has a great atmosphere and location. Find them on Hostelworld here!
Where to eat in El Nido
Seed Dreams $-$$ – Right by El Nido Beach, this is our favourite restaurant in El Nido with friendly owners and great vegan options! (location)
Taste El Nido $$ – The place to go if you want a smoothie bowl to start your morning! (location!)
Happiness Beach Bar $$ – This chill hostel has a big menu serving breakfast, lunch and dinner! (location!)
Want to switch to sustainable travel products before visiting the Philippines? Check out our 18 Great Eco Friendly Travel Products You Need to Swap!
How to get around El Nido
El Nido town is easily walkable, however, some guesthouses and hostels are quite far outside of the town centre. There are a few different ways to get around El Nidom so here’s your options for spending 3 days in El Nido.
Renting a scooter – The best way to get around El Nido is by renting a scooter! This will give you the ultimate freedom, as long as you’re comfortable riding one. We rented ours from Bella’s Motorbike Rental in El Nido town and highly recommend them! Prices are around 500 PHP which is a little higher than other destinations in the Philippines, but that’s the going price for El Nido.
Tricycles (Tuk-Tuks) – Tricycles are everywhere in El Nido town and many guesthouses will be able to sort out transport for you during your 3 day El Nido itinerary.
Tours – If you book an Island Hopping Tour, the company may sort out a pickup for you to get to El Nido beach.
How to get to El Nido
There are a few ways to get to El Nido from different locations around the Philippines using ferry, minivan or flying! Here are a few options for you:
Book your transport online & check your options here! Also here’s the link for Skyscanner for flights.
Flying to El Nido – El Nido has an airport connecting to popular destinations such as Manila and Cebu. Flying usually takes around 1-2 hours and many guesthouses in El Nido can arrange pick-up or drop-off. The airport is actually next to Lio Beach and the local airline is Air Swift.
How to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa – A more budget-friendly option (if you have time) is to fly into Puerto Princesa in Palawan and catch a 4-5 hour bus or minivan to El Nido. (the last bus to El Nido leaves at 6 pm) This is a great plan if you want to explore Puerto Princesa before your 3 day El Nido itinerary.
How to get to El Nido from Port Barton – It takes 4.5 hours by minivan to get from Port Barton to El Nido and there is a slightly cheaper option using local buses (Port Barton to Roxas and then Roxas to El Nido).
How to get to El Nido from Coron –
Ferry from Coron to El Nido – The ferry takes around 6 hours using Montenegro Shipping Lines The price is currently 2,640 pesos (and keeps increasing each year). These ferries don’t run daily but this may have changed, so double-check on Montenegro’s Facebook!
Flying from Coron to El Nido – In 2025, it may be the same price to fly from Coron to El Nido as the ferry companies have increased the price so much! Check Skyscanner in advance to see if you can book a flight for cheaper than 2,640 pesos (£38).
3 or 5 day Island Hopping from Coron to El Nido – Another way to get to El Nido is on a remote island hopping tour where you sleep on different islands along the way with a fun crowd of people! Tao Expeditions are the most popular tour company, although there are others. Find out more here!
Also check out our Coron Itinerary: 3 Days in Coron, Philippines!
Best time to visit El Nido, Palawan
The best time to visit El Nido is between January to April when the weather is dry and sunny! As the Philippines has a tropical climate, it’s not guaranteed it won’t rain at any moment – but the rainy season is from June to October which usually isn’t a great time for island hopping in El Nido.
Typhoons can also happen in the Philippines, so if you’re travelling during the rainy season – check the weather here – and be prepared for crazy stormy weather.
What to pack for 3 days in El Nido
El Nido has a tropical climate all year round, so you’ll want to pack clothes for hot weather and also a swimming costume! A hat, sunglasses and reef-friendly sunscreen are also recommended to keep safe!
On island hopping tours you can rent a snorkel and aqua shoes, but it’s also great if you have your own throughout the Philippines. Find them here – Aqua shoes and snorkel gear. Here are a few other travel essentials:
- International Worldwide Travel Adaptor – The ultimate plug for travelling to multiple countries!
- Amazon Basics Packing Cubes – The best way to pack a bag or suitcase.
- Stainless Steel Water Bottle – These bottles are our favourite travel product!
- Sawyer Mini Water Filter – Filter your own drinking water!
- Waterproof Bag 20L with Waterproof Phone Case – Keep your things safe when island hopping!
- Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit – The best small lightweight tripod! We use a Joby GorillaPod with our Sony A6000 and would highly recommend it!
- Mosquito spray – if you’re prone to mosquito bites, this is one of the best sprays!
Environment & Sustainability
It’s important to make sure we’re looking after our planet when travelling and every country around the world is different. Countries such as the Philippines do not have clean water from the tap which means a lot of visitors buy plastic bottles.
To avoid buying plastic water bottles we highly suggest bringing your own reusable water bottle. All over the country, there are refillable water stations in guesthouses, restaurants and sometimes in transport areas. We didn’t need to buy a plastic water bottle once – which is amazing!!
Another gadget we carry around with us is our Sawyer Mini Water Filter – a straw that filters unsafe water and makes it 100% drinkable. We’ve used it throughout many countries in Southeast Asia and haven’t fallen ill.
Another way to look after the environment during your 3 days in El Nido – is to take your litter with you, don’t collect shells or rocks from the beaches, avoid plastic bags, and purchase durable long-lasting clothing. El Nido does actually have a ban on single-use plastic (apart from bottles) so the community will really appreciate your efforts!
Check out our Eco-Friendly Travel Products Guide!
Prices in El Nido
The prices of accommodation in El Nido are slightly higher than in other places in the Philippines as the most popular thing to do is island hopping – it means you’ll be spending a bit more money! Here’s an example of prices you can expect to pay during your El Nido itinerary:
- Accommodation – 800 – 1000 pesos
- Restaurants – 130 – 260 pesos
- Island Hopping Tour – around 1640 pesos
- Scuba Diving (per dive) – 1600 pesos
- Ferry to Coron – 2,640 pesos
- Scooter Rentals – 350 – 500 pesos
Don’t forget about Travel Insurance! – SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
SafetyWing is a totally flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your El Nido itinerary and anywhere else in the world. Find out more here!
Is El Nido worth visiting?
Yes! The area of El Nido is definitely worth a visit if you’re exploring the Philippines. We have to admit, the town is still developing and all the best things to do are outside of El Nido town – but the island hopping tours and beaches are absolutely beautiful. If you’re trying to decide between 3 days in El Nido or 3 days in Coron, we’d suggest El Nido overall but Coron if you’re a diver!
More Philippines guides:
- The Best Coron Itinerary: 3 Days in Coron, Philippines
- Moalboal Itinerary: The Best Things To Do (2025)
- 3 Week Philippines Route & Itinerary: Where to visit in 2025
- The Best 2 Days in Manila: Things to do & Itinerary (2025)
- The Best Bohol Itinerary: 3 Days in Bohol, Philippines
- Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls: 2025 (After Typhoon Odette!)
- The Best 3 Days in Siquijor Itinerary – Philippines (2025)
- All our Philippines posts!
That’s the end of our The Best El Nido Itinerary: 3 Days in El Nido! Have the best time in El Nido and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!
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