El Nido
Limestone lagoons, jungle shores, and stress-free island wandering
Highlights
Glide by boat and kayak through Big Lagoon and secret coves framed by sheer limestone cliffs.
Snorkel and relax on remote coves like Matinloc and Hidden Beach away from town crowds.
Spend a lazy day on one of Palawan’s best long white-sand beaches backed by coconut palms.
Catch fiery sunsets over karst cliffs from beach bars and hill viewpoints around El Nido Bay.
Explore a quieter, more local side of northeastern Palawan with mangroves and calm waters.
Paddle through turquoise lagoons and snorkel vibrant reefs teeming with tropical fish and corals.
Where to Stay
3 picks
El Nido Coco Resort
Garden and pool resort with wooden cottages surrounded by palms and greenery, 2–3 minutes’ walk from Corong-Corong’s sunset beach.
Garden Bay Beach Resort El Nido
Small beachfront resort in a quiet cove backed by lush vegetation, a 15–20 minute walk or short tricycle ride from El Nido town proper.
Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach (Private Room)
Beachfront social hostel with private jungle-style huts and a wild palm-fringed setting directly on Nacpan’s long sand.
Where to Eat
14 picks
Halal-Friendly Island Lunch (Tour A Buffet)
Most Tour A boats serve grilled fish, shrimp, rice, salads, and fruit; clearly tell your operator you need halal-friendly food and will only eat seafood/vegetarian dishes (no pork or non-halal meat).
Happiness Beach Bar
Lively spot with swings at the bar and a good vegetarian and seafood selection; choose things like falafel pita, veggie shakshuka, seafood pasta, or grilled fish, and avoid dishes with pork or non-halal meat.
The Beach Shack
Casual beach bar right on the sand; for halal, stick to grilled fish, seafood pasta, fries, and salads, confirming no pork or alcohol in sauces and skipping any non-halal meat plates.
Bella Vita El Nido
Italian beachside restaurant lined with palms; opt for vegetarian pizzas, seafood pasta, and salads, confirming no pork or alcohol-based sauces on your choices.
Halal-Friendly Island Lunch (Tour C Buffet)
Typical Tour C lunches include grilled fish, squid, rice, vegetables, and fruit; clearly state you only eat seafood/vegetarian and ask the crew to keep your food separate from pork or non-halal meat.
Altrove Express El Nido
Popular pizzeria in town; choose vegetarian pizzas or seafood toppings, ensuring no pork or meat products are added.
Botanica Cafe & Restobar
Green, plant-filled cafe with a mix of Filipino and Western dishes; choose veggie bowls, salads, and seafood mains, confirming no pork or non-halal meats are mixed in.
Gandhi’s Revenge
Indian restaurant with many vegetarian dishes (dal, vegetable curries, chana masala, naan); choose veg plates and seafood if available, confirm no pork or lard, and avoid any meat dishes not clearly halal.
Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach Restaurant
Beachfront restaurant at Mad Monkey; choose seafood dishes, veggie burgers, and salads, confirming no pork or non-halal meat and asking to keep your food separate from such items.
The Nesting Table (Sunset Dinner)
Hillside restaurant with jungle and bay views; opt for seafood curry, grilled fish, and vegetable dishes, double-checking ingredients to avoid pork or non-halal meats.
Halal-Friendly Island Lunch (Tour D Buffet)
Tour D lunches likewise feature grilled fish, seafood, rice, and vegetables; clearly specify you will only eat the seafood and veg dishes and avoid any pork or non-halal meats prepared.
Artcafe (El Nido Boutique Artcafe)
Well-known restaurant and live-music venue; choose seafood mains, vegetarian pizzas, and salads, confirming no pork or non-halal meat is included in your dishes.
Halal-Friendly Lunch with Sibaltan Tour
Most Sibaltan/offbeat tours provide simple grilled fish or seafood, rice, and vegetables; inform the operator when booking that you only eat halal-friendly seafood and vegetarian food and cannot have pork or other non-halal meats.
Republica Sunset Bar (Snacks Only)
Clifftop bar with one of the best sunset views; for halal, stick strictly to vegetarian tapas like patatas bravas and simple salads, and avoid any pork or non-halal meat items and alcoholic drinks if you do not consume them.
What to Do
12 picks
El Nido Town Beach & Bay Walk
Stroll along the small town beach and bayfront to get oriented, with jungle cliffs and boats in the background.
Tour A Island Hopping (Big Lagoon & Secret Lagoon)
Classic shared or private boat tour visiting Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach, with snorkeling and optional kayaking.
Las Cabañas Beach (Marimegmeg)
Relax on a palm-lined beach with views of jungle-covered islands and an easygoing shoreline just south of town.
Las Cabañas Free Explore & Zipline Viewpoint
Walk the length of the beach, swim, or take the optional zipline up to a hilltop for sweeping island and jungle views.
Tour C Island Hopping (Hidden Beaches & Shrines)
Boat tour visiting sites like Helicopter Island, Matinloc Island, Talisay Beach, and Hidden Beach, with snorkeling and beach time.
Taraw Cliff Canopy Walk
Guided, gear-assisted walk over hanging bridges and view decks on the lower slopes of Taraw Cliff for panoramic views over El Nido town and Bacuit Bay.
El Nido Town Free Explore
Wander side streets, browse small shops, check tour agencies, or sit at the beach watching the boats and cliffs.
Nacpan Beach Day Trip
Take a tricycle or van about 45 minutes north to Nacpan, a long white-sand beach backed by coconut trees and light jungle.
Nacpan Beach Free Explore
Walk toward the twin beach viewpoint, explore the palm groves, or just stay in the shade and swim as you like.
Tour D or Small Lagoon–Focused Island Hopping
Choose Tour D or a Small Lagoon–focused route visiting quieter beaches like Paradise Beach and Pasandigan Beach plus time kayaking in Small Lagoon.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Sibaltan Coast Day Trip
Book an offbeat day trip or private tour toward Sibaltan with quiet beaches, villages, and mangroves; some tours include simple island-hopping there too.
Corong-Corong Sunset & Last Swim
End your trip with a relaxed swim or beach walk at Corong-Corong as the sun sets behind jungle-covered islands.
Good to Know
8 picks
Halal Food Strategy
In El Nido there are few explicitly halal-certified places, so the safest approach is to rely on vegetarian and seafood dishes; always clearly tell staff you cannot eat pork or non-halal meat and ask them to avoid mixing your food or utensils with those items.
Booking Island Tours
Book shared Tours A, C, and D and offbeat trips like Sibaltan in person at agencies in El Nido town one day in advance; ask what’s included (lunch, snorkel, kayak, eco fees) and keep your ticket handy the next morning at the beach.
Cash, ATMs, and Budgeting
ATMs sometimes run out of cash or go offline, so withdraw enough pesos for several days at once (meals, tricycles, tours, and eco fees) and keep some small bills for island fees and snacks.
Tricycles and Getting Around
Use tricycles (motorbike taxis with sidecars) for short hops between El Nido town, Corong-Corong, and Las Cabañas; agree the fare before you ride and keep your hotel business card to show drivers.
What to Pack for Boats
Bring a dry bag, water shoes or sturdy sandals, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a quick-dry towel for island-hopping; many landings involve stepping off into shallow water or walking on rocks.
Weather and Backup Plans
During amihan (roughly November–May) seas are calmer, but trips can still be adjusted for safety; keep at least one free or flexible day so you can reshuffle tours if the coast guard cancels routes.
Respecting the Environment
Avoid touching corals, feeding fish, or leaving any trash on islands; use reef-safe sunscreen and follow your guide’s instructions about where to snorkel and where boats can anchor.
Safety for Solo Travelers
El Nido is generally friendly and safe, especially in tourist areas; keep valuables minimal on boat days, lock them in your room when possible, and share island-hopping boats to naturally meet other travelers.
Map
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