How to Spend 3 Days in El Nido: The Ultimate First-Timer’s Itinerary
Three days in El Nido is enough to fall completely in love with the place. It’s also enough to come home wishing you’d planned better.
The good news: if you structure those three days correctly, you’ll see the lagoons, the beaches, the sunsets, and the hidden spots that make El Nido one of the most photographed destinations in all of Southeast Asia. The bad news: there’s more here than three days can fully cover, but we’ll make sure you hit the very best of it.
Getting to El Nido
By air: AirSWIFT flies directly from Manila to Lio Airport near El Nido, the flight takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. Book early; seats are limited and this route is always popular.
By van from Puerto Princesa: Shared vans cost about ₱600-₱800 per person and take 5.5-6 hours. Private van transfers run ₱3,500-₱4,500 for the whole vehicle.
For a 3-day trip, flying directly to El Nido saves a whole travel day. It’s worth the extra cost.
Before You Arrive: Book Your Tours
El Nido’s island hopping runs on timed entry permits. Tours depart at set times (usually 8-9am), have limited spots, and fill up. Book your island hopping before you arrive. Our El Nido island hopping packages include pre-arranged tours so you don’t lose your first morning hunting for spots.
Day 1: Arrive, Settle In & Explore El Nido Town
Don’t rush. El Nido rewards a slower pace. Take your first hour to just walk around, get a sense of the place, and grab lunch.
Afternoon: Head to Las Cabañas Beach (3 km from town, easy tricycle ride for ₱30-₱50). Rent a kayak for ₱300/hour and paddle out toward the small island just offshore.
Sunset: Stay at Las Cabañas for the sunset. El Nido sunsets are legitimately spectacular, the silhouette of karst cliffs against an orange-pink sky.
Dinner: Head back to town. The strip near the beach has excellent options, try any of the open-air grills for fresh seafood. Budget ₱300-₱450 per person for a proper meal with drinks.
Day 2: Tour A, El Nido’s Iconic Lagoon Route
Wake up early. Tours depart at 8-9am, and earlier is always better for avoiding crowds.
Tour A is non-negotiable for first-timers.
Big Lagoon: Wide, calm, and impossibly blue. Surrounded on all sides by towering limestone. You can kayak or just swim across it.
Small Lagoon: The one everyone comes for. Narrow, enclosed, with an almost unreal shade of blue. Kayaks are available for rent at the entrance (₱200, rent one, it’s worth it). Arrive early: by 10am this gets crowded.
Secret Lagoon: You swim through a small opening in the cliff face to reach a hidden circular pool inside the rock. It’s one of those travel moments that sounds modest until you’re in it.
Shimizu Island: One of Tour A’s best snorkeling stops. Bring your own snorkel gear or rent on the boat (₱150-₱200).
Tours depart around 8am and return by 5pm. Cost is approximately ₱1,200-₱1,500 per person including lunch.
Evening option: Kayak the mangroves near Corong-Corong for the firefly tour. About ₱500-₱600 per person.
Day 3: Tour C, Secret Beach & Helicopter Island
Your last full day, and potentially your best.
Secret Beach: You swim from the boat to a cliff face, then through a narrow underwater passage to emerge inside a completely hidden beach. There’s no other way in. The beach is tiny, 30 or 40 meters of white sand with walls of rock on three sides and blue water at your feet. When we arrived with just two other kayaks in the cove, it felt like a discovery.
Helicopter Island: Named for its shape from the air. The beach is gorgeous and long, with excellent snorkeling along the reef edge.
Star Beach: A quieter stop, calmer, less visited, good for swimming.
Return by 5pm. Your last evening in El Nido, walk the beach, watch the sunset, eat well.
3-Day El Nido Budget Breakdown
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (2 nights, mid-range) | ₱3,000-₱5,000 |
| Island Hopping Tour A | ₱1,200-₱1,500 |
| Island Hopping Tour C | ₱1,200-₱1,500 |
| Meals (3 days) | ₱2,000-₱2,800 |
| Tricycles, snorkel gear, entrance fees | ₱800-₱1,200 |
| Total (excluding flights) | ₱8,200-₱12,000 |
FAQ: 3 Days in El Nido
Q: Is 3 days enough for El Nido?
Three days is genuinely enough to see the highlights, including the two best island hopping routes (Tour A and Tour C). You won’t see everything, but you’ll go home happy.
Q: Which tours should I do in 3 days in El Nido?
Tour A on Day 2 and Tour C on Day 3. These cover the lagoons, Secret Beach, and Helicopter Island, the absolute best of El Nido for first-timers.
Q: How do I book island hopping in El Nido?
Book through a licensed tour operator before you arrive. CMT’s El Nido packages include pre-booked island hopping so you don’t lose valuable morning time sorting this out on arrival.
Q: What time do El Nido island hopping tours start?
Most tours depart at 8-9am and return by 4:30-5pm. Always choose the earliest available slot to beat the crowds at popular spots like the Small Lagoon.
Q: Is El Nido island hopping suitable for non-swimmers?
Yes, life jackets are provided on all tours, and many of the scenic spots can be enjoyed from the boat. Swimming and snorkeling are optional at each stop.
Q: What’s the best beach in El Nido for a first-timer?
Las Cabañas Beach for sunset and swimming. Among the island hopping stops, Helicopter Island on Tour C is the standout beach.
Make Your 3 Days Count
CMT’s El Nido island hopping packages include pre-arranged tours, transfers, and accommodation, so your 3 days are exactly what they should be.