Three days in El Nido is honestly the sweet spot. It’s enough time to tick off the best island hopping tours, catch a proper sunset, wander the town, and still leave wanting to come back. Too short and you’ll feel rushed. Too long and you’ll either run out of things to do or blow your budget at beachside bars (no judgment).
This itinerary is built for first-timers. It prioritizes the best experiences in the right order, with real times, real costs in pesos, and a few tips that took us a few trips to figure out.
Before You Arrive: A Few Things to Know
El Nido is accessible by air via the Lio Airport, serviced by AirSWIFT with flights from Manila (about 1 hour 15 minutes) and from Cebu. Alternatively, you can fly into Puerto Princesa and take a van north – the drive takes around 5 to 6 hours but passes through beautiful mountain scenery.
Book your accommodation before you arrive, especially from November to April. The town gets busy and the good spots fill up fast. And sort out your island hopping tours on your first evening or morning – shared tours can sell out 1 to 2 days ahead during peak season.
For airport transfers and van hire from Puerto Princesa, CMT’s transport services cover the route at fixed rates so you’re not negotiating at the terminal after a long flight.
Day 1: Arrive, Settle In, and Explore El Nido Town
Don’t try to squeeze an island tour into your arrival day. You’ll be tired, possibly sunburned before you’ve put on sunscreen, and you won’t enjoy it as much as you should. Use Day 1 to orient yourself, book your tours, and get one great meal.
Morning/Afternoon: Arrive and Check In
If you’re arriving from Puerto Princesa by van, you’ll pull into El Nido town around noon to 1:00 PM depending on your departure time. Grab lunch at one of the restaurants along Hama Street or near the main beach – the area is packed with options ranging from ₱150 silog breakfasts to proper seafood meals for ₱400 to ₱600.
After checking in, walk down to the El Nido Tourism Office near the beach to book your tours. Tour A and Tour C are the two you absolutely need – more on that below. Shared tours cost ₱1,200 to ₱1,500 per person including lunch, and the environmental fee (₱200 to ₱400 depending on the tour) is sometimes added on top. Confirm this when booking so there are no surprises at the pier.
Late Afternoon: Las Cabanas Beach
About 20 minutes by tricycle from town (₱150 to ₱200 per tricycle), Las Cabanas Beach is the best sunset spot in El Nido. The zipline here (around ₱600 per person) is optional but genuinely fun – you launch out over the water just as the light turns gold. Go even if you skip the zipline. The beach bar does cold San Mig Light and the view is free.
Head back to town before dark. The road gets rough at night.
Evening: Book Your Tours and Rest
If you haven’t already confirmed Day 2 and Day 3 tours, do it now. Most guesthouses can arrange bookings for you. A lot of operators also accept GCash or cash payment. Get an early night – tours depart by 9:00 AM and the boat ride to the first stop is best enjoyed awake.
Day 2: Tour A – Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon
Tour A is El Nido’s most iconic circuit, and for good reason. The Big Lagoon alone is worth the entire trip. Do this on Day 2 while your energy is high.
What Tour A Covers
The standard Tour A stops include: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island. Some boats also include a 7 Commandos Beach stop for lunch. The order varies by operator but the experience is roughly the same.
Depart from the main pier at 9:00 AM. The first boat ride out is 30 to 40 minutes, which is actually a pleasure – you’re cutting through open water with limestone cliffs rising on either side. Bring a light jacket for the early morning sea breeze.
Highlights and Insider Tips
At the Big Lagoon, pay for a kayak rental (₱200). The shared tour boats can’t enter the shallow interior, so the kayak is the only way to paddle into the heart of the lagoon where the water is an almost unreal shade of green. Go early in the morning before the tour groups arrive – when we were there at 9:30 AM, the lagoon was nearly empty. By 11:00 AM it was packed.
The Small Lagoon is accessed by swimming through a narrow rock channel. It’s tight but manageable for most swimmers. The water on the other side is calm and the walls are covered in moss and rock formations.
Secret Lagoon requires a short scramble over rocks to enter. It’s smaller and less dramatic than the Big Lagoon but worth 15 minutes of your time. Shimizu Island is the snorkeling stop – the reef here has good coral and occasional sea turtles if you’re lucky.
Tour A wraps up around 3:30 to 4:00 PM. You’ll be back in town with time for a shower and a sit-down dinner. Try the fresh catch of the day at any of the restaurants near the beach – grilled tuna or snapper with garlic rice and cold drinks runs about ₱350 to ₱500.
Day 3: Tour C – Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, and Matinloc Shrine
Tour C is, in our opinion, the most visually stunning of the four El Nido circuits. The two secret beaches involve swimming through rock openings, and Matinloc Island has a viewpoint that belongs on every Philippines highlight reel.
What Tour C Covers
Tour C typically visits: Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Helicopter Island, and Star Beach. Some operators include Tapiutan Island. The circuit covers the middle and southern parts of Bacuit Bay, so the boat ride times between stops are a bit longer than Tour A.
Again, depart by 9:00 AM. The first stop is usually Hidden Beach, which you access by swimming around a rock wall. The beach inside is small and white, completely enclosed by limestone. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you discovered it yourself even when there are 30 other tourists doing the same thing.
Don’t Miss Matinloc Shrine
The ruins of Matinloc Shrine sit on a cliff above the water, and the viewpoint above them is one of the best panoramas in all of Palawan. The climb up is about 10 minutes on a stone path. Go all the way to the top, not just to the shrine level. The view from up there, with the islands and open sea spreading out in every direction, is genuinely hard to describe.
Secret Beach is the other standout. You swim through a tight underwater opening in the rock face – it’s about 2 meters of swimming in near-darkness, so if you’re claustrophobic, skip this one. But if you can manage it, the beach on the other side is completely hidden from the open sea. It’s one of the most satisfying places in the Philippines to reach.
After Tour C: Options for Your Last Evening
If your flight or van departs the next morning, your last evening in El Nido is for one good meal and maybe one cold drink watching the bay. Corong-Corong Beach, about 1.5 kilometers from the town center, is quieter than the main strip and perfect for a relaxed last night.
If you have time before departure, the El Nido town market opens early and is worth a quick walk for dried mangoes, local snacks, and a cheap breakfast before hitting the road.
Optional Add-On: Nacpan Beach (If You Have a 4th Day)
If you can squeeze out an extra day, Nacpan Beach is worth it. It’s a 45-minute tricycle ride north of town (₱300 to ₱400 per tricycle) and is one of the longest and most beautiful beaches in Palawan – a 4-kilometer stretch of white sand with almost no development. Bring your own snacks and drinks since options there are limited. This is also a good morning activity if you have an afternoon departure.
Getting Around El Nido
Within El Nido town, tricycles are the main transport. Short rides cost ₱30 to ₱50 per person. For out-of-town trips like Las Cabanas or Nacpan, expect ₱150 to ₱400 depending on distance. Always agree on the price before you get in.
For longer transfers – back to Puerto Princesa or between towns in Palawan – van hire is the most comfortable option. Our El Nido transport services cover all major routes with fixed rates and no hidden fees. For a complete picture of how to plan your time in Palawan, read our Palawan island hopping guide which covers all destinations and tour types in detail.
3-Day El Nido Budget Breakdown
To give you a rough sense of costs for 3 days in El Nido:
Tours: Tour A (₱1,500) + Tour C (₱1,500) = ₱3,000 per person, excluding environmental fees (add ₱400 to ₱600 total). Transport: Airport transfer (₱300 to ₱500 if arriving via Lio) + tricycle rides ₱500 to ₱700 for 3 days. Food: Budget ₱600 to ₱1,200 per day depending on where you eat. Accommodation: Guesthouses from ₱800 to ₱2,000 per night; mid-range hotels ₱2,500 to ₱5,000. Total 3-day budget estimate: ₱8,000 to ₱15,000 per person depending on your accommodation and eating habits.
Want a stress-free booking experience? Check out our El Nido tour packages which bundle island hopping, transfers, and accommodation into one easy booking. You can also read our guide on the best beaches in Palawan to plan what to visit after El Nido.
Frequently Asked Questions: 3 Days in El Nido
Is 3 days enough for El Nido?
Yes, 3 full days is enough to cover the two best island hopping tours (Tour A and Tour C) and explore El Nido town. You won’t be able to do everything, but you’ll hit the highlights without feeling rushed.
Which El Nido tours should I prioritize?
Tour A and Tour C are the top picks for first-timers. Tour A has the famous lagoons; Tour C has the most dramatic hidden beach and viewpoint experiences. If you only have time for one, Tour C is slightly more unique.
How do I get to El Nido from Manila?
The fastest way is a direct flight to Lio Airport via AirSWIFT, which takes about 75 minutes from Manila. Alternatively, fly to Puerto Princesa (many airlines serve this route) and take a 5 to 6 hour van ride north to El Nido.
What is the best time to visit El Nido?
November to May is the dry season and the best time for island hopping. December to February is peak season – busiest but also most reliable weather. March to May is a great balance of good conditions and slightly fewer tourists.
Do I need to book El Nido tours in advance?
During peak season (December to April), yes – book 1 to 2 days ahead at minimum. Shared tours can fill up. Private charters need more advance notice. Off-season you can often book same-day, but it’s still better to plan ahead.
What should I pack for island hopping in El Nido?
Reef-safe sunscreen, rash guard, dry bag, snorkel gear (optional but helpful), water bottle, small amount of cash, and a light jacket for the morning boat ride. Leave valuables at your guesthouse.
Can I combine El Nido with Coron in one trip?
Yes, the El Nido to Coron ferry runs several times a week (around 4 hours by fast boat) and the route passes through stunning scenery. Budget at least 3 days in each destination. Message us on Facebook and we can help you plan a combined Palawan itinerary.
Ready to make it happen? Message CMT Ticketing and Services on Facebook to book your El Nido tours and transfers. Check out our full El Nido tour packages for everything from shared island hopping to private charters and multi-day itineraries.