In December 2007, National Geographic chose Palawan, El Nido to be precise, as one of the best destinations in the world.
Welcome to El Nido Tourism, 2023 Travel Guide to El Nido
In the north of the island of Palawan, southwest of the Philippines, the ordinary aspect of the city of El Nido highlights the contrast between the mundane and the sublime. El Nido, a small village north of Palawan, Philippines, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world at the moment.
A popular destination since the 2007 edition of the Koh Lanta TV show took place there, El Nido is regularly a subject for reports with often typified titles “they have left everything to live on a paradise island”.
Palawan Island is located in the southwestern part of the Philippines archipelago, and is one of the most popular islands for tourists and expatriates because of its very pleasant climate (the island is sheltered from typhoons) and the fact that its population is very welcoming, making its visit safe.
White sandy beaches, coconut palms, sun and idleness are the essential ingredients for a successful holiday. When you come to Palawan, you can’t go wrong!
Created in 2013 following a shocking journey, the elnidotourism.com website aims to introduce El Nido and Palawan to Internet users, to accompany travelers in search of adventure by offering them maximum advice and revealing some good tips only known to the locals, and is a global portal also allowing investment and support for candidates for expatriation.
The best destination in the world in 2023?
In December 2007, National Geographic selected Palawan and in particular El Nido as one of the best destinations in the world. That’s all said and done.
In 2023, many magazines compared El Nido to Bali several decades ago, saying that it is time to visit this remote corner of the world so attractive and still wild.
Do you want to know why you have to spend your holidays here? So take a look at this video…
Beaches and paradise islands that never end
We often only talk about the city of El Nido, but it is more generally about the island of Palawan that we should talk about for your unforgettable holiday in the Philippines. Palawan is full of white sandy beaches, each more beautiful than the next, as well as paradise islands to visit by boat, around which you can dive, snorkel, stand up paddle or kayak. To you the dream landscapes and the turquoise water.
Places not to be missed include Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Port Barton, Las Cabanas Beach, Nacpan Beach and Miniloc Island.
A small cocktail with your feet in the sand to admire the sunset is also one of the magical options offered by the destination.
Uncommon diving and snorkeling sites
El Nido, and the Bacuit archipelago facing it, is one of the best destinations in the world to take in the view above, but also below, sea level. Open your eyes wide, you’ll find it hard to believe everything you’re about to see here. As diving schools are not lacking, more than just diving, you could take advantage of your trip to Asia to learn scuba diving and pass your PADI.
The two facets of El Nido and Palawan
The island of Palawan, and in particular the village of El Nido, offers different facets to tourists according to their desires and financial means.
- – On the one hand, El Nido can be a destination for “backpackers”, who can stay in a small guesthouse at a moderate price, and eat for a low price. They will mainly choose to arrive via Puerto Princesa by bus.
- – On the other hand, the islands located in the Bacuit archipelago opposite El Nido, are partly private and home to luxury hotel complexes (resorts), whose access is reserved for a well-off, even really wealthy clientele. These customers will likely choose AirSwift’s small aircraft arriving from Manila directly to El Nido Airport. Room tenants in hotels located in the bay are a priority for AirSwift. Finally, the rental of a private villa is also an attractive possibility for a dream stay.
In short, you can sleep in Palawan for a budget between 10 USD and more than 1,000 USD per night. The choice is yours!
We organize your holidays
For a dream trip, 100% tailor-made, we offer you our local travel agent service. Contact us by explaining how you see your stay, and we will make you itinerary proposals and turnkey offers.
If you wish to organize your trip to Palawan alone, we have prepared many information sections among which you will find information and selections to help you: your visa, your vaccinations, your transport, your accommodation, your activities, your night outings.
Where to stay?
El Nido offers a varied accommodation offer, from guesthouse rooms to luxury hotel. You can stay in a hotel in the center of El Nido, have a small bungalow on a beach, or stay in a private resort on a dream island such as Miniloc Island.
A popular destination, it is recommended to book your accommodation in Palawan in advance, if you don’t want to have to sleep in your hammock on the beach!
Find a flight for the Philippines
Whether you are arriving from United States or any other country, the number one stop to get to El Nido Palawan is to find a flight to Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
Once this step is completed, you will then have to follow our advice to get to El Nido, whether you arrive by Puerto Princesa, Coron, or the city airport (no direct international flights).
Elnidotourism.com helps you to set up and invest. A destination offering many investment opportunities
You’ve been thinking about giving up everything for a long time to come and settle in the sun in the Asian tropics, are you ready to take the plunge?
In addition to being a holiday guide for tourists, our website intends to expand to offer many services to expatriates and investors. Our settlement support service allows you to break the barrier of language, culture and administrative differences by being accompanied by service providers who speak your language, and who are familiar with the law and local life. Whether you simply want someone to manage your retired visa in the Philippines, or you are offered investment opportunities, the creation of a Filipino company, or anything else of this nature, we can help you. Feel free to visit our page listing private land, beaches and islands for sale in Palawan. New products to come very soon.
Elnidotourism.com is the entry point to Palawan Island. Contact us !
A BIT OF HISTORY
The town of El Nido (“the nest” in Spanish) is located 238 km northeast of Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan.
There were human traces found here dating from 2680 BC. Several fossils and funerary sites have been discovered, and the most spectacular site is the cave of Ille in New Ibajay, about 15 km from El Nido. Bones from more than 8,000 years ago were discovered there by archaeologists.
In the 1800s, Spanish settlers discovered this side of the island and decided to call it “Bacuit“. It is only in 1954 that the town acquired its current name of “El Nido” because of the numerous edible nests of salanganes in the surrounding area. These birds use the small cracks of the limestone cliffs to build their nests (sold by locals for about $3000 a kilo).
A CULTURAL MIX
There almost always has been a strong migration to El Nido. There are members of the different ethnic groups of the Philippine islands, such as Tagalogs, Visayans, or Bicolanos, as well as Chinese, Spaniards, and a small number of Germans. Consequently, apart from Filipino, people often speak English.
The economy of El Nido is obviously focused on tourism, as several scuba diving sites are known all over the world. There is also some agriculture: coconut, cashew nut, banana, and mango are the most common crops.
A PROTECTED MARITIME TERRITORY
The biodiversity of Palawan is incredible, and several animal species are endemic to the island. Unfortunately, this natural abundance is threatened by overfishing, deforestation, and pollution. To fight these threats, the government has designated El Nido as a “protected area”. This protection includes a marine area of 360 square kilometers, the entire Bay of Bacuit (including its islands), the land portion of El Nido, and part of Taytay. This area is called the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area. It is a good thing that the Philippines protects this territory, since it contains unique fauna and flora. Several marine mammals endemic to Palawan live there, including the Irrawaddy dolphin and the dugong.
For more information, visit the Official El Nido Municipal Tourism Office, and if you want to know why you need to come spend your holiday here, just take a look at this video…
EL NIDO MUNICIPAL TOURISM OFFICE is now collecting Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF). This Php200.00 contribution will go to the municipality’s environmental protection program and improvement of tourism support services. Thank you and hope you enjoy your stay here in El Nido!
