Overview

El Nido is a quaint beachside town that will wow visitors with its stunning landscapes filled with dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise waters, and vibrant marine life. El Nido is the gateway to some of the most luxurious islands and resorts in the world, including Lagen and Miniloc, which are recognized worldwide. The region is known for its stunning natural beauty, boasting serene white sand beaches, hidden tropical lagoons, unique rock formations, and secluded coves. The breathtaking Bacuit Archipelago is home to 45 stunning tropical islands and islets that are perfect for island hopping tours.

Things to see and do

Taraw Cliff is a jagged peak that rises 755 feet above El Nido town, offering some of the most breathtaking views over the Bacuit Bay. A round-trip hike takes around 2 hours, it is a short, steep, intense climb up the limestone rocks. This unforgettable and exhilarating hike offers a unique perspective of the stunning surrounding landscapes with views over the beautiful beachfront town below, as well as the limestone karst formations in the turquoise waters.

Island hopping around El Nido is one of the biggest attractions to see all the surrounding beauty of Bacuit Bay. The bay is home to an idyllic tropical assortment of islands and islets that are a great place to spend a day when visiting El Nido. There are many tour operators that offer the same tours: A, B, C, D.These tours travel to a number of different islands and locations, including Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commando Beach, Matinloc Shrine, and Cathedral Cave, to name a few. There are some great memories to be made out on these spectacular beaches and stunning waters from canoe trips, to rock jumping, exploring hidden coves and caves, picnics on the sand, breathtaking sunset views, and much more.

The Big Lagoon is one of El Nido’s true gems, recognized for its mesmerizing emerald green waters and the surrounding towering limestone karst cliffs. This is one of the most photographed tourist destinations in El Nido. You can glide through the lagoon by kayak through the crystal clear waters, surrounded by these awe-inspiring rock formations.

The small Lagoon is tucked away on the exclusive Miniloc Island, a serene oasis with calm blue-green waters that are the perfect spot for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. This mesmerizing lagoon is also surrounded by the area’s iconic towering limestone cliffs and is a peaceful escape visited on some of the island-hopping tours.

Nacpan Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of El Nido, boasting a 2-mile stretch of glistening white sands just north of town is lined by swaying palms. This beach is a serene slice of paradise, one of El Nido’s true hidden gems, and a great place to spend a beach day. There are some great beachfront restaurants and bars to enjoy food and drinks, and stay to capture a sensational sunset.

One of the best places to capture an El Nido sunset is Las Cabanas Beach.El Nido sunsets are simply magical, and Las Cabanas is one of the most popular beaches in town, lined with many beach bars, which are also a great spot to capture the sunset. There are some bars that have cozy bean bags set up on the sand where you can sip on a tropical drink while watching the sun go down.

Go ziplining between El Nido and Depeldet Island! The 2,460-foot-long zipline connects the mainland to the island across the sea.

Shopping

Shopping in El Nido is limited to a few tourist souvenir shops, charming boutiques, vibrant markets, and unique handicraft stores. There are convenience stores in town where basic necessities like sunblock, beachwear, snacks, and drinks can be purchased. El Nido offers a few nice art shops, a lot of these are located inside resorts and other accommodations. The markets in El Nido are a great opportunity to pick up some unique souvenirs as well as sample local snacks and pick up fresh produce. The main focus when shopping in El Nido is on locally made items reflecting the island's culture, a great place to pick up locally made treasures, or one-of-a-kind souvenirs and gifts to take home. Shopping in El Nido is a great opportunity to help support the local artisans and contribute to the community’s economy. Exploring the narrow streets of downtown El Nido will lead you to a delightful array of shops owned and operated by local families offering authentic and unique products.

Dining

Diners will find a great variety of restaurants to choose from in El Nido, and many of the dining options can be found within hotels and resorts in this area. Restaurants located onsite at these accommodations usually offer a good selection of international fare, but visitors can also find Italian, American, Mexican, Japanese, and other global cuisines. The beachside town of El Nido boasts a lively and diverse dining scene with a good selection of restaurants that specialize in Filipino cuisine, many of which also offer some sensational views. The town has everything from upscale boutique restaurants to cozy, authentic, local, family-run restaurants where you can savor delicious, flavorful local food. Many of the town’s restaurants are located in the Town Proper area, which is just a short walk from the beach, and you can discover some great hidden gems. A dish you must try while in El Nido is the famous bird’s nest soup, a local delicacy made from the nests of the Balinsasayaw bird, which is created from the bird's saliva. These nests are harvested from the crevices of El Nido’s limestone cliffs, and it can be quite difficult to harvest the nests. El Nido means “The Nest”, and the soup is a must-try when in the area; it can, however, be quite expensive due to its limited availability.

Nightlife

El Nido is a small beachtown with a remote location that has a few evening offerings like beachfront bars and restaurants. There are some local bars with live music, and other laid-back activities to soak up the island vibes. There are some nice places to socialize and have a drink, and some great locations for watching the sunset. The charming beachfront restaurants and bars are the perfect place to be when the sun is setting with a tropical cocktail in hand and soaking up the laid-back island vibes and small-town atmosphere.