El Nido Town Palawan — aerial view of turquoise water and limestone karsts surrounding the town of El Nido

Palawan

El Nido Town

Cris Tagupa / Unsplash

Trade-off

The gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago — boat tours, limestone cliffs, and the liveliest strip in Palawan.

El Nido town is the jumping-off point for the island-hopping tours that define Palawan travel: Tour A to the Big and Small Lagoons, Tour C to the Secret Beach, and Tour D to the Matinloc Shrine all depart from the town's beachfront. The main strip on Calle Hama is dense with tour operators, restaurants, and bars catering to the full spectrum from backpackers to boutique travellers. The town itself is a working fishing community rather than a resort — the appeal is the extraordinary natural theatre of Bacuit Bay on every side, not the town's own polish.

Scores

8/10

Walkability

5/10

Transit

4/10

Price

6/10

Local feel

7/10

Nightlife

6/10

Family-friendly

10/10

Centrality

What you gain

  • ↑The most direct access to island-hopping tours of the Bacuit Archipelago — the Big and Small Lagoons, Shimizu Island, and the Secret Beach are all within 30–90 minutes by bangka boat
  • ↑The widest selection of accommodation, restaurants, and tour operators in Palawan — from ₱500 dormitory beds to boutique resorts; the best range for every budget in one walkable strip
  • ↑Evening atmosphere on Calle Hama: beachfront restaurants with views of the limestone silhouettes at sunset, and a small but genuine bar scene that functions until midnight

What you sacrifice

  • ↓El Nido town itself is scrappy and can feel overcrowded in peak season — the streets are narrow, the power cuts out, and the tourist infrastructure has not kept pace with demand
  • ↓The nearest proper beach to town (Las Cabanas, Corong-Corong) requires a short tricycle ride; the town beach is functional for boat boarding but not for swimming or sunbathing

Best for

island-hopping and water activitiesbackpackers and budget travellersfirst-time Palawan visitorsthose wanting maximum tour flexibilitysolo travellers

Avoid if

those wanting a beach resort directly in front of their roomthose prioritising peace and quietluxury travellers expecting manicured facilities

Other Palawan neighbourhoods

Puerto Princesa

Palawan's capital and main gateway — the Underground River UNESCO site and the practical base for everything.

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Port Barton

Palawan before the crowds found it — a quiet fishing village between Puerto Princesa and El Nido with untouched bay.

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Coron Town

The WWII wreck diving capital of Asia — more laid-back than El Nido, with Kayangan Lake and limestone scenery.

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Know where to stay — now find when to go.

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