El Nido
Travelers come to El Nido for limestone cliffs, clear lagoons and boat trips to islands off Palawan's northern tip.
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El Nido is a town on the northern tip of Palawan, a long island province in the western Philippines. Steep limestone cliffs rise behind the town, and the sea runs into narrow lagoons and bays along the coast. Most people use it as a base for boat trips to nearby islands and lagoons, and many also snorkel and dive on the reefs offshore.
The town is small and easy to walk, with beachside restaurants, guesthouses and a short main road lined with shops. El Nido suits travelers who want water, boats and simple beach days more than city sights. Plan for the drier months, March to June, when seas are usually calmer and boat trips run more reliably. July to November is the rainy season, with rough seas and trips that get canceled. Three to four nights covers the main boat tours, and a week leaves room for slower days.
El Nido in five
- Carry pesos in cashATMs in El Nido are few and can run out of cash. Many small shops and tricycles take cash only, so bring enough pesos for the first days.
- Share a boat to cut the costIsland tours are priced per boat, not per person, so a group of four or five pays far less each. Book with a licensed operator and check that life vests are on board.
- Pay the environmental fee and keep the receiptEl Nido charges a visitor fee on top of tour prices. Pay it at the official office and keep the receipt with your passport.
- Book the van from Puerto PrincesaThe main route in is a long van ride from Puerto Princesa, the main airport city on Palawan, or a short flight to Lio Airport with limited schedules. Book your seat ahead, since vans and flights fill up at busy times.Palawan
- Carry a dry bag on the boatsTour boats are open, spray on the way out, and a sudden rain can soak a phone or passport. A dry bag keeps documents and cash dry on the water.
Things to do in El Nido
See all attractions in El Nido
Need to know
- Currency
- Philippine peso (PHP)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many nationalities, up to 30 days; check with the Bureau of Immigration Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire or ambulance nationwide
- Tipping
- Not expected at restaurants; tip boat crews and guides when happy
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Cooler, windyJanuaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooler, windy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Cool, dryFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Dry, calmMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calm
- AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Dry, hotAprilRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- MayRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Hot, dryMayRain
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 169 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- JuneRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Hot, dryJuneRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 300 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- JulyRain28 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low27°Rainy, rough seasJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 367 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy, rough seas
- AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rainy, rough seasAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 309 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, rough seas
- SeptemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rainy, rough seasSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 362 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, rough seas
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rainy, rough seasOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 341 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, rough seas
- NovemberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rainy, rough seasNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 179 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, rough seas
- DecemberRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rains endingDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 192 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ending
Average daily high and low in El Nido, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in El Nido
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
30
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 82%
El Nido
01:03 PM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°25°82%Tuesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Wed30°26°76%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Thu30°26°70%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Fri30°24°53%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Sat30°24°69%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sun30°26°47%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Mon30°26°81%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 81%.
Updated 09:42 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 63.43 PHP
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Tour A: Big and Small Lagoonabout half a day by boatLimestone lagoons reached by boat, a common first tour from town.
- Tour C: Secret Beachabout a full day by boatA hidden beach and sheltered coves on a longer boat route.
- Nacpan Beachabout 1 hour by road from townA long white beach for a quiet day, away from the town center.
Before you go to El Nido
Rules for El Nido, checked
- Many nationalities enter visa-free for up to 30 days. Check the Bureau of Immigration rules before you book, since entry terms change.Source
- Declare cash above the legal limit on arrival. Check the current amount with the Bureau of Customs before you travel.
- Leave shells, corals and sand where they are. Taking them from protected marine areas breaks Philippine conservation law.
Plan around El Nido
Puerto Princesa, the Underground River and the road north
Read the guideGetting aroundVans from Puerto Princesa, tricycles in town and boats to the islands
Read the guideWhere to stayBeach or town for a few nights, and what each area is like
Read the guideTours and ticketsIsland tours, what each route covers and how to book
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a trip to El Nido
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and what to show on arrival
Read the guideEl Nido FAQ
How do you get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa?
Most visitors take a van, a ride of about 5 hours on the road north. A short flight to Lio Airport is the quicker option when a flight runs on your date, so check the schedule first.
How many days do you need in El Nido?
Three to four nights covers two island tours and leaves a spare day if the sea is too rough to go out. Longer stays suit people who want to rest on the beach between trips.
When is the best time to visit El Nido?
March to June is the drier season, with calmer seas and the most tour days. From July to November the rainy season brings rough seas, and boat trips are often canceled.
Is El Nido worth it on a Palawan trip?
Yes if you want lagoons, limestone cliffs and beaches reached by boat. It is a base for water trips rather than a city, so it suits people who want slow days over busy nightlife.
Do you need a car in El Nido?
No. Tricycles cover the town and the nearby beaches, and boats reach the islands. A car is only useful for a long road trip north.
Is El Nido safe for tourists?
Use licensed boat operators, check the weather before you go out, and watch the sun and the water on long tours.