A Travel Price Comparison for Philippines El Nido vs. Boracay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit El Nido or Boracay?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit El Nido or Boracay? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: El Nido or Boracay?

El Nido

El Nido is a coastal destination on the Philippine island of Palawan. It consists of about 45 islands and islets all with beautiful beachfront scenery and plenty of opportunities for experiencing nature above and below the water. Some of the island's best features include limestone karst cliffs, coral reefs, lagoons, coves, and waterfalls.

Boracay

A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines, and The Best Eco Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Boracay or El Nido?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $39, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for El Nido and Boracay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    El Nido $14
    Boracay $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    El Nido $28
    Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Boracay

Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Boracay? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in El Nido


Hotels in Boracay


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: El Nido Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    El Nido $19
    Boracay $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido

Also for El Nido, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
  • El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $11
  • Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $37
  • Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
  • Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $140

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:

  • Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $83
  • Departure: Speedboat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $34
  • Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $42
  • Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $22
  • Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
  • Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $28
  • Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $70
  • Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
  • Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Boracay?

Prices for flights to both Boracay and El Nido change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    El Nido $12
    Boracay $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    El Nido $5.40
    Boracay $15

Tours and Activities in El Nido

For El Nido, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Island Hopping Tour A with lunch BEST PRICE!: $22
  • Shared El Nido Tour A: $23
  • Big Lagoon and Shimizu Island Tour with Kayaking: $23
  • Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches: $23
  • Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D: $24
  • Island Hopping Tour B Cudognong Cave & More: $26
  • El Nido Tour D Full Day w/ Beach Lunch: $28
  • El Nido Tour A: $28
  • El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $28
  • Island Hopping Tour C (Shared tour) BEST PRICE!: $29
  • El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine: $29
  • El Nido Island Tour B w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $30

Tours and Activities in Boracay

Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Hours Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $18
  • Aklan Tibiao Antique Tour : $190
  • Atv Mainland Adventure with lunch: $65
  • Best Boracay Sunset Party Boat Experience: $46
  • Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.22
  • Boracay ATV Tour and Kawa Hot Bath: $75
  • Boracay Buggy Car Adventure: $115
  • Boracay Cliff Jumping & Snorkeling Experience (Private): $110
  • Boracay Hopping Tour with Standard Boodle Fight Lunch: $33
  • Boracay Island Hopping +Banana Boat (Shared Tour): $42
  • Boracay Island Hopping +Parasailing (SharedTour): $73
  • Boracay Island Hopping Adventure w/ Lunch & Cliff Jumping: $46

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    El Nido $8.39
    Boracay $16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Nido and Boracay, we can see that Boracay is more expensive. And not only is El Nido much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to El Nido would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in El Nido and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Boracay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boracay than you might in El Nido.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is El Nido Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, El Nido or Boracay?

El Nido has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Boracay, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.