A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers El Nido vs. Shiretoko National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit El Nido or Shiretoko National Park?

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

Should I visit El Nido or Shiretoko National Park? 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 Shiretoko National Park?

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.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park, Japan is comprises the entire Shiretoko Penninusla in the northeast island of Hokkaido. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be one of the most remote areas in Japan with very few and very small settlements. This makes Shiretoko the perfect place for a fun hiking and camping adventure.

While the park is open year round, the weather in the area tends to greatly affect the enjoyment of your trip due to harsh winters and heavy rain at the end of summer. There is a short period from May to early July that is considered the best time to visit due to slightly less rain and comfortable temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park is $74. 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 Shiretoko National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    El Nido $14
    Shiretoko National Park $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    El Nido $28
    Shiretoko National Park $66
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Shiretoko National Park

Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Shiretoko National Park? 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 Shiretoko National Park


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 and Shiretoko National Park Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    El Nido $19
    Shiretoko National Park $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido

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

  • El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $11
  • Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
  • Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $36
  • El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
  • Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $150
  • Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Shiretoko National Park?

Prices for flights to both Shiretoko National Park 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
    Shiretoko National Park $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    El Nido $5.38
    Shiretoko National Park $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
  • Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches: $23
  • Shared El Nido Tour A: $23
  • Big Lagoon and Shimizu Island Tour with Kayaking: $23
  • Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D: $23
  • Island Hopping Tour B Cudognong Cave & More: $25
  • El Nido Tour A: $27
  • El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $27
  • El Nido Tour D Full Day w/ Beach Lunch: $28
  • El Nido Island Tour B w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $28
  • Island Hopping Tour C (Shared tour) BEST PRICE!: $28
  • El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    El Nido $8.36
    Shiretoko National Park $10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Nido and Shiretoko National Park, we can see that Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park Expensive?.