How much does it cost to travel to El Nido?
You should plan to spend around $40 (₱2,222) per day on your vacation in El Nido. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $12 (₱661) on meals
- $19 (₱1,063) on local transportation
- $28 (₱1,578) on hotels
A one week trip to El Nido for two people costs, on average, $555 (₱31,107). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to El Nido has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is El Nido expensive to visit?
El Nido is a very affordable place to visit. Located in the Philippines, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its affordability. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring El Nido in depth.
Within Asia, El Nido is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Luang Prabang, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Taipei.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is El Nido Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to El Nido?
The average El Nido trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these El Nido travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
₱1,578
($28)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
₱1,063
($19)
|
Food 2
|
₱661
($12)
|
Entertainment 1
|
₱304
($5)
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
₱22 -
65
($0 - 1)
|
Alcohol 2
|
₱237 -
710
($4 - 13)
|
Accommodation Budget in El Nido
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in El Nido is $14 (₱789). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in El Nido is $28 (₱1,578). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in El Nido? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in El Nido
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in El Nido is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $19 (₱1,063) per person, per day, on local transportation in El Nido.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$19
₱1,063
How much does it cost to go to El Nido? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in El Nido will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in El Nido
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in El Nido can vary, the average cost of food in El Nido is $12 (₱661) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in El Nido should cost around $4.72 (₱264) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in El Nido is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$12
₱661
Entertainment Budget in El Nido
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in El Nido typically cost an average of $5.43 (₱304) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$5.43
₱304
Tips and Handouts Budget in El Nido
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in El Nido
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in El Nido is $0.06 (₱3.13), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$0.06
₱3.13
Alcohol Budget in El Nido
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $8.44 (₱473) on alcoholic beverages in El Nido per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$8.44
₱473
Water Budget in El Nido
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $2.64 (₱148) on bottled water in El Nido per day. The public water in El Nido is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$2.64
₱148
El Nido On a Budget
Palawan, El Nido, Philippines
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.
Sights
The coastal town and its surrounding islands are characterized by stunning waters, beaches, coral reefs, and lagoons with a diverse array of marine life. The Bacuit Bay is home to these islands and their wildlife which include species like dugongs (a kind of marine mammal), turtles, manta rays, fish, reefs, and sometimes whale sharks. Each island is a kaleidoscope of flora and fauna with colorful reefs and paths lined with native flowers. Miniloc Island is famed for the clear waters of its Small and Big lagoons. Small Lagoon shimmers with tranquil turquoise-green waters, while Big Lagoon rests amidst impressive karst limestone cliffs. Nearby Shimizu Island has fish-filled waters great for snorkeling, while Seven Commandos Beach offers a long sandy stretch lined with palm trees. Each island and each beach has its own unique treasures waiting to be discovered.
Neighborhoods
The main town, or Poblacion, of El Nido sits near the northern tip of the Philippine island Palawan. It is nestled in a sheltered bay with a pier at one end of a crescent beach flanked by the area's famous limestone cliffs on the eastern side and hills to the west. The center of town is laid out with tree-lined streets and plenty of opportunities for shopping and dining with restaurants and beachside bars as well as souvenir shops. Out of El Nido's islands, Cadlao is the largest and closest to a town proper. It is characterized by white sand beaches and steep forested peaks with a number of nature trails, one of which leads to the saltwater Makaamo Lagoon. Other islands amidst the Bacuit Bay of El Nido include Dilumacad Island (nicknamed Helicopter Island due to the shape of its limestone cliffs), Pangulasian Island (with powder white sands next to waters lined with reefs good for diving and snorkeling), Vigan Island (nicknamed Snake Island for its s-shaped sandbar), Cudugnon Point (an anthropological site which yielded artifacts dating back to the Song Dynasty), Matinloc Island (known for its hidden Secret Beach), and Pinasil Island (featuring a cathedral-like cavern accessible by kayak).
Activities
The best way to see the archipelago of El Nido in the Bacui Bay is to schedule an island-hopping boat. Most routes allow passengers to visit four or five islands in a day. Overnight island-hopping tours are also available where visitors take a few days to see more of the archipelago and camp overnight on one or two of the islands. The waters of these islands also offer great opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving, while the white sand beaches are prime locations for relaxing and sunbathing. There are also a number of nature trails great for hiking and perhaps experiencing some of the local wildlife. Other activities include mountain biking, rock climbing, and kayaking or cultural lessons in fishing, boating, cooking, and crafts.
Food and Dining
The food found in El Nido consists of a mix of European, American, and Filipino cuisines. A few of the more authentic dishes native to the Philippines include items like:
lechon - whole roasted pig
longganisa - Philippine sausage
tapa - cured beef
torta - omelet
adobo - chicken and/or pork braised in garlic, vinegar, oil and soy sauce, or cooked until dry
kaldereta - meat in tomato sauce stew
mechado - larded beef in soy and tomato sauce
puchero - beef in bananas and tomato sauce
afritada - chicken and/or pork simmered in tomato sauce with vegetables
kare-kare - oxtail and vegetables cooked in peanut sauce
pinakbet - kabocha squash, eggplant, beans, okra, and tomato stew flavored with shrimp paste
crispy pata - deep-fried pig's leg
hamonado - pork sweetened in pineapple sauce
sinigang - meat or seafood in a sour broth
pancit - noodles
lumpia - fresh or fried spring rolls
Transportation
By plane, the nearest major airport is Puerto Princesa International Airport (Palwan's primary gateway). Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Airphilexpress, Seair, and Zest Air fly from Manila, Davao, Busuanga, Cebu, and Clark to the airport. Upon arrival, buses and private or public vans are available from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. El Nido Airport is another, smaller option, offering four flights daily to and from Manila as well as one flight daily to and from Cebu. Flights here are operated by Air Swift.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.