Is El Nido Expensive?

Is El Nido expensive to visit?

El Nido is known as both a well-liked and very budget-friendly destination. With a daily average travel cost of $39, it's generally not considered to be expensive at all. When compared to the rest of Asia, it is a reasonably affordable destination. It ranks in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its affordability. Its prices are comparable with places such as Leh and Chiang Rai.



Palawan, El Nido, Philippines

How expensive is El Nido?

Travelers spend an average of $39 per day when visiting El Nido (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for El Nido here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to El Nido?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to El Nido costs around $118 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $236.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to El Nido?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to El Nido will cost around $276 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $552.

Is it expensive to backpack in El Nido?

With more than 20 hostels in the area, El Nido is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $14 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in El Nido here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $7, but the most expensive can be more than $22 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in El Nido.

  • $16 for a dorm bed at Outpost Beach Hostel
  • $13 for a dorm bed at Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach
  • $18 for a dorm bed at Frendz Hostel El Nido

Are hotels expensive in El Nido?

When we look at our analysis of hotel prices in El Nido, we find them to be very expensive in comparison to the rest of the world. The average nightly cost for a hotel room here is approximately $45. The area boasts about [5_STAR_COUNT] five-star hotels with an average rate of [5_STAR_PRICE] per night. For those seeking a balance between comfort and affordability, three-star hotels offer an average rate of $61 per night, while two-star hotels provide an even more budget-friendly option at $34 per night.


Hotels by star rating in El Nido
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
4 stars 1 $744
3 stars 13 $61
2 stars 21 $34
1 star 2 $24

El Nido, Palawan 5313 , Philippines, El Nido
Overall Rating 8.5
Caalan Beach, Barangay Masagana, El Nido
Overall Rating 9.2

How expensive are sightseeing activities in El Nido?

In El Nido, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $5 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $14.

    • El Nido Tour B - Caves and Islands Tour (Private / Shared): $55
    • El Nido Tour C Private: $151
    • El Nido Tour D Full Day w/ Beach Lunch: $28
    • El Nido Full Day Tour C with Buffet Lunch : $43
    • El Nido Tour B - Private Tour with Lunch (Full Day): $139
    • El Nido Palawan Private Tour C, with Lunch: $139
    • El Nido Tour Group B with Lunch (Full Day): $42
    • El Nido Tour D - Lagoons & Beaches Premium tour(Private / Shared): $50

    Is food expensive in El Nido?

    In El Nido, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $12 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $15.

    Is transportation expensive in El Nido?

    Exploring local transportation in El Nido shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $19 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $21. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.

    More for El Nido

    If you're planning a trip to El Nido, Philippines, check out these other informative travel guides.



    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.



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