What to see in El Nido in 3 days | Philippines
If you're planning a trip to El Nido, I would recommend staying here for at least 5 days, but even in 3 days, you can visit the top locations!
The main reason people go to El Nido is for the stunning islands, lagoons, beaches, gray limestone cliffs, and turquoise waters with an incredible underwater world.
🏝️Marine tours in El Nido are straightforward and easy to arrange. There are 4 tours: A, B, C, and D. You can book them almost anywhere, at hotels or online. I personally booked the most popular tours, A and C.
📍What locations are included in the itinerary?
Tour A: Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, 7 Commando Beach, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach.
Tour C: Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Talisay Beach, Matinloc Shrine.
💸The cost of the tours ranges from 1200-1800 pesos ($21-$32). Lunch is included and is served on the boat or on the beach. Typically, it consists of rice, vegetables, chicken, fish, shrimp, and fruits. Water is provided for free everywhere, and you can buy beer and non-alcoholic drinks on the boat or at the beaches. Snorkeling and kayaking equipment rentals are paid separately.
⏱️Excursions start early in the morning and end around 5:00 PM. In the morning, you are picked up from your hotel and taken to an office where you receive a ticket with the name of your boat. Then, you wait at the pier with other tourists until your guide takes you to the boat.
The guides in the Philippines are amazing. They are super friendly, always take great photos, make sure you've eaten, applied sunscreen, and that you're generally having a good time. Like all Filipinos, they are always positive, joking, and laughing.
Since boats can't always dock directly on the shore due to coral reefs, you often need to wade or even swim. So, be sure to bring water shoes, a waterproof phone case, and a dry bag for your personal belongings.
🏖️On a free day from marine excursions, you can visit nearby beaches. Since I don't have a driver's license, I simply rented a tricycle with a driver for 1500 pesos ($27) for the whole day. He can take you to beaches or waterfalls and wait as long as you need.
I ended up visiting Lio Beach and Nacpan Beach (my favorite, long and very beautiful), where I sunbathed and had the best massage on the shore with a stunning view for just 500 pesos ($9)!!!
Of course, there are many other beautiful and interesting places around El Nido, and I hope to visit them next time🤍