How to Spend Four Days in El Nido: Travel Guide and Best Things to Do

In this guide, we’ll share how to spend four days in El Nido, along with essential tips to help you plan your time in this beautiful region.

El Nido is one of the most famous places in the Philippines—and no wonder why. The island-hopping tours take you to paradisiacal beaches and stunning spots with landscapes that look out of this world. Even though it’s one of the most popular and touristy places in the Philippines, it’s absolutely worth visiting.

First Time in the Philippines? Read our ultimate guide to prepare a trip to the Philippines with essential and useful tips: How to Plan a Trip to the Philippines: 33 Essential Travel Tips

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Table of Contents

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How to Get to El Nido?

There are several ways to reach El Nido—by plane, ferry, or van/bus—depending on where you’re coming from and your budget.

By Plane

El Nido has its own airport, Lio Airport, located just a 15-minute tricycle ride from the town proper. There are direct flights from several islands in the Philippines, including Cebu, Manila, and Bohol. We flew directly from Panglao (Bohol) to El Nido, which was convenient.

However, flying directly into El Nido can be more expensive. A cheaper option is to book a flight with a layover in Manila, where prices are often lower.

Via Puerto Princesa

A popular and more budget-friendly route is to fly into Puerto Princesa Airport (on Palawan island) and then take a van or bus to El Nido. The drive takes around 5 to 6 hours. You can check schedules and prices on sites like 12GoAsia.

By Ferry from Coron

If you’re coming from Coron, there’s a direct ferry to El Nido Port. We did the reverse journey—from El Nido to Coron. The ferry ride was smooth but long, taking nearly 6 hours. But, we’ve read that sometimes the sea is rough, and the journey can get quite bumpy. If you get seasick easily, it’s a good idea to take motion sickness pills before boarding.

Coming from Coron? Consider the 3D2N island expedition. You’ll explore remote islands, snorkel coral reefs, and sleep in simple beach huts—no electricity or running water. A true adventure!

How to Get From El Nido (Lio) Airport to El Nido Town Proper?

The best way to get from Lio Airport to El Nido town proper or your accommodation is to take one of the many tricycles waiting just outside the airport. The prices are fixed and standardized depending on which area you’re going to, so there’s no need to bargain.

The tricycle is not very comfortable, and the ride can be quite bumpy. If you’re a “big” person or carrying a lot of luggage, it’s better to arrange alternative transportation through your accommodation.

Best Time to Visit El Nido?

The best time to visit El Nido is during the dry season, from December to May, when the weather is generally sunny and the sea is calm—perfect for beach trips and island hopping.

We visited in February and were lucky with the weather—sunny skies almost every day. It was a bit windy at times, and we heard that some ferries and tours had been canceled in the days before we arrived.

So while February is usually a great time to visit, it’s still a good idea to stay flexible with your plans. For example, try to book the island-hopping tour you’re most excited about for your first day or two in El Nido. That way, if it gets canceled due to weather, you’ll still have time to reschedule it during your stay.

How Many Days in El Nido?

We recommend at least three to four days in El Nido. We recommend going on two different island-hopping tours as they are super affordable and will take you to some of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see; and an extra day or two to explore El Nido and surrounding beaches.

Where to Stay in El Nido?

We stayed in Caalan. It’s a bit away from the town center, but you can walk there in around 10–15 minutes. It was nice and calm at night, far from the noise of the bars. We stayed at Keira Backpackers, a simple, cozy and affordable accommodation.

We stayed at Keira Backpackers.

If it’s your first time in El Nido, we recommend staying close to the center. You’ll have more options for restaurants, shops, bars, and souvenir shops.

If you prefer somewhere quieter, Lio Beach or Las Cabañas are great options. They’re more relaxed and scenic, and you can still easily get to the center by tricycle.

Main Areas to Stay:

• Town Proper – Best for first-timers; close to tours, restaurants, and bars. Recommended places:
  • Spin Designer Hostel (budget)
  • Sea Coccon Hotel (mid-range)
  • H Hotel El Nido (luxury)

• Caalan – Quiet and walkable to the center; good if you want to stay away from the nightlife. Suggested places:
  • Keira Backpackers (the one we stayed at) (budget)
  • Cadlao Resort & Restaurant (mid-range/luxury)

• Lio Beach – Chill beach vibe near the airport; upscale, quiet, and relaxed. Here are some suggested places:
  • Seda Lio – Modern, beachfront, with a pool and good amenities (luxury)
  • Balai Adlao – Cozy and calm, walking distance to the beach (luxury)
  • Domes and Dreams Lio Glamping – Cozy air-conditioned domes near Lio Beach, great for a peaceful stay close to nature and not far from shops and restaurants (mid-range)

• Las Cabañas – Sunset views, beach bars, and a laid-back feel; great for couples or relaxing. Accommodation options:
  • Maremegmeg Beach Club (luxury)
  • Mua Tala Hotel El Nido (luxury)

• Corong-Corong – Just south of town; less busy but still close. Several accommodations on the beach.
  • Outpost Beach Hostel (budget)
  • Beach Huts El Nido (mid-range)
  • Terra Sancta Boutique Resort (luxury)

• Nacpan Beach – Farther out (about 45 min drive); perfect for a remote, peaceful beach place with fewer crowds.
  • Nacpan Beach Glamping (mid-range)
  • Mad Monkey Hostel (budget)

How to Get Around El Nido?

The main way to get around El Nido is by tricycle. For a short 15-minute ride, you’ll usually pay around 300 PHP, but prices can vary depending on the time of day and how many tricycles are available.

If you want to explore beyond the town, we recommend renting a motorbike or scooter for at least one day—just like we did. It gives you more freedom to visit nearby beaches at your own pace. Most accommodations can sort this out for you.

Most accommodations can help arrange your transport to the airport or ferry port when it’s time to leave, so you don’t need to worry too much about that in advance.

For island-hopping tours, you’ll usually just need to show up near El Nido Beach at the scheduled time. If you’re staying too far to walk, a quick tricycle ride will get you there. Tricycles are the most common and convenient way to get around town.

How to Get Internet in El Nido?

There are two main internet providers in the Philippines: Smart and Globe. You can get a SIM/eSIM card from one of those companies at the airport when you arrive at the Philippines.

In our case, when travelling to foreign countries, we always opt for an eSIM to get internet data. We had good experiences with airalo, Maya, and Holafly. Check several providers to see which one offers the best package.

If you decide to go with airalo, you can use the referral code below on your first purchase to get a a 3$ credit:

SARA0837

As we were also travelling to Bangkok on the same trip, we bought an eSIM card from Maya covering multiple countries in Asia.

How’s the Internet in El Nido?

The internet in El Nido wasn’t very good. Some areas had no signal at all, and most of the time the connection was slow. One day, no one had internet for almost the entire day. This kind of thing is actually quite common in El Nido.

Still, we were able to work from our accommodation using our data plan, even though the connection was slow and a bit glitchy. It was enough to check and reply to emails, and even watch YouTube on the lowest quality.

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Best Things to Do in El Nido

The best things to do in El Nido are definitely going to the beach and island hopping tours.

Best Beaches in El Nido

There are several nice beaches in El Nido—Lio beach, Napcan beach, Duli beach, and Las Cabanas Beach.

Lio Beach

The Lio Beach is a beautiful paradise-like beach close to the airport and has lots of facilities, cafes and restaurants. It looks like a beach from a resort, very well looked after. You can even use the sunbeds for free.

Napcan Beach

The Napcan beach is similar to the Lio beach, but has a more rustic and natural vibe with small wooden food stalls and beachside massage huts. It has a more natural and authentic vibe. The waves are stronger here than in the Lio beach. It’s also more windy.

Duli Beach

Duli Beach is a more natural and quiet spot, ideal for those who enjoy surfing. The waves here are stronger, which makes it popular with surfers. If you’re not into surfing, one of the other beaches might be a better choice for you.

Las Cabanas Beach

Las Cabañas Beach was one of our favorites—it has a relaxed vibe, some nice infrastructure like beachfront bars and restaurants, and amazing views of the limestone cliffs.

It’s also where you can try the zipline that takes you over the sea to Depeldet Island, a small island just off the coast. You can walk back to the mainland during low tide, and the area is also great for watching the sunset.

El Nido Beach (not good)

You also have El Nido Beach, but it’s not great for swimming. It’s where the boats for the island hopping tours dock, and the water is clearly polluted.

Still, it’s a nice spot for the views, and there are several restaurants and bars along the beach with beautiful sights of the limestone mountains in the distance. One of our favorite places was the Cloud 9 bar/restaurant.

El Nido Island Hopping Tours

There are four island hopping tours in El Nido—Tour A, B, C, and D. These tours are standardized, so no matter which company you book with, the destinations are the same. You can usually book a shared tour, or pay more for a private boat if you want more flexibility.

Recommended reading: El Nido Island Hopping Tours A, B, C, D — Which One to choose?

Tour A – The Most Popular

Tour A is the most popular and well-known. It includes the Big Lagoon, which is so stunning that it makes the whole tour worth it on its own. We did Tour A and highly recommend it—even though it’s the most crowded, the places you visit are absolutely amazing

Recommended reading: El Nido Island Hopping Tour A – Is it Worth It? What to Expect?

Tour A stops:

• 7 Commando Beach
• Big Lagoon
• Shimizu Island
• Secret Lagoon
• Payong-Payong Island

You can book your island hopping Tour A here.

Tour B – Caves and Sandbards

Tour B is a bit less popular, so it’s usually less crowded. It features caves, unique rock formations, and the famous Snake Island, where you can walk along a sandbar during low tide. During our time in El Nido, they didn’t recommend this tour because the sea was rough, and the main places to visit are more exposed to open water and stronger waves.

Tour B stops:

• Entalula Island
• Snake Island
• Pinagbuyutan Island
• Cathedral Cave
• Cudugnon Cave

You can book your island hopping Tour B here.

Tour C – Hidden Beaches and Shrine

During our time in El Nido, we did a custom mix of tour C and D. This was because some places of tour D were closed for the recording of a reality show. The spots we visited were beautiful and way less crowded than Tour A.

Tour C stops:

• Helicopter Island
• Hidden Beach
• Matinloc Shrine
• Talisay Beach
• Secret Beach

You can book your island hopping Tour C here.

Tour D – Lagoons and Beaches

During our mix of Tour C + D, we visited Cadlao Lagoon. It is incredibly beautiful. Sometimes, the landscapes don’t even feel real. They were also much less crowded than the Big Lagoon in Tour A. So, if you’re looking for something more relaxed and just as stunning, this tour is definitely a great choice. We liked our mix of Tour C + D even more than the classic Tour A.

Tour D stops:

• Small Lagoon
• Cadlao Lagoon
• Paradise Beach
• Pasandigan Beach
• Bukal Beach

You can book your island hopping Tour D here.

Canopy Walk

The Canopy Walk is El Nido will take you to panoramic views of the town and surrounding islands. It takes you along a series of walkways, hanging bridges, and staircases (sort of a via ferrata). It is located right in the town proper, it’s easy to reach on foot or by tricycle.

It involves a short climb, taking about 20 to 30 minutes, with metal walkways, hanging bridges, and staircases and you’ll be accompanied with a guide. Safety gear, including helmets and harnesses, is provided.

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Four Days in El Nido – Itinerary and Things to Do

Here’s a summary of how you can arrange your time in El Nido. This itinerary covers the most popular things to do in El Nido at a relaxed pace. If you have less time, you can probably condense more things on the same day. But, El Nido has such a nice vibe, that we recommend that you have at least four days, two of which are dedicated to island-hopping tours.

Day 1 in El Nido

For this first day in El Nido, we recommend renting a motorbike—you can ask at your accommodation. Driving out of El Nido town is easy as the roads are in relatively good conditions, there are almost no cars (only bikes and tricycles) and there isn’t much traffic.

Lio Beach

Start your day by heading to Lio Beach for breakfast or brunch. There are a few restaurants and cafés right by the sand where you can eat with a view.

The beach is well-maintained and clean, with facilities like bathrooms, outdoor showers, sunbeds, and a volleyball net. Apparently, you can use the sunbeds for free here. It looks like a beach from a resort, including the entrance to the beach and surrounding areas. I was surprised that such place was free to use.

From the shore, you can see planes landing and taking off from the nearby airport. They pass quite close to the beach, it’s something nice to see. You also get a clear view of Cadlao Island from here.

The beach has a long stretch of white sand, and although the water wasn’t the clearest we saw in the Philippines (probably because it was windy and the sea was a bit rough), it was still nice. We noticed signs warning about sand flies, which can bite and itch, but we didn’t have any issues.

Napcan Beach

Nacpan Beach is similar to Lio Beach, but it has a more rustic and laid-back vibe. Instead of modern facilities, you’ll find small wooden stalls that serve food and drinks (some small restaurants that serve local dishes, others just sell snacks and cold drinks). We had some of the best fried chicken on a small stall on the beach.

There are also several places offering massages. If you want to get a massage, this is the place to go. The lady at our accommodation really recommend this beach to try out a massage.

The beach feels more natural and authentic with a more local vibe. It’s a great place to relax or walk along the long stretch of sand. Keep in mind that the waves are stronger here compared to Lio Beach, and it’s usually windier too. We’re from Portugal, so we’re used to very strong waves, so it was quite nice swimming with those waves. However, be careful, specially if you’re not a good swimmer.

Be aware that there are several stray dogs on the beach. They’re not aggressive, but they might mess with your things while you’re in the water. So, you may end up with your stuff full of sand or missing a shoe.

You can reach Nacpan Beach by motorbike or tricycle—about 45 minutes to 1 hour from El Nido town, or 25 minutes from Lio Beach. The road is mostly good, with only the last 5–10 minutes being rough.

To enter the beach, you need to pay a small parking fee for the motorbike.

Duli Beach

You can continue your journey to Duli Beach. Along the way, you’ll pass more rural areas, rice fields, and might spot some water buffalos in the fields.

Getting there takes about 30 minutes from Nacpan Beach. The road is fine for the most part, but the last 15 minutes are on a dirt road. Be careful, especially if you’re not very experienced riding a motorbike.

We entered the beach through Duli Beach Station One Resort. It’s a small and picturesque place that seems great to spend a night or two, even though there’s not much around.

The beach has a long golden stretch of sand, and the sea usually has stronger waves. It’s a recommended spot for those who like surfing or are just getting into it.

On the day we went, the waves were quite big, so we didn’t go in the water. It was also getting late and we didn’t want to drive back in the dark. Still, it’s a nice place to take a long walk on the sand or just relax by the sea.

Rooftop Bar/Restaurant at El Nido Beach

End your day with a short walk along El Nido Beach and take advantage of the happy hour deals most bars offer. It’s a great time to enjoy the sunset while having a drink or something to eat.

One of our favorite spots was the Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar. The food was surprisingly good, and the views were amazing—we liked it so much that we went twice. They serve all kinds of food. We were a bit over the usual fried local chicken, so we went for pasta instead and were pleasantly surprised by how good it was.

Day 2 in El Nido

This day will be spent on El Nido Tour A. We recommend that you book this tour for your first days in El Nido because if it is cancelled, you still have more days to try to go.

El Nido Tour A

We booked our El Nido Tour A through our accommodation, but you can also book it in advance on sites like GetYourGuide, Klook, or similar platforms. Another option is to book directly through one of the many tourist stalls or tour vendors you’ll find around town.

After checking in with the tour provider, all groups are brought to El Nido Beach. It might feel a bit chaotic with all the people and boats, but in the end, everything works out.

Miniloc Island (Snorkeling)

The first stop of our tour was next to Miniloc Island. The boat stopped there for snorkeling. Most people just stayed on the boat taking pictures.

Us, loving snorkeling, decided to jump in. But the sea was rough, which wasn’t great for swimming and the visibility was not great. On top of that, there were lots of small plastic pieces floating around—probably trash that flew off from the other boats during the island-hopping tours.

We stayed in the water for about 10 minutes, but I wasn’t feeling comfortable swimming with all that plastic and barely seeing anything. If the sea had been calmer, I think the experience would have been better.

For snorkeling, we had the best experiences in Siquijor (Tubod Marine Sanctuary) and Apo Island.

Secret Lagoon (Miniloc Island)

Then, we anchored at Miniloc Island, right on a beautiful beach with crystal clear water and soft white sand. It really looked like paradise—if it wasn’t for the number of people there. The cliffs surrounding the island are just incredible.

The Secret Lagoon is a small hidden lagoon on Miniloc Island. You need to go through a small hole in the rocks to get inside the lagoon. Be careful with the rocks as they are really sharp—make sure you’re wearing water shoes.

The lagoon is actually beautiful, with calm blue water surrounded by towering limestone cliffs with the sun coming through, but the guides will try to fit as much people inside as possible in such a small place. It was so crowded when we went that we wanted to get out as soon as possible.

Shimizu Island

We stopped for lunch at Shimizu Island.

The food was fish, rice, noodles, vegetables, and fruit.

We stayed there for about an hour. I wish we could’ve stayed longer—the beach was really nice and the water was amazing for swimming.

Big Lagoon

The next stop was the Big Lagoon. This was definitely the highlight of the tour. Just coming here makes the whole tour worth it. And the water really has this color you see on the pictures.

This place is unreal. If you have a drone, you can get some amazing shots from above. The boats are not allowed to enter the lagoon, but they stop at the entrance, and from there you need to kayak in. If you’re not comfortable with kayaking, the guides can help you out.

You need to pay to rent the kayak. So make sure you take some money with you. Some tours might have a higher price, but already have this included.

As you kayak in, the water becomes shallower and more clear. Eventually, you’ll reach a spot where you can get out of the kayak and just walk in knee-deep water. This is the most beautiful part. Take your time here and snap some pictures—you won’t have time on the way back.

If you keep kayaking, you’ll enter deeper into the lagoon. It’s stunning—it reminded me a bit of Halong Bay in Vietnam (read our Halong Bay Guide here).

At one point, we found a quiet little corner full of jellyfish (which freaked me out a bit). Later, I found out these jellyfish (Moon Jellyfish) don’t sting much or at all, but it’s still good to be careful. Funny thing is, some people travel to other parts of the Philippines just to see this kind of jellyfish concentrated in a small bay/kind of lake (I saw this in a video on Instagram)—and we just happened to come across this by chance.

7 Commando Beach

Our last stop was at 7 Commando Beach. It was a bit crowded, with lots of boats from the island-hopping tours. There’s plenty of shade from the coconut trees and a volleyball net on the sand.

If you walk a bit away from the area where the boats dock, you’ll find more space to enjoy the beach and swim in the water.

Day 3 in El Nido

This day is for relaxing. We suggest starting your day by doing the Canopy walk. Then, relax at a bar and spend the afternoon at Las Cabanas Beach to watch the sunset. You can also use this day to explore a bit of El Nido Town and buy some souvenirs.

Canopy Walk

Doing the Canopy Walk is the safest way to reach Taraw Peak and enjoy amazing views of El Nido Bay and the surrounding islands. It’s a sort of via ferrata where you’re secured with a harness and walk on metal bridges and platforms attached to the limestone cliffs.

Las Cabanas Beach and Zip Lining

Spend the afternoon at Las Cabañas Beach. The easiest way to get there is by tricycle from El Nido Town.

This beach is well-developed, with several bars and restaurants lined up along the sand. There’s even a McDonald’s at the entrance, plus shops selling clothes, massage places, and even a gym.

The beach itself is beautiful. The water is calm, forming a sort of bay, and the views of the limestone cliffs on the horizon are just stunning.

If you’re up for some adventure, you can try the zip line to the nearby Depeldet Island—a small island just off the coast. During low tide, you can actually walk there and back.

Las Cabañas is also one of the most popular spots in El Nido to watch the sunset.

Day 4 in El Nido

For your last day in El Nido, we recommend doing a different island-hopping tour. You can choose Tour B, C, or D.

We did a mix of Tour C and D, and honestly, it was even better than Tour A. We visited Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island (from Tour C), and Cadlao Lagoon (from Tour D).

The beaches were absolutely stunning—it really felt like paradise. The Secret Beach was one of the most beautiful we’ve been to, and our boat was the only one there.

Cadlao Lagoon was also super impressive, like a smaller version of the Big Lagoon from Tour A but much less crowded.

And finally, at Helicopter Island, the snorkeling was pretty good once you swam a bit away from the algae. There were lots of different species of fish… and the best part is that I saw a turtle and was able to swim really close to her.

Where to Go After El Nido?

After El Nido, many people, like us, go to Coron. You can take a direct ferry, but a lot of travelers choose to join a 3-day, 2-night expedition instead (you can also do this from Coron to El Nido). On this trip, you’ll spend your days exploring remote paradise islands with beautiful beaches, snorkeling in amazing coral reefs, and sleeping in wooden huts where there is no electricity or running water. A lot of people love this kind of adventure, but it’s definitely not for everyone.

We really wanted to do it, but during the expedition there’s no internet, and we can’t be offline for more than two days because of work.

If you’ve already been to Coron, another option is to continue to Puerto Princesa. From there, you can catch a cheaper flight to places like Cebu or Panglao (Bohol). You can also get a direct flight to those places from El Nido Airport, but a bit more expensive.

Another alternative is going further south and explore Balabac, which is still very untouched and less touristy. This was also something we were looking for, but again, not having internet is not an option for us.

Another great idea is to fly to Boracay. We actually regret not including it in our Philippines itinerary, but we didn’t have enough time.

If you’re ending your trip in the Philippines, you can get a flight to Manilla, and then get your flight back home.

More Philippines Travel Guides

If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, make sure to check out our other guides:

• How to Plan a Trip to the Philippines: 33 Essential Travel Tips
• El Nido Island Hopping Tour A – Is it Worth It? What to Expect?
• El Nido Island Hopping Tours A, B, C, D — Which One to choose?
• How to Spend Two Days in Coron: Travel Guide and Best Things to Do
• Siquijor 3-Day Itinerary & Travel Guide: Best Things to Do
• Moalboal Travel Guide: Best Things to Do & 3-Day Itinerary
• Bohol 3-Day Itinerary & Travel Guide: Best Things to Do
• Apo Island Snorkeling Tour — What to Expect
• Manila One Day Itinerary (or Less) — Ideal for a Layover or Short Stay

Also, check our three-week itinerary for the Philippines:

• Three Weeks in the Philippines – Our Itinerary

We hope you find this El Nido travel guide useful.

Finally, you can use our links to book your accommodation, and activities and find cheap flights. You won’t pay more for it and you’ll be supporting our work.

Thanks for reading.