One of the main reasons I decided to spend a month in the Philippines was to see the beautiful white sand beaches, take boat tours to lagoons, and enjoy local culture.
Social media influencers on TikTok and Instagram describe El Nido as a tropical paradise but fail to mention that the town itself is far from luxurious.
Unfortunately, my week exploring the beaches in El Nido was not exactly breathtaking. It left me wishing I had traveled to other islands in the Philippines. I should have done more research and not believed everything I saw on social media.
At the bottom of the post (if you stay with me) is how to make your El Nido experience more enjoyable than mine.
Here is a review of my experience in El Nido. It may help you plan your next trip to the Philippines…. or you can ignore me and see it for yourself!
If you want to skip to my “Tour A” experience, use the Table of Contents to move ahead. 🙂
Where is El Nido?
El Nido is a coastal town in northern Palawan, Philippines, known for its limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and island-hopping tours.
How to Get to El Nido from Manila?
You can get to El Nido from Manila through two airports.
- Direct Flight – Fly with AirSWIFT from Manila to El Nido Airport (ENI) in about 1 hour and 15 minutes (most convenient but expensive). This is how I arrived at El Nido.
- Puerto Princesa Route – Fly to Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) (1.5 hours), then take a 5-6 hour van or bus to El Nido (cheaper but exhausting).
You can also arrive via Ferry from Coron which is an island directly north of El Nido. If you’re in Coron, take a 4-5 hour ferry to El Nido (prone to delays, rough seas possible). There will be tricycles to take you from the terminal to your accommodation.
Philippines Tips
- Water Safety: Tap water is NOT safe to drink. Many venues will have filtered water stations to fill up your reusable bottle.
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Language: English and Filipino (Tagalog) are widely spoken.
- Visa: Most tourists can enter visa-free for up to 30 days.
- Bathroom Etiquette: Do NOT put toilet paper in the toilet! Many places don’t provide any, so always carry tissues or wipes.
- Be Patient: Food takes longer than expected to make, and often items are out. Be patient and flexible when dining.
- Tipping Etiquette: It is not expected as many venues will add a 10% service charge to all checks. If you do not see a service charge, it is typical to round up the bill as a tip.
Why Was I Disappointed by El Nido?
After 4 days in Manila, I was ready for some beach time and sunsets. My flight to El Nido Airport was smooth and getting to my accommodation was easy.
Tricycles (Motorbikes with a sidecar attached) took me to my accommodation in about 20 minutes.
I will preface this by saying that I spent six months in Thailand, on similar islands with similar problems like frequent power outages, low to little water pressure, lack of menu items, and no Wifi. How the issues were addressed, made all the difference, however.
I understand that this island is overrun by tourists and my going during the busy season (February), didn’t help the situation. However, I am writing this post to make you aware that you shouldn’t believe everything you see on social media!
Here are my three reasons why the beaches in El Nido didn’t knock my socks off:
1. Overpriced Accommodations for Value
I am not going to bother giving you all of the details of our $100 USD a night “resort” as I don’t recommend staying there. Let’s just say, the value was closer to $50 USD a night with its mildew smell, cockroaches, and wet sheets and pillows.
It was a quintessential hotel on an island however, it was way overpriced. Every guest that we encountered said the same thing.
Pro Tip:
Bring tissues everywhere to use as food napkins and toilet paper!! I buy a tube of them and keep the container in the side of my day pack whenever I am traveling. And don’t throw any paper items into the toilet!
2. Non-Flushing Toilets
The second challenge that you will encounter is non-flushing toilets. On an island, I expected squat toilets, to bring your toilet paper with you, and to toss the paper in garbage cans.
In El Nido, they have western toilets but they don’t flush. They don’t even provide a bucket with water to re-fill the basin to help it flush. This is true in hotels and restaurants. Some of them don’t even have a trash can for your unmentionables.
Many bathrooms do not have sinks either which makes me think – are there sinks in the kitchen for cooks to wash their hands??
3. Unprofessional Behavior
For the majority of my life, I have worked in hospitality. Most staff at establishments in El Nido exhibited a lackadaisical attitude and it impacted the quality of service.
Food service was very slow, up to an hour waiting for food. I understand that this is due to a lack of kitchen staff. Often only one person is making the food at a time.
However, if they communicated that before you sat down, and kept drinks coming at least, it would be ok. They take your order and then ignore you for the next hour, even if you try to politely call them over, it’s very bizarre.
I could have been spending money on beverages as I waited, but instead, we spent no extra money and left annoyed.
It’s hard to describe, but after working in the industry for as long as I have, I have noticed that tourists are a nuisance to the locals in El Nido. And that is unfortunate as we want to visit to support local businesses 🙁
Why You Should Visit the Beaches in El Nido
There are two reasons you may still want to visit El Nido (even after my rant): to learn how to scuba dive and to watch beautiful sunsets.
Learn How to Scuba Dive
My partner took the dive certification from PADI at the Palawan Divers. You take an online course before you arrive at El Nido. Then you will have two full days of diving lessons.
Upon completion, you will obtain your Open Water Certification. You can then dive all over the world! The staff there were extremely helpful and professional also.
Watch Beautiful Sunsets Every Night
El Nido is not short of areas to watch the sunset. There are a plethora of “sunset viewing” bars and many of them offer Happy Hour prices during sunset.
Some of the best views are from:
Lions Sunset Lounge – This is located in the “Pop District” which is a 100 Peso ride from “downtown”. You can reach it via the beach or the main road. Google Map
Republic Sunset Bar – You can reach this bar either by walking down the beach, and then walking up a wooden staircase, or from the road above. Google Map
El Nido Beach – There are a bunch of beach-facing bars on the beach however, I found the view to be better from the West Coast beach instead. See the map above to understand where everything is! Google Map
Miro Beach Club – If you are staying in “downtown” El Nido, it will cost about 150 Pesos to get to Vanilla Beach where this white sand beach club is located. Google Map
Nacpan Beach – This beach is about a 45-minute tricycle ride from the downtown however the beach is fairly untouched by over-tourism. Google Map
Why Boat Tour A Was a Waste of a Day
There are four tours you can take in El Nido, Tour A, B, C, and D. I decided on Tour A due to the ability to see two lagoons.
I will preface this that it did rain for an hour of the tour. However, the rain is not what impacted my experience.
It is a typical boat tour, with no information given, a loud engine, no coverage from rain, no toilet, no water provided, and the staff chain smoke. All of this was expected.
Before you board you are given the chance to rent water shoes for 100 Pesos ($1.50 USD) and snorkel sets for 100 Pesos ($1.50 USD).
These are normal things for these tours across most of South East Asia.
However social media posts make it seem like you will see amazing sites when in reality you’re just dumped into spots and flop around the water.
Here is what Tour A is really like:
Just Stopovers, Only One Beach (At the End)
One of the biggest disappointments is the lack of actual beaches.
While the tour claims to take you to “pristine” spots, many stops are just floating around in the water or getting dropped off at overcrowded lagoons.
There’s only one place to relax on the sand, the 7 Commando Beach El Nido, which is at the very end. The beach does have the only bathroom (not free) and a bar, however.
The first stop is the Small Lagoon. You are told to jump into the water and then essentially climb over rocks to duck into a small lagoon. I didn’t have a GoPro with me, but here is where you enter:
At the second stop, you snorkel in the open water (I didn’t see any fish) and eat lunch.
The third stop is the Big Lagoon. You need to pay 300 Pesos ($5 USD) to rent a Kayak. You cannot swim in the Big Lagoon, it is not recommended.
Naturally, I saw plenty of influencers get out of their boats and pose for photos which caused traffic jams. And if you are wondering how to make pictures look like you are the only people at a location, use an app like Snapseed and Photo Retouch to remove people.
The last stop is finally a beach, as mentioned above.
Planning on Taking Tour A Anyway? Here is What You Need:
- Bring Water as none is provided
- Bring Exact Change as the Kayak renters do not have change, nor does the bar on 7 Commando Beach El Nido
- Bring a Raincoat or Poncho in case it does downpour as it can get cold when you are wet
- Rent or Bring a GoPro if you want to capture images while in the Lagoons
- Hire one of the Boat Staff to follow you around and take pictures (with a waterproof case for your phone)
- Rent or Bring Water Shoes. You only need them twice but it is worth it. To get into the boat, you need to walk over sharp rocks and at the Small Lagoon, it makes it easier to climb over the large underwater rocks
Still Planning a Trip to El Nido? Here are My Suggestions:
- Stay closer to Vanilla Beach. The sand is white, no merchants are bothering you to buy anything on the beach and there are a few sunset bars.
- Rent a Private Boat. Ask them to take you to the Big Lagoon, the Tour C beaches, and the 7 Commando Beach El Nido. This will ensure you see the best that the tours have to offer.
- Stay at a 3 or 4-star Resort. Yes, you will still encounter power outages and low water flow, however, those resorts have backup generators, as well as StarLink for WiFi and more hospitable staff according to several other tourists I met.
- Eat at Mangio at Least Once. This Italian restaurant is run by Venetian-born chefs and it was some of the best Italian food I have ever had outside of Italy and that’s saying a lot for someone from New York! Google Map
Travel Insurance
I suggest using Safety Wing for travel insurance when traveling abroad. I have found their rates to be the best coverage and they have great customer service.
Final Thoughts on El Nido
El Nido might look like paradise on social media, but the reality is far from perfect. Between overpriced accommodations, unreliable infrastructure, and subpar service, the experience can feel more frustrating than relaxing.
For those determined to visit, I recommend staying at a higher-end resort, renting a private boat, and avoiding peak season. Otherwise, you might want to explore other parts of the Philippines that offer similar scenery—without the chaos.
At the end of the day, don’t believe everything you see on TikTok—travel influencers may have filters, but reality doesn’t. 🙂
El Nido and Tour A FAQ
Is El Nido worth visiting?
It depends on your expectations—while the landscapes are beautiful, overcrowding, poor infrastructure, and overpriced accommodations can make it a frustrating experience.
Is there WiFi in El Nido?
WiFi is slow and unreliable, so don’t expect to stream or work remotely without frustration.
How bad are the power outages in El Nido?
Power outages are frequent and unpredictable, with many accommodations relying on backup generators (if they have one).
What is Tour A in El Nido?
Tour A is a popular island-hopping tour that includes stops at the Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, and 7 Commando Beach.
Is Tour A in El Nido worth it?
If you don’t mind crowds and disorganized tours, it can be enjoyable but don’t expect the pristine paradise shown on social media.
Do the boat tours provide water and food?
Lunch is included, but food can run out, and drinking water is usually not provided, so bring your own bottle.
Are the boats comfortable on Tour A?
Most boats are basic with no shade, no toilets, and loud engines, making for a rough and often uncomfortable experience.
Can you swim in the Big Lagoon on Tour A?
No, swimming is not allowed in the Big Lagoon—you must rent a kayak for an additional fee.
Are there toilets on the boats?
Most boats do not have toilets, and even if they do, they’re often filthy and barely functional.
What should I bring for Tour A?
Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, a dry bag, water shoes, and exact change for kayak rentals and entrance fees.
