Best time to Visit El Nido
El Nido, Hidden Gem of Palawan in the Philippines
El Nido, a hidden gem of Palawan in the Philippines, is a paradise on earth that has been gaining worldwide recognition since it was discovered, making it one of the top island destinations according to many travel guides.
With its crystal-clear waters, majestic rock formations, and impressive biodiversity, this destination promises unforgettable adventures. Dive into our guide and discover all the corners that El Nido has to offer to travelers who include it in their itinerary to the Philippines.
Before we delve into more detailed information, here are some quick facts to give you a brief overview of the place:
– Area: 925 square kilometers
– Language: Tagalog
– Population: 60,000 inhabitants
– Hospital: There is none; the healthcare system is very basic. The “good” hospitals are in Puerto Princesa, 5 hours away.
– Temperature: Consistent throughout the year with an average between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius
– Humidity: Very high
How to Get to El Nido
There are various options to reach El Nido depending on your starting point; here are the most common:
Arriving in El Nido by Plane:
El Nido has a small airport operated by only one airline that connects this destination with Manila daily and a few times a week from the airports of Clark, Coron, Cebu, Bohol, or Boracay. You can check their flights on their website: Air-Swift.
It’s important to note that, having a monopoly on the airport, they do as they please and may modify or cancel your flight at the slightest weather issue or according to their interests at any time; they don’t care at all. In our experience, it is the least reliable airline in the Philippines.
In Puerto Princesa, the capital, you will find the best airport in Palawan, with regular flights by Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, and Philippine Airlines, connecting Palawan with the rest of the airports in the Philippines. From Puerto Princesa airport to El Nido, it’s a 5-hour journey by road.
Arriving in El Nido by Road:
If you decide to fly to Palawan via Puerto Princesa, you will need to take a vehicle to travel by road to El Nido. The road has improved a lot in recent years, reducing the travel time from 8 hours to 5 hours.
You can opt for a shared van offered upon your airport exit or take a private vehicle, which, for an additional cost, offers the comfort of traveling at your own pace, stopping whenever you wish, and avoiding overcrowding with, at times, too many people.
Arriving in El Nido by Boat:
El Nido is connected by ferry with the famous island of Coron, located further north. It’s a 5-hour boat trip costing about 60€, and you can check the various ferry operators here: Ferry Services from El Nido to Coron – Coron to El Nido by Ferry.
Best Months to Travel to El Nido
Not all months are the same when it comes to visiting El Nido, so we want to inform you which months are best according to vacation seasons or the climate.
Remember, these are historical data and may not be accurate, but they can help you better imagine your trip.
When to Visit El Nido Based on the Weather:
Several factors should be considered if the weather is a crucial aspect of your trip, such as rain, typhoons, temperature, and humidity levels. The latter two remain constant, with an average temperature around 28 degrees Celsius throughout the year and very high humidity all year round.
Rainy Season in El Nido
We have created this table to give you an understanding of the historical rainfall in El Nido.
To help you see it more graphically, we have color-coded the months based on our experience in 3 colors:
- Green: Rain in the form of quick thunderstorms, generally at sunset and of short duration
- Orange: It could rain more than expected and for longer periods
- Red: High probability that your stay in El Nido will be quite rainy
| Month | Days of rain | Rainfall average (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3 | 14 |
| Feb | 1 | 8 |
| Mar | 2 | 10 |
| Apr | 4 | 27 |
| May | 13 | 115 |
| Jun | 22 | 251 |
| Jul | 24 | 306 |
| Aug | 23 | 287 |
| Sep | 22 | 254 |
| Oct | 18 | 173 |
| Nov | 12 | 102 |
| Dec | 8 | 53 |
Wind and Typhoon Season in El Nido
Due to its location west of the Philippines, El Nido is more exposed to the effects of the wind than other areas. During the months of November to February and June to September, the wind may generate waves that hinder navigation. If there is a wind warning, the coast guard will cancel navigation, making El Nido’s famous island hopping impossible.
Although they can occur throughout the year, the most common typhoon season in the Philippines is from September to January. The effect of typhoons cannot be predicted well in advance, but it is a factor to consider when traveling to the Philippines, as there is a chance you might experience their presence.
High Tourist Season in El Nido
Travelers should not be surprised that El Nido attracts many people eager to experience its paradisiacal environment.
El Nido has rapidly grown in popularity, creating a demand that directly affects the price of services and accommodations. Do not expect an idyllic beachfront resort at a bargain price; that no longer exists in the Philippines, especially in such touristy places like El Nido. The high season for accommodations in El Nido is from October to May, with maximum prices during dates such as Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Easter.
Our advice is to book your accommodation in El Nido as soon as possible to avoid ending up with overpriced, subpar options.
What to Do and See in El Nido
Palawan is a huge island full of impressive places, some of which are so close to El Nido that it’s perfect to use this as a starting point to fully enjoy everything the island has to offer.
El Nido is a destination for water activities, with its world-famous boat tours and interesting dives for certified divers.
Island Hopping in El Nido:
Island hopping refers to boat tours between islands. They can be done privately or through organized tours from town agencies, sharing the boat with other travelers. In El Nido, there is a standard, and the boat tours in Bacuit Bay are divided into four routes:
- Tour A: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach
- Tour B: Snake Island sandbar, Cudugnon and Cathedral caves, and Entaluala and Popolkan islands
- Tour C: Matinloc Island, Secret Beach, Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, and Tapiutan Island
- Tour D: Small Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon, Pasandigan Cave, Nat Nat Beach, Paradise Beach, and Bucal Island
Diving in El Nido:
For bubble enthusiasts, El Nido offers beautiful dives. Here are the most popular ones:
- Helicopter Island: It has several dive points. The dive center you choose will inform you of the best ones to visit depending on sea conditions at the time.
- Nat Nat on Cadlao Island: A simple dive, sometimes with some current, where you might see schools of barracudas.
- Paglugaban: If you enjoy macro photography and want to see the widest variety of nudibranchs in El Nido, this is your dive spot.
- Twin Rocks: We can’t end this small list of the best dive spots in El Nido without mentioning Twin Rocks, where various manta ray communities have made their territory.
Interesting Places Near El Nido
The town of El Nido itself doesn’t have much appeal outside its commercial offerings with all kinds of tourist services. However, you don’t have to go far to enjoy charming places. Here is a short list of the most attractive spots to visit during your stay in El Nido.
Beaches to Visit from El Nido
Heading south on the road and just a few kilometers away, you can visit these two beaches:
- Corong Corong: It has a beach where you can only swim at high tide, as it’s not comfortable for walking at high tide, and you need to wade several dozen meters for the water to cover above your knees. However, it has places to have a drink and enjoy a beautiful sunset.
- Las Cabañas: If you follow the road out of El Nido towards Puerto Princesa, Las Cabañas beach is a few kilometers away. Besides offering beautiful sunsets like Corong Corong, this beach is much wider and friendlier.
Taking the northern road, you can explore these three beaches:
- Lio Beach: Located in the new area of El Nido, where recently constructed accommodations, restaurants, and good quality services can be found. It is a beautiful, spacious, and uncrowded beach, currently our favorite in El Nido.
- Nacpan and Duli Beach: These are two beaches north of El Nido accessible by renting a scooter, tricycle, or even shared vehicles. They are wide, beautiful beaches, not very crowded, where you can enjoy an exotic day bathing in turquoise waters and white sand beaches under the shade of numerous coconut trees.
Other Activities to Do in El Nido:
Kayaking or Paddleboarding: There are several places in town where you can rent equipment. If you’re up for it, you can paddle to Cadlao Island or Seven Commandos Beach.
El Nido Hill: Climbing the ever-present El Nido hill was, for many years, a risky activity attracting travelers eager to get the best panoramic view of Bacuit Bay. Although climbing to the top is no longer allowed, a route through hanging bridges has been established, offering beautiful views in a much safer and more organized way than before.