El Nido

El Nido translates literally to "The Nest" in Spanish, named after the edible swiftlet nests found in the crevices of its limestone cliffs. The place has been inhabited since at least 2,680 BC. Most of the population today is a mix of Tagbanwa (the original indigenous group), Cuyonon (who migrated from the Cuyo Islands and effectively built modern El Nido), and Visayan settlers. Cuyonon was once the common language across all of Palawan, and while Tagalog has taken over in daily commerce, you'll hear Cuyonon spoken at the market and among older locals and fishermen. The culture here runs on fishing and community. Eco-consciousness isn't a marketing angle — it's enforced policy. Plastic bags are banned, single-use plastics are regulated, and tour operators face real penalties for environmental violations. The town's patron saint is St. Francis of Assisi, also the patron saint of the environment, which tells you something about how the community sees itself. Hospitality is genuine. If you hang around the market, speak a few words of Tagalog, and show actual curiosity about local life, you'll get invited for coffee. It happens.

El Nido is genuinely one of the safer places to visit in the Philippines. Violent crime against tourists is rare. Northern Palawan (everything north of Puerto Princesa, including El Nido) has no travel advisories, unlike parts of southern Palawan and Mindanao. That said, there are real risks worth knowing. The biggest ones aren't crime — they're motorbike accidents and heat exhaustion. If you're not an experienced rider, hire a tricycle instead of renting a scooter. The road to Nacpan has gravel sections, river crossings, and no lighting after dark. Statistically, more tourists get hurt on those roads than in any crime incident. Tap water is not safe to drink in El Nido. Locals have known about water quality issues for years — stick to bottled water even for brushing teeth if your stomach is sensitive. The two ATMs (BDO and Landbank) run out of cash on busy weekends. Withdraw everything you need in Puerto Princesa. On tours, don't leave your phone or wallet unattended on the boat or beach — petty theft from unattended belongings is the most common issue. Dengue is present (the Philippines reported over 120,000 dengue cases in the first half of 2025 alone). Use DEET repellent at dawn and dusk. Malaria risk in the El Nido tourist zone is low but not zero — consult a travel doctor before you go, especially if you plan to venture into rural areas. There is a small government health center in town. For anything serious, Puerto Princesa is 5–6 hours by van. Get travel insurance that includes medical evacuation.

Getting to El Nido takes effort. That's just the reality. The quickest option is AirSwift direct to Lio Airport (about 5km from town) from Clark International Airport in Pampanga — as of March 29, 2026, flights no longer depart from Manila's NAIA. The flight takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. Fares run ₱3,365–9,235 one-way depending on how far in advance you book. The planes are small and fill up fast. Book early. The budget option is flying into Puerto Princesa (served by Cebu Pacific and AirAsia from as low as ₱800–2,500 one-way from Manila) then taking a shared van or shuttle north. The van ride is ₱828 (~$14) and takes 5–6 hours on winding mountain and coastal roads. Daytripper shuttle is well-regarded for reliability. Once you're in El Nido, the town is walkable in 10–15 minutes end to end. For everything else: tricycles are motorized bikes with sidecars and serve as the local taxi. Standard town hops cost ₱21–50. A tricycle to Las Cabanas Beach runs ₱100–143. Nacpan Beach return trip is ₱724–1,002 (negotiate before you get in). Scooter rental costs ₱500–600/day and is the best value for day trips to Nacpan or Duli Beach, but requires experience and a valid license. To get to Coron from El Nido, ferry takes 4–6 hours and the sea can be rough — bring motion sickness pills. There's also an AirSwift flight that takes 40 minutes and can be booked from around $20 in advance.