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El Nido, up close
Tour prices, fees and schedules that are actually current, plus the places worth knowing about — dated, so you can see how fresh it is.
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Before you arrive
El Nido's Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF)
As of 17 October 2026, every tourist staying in El Nido pays the Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF): ₱400 if you arrive from outside Palawan, ₱200 from within it. One payment is valid for 5 days and covers the tourism sites across the municipality. The fee funds tourism and environmental projects in El Nido.
El Nido Island Hopping: Tours A, B, C and D, and what they really cost
As of 30 July 2026, a shared island-hopping tour in El Nido costs about ₱1,200 to ₱1,400 per person, lunch included. That price is not the total. With the ₱400 eco fee, the ₱200 Big Lagoon entrance and ₱300–500 kayak hire, a first Tour A comes to roughly ₱2,100–2,500.
El Nido to Coron by ferry
As of 7 October 2026, one of the four companies on this route is sailing. Montenegro leaves El Nido at 12:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The crossing is scheduled to last 3 hours 30 but often takes about 5 hours, in calm conditions too. Arrive 60 minutes before departure, and allow another hour in case it leaves late.
Paying for things in El Nido: cash, cards and QR
El Nido is settled in cash. As of 21 August 2026, a foreign card pays ₱250 to ₱300 per ATM withdrawal, whatever the amount. You pay the eco fee in cash at a counter. Since 17 August 2026, Wise pays QR Ph merchant codes. It needs no local SIM, wallet or bank account, and it is the one QR route open to a visitor.
Areas
El Nido town proper
The centre of El Nido: where the island-hopping boats leave from, where most restaurants and bars are, and where the eco fee is paid.
Corong-Corong
The bay immediately south of town — quieter, and the side the sun sets over.
Lio Beach
A planned estate north of town, near the airport — the most polished end of El Nido, with a beachfront strip of shops and restaurants.
Vanilla Beach
The sunset beach south of town — known as Las Cabanas and Marimegmeg as often as Vanilla Beach.
Nacpan Beach
A long stretch of sand north of town, and the beach most people make the trip out to.
Duli Beach
North-coast beach, quieter than Nacpan, and the one place near El Nido with surf.
Sibaltan
El Nido's east coast — a heritage village, and the kitesurfing season the west coast does not get.
Places by theme
ATMs and money services
3 listed
The best kitchens
4 listed
Coworking and coffee
6 listed
Specialty coffee
7 listed