El Nido, Palawan
El Nido's Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF)
Every visitor to El Nido pays the Eco-Tourism Development Fee before joining any tour. It is ₱400 for non-resident tourists, valid for 10 days, and covers access to tourism sites across the municipality.
Last checked August 11, 2026
How much it costs
The ETDF was set by Municipal Ordinance 01, Series of 2024. The rate turns on where you travelled from, not on your nationality: everyone arriving from outside Palawan pays the higher column, whether they are foreign or Filipino. The ticket covers all tourism sites in El Nido for 10 days from the date of payment.
If you do several island-hopping tours inside those 10 days, you pay the fee once — not once per tour. Keep the ticket; boat crews and site staff ask for it.
| Who | From within Palawan | From outside Palawan |
|---|---|---|
| Non-El Nido resident | ₱200 | ₱400 |
| Government employee | ₱200 | ₱400 |
| Student | ₱100 | ₱300 |
| Senior citizen or PWD | ₱160 | ₱320 |
| Child, 7 to 13 | ₱150 | ₱250 |
| Child under 6 | Free | |
The student and senior/PWD rates already include the discount mandated by law — it is not applied again at the counter.
Where to pay it
There are two practical routes. You can pay directly at the El Nido Tourism Office in the town proper, or your tour operator collects it when you book — most of them do this as a matter of course, and will ask for it before you board.
There is no online payment. The fee is collected by the municipality, and at the time of writing it has to be settled in person. Bring cash: card handling at the counter is unreliable.
What the money funds
The ordinance sets out where each share goes rather than leaving it all to general spending.
| Allocation | Share |
|---|---|
| Environment and tourism projects | 50% |
| Barangay eco-tourism projects | 10% |
| Protected Area Management Board | 10% |
| Municipal general fund | 10% |
| Implementation costs | 20% |
What it does not cover
The ETDF is separate from your tour price and from the site-specific charges inside the tours. Big Lagoon has its own entrance fee, and kayak hire there is charged on top. Budget for those as extras rather than assuming the eco fee has absorbed them.
Common questions
Do I have to pay the El Nido eco fee more than once?
No. The ticket is valid for 10 days across all tourism sites in El Nido, however many tours you take in that window.
Can I pay the ETDF online before arriving?
Not at present. It is collected in person, either at the El Nido Tourism Office or through your tour operator when you book.
How much is the El Nido environmental fee in 2026?
₱400 if you travelled from outside Palawan, and ₱200 if you came from within it. Students, senior citizens, PWDs and children pay less, and children under 6 are free.