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How Long to Stay in El Nido? 3-5 Days Is Great!
Let’s figure out how many days for El Nido first? Well, 3-5 days is the sweet spot!
If you're tight on time, a 3-day El Nido itinerary is doable. You'll get one day for island hopping – Tour A or C, your pick! One day to settle in and explore town, and another for land adventures. Maybe hit Las Cabañas or Nacpan Beach, or climb Taraw Cliff for those killer views.
Got 4 days? Perfect! 2 days for island hopping – A & C, a classic combo! The rest? Land exploring!
Five days? Now we're talking! 3 island hopping tours – A, B, and C for adventure, or A, C, and D for chill vibes. Tour B is for cave lovers, Tour D is for peace seekers.
Which El Nido Tour Is the Best: A, B, C or D, How to Choose? (2025)
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El Nido Itinerary for 3 Days: Tour A, Your First-Timer's Classic
Best for? For those who want the El Nido magic in a short trip, our 3-day El Nido travel itinerary is your golden ticket! It's the best El Nido Palawan itinerary 3d2n to experience the best of El Nido.
Highlights: This is the classic "first-timer" route, perfect for anyone who wants to hit those must-see spots in Tour A. Think stunning lagoons, karst landscapes and awesome kayaking experiences.
| Day | What to See | Where to Stay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in El Nido, Las Cabañas Beach sunset | El Nido Town |
| 2 | Tour A: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commando Beach, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach | El Nido Town |
| 3 | Depart El Nido | / |
The best way to kick off your 3 days in El Nido is to explore the town after you land in El Nido and check into your comfy digs. Get ready for some delicious Filipino food. If time permits, watch a sunset at Las Cabañas Beach that'll make your jaw drop.
Last day in town, too. We'll start the day with a hike up Taraw Cliff for panoramic views of El Nido. Then, it's off to Nacpan Beach for some laid-back beach time. Finally, we'll say goodbye to El Nido.
On Day 2, we’ll do island hopping tour A, the classic El Nido adventure! It's a full day of crystal-clear waters, snorkeling, and island-hopping fun.
Here’s the route of our El Nido Tour C Itinerary: Big Lagoon - Secret Lagoon - 7 Commando Beach - Shimizu Island -Payong-Payong Beach.
Start the morning with Big Lagoon, where you’ll kayak through towering limestone cliffs. Trust me, it's like stepping into a postcard. You can rent a kayak there for about 450 PHP for two people. Next, we'll squeeze through a hidden entrance to Secret Lagoon – a real hidden gem!
Then, it's off to 7 Commando Beach for some serious chill time on powdery white sand. After that, we'll snorkel at Shimizu Island, where the underwater life is insane. Finally, we'll relax at Payong-Payong Beach before heading back to El Nido Town.
How about lunch? You’ll have a fresh seafood lunch on one of the islands during your tour.
El Nido Itinerary for 4 Days: Tour A & C, Good Fit for Families
Best for? This 4-day El Nido travel itinerary is a real crowd-pleaser, especially for families, because it hits all the highlights, including lagoons, snorkeling, and those stunning island views.
Highlights: We combine the best of both worlds – Tour A's iconic karst landscapes and kayaking adventures, plus Tour C's amazing snorkeling and breathtaking ocean scenery.
| Day | What to See | Where to Stay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Nido arrival, Explore the town vibes | El Nido Town |
| 2 | Tour A: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commando Beach, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach | El Nido Town |
| 3 | Tour C: Helicopter Island, Tapiutan Island, Secret Beach, Hidden Beach | El Nido Town |
| 4 | El Nido departure | / |
What's different from our 3-day El Nido itinerary? In addition to El Nido town and island hopping Tour A, we've added Tour C.
Here’s the El Nido Tour C Itinerary: We’ll diving into the underwater world with Tour C! The journey takes you to Helicopter Island, Tapiutan Island, Secret Beach, and Hidden Beach.
After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Helicopter Island, named for its unique shape. It's perfect for snorkeling and spotting sea turtles. Then, it's time to go to Tapiutan Island for more amazing snorkeling and some seriously gorgeous beaches.
Next up is Secret Beach, hidden behind towering cliffs. You'll swim through a narrow opening to find a secluded cove – it's like something out of a movie! For the last stop, we'll explore Hidden Beach, another hidden gem with turquoise waters and soft sand.
After hopping Tour C, we’ll return to El Nido Town for a local dinner.
El Nido Itinerary: 5 Days for Adventurers - Tours A, B & C
Best for? An adventure awaits those ready to dive deep into El Nido's wonders with our 5-day itinerary! This 5 days El Nido itinerary plan is ideal for explorers eager to venture beyond the usual tourist spots, particularly cave enthusiasts and hikers.
Highlights: For 5 days in El Nido, we're diving deep into El Nido's best, combining the classic A and C tours with the unique Tour B. You can expect stunning views from Snake Island, exploration of hidden caves like Cudugnon, and plenty of beach hopping!
| Day | What to See | Where to Stay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in El Nido, Try Filipino food | El Nido Town |
| 2 | Tour A: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commando Beach, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach | El Nido Town |
| 3 | Tour C: Helicopter Island, Tapiutan Island, Secret Beach, Hidden Beach | El Nido Town |
| 4 | Tour B: Snake Island, Cathedral Cave, Cudugnon Cave, Entalula Beach | El Nido Town |
| 5 | Farewell to El Nido | / |
What's different from our El Nido itinerary for 4 days? In addition to the classic Island Hopping Tours A & C, we've added another day of island hopping, Tour B. Note that tour order may change due to weather!
Here’s the El Nido Tour B Itinerary: This is where the adventure kicks up a notch! You’ll follow this route: Snake Island, Cathedral Cave, Cudugnon Cave, Entalula Beach.
Let’s start the morning with Snake Island, where you can walk along a unique sandbar and enjoy the feeling of walking in the middle of the sea. Then, we're heading to Cathedral Cave. The rock formations are insane!
Next, we're diving into Cudugnon Cave. This one's got some history. They found old stuff there, pottery and all that. And, get this, locals hid in there during World War II! It's like a time capsule.
And to finish it all off, let’s head to Entalula Beach. Long, white sand, palm trees, the works. It's pure paradise.
El Nido Itinerary: 5 Days of Peace & Pristine Beaches - Tours A, C & D
Best for? If you're craving a truly laid-back El Nido experience, our 5-day itinerary, featuring Tours A, C, and D, is the way to go! This one's for those who want to soak up the peace and quiet, explore pristine beaches, and really connect with the natural beauty of El Nido.
Highlights: A blend of classic lagoons and snorkeling, enjoyed on Tours A and C, is complemented by the untouched beauty of Tour D. Be aware, however, that Tour D's hidden gems are spread out and less developed.
| Day | What to See | Where to Stay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Say Hello to El Nido | El Nido Town |
| 2 | Tour A: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commando Beach, Shimizu Island, Payong-Payong Beach | El Nido Town |
| 3 | Tour C: Helicopter Island, Tapiutan Island, Secret Beach, Hidden Beach | El Nido Town |
| 4 | Tour D: Cadlao Lagoon - Small Lagoon - Paradise Beach - Serenity Island - Bukal Beach | El Nido Town |
| 5 | Goodbye to El Nido | / |
What's different from our El Nido itinerary for 4 days? We've added island hopping Tour D to the classic Tours A & C.
Here’s the El Nido Tour D Itinerary: Today, we're getting away from the crowds and finding those hidden gems El Nido's got tucked away.
So, here's the plan: We're hitting up Cadlao Lagoon first. Picture this: calm, clear water, surrounded by these massive limestone cliffs. Then, we're off to Small Lagoon. Now, it's still beautiful, but it can get a little busier than the others.
Next up, Paradise Beach. Yeah, it lives up to the name. White sand, clear water... it's the kind of place where you just want to kick back and forget about everything. We'll grab some lunch here, have a swim, just enjoy the vibe.
After that, we're heading to Serenity Island. It's all about peace and quiet here. Perfect for just floating in the water and letting the world drift away. And to finish it all off, we're hitting Bukal Beach. Another beautiful spot, where you can just relax and enjoy the natural beauty of El Nido.
DIY Your El Nido Itinerary with Asia Odyssey Travel!
Ready to craft your dream El Nido Palawan itinerary? Look no further than Asia Odyssey Travel!
With over 8 years of Philippines experience, we're your local experts. We've built strong relationships with the best hotels and guides in El Nido.
From El Nido map tips, to figuring out which El Nido tour is the best for you, we handle it all. Want to know how to get to El Nido, or head to Coron from El Nido? We've got the inside scoop.
With Asia Odyssey Travel, your El Nido adventure is in good hands. Let's make it happen!
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