4D3N El Nido Itinerary [2023 Travel Guide]

Many travelers to El Nido spend at least 4 days and 3 nights to maximize their stay on the island. Most of them usually avail of 2-3 island hopping tours depending on their arrival and departure. If you are spending this much time in El Nido, we’re here to help you plan your itinerary. Follow our suggested El Nido itinerary below to make sure you get the best experience on the island.

Check out our detailed El Nido Travel Guide to learn more about El Nido – how to get there, where to stay, where to eat, and more! Looking for a place to stay? Take a look at this comprehensive list of hotels, hostels, and resorts in El Nido.

So here’s our 4D3N El Nido Itinerary for your easy reference:

Day 1: Arrival in El Nido

You have two options in going to El Nido: Take a morning flight from Manila direct to El Nido via Airswift or you can take an early morning flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa and take a van or bus to El Nido. The travel time is around 5-6 hours so be prepared. There is a lunch and pee break along the way so you do not need to worry about it.

• 1:00 PM: Arrival in El Nido
• 2:00 PM: Hotel Check-in
• 3:00 PM: Go to Nacpan Beach – chill and wait for the sunset. There are restaurants along the beach area so you can enjoy a meal or grab a drink.
• 6:30 PM: Go back to the hotel
• 7:30 PM: Dinner at Art Cafe
• Optional: Night out

Day 2: Island Hopping – Tour C

Joiner tour at only Php1,175 – BOOK NOW

If the weather is good we highly suggest taking Tour C first because it’s the tour that easily gets canceled because of bad weather. So, take it first by all means. When I first visited El Nido, I took Tour A first only to find that Tour C would be canceled the next day.

• 7:30 AM: Breakfast at the hotel
• 8:45 AM: Proceed to the island hopping jump-off point
• 9:00 AM: Start of Island Hopping Adventure
• 3:00 PM: End of Island Hopping
• 4:00 PM: Go back to the hotel, freshen up
• 5:00 PM: Proceed to Maregmeg Beach for sunset. You still have a lot of energy by now so go explore!
• 7:00 PM: Dinner in Maregmeg and night out

For Tour C, you will visit Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Talisay Beach, and Matinloc Shrine.

Day 3: Island Hopping Tour A

Joiner tour starts at Php1,050 – BOOK NOW

Optional activity for Day 3: Taraw Cliff hiking

• 7:30 AM: Breakfast at the hotel
• 8:45 AM: Proceed to the island hopping jump-off point
• 9:00 AM: Start of Island Hopping Adventure
• 3:00 PM: End of Island Hopping
• 4:00 PM: Go back to hotel, freshen up
• 5:30 PM: Happy hour at Frendz Hostel’s Sky Bar. You can also catch the sunset at their sky pool area.
• 7:00 PM: Dinner at Frendz

For Tour A, you will visit: 7 Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and Payong Payong Beach.

Day 4: Island Hopping Tour B (only if you leave El Nido after 5:00 PM)

Joiner tour at only Php1,100 – BOOK NOW

• 7:30 AM: Breakfast at the hotel
• 8:45 AM: Check out at the hotel, leave things at the reception and proceed to the island hopping jump-off point
• 9:00 AM: Start of Island Hopping Adventure
• 3:00 PM: End of Island Hopping
• 4:00 PM: Go back to the hotel, pick up stuff and leave the island

Alternatively, you can chill on your last day and just roam around the town.

For El Nido Tour B, you will visit Entalula Island, Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Pinagbuyutan Island.

So that’s it, I hope you’ll enjoy El Nido as much as I did. If you have less time to spend in El Nido, you can also check out our 3D2N itinerary or if you have more time, check out our 4D3N El Nido itinerary.

Budget and Possible Expenses

• Van transfer Puerto Princesa to El Nido and return: Php1400
• Van rental from El Nido to Nacpan: Php3,700 or around Php1,000 if you choose a tricycle
• Accommodation: Ranging from 800 per night to Php5,000 depending on your choice of hotel/hostel
• Island Hopping Tours: Php2,225 for Tours A and C. Add Php,1,100 to avail Tour B.
• Meals: Avail of free breakfast at your hotel/hostel, lunch is covered in the tours so you will only spend around Php200-500 for dinner.

If you are a budget traveler you can enjoy El Nido for 4 days 3 nights for around Php8,500 plus the airfare. Check out our list of the best hostels in El Nido ideal for backpackers and budget travelers.

Discounted Tours in Palawan

Glen Nomad

Glen Nomad is a travel blogger and the founder of Escape Manila, one of the top travel blogs in the Philippines. He has visited all 82 provinces in the Philippines and has explored 53 countries across Asia, North & South America, East Africa, Europe, and Australia. Follow him on IG at @escapemanila