El Nido has a reputation for being expensive. And honestly? Parts of that reputation are earned. But I just spent 7 days there on ₱24,600 total — that's flights, accommodation, all 4 island hopping tours, food, and every single beer I drank at sunset. Let me show you exactly how.
The honest budget breakdown first
Before we get into the day-by-day, here's the actual math. No rounding up to make myself look good:
| Category | Total 7 days | Per day |
|---|
| Accommodation (guesthouse, Corong-Corong) | ₱6,300 | ₱900 |
| Island hopping (Tours A, B, C, D) | ₱5,600 | ₱800 |
| Food (3 meals, occasional beers) | ₱7,000 | ₱1,000 |
| Tricycle + transfers | ₱2,100 | ₱300 |
| Extras (entrance fees, tips) | ₱2,800 | ₱400 |
| Snorkelling gear rental | ₱800 | ₱114 |
| TOTAL | ₱24,600 | ₱3,514 |
Flights not included — I flew Cebu Pacific Manila to El Nido direct, booked 3 weeks ahead for ₱3,200 one way. The earlier you book, the cheaper it gets.
Day 1 — Arrive, don't rush, figure out the town
My flight landed at Lio Airport at 11am. The airport is tiny and beautiful — you walk across a strip of tarmac surrounded by jungle. Tricycles from the airport to El Nido town cost ₱200, non-negotiable shared, or ₱500 private. Take the shared one.
I'd booked a room at a guesthouse in Corong-Corong — about 2km south of the main town — for ₱900/night. Not Instagram-worthy, but clean, aircon that actually works, and 5 minutes walk from the beach. That matters more than a pool you'll never use because you're always out on a boat.
Day 1 spend: ₱1,800 (transport + first night + lunch and dinner at Altrove, which does incredible pasta for ₱280)
Pro tip: Don't book island hopping the day you arrive. Walk the town, eat dinner, and let locals approach you — you'll find better prices than the tour operators on the main strip. I paid ₱1,200 for Tour A through my guesthouse owner. The official price on the main street is ₱1,500.
Day 2 — Tour A: The big lagoons
Tour A is the one everyone does first, and for good reason: Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island. Wake up call at 7am, boat leaves at 8am, back by 5pm.
The boat takes 10-14 people. You'll stop at 4 spots, snorkel, kayak into the small lagoon (kayak rental ₱200 if not included in your tour — mine wasn't), and eat a packed lunch on the beach at Shimizu.
What nobody tells you: arrive at Small Lagoon before 9am or it's a traffic jam of kayaks. Our guide knew this and we were there at 8:40 — practically alone. By the time we left at 9:15, there were 30 kayaks queued at the entrance.
Day 2 spend: ₱1,800 (tour ₱1,200 + kayak ₱200 + beers at sunset ₱200 + dinner ₱200)
Day 3 — Rest day + Nacpan Beach
Everyone tells you to do tours back-to-back. Don't. Your body needs a day to breathe and your wallet will thank you.
Rent a motorbike (₱500/day, you'll need a license or just don't crash) and ride to Nacpan Beach — 45 minutes north of town. Twin beach, practically deserted on weekdays, no entrance fee. Bring your own water and snacks because the food stalls there are overpriced.
I spent 6 hours there, read half a book, swam, and got back to town for sunset beers at a cliffside bar in Sibaltan.
Day 3 spend: ₱1,200 (motorbike ₱500 + fuel ₱100 + food ₱600)
Day 4 — Tour C: Helicopter Island area
Tour C focuses on the southern part of the archipelago — Helicopter Island (it looks like a helicopter from above), Entalula Beach, Pinasil Island, and Star Beach. Less crowded than Tour A because fewer people know about it. The water is more exposed and rougher, which means better visibility for snorkelling.
I saw my first reef shark on Tour C. Three metres below me, minding its own business. The guide didn't even blink. I didn't breathe for about 30 seconds.
Day 4 spend: ₱1,700 (tour ₱1,400 + lunch + dinner)
Day 5 — Kayaking Bacuit Bay solo
Rent a kayak from the beach at ₱300 for 3 hours and paddle yourself around the small islands visible from town. You can't go to the main tour spots (too far) but the bay itself has several small beaches accessible only by water. I found one with nobody on it and stayed for 2 hours.
This is the El Nido that tour operators don't sell you: completely silent, you can hear the water against the limestone, and you're genuinely alone.
Day 5 spend: ₱900 (kayak ₱300 + food all day ₱600)
Day 6 — Tour D: Coron day trip alternative
If you have an extra day, Tour D covers Cadlao Lagoon and some of the northern islands — worth it if Tours A and C were good but you want one more boat day. Skip it if you're getting island-hopped out (it happens, and that's fine).
I did Tour D. No regrets. Cadlao Lagoon is smaller than the famous Big Lagoon but the water is an absurd shade of turquoise that doesn't look real in photos and looks even less real in person.
Day 6 spend: ₱1,900 (tour ₱1,500 + tips ₱200 + food ₱200)
Day 7 — Leave before 10am
Flights from El Nido leave early. The tricycle to the airport costs ₱200. Get there 45 minutes early — the airport has no AC and the wait can be uncomfortable.
Buy breakfast from the bakery next to Altrove. Get the pan de sal and a coffee for ₱60. That's your last meal in El Nido and it's the right one.
What to skip (honest advice)
- Tour B — the most overrated of the four. Matinloc Shrine and Hidden Beach are beautiful but the boat traffic is worst here. Do Tours A, C, and D instead.
- Las Cabanas Beach sunset — the zipline costs ₱250 and the view is the same from any other cliff. Skip it.
- Any restaurant on the main strip with photos on the menu — always overpriced by 40%. Walk one block back and find the local spots.
Accommodation guide for budget travellers
- ₱600-900/night: Fan rooms in Corong-Corong or Barangay Masikap. Basic but clean. 10-15min walk from town.
- ₱1,200-1,800/night: Air-con guesthouses near the beach. Worth the upgrade if it's your first time.
- Avoid: The main town strip accommodation — you pay 30% extra for noise and no view.
Getting there: the cheapest way
Three routes from Manila:
- Direct flight MNL-ENI: Cebu Pacific, 1.5 hours. Book 3-6 weeks ahead for ₱2,500-4,000 one way. Simplest.
- Via Puerto Princesa: Fly to PPS (cheaper, more frequencies), then 5-6 hour van to El Nido. Total ₱1,800-2,500 but the van is brutal.
- Ferry from Coron: If you're coming from Coron, there's a twice-weekly ferry. Beautiful but 4 hours.
My verdict: pay for the direct flight. The 4 hours you save are worth the price difference.
The one thing I'd do differently
Book accommodation in Corong-Corong, not in town. It's quieter, the beach is better, and there are fewer tourists. I figured this out on day 3 and wished I'd known on day 1.
El Nido on a budget isn't about missing out — it's about prioritising. You'll spend more on experiences than sleep. That's the right call.
