Best of El Nido Palawan in December
- Charmaine Warren
- Mar 10, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 20
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El Nido, Palawan is every bit the dreamy island escape you imagine—crystal-clear water, dramatic limestone cliffs, and beaches that look like they were Photoshopped. My husband, mom, sister, and I spent three (very rainy) days soaking in the magic—and chaos—of this tropical paradise. Here's how it all went down.
Getting to El Nido:
We flew into Puerto Princesa first because direct flights to El Nido are, well, sparse and pricey. After our Mt. Magarwak hike (you can read about our Puerto Princesa Adventure), we hopped in a van for the five-hour drive to El Nido. The views were solid, the traffic was not. This stretch used to be notorious for being super bumpy, but it’s been improved—so less nausea, yay!
You’ve got a couple options for this leg:
Shuttle van: ~₱500 (about $10)
Coach bus: Slightly cheaper, a bit slower
If budget’s not a concern and time is, you can fly directly to El Nido and take a 15-minute habal-habal ride (~₱100/$2) into town.
First Impressions: Cuna Hotel
We stayed at Cuna Hotel, El Nido in town. Honestly? From the outside, it looked a little sketchy—roads were rough, and it had been raining, which didn’t help the vibe. But inside? Clean, comfy, and perfect for our short stay. Not as fancy as our Puerto Princesa digs, but it did the job.
We rolled in kind of late, unpacked, then headed to Angel Wish El Nido for dinner. Heads up: the food took forever to come out. But hey, it gave us plenty of time to squeeze in a family photo, so win?
Tour Day (aka: Hurry Up and Wait)
This was the highlight of our El Nido trip. We booked a tour via GetYourGuide—plenty of options, but they fill up fast.
It was still raining (of course), so we messaged the tour operator to make sure it was still happening. They said yes. But when we arrived? We waited. And waited some more. It was giving “waiting room at the doctor” vibes, except we were on the beach, so the view was much better.
After a couple of hours (no joke), we finally got on the boat and headed to our first stop:
7 commando beach!
This beach is pure chef’s kiss. Turquoise water, powdery sand, and a story: it's named after seven WWII soldiers who once camped here.
We ran around, took touristy pics (you know we did), and soaked it all in before hopping back on the boat.
Our tour guide then called us to get ready for our next island which was kind of scary because I've not kayaked before but also exciting.
Next stop on our island tour is the Big and Small Lagoon!
These are tucked away on Miniloc Island, surrounded by cliffs that make you feel like you're in Jurassic Park (minus the dinos).
We kayaked through the Small Lagoon—yes, me, kayaking in open water! Terrifying and exhilarating. But it was also kind of freeing? That whole "do the thing that scares you" thing really hits when you're paddling through paradise.
Big Lagoon was boat-access only, but the views? Unreal.
Next stop Simizu Island!!!
Simizu Island is a small but beautiful island located in El Nido, Palawan, and is a popular stop on many island hopping tours in the area. The island is named after a Japanese diver who died while exploring the waters around the island, and a small memorial now stands on the island in his honor. With its stunning natural beauty and rich history, Simizu Island is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to El Nido.
But it was lunchtime by now, and our crew served up a boat picnic that hit the spot. Everyone was hangry, so it was perfectly timed.
Our last stop is The Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon is a hidden gem tucked away in El Nido, Palawan, and is a popular destination for those seeking a secluded and tranquil escape. We read that it can only be accessible only by swimming through a small opening in the limestone cliffs or by a small boat, but we actually just walked on rocky bottom waters to get to a whole and eventually we were able to get inside.
Cost of doing El Nido Activities
There are multiple underwater and island activities in El Nido offered through GetYourGuide , expect to be spending around the following:
The scuba diving sessions, offered by multiple operators at , are priced around 3600PHP (approximately US$77) for two dives.
For island excursions the pricing is varied depending on the islands you wanted to visit but a sample would be: Tour A is available for 1200PHP (about US$24), with an option to rent a kayak for an extra 700PHP (US$14). Tour C can be joined for 1400PHP (US$28) and includes the option to rent a mask and snorkel for an additional 100PHP (US$2). Both tours are inclusive of a lunch meal.
Weather in El Nido
Our trip to El Nido, Palawan was a bit of a wet adventure, thanks to the non-stop rain. We were really hoping for some sunshine, but weather is truly unpredictable Despite the frustration (which we heard others talk about too), we tried to stay positive. Unfortunately, the rain kept us from doing a lot of the cool stuff El Nido is famous for. I was especially bummed about missing the chance to climb Taraw Cliff for that amazing view and not catching a stunning sunset over Bacuit Bay.
We had planned to spend a good chunk of time enjoying these experiences, so being stuck indoors was a bit of a downer. It’s tough when you’re expecting adventure and relaxation but end up feeling cooped up.
But, it wasn’t all gloomy! We did manage to have some fun kayaking despite the stormy weather. It was a great way to lift our spirits and connect with the beautiful surroundings.
Looking back, the weather really shaped our trip in unexpected ways. It reminded me that travel can be unpredictable. El Nido was still gorgeous, but maybe visiting during a different season would’ve been better for us. Despite the rain, it’s a memorable part of our Philippines adventure, even if it wasn’t exactly what we had in mind! So keep that in mind when visiting
Travel Essentials & Bookings
Planning your own El Nido adventure? Here are some of the travel essentials and services we used—or wish we had! Clicking these links helps support my blog at no extra cost to you.
Where to Stay
Top-rated El Nido stays – Check out other hotels here
Island Tours & Activities
El Nido Tour A (Big & Small Lagoon) – See prices and availability
El Nido Tour C (Secret Lagoon + beaches) – See prices and availability
That concludes our El Nido Adventure! I hope you enjoyed our December travel guide to El NIdo Palawan.
TTYL!