To get to El Nido, there are several options. We are going to detail them below, in order to facilitate the preparation of your trip to El Nido.
Daily direct flights
From Manila, Cebu or Caticlan (Boracay), you can find direct flights to get to El Nido.
They are the fastest and most direct way to get to El Nido. The flights take about 1 hour and land directly at Lio airport, located about 7 kilometers from midtown. From Lio airport, you can take a 20-minute tricycle ride going to El Nido town.
You can book your AirSwift flights through AirSwift website, by calling the AirSwift company: +632 318 5942/ 318 5943 or contact Artcafe using this email address: flights@elnidoboutiqueandartcafe.com.
Land travel from Puerto Princesa
The second way to reach El Nido is to first fly to Puerto Princesa Airport in Central Palawan. Its airport receives regular flights from Manila and Cebu via CebuPacific, PAL Express, AirAsia and other local carriers. From Puerto Princesa, you still have to cover about 220 kilometers of highway. To do so, you have different options:
Van
We warmly recommend DaytripperPalawan. They will get you to El Nido safely and comfortably in their executive vans/coaches. The trip usually takes 5-6 hours. Other van companies also leave daily from the Puerto Princesa airport.
Autobus
If you are on budget, take a bus. Two companies ply the Puerto Princesa-El Nido route every day. We highly recommend Cherry Bus. It takes about 6-8 hours, depending on how many stopovers the bus will take on the way.
Car or motorbike
If you want to travel at your own pace, taking a road trip is a great way to discover the Northern part of Palawan. You can stop over villages and enjoy the rustic view of the countryside. Be prepared, though. This can be a long trip (more than 280km) and full of hassles (cows, dogs, water buffalos, potholes, etc.). Do not travel at night and be extremely careful!
Overnight in Puerto Princesa
If you want to stay overnight in Puerto Princesa, we recommend you to stay at the Hibiscus Garden Inn. Not far from the airport, the hotel has a beautiful tropical garden and is a convenient base if you want to explore the city. One Manalo Place is another good choice. It offers a wide choice of rooms, a pool and a beautiful spa.
Get to El Nido by boat
Boat trips from Coron to El Nido and vice-versa are operated 4-5 times a week by several big outrigger boats. The journey can be slow and tough and not recommended if you can find a faster way to come here. As these shuttles are weather dependent, cancellations are quite common on this route. The trip may take 7-10 hours and costs P1,800.
If you have time, you may want to go on an adventure with Tao Philippines. Their expeditions explore hundreds of remote islands between El Nido and Coron. It’s a beautiful experience and you’ll get a chance to set foot on undeveloped tropical islands untouched by tourism.