El Nido Beach and Town Square - The Hub Of El Nido Town
El Nido translates to ‘The Nest’ a fitting name given to the area due to the swiftlets nesting in the dramatic limestone cliffs. One great spot to admire the landscape is from El Nido Beach. The beach backs on to El Nido Town Square where many restaurants and bars can be found. The beach is also the main port for the world famous boat tours, we headed out on the El Nido Boat Tour A, visiting some of the most beautiful places on earth.
A hub for many tourists, El Nido Beach is the perfect place to chill out after your Boat Tour or to watch the sunset in the Town Square before grabbing food in some of El Nido’s best restaurants. El Nido Town Square which is located on the crossroads of Hama Street and The National Highway is the main drop off and pick up area for tourists as well as boasting the best bars, gyms, retail and restaurants in the area. Every night we walked past, the places here were packed and you could feel an excited buzz in the air.
Tip: El Nido's Town Square establishments are hooked up to treated water lines making all sink water safe. Therefore, this is a great place to eat comfortably and not worry about food poisoning.
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El Nido is most famous for its world-class island hopping tours. Make sure to not get scammed and book with a reputable company!
Where Is El Nido Beach?
El Nido Beach is located in El Nido Town Proper on the Island Of Palawan.
How To Get To El Nido Beach?
If you’re staying in the town of El Nido then you can’t miss El Nido Beach, head to the sea and you’ll find it in no time. If you’re staying out of town then a scooter or tricycle to Town Square El Nido will get you to the beach. Alternatively find parking in the town and walk down to the sea front.
We recommend booking with a reputable company with good reviews to avoid any horror stories.
What To Expect From El Nido Beach
Busy in the mornings due to the beach being the start of all the Boat Tours but quiet during the day, El Nido Beach is a great place to chill out if you don’t want to travel too far away from your accommodation.
With crystal blue water and bars a stone's throw away you really don’t have to leave the beach all day. Although there are better places to swim in Palawan you can still cool off in the refreshing water and then spend a couple of hours drying off on the powdery sand.
We enjoyed visiting Hama Coffee Bar to catch up on some work, the café backs right onto the beach and has outdoor seating, perfect for any digital nomad.
What Can You Do At El Nido Beach
Hire Kayaks
To explore the ocean and limestone formations. An adventurous activity that you sure won’t forget in years to come.
Relax In One of the Many Beach Bars
You can find a range of bars located on the beachfront or if like us you need to catch up on work head to Hama Coffee Bar which has tables right on the beach.
Grab Some Food With a View
If you’re like us and on a budget we recommend grabbing a pizza from Chef Mark Style Italian and Japanese Restaurant then taking it down to the beach to enjoy the sunset.
Boat Tours
Head off on a world famous boat tour. Check Out Boat Tour A Here.
Taraw Cliff
Explore the nearby Taraw Cliff.
Beach Bars and Restaurants on El Nido Beach
Hama Coffee El Nido (Top Pick for Digital Nomads)
Establishments In Town Square
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El Nido Beach Common Questions
Can I Swim at El Nido Beach?
Yes, it’s not the best spot for swimming in El Nido but you can cool off in the water. The best time to swim would be at high tide and after all the boats have left for the Boat Tours.
Why is El Nido Palawan So Famous?
El Nido is famous for having some of the best beaches in the world, strips of powdered white sand and azure water will greet you on this Philippine island. El Nido is also famous for the limestone rock formations that you’ll see from El Nido Beach.
El Nido Palawan Culture
El Nido is one of the most touristic spots in the Philippines and therefore in our option has lost some of its charm and traditional culture. However, only a short scooter drive out of the town and you’ll be surrounded by traditional huts, small villages and friendly locals ready to share their culture with you.
You must try some local dishes during your time here including our favourites pancit and adobo. The local people of El Nido are the Cuyonon and Tagbanuas.
El Nido Beach Resorts
You can find an abundance of beach resorts in El Nido and by El Nido Beach. Explore more with the widget below:
Best Places To Stay In El Nido Beach
El Nido has lots of areas for you to stay in. You could stay in the centre of the town, everything like tours, bars and restaurants will be a walk away as your based in the hub. The town is quiet in the day but comes alive at night. If you don't want to stay in the town or are on a budget look at other areas such as Corong Corong.
We use Booking.com, Agoda and HostelWorld for all of our stays in The Philippines!
Below is a list of top accommodations we recommend for El Nido, Palawan:
Famous for its stunning stretches of white sand, El Nido has some of the best beaches in Palawan, vibrant coral reefs and crystal clear water surrounded by limestone cliffs, it has become a tourist hot spot in recent years. There is definitely no shortage of things to see and do in and around this beautiful town, below we share our favourite attractions in El Nido.
Top Pick: El Nido Boat Tour
This is a must in El Nido! We went on Tour A during off-season and were told it gets extremely busy so maybe try out one of the other Tours on offer if you are visiting at peak season.
Best Beaches: Napcan and Duli Beach
Duli Beach is a locals surfing beach with azure water, palm trees and white sand. Although a little drive away, we think it’s worth it.
Off The Beaten Track: Head To Port Barton
A 3 hour drive from El Nido, Port Barton is a small fishing village which is less developed but still set up for tourism. We loved it here and the Boat Tour is amazing.
Best Place To Eat: Fuego El Nido Proper Burgers
El Nido is packed full with Western restaurants but we were disappointed with nearly all our meals. So take our advice, spend a bit more and go get yourself an amazing burger.
Other Things To Do In El Nido
Once you're done in El Nido, head over to Coron!
Best El Nido Town Tours
Top Tips For Travelling To El Nido
Below we share our favourite tips for travelling El Nido:
Plan your transport: Getting to El Nido takes around 6 hours from Puerto Princesa, book your transport in advance here!
Be prepared for the boat tours to be busy. Boat Tour A is the most popular and therefore the busiest so perhaps try Boat Tour C or D.
Eat Local, we found it challenging to find authentic local food in El Nido, but the Western food options were mediocre.
Rent a scooter to explore the natural attractions. There are so many beautiful beaches in El Nido and waterfalls to explore nearby, just make sure you wear a helmet as it's compulsory in El Nido Town.
Final Thoughts on El Nido Beach Palawan
You’re bound to bump into El Nido Beach during your stay as it’s the main port for El Nido boat tours. You’ll also become familiar with El Nido Town Square, a main hub in the town with lots of top western restaurants and bars alongside gyms, retail shops and spas.
El Nido Beach, although not the most beautiful in Palawan, is still worth a visit during your time here. We recommend watching the sun disappear behind the limestone formations while sharing a pizza or drink on the beach.
Don't miss this El Nido Island Hopping Tour, we chose Tour A. Also checkout this El Nido Napcan and Duli Beach Tour!
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