El Nido, Palawan has 45 limestone islands, hidden lagoons, and white-sand beaches. Based at Amari by Vivere on Rizal Street, this three-day itinerary covers the highlights without burning you out.

Getting to El Nido

  • Direct air: Clark to Lio Airport in about 1 hour 45 minutes. Lio is 17 minutes from Amari.
  • Budget option: Fly to Puerto Princesa, then 5–6 hours by van or bus.
  • Island route: Fast ferry from Coron in roughly 8 hours.

Day 1 — Arrival & town exploration

Check in at Amari and head to the rooftop pool at A. Cliff Kitchen for your first view of the limestone cliffs. The town is compact — everything is walkable in the afternoon.

  • Restaurants along Calle Hama and Serena Street — 3 to 5 minutes on foot
  • The Canopy Walk suspension bridge — 2 minutes away
  • Corong-Corong Beach — 3-minute motorbike ride for sunset over the limestone islands

Day 2 — Tour A island hopping

Boats leave the town pier by 8 AM. Tour A covers the iconic lagoons:

  • Big Lagoon — kayak rental (~PHP 200) through emerald water inside 200-metre limestone walls
  • Small Lagoon — cave passage at low tide
  • Secret Lagoon — reached through a gap in the rocks
  • 7 Commandos Beach — white sand, food vendors, snorkelling

Back by 3–4 PM. Time for the rooftop pool before dinner.

Day 3 — Tour C adventure

Tour C is the dramatic-scenery route through the outer islands:

  • Helicopter Island — crystal-clear shallows
  • Matinloc Shrine — panoramic views
  • Hidden Beach — a 10–15 metre swim through a cliff gap
  • Talisay Beach — lunch stop

Evening: Las Cabanas Beach (water zip-line) or Maremegmeg Beach — both a short tricycle ride south. End the day at the rooftop bar.

If you have more time

Other tours:

  • Tour B — Cadlao Lagoon, Snake Island
  • Tour D — Cathedral Cave, marine reserve snorkelling

Beach alternatives:

  • Nacpan Beach — 20.5 km north (~30 minutes by motorbike)
  • Mangrove kayaking — 2-hour guided trips

Stay in town

Tours leave early and return mid-afternoon. Staying in town — close to the pier and restaurants — cuts the friction. Amari by Vivere is on Rizal Street, walking distance to everything.