El Nido Guide
The practical
guide.
Everything you need to know before booking — where to stay, how to get here, and what to expect.
El Nido is a small town at the northern tip of Palawan. Amari by Vivere is on Rizal Street in the town centre — our guides below cover how to get here, what to do, and what to expect.
Plan your trip
Before you book.
Eat & drink
Mornings at A. Cliff Kitchen.
Breakfast at A. Cliff Kitchen in El Nido, the rooftop restaurant at Amari by Vivere, included with direct bookings.
Getting here
How to Get to Amari (2026)
Routes via Clark, Puerto Princesa, and Coron. Includes the NAIA flight changes for 2026.
When to go
Best Time to Visit El Nido
Month-by-month guide to weather, tour conditions, prices, and crowd levels.
Itinerary
El Nido in 3 Days
A balanced first-timer's itinerary — Tour A, Tour C, town exploration, rest.
Plan your trip
Ultimate Guide to El Nido
Island hopping, beaches, mainland sites — everything you need to plan a 3- to 4-day trip.
Where to stay
Best Area to Stay in El Nido
Town centre, Lio, Corong-Corong, Las Cabanas — an honest comparison.
Tours
El Nido Tours A, B, C & D
The four classic island-hopping routes through El Nido island-hopping waters — itineraries, highlights, and which one to pick.
Eat & drink
Where to eat in El Nido
Twelve restaurants worth trying — beachfront, Filipino, international, and budget eats.
At a glance
El Nido quick facts.
11.2°N
Northern tip of Palawan
~1h 45m
Direct flight from Clark to Lio Airport (AirSwift)
~45
Islands & islets in El Nido island-hopping waters
Nov–May
Dry season (peak: March–May)
250–300M yrs
Age of the limestone cliffs (Permian era karst)
~27
Palawan-endemic bird species (Palawan Hornbill, Peacock-Pheasant, Palawan Scops Owl, Flycatcher…)
Good to know
Common questions.
Is El Nido safe for tourists?
Yes. El Nido is a well-established tourist destination in the Philippines. Petty theft can happen (as in any tourist town), but it's generally very safe. Standard precautions apply.
Do I need cash in El Nido?
Cash is still king in most of El Nido. ATMs exist but lines can be long and machines sometimes run out on weekends. Bring enough pesos for your stay, especially for tours and small restaurants. Amari accepts credit cards.
Is the internet reliable?
It's improved a lot but still variable. Amari has WiFi throughout the property. If you need reliable connectivity for remote work, a local SIM with Globe or Smart data is a solid backup.
How far is the airport from town?
Lio Airport is about a 17-minute drive from the hotel — we offer a complimentary shuttle for guests when flight details are shared 24 hours ahead. Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) is roughly a 5-hour drive to El Nido. Coron-to-El Nido fast-craft ferry is about 3.5 hours.
What’s the Environmental Development Fee?
Every visitor to El Nido pays an Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) of PHP 400, valid for 10 days. It's collected in town — the front desk can point you to the tourism office.