Things to Do in El Nido

El Nido is a beautiful destination (simply put). It has cerulean waters and fine, bone white sand. I couldn't get enough of the place, that's why I've been a handful of times. I've seen the changes it has undergone since my first visit (when electricity wasn't even 24 hours yet and there were no ATMs for visitors). There have been many changes since then plus the droves of local and foreign tourists that visit. However, these don't detract from the wonder that El Nido still elicits from people, myself included. 

These are some of the things to do in El Nido which you can include in your itinerary.

Things to Do in El Nido

El Nido will fill your itinerary with activities and places to hang out in after a day of island hopping. The good thing about El Nido is that there are beaches you can reach by land unlike Coron where most of the attractions require boat transfers. A lot has changed since my first visit back in 2013. The town is now more tourist-friendly (whether that's a good or bad thing is up for debate); however, it's still far from the level of development and visitors that many of the islands in Thailand get. 

These are some of the things to do in El Nido and places you can add to your itinerary.

Island Hopping

Tour A

Tour A is one of the most popular things to do in El Nido. Many visitors book this tour or combine it with another one. This is popular because it includes El Nido's main attractions and covers beaches and lagoons. Here you'll see towering rock formations shooting out of the cerulean waters. Sunbathe, swim or just hang out in each stop.

Book here: Tour A

Tour B

Tour B isn't as popular as Tour A (just my opinion), but it has its own charms. You'll visit Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave and a few other beach destinations. It offers the usual white sand beach and crystal blue waters. The highlight of the trip for me was the snorkeling spots we visited. There were plenty of colorful corals and different kinds of fish.

Book here: Tour B

Tour C

This tour is the farthest of the bunch. However, the long trip is worth it. It has coves surrounded by rock formations, turquoise waters, and powdery white sand. Laze around the beach, go swimming, take photos, and admire the views. 

Book here: Tour C

Tour D

Tour D isn't widely offered as a joiner package, I don't understand why this is so. This tour is definitely underrated, but it does have its perks because fewer (if there are any actually) people will be at the stops you'll make. I had to arrange a private tour to see the places included in this package. I rented a small boat for just half a day. The highlights were Paradise Beach and Cadlao Lagoon. Cadlao Lagoon is often added to other packages as a filler when other stops have too many tourists already.

Read my full guide here: budget and itinerary for El Nido

Nacpan Beach

Nacpan Beach has fine white sand and warm waters. You can reach this destination by land, which makes it a convenient addition to your itinerary after island hopping. The area has undergone a great deal of change since the last time I was there. There are now glamping sites for those who want a comfortable stay by the beach. The waves here are stronger compared to other beaches I've been to in El Nido.

Las Cabanas

One of the things to do in El Nido is hang out at Las Cabanas. This is another beach destination you can get to by land. The sand isn't as fine as the other beaches in El Nido, but the area is beautiful in its own way. This beach is a great place to watch the sunset, its spectacular when the weather is just right.

These are just a few of the things to do in El Nido. El Nido has other attractions and things to do you might be interested in such as diving, biking, exploring on a motorbike and others.