6 Reasons You Need to Consider El Nido, Palawan, For Your Next Trip
We're suckers for white-sand beaches and clear blue water, both of which qualify El Nido, Palawan, for being our new favorite place. Palawan Island in the Philippines is known for its gorgeous landscape and coral reefs and as "The Last Ecological Frontier of the Philippines" for its high biodiversity. Though Palawan has the highest concentration of islands within an archipelago of 1,780 islands, it's actually the least populated region in the country.
With El Nido, a Philippine municipality on Palawan, rising in popularity across my social feeds, I decided to dig in to find out more about this special place. Immediately, I understood why more and more people have been adding the destination to their bucket lists, and once you see the photos, you will, too. See six reasons you should consider El Nido, Palawan, for your next trip ahead!
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It's a prime spot for snorkeling.
El Nido is also known as the gateway to the Bacuit archipelago, an ancient reef with some of the highest marine biodiversity in the world. Snorkelers can expect to see a variety of marine life, from sea horses to large schools of damselfish, depending on the habitat you swim across. Even if you're not much of a swimmer, you won't want to leave without experiencing one of the best diving and snorkeling destinations.
It's basically Summer year round.
Due to its tropical climate, El Nido maintains an average temperature in the upper 80s to low 90s throughout the year. Rainy season does run from June to November, so most travelers visit from January to May when it's most dry.
Beaches, beaches, beaches.
Prepare to be tan and pruned during your stay because you won't want to leave the water. Some of the most notable beaches include Nacpan, Las Cabanas, Seven Commando (pictured here), and Hidden Beach. The average water temperature in El Nido is about 83 degrees Fahrenheit year round, so it's never a bad time for a swim.
There's a number of lagoons to explore.
El Nido isn't only abundant in stunning beaches but in lagoons as well. Small Lagoon (pictured here) and Big Lagoon are among the most popular ones available to tour, both of which feature calm turquoise waters and steep limestone walls. It's said that these lagoons were once caves that collapsed millions of years ago.
The US dollar goes far.
When using Google's currency tool, one US dollar is equivalent to almost 51 Philippine Pesos (PHP). And according to Google's Travel Guide on El Nido, three-star hotels average at only $63 per night.
You won't get island fever.
El Nido is a popular base for island-hopping tours that include stops at Simizu Island, Snake Island (Vigan Island), Matinloc Island, and more. Many tours offer a combination of different routes and attractions, allowing you to get the most of your experience.