El Nido on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, El Nido works on a budget with hostels, local food and group tours. Allow about ₱3,000 a day per person including one boat tour, more on days with private boats.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | ₱800 | ₱2,500 | ₱12,000 |
| Food & drink | ₱800 | ₱1,600 | ₱3,500 |
| Sights & tickets | ₱1,200 | ₱1,800 | ₱4,000 |
| Local transport | ₱200 | ₱500 | ₱1,500 |
| Per person, per day | ₱3,000 | ₱6,400 | ₱21,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our El Nido day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Sunset at Corong-Corong beach
- Las Cabanas beach (the zipline is paid)
- Nacpan Beach, a 4 km stretch north of town (tricycle fare only)
- El Nido town beach and the bay views
- Walking up to the Taraw viewpoint area near town (the via ferrata is paid)
- Duli Beach for surfing and quiet in the rainy season
Cheap eats
- Rice meal at a carinderia: about ₱100–200
- Adobo or sinigang in a local restaurant: about ₱250–400
- Grilled seafood on the beach: about ₱400–700 for a whole fish to share
- Halo-halo dessert: about ₱100–180
- Mango shake: about ₱100–150
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels in El Nido town and Corong-Corong, with dorm beds roughly ₱600–1,000 and simple fan rooms from ₱1,500.
Getting around cheaply
Walk the town and use tricycles for nearby beaches. From Puerto Princesa, shared vans (5–6 hours) are the cheapest option; buses are slower but cheaper still. Lio airport is about 15 minutes from town but flights are expensive.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Tour A to the Small and Big Lagoons, about ₱1,400 with lunch
- Lunch: included in the tour
- Afternoon: back by 16:30, mango shake on the beach, about ₱120
- Evening: grilled seafood in town, about ₱500
- Total: about ₱3,000 including a hostel bed
More ways to save
- Share a private boat with other travellers to get flexible times at a lower per-person cost.
- Carry reusable water bottles and refill at stations in town.
- Visit in May or November for shoulder-season prices with mostly good seas.
- Choose a fan room over aircon to save several hundred pesos a night.
- Rent a scooter with friends to reach Nacpan and Duli cheaply.
- Pay the Ecotourism Development Fee only once; keep the receipt for 10 days.
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Common questions
How much do I need per day in El Nido?
About ₱3,000 per person: ₱800 for a bed, ₱800 for food, ₱1,200 for a tour and ₱200 for transport.
What can I do for free in El Nido?
Sunset at Corong-Corong, Las Cabanas and Nacpan beaches, and walks around town.
Should I bring cash?
Yes. ATMs in El Nido can run out of money and charge high fees; withdraw in Puerto Princesa or Manila.