Is El Nido expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
El Nido is one of the pricier places in the Philippines, because almost everything arrives by road or boat and tourism drives the economy, but it is still cheap compared with island resorts in Thailand's top spots or the Maldives. A budget day is about ₱3,000 per person and a mid-range day about ₱6,400. Island-hopping tours, rooms and flights take most of the money.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| 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.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Filipino plate (adobo, sinigang) in town | about ₱250–400 |
| San Miguel beer in a bar | about ₱80–150 |
| Island-hopping Tour A with lunch | about ₱1,200–1,600 |
| Ecotourism Development Fee (10 days) | about ₱400 |
| Kayak at the Small or Big Lagoon | about ₱300–500 extra |
| Whole grilled fish on the beach | about ₱400–700 |
| Van from Puerto Princesa | roughly ₱500–700 shared |
| Mid-range beachfront double | roughly ₱3,500–6,000 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Boat tours are the backbone of a visit and cost about ₱1,200–1,600 a day with lunch, plus lagoon kayaks and the once-only ₱400 Ecotourism Development Fee. Rooms in town and on Corong-Corong and Las Cabanas beaches are dearer than elsewhere in Palawan, and luxury island resorts cost many times more. Getting there is the other big cost: flights straight to Lio airport are fast but expensive, while flying to Puerto Princesa and taking a 5–6 hour van is cheaper. Food in town is fairly priced, though western dishes cost more.
When it is cheaper
June to October, the rainy season, brings the lowest prices, often 30–50% below peak, but tours can be cancelled due to rough seas. Christmas, New Year, Holy Week and Chinese New Year are the most expensive.
How to spend less
- Fly into Puerto Princesa and take a shared van instead of paying for Lio flights.
- Book tours through your guesthouse or compare several agencies on the main street; prices are fairly standard but extras differ.
- Do Tour A and Tour C only, rather than all four, if your budget is tight.
- Bring your own snorkel mask to avoid rental fees.
- Eat at local carinderias for rice meals instead of beachfront restaurants.
- Withdraw cash in Puerto Princesa; El Nido's ATMs often run out and charge fees.
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Common questions
Is El Nido expensive?
It is one of the pricier places in the Philippines, but still cheap by global standards. Allow about ₱3,000 a day on a budget and about ₱6,400 mid-range.
How much do island-hopping tours cost?
About ₱1,200–1,600 per person for the group tours with lunch, plus kayak rental and the ₱400 Ecotourism Development Fee.
Is it worth paying more to fly to Lio?
If time is short, yes: it saves the 5–6 hour van ride. On a budget, fly to Puerto Princesa and take a van.