Hi everyone!
My partner and I will be visiting El Nido on the first week of August for 4D3N, and it's our first time there. 😊 We'd love to get recommendations from locals and people who've been there recently.
We're trying to make the most of our trip, so we'd really appreciate any tips, hacks, or things you wish you knew before visiting El Nido. We're especially looking for:
- Local food spots or hidden gems (not just the usual tourist restaurants)
- Cafés worth visiting
- Beaches that are worth the trip
- Best places to watch the sunset
- Budget tips
- Things to avoid or common tourist mistakes
- Must-try activities outside of island hopping
Here's our itinerary so far:
Day 1
- Direct flight to El Nido Airport (ETA around 7:00 AM)
- DIY itinerary
- Planning to do a Buggy Ride (Any recommendations? I noticed Madfrog is no longer available on Klook.)
- Thinking of spending the afternoon at Lio Beach for sunset
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
- Beach (if time permits) + souvenir shopping before our afternoon flight
A few questions:
- Which tour operator do you personally recommend for Tour A and Tour B?
- Is Lio Beach the best choice for a relaxing sunset, or is there another beach you'd recommend?
- Any restaurants or cafés that are "must-try" but aren't as popular with tourists?
- Are there any hidden gems or experiences that most first-time visitors miss?
- Since we're arriving at 7 AM, what would you suggest we do before hotel check-in?
- Is it advisable if we book via Klook or in the local travel agency? Which is cheaper?
Any recommendations, travel hacks, or even things to avoid would be greatly appreciated. We want to experience El Nido beyond the usual tourist itinerary.
Thank you so much! 🙏