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El Nido from about 17 euros a night: lagoons, limestone cliffs and the best island tours

22 October 2026 · 3 min read · based on our own price measurements

By Borderbasket · Updated

In short

In our data, the cheapest El Nido stays rated 4.0 or higher start at about 17 to 35 euros a night for two guests (Frida Ka Hostal, Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach, MILVIR TOURIST INN).

The road into El Nido runs between green hills, and then the bay opens: Bacuit Bay, with limestone cliffs rising straight out of turquoise water. This corner of Palawan is one of the most photographed places in the Philippines. You explore it by boat, paddling a kayak into a hidden lagoon through a gap in the rock, snorkelling over coral and eating grilled fish on a sandbank. It is not the cheapest place in the country, but a few rated hostels start at about 17 euros a night.

Kayaks in a lagoon near El Nido (AI-generated image)
Kayaks in a lagoon near El Nido (AI-generated image)
🛏️from about 17 €Cheapest rated stay
🏨12Hotels with prices in our data
⭐4.0Minimum rating we looked at
🛶island toursBacuit Bay

The cheapest well-rated stays right now

We kept only places with a Google rating of at least 4.0. Prices are for two guests, 25 to 28 November 2026, read from Google Hotels in October 2026, lowest price we found for that offer.

HotelFrom per nightRatingCompare
Frida Ka Hostalabout 17 €4.1 (150 reviews)2 sites
Mad Monkey Nacpan Beachabout 22 €4.1 (154 reviews)1 site
MILVIR TOURIST INNabout 35 €4.8 (117 reviews)1 site
Kame House Backpackersabout 36 €4.3 (177 reviews)1 site
DEN'GI INN ELNIDOabout 37 €4.0 (101 reviews)1 site
Spin Designer Hostelabout 40 €4.5 (643 reviews)1 site
Good to know: Hostels may list a dormitory bed or a private room, so open the hotel page and check what the cheapest offer includes. Prices change daily, so treat the table as a snapshot.

Why people love it

  • The scenery. Limestone karst islands, hidden lagoons and white beaches.
  • The tours. The standard island tours (A to D) visit lagoons, beaches and snorkelling spots, usually with lunch.
  • Nacpan Beach. A long, quiet beach north of town.
  • The town. A small, relaxed town with simple restaurants and bars.

What to experience

  1. Book an island tour (Tour A or C is often recommended for first-timers) and check what is included.
  2. Kayak in the Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon.
  3. Visit Nacpan Beach by scooter or tricycle.
  4. Climb to a viewpoint such as Taraw Cliff for the sunset.
  5. Eat fresh seafood at a night market in town.

What does it cost?

In our data, rated stays in El Nido town cost about 17 to 40 euros a night, with the cheapest options being hostels. We did not measure tour or food prices. Travel guides say that island tours are the main cost and that an environmental fee is charged on arrival, so check the current amounts. Tours are often set at fixed prices by the local authorities, so compare what is included rather than just the price.

How to save even more

Questions

Is El Nido more expensive than other Philippine islands? In our data, its rated stays cost more than in Siargao and Boracay, with the lowest at about 17 euros.

Which tour should I take? Guides often recommend Tours A and C for first-time visitors. Check what is included and the group size.

Are these prices permanent? No. They are a snapshot for late November 2026. Compare your own dates.

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