Island Life Done Right in El Nido, Philippines
“The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon." Paulo Coelho
1/30/20268 min read
El Nido, Palawan feels like the kind of place travelers imagine when they think about tropical paradise. Limestone cliffs rise straight out of turquoise water, beaches feel untouched, and life moves at a slower, more intentional pace. It is beautiful without trying too hard, and it quickly became one of our favorite stops in the Philippines.
During our stay, we stayed at Morgan Villas Boutique Hotel, a small boutique property with only a handful of rooms. That intimacy makes a big difference. The staff are genuinely attentive, the atmosphere is calm, and everything feels personal rather than resort driven. We highly recommend booking one of the rooms with a private plunge pool. Having your own pool to cool off in while overlooking the water is a luxury that feels especially well suited to El Nido. Breakfast each morning was excellent, and the bar area looks directly out over the water, making it a perfect place to unwind in the evening. Sunset views from the property were consistently beautiful. The hotel is also a short walk into town, which made it easy to explore without feeling disconnected. They also coordinate airport pickup, which makes arrival smooth and stress free. As you can see from the picture, the airport pickup is not what we are accustomed to, but when in Rome.....
One of the highlights of El Nido is island hopping, and we chose to do a private tour so we could move at our own pace. Spending the day out on the water exploring Bacuit Bay is exactly as magical as it sounds. The scenery is dramatic and constantly changing, with towering limestone formations, hidden coves, and water so clear it feels unreal.
Our tour included several stops spread throughout the day. One of the first was the Secret Lagoon, which is hidden behind jagged rock walls and accessed through a narrow opening. Stepping inside feels like discovering a private world tucked away from everything else. From there, we continued to Shimizu Island, where the beach and crystal clear water invite you to swim, snorkel, or simply float and take it all in.
Another stop was Seven Commandos Beach, lined with palm trees and soft white sand. It is one of those places that feels made for slowing down. This is also where lunch is typically enjoyed, giving you time to relax and refuel between swims. Big Lagoon was another highlight of the day. Entering the lagoon requires paying a premium destination fee, and kayaking is required to explore it properly, but it is absolutely worth it. Paddling through the calm water surrounded by towering cliffs is one of those moments that stays with you long after the trip is over.
Throughout the day, snorkeling stops allowed us to explore underwater as well, with colorful fish and clear visibility adding another layer to the experience. We also loved spotting Palawan hornbills perched in the trees along the islands. Seeing them in their natural environment was an unexpected bonus. We were also able to capture some incredible footage using our DJI drone, which really showcased just how dramatic and untouched the landscape feels from above.
Beyond island hopping, we enjoyed taking a couple of relaxed day trips around El Nido. Lio Beach was one of our favorites. It has a laid back vibe with food trucks, free beach chairs and umbrellas, and clean bathrooms, which made it an easy and comfortable place to spend a few hours. It felt well organized without losing its casual beach atmosphere.
Las Cabanas Beach offered a different kind of experience. While it is not quite as nice as Lio Beach, it is still worth visiting for its own reasons. One of the main attractions here is the zip line that runs from one island to another. This was Crystal’s first time zip lining, and she absolutely loved it. Flying over the water with views of the islands below added a fun and adventurous element to the day.
Food in downtown El Nido is noticeably more expensive, and it clearly caters to tourists. That said, there are still plenty of enjoyable spots, and dining out remains part of the experience. Just expect higher prices compared to other parts of the Philippines.
El Nido delivers the kind of scenery and experiences that make long travel days worthwhile. Between the boutique comfort of Morgan Villas, the unforgettable island hopping, and the variety of beaches and activities nearby, it felt like a place that balanced relaxation and adventure perfectly.
If El Nido or Palawan is on your travel list and you have questions about where to stay, how to plan island hopping tours, or how to fit this destination into a larger Philippines itinerary, contact Tacks Travels. We are happy to help you plan an experience that captures everything that makes El Nido so special.
El Nido, Palawan feels like the kind of place travelers imagine when they think about tropical paradise. Limestone cliffs rise straight out of turquoise water, beaches feel untouched, and life moves at a slower, more intentional pace. It is beautiful without trying too hard, and it quickly became one of our favorite stops in the Philippines.
During our stay, we stayed at Morgan Villas Boutique Hotel, a small boutique property with only a handful of rooms. That intimacy makes a big difference. The staff are genuinely attentive, the atmosphere is calm, and everything feels personal rather than resort driven. We highly recommend booking one of the rooms with a private plunge pool. Having your own pool to cool off in while overlooking the water is a luxury that feels especially well suited to El Nido. Breakfast each morning was excellent, and the bar area looks directly out over the water, making it a perfect place to unwind in the evening. Sunset views from the property were consistently beautiful. The hotel is also a short walk into town, which made it easy to explore without feeling disconnected. They also coordinate airport pickup, which makes arrival smooth and stress free. As you can see from the picture, the airport pickup is not what we are accustomed to, but when in Rome.....
One of the highlights of El Nido is island hopping, and we chose to do a private tour so we could move at our own pace. Spending the day out on the water exploring Bacuit Bay is exactly as magical as it sounds. The scenery is dramatic and constantly changing, with towering limestone formations, hidden coves, and water so clear it feels unreal.
Our tour included several stops spread throughout the day. One of the first was the Secret Lagoon, which is hidden behind jagged rock walls and accessed through a narrow opening. Stepping inside feels like discovering a private world tucked away from everything else. From there, we continued to Shimizu Island, where the beach and crystal clear water invite you to swim, snorkel, or simply float and take it all in.
Another stop was Seven Commandos Beach, lined with palm trees and soft white sand. It is one of those places that feels made for slowing down. This is also where lunch is typically enjoyed, giving you time to relax and refuel between swims. Big Lagoon was another highlight of the day. Entering the lagoon requires paying a premium destination fee, and kayaking is required to explore it properly, but it is absolutely worth it. Paddling through the calm water surrounded by towering cliffs is one of those moments that stays with you long after the trip is over.
Throughout the day, snorkeling stops allowed us to explore underwater as well, with colorful fish and clear visibility adding another layer to the experience. We also loved spotting Palawan hornbills perched in the trees along the islands. Seeing them in their natural environment was an unexpected bonus. We were also able to capture some incredible footage using our DJI drone, which really showcased just how dramatic and untouched the landscape feels from above.
Beyond island hopping, we enjoyed taking a couple of relaxed day trips around El Nido. Lio Beach was one of our favorites. It has a laid back vibe with food trucks, free beach chairs and umbrellas, and clean bathrooms, which made it an easy and comfortable place to spend a few hours. It felt well organized without losing its casual beach atmosphere.
Las Cabanas Beach offered a different kind of experience. While it is not quite as nice as Lio Beach, it is still worth visiting for its own reasons. One of the main attractions here is the zip line that runs from one island to another. This was Crystal’s first time zip lining, and she absolutely loved it. Flying over the water with views of the islands below added a fun and adventurous element to the day.
Food in downtown El Nido is noticeably more expensive, and it clearly caters to tourists. That said, there are still plenty of enjoyable spots, and dining out remains part of the experience. Just expect higher prices compared to other parts of the Philippines.
El Nido delivers the kind of scenery and experiences that make long travel days worthwhile. Between the boutique comfort of Morgan Villas, the unforgettable island hopping, and the variety of beaches and activities nearby, it felt like a place that balanced relaxation and adventure perfectly.
If El Nido or Palawan is on your travel list and you have questions about where to stay, how to plan island hopping tours, or how to fit this destination into a larger Philippines itinerary, contact Tacks Travels. We are happy to help you plan an experience that captures everything that makes El Nido so special.
