El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

El Nido, Palawan: The Gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago

Known globally as a premier tourist destination, the Municipality of El Nido in Palawan is much more than just a cluster of beautiful beaches. It is a Managed Resource Protected Area, famous for its dramatic karst limestone cliffs, pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise lagoons, and rich marine biodiversity. Often cited as the “Last Frontier” of the Philippines alongside the rest of Palawan, El Nido serves as the gateway to the stunning Bacuit Archipelago, an area frequently listed among the world’s most beautiful coastal regions.

Location and Accessibility

El Nido is situated at the northernmost tip of the main island of Palawan. It is approximately 420 kilometers (260 miles) southwest of Manila and about 238 kilometers (148 miles) northeast of Puerto Princesa, the provincial capital. Its remote location contributes to its preserved natural beauty, but accessibility has dramatically improved to support its thriving tourism industry.

Most visitors reach El Nido through two main routes:

• By Air (Direct): The most convenient way is to fly directly into Lio Airport (ENI), which is the primary airport serving the town. These are often turboprop flights originating from Manila or other regional hubs.
• By Air and Land (Via Puerto Princesa): Travelers may fly into the larger Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS), and then take a subsequent land transfer to El Nido. The journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido typically takes 5 to 6 hours via air-conditioned bus or shared/private van along the national highway.
• By Sea: Regular fast ferries connect El Nido to the neighboring popular island destination of Coron (Busuanga), making island-to-island travel feasible for tourists.

Population and Demographics (2020 Census)

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, the Municipality of El Nido has a total population of 50,494 residents. This figure represents a significant increase from previous decades, largely attributed to the employment opportunities created by the massive growth in tourism. The town’s 18 barangays are a mix of urban centers near the town proper and more rural, coastal communities. Given its status as a major tourist hub, the population is very diverse, with a large influx of Tagalog, Visayan, and Bicolano migrants working in the hospitality and service sectors, alongside the native Palawanon and Tagbanwa people.

Distance from Nearest Major Ports

The El Nido Municipal Hall, the seat of local government, is situated in the main Poblacion area (town proper).

• Nearest Major Air Port (Lio Airport – ENI): The distance from the Municipal Hall to Lio Airport is approximately 4 to 7 kilometers. This is a very short trip, usually taking 15 to 25 minutes by tricycle or shuttle.
• Nearest Major Sea Port (El Nido Pier): The town proper is adjacent to the main public pier in Barangay Buena Suerte (Zone II), which handles fast crafts and passenger ferries. The distance is negligible, typically only a few hundred meters, making it easily accessible on foot or via a very short tricycle ride.
• Major Connection Port (Port of Puerto Princesa): For commercial shipping and larger domestic sea travel, the Port of Puerto Princesa is the main hub in the province. This journey is approximately 6 hours by land from the Municipal Hall.

Main Contributing Industry and Economy

The primary driver of El Nido’s economy is unequivocally Tourism. Once a quiet settlement whose economy was based on fishing and gathering the valuable edible birds’ nests (from which the town gets its name, “El Nido,” meaning “The Nest”), the municipality has transformed into a globally recognized travel powerhouse.

The entire local economy now revolves around the service sector, including resorts, hotels, tour operations, restaurants, and transportation. Fishing and agriculture (especially cultivation of coconut, cashew, and mango) still exist but serve primarily to support the local hospitality industry rather than driving the overall revenue.

El Nido is classified as a 1st Class Municipality, reflecting its substantial annual income generated primarily through tourism fees, taxes on hospitality businesses, and local service revenues. While specific Gross Municipal Product (GMP) figures are not generally published, its 1st Class designation places it among the highest-earning municipalities in Palawan and the MIMAROPA region, competing with the income levels of some smaller cities, largely due to the millions of pesos generated annually from environmental fees paid by tourists (Eco-Tourism Development Fee, or ETDF).

Current Elected Municipal Leaders (2022 Elections)

The local government of El Nido is headed by its Municipal Mayor and Vice Mayor. The officials elected in the 2022 local elections are:

• Municipal Mayor: Hon. Edna Gacot-Lim
• Municipal Vice Mayor: Hon. Joel T. Rosento
• Sangguniang Bayan (Councilors):

  – Hon. Christine Nicole G. Lim
  – Hon. Geraldo B. Diaz
  – Hon. Bernardo D. Legaspi
  – Hon. Rosano G. Llanera
  – Hon. Mateo A. Cantuba
  – Hon. Jun M. Mones
  – Hon. Ednalyn B. Nangit
  – Hon. John Rostum T. Vidal

Tourist Attractions

El Nido is famed for its island-hopping tours (designated A, B, C, and D), which cover dozens of spectacular natural sites. Key attractions include:

• Big and Small Lagoons (Miniloc Island): Iconic sites where visitors kayak through narrow entrances into stunning, emerald-colored natural enclosures surrounded by karst cliffs.
• Secret Beach and Hidden Beach (Matinloc Island): Secluded patches of white sand accessible only by swimming through small crevices or rock openings.
• Nacpan Beach: A long, pristine stretch of golden sand located on the mainland, popular for swimming and relaxation, often cited as one of the best beaches in Asia.
• Snake Island (Vigan Island): Named for its unique, S-shaped sandbar that snakes across the water to connect the island to the mainland during low tide.
• Seven Commandos Beach: A wide beach known for its soft sand, coconut palms, and excellent swimming conditions, often the final stop on Tour A.

Yearly Festival: The Pimalmalan Festival

El Nido celebrates the Pimalmalan Festival, usually held annually in the first week of March. This festival is a celebration of the municipality’s founding anniversary and local culture. The term “Pimalmalan” is a local phrase related to the act of “cleaning,” symbolizing the dedication to maintaining the cleanliness and natural beauty of El Nido, which is essential to its identity as a protected area. The celebration includes street dancing, cultural presentations, and a display of local crafts and delicacies.

History

El Nido was originally known by its ancient name, Taliptip, a small Tagbanwa settlement. Its later Spanish name, Bacuit, was used when it was established as a barrio of the municipality of Taytay in the 1800s. The name was officially changed to El Nido in 1954, derived from the Spanish phrase for “The Nest,” a direct reference to the swiftlet nests found in the limestone cliffs, which were (and still are) highly prized for use in the delicacy Nido soup. The town officially became an independent municipality in 1916.

For most of the 20th century, El Nido remained a quiet fishing and farming community, with the edible bird’s nest gathering as its main export. Its global transformation began in the late 1970s and 1980s when its extraordinary natural rock formations and marine life were discovered by divers and travelers. This led to its designation as a Managed Resource Protected Area in 1998, ensuring that its development is guided by environmental sustainability principles, protecting the very ecosystem that sustains its now world-class tourism economy.

January 7, 2026

1️⃣ Andas for Traslación 2026 now ready, with upgrades

The Andas carrying the Black Nazarene for January 9 Traslación features new steering wheel and reinforced underchassis to handle massive devotee crowds safely.

2️⃣ Over 3,500 affected by Mayon volcano unrest

NDRRMC reports 3,515 people from 964 families evacuated in Albay due to recent magmatic eruptions, ashfall, and pyroclastic flows; all in permanent danger zone.

3️⃣ Magnitude 6.4 quake hits off southern Philippines

USGS detects 6.4 quake off Davao Oriental coast—no tsunami threat reported, but locals feel shaking; no immediate damage confirmed.