The Best Time to Visit El Nido Palawan (And When I’d Go Again) 2025

El Nido, the small town on the island of Palawan, is known for having some of the most stunning nature in the Philippines.

I’m sure you’ve already seen loads of amazing pictures of limestone cliffs, turquoise water, hidden beaches, and secret lagoons, chances are high those were taken somewhere around El Nido.

But to actually enjoy all that beauty, timing your trip is key. The dry and rainy seasons in the Philippines are real, and they’ll make or break your trip if you’re not careful.

So here’s everything from my own experience visiting El Nido, as well as a few extra tips to help you figure out the best time to visit El Nido.

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The Best Time to Visit El Nido Palawan (And When I’d Go Again) 2025

Best Time to Visit El Nido – My Quick Answer

One thing I definitely learned the hard way is that not every part of the Philippines shares the same dry and rainy seasons. So if you’re planning to hop between islands, chances are pretty high you’ll end up somewhere during its rainy season.

For example, Siargao, a popular surf island, has its dry season from around May to October. Meanwhile, El Nido (and Palawan in general) flips that completely. The dry season here runs roughly from December to May.

I was in the Philippines between March and May, which felt like a bit of a sweet spot. Nowhere I went was in peak rainy season, but also nowhere was in full-on dry season either. So I had plenty of sunshine, but also my fair share of cloudy and rainy days.

For El Nido specifically, I’d recommend coming during the dry season, from December to April or May, for the best chances of clear skies.

But one tip from personal experience: Filipinos love traveling their own country during public holidays. So I’d try to avoid visiting around Christmas and Easter unless you book everything early. Hotels fill up fast, and place get crowded quickly.

El Nido Weather By Season

Dry Season (December to May)

This is when El Nido shines, literally. Blue skies, calm water, and ideal island hopping conditions. I was here in March and got super lucky with the weather; most days were hot and sunny, just how you want it.

Peak Tourist Season (January to April)

Technically part of the dry season, but it’s worth calling out. It’s the best time weather-wise, but also the busiest. I noticed prices go up and tours get booked out fast, especially around Holy Week and Easter.

Shoulder Season (May and November)

Kind of a gamble. You might still get decent weather, especially in early May (I had some of my best beach days then), but clouds and short rains can sneak in. November is a bit of a hit-or-miss, some people get lucky, others get nonstop rain.

Rainy Season (June to October)

Expect rain, rougher seas, and occasional tour cancellations. Honestly, if island hopping is your main goal, I’d skip El Nido during these months. You don’t want to be stuck in town when you come for lagoons and beaches.

This is the Island Hopping Tour I Did!

Best Time for Island Hopping Tours in El Nido

Island hopping in El Nido is without a doubt the number one reason people come here, and that includes me.

When I say island hopping, I’m talking about the famous Tour A, B, C, and D, as well as the super popular Coron to El Nido expedition. All of these rely completely on the weather, since they’re boat trips and 100% outdoor activities.

I got really lucky with the weather. I did Tour A and Tour C, and both days were mostly sunny. That said, my second tour started off pretty overcast and you could already tell the difference.

You definitely don’t want rain on one of these tours. It’ll ruin the whole experience. But even just clouds can take away from it. The water in El Nido is stunning when the sun hits it and those different shades of turquoise and blue really pop. But when it’s cloudy, it just turns a dull dark blue. It’s not quite the same.

So yeah, the dry season is hands down the best time to go. I’d personally aim for January or February. Yes, that’s peak tourist season, but it also gives you the best shot at perfect weather which, for island hopping, is totally worth it.

When is El Nido Palawan the Most Crowded

I mentioned this earlier, but let me say it straight: El Nido is probably the most touristy place I visited in the Philippines.

The town feels like mass tourism central, from the way it’s built up to the hundreds of boats parked in the bay heading out every single morning. And the crowds on the tours are kinda insane. I’ll add a photo below of the so-called “Secret Lagoon”, it was anything but secret with that many people packed in.

On top of that, you’ve also got to factor in domestic tourism. Filipinos love traveling their own country (which I honestly think is amazing), but it means places like El Nido get even more packed during holidays like Christmas or Easter.

Specifically for El Nido, it’s crowded pretty much all the time in dry season. January and February are the worst, but April and May are still very busy too. It’s one of those places where you just need to adjust your expectations, this is not a hidden gem anymore.

If you want a slightly calmer experience, I highly recommend not staying in El Nido town. Book yourself into a nicer resort either on a private island or up at Nacpan Beach. I stayed at Angkla Beach Resort and did the tours from there. You’ll still see the other island hopping boats, but at least the overall vibe is more chill and a lot less chaotic.

How to Get to El Nido Palawan

Most people, including me, fly into Puerto Princesa, which is the biggest airport in Palawan, and then take a van or bus up to El Nido. There are loads of companies that’ll pick you up either directly at the airport or at your hotel in Puerto Princesa. The drive takes anywhere from 4 to 6 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.

The other option is to fly straight into El Nido. Yep, El Nido actually has its own airport just outside of town near Lio Beach. Last I checked, flights only come in from Manila, but it’s a super convenient way to get there and honestly, the prices weren’t even that bad when I looked.

Where to Stay in El Nido Palawan

When staying in El Nido Palawan, you’ve pretty much got two main options.

Option one: stay in or near El Nido town. This is where all the island hopping tours leave from, and where you’ll find tons of restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops. That said, El Nido town itself feels like a crowded, touristy hub with not much charm (at least in my opinion).

Option two: stay further outside of El Nido. There are loads of beautiful beach resorts in El Nido Palawan just 20–40 minutes from town, some of them even on private islands.

What I did was stay three nights in El Nido town to do the tours and check out the restaurants, and then I moved to a beach resort for another two nights to relax. At the time, I thought I had to stay in town to join the island hopping tours. But later I realized most of the resorts outside of town actually organize their own boat tours to the same places.

So if I were to go again, I’d skip staying in town altogether and just book a beach resort for five nights or so. You can still do all the tours, but it’s way less chaotic and a lot more relaxing.

Book Here: Angkla Beach Club & Boutique Resort

Book Here: Morgan Villas

Book Here: Dryft Darocotan Island

Book Here: Cauayan Island Resort

FAQs About the Best Time to Visit El Nido Palawan

How to get to El Nido from Manila?

The easiest way is to fly straight into El Nido airport. It’s a small one, yes, but if you book early it’s actually pretty affordable and way easier than flying into Puerto Princesa and taking a long bus ride.

How is El Nido in September?

September is kind of a hit or miss. It’s the tail end of rainy season, so you might get lucky with a few sunny days but definitely expect some rain.

Is El Nido worth visiting?

For sure. Even though I’m not the biggest fan of El Nido town itself, the nature here is next-level. It’s iconic and absolutely deserves a spot on your Philippines itinerary.

What’s better, El Nido or Siargao?

Depends on what you’re after, but if you’ve only got two weeks in the Philippines, I’d personally pick El Nido over Siargao.

Final Thoughts on the Best Month to Visit El Nido Palawan

To wrap this up: I really think the dry season is the way to go. I’d want guaranteed blue skies for island hopping and for things like the Coron-to-El Nido expedition.

January and February are probably your best bet weather-wise but they’re also super busy. I visited in April and got lucky with the sun, but it was still ridiculously crowded. So yeah, if you’re heading to El Nido, just expect the crowds and focus on nature instead.