When I ask my friends on how much do they think the budget for El Nido, Palawan is they usually answer the budget would be 20 thousand pesos minimum just to get there and enjoy the place. This post is the start of my El Nido, Palawan Series that aims to make you realize that it’s actually affordable to go to El Nido and to make you more confident on getting there.
In fact, my accommodation only costs 300 Pesos a night that was located only a short walking-distance from the beach.
Below is a list of what I spent during my 3 days-2 nights in El Nido.
Land Transportation, Tours, Accommodation and Food
| P8.00 | Tricycle from Puerto Princesa Airport to Junction 1 |
| P12.00 | Multicab from Junction 1 to San Jose Terminal |
| P350.00 | Van from San Jose Terminal, Puerto Princesa to Taytay, Palawan |
| P60.00 | Lunch at Roxas, Palawan stopover |
| P60.00 | Tricycle from Taytay Terminal to Fuerza de Sta. Isabel |
| P60.00 | Tricycle from Fuerza de Sta. Isabel to Taytay Terminal |
| P150.00 | Van from Taytay Terminal to El Nido |
| P600.00 | Lodging for 2 nights (P300/night) |
| P700.00 | Island Hopping Tour A incl. lunch |
| P60.00 | Dinner Day 1 |
| P178.00 | Bath and Face Towel (I forgot to bring one) |
| P80.00 | Breakfast Day 2 |
| P54.00 | Snacks and drinks for Island Hopping |
| P200.00 | Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) |
| P80.00 | Dinner Day 2 |
| P26.00 | Soap and Shampoo |
| P500.00 | Van from El Nido to San Jose Terminal, Puerto Princesa |
| P45.00 | Knick Knacks and Pulpy Orange Juice at Roxas stopover |
| P12.00 | Multicab from San Jose Terminal to Junction 1 |
| P143.00 | Lunch at Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill & Restaurant |
| P8.00 | Tricycle from Balinsasayaw to Puerto Princesa Airport |
| P3,386.00 | Total |
Plane Ticket, Terminal Fees and Transportation at Metro Manila
| P3,574.00 | Airplane Ticket Manila – Puerto Princesa – Manila |
| P17.00 | Jeep to EDSA |
| P14.00 | MRT to Taft Station |
| P20.00 | Bus from MRT Taft Station to NAIA Terminal 3 |
| P200.00 | Terminal Fee at NAIA 3 |
| P40.00 | Terminal Fee at Puerto Princesa Airport |
| P20.00 | Bus from NAIA 3 to MRT |
| P12.00 | MRT to Ortigas Station |
| P45.00 | Shuttle Van to House |
| P3,942.00 | Total |
Summary
| P3,386.00 | Land Transportation, Tours, Accommodation and Food |
| P3,942.00 | Plane Ticket, Terminal Fees and Transporation at Metro Manila |
| P7,328.00 | TOTAL EXPENSES |
Way cheaper than the 20 thousand peso budget that people usually think of. The budget could go lower if you scout for cheap airfare tickets, travel with friends since you can cook food, share some transportation and accommodation expenses, and not forget some essentials like towels.
If you really want to be challenged check out the How much did I spend in El Nido post by FlipNomad.
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Follow my El Nido, Palawan Series
- How much did I spend on my 4th time in El Nido (4th Visit Expense Report)
- My El Nido, Palawan Budget (1st Visit Expense Report)
- The Cheapest Lodging in El Nido, Palawan (Helpful)
- El Nido Island Hopping Combination Tour A and C (Helpful)
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour A
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour B
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour C
- Nacpan and Calitang Twin Beach (Must See!)
- Sunset at Corong-Corong Beach (Must See!)
- El Nido, Palawan 3D2N Budget and Itinerary (Helpful)
- El Nido, Palawan 4D3N Budget and Itinerary (Helpful)
- El Nido, Palawan 4D3N Alternative Budget and Itinerary (Helpful)
Other Posts you may find useful
- Where to Stay in El Nido, Palawan
- Daytripper: Comfortable Ride from Puerto Princesa to El Nido (Comfortable Transport)
- Palawan Lexus Shuttle Service
- Eulen Joy Bus and Vans to El Nido, Palawan
- RORO Bus in Palawan
- Boats from El Nido to Coron and Vice Versa
- Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF)
A travel blog by Josiah Sicad that aims to make Filipinos Travel Responsibly and observe the unique culture of the Philippines. 
Very helpful post. Did you buy your ticket during a sale?
Thanks! Unfortunately, hindi ako bumili during a sale.
wow.. parang ang sarap pumunta jan.
I think you can save more if you wait for promos on place tickets. Nice write-up and very detailed.
Thanks AJ. I highly recommend going to El Nido, Palawan. If I were to choose between Coron, Puerto Princesa and El Nido, I will choose El Nido.
galeng! i’ll definitely try this soon. thanks josiah!
Good tip. I wouldn’t have known if you hadn’t pointed this out! Usually kasi ang mga nakikita ko lang yung mga mahal na places (especially regarding accommodation)
happy to know that you’ve visited el nido… very beautiful place
bookmarked this josiah! ang challenge ko nga rin 7k budget max. hehe.pero 6 days kami
sana mapagkasya namin
Thanks Izah for bookmarking! Kaya yan 7k budget. Yung mahal naman ay yung mga transpo at mga tours. Pero ang magtambay sa bayan masaya rin naman. You may want to try going around Taytay, Palawan too.
I’m very glad I read your blog kasi I need help about my trip to Palawan. Pa help naman ako
I will be arriving 13th Oct at around 2:30 PM and I really want to spend a day in Puerto Princesa and a day in El Nido…my trip is Oct 13 – 16, 2012…how do you suggest i do the itinerary? thanks sa help in advance
Shame to spend 300 only for accomodation