boracay or el nido?
The Philippines' two big beach names, and both need a connecting flight from KL. Boracay is a lively island built around one long, powdery beach, while El Nido is a small town on a bay of limestone islands and lagoons that you reach by boat.
boracay
Dear group chat,Powdery White Beach and some of the best sunsets in the Philippines.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingBoracayPH, Aklan
el nido
Dear group chat,Lagoon-hopping between towering limestone cliffs in northern Palawan.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingEl NidoPH, Palawan
- From KL
- boracayAbout 2,430 km
- el nidoAbout 2,150 km
- Best months
- boracayNov–May
- el nidoNov–May
- Vibe
- boracayLively resort island with one long white beach
- el nidoSmall town on a bay of limestone islands
- Beaches
- boracayPowdery White Beach, right outside your hotel
- el nidoHidden lagoons and island beaches, by boat
- Days out
- boracaySunset sailing, island hopping, water sports
- el nidoIsland-hopping tours, kayaking, Taraw Cliff
- Getting there
- boracayVia Manila or Cebu, then Caticlan and a boat
- el nidoVia Manila, then a short flight or a long van ride
- Nightlife
- boracayBusy after dark, especially around Station 2
- el nidoLow-key, with a few bars in town
- Best for
- boracayEasy beach days and a lively night scene
- el nidoBoat days and the most dramatic scenery
Go boracay if…
- you want the beach on your doorstep, not a boat ride away
- sunset on a paraw sailboat sounds like the perfect evening
- your group wants nightlife as well as beach time
- you'd like a simpler transfer from the airport
Go el nido if…
- swimming into lagoons between limestone cliffs is the dream
- you're happy to spend most days on a boat
- you'd rather have a quieter town at night
- you'd like to add Coron to the trip by ferry
The verdict
Boracay is the easier beach holiday, with a short boat transfer and the sand right in front of you; El Nido has the more dramatic scenery, but takes longer to reach and you see most of it from a boat. Can't decide? If your group just wants to lie on the beach, Boracay; if they want the lagoons from the postcards, El Nido. Either way, go between November and May.