El Nido is the small northern Palawan town that opens onto Bacuit Bay, one of the great seascapes of Southeast Asia. Limestone cliffs rise straight from turquoise water, hiding lagoons, beaches, caves, and reefs among dozens of islands.
The town itself is busy, cramped, and not especially pretty by Philippine beach standards. That hardly matters. El Nido is the base for island-hopping through places like Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon, with diving, kayaking, and snorkelling filling the days.
For a break from the boat tours, go north to Nacpan Beach, south to Las Cabanas Beach for sunset, or climb Taraw Cliff for the view over town and the bay. El Nido is no longer remote or cheap, but the landscape still earns the fuss.