Surrounded by a number of spectacular islands & other points of interest, it is no surprise that the Island Hopping Tours are the number 1 thing to do in El Nido. However, there are some other tourist spots in El Nido that are well worth checking out.
NACPAN is an endless beach of golden sand, dazzling blue sea & countless palm trees. Situated a 45 minute drive from El Nido Town, it’s not a popular choice among most visitors, who spend their days island hopping or on the more accessible Las Cabanas Beach. So it isn’t difficult to find yourself a remote area, where you can fully immerse yourself in paradise & absorb that well-needed vitamin sea.
At the end of a relaxing day enjoying the beach, it is well worth sticking around for sunset. The sunsets we witnessed at NACPAN were captivating. And there are some nice bars & restaurants where you can enjoy drinks or food well into the evening.
If you’re heading to El Nido, be sure to include NACPAN on your itinerary. And here is a short guide, to help with anything you might need to know.
ENTRANCE FEE TO NACPAN – 50PHP/PAX
Heading to El Nido? Check out these articles to help plan your trip:
NACPAN BEACH IN EL NIDO, PALAWAN
*Before You Travel to El Nido, have you got your travel insurance sorted? Cover yourself for the unexpected, read why you really need travel insurance or get a quote from World Nomads.
*Have you got your travel Visa sorted? Check if you need one here and retrieve a quote. It’s simple, fast and reliable.
*Don’t leave home without any backpacker essentials with our free printable packing list.
HOW TO GET TO NACPAN BEACH
MINIVAN – A minivan from El Nido Town takes around 45 minutes and requires a minimum of 4 people.
Price: 600PHP/pax return
TRICYCLE – A tricycle from El Nido Town takes around 35 minutes and takes a maximum of 2 people.
Price: 1000PHP return
NACPAN BEACH MAP LOCATION
ACCOMMODATION AT NACPAN BEACH
There are a number of new-build resorts making an appearance on Nacpan Beach; including a Mad Monkey hostel. Some other options include Seaside Hue Resort & Where To Next.
For more places to stay in El Nido, you can check prices here.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK NACPAN BEACH
There are a couple of bars & restaurants along the beach, however the most noticeable is the trendy Sun Mai bar. A modern, open planned venue with live music & swings at the bar. They offer a varied menu including delicious stone baked pizzas and amazing cocktails. We really enjoyed the vibe of this place and as well as many new 4 legged friends, we found a beautiful hen who fell asleep on our lap for the entire afternoon while we sipped on the incredible Midori Sours!!
BEFORE YOU GO TO NACPAN BEACH
- It’s Important to note that the water can get pretty choppy here so don’t attempt to swim out too far if you’re not a confident swimmer.
- Look out for promo girls around the ticketing booth handing out drinks vouchers for the beach bars.
- Keep your eyes peeled for the relaxing hammocks dotted along the beach.
- Stay late enough to enjoy the captivating sunsets.
- Don’t forget your water shoes! We can recommend ALEADER 2 in 1 hiking/water shoes. Use code OURTASTEFORLIFE15 for 15% off!
WHAT TO TAKE TO NACPAN BEACH
Below are the essential items that we carry with us on every adventure. But to ensure you don’t leave behind any of those backpacker essentials, here is our free printable packing list.
1. REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE
It is no secret that single-use plastic is causing irreversible damage to our ecosystems, it is therefore imperative that as travellers, we try to minimise our consumption as much as possible.
We always carry a reusable water bottle and you will find that most hotels or hostels have a refill station. Not only is it better for the planet but you’ll save cash too!
We Recommend: Stainless steel Insulated Water Bottles
2. VERSATILE WALKING SHOES
When going on any backpacking adventure, we always carry some versatile walking shoes with us. We personally love the 2 in 1 shoes by Aleader as not only can we wear them hiking, but they act as water shoes too!
We Recommend: Aleader 2 in 1 Hiking Shoes. Use code OURTASTEFORLIFE15 for 15% off your order.
3. GOPRO ACTION CAMERA & ADVENTURE KIT
If you want an action camera that is durable and safe to take in the water, then look no further than the Go Pro. Small, lightweight, and easy to handle, you really ought to carry one of these with you on any backpacking adventure. Check out our full photography travel kit.
We Recommend: GoPro Hero 7 (White) Action Camera + Adventure Kit
4. QUICK DRY MICROFIBER TOWEL
They really do dry fast! Ultra-compact and lightweight so you can take to the beach easily. Not just the beach, this item is great for hiking, swimming, any outdoor adventure!
We Recommend: Microfiber Travel Towel
TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY
It should go without saying; however, when enjoying the beach, it’s important to be mindful of the environment. It is no secret that some of our planets fragile ecosystems are at risk of extinction. There are many small steps you can take to becoming a responsible traveller, check out the Eco-Travel essentials here. It is our duty as travellers, that we reduce our footprint where we can, here are some tips:
- Do not leave anything on the beaches, or take anything away – unless you’ve purchased it from a local supplier.
- Wear Reef Safe Sunscreen.
- Try to avoid touching coral, sea life or anything in the ocean… unless it’s plastic, take it away and dispose of properly.
More on Philippines
Planning a trip to the Philippines? Check out some of our other articles to help plan your trip:
- 21 Unmissable Tourist Spots in Coron, Palawan
- ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE TO BORACAY
- ISLAND HOPPING TOURS IN CORON
- 8 ADVENTUROUS THINGS TO DO IN LEGAZPI, PHILIPPINES
- ETHICALLY SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS IN DONSOL
- A SIMPLE GUIDE TO THE PHILIPPINES
Did you enjoy our guide to Nacpan Beach, El Nido, Palawan?
Let us know. That concludes our guide to Nacpan Beach, El Nido, Palawan. We hope you enjoy your time in this magical city. If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us in the comment section below, through our contact us page. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram here, where we share further travel advice & inspiration.
Stay adventurous and Happy travels.
Charlotte & Natalie x
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