Hi, mga ka-DadBuhay!
After sharing our El Nido travel experience, one of the most common questions I received is:
“Magkano ba ang budget for a family trip to El Nido?”
So in this post, I’m breaking it all down — from flights and hotel, to food, transport, and pasalubong. We stayed in El Nido for 5 days and 4 nights (April 22–26), and we were a family of four: me, my wife, our 3-year-old daughter, and our 10-month-old baby.
We aimed for a comfortable but practical trip — not too tipid, but not too magastos either.
✈️ 1. Airfare (via AirSWIFT)
We flew directly to El Nido through AirSWIFT. A bit pricier than flying to Puerto Princesa, but so worth it when you’re traveling with kids. No long van ride!
- Roundtrip for 2 adults + 1 child (infant free):
🧾 ₱38,460.00 total
✔️ Booked in advance
✔️ Direct flight, less stress
🏨 2. Accommodation – Marianne Suites El Nido
We stayed at Marianne Suites, a family-friendly hotel just a few minutes away from town. Basic but comfortable.
- ₱3,500/night x 4 nights = ₱14,000
✔️ Air-conditioned, with hot shower
✔️ Friendly staff, decent breakfast
✔️ Perfect for small families
🚖 3. Local Transport – Mostly Tricycles
No need to rent a car. We just rode tricycles to get around — beach, town, and back.
- Rough estimate: ₱1,200 for 5 days
✔️ Fares range from ₱50–₱150 per ride
✔️ Tip: Always agree on price before hopping in
🍽️ 4. Food & Drinks
We usually ate in cafés and small restaurants, avoiding anything too adventurous for the kids’ sake. We also packed snacks for the tours.
- Daily budget: ₱1,200–₱1,500
- Total for 5 days: ~₱6,500
✔️ Our favorites: Altrove (pizza!), Café Athena, and small local eateries
✔️ Always bring extra snacks for kids
🛍️ 5. Pasalubong & Souvenirs
Of course, we bought some magnets, local crafts, and snacks to bring home.
- Total: ₱1,000
✔️ Best to buy pasalubong from the market or stalls outside the main tourist streets
🏝️ 6. Island Hopping – Tour A (Private)
We only did Tour A, which is the most child-friendly option. We chose a private boat for flexibility and convenience.
- Private Tour A: ₱6,000 for 4 pax
✔️ Includes lunch and gear
✔️ Safer and more relaxed with young kids
🧾 💰 Total Travel Expenses (Estimate)
| Category | Amount (₱) |
|---|---|
| Airfare | ₱38,460 |
| Hotel (4 nights) | ₱14,000 |
| Local Transport | ₱1,200 |
| Food & Drinks | ₱6,500 |
| Tour A (Private) | ₱6,000 |
| Pasalubong | ₱1,000 |
| TOTAL | ₱67,160 ✅ |
🧡 Final Thoughts
For ₱67,000, we were able to enjoy a relaxing, beautiful, and meaningful El Nido vacation. Of course, you can spend less or more depending on your travel style, but for us — it was the perfect balance of comfort and adventure.
Traveling with young kids isn’t always easy, but with proper planning, it becomes a priceless experience. We created so many memories — and that, for me, is always worth every centavo.
If you’re planning your own family trip to El Nido, I hope this guide helps! Let me know if you’d like me to share a printable budget tracker too.
‘Til our next kwento,
– DadBuhay
DadBuhay 
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