El Nido is home to white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and jaw-dropping limestone karst cliffs. It’s the gateway to the stunning Bacuit archipelago, while there are clear lagoons on Miniloc Island. If you’re looking for natural wonders, you certainly won’t regret a trip here!

With all the great beaches and natural sights being a little spaced out, it can be a little difficult to know where to stay. Plus, the island can be pricey, so hostels are definitely worth considering. But if you’re expecting something grubby and dirty, think again!

To make things as easy as possible, we’ve had a look at the best hostels in El Nido to find the best and most relevant hostels for your stay in the Philippines.

Fortunately, there’s a lot to choose from, with some great beach hostels, garden villas, and some budget options too that don’t scrimp on quality. So, let’s dive into the best that El Nido has to offer!

Quick Answers – The Coolest Hostels in El Nido

#1 Best overall hostel in El Nido: Outpost Beach Hostel
#2 Best party hostel in El Nido: Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach
#3 Best hostel for solo travellers in El Nido: Pawikan Hostel El Nido
#4 Best hostel near Nacpan Beach: Dandal Bay View
#5 Best hostel near Marimegmeg Beach: Coco Garden Villas
#6 Best hostel near El Nido Lio Airport: Big Mike Hostel
#7 Best hostel near El Nido Transport Terminal: Big Paul Hostel
#8 Best hostel near El Nido Old Bus Terminal: Frendz Hostel El Nido
#9 Best hostel near El Nido Ferry Terminal: Happiness Hostel
#10 Best high-end hostel in El Nido: Spin Designer Hostel
#11 Best budget hostel in El Nido: Where 2 Next – Nacpan
#12 Best hostel with private rooms in El Nido: Erlittop Garden

#1 – Outpost Beach Hostel

 Best overall hostel in El Nido

• Cost – $$$
  
• Location – Sitio Lugadia National Highway
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Outpost Beach Hostel…
This sociable and fun hostel is in the perfect location to see the beautiful El Nido sunset – it is on Sunset Beach after all! We love that there’s a free BBQ to enjoy on the sand, and a room complete with games consoles where you can chill when you’ve had a bit too much sun!

Outpost Beach Hostel is perfect for…
If you want to see the most beautiful sunsets on the island without even leaving your accommodation, Outpost is a great shout. Travellers who want to be active on the island will love it too, as you can enjoy tours to the lagoons, Nacpan Beach, and Kuyawyaw Falls before chilling on the beach in the evening!

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#2 – Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach

Best party hostel in El Nido

• Cost – $$
  
• Location – Nacpan Beach,Sitio Calitang, Barangay Bucana, El Nido  
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach…
This lively hostel has half an hour of free drinks and a live DJ every evening at the on-site bar, making it the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a party hostel on El Nido! We love the paddleboarding, volleyball, and BBQs on offer too – not to mention there’s also a booze cruise where you can enjoy a few beverages with your new mates.

Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach is perfect for…
Travellers who want to have a good time and make friends over a drink or 10 will be right at home at Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach. You have the natural beauty of one of the island’s most popular beaches mixed in with beers, BBQs, and banter. What could be better?!

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#3 – Pawikan Hostel El Nido

 Best hostel for solo travellers in El Nido

• Cost – $$
  
• Location – 119 San Joaquin Street, Sitio Puting Bato, Barangay Buena Suerte 
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Pawikan Hostel El Nido…
This comfortable and clean hostel is right in El Nido town – perfect if you want to be close to a selection of restaurants, bars, and shops that you can explore with fellow travellers. It’s easy to meet new friends in the dorm rooms or over the Asian Filipino breakfast, which is delicious!

Pawikan Hostel El Nido is perfect for…
Solo travellers will love the friendly atmosphere and the ease of meeting new pals at Pawikan Hostel. Although it’s not a party hostel, there’s plenty to talk about over a few games of Jenga or Uno in the common areas. Cold showers may not sound great now, but after a long and sweaty day exploring the islands, they’ll be a welcome relief!

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Enjoy your stay in El Nido! Check out our guide for what to do in El Nido while you’re there!

#4 – Dandal Bay View

Best hostel near Nacpan Beach

• Cost – $$
  
• Location – Sitio Calitang 
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Dandal Bay View…
This charming and traditional beachfront hostel is just a 3-minute walk from the gorgeous Nacpan Beach, making it the perfect place to stay if you want to be close by. All of the rooms here are private, but there are still plenty of spaces to socialise with fellow travellers such as the restaurant where you can enjoy local and international food with a cold beer!

Dandal Bay View is perfect for…
If you’re looking to be close to Nacpan Beach, then you can do a lot worse than Dandal Bay View. Although there are a couple of other hostels right by the beach, this one would be a fantastic option if you’re happy with spending a little more for a bit of privacy!

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#5 – Coco Garden Villas

 Best hostel near Marimegmeg Beach

• Cost – $$
  
• Location – Sitio Bobolongan, Barangay Corong Corong
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Coco Garden Villas…
This tranquil hostel, complete with its own garden and coconut plantation, is just a hop, skip, and a jump from Marimegmeg Beach – making it the best place to stay if you want to be near this beautiful strip of sand! We love that the 24-hour reception can organise a massage at a discounted rate – perfect after an exhausting day of exploring.

Coco Garden Villas is perfect for…
If you want to stay in traditional, wooden villa style accommodation close to Marimegmeg Beach, then Coco Garden Villas is your best option. The huts are made of bamboo and nipa, meaning that inside it’s cool – an escape from the hot sun and humidity! This is a more environmentally friendly option than aircon – meaning that the eco-conscious among you will be happy!

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#6 – Big Mike Hostel

Best hostel near El Nido Lio Airport

• Cost – $$
  
• Location – San Joaquin Street, Bgy. Buena Suerte, El Nido
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Big Mike Hostel…
This excellent value hostel is just a 14-minute ride from El Nido Lio Airport, making it the perfect place to be if you don’t want to be far from your flight! We love that the hostel is right in El Nido town, meaning you’re never far away from restaurants and bars.

Big Mike Hostel is perfect for…
Travellers who have an early morning flight or late-night arrival will have a load taken off their mind when staying at Big Mike Hostel – just because it’s so close to the airport! Budget travellers will love that although the price is certainly affordable, the rooms are still comfortable and spotlessly clean.

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#7 – Big Paul Hostel

 Best hostel near El Nido Transport Terminal

• Cost – $$
  
• Location – Corong-Corong, El Nodi, Palawan
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Big Paul Hostel…
Another of the best value hostels on the island, and just a quick trip from El Nido Transport Terminal, this is a great place to stay if you are catching a bus to another part of the island. We love the big and comfy beds. The free breakfast makes it a lot easy to get out of them in the morning!

Big Paul Hostel is perfect for…
Travellers who are on a budget and want to be close to El Nido Transport Terminal will be right at home at Big Paul Hostel. The lower price becomes even more attractive when you take into account that it includes breakfast, and of course, warm and friendly Filipino hospitality!

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#8 – Frendz Hostel El Nido

 Best hostel near El Nido Old Bus Terminal

• Cost – $$
  
• Location – Osmena Street, Masagana, 5313 
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Frendz Hostel El Nido…
This modern and stylish hostel is just a quick walk from El Nido Old Bus Terminal, meaning it’s a great option if you’re onward travel is by bus. The partner restaurant and Hub serves up some great food and drink, meaning you’ll never be far from a delicious dish to fill your stomach!

Frendz Hostel El Nido is perfect for…
Travellers who need to be close to El Nido Old Bus Terminal while still being in a sociable, friendly, and fun hostel will have absolutely no complaints about Frendz Hostel! There are a number of dorms and private rooms meaning there’s something suitable for every budget.

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#9 – Happiness Hostel

 Best hostel near El Nido Ferry Terminal

• Cost – $$
  
• Location – Serena Street, Buena Suerte, Palawan, 5313 El Nido
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Happiness Hostel…
For those who arrive in El Nido by ferry and want to stay close to it, this atmospheric hostel is an excellent choice as it’s just a few minutes away on foot! We love the hostel lounge, where there are several books, board games, and other stuff at hand, perfect for travellers who want to kick back with others or enjoy some me-time.

Happiness Hostel is perfect for…
Travellers who are leaving or arriving by boat and don’t want to lug heavy bags or suitcases around should definitely consider Happiness Hostel. Dorms are reasonably priced and comfortable, the perfect place to go after spending a day on one of the tours that the travel desk can help you book, or from relaxing in the beach bar!

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#10 – Spin Designer Hostel

Best high-end hostel in El Nido

• Cost – $$
  
• Location – BALINSASAYAW ROAD, CORNER CALLE REAL, BRGY MALIGAYA
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Spin Designer Hostel…
This beautifully designed hostel is the perfect place to stay on El Nido if you don’t mind splashing out a little more for some creature comforts, and dare we say it, luxury?! We love that there are hot showers available – not something that you’ll find everywhere on the island!

Spin Designer Hostel is perfect for…
Travellers who are used to living the high life but still like the friendliness and sociability of a hostel will find that Spin Designer Hostel ticks all the right boxes. There are plenty of comfortable spots where you can sit and relax and take in the tasteful and cool décor!

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#11 – Where 2 Next – Nacpan

Best budget hostel in El Nido

• Cost – $$
  
• Location – Sitio Calitang, Barangay Bucana, Lot B2, Region 3 
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Where 2 Next – Nacpan…
This authentic hostel is very reasonably priced, meaning that budget travellers will find it one of the top options for them on El Nido. Just off Nacpan Beach (as you might have guessed from the name), the eco-friendly hostel runs on solar electricity and minimises plastic waste!

Where 2 Next – Nacpan is perfect for…
Eco-conscious, budget, and travellers who want to be close to the beautiful Nacpan Beach will be very happy with Where 2 Next – Nacpan. It’s a great place to watch the island’s beautiful sunset without having to shell out a small fortune! It’s a relaxing spot, and although not a party hostel, you can buy alcohol here.

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#12 – Erlittop Garden

Best hostel with private rooms in El Nido

• Cost – $
  
• Location – Purok 1A, Sibaltan
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Erlittop Garden…
If you want an authentic experience of El Nido, then this fantastic accommodation offers a range of private bamboo huts in a fishing village hidden an hour from the town of El Nido. We love the on-site restaurant as it offers some tasty local dishes, but some international fare too for when you’re feeling homesick!

Erlittop Garden is perfect for…
If you’re not looking for a typical experience of El Nido, and you’d like to get off the beaten track and really learn about the culture, then staying at Erlittop Garden is a good idea. It’s a romantic getaway for couples, who’ll be able to get a double private room at a great price!

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Other best hostels in El Nido

#13 – Kame House Backpackers

• Cost – $$
  
• Location – Corong Corong
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Kame House Backpackers…
This comfortable and nicely-designed hostel will delight travellers who want a sociable and friendly hostel whilst only being a stone’s throw from the island’s beautiful beaches. You’re only 200m away, and the beach is a great starting point for tours. We love that there are indoor and outdoor pools too – great for a dip!

Kame House Backpackers is perfect for…
Travellers looking for a sociable experience where they’ll make new friends and have easy access to the best the island has to offer will find that Kame House is an excellent option! There’s a lot to choose from in terms of rooms too – whether you want to be in a big dorm or a more intimate and private space!

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#14 – Tapic Beach Park Guest House

• Cost – $$
  
• Location – Sibaltan, Sibaltan 
• Reviews → Check on Hostel World

Why we like Tapic Beach Park Guest House…
This authentic guest house may be tricky to reach, but travellers will find that their effort was worth it when they arrive at this little piece of paradise on El Nido’s east coast! It’s in a remote fishing village which is sure to give a unique, off the beaten tourist path experience.

Tapic Beach Park Guest House is perfect for…
Travellers searching for a traditional and authentic experience of El Nido will find that Tapic Beach Park Guest House can offer them something they won’t get from anywhere else on the island, without having to break the bank. It’s perfect for travellers searching for some peace and tranquillity while being immersed in nature and island culture.

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#15 – Our Melting Pot – El Nido

Why we like Our Melting Pot – El Nido…
This laid-back, rustic, yet sociable hostel is the perfect place for backpackers to mingle with other backpackers on northern El Nido. There’s a range of dorm room sizes at very affordable prices, a free breakfast, and even Internet connectivity – all of which get a thumbs up from us!

Our Melting Pot – El Nido is perfect for…
Backpackers who don’t want to break the bank and also want to meet other like-minded travellers will find that Our Melting Pot – El Nido is a perfect spot for them. If you need help booking tours and exploring El Nido, then look no further. The friendly staff are always on hand to help you make the most of your time here!

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FAQ’s

How Much are Hostels in El Nido?

Most dorm rooms fall in the $12 to $25 range, though some can be found for cheaper. For private rooms you'll need to budget for around $20 on the low end and up to $70 per night.

What are Hostels in El Nido Like?

Hopefully you like chill beach energy! El Nido is known for its incredible beaches, and most hostels are located close to the surf! There's a variety of party hostels and quieter places and typically you can book tours and activities on the island directly from the hostel.

How Safe are Hostels in El Nido?

El Nido is fairly safe, though some incidents of crime do occur. Most hostels have great security features, and you can ask about other precautions you should take to stay safe.

How to Find Hostels in El Nido?

Start your search on HostelWorld to see all your options and refine your search based on your travel dates and budget. If you're already in the Philippines, you can ask at your current accommodation for suggestions too.

 

	Best overall hostel in El Nido Outpost Beach Hostel Free city maps, free wifi, bar	Check Best Price
	Best party hostel in El Nido Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach Towels included, bar	Check Best Price
	Best hostel for solo travellers in El Nido Pawikan Hostel El Nido Free breakfast, free wifi, towels included	Check Best Price
	Best hostel near Nacpan Beach Dandal Bay View Free parking, towels included. Bar	Check Best Price
	Best hostel near Marimegmeg Beach Coco Garden Villas Free breakfast, free parking, towels included	Check Best Price
	Best hostel near El Nido Lio Airport Big Mike Hostel Free breakfast, free wifi	Check Best Price
	Best hostel near El Nido Transport Terminal Big Paul Hostel Free breakfast, towels included, bar	Check Best Price
	Best hostel near El Nido Old Bus Terminal Frendz Hostel El Nido Breakfast Not Included	Check Best Price
	Best hostel near El Nido Ferry Terminal Happiness Hostel Free wifi, towels included	Check Best Price
	Best high-end hostel in El Nido Spin Designer Hostel Free breakfast, free wifi, towels included	Check Best Price
	Best budget hostel in El Nido Where 2 Next – Nacpan Free wifi	Check Best Price
	Best hostel with private rooms in El Nido Erlittop Garden Free parking, free wifi, towels included	Check Best Price

 

Conclusion

So, there we go. We’ve looked in detail at what’s on offer hostel wise in El Nido, and we think you’ll definitely have found something that suits your travel style, and most importantly your bank account!

We wouldn’t want you to visit one of the most beautiful island paradises in the Philippines after all!

Hostels are a great way to travel, especially in El Nido where saving money and meeting people at the same time will really enhance your trip. Hopefully, you’ll have a bit of cash to do some of the exciting activities available in and around the island!

And don’t forget our number one choice – Outpost Beach Hostel. However, we hope that wherever you decide to stay your trip is unforgettable!

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