El Nido is a first class municipality and managed resource protected area in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. It is about 420 kilometres south-west of Manila, and about 238 kilometres north-east of Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital. It is known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs, limestone cliffs and as the gateway to the Bacuit archipelago.

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            El Nido is currently ranked #1 in Condé Nast Traveler's list of "20 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World." CNNGo has called it the Best Beach and Island destination in the Philippines for its "extraordinary natural splendor and ecosystem."

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           The ordinariness (and some might say the ugliness) of El Nido only heightens the contrast between the mundane and the sublime. Spanish for ‘the nest’, El Nido is the gateway to the fabulous Bacuit Archipelago. The town, sandwiched between towering limestone karst cliffs and Bacuit Bay, is cluttered with buildings that creep onto the beach and businesses that cater to tourists. Centre stage is the looming Cadlao Island just offshore.

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           Taking a room in town means being close to restaurants and beachside bars, but also closer to the everyday sights and sounds; otherwise, you can stay in one of the nearby communities, or splash some cash for accommodation in the archipelago itself. Something of a French invasion is occuring amongst accommodation, restaurant and other tourism related businesses.