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The 10 Best Hostels In El Nido, Palawan

The 10 Best Hostels In El Nido, Palawan

A trip to El Nido of Palawan Island in the Philippines will undoubtedly be one you will never forget! Seriously, it is one of my favorite spots in the Philippines and the entire world, which is saying a lot. El Nido is home to stunning beaches, wondrous limestone formations, and incredible diving spots.

There are some great hostels in El Nido, which are all part of the laidback beach vibe. In this article, I will share with you the top 10 hostels in El Nido. My personal favorites are Outpost Beach Hostel for its awesome sunsets and fun parties and Frendz Hostel for its rooftop swimming pool.

QUICK PICKS: 3 BEST HOSTELS IN EL NIDO

Don’t have time to read the whole article? No Problem! Here are my three favorite hostels in El Nido.

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Outpost Beach Hostel

  • Fun Parties & Events
  • Awesome Sunsets
  • Chill Hostel vibes
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Happiness Hostel

  • Budget dormitory rooms
  • Pet-friendly
  • Tasty breakfast
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Frendz Hostel

  • Friendly atmosphere
  • Rooftop swimming pool
  • Live entertainment

10 BEST HOSTELS IN EL NIDO COMPARISON TABLE

ACCOMMODATIONROOM RATES
Spin Designer Hostel$21
Outpost Beach Hostel$35
Happiness Hostel$10
Frendz Hostel$22
Mad Monkey Hostel Nacpan Beach$16
Kame House Hostel$18
Kings Landing Hostel$13
Where 2 Next Nacpan$30
Aliyah’s$10
Big Paul Hostel$16
Big Mike Hostel$10

10 BEST HOSTELS IN EL NIDO, PALAWAN

Truth to be told, El Nido Town Proper has more hostels to choose from than other areas in the El Nido area. Therefore, it is easy to decide which area to stay in when it comes to budget-friendly accommodation because most travelers opt to stay in the center of the action unless you want to stay in a secluded area. El Nido Proper (Town) is the go! These are my top 10 hostels in El Nido.

Spin Designer Hostel

Spin Designer Hostel (Value for Money): Blending comfort and social life, Spin Designer Hostel is a boutique hostel that offers a wide variety of rooms to make your stay comfortable. Room types include a private bunk, private single, female dormitory room, and mixed dormitory room.

The hostel’s rates may be a little higher than other hostels in El Nido, but with the little touches such as free breakfast with brewed coffee, tour booking assistance, you’ll definitely get more than what you paid for. The property has self-service laundry facilities, common spaces, a shared kitchen, huge lockers, hot showers, a barbecue facility, airport transfers for a small charge, and entertainment such as board games, books, margarita nights, and movie nights. This hostel is, without a doubt, the best hostel in El Nido!

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Spin Designer Hostel

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Spin Designer Hostel

  • Wide variety of rooms
  • Free breakfast
  • Entertainment

OUTPOST BEACH HOSTEL

Outpost Beach Hostel, like Outpost Hostel – Coron, is a fun and social hostel located 2km (5-minute ride) south of downtown El Nido on Corong-Corong beach (sunset beach). It is located in a more serene environment compared to downtown El Nido. Outpost offers various size dormitories and private rooms all equipped with air-conditioning units and fans. The hostel has its own restaurant and beach bar which rocks every night with fun themes, events, and games. The bar shuts down by 11PM so getting good night’s rest is not an issue. Outpost also has a very cozy second floor lounge area for guests who just want to chill and don’t want to take part in the nightly bar events.

The view from Outpost is one of the best views that El Nido offers and the sunsets from this hostel are some of the best sunsets you may see in your life. Outpost also has its own travel desk, tour guides, and boats. The islands you want to see while you are in El Nido lie right in front of the hostel and the boat tour leaves right from the beach the hostel sits on, making it the most convenient boat launch spot.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Outpost Beach Hostel

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Outpost Beach Hostel

  • Fun Parties & Events
  • Awesome Sunsets
  • Chill Hostel vibes

HAPPINESS HOSTEL

Happiness Hostel (Excellent Location): This hostel enjoys a prime location in the center of El Nido. Happiness Hostel is also a pet-friendly accommodation that offers only budget dormitory rooms that come with shared bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning.

Each bunk bed is comfy and some rooms have sea views. Guests can take advantage of the wonderful vista from the property. There are plenty of books to read and some board games in the shared lounge making it a perfect spot for guests to chill.

The hanging seats at the bar are quite unique—perfect to grab a beer. The hostel also serves a tasty breakfast with vegetarian options. Other than that, there are some inspirational quotes written on the walls, even on the stairs, and there is a cool granny mural by the reception. With a price that suits your pocket and central location, I highly recommend this hostel in El Nido.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Happiness Hostel

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Happiness Hostel

  • Budget dormitory rooms
  • Pet-friendly
  • Tasty breakfast

FRENDZ HOSTEL

Frendz Hostel (Rooftop Pool): With impeccable service and a friendly atmosphere, Frendz Hostel could be exactly what you’ve been searching for. Simply because it offers a rooftop swimming pool with a sky bar which is perfect for a sunset view. There are rooms for budget, private, and shared all are fitted with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and ensuite bathrooms. If that’s not enough, the hostel also has the best coffee in El Nido.

At Frendz, you will never be alone as you can meet new friends and do activities with them. Kitchen Bar & HUB, which is the restaurant downstairs, will take you to another level. It offers amazing food that you will not want to leave.

Guests can also enjoy live entertainment and play billiards. I highly recommend this hostel for the best rooftop pool with a sunset view!

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Frendz Hostel

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Frendz Hostel

  • Friendly atmosphere
  • Rooftop swimming pool
  • Live entertainment

MAD MONKEY HOSTEL NACPAN BEACH

Mad Monkey Hostel Nacpan Beach (Party Pick): Known as a party hostel chain in Southeast Asia, Mad Monkey Hostel is located on Nacpan Beach. It brings together people from around the world to have fun! The hostel is beachfront with 6-bed and 12-bed basic dormitory rooms fitted with power outlets, mosquito nets, electric fans, and lockers for your belongings (just bring your own lock).

They also have tent accommodations if you are not up to sleeping in a dorm room. Its Beach & Bar Restaurant serves reasonable and delicious food options and alcoholic drinks.

Another thing is the property offers free alcohol shots every hour from the afternoon to midnight. Plus, you can easily book some excursions on-site. Undoubtedly, this adult-only hostel is one of the best hostels in El Nido!

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Mad Monkey Hostel Nacpan Beach

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Mad Monkey Hostel Nacpan Beach

  • Beachfront hostel
  • Beach & Bar Restaurant
  • Easy booking

KAME HOUSE HOSTEL

Kame House Hostel (Excellent Staff): Kame House Hostel is a Japanese-anime-inspired accommodation nestled a bit outside the town proper of El Nido. If you’re traveling with a light wallet, you’ll get a dorm room for $18. But if you want privacy, they also offer a private room for $50 a night.

It’s a tiny hostel yet well-maintained and each room is fitted with air conditioning and a patio. It also features a cute outdoor swimming pool, free parking space, Wi-Fi, a garden, and a bar. There is also a shared lounge where guests can chill or play board games and cards. If you stay here, you can also rent a scooter on-site for a reasonable price.

Location wise, Kame House Hostel is walking distance to Corong-Corong Beach and a scooter ride to the town proper. I can’t recommend this El Nido hostel enough!

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Kame House Hostel

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Kame House Hostel

  • Japanese-anime-inspired
  • Well-maintained
  • Rent a scooter

KINGS LANDING HOSTEL

Kings Landing Hostel (Great Location/Staff): Inspired by the Game of Thrones show, Kings Landing Hostel is a lovely tiny hostel nestled in El Nido Town Proper. It offers three types of accommodations such as double rooms, 6-bed mixed dormitory rooms, and 8-bed mixed dormitory rooms at a price that suit your pocket. Each room has air conditioning and a bathroom with a hot shower.

Amenities include free Wi-Fi, parking space, and airport transfers at an extra charge. The highlight is not just its central location but also the welcoming and friendly staff. They are so helpful that they even organize island tours and do your laundry. Budget-wise, this hostel offers the cheapest accommodation in El Nido.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Kings Landing Hostel

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Kings Landing Hostel

  • Friendly staff
  • Parking space
  • Island tours

WHERE2NEXT NACPAN

Where2Next Nacpan (Cozy Atmosphere): Situated near Nacpan Beach, Where2Next Nacpan is another cozy accommodation in El Nido. They have private double rooms and other room types such as a budget double room, cottage, single bed in a male dorm, and an 8-bed mixed dorm room, all for $30 a night. Each bed has a mosquito net, pillows, towels, and a blanket.

The property has a restaurant, free parking, a balcony, and a shared lounge. What appeals to me is that they have free coffee in the morning and pets are allowed with no extra charges. They also offer guests free 15-minute hair and scalp treatment but you need to book in advance. There are plenty of hammocks in the shared area so it’s cozy.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Where2Next Nacpan

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Where2Next Nacpan

  • Restaurant
  • Pets are allowed
  • Free parking

ALIYAH’S

Aliyah’s (Great Location/ Staff): Another no-frills accommodation in El Nido is Aliyah’s. The hostel offers private budget rooms for $30 a night and 10-bed dormitory rooms for $10 so it’s pretty cheap considering the location is close to everything including Taraw Cliff and El Nido Port. Each room has a bathroom with free Wi-Fi but only the budget double room has air conditioning. This hostel is simple yet cozy enough to have a comfortable stay.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Aliyah’s

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Aliyah’s

  • Private budget rooms
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Organize your activities

BIG PAUL HOSTEL

Big Paul Hostel (Backpackers Pick): Let your adventures begin at Big Paul Hostel! This adult-only hostel is perfect for backpackers or solo travelers who want to party and meet new friends. Big Paul Hostel is named after its owner Paul who is an absolutely amazing person. Near Corong-Corong Beach, the hostel offers two types of accommodations as standard double room and an 8-bed mixed dormitory

The rooms are spacious with comfy beds. Guests can enjoy free lockers, Wi-Fi, continental breakfast, and rum coke at night. The bar and the shared lounge are probably the best spots for guests as they gather while having fun. You will not want to miss the evening happenings such as drinking, chatting with friends, and playing beer pong.  

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Big Paul Hostel

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Big Paul Hostel

  • Adult-only hostel
  • Spacious rooms
  • Free lockers

BIG MIKE HOSTEL

Big Mike Hostel (Excellent Location): This hostel is one of the bestsellers in El Nido because it offers more bang for your buck. Big Mike Hostel is centrally located near everything including the El Nido port. The property offers budget double rooms and six-to-eight-bed mixed dormitory rooms fitted with air conditioning and Wi-Fi.

The rooms are fairly basic and minimal but each room is clean and well-maintained. The hostel also provides guests with free coffee/tea and a water refill. Breakfast is also included in the price with local dishes and vegetarian options. Shuttle service and a tour desk are available they provide great service. It’s where to stay in El Nido for anyone on a budget!

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Big Mike Hostel

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Big Mike Hostel

  • Clean rooms
  • Free coffee/tea
  • Tour desk available

I hope this guide helped you choose a hostel in El Nido and you found it helpful! Enjoy your trip!

ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH MY EL NIDO SERIES?

You want to go island-hopping in El Nido but aren’t sure whether TOUR A,B,C or D will be better? Take a look at my El Nido Island Hopping Guide that compares all of the four tours to help you pick the best one for you.

Wondering what there is to do in El Nido? I’ve been twice and spent almost 30 days in El Nido so I’ve got some great recommendations for you in my Travel Guide to El Nido: 20 Awesome Things To Do

Which region will you choose for your accommodation in El Nido? I’ve broken each region down and given you suggestions for budget, value and luxury in El Nido Town, Lio Beach and Las Cabanas Beach in this guide: Where to stay in El Nido

My Review and photos of: Tour A

My Review and photos of: Tour B

My Review and photos of: Tour C

The most epic activity you can do in El Nido on the land is to hike up Taraw Peak and I share the photos and tell you how you can use the same local guide as me in this blog post: Hiking up Taraw Peak – What You Need to Know