Fees · Destination Guide
El Nido And Bacuit Archipelago Palawan Philippines
Karst lagoons above, coral walls below, and island-hopping days that never feel repetitive
Updated Feb 13, 2026 • 18 sources
Fees And Permits
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Fees You Can't Skip
- El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) - PHP 400 (regular rate, check current ordinance for discounts)
- Lagoon Environmental User Fee (Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon) - PHP 200 per person (commonly charged when visiting these lagoons)
- Typical payment pattern: Most visitors will pay an ecotourism fee for El Nido plus occasional sitespecific user fees (especially for lagoons).
What people usually pay
Most visitors will pay an eco-tourism fee for El Nido plus occasional site-specific user fees (especially for lagoons). Many boat-tour packages collect these at the pier or include them in the final price, but you should still carry cash and keep receipts.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF) | PHP 400 (regular rate, check current ordinance for discounts) Often treated as valid for 10 days (verify on receipt) | Most visitors doing island-hopping, diving, and protected-area activities | Collected at the El Nido pier or tourism counters, or bundled by your tour/dive operator | Keep the paper receipt accessible. Some operators will check it before boarding. Rates and validity can change by local ordinance, and the regular rate has been reported as PHP 400 in recent updates. |
| Lagoon Environmental User Fee (Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon) | PHP 200 per person (commonly charged when visiting these lagoons) Per lagoon visit | Travelers visiting Big Lagoon and/or Small Lagoon | Usually collected by your boat operator or at dispatch counters for lagoon access | Lagoons can have crowd controls and time slots. Confirm whether your Tour A variant includes the lagoon fee or charges it as an add-on. |
| Kayak rental (lagoon paddling) | Varies by lagoon and operator Per rental session | Anyone who wants to paddle inside lagoons | On-site at lagoon entry points or via your tour crew | Bring small bills. Life vests are commonly required for paddling. |