Travel budget and cost of living in El Nido (Palawan island) how much does a trip cost?

El Nido travel budget

El Nido: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to El Nido

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in El Nido for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in El Nido compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in El Nido in 2024 is 48% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in El Nido in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in El Nido by expense type

Restaurant budget in El Nido

Lunch

$ 5.4/person
( $ 5.4)

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73% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 15/person
( $ 15)

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62% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38

McDonald's meal

$ 5.6/person
( $ 5.6)

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49% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 1.1 for 500ml
($ 0.9 to $ 1.4)

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80% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 2.5 for 330ml
($ 2.2 to $ 2.8)

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29% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Cappuccino

$ 2.5/cup
($ 1.3 to $ 3.3)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 1.3/can
($ 0.9 to $ 1.8)

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46% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 0.9/bottle
( $ 0.9)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in El Nido

1-star hotel

$ 83/night
($ 19 to $ 466)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 181

2-star hotel

$ 66/night
($ 7.8 to $ 299)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163

3-star hotel

$ 124/night
($ 18 to $ 593)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 239

4-star hotel

$ 305/night
($ 89 to $ 951)

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5% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 323

5-star hotel

$ 331/night
($ 222 to $ 634)

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29% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 470

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 85/month
($ 13 to $ 481)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 173

Room with kitchen

$ 200/month
($ 19 to $ 849)

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20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 253

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 239/month
($ 35 to $ 934)

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10% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 218

Cottage or guest house

$ 114/month
($ 19 to $ 534)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 234

Family room

$ 203/month
($ 21 to $ 1003)

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6% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 218

Supermarket food budget in El Nido

Milk

$ 2.3/litre
($ 1.4 to $ 3.3)

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127% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Bread

$ 1.1/500g
($ 0.9 to $ 1.6)

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68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Rice

$ 0.9/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 1)

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81% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 1.6/12 eggs
($ 1.6 to $ 1.6)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Chicken

$ 3.8/kg
($ 3.7 to $ 4)

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68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 2.8/kg
($ 1.8 to $ 3.7)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 0.8/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 0.9)

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83% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 1.7/kg
($ 1.4 to $ 1.8)

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44% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3

Water bottle

$ 0.8
($ 0.6 to $ 1)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in El Nido

Taxi (per km)

$ 0.4/km
($ 0.4 to $ 0.4)

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77% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.3/litre
($ 1.1 to $ 1.3)

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34% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 1.3
($ 0.8 to $ 1.8)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Car hire

$ 58/24hrs
($ 37 to $ 112)

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20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 73

Leisure activity budget in El Nido

Cinema

$ 5.5/ticket
($ 4 to $ 5.7)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in El Nido

Cigarettes

$ 2.3/pack
($ 1.8 to $ 2.9)

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76% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10

Levi's jeans

$ 15
($ 15 to $ 15)

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72% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 53

Summer dress

$ 21
($ 17 to $ 23)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → Manila

$ 667
(fair price: $ 553)

Melbourne → Manila

$ 638
(fair price: $ 509)

Los Angeles → Manila

$ 1305
(fair price: $ 1123)

Toronto → Manila

$ 1516
(fair price: $ 1247)

Vancouver → Manila

$ 1491
(fair price: $ 1231)

New York City → Manila

$ 1309
(fair price: $ 1089)