- Currency Name
- Philippine Peso
- Currency Local
- PHP
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: elnidohotelsranking.com, gotripzi.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- ATM access in El Nido is notoriously unreliable—ATMs frequently run out of cash and occasional power outages can disable card machines entirely. Withdraw your maximum cash in Puerto Princesa before arriving.
- Carry small bills (₱20, ₱50, ₱100 notes) for tricycles, vendors, and small purchases. Many vendors cannot make change for ₱500 or ₱1,000 notes.
- Keep cash in multiple pockets and use a waterproof wallet or dry bag on island-hopping tours.
- GCash (the Philippines' leading mobile wallet) can be linked to foreign Visa/Mastercard and is increasingly accepted at restaurants and guesthouses in El Nido. However, tour operators and markets remain cash-only.
- Exchange currency before leaving Manila or Puerto Princesa—rates in El Nido are poor and availability is limited. Avoid bringing USD; you will face poor exchange rates and difficulty making change.
- Many guesthouses require a cash deposit (₱1,000–1,500) at check-in, refunded at checkout.
- Mandatory environmental fees (₱200 ECAN fee per tour, ₱414 ETDF) must be paid in cash at the pier. Keep receipts—the ETDF is valid for 10 days.
- Tipping is optional. Focus on direct, discreet cash tips for tour guides and boat crews rather than restaurants (which often include service charge). Many locals do not tip, and overtipping can inadvertently encourage unsustainable tourism behavior.
ATM Access
- Withdrawal Strategy
- Withdraw your maximum cash allowance in Puerto Princesa or Manila before arriving in El Nido. Bring 20–30% more cash than your estimated spend as a buffer.
- Availability
- Limited and unreliable
Details
El Nido Town (Main Area)
- ATM Count
- 3–4 functional ATMs (as of 2026)
- Critical Caveat
- ATMs regularly run out of cash and are unreliable. Do not assume they will be operational.
Reliable Options
- BDO ATM (most reliable; ₱20,000 per transaction for BDO cardholders, ₱10,000 for non-BDO cards)
- Metrobank ATM (accepts Visa, Mastercard, Plus network)
- Landbank ATM (accepts international cards)
- PNB ATM (smaller withdrawal limits, sometimes available)
Tipping Norms
- Etiquette Notes
- Always tip discreetly and directly in cash. Hand the tip directly to the recipient or leave it in an envelope. Do not make a show of tipping—it can feel awkward or condescending in a culture where tipping is not normalized. Verbal thanks is important.
- Cultural Context
- Tipping is not mandatory and not a cultural norm in the Philippines. However, it is appreciated as a gesture of goodwill, particularly in tourist-oriented establishments.
Guidelines
Boat crews (island-hopping tours)
- Recommended Tip
- ₱150
- Notes
- ₱100–200 per person per day is standard. Generally appreciated but entirely optional.
Tour guides
- Recommended Tip
- ₱200
- Notes
- ₱100–300 per person depending on service quality. Hand directly to the guide in cash.
Restaurants (full-service)
- Recommended Tip
- ₱100
- Notes
- 10% of the bill is appreciated if no service charge is already included. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge automatically—check your bill first.
Hotel porters/bellhops
- Recommended Tip
- ₱50
- Notes
- ₱20–50 per service (e.g., carrying luggage). Small gesture only.
Housekeeping
- Recommended Tip
- ₱100
- Notes
- ₱50–100 per night at end of stay. Leave in an envelope labeled 'Thank you.'
Markets, shops, fixed-price vendors
- Notes
- Do not tip. Tipping beyond the agreed price causes confusion and is not expected.
No tip expected. Fares are fixed.
- Context
- Tricycle drivers, public transport
Card Acceptance
- Status
- inconsistent
- Summary
- Cash is essential. Card-based payments are unreliable and restricted to luxury resorts and high-end restaurants in town.
Details
Restaurants & accommodations
- Acceptance
- Limited; high-end establishments and some tourist-oriented venues only
- Notes
- Most small restaurants do not accept cards. Even when accepted, expect 3–5% surcharge.
Rare
- Merchant Type
- Tour operators & boat crews
- Notes
- Island-hopping tours, boat crews, and most local tour operators are cash-only.
No
- Merchant Type
- Markets & vendors
- Notes
- Local markets, tricycles, and street vendors are exclusively cash-only.
Growing
- Merchant Type
- Digital wallets
- Notes
- GCash (Philippines' leading mobile payment app) is increasingly accepted at restaurants, guesthouses, and some tour operators, particularly in El Nido town. However, it remains a supplement to cash, not a replacement.
Card Acceptance
- Status
- Very limited outside upscale establishments
- Note
- Even where card terminals exist, they may be down, out of paper, or lack internet connectivity
Accepted At
- Mid-range and upscale hotels
- Some restaurants
- Limited retail establishments
Not Accepted At
- Island-hopping tour operators
- Budget accommodation
- Most shops and casual restaurants
- Most local vendors
ATM Availability
- Status
- Limited; 3-4 ATMs in town, but frequently run out of cash
- Withdrawal Fee
- ₱250
Locations
Near Public Market
- Bank
- BDO (Banco de Oro)
- Reliability
- Most reliable
- Withdrawal Limit Local Card
- ₱20,000
- Withdrawal Limit Foreign Card
- ₱10,000
Town Area
- Bank
- Metrobank
- Cards Accepted
- Visa, Mastercard, Plus network
Town Area
- Bank
- Landbank
- Cards Accepted
- International cards
Town Area
- Bank
- PNB (Philippine National Bank)
- Note
- Sometimes available; smaller withdrawal limits
Important Notes
- ATMs frequently run out of cash, especially on weekends and during peak season
- ATMs may be down during power outages
- Allow extra time in peak season; queues can be 20-30 people long
- Most reliable for withdrawals on weekday mornings
Alternative Money Transfer
First Consolidated Bank
- Fees
- Low relative to ATM withdrawals
- Process
- Have money sent to you in the Philippines (no specific town/address needed); collect with valid passport
Expect fees
- Process
- Some hotels can advance cash on credit card
Physical Currency Exchange
Options
Local Banks (E.g., BPI)
- Rate Quality
- Fair; employees aware of current rates
- Process
- Present passport to bank employee; requires identification
Money Transfer Services
- Rate Quality
- Variable; rates typically less favorable than Puerto Princesa
Locations
- Palawan Pawnshop
- Cebuana LHuillier
- M. LHuillier
Hotels/resorts
- Note
- Offer informal exchange at typically poor rates; amounts may be limited
ATM Fees
- Status
- Charged on withdrawal
- Notes
- Expect a withdrawal fee when using ATMs in El Nido. International debit/credit cards will incur foreign transaction fees. Use cards with zero foreign-transaction-fee policies (Wise, Revolut, Charles Schwab) to minimize costs.
Currency Name
Philippine Peso
Currency Local
PHP
Bank Branches
- Note
- No full bank branches with traditional account-opening services accessible in El Nido town proper; First Consolidated Bank and BPI have minimal presence
Account Opening
- Status
- Not practical in El Nido
- Note
- No accessible bank branch infrastructure for opening accounts; account services should be handled in Puerto Princesa or before arrival
Cash Economy Note
El Nido is largely a cash-based economy; nomads should plan accordingly and withdraw substantial cash before arriving
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.elnidohotelsranking.com
- 2.elnidohotelsranking.com
- 3.gotripzi.com
- 4.seekinplaces.com
- 5.tripadvisor.com
- 6.tripadvisor.com
- 7.crowncurrency.com.au
- 8.newportworldresorts.com
- 9.justgoabby.blog
- 10.tradingeconomics.com
- 11.longforecast.com
- 12.palawan-divers.org
- 13.elnidoparadise.com
- 14.elnidobeach.com
- 15.elnido-hotels.com
- 16.healthspace.ph
- 17.clinicfinderph.com
- 18.expatexchange.com
- 19.newsinfo.inquirer.net
- 20.elnidoparadise.com
- 21.elnidohotelsranking.com
- 22.elnido.ph
- 23.elnido-hotels.com
More About El Nido
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.