Lio Beach: The Best Beach in El Nido
Lio Beach is a stunning stretch of coastline in El Nido, Palawan, offering 4 kilometers of soft, white sand and calm, swimmable waters.
The beach has plenty of space and way fewer crowds than other nearby beaches, making it perfect for kicking back, playing beach games, or just taking a peaceful walk along the shore.
The trees lining Lio Beach give you some nice, natural shade—perfect for escaping the heat. With lush greenery all around and stunning limestone cliffs in the background, it’s a perfect spot to relax and soak in the amazing views, as well as offering an array of activities!
Why you should visit Lio Beach:
10 reasons to visit Lio Beach:
- Location: Lio Beach is located just 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) from El Nido town in Palawan, making it easily accessible within a 15-minute drive.
- Free Shuttle: A free hourly shuttle connects Lio Beach with El Nido town, making transportation easy and convenient.
- Entry Fee: There’s no entrance fee to visit Lio Beach, who doesn’t like free?!
- Eco-Tourism: It’s part of an eco-friendly development by Ayala Land, focused on sustainable tourism that preserves the natural environment while offering modern amenities.
- Wide and Clean Beach: Lio Beach boasts a wide stretch of white sand, perfect for swimming and lounging. It’s also known for being clean and well-maintained.
- Fewer Crowds: Compared to more famous beaches like Nacpan and Las Cabanas, Lio Beach is much quieter, making it ideal for a relaxing getaway.
- Activities: Visitors can enjoy kayaking, paddle-boarding, volleyball, and even renting bamboo bikes. Lio Beach has the Lio Wetlands Trail and Eco-Forest Trail, where you can explore the lush surroundings and spot local wildlife. The beach also hosts live music events in the evening.
- Plane Spotting: Lio Airport is right next to the beach, making it a unique spot for plane spotting while enjoying the tropical atmosphere.
- Amenities: The beach offers clean restrooms, a pharmacy, shops for beachwear, and sunbeds for rent. The beach is lined with a variety of restaurants offering everything from quick snacks to upscale meals, with prices comparable to El Nido town.
- Sunset Spot: While you can’t see the sun dip into the horizon due to the limestone cliffs, the sunsets here are still breathtaking, with the sky painted in vibrant colors.
Lio Beach is a perfect mix of natural beauty, sustainability, and convenience, making it a must-visit destination in El Nido!
How to get to Lio Beach:
Lio Beach Shuttle Service:
Lio Beach offers a complimentary shuttle service between El Nido town and the beach, providing a convenient transportation option for visitors. Here are the key details:
Lio Beach Shuttle Schedule:
- The shuttle operates every hour from 8:00 AM to 12:00 midnight.
- Departures from El Nido town are scheduled on the hour, with return trips from Lio Beach occurring at 30 minutes past each hour.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations:
- El Nido Town: The shuttle departs from beside the Ten Knots office on Calle Real Street.
- Lio Beach: The drop-off and subsequent pick-up point is at the main entrance of Lio Beach.
Additional Information:
- Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; during peak hours, it’s advisable to arrive early to secure a seat.
If you’re driving yourself to Lio Beach, you can easily follow Google Maps.
Lio Beach Practical Information:
- Entrance Fee: Free!
- Opening Hours: The beach is accessible to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Please note that while the beach itself is always open, the operating hours of nearby facilities such as restaurants, shops, and activity centers are not.
Amenities at Lio Beach
The beachfront area is home to Shops@Lio, a retail space featuring a variety of establishments catering to different needs.
Shopping Highlights:
-
- Kalye Artisano: This cultural hub showcases and sells local arts and crafts, providing visitors with unique souvenirs and a glimpse into Palawan’s rich artistic heritage.
- Beachwear and Essentials: For last-minute beach necessities, shops like Cabañas by Tesoros and Salt & Sun offer a selection of clothing and accessories.
- Health and Wellness: Mayana Spa provides massage and spa treatments at reasonable rates, perfect for relaxation after a day at the beach.
-
Pharmacy and ATM: A Mercury Drug store is available for pharmaceutical needs, and a BPI ATM ensures easy access to cash, as many establishments accept only cash.
Bathrooms:
The bathrooms were kept nice and clean during our time there. They had a tap for rinsing off but no full showers.
Restaurants:
Lio Beach has a good mix of restaurants right along the beach, so you can grab something quick and affordable or treat yourself to a nicer, sit-down meal.
Prices are pretty similar to what you’d find in El Nido town, so whether you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful or a bit more fancy, you’ve got plenty of choices.
Activities at Lio Beach:
The Lio Beach Activity Hut serves as the central hub for organizing and renting equipment for various recreational activities at Lio Beach.
Whether you’re seeking adventure on land or water, the Activity Hut provides resources and information to enhance your beach experience.
- Water Sports: The Activity Hut offers rentals for activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and windsurfing.
- Beach Sports: For those interested in land-based activities, equipment for beach volleyball, football, and frisbee is available. There is also a beach volley ball court set up.
- Hiking & Guided Nature Tours: The Activity Hut provides information and coordination for guided tours, including birdwatching and kayaking excursions in the nearby Lio Wetlands and hiking the Lio Eco Trail.
- Plane Spotting: Watch airplanes coming and going from nearby Lio Airport
- Evening Entertainment: Enjoy live music performances under the stars, making for a delightful way to end the day.
Hiking at Lio Beach
Lio Beach in El Nido, Palawan, offers visitors an opportunity to explore its natural beauty through the Lio Wetlands Trail and the Lio Eco-Forest Trail.
These trails provide immersive experiences for nature enthusiasts, bird watchers, and those seeking a tranquil retreat.
Lio Wetlands Trail
- Description: This 330-meter path meanders through the lush wetlands of Lio, allowing visitors to experience the area’s rich biodiversity. The trail is part of Ayala Land’s Carbon Forest initiative, emphasizing conservation and ecological education.
- Activities:
- Kayaking: Rent a kayak to navigate the serene waters of the wetlands, offering a peaceful and intimate nature experience.
- Bird Watching: The wetlands are home to various bird species, including the Palawan Hornbill and the Philippine Duck.
- Access: Located within the Lio Tourism Estate, the trail is a short walk from both Lio Beach and Seda Lio. You can also choose a self-guided trek or take a guided tour from Kalye Artisano.
Lio Eco-Forest Trail
- Description: This 3.8-kilometer loop trail offers a journey through the tropical rainforest, culminating at a viewpoint 82 meters above sea level. The deck provides panoramic views of Bacuit Bay and Cadlao Island, making it an ideal spot for sunrise or sunset.
- Activities:
- Hiking: The trail is suitable for beginners, with a 1.9-kilometer ascent and descent. The hike typically takes 30 to 40 minutes one way, depending on pace.
- Wildlife Observation: Along the trail, hikers may encounter endemic flora and fauna, such as ipil trees, squirrels, and the Palawan Hornbill.
- Access: The eco-trail is open daily from 6:00AM to 5:00PM. Just proceed to Lio Beach Gate 3 – Dalimatan entrance to get started. It’s recommended to start hikes early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid midday heat.
Plane Spotting at Lio Beach
The El Nido Airport (Lio Airport), is just a stone’s throw away from Lio Beach—literally a 2-minute walk!
I had no idea Lio Beach was right next to the airport when we got there, so I was super excited when I saw the first plane fly by! You get an amazing view of planes taking off and landing while relaxing on the beach.
The airport’s runway is situated near the beachfront, allowing visitors to watch planes approach and depart at close range.
This setup is reminiscent of other famous plane spotting locations, such as Maho Beach in St. Maarten.
Aircraft Types:
Due to the airport’s shorter runway, it primarily accommodates smaller aircraft, including models like the ATR 72 and various private planes.
The main commercial airline operating here is AirSWIFT, which offers flights to and from several destinations in the Philippines.
El Nido Airport Flight Schedule:
If you are a nerd like me and you want to know exactly when the flight schedules, you can use www.flightradar24.com and search ENI as the Lio Aiport Code.
Click on arrivals or departures and you can see exactly when the planes will be coming and going!
Sunset at Lio Beach
At Lio Beach, you won’t see the sun dip directly into the horizon—it sets behind the dramatic limestone cliffs instead—but the view is still breathtaking.
With its serene atmosphere and lack of crowds, Lio Beach offers a unique and unforgettable sunset experience that’s easily a close second to Las Cabanas.
If you hate crowds, I’d say Lio Beach takes the cake for sunset viewing.
Lio Beach Quick Guide:
Why visit? Pristine beach, free entry, free shuttle service, plenty of shade, not crowded and plenty of activities and amenities. Plus, it’s right beside Lio Airport so you can watch the planes come and go!
Price: Free entry
Location: 15 minute drive from El Nido Town. 📍Lio Beach
How to get there: Free shuttle from Ten Knots office in El Nido or ₱300 each way by trike
Opening Hours: Beach is open 24/7. Double check the shuttle schedule.
Bathroom Facilities: Yes, nice and clean too
Notes: Visit the Lio Beach Activity Center to find out about activities available!
Have I convinced you yet that Lio Beach is the best beach in El Nido?
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links that I may receive a small commission from. This is at no additional cost to you. By clicking and/or booking through affiliate links found on this site you are helping to support this website and helping make it even better.
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