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Rosette Adel - Philstar.com
April 2, 2026 | 8:00am
El Nido's famous rock formation and white-sand beaches as photographed in June 2018.
choypictures via Wikimedia Commons
MANILA, Philippines — Tourist destination El Nido in Palawan has been included in the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) list of the world's eight best beach escapes, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Monday, April 1.
BBC journalist Francis Augustin, who visited El Nido, praised its hidden beaches and lagoons.
"My family, friends, and I booked a tour with a local speedboat crew, spending the day cutting across the crisp blue waters of Bacuit Bay in search of secluded beaches and lagoons. Among these limestone island clusters, we swam, kayaked and snorkeled before anchoring in a solitary beach cove where our guides set up a meal of traditional Filipino meat and seafood dishes," he said.
He also highlighted El Nido's mainland beaches, including Las Cabanas, Lio and Corong Corong, as spots to relax and watch the sunset.
DOT Officer-in-Charge Secretary Verna Buensuceso said the recognition strengthens Palawan's global reputation as a top tourist destination.
"Citations such as these affirm the beauty and prestige of the many treasures that we boast to the world. This recognition proves that El Nido, like our other coastal destinations, can offer the same level of quality vacations as our global counterparts," she said.
El Nido is also gaining attention as a cruise destination. In January, the luxury liner MV Luminara made a port of call in the town, carrying more than 200 tourists and allowing them to explore other parts of Palawan, including Coron and Puerto Princesa.
The BBC's list favors less-crowded, authentic destinations where travelers can enjoy both relaxation and meaningful engagement with local communities. El Nido now joins other beach destinations in New York, Italy, Puerto Rico, India, St. Maarten, Scotland and Tasmania.
In 2016, El Nido was also recognized by travel website TripAdvisor as among the top destinations on the rise.
