Lio Beach Resort

Lio Beach: A Different Kind of El Nido Beach

Lio Beach is a little different from the other beaches around El Nido. It’s part of a planned tourism estate with hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops, all within easy walking distance of a beautiful stretch of beach.

I visited in 2018 while staying in El Nido town. We headed over in the late afternoon to check the place out, watch the sunset and have dinner. It was a great way to spend a few hours, and I’d recommend doing the same if you’re visiting El Nido.

Best Time to Visit Lio Beach

December to April generally offers the best weather, with less rain and calmer seas. March and April can be particularly hot, while June to October brings a greater chance of heavy rain.

If you’re visiting Lio Beach for the afternoon, I’d recommend arriving a little before sunset. You can explore the beach, walk along the jetty and then grab some dinner.

What Lio Beach Is Like

Lio Beach is quite different from El Nido town. Rather than the busy streets, bars and restaurants around Hama Street, everything here feels more organised and self-contained.

When I visited, the estate was clean, tidy and well maintained. There was a large complex with plenty of restaurants and cafes, while the accommodation was situated in other parts of the development.

It’s a little more commercialised than some of El Nido’s other beaches, although that’s exactly what you’d expect from a planned resort estate.

The beach itself is beautiful, with clean sand, palm trees and great views across Bacuit Bay. There’s also a long jetty where you can walk out and enjoy the scenery, particularly around sunset.

We spent some time exploring the beach and jetty before heading back to one of the restaurants for dinner. I can’t remember exactly where we ate, but it was a pleasant evening.

El Nido Airport is also right next door, so you’ll occasionally see small planes coming in to land.

Things to Do at Lio Beach

Lio Beach is more about relaxing than chasing attractions, although there’s enough around the estate to keep you occupied.

Enjoy the beach: Go for a swim, relax on the sand or take a walk.
Watch the sunset: Head towards the jetty for beautiful views across Bacuit Bay.
Eat and drink: Check out the restaurants, cafes and bars around the estate.
Explore the area: Wander through the development and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

Water sports and other activities may also be available, depending on the operators and conditions during your visit.

How Long Should You Stay?

You don’t necessarily need to stay at Lio Beach to enjoy it. We visited for a few hours, which was plenty of time to explore, watch the sunset and have dinner.

However, if you’re travelling with family and prefer somewhere a little quieter and more self-contained, Lio Beach could be a good alternative to staying in El Nido town.

There are several accommodation options within the estate, along with restaurants and other facilities, so you could easily base yourself here and explore the rest of El Nido.

Personally, I think El Nido town offers more variety, particularly for independent travellers and backpackers.

How to Get to Lio Beach

Lio Beach is approximately 15 to 20 minutes north of El Nido town by tricycle or private transport.

If you’re flying directly into El Nido Airport, the beach estate is only a few minutes away.

For travellers arriving from elsewhere in the Philippines, the main options are:

From Clark: Fly directly to El Nido when services are available.
From Manila: Check current connecting flights to El Nido or fly to Puerto Princesa.
From Puerto Princesa: Take a van or bus to El Nido, approximately 5 to 6 hours, then continue to Lio Beach.

Flight schedules and routes can change, so check current services before booking.

Good to Know Before You Go

Lio Beach is a planned resort estate, not a traditional beachfront village.
You can visit the restaurants and beach without staying at one of the hotels.
The jetty is a great spot for sunset views across Bacuit Bay.
The estate has a more organised, slightly upmarket atmosphere than El Nido town.
Allow a few hours if you’re visiting for dinner and sunset.

Dezza’s Tip

Even if you’re staying in El Nido town, I’d recommend heading over to Lio Beach for lunch or dinner. It’s a nice change of scenery, with plenty of restaurants to choose from and a beautiful beach to explore.

If you can, time your visit around sunset. Grab a drink, wander down to the jetty and enjoy the views across Bacuit Bay.