Our trip to El Nido, Palawan was supposed to be a much-needed couples' getaway. At the time, we thought our daughter, Vania, was already old enough to stay with my parents for a few days. She was 2 years old, and we assumed she wouldn't mind spending six days with her grandparents, auntie, and uncles.
I was pretty confident that my siblings, especially my sister, could handle things while we were away.
But as our scheduled trip drew closer, my husband and I started having second thoughts.
Vania had entered that stage where she would immediately look for either Mommy or Daddy whenever we were out of sight. Even a quick grocery run felt like a marathon because my sister would message me to say that Vania was already looking for us, even if we had only been gone for an hour.
So, five days before our trip, we made a last-minute decision: we were taking our toddler to El Nido with us.
How hard could it be, right?
Her first plane ride had been a breeze, and I had traveled with her alone before. This time, my husband would be with me, so surely traveling to Palawan with a toddler wouldn't be that difficult.
Well, let's just say we learned a lot.
Planning Our El Nido Trip with a Toddler
Because of our last-minute decision, we had to make a few changes to our travel plans.
We adjusted our itinerary, increased our baggage allowance because hello, giant tin of milk, and reconsidered our accommodations.
I intentionally allotted six days for our Palawan trip because I didn't want to count the long land transfer to El Nido as an actual vacation day.
Our itinerary looked something like this:
Day 1: Travel to El Nido
Days 2–4: Exploring El Nido and island hopping
Day 5: Travel back to Puerto Princesa and overnight in the city
Day 6: Flight back to Cebu
We also packed a few extra things that we thought would make the entire trip more comfortable and enjoyable for our very active 2-year-old.
Every toddler is different, of course, but if you're planning to travel to El Nido with a toddler, here are a few things that helped us survive, and actually enjoy, our family trip.
1. Bring Coloring Materials
One of the easiest ways to keep a toddler entertained while traveling is to bring simple activities.
The night before our flight, I packed coloring pens and a notebook for Vania to doodle in. This came in handy when she eventually got tired of staring out the airplane window, looking at the clouds, and searching for Tinkerbell.
You don't need to bring a whole bag of toys. A few familiar and lightweight activities can go a long way during flights, transfers, and waiting time at the airport.
2. Pack Light Snacks
Snacks are a must when traveling with a toddler.
I packed cookies and chocolate bars for Vania, but since we were on vacation, I also wanted to give her something a little more special, something I wouldn't normally let her snack on every day.
So yes, we bought French fries.
And judging by that face, she was very happy about it.
We also brought drinks for the trip and made sure to pack baby wipes. If your toddler is anything like Vania and suddenly notices every tiny bit of dirt on her hands, face, or clothes, you'll definitely want to have wipes within reach.
3. Never Underestimate the Power of a Tablet
While I could say that Vania was generally a well-behaved child, airports and long flights can get boring for anyone, especially a toddler.
When coloring and doodling no longer worked, there was always her little tablet of awesomeness.
It helped convince her to take a break from wandering around and sit with us while waiting to board. She could watch her favorite Disney videos, sing along to songs, and keep herself entertained during idle moments.
For us, the tablet was a helpful travel backup.
But her number one travel companion?
Her pillow.
4. Bring a Comfort Item or Security Blanket
Vania didn't have a specific favorite stuffed toy or plushie.
Honestly, that didn't surprise me because I don't remember having a particular security blanket myself, except for Popo, a teddy bear that looked like some kind of cross between a brown bear and a Care Bear, complete with green fluffy pigtails and a pink nose.
But because I wanted Vania to feel more comfortable throughout the trip, we decided to bring her baby pillow.
And I'm glad we did.
The long road trip to El Nido was no joke, and having something familiar gave her a little extra comfort while traveling.
If your child has a favorite pillow, stuffed toy, blanket, or comfort item, don't leave it behind.
5. Consider Getting Your Toddler Their Own Seat
One realization came a little too late during our trip.
Vania was actually an amazing traveler. She wasn't particularly fussy or restless during the journey. From the plane ride to the long land transfer, with a few stopovers and plenty of tiny naps, she barely complained.
She sang nonstop, hugged her pillow, and occasionally asked for water, calamansi juice, or chocolate biscuits.
But she didn't have enough space to properly stretch out.
She would sit for a while, recline a little, or use Daddy's tummy as a makeshift bed. If she wanted to lie down, she had to stretch across both of our laps, not exactly the most comfortable arrangement for a long journey.
So when we arrived in El Nido, we arranged with our tour operator to reserve extra space for her on our return trip.
Having her own space made a huge difference.
If your budget allows, having a dedicated seat or enough room for your toddler during long transfers can make the journey much more comfortable for everyone.
6. Bring Appropriate Floatation and Water Safety Gear
If you're planning to go island hopping in El Nido with a toddler, think ahead about water safety and comfort.
We only managed to do El Nido Tour A because our other plans were affected by Typhoon Ruby, but we still found having extra floatation equipment useful while exploring the islands.
Some boats may have kayaks or other equipment available, but it's always best to check with your tour provider in advance and make sure any water activity is appropriate for your child's age and swimming ability.
And of course, a properly fitted life jacket is essential when required or appropriate during boat and water activities.
7. Don't Forget Water Shoes
Water shoes were one of those simple things that turned out to be incredibly useful.
They're great for protecting little feet while walking on rocky shores, uneven surfaces, or areas where your toddler might encounter shells and other things they probably shouldn't step on barefoot.
If your family spends a lot of time at the beach, investing in a good pair of water shoes is definitely worth considering.
8. Bring Plenty of Drinking Water
When you're traveling around El Nido and spending the day island hopping, staying hydrated is important, especially under the Philippine sun.
We made sure to bring plenty of bottled water for drinking and for freshening up after swimming.
A cold bottle wrapped in a towel can also be a refreshing way to cool down after spending hours in the sun.
9. Bring a Waterproof Camera and Take Lots of Photos
Actually, don't just take lots of photos.
Take a bajillion.
Let your toddler explore. Let them play in the sand, splash in the water, and experience everything around them.
Traveling with a toddler can be exhausting, unpredictable, and far from relaxing at times. But these little moments pass so quickly.
They're not this small forever.
Take the photos, even the messy ones.
Someday, you'll miss this crazy, beautiful, exhausting, and incredibly special phase of their lives.
10. Relax and Have Fun
Traveling with a toddler isn't always easy.
Your itinerary might change. Your child might get tired earlier than expected. You might have to skip an activity, take an unexpected break, or spend more time looking for snacks than sightseeing.
And that's okay.
Whenever traveling with Vania felt challenging, I reminded myself that she wouldn't stay this little forever.
One day, she might prefer traveling with friends over joining a family vacation. So while she's still small, I want to build memories with her.
Relax. Have fun.
Teach them how to swim. Swim together. Explore together.
And most importantly:
PLAY, PLAY, and PLAY.
Because at the end of the day, traveling with a toddler isn't really about following the perfect itinerary.
It's about experiencing a new place together, creating memories as a family, and enjoying the adventure—even when things don't go exactly as planned.
Is El Nido Worth Visiting with a Toddler?
Absolutely.
Traveling to El Nido with a toddler requires a little more planning, flexibility, and patience, but it can also be one of the most memorable family trips you'll ever take.
Pack smart, keep your expectations realistic, allow plenty of time for rest, and be prepared to adjust your plans when needed.
Your toddler may not remember every detail of the trip, but the photos, stories, and memories you create together will always be something special.
And who knows? Maybe all those family adventures will inspire them to keep traveling with you, even when they're older.
