Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach — Hotel in El Nido

There are so many good things that can be said about the Mad Monkey hostels in the Philippines. But the most colorful ones go to the Nacpan Beach property.

I arrived in Nacpan Beach on a rainy Friday but the warm reception of Leonard, Ivy, Jase, Anna, and the rest of the staff was more than enough to let the sunshine in.

I booked a standard dorm room (mixed/shared) which I didn't realize until my male roommate came in. In my previous bookings in Vietnam, Laos, and other Philippine properties, I booked female dorm rooms. I thought it would be awkward but Mad Monkey does privacy so well even in dorm rooms. Each bed has a curtain to ensure privacy. Each bed is spacious with its own power plug and a fan for added comfort.

I had four wonderful days exchanging stories with Jase and Leonard. Ivy is the perfect host in night activities. I usually just prefer being alone but she made sure that I joined Karaoke and Bingo Nights. As a result, I made meaningful connections. My mornings were filled with storytelling exchanges with Jace. I don't need caffeine because her energy is enough to start off my day. As Cebuana, I also find comfort in the staff who can speak my native language. There is always a piece of home when there are people you can converse with in your native tongue.

The food and drinks in Mad Monkey are definitely items which any traveler should try. By now, Nacpan is my eighth Mad Monkey hostel and so I have grown quite familiar with the selections. Each property has something to offer but in Nacpan Beach, I retreated to good old Filipino favorites of dinakdakan, lumpia, and sisig.

There was free breakfast too during the duration of my stay and I always ordered two extra sunny sideup eggs.

Plan your El Nido itinerary properly though because Nacpan Beach is far from the town center. In my case, when I arrived in El Nido from Coron, I already had a van booked which took me from town to Nacpan Beach. I arranged this with Mad Monkey in advance. Pay P400 or else you will have to negotiate with a tricycle/tuktuk and be charged between P700-P800.

I stayed in Nacpan for four days and three nights where I spent lazy hours lounging by the beach, getting massages (also by the beach), catching up on my reading, eating halu-halo, and making friends with the locals.

The sun came out on a Saturday but the weather turned gloomy again for the rest of my stay. But I still loved it. I had several instances of just watching people go by and I indulged in my favorite hobby of eavesdropping in people's conversations. As a hostel that attracts people from all over the world, it brings me so much joy just to hear people speak in different languages and then retreat to English as the lingua franca.

Nacpan Beach, in general, is also a superb destination for families and friends looking for a day out in the beach. This is still a rustic destination; definitely none of the overly commercialized feel of Boracay.

Take note that prices are not cheap in the island so be sure to bring ample budget for food and transportation budget. Average cost per dish is P250-P300. Mad Monkey has an ATM machine and I saw another resort with an ATM machine too but to be sure, take out some cash while you're still in town before heading to Nacpan Beach.

Security in the area is also trustworthy. I love how the security personnel rounds and checks the area especially at night to ensure everyone's safety.

I mean this with all my heart when I wrote this: I will go back to Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach. This is the first Mad Monkey property where I won in Bingo. I lost in Panglao! I didn't book any tours when I was there because of weather issues but I would love to do their own island hopping tour and the sunset cruise.

When I left, I was sent off with warm goodbyes from the staff and the locals. It truly felt like I left home. Because it is home, there is reason to go back. Sooner than...

A Truly Memorable and Perfect Stay at Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach!

I had the absolute pleasure of staying at Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach, and I can confidently say it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I knew I had chosen the perfect location. The hostel sits right on the stunning Nacpan Beach, which boasts one of the most beautiful sunsets in El Nido. Watching the sky turn vibrant shades of orange, pink, and purple as the sun dipped below the horizon was truly magical and an experience I’ll never forget.

The beach itself is pristine, with golden sands and clear turquoise waters. It's the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty that Palawan is famous for. Whether you're a solo traveler or in a group, the vibe here is unmatched. The chill atmosphere makes it easy to meet new people, relax, and enjoy the moment.

The food at the hostel was another highlight. Every meal I had was delicious and well-prepared, with a variety of options to satisfy different cravings. The fresh ingredients and the attention to flavor really stood out. It’s great to have such quality food available, especially after a day of exploring or just chilling by the beach.

Mad Monkey’s hostel vibe is awesome. It's a perfect blend of lively and laid-back, making it ideal for both socializing and finding your own space to relax. Whether you’re joining in on the fun during the day or enjoying a quiet moment by the beach, there’s always something for everyone. The common areas were inviting, and the whole place had a warm, welcoming feel.

What truly made my stay exceptional was the amazing staff. Every single member of the team was friendly, accommodating, and always willing to help. From check-in to check-out, they made me feel at home and attended to every need with a smile. They’re always around to give tips on what to do around El Nido or simply chat and share stories, which made the experience even more personal and enjoyable.

The rooms were also impeccable—clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. I was impressed by how spotless everything was. The beds were super comfy, and I always had a great night’s sleep after a long day of adventures. It’s clear that the hostel takes pride in keeping their spaces cozy and inviting.

A special shoutout to Kurt, the general manager, who is doing an amazing job running the place. He truly went above and beyond to ensure that my stay was perfect. Every concern or request I had was addressed promptly, and he was always around to make sure everything was running smoothly. His dedication to taking care of the guests and maintaining the hostel’s high standards is truly commendable. Kurt’s personal touch made a big difference and added to the overall sense of warmth and hospitality that defines Mad Monkey.

Overall, my stay at Mad Monkey Nacpan Beach was nothing short of memorable. The location is perfect, the beach is breathtaking, the food is delicious, and the vibe is unbeatable. I would highly recommend this place to anyone visiting El Nido—it’s truly great value for money. With such attentive customer service and a beautiful setting, it’s a place you’ll want to return to...

I am writing to tell you that we could not stay longer. Our stay ruined our vacation in the Philippines. We checked out 1 day early. We tried to communicate but the girl with glasses at the reception was so rude from the beginning that we decided to leave. Three days ago, the light switch and the fan broke just before going to bed. There was a party going on in the hostel so there was no receptionist or maintenance available we had to sleep with the lights on to make the fan work, tormented by mosquitoes and without air and my wife felt sick. The Teepee was full of mosquitoes and sandflies. The next day, we asked for the fan light to be fixed early in the morning. When we returned at 7:00 PM, it had not been fixed yet due to the absence of the general manager. I actually had to say I would fix it myself... so maintenance came. Finally after a long wait of two hours it was fixed (only the fan and not the Light). All our experiences are negative. We waited 3 days for the tour of the islands, so that we could get to the number of 8 people. (the staff was not engaging at all) So the days passed, we could not book a trip elsewhere because we had been notified too late. When we finally got to the number of 8, instead of leaving at 9, we left at 11:45. We waited for 2 and a half hours. On the tour the person in charge was absent and not at all engaging, unfortunately he was not able to swim (this is risky and dangerous) and this prevented the group from being able to stay too long in the water and this prevented us from exploring the most beautiful place in the world that we set out to visit. We therefore paid $110 for a tour that lasted half of what it was supposed to be. Not to mention the absurd pollution of garbage that surrounds the beach and the vicinity of the accommodation. A walk on the beach is impossible without shoes as there are shards of glass everywhere and you really risk a disaster. It is totally absurd that the natural paradise is treated in this way. So these are just some of the problems we have encountered at your property. It is unacceptable for us as long-time travellers to have accepted all these inconveniences, to have found unprofessional and rude people and to have...