3 reviewed party hostels · from €14.42/night · Hostelworld rated
El Nido’s nightlife runs on sand, saltwater, and San Miguel. The main strip, **Hama Street**, is a five-minute walk from the town centre, packed with beachfront bars where hostel crews gather as soon as the island-hopping boats dock. By 21:00, fire dancers are spinning kerosene on the shore and reggae basslines spill from bamboo shacks.
Hostels here double as social hubs. Many have in-house bars, live music, and resident DJs: no need to venture far for a big night. Outpost Beach Hostel sets the pace with sunset sessions right on the sand, while smaller spots like Coluradel Hostel keep the vibe going with nightly acoustic sets and an on-site restaurant that serves cheap cocktails until midnight.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Amazing social hostel with great outdoor common where guests like to chill. There is a huge on-site bar with super fun and sociable atmosphere. Daily parties and events are welcoming travellers and locals. You can also enjoy a tasty BBQs on Sundays. And if you need a break from the sun, enjoy a cosy lounge with PS3 and Nintendo 64.
Crazy party hostel with a nice atmosphere, located right at the beach. The hostel features an amazing on-site bar where you can dance all day and all night. Happy hours with free shots and great deals on drinks are the symbol of this party house. They also organize a beer pong, fun quiz nights and karaoke sessions.
Frenz Hostel El Nido is a friendly place where you enjoy great drinks, food, and specialty coffee. A vibrant on-site bar is a place where travellers like to hang out and mingle. Resident DJs and live music events are heating up the atmosphere every day. The friendly staff is always happy to chat and share useful tips and information.
Organised nights out with a local guide
A rotating bar-hopping tour that visits 4–5 spots, including Pukka Bar and The Beach Shack. The crawl starts at 21:00 and includes a free shot at each venue, plus a welcome drink. Hosts keep the energy high with drinking games and group challenges. Most hostels sell tickets at reception for 800 PHP (£12).
A more relaxed crawl that sticks to beachfront bars like Bamboo Lounge and Outpost. The tour includes a free cocktail at the first stop and discounts on drinks at the others. It’s smaller than the main pub crawl, so it’s easier to meet people. Runs on Tuesdays and Fridays.
How El Nido's nightlife zones break down
The heart of the action, where Hama Street runs parallel to the shore. This is where most hostels, bars, and tour operators are based. The streets are sandy, and tricycles weave between beachfront shacks. It’s lively but can get noisy: pack earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.
A quieter strip south of the town centre, with a mix of hostels, guesthouses, and rooftop bars. The beach here is narrower, but the sunsets are just as good. It’s a 20-minute walk from Hama Street or a 100 PHP (£1.50) tricycle ride. Less party, more chill.
A 15-minute tricycle ride north of town, this area has a handful of hostels and beach bars. The sand is powdery, and the waves are gentle: great for swimming. The nightlife is low-key, with fire shows and drum circles. Outpost Beach Hostel is the main social hub here.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
Right on the sand at the southern end of Hama Street. Pukka keeps the party going with fire dancers at sunset and DJs spinning house and reggae until 03:00 on weekends. The crowd is a mix of backpackers and yacht crews. Happy hour runs from 17:00 to 19:00: two San Miguels for 120 PHP (£1.80).
A rooftop bar with views over the bay. Seda draws a slightly older crowd: think 25–35, expats, and digital nomads. Cocktails are 250 PHP (£3.70), and the mojitos are strong. Live acoustic sets start at 20:30 most nights. It’s a 10-minute walk from the town centre, so it’s quieter than the beach bars.
The social hub of El Nido’s hostel scene. The bar sits on the sand, with bean bags and hammocks for lounging. Resident DJs play everything from techno to reggae, and the crowd is mostly backpackers. Free beer pong tournaments on Thursdays. Open from 16:00 until the last person leaves.
A newer spot with a laid-back vibe. The bar hosts live music: usually acoustic covers or local bands: every night from 20:30. Cocktails are 180 PHP (£2.70), and the happy hour (17:00–19:00) offers two-for-one beers. It’s a five-minute walk from Hama Street, so it’s less rowdy than the main strip.
A no-frills bar on Las Cabanas Beach. The crowd is mostly backpackers, and the drinks are cheap: San Miguel for 60 PHP (90p) all night. Fire shows at 20:00 and 22:00, followed by impromptu drum circles. It’s a 15-minute tricycle ride from town, so it’s best to go with a group.
An Italian-owned bar with wood-fired pizzas and strong espresso martinis. The crowd is a mix of locals and travellers, and the music leans toward indie and rock. It’s small, so it fills up fast: get there before 21:00 for a seat. Cocktails are 220 PHP (£3.30).
A bamboo shack on the beach with bean bags in the sand. The music is reggae and chill-out, and the crowd is mostly backpackers. Happy hour runs from 16:00 to 18:00: cocktails for 150 PHP (£2.20). It’s a great spot to recover after a day of island-hopping.
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