Philippines · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, El Nido scores 68/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — El Nido is one of the Philippines' safest tourist islands for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Philippines · Assessed 29 July 2026
68
/ 100
Safer than ~69% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago FCDO advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.”
Updated 2026-07-15T08:55:25Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Philippines: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowViolent robbery against tourists is rare; most incidents involve opportunistic theft of unattended items on beaches or boats
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing occurs mainly in crowded markets, ferry terminals and during popular island‑hopping tours; keep bags zipped and phones secured
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
84/100
Recent traveler reports describe feeling safe in the main town and resort zones, with low perceived threat of violent crime, though some express concern over occasional scams and weather‑related disruptions.
Yes — El Nido is one of the Philippines' safest tourist islands for visitors.
El Nido enjoys low violent‑crime rates and is widely regarded as a safe destination, though petty theft and occasional scams persist. Recent reports confirm a generally low risk environment for travelers who follow basic precautions.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
El Nido is widely regarded as one of the Philippines’ safest tourist islands. The composite safety index of 68 / 100 and the low violent‑crime score (70 / 100) indicate that homicide and serious assault are rare for visitors. Recent news from June 2026 confirms a violent incident involving a tour guide who was beaten and robbed after a lagoon trip, but the event was isolated and the local police responded promptly. Overall, the environment remains low‑risk for tourists who stay within the main town, organized tour zones, and reputable accommodations.
The biggest safety concerns are practical rather than criminal. Pickpocketing and petty theft can occur in crowded markets, ferry terminals, and during popular island‑hopping excursions, so keep bags zipped, use a dry bag for valuables, and avoid displaying expensive electronics. Scams targeting tourists have been documented in the past few months, notably the “Alternative Ferry” to Coron fee‑stacking and fake environmental‑fee charges at lagoons; agreeing on fares and confirming that operators are licensed will help you avoid these traps. Motorbike rentals are common but often operate without proper licensing or helmets, so inspect equipment carefully and insist on safety gear.
Weather can also affect safety. July brings high temperatures around 31 °C, strong winds, and the possibility of heavy rain or flooding, which can make boat trips hazardous. Always check sea conditions with your operator before setting out, wear a life jacket at all times on boats, and follow any weather‑related cancellations. With these precautions—securing belongings, using reputable transport, and staying aware of weather—you can enjoy El Nido’s stunning scenery with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 El Nido districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the El Nido safety map.
San Vicenteavoidremote outskirts with limited services and sporadic illegal fishing activity
Laguna de El Nidocautionquiet residential area, occasional boat‑theft reports after dark
Coron Roadcautionbusy transport corridor, higher pickpocket activity during peak tourist hours
Pangulasian Islandcautionisolated island tours can involve unregulated boat operators
Camantilescautionfishing village with occasional petty scams targeting tourists
Poblacionsafercentral hub with police presence and tourist facilities, low petty theft risk
Bacuit Baysafertourist‑focused waterfront, well‑monitored by local authorities
Maligayasafereco‑tourism zone, regular patrols and clear signage
07 · After Dark
Violent robbery against tourists is rare; most incidents involve opportunistic theft of unattended items on beaches or boats
After dark, be most careful around San Vicente, Laguna de El Nido, Coron Road, Pangulasian Island. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes — El Nido is one of the Philippines' safest tourist islands for visitors. El Nido enjoys low violent‑crime rates and is widely regarded as a safe destination, though petty theft and occasional scams persist. Recent reports confirm a generally low risk environment for travelers who follow basic precautions. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this El Nido report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Field research flags San Vicente as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
El Nido ranks #1 of 9 Philippines destinations we've assessed, scoring 68/100. See the Philippines safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
Browse the Philippines safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: el-nido.json (CC BY 4.0).
