Which place is cheaper, El Nido or Deqin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Deqin or El Nido?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Deqin and El Nido. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Deqin or El Nido?
Deqin
Highly influenced by Tibet, Deqin is both a county and a town located in the Hengduanshan Mountains of China's Yunnan province. Most people visit the area as a home base from which to hike into the surrounding mountains, though the temples and traditional villages also add to the allure of the area.
El Nido
El Nido is a coastal destination on the Philippine island of Palawan. It consists of about 45 islands and islets all with beautiful beachfront scenery and plenty of opportunities for experiencing nature above and below the water. Some of the island's best features include limestone karst cliffs, coral reefs, lagoons, coves, and waterfalls.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
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Deqin Prices
China PricesEl Nido Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDeqin $76El Nido $47
The average daily cost (per person) in Deqin is $76, while the average daily cost in El Nido is $47. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Deqin and El Nido in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDeqin $36El Nido $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDeqin $72El Nido $28
Compare Hotels in Deqin and El Nido
Looking for a hotel in Deqin or El Nido? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: El Nido Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Deqin $18El Nido $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido
Also for El Nido, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- El Nido Big Lagoon and Tropical Island Private Tour with Transfer: $179
- El Nido Tour C with Lunch and Transfers: $44
- El Nido Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $44
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $12
- Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF: $55
- Island Hopping Tour B Snake Island with transfer: $40
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $36
- To Puerto Princesa 1-Way Shared Van Transfer: $15
- Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $170
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Deqin or El Nido?
Prices for flights to both El Nido and Deqin change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayDeqin $28El Nido $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Nido
For El Nido, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- El Nido, Sibaltan: Family Dinner, Bonfire and Karaoke: $15
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Deqin $13El Nido $5.34
Tours and Activities in El Nido
For El Nido, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH: $22
- Tour A (Big & Secret Lagoon, Shimizu, 7 Commando): $22
- El Nido Island Tour A: $22
- Tour D with Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach & More: $22
- El Nido Island Tour D: $22
- Big Lagoon Kayaking & Island Adventure: $23
- Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches: $23
- Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D: $24
- Tour B with Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and More: $24
- El Nido Island Tour B: $25
- Shared El Nido Tour A: $25
- El Nido:Private Tour D with Highlights Small & Cadlao Lagoon: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDeqin $11El Nido $8.31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Deqin and El Nido, we can see that Deqin is more expensive. And not only is El Nido much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to El Nido would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in El Nido and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Deqin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Deqin than you might in El Nido.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Deqin Expensive? and Is El Nido Expensive?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.