As June arrives, El Nido enters the rainy low season. Some local shops temporarily close or take a break now. The busy streets become quiet and peaceful. But do not think El Nido gets boring. Right now in 2026, exciting new places are opening up. These high-quality spots will redefine your island holiday. Leading the way is the new CALIMA restaurant at Piece Lio, which just opened this June.
What is low season in El Nido?
The peak season runs from November to May. It is sunny but packed with tourists and boats.
The low season from June to October is driven by the southwest monsoon. You might see quick afternoon showers. The rain clears fast and leaves a bright sky. You can often capture amazing sunsets during this time. Visiting now comes with two massive perks.
Enjoying World-Class Views with Fewer Crowds
During peak months, the Big Lagoon is packed. Now, the crowds are gone. You can kayak quietly between the massive limestone cliffs. It feels like you own the beautiful blue ocean and green lagoon.
Huge Discounts on Rooms and Tours
Top boutique hotels offer crazy seasonal deals now. Room prices can drop by up to 40%. With the same budget, you can get luxury stays. You can upgrade from basic hotels to luxury resorts.
However, smart travelers should also know what to expect. Low season weather can be unpredictable.
July to September are usually the wettest months. You might face rough seas or storms. The coastguard will cancel boat tours if the waves get too big. Tour C is often the first to get cancelled.
Seasonal rates, tours, and schedules may vary by season and weather conditions.
To have a great trip, keep these two local tips in mind:
- Keep your schedule flexible: Do not book your international flight on the same day you travel by road or boat. Always leave a 24–48 hour buffer. This protects you from weather delays.
- Have a rainy day plan: If the weather keeps you from heading out to sea, do not worry. You can explore land options instead. The three newly opened shops in town are perfect for rainy days.
You can visit these three newly opened shops. You can head to GYM LANG to work up a sweat in their strong air conditioning. You can also visit Kaliza to browse beautiful lifestyle items surrounded by nice scents. For dinner, make a reservation at CALIMA inside the forest. You can enjoy premium Spanish-Asian fusion food while listening to the rain outside. With these three great indoor spots, you can still have a perfect day even on a rainy day!
New Vibe in Town: GYM LANG and Kaliza Boutique
You will notice cool new shops in Town Proper lately. Besides Rituals Fitness Gym, a new gym called GYM LANG opened on June 22, 2026. Island gyms often have rusty gear and stuffy air. GYM LANG fixes this with strong central air conditioning. It has a high-ceiling industrial design with modern imported equipment. Digital nomads and fitness fans can enjoy a great workout.
- Opening hours: Monday–Saturday, 06:30 AM–09:00 PM
- Location: Amboy St, El Nido, 5313 Palawan
- Instagram: @gymlang.ph
A stylish new lifestyle gift shop named Kaliza also opened. Forget the cheap plastic souvenirs from the past. Kaliza uses beautiful wood and rattan plants inside. You will love the soothing aroma and cool air. Here you can DIY your own custom bracelets and necklaces, and you’ll also find a wide variety of bags, sunglasses, and clothing. It is perfect for a casual afternoon shopping trip in flip-flops.
- Location: Buena Suerte Pob, El Nido, Palawan
Big News: CALIMA Restaurant Opens on June 23, 2026!
Food lovers are talking about a major restaurant opening. A top creative restaurant called CALIMA restaurant opened on June 23, 2026. It is located in the beautiful Piece Lio Hotel at Lio area. The drive takes about 15–20 minutes from town. It sits inside a lush green forest. You can eat while listening to birds and rustling trees. The vibe is private, elegant, and immersed in nature.
Location: Piece Lio, Lio, El Nido, Palawan
CALIMA Restaurant Food and Prices
CALIMA serves amazing Spanish-Asian fusion food. The chef mixes European styles with fresh local ingredients. They offer unique paella and creative tapas plates. This is a high-end dining experience. Tapas cost around PHP 280 to 790. Main dishes run from PHP 950 to 3,850. The food quality and tropical cocktails are top-notch. Let us look at the best items on the menu. The chef brings Spanish soul to Asian dishes perfectly.
Prices are in PHP and may change without notice.
CALIMA Restaurant: Tapas Starters
- STEAK TARTARE(PHP 750): The beef tartare uses premium fresh chopped beef. It features a rich raw egg yolk in the middle. Mix it together and eat it with crispy homemade potato chips. The flavor layers are truly high-end.
- TORTILLA DE PATATAS CON CALABACÍN Y PAN CON TOMATE(PHP 680): The Spanish tortilla and tomato bread combo is excellent. The thick omelet has sliced potatoes and soft eggs. The toasted bread comes with fresh tomato puree and olive oil. It is simple but completely addictive.
- ADOBO CROQUETTES(PHP 550): The crispy golden croquetas feature a savory Filipino adobo filling. They are topped with delicious garlic aioli sauce. You get 5 pieces per plate. It is the perfect snack with cold drinks.
CALIMA Restaurant Main Dishes: Fish and Paella Series
- ZARZUELA DE BACALAO Y GAMBAS(PHP 1,650): This unique stew is rich and full of flavor. It features a hearty mix of cod, shrimp, and potatoes. A soft poached egg sits right in the middle. The rich Mediterranean broth brings a wonderful taste. Mix the egg yolk into the hot soup for a truly delicious bite.
- ARROZ NEGRO CON PULPO Y BACALAO(PHP 1,700): The seafood paella is rich and full of flavor. The rice uses black squid ink sauce. It comes topped with lots of fish chunks and octopus. Remember to wipe your mouth after eating this black rice.
- ARROZ DE PLUMA IBÉRICA, FOIE Y SETAS(PHP 2,600): The Iberico pork and mushroom paella is a must-order. The rice absorbs the rich mushroom broth perfectly. It features a crispy bottom layer of rice. The crispy pork chunks on top taste incredible. I love this dish and highly recommend it.
CALIMA Restaurant: Three Desserts
- COCO LOCO(PHP 580): The tropical berry cream foam brings true happiness. It features fresh strawberries and blueberries under fluffy cream. Toasted coconut flakes add a nice tropical taste. It is lighter than ice cream and perfect for the night.
- CHOCOLATE GARDEN(PHP 580): The passion fruit chocolate mousse blends flavors perfectly. Silky chocolate mousse meets tangy fresh passion fruit. It comes with smooth white and dark chocolate sauces. This is the most unique dessert on the menu.
- TARTA DE QUESO MANCHEGO(PHP 680): The signature cheesecake is rich and creamy. It has a beautiful burnt top surface. The chef adds sweet berry jam on top. Crunchy nuts and cookie crumbs make it even better.
Extension Stay: Piece Lio
Beyond the amazing food, CALIMA is open from 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM daily. They offer a great drink menu with fine wines, craft beers, and creative cocktails. The cozy forest atmosphere makes it the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing dinner. After a great meal and drinks, you might not want to travel back to town. The best idea is to stay right here at Piece Lio, the luxury eco-boutique resort hidden right next to the restaurant.
This exclusive resort is your dream choice if you want a secluded getaway with complete privacy. The rooms feature premium amenities like a luxury kitchenette, and the bathrooms even have high-tech Japanese toilets. Surprisingly, some ground-floor garden rooms even include private in-room sauna pods! It is the ultimate way to relax and sweat out your fatigue on a rainy low-season day.
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CALIMA Restaurant FAQ
Yes. CALIMA is located inside Piece Lio resort but is open to everyone. You do not need to stay there to enjoy the food.
The restaurant has only 25–30 seats to ensure privacy.
We strongly recommend booking in advance. Seats are limited and the new restaurant is very popular. Please contact Piece Lio directly.
Exclusive Deal via El Nido Insights
Want to be among the first to experience Piece Lio and CALIMA? Bookings are completely open now. Our readers get a special deal. Book directly through El Nido Insights for the lowest rates. You will not find these exclusive discounts on Booking or Agoda. Treat yourself to a luxury forest getaway this low season.
Piece Lio
Exclusive 10% off for El Nido Insights readers. The lowest rate online, reserved just for you.
* Discount code applies only when booking directly on the hotel’s website.
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