Most El Nido souvenir stalls sell the same printed sarongs, bottle openers and “I ♥ El Nido” shirts. Look a little harder, though, and you’ll find objects that carry real skill: tightly woven mats, sturdy rattan baskets, carved wooden birds and bags made from grasses that grow in the island’s own wetlands. These are the pieces that still look good on your shelf ten years later — and that put money in the hands of Palawan makers rather than distant factories.
This guide focuses on traditional and handmade crafts specifically for travelers who want an authentic, ethical souvenir from El Nido rather than mass-produced trinkets. If you just need a quick overview of shopping, start with our El Nido souvenir shopping guide. Below we list nine craft types to look for, how to tell handmade from imported, fair prices, and what not to buy.
- Why Handicrafts Are Worth Seeking Out in El Nido
- 9 Palawan Handicrafts to Look For
- Price Guide and Where to Buy
- How to Tell Handmade from Mass-Produced
- What Not to Buy (and Customs Considerations)
- Packing and Caring for Your Crafts
- Meeting the Makers: Responsible Craft Shopping Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Handicrafts Are Worth Seeking Out in El Nido
Palawan has a long weaving and carving tradition shaped by its forests, mangroves and Indigenous communities, including the Tagbanua, Pala’wan and Batak peoples. Natural fibers such as pandan, buri palm, rattan, bamboo and various sea grasses have been used for generations to make mats, containers and fishing gear. In tourist hubs like El Nido, these traditions now coexist with cheap imported copies, so a little knowledge goes a long way.
Buying a genuine handicraft has three benefits: you get a better-made object, more of the price stays in the province, and you help keep a skill commercially viable for the next generation. The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) runs programs supporting regional craft producers and “One Town, One Product” initiatives, which is why you’ll sometimes see DTI-supported labels on products from Palawan.
9 Palawan Handicrafts to Look For
Here are the craft categories most worth your time in El Nido town, at Puerto Princesa on your way in or out, and occasionally at resort gift shops.
1. Banig (woven sleeping mats)
The banig is the classic Filipino woven mat, traditionally used for sleeping and sitting. Palawan versions are typically made from pandan or buri leaves, sometimes dyed in bold geometric patterns. Smaller banig placemats and table runners are easy to pack.
2. Rattan and nito baskets
Rattan baskets are strong, light and practical — great as laundry baskets, planters or beach bags. Finer pieces may include nito, a dark, glossy vine fern that makes for very elegant patterns. Nito work takes longer and costs more.
3. Sea-grass and tikog bags
Woven bags and pouches made from sea grasses or tikog reed are popular with travelers. Look for even tension in the weave and reinforced handles; cheap versions unravel at the corners within weeks.
4. Tagbanua-style wood carvings
The Tagbanua are known for wooden carvings, especially stylized birds and animals traditionally linked to rituals and storytelling. Many pieces sold today are made for the souvenir market, which is fine, but ask the seller who carved it and where. Background on the community is in our Tagbanua culture guide and on Wikipedia’s Tagbanwa entry.
5. Bamboo kitchenware
Bamboo spoons, rice paddles, coasters and serving trays are cheap, light and useful. Choose pieces that are smoothly sanded with no cracks along the grain.
6. Woven hats (salakot-style and sun hats)
Wide-brimmed woven hats are practical on island hopping trips and make a nice souvenir. Traditional salakot are conical; the sun hats sold on the beach are usually simpler but still handwoven.
7. Palawan pearl jewelry
Palawan is associated with South Sea pearl farming, and pearl jewelry is sold widely. Quality and authenticity vary enormously — read our real vs fake pearls guide before spending more than a few hundred pesos.
8. Handmade soaps and coconut products
Small producers make virgin coconut oil soaps, balms and scrubs. They are a good lightweight gift and are often sold in eco-shops in town.
9. Upcycled and community-made items
Some social enterprises and cooperatives turn fishing nets, sacks or scrap fabric into bags and wallets. Ask shops whether they work with local cooperatives — those that do are usually happy to explain.
Price Guide and Where to Buy
Prices in El Nido are higher than in Puerto Princesa or Manila because of transport and tourist demand. The ranges below are typical starting points for decent-quality items in 2026; luxury boutiques will charge more.
| Item | Typical El Nido price (PHP) | Best place to look | Pack-friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small banig placemat set | 250–600 | Town souvenir shops, market | Yes (rolls flat) |
| Full-size banig mat | 800–2,500 | Puerto Princesa markets | Bulky but light |
| Rattan basket (medium) | 400–1,200 | Town shops, roadside stalls | Awkward; nest inside luggage |
| Sea-grass bag | 300–900 | Beachfront stalls, Calle Hama | Yes |
| Carved wooden bird | 300–1,500+ | Craft shops, Puerto Princesa | Wrap in clothing |
| Bamboo utensils set | 150–400 | Market, eco-shops | Yes |
Light bargaining is normal at stalls but not in fixed-price shops; our haggling guide explains how far to push without being rude. If you’re flying out of Puerto Princesa, its city markets and heritage-focused shops often have a wider selection at lower prices than El Nido.
How to Tell Handmade from Mass-Produced
- Look for small irregularities. Hand weaving has slight variations in strand width and color. Perfect uniformity often means machine-made or imported.
- Check the back and edges. Handmade baskets and mats have tucked, finished edges. Cheap copies use glue or staples.
- Smell and touch. Natural fibers have a grassy smell; plastic “rattan” feels cold and smooth.
- Identical stock everywhere. If ten stalls sell exactly the same item in exactly the same colors, it probably comes from a wholesaler.
- Ask questions. “Who made this?” and “Where is it from?” are normal questions. Sellers of genuine local work usually know the answer and are proud to share it.
What Not to Buy (and Customs Considerations)
Some souvenirs cause real environmental harm or can get you into trouble at the airport:
- Shells, coral and turtle products. Collecting and trading many marine products is restricted in the Philippines. See our shells and coral souvenir rules. International trade in many species is controlled under CITES.
- Items made from protected wood or wildlife. If a carving is labeled as rare hardwood, ask about its origin; avoid anything that seems to use protected species.
- Untreated plant material. Countries like Australia and New Zealand strictly inspect woven and wooden goods. Declare them on arrival; most well-dried items pass, but some may be treated or seized.
- “Tribal” items sold out of context. Ceremonial objects are not souvenirs. If something is presented as an actual ritual artifact, don’t buy it.
Packing and Caring for Your Crafts
Woven items dislike humidity. Before packing, let them dry fully in the sun for a day, then wrap in a cotton shirt rather than plastic, which traps moisture and encourages mold. Roll banig mats loosely instead of folding them. Baskets can be nested and filled with soft clothing to keep their shape. At home, wipe natural fibers with a dry cloth and keep them away from direct heat; a light coat of coconut oil can revive dry rattan.
If you’re also bringing home food gifts, pair a small basket with a pack of Palawan cashews — a classic Filipino pasalubong combination that travels well and supports local producers twice over.
Meeting the Makers: Responsible Craft Shopping Tips
The most memorable craft purchases usually come with a story. While El Nido does not have a large formal artisan village, there are still ways to buy closer to the source and make sure your money does some good:
- Ask your hotel or guide. Locally owned guesthouses often know weavers in nearby barangays such as Corong-Corong, Villa Libertad or further north toward Nacpan. Some will arrange a visit or bring items for you to see. Always pay the maker directly where possible.
- Look for cooperative and social-enterprise tags. Products made through community cooperatives often carry a small tag naming the group or barangay. These items may cost a little more, but the price usually reflects fairer pay.
- Shop on land tours. If you book an inland day trip — see our land tours overview — ask the driver to stop at roadside stalls in rural villages, where baskets and mats are often sold by the families who make them.
- Don’t bargain too hard with makers. A rattan basket may represent a full day or more of gathering, drying and weaving. Haggling a small vendor down by 50 pesos means little to you and a lot to them.
- Buy fewer, better pieces. One well-made banig or basket that you actually use at home supports the craft more than a bag of cheap trinkets that end up in a drawer.
- Take care of packaging waste. Bring a reusable tote and decline extra plastic. El Nido has strict rules on single-use plastics, and many shops already wrap purchases in paper or banana leaves.
Finally, remember that timing matters. In the rainy months from roughly June to October, fewer tourists means some craft stalls close or reduce their stock, while in peak season (December to May) selection is better but prices are higher. If you’re in town for a festival or fiesta, keep an eye out for pop-up markets where rural producers sell directly — these are often the best opportunities to find unusual, one-off pieces at fair prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What handicrafts is Palawan known for?
Palawan is known for woven banig mats, rattan and nito baskets, sea-grass bags, bamboo kitchenware and wood carvings associated with Indigenous groups such as the Tagbanua.
Are handicrafts cheaper in Puerto Princesa than El Nido?
Usually yes. Puerto Princesa has a wider selection and lower transport costs, so if you are flying out of Puerto Princesa it is often a better place for larger items like full-size mats.
Can I bring woven baskets home through customs?
Most well-dried woven items are allowed, but countries with strict biosecurity such as Australia and New Zealand require you to declare them. Clean, dry items without soil or seeds usually pass inspection.
How can I tell if a basket is handmade?
Look for slight irregularities in the weave, neatly tucked edges without glue or staples, and a natural grassy smell. Identical stock across many stalls is a sign of mass production.
What souvenirs should I avoid in El Nido?
Avoid shells, coral, turtle products, items from protected wood or wildlife, and anything sold as an actual ceremonial artifact.
