El Nido is a dream destination to many and is always been on top of my bucket list. With its exquisite towering limestones, rich marine life, white sand beaches, & friendly locals. One can definitely call it a paradise on earth. No wonder why Palawan has been named as the best island in the world by Conde Nast for two consecutive years (2014 & 2015).
Many people think that visiting el nido will cost an arm and a leg, but it wasn’t true at all. This paradise is a backpackers’ haven. Accommodations and foods are surprisingly cheap.
Getting There
Philippine Airline, Cebu Pacific & AirAsia has multiple daily flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa. And from the airport, you need to travel 5-6 hours to El Nido.
Via Shuttle van: This is a great option if you want to have a comfortable ride from Puerto princesa to El nido and they are easily located outside the airport. Travel time normally takes 5 hours. (As of March 2018, Fare is Php500)
Via Bus: If you want to get a taste on how the locals travel then this might be the best option for you. From the airport, you can just ride a multicab for Php15.00 or rent a tricycle for Php100.00 to San Jose Public Bus Terminal. Please note that these public buses are picking up passengers along the way so it may take 5-6 hours. (As of October 2016, Fare is Php300 for non air-conditioned and Php400 for Air-conditioned buses.)
Island Transvoyager Inc (ITI) & AirSwift has a direct flight from Manila to El Nido. This is definitely the best option for those who wants to avoid the hassle of travelling from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and with deep pockets.
Where to Stay
There are plenty of accommodations in El Nido from budget hostel to high end resorts. Corong-Corong beach is a great option if you want a more serene and a quiet place to stay. However I prefer staying in El Nido town because of its accessibilities to tour agencies, souvenir shops, cheap hostels and they also houses some of the best restaurants in El Nido.
Ogie's Beach Pension & Resto Bar: This is one of the cheapest beachfront accommodation in town. I stayed in one of their single fan room for Php350/night last 2014. They have an amazing view of the Bacuit bay on their balcony.
*As of March 2018 Rates starts at 1000/night for fan cooled room -1500/air-conditioned room. You may also contact them here +639178638482
Islazzavor Inn: I stayed here last November 2015 in one of their Single fan room for only Php400/night with free breakfast (Beat that!). It’s easily located right next to Art Café Restaurant. The staff are all friendly and is very attentive whenever I need help or have questions.
Hakuna Matata: This is another budget friendly hostel in town and just beside the Art Cafe restaurant too. The owner is very nice and accommodating. They will attend to you and make sure that you are comfortable on your stay. And they have free unlimited coffee downstairs!
*Room starts from 700-1500
Things To Do
El Nido has plenty of activities to offer. There’s island hopping, kayaking, diving, caving, snorkeling, trekking and many more. You can definitely maximize your stay here with these activities without breaking the bank since prices are mandated and being monitored by the local tourism.
Island hopping is the most recommended and popular activity while in el nido. It is divided into four, namely Tour A, B, C & D. Each tour will take you to different magical and majestic islands of el nido. So whatever tour you choose, you’ll go home smiling and will ask for more.
*These are the standard prices mandated by the local tourism.
*Lunch & snorkeling gears are also included.
*For Matinloc Shrine: They now ask for 100 entrance fee, so please bring an extra cash when you take Tour C.
Taraw Cliff Climbing is a 3 hour trek and the most challenging activity in El nido. But once you've reached the top, you will be greeted with a magnificent view of Bacuit bay & El nido town. A must try, indeed.
*Guide fee is Php500
Zipline at Corong-corong beach is another exciting thing to do in el nido. I would suggest doing it on late afternoon and enjoy the breathtaking view of the sunset and the nearby islands. You may also read my guide here for corong-corong.
*Rate is Php500/ride
Nacpan Beach Is an hour drive from El Nido town. It has a long stretch of white sand beach that is a perfect for relaxation while you read your favorite book or drink your fresh fruit shake. I was a bit disappointed when we returned last March 2018 because you can no longer go to a viewing deck to see the beautiful Nacpan-Calitang twin beach. You may also read my guide here for Nacpan beach.
Below are some of the pictures from my El Nido adventure.
Island Hopping Tour A
Big Lagoon: Your visit to El Nido won't be complete without visiting the Big Lagoon. Post card-perfect pictures are my only souvenirs but the opportunity and feelings of just being able to see this place is somethng I will never forget for the rest of my life.
Simizu Island: This is where our friendly boatmen prepared our foods for lunch. While we wait for them, I had a nice time exploring the island saw some nice rock formations and it is a good spot for snorkeling too.
Miniloc is not part of our tour, however due to strong current and we couldn't get in to secret beach, our friendly boatmen decided to go here for snorkeling and it didn't disappoint me. Miniloc has a colorful corals and fishes too. Rock formations are stunning and the water is really calm and clear.
7 Commando Beach is our last stop for tour A. I spent my time here drinking a hot coffee because it was raining when we got here. I also enjoy watching locals and tourists playing volleyball. I also like the sand here, it's so fine and soft, really nice to the feet.
Island Hopping Tour B
Snake Island: Afraid? no worries, there's no snake here. It is called Snake island because of its amazing sandbar that connects the two islands. It's a perfect place to take photos & if you were lucky you can see a big monkey along the way.
Pinagbuyutan Island: Excellent romantic beach, with very good coral on both ends. The sand is so fine, soft and white that it is gorgeous. We had the beach pretty much to ourselves for an hour and spent the time swimming and trying to build sandcastle!
Entalula Island: This is our last stop for Tour B. I am amazed on how pure and soft the sand here. I spent most of my time writing my name in the sand and lay on it. Unfortunately, you can only explore the small portion of this island because it is privately owned by El Nido Miniloc Resort.
Cudugnon Cave: This is part of tour B, where you need crawl through a small hole to enter the main cavern. It is an important archeological site for evidences of Neolithic burials. I really enjoyed swimming on its turquoise water while we wait for our boatmen to prepare our lunch.
Island Hopping Tour C
Hidden Beach: This place is just absolutely gorgeous! Natural beauty at its best. The water is amazing and formations of the limestone which hides the beach from the seas. Good opportunity for some good Instagram shots and a cool down in the water.
Matinloc Island: Is a stunning place to visit. Beautiful clear blue waters and great views from the viewing area at the top of the rocks. There is an old Catholic Shrine dedicated to "Our Lady of Matinloc" which is really interesting in such an isolated and beautiful setting.
This island looks like the shape of a helicopter, thus the island is also known as Helicopter Island. The views are stunning, as is usual in El Nido. At one end of the beach rose a terrifyingly high and near-vertical cliff. At the base of this cliff lay the best snorkeling spots. And, of course, just floating around and soaking in the beach-side vibe is more than enough to cure any stress.
Corong-Corong Beach
Nacpan Beach
Below is my sample itinerary for my 5 days & 4 nights stay in El nido
Day 01
08:20 - 09:20 Fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa
10:00 - 15:30 Travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido
15:30 - 18:00 Check-in at Og's and rest
18:00 - 19:00 Dinner
19:00 - 22:00 Free Time / Lights off
Day 02
06:00 - 06:45 Breakfast
06:45 - 08:00 Prepare for island hopping (Tour A)
08:00 - 08:20 Register and pay Php200 for Environmental fee (valid for 10 days)
08:20 - 09:00 Waiting for the boat and other guest
09:00 - 16:30 Visit all the island except for secret beach due to strong current
16:30 - 18:30 Freshen up and rest
18:30 - 19:30 Dinner by the beach at Og's restaurant
19:30 - 22:30 Free Time / Lights Off
Day 03
06:30 - 07:30 Breakfast
07:30 - 09:00 Prepare for island hopping (Tour C)
09:00 - 17:00 Since the weather was good, we were able to visit all the spot and I love the Matinloc Shrine ♥
17:00 - 19:00 Freshen up and rest
19:00 - 20:00 Dinner at Art Cafe (Finally tried their famous Pizza)
20:00 - 23:00 Free Time / Lights Off
Day 04
07:30 - 08:30 Breakfast
08:30 - 09:00 Rent a motorbike
09:00 - 10:45 Travel to Nacpan Beach
10:45 - 11:30 Freshen up and drink Buko Juice
11:30 - 12:30 Lunch (Freshly cooked seafood)
12:30 - 14:00 Picture/swimming
14:00 - 14:30 Trek to a small hill and take pictures of the twin beach
14:30 - 16:00 Travel back to El Nido Town
16:00 - 16:15 Go to Corong-Corong
16:15 - 17:45 Drink some fresh fruit shake while watching sunset
17:45 - 18:00 Travel back to El Nido Town and return the motorbike
18:00 - 20:00 Freshen up and Rest
20:00 - 21:00 Dinner by the beach (I forgot the name of the restaurant though)
21:00 - 23:00 Free Time / Lights Off
Day 05
07:00 - 08:00 Breakfast
08:00 - 09:00 Pack my things and buy some souvenirs
09:00 - 09:30 Wait for the shuttle van
09:30 - 15:00 Travel from El Nido to Puerto Princesa
15:00 - 15:10 Check-in
15:10 - 16:00 Early Dinner
16:00 - 18:10 Delayed Flight/Free Time (Original flight is 17:30)
Important Reminders:
*There is a Php200 environmental fee valid for 10 days.
*As of March 2018, There's only 2 available ATMs in town (BPI & RCBC), so it is advisable to bring enough cash with you before you travel to El nido.
*Make sure to book the latest flight (Preferably 16:00PM onwards) on your return date, Since it takes 5-6 hours from El nido to Puerto Princesa.
*You can now go to Coron from El Nido and vice versa via Fast craft thru Montenegro shipping lines.
Having to work five times a week, sometimes you really need to be away from everything and have a breather. I couldn't imagine a more perfect destination than El Nido. It was my first time to travel alone as well.
