El Nido has always had a special place in my heart. Leaning onto the plane’s window and peeking down below at the long stretch of Nacpan Beach during my flight out of it after my first visit, I felt the strong desire and certain feeling that I will come back. Indeed, I did, two years later as the waves crashed against my legs as I walked along the fine sand shore while watching a gorgeous golden sunset envelop the beach for the first time.
Known for its limestone cliffs, turquoise clear waters and pristine white sand beaches, El Nido—which literally means “The Nest” in Spanish and refers to the ones made by swiftlets found in its numerous limestone caves—has become one of the top and most-sought destinations in the Philippines due to its alluring natural landscape and irresistible tropical charm—a beauty that has become hard for me to resist that I thought it would be a good pick to show the country’s natural wonders to a friend visiting for the first time. And with our recent trip to Coron, why not head to this nearby destination next.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or curious to further explore El Nido, read on to find out the handy travel info you’ll need in discovering the must-see destinations in this part of Palawan!
Table of Contents
- How to Get to El Nido
- Best Time to Go to El Nido
- Where to Stay in El Nido
- Getting Around El Nido
- Where to Eat in El Nido
- El Nido Island Hopping Tours
- Sample 5-Day El Nido Itinerary
- Traveling Around El Nido for Six Days
- El Nido Travel Tips
How to Get to El Nido
Located at the northern tip of the main island of Palawan, there are several ways to reach El Nido, which can be accessed via land, air, or water.
If coming from Manila, one can either book a direct flight to El Nido via AirSwift or catch a bus going to Clark International Airport in the nearby province of Pampanga, which also offers relatively cheaper direct flights to the destination serviced by Cebu Pacific.
Another cheaper alternative—yet a longer travel time—is flying to Puerto Princesa International Airport and riding the 5-to-6-hour van going to El Nido Town Proper.
If coming from the nearby municipality of San Vicente or in Palawan’s capital city, Puerto Princesa, one can easily take the shared vans going to the town center.
If you’re traveling from Coron like we did in this trip, booking a ferry via Atienza Shipping Lines, Montenegro Lines or Jomalia Shipping Corporation from Coron Port is the way to reach El Nido. AirSwift also offers direct flights between these two destinations from Francisco B. Reyes Airport.
Based on experience, the best way to travel to El Nido is booking a direct flight as it will save you from the hassle of transfers and will allow you to enjoy the destination more. Nonetheless, this can also be expensive, hence, I also highly suggest booking in advance or anticipate airline promos and sales to score on cheaper tickets.
Be advised too that the vans plying to and from El Nido are not the best and most comfortable as these ones can sometimes be jampacked with other tourists and that the drivers drive faster than expected.
Book your Manila to El Nido transportation here!
Best Time to Go to El Nido
Similar to most parts of the country, El Nido is best visited during the dry months of December to May when the amount of rainfall is low and when the summer season peaks.
Nonetheless, this period also includes the busiest and hottest times of the year in the country and on the island, hence, if you can, try to avoid visiting during the peak and summer months of April and May. Another insider tip is to visit instead during the first few weeks of June, which usually experiences an extension of dry weather in recent years, and when accommodation and flight prices drop due to the summer season ending.
Where to Stay in El Nido
Compared to the other destinations in the country, El Nido has relatively steeper prices than its other local alternatives that finding a good and affordable accommodation may be a bit challenging for budget-conscious travelers. Nonetheless, for the ones on the other side of the spectrum, a handful of hotels and resorts await for people who do not mind splurging on a luxurious stay.
Regardless of whether you are on one side or sit right between the two, here are the different areas to choose from when staying in El Nido and suggested accommodation for each of them depending on your budget.
El Nido Town Proper
Dotted with a handful of inns, homestays, hostels and hotels, the heart and center of El Nido Town Proper is the best area to stay for budget and mid-range travelers looking for food and shopping within walking distance. The area is also the seat of the local government and is home to the docking ports of island hopping tours and ferries coming from the different parts of the Philippines.
- Budget: Frendz Hostel, Happiness Hostel, South Anchorage Inn
- Mid-range: Sanse Boutique Hotel, Cuna Hotel, S Resort
- High-end: The Funny Lion, H Hotel, Lihim Resorts
Corong-corong
For beachfront access with a relaxing atmosphere, Corong-corong has become a favorite escape from the hustle and bustle of the town center and the other more popular beaches in the area. The presence of a handful of dining spots that dot the place also adds to the perks of staying within its vicinity.
- Budget: Outpost Beach Hostel, Big Paul Hostel, Corong Beach Resort
- Mid-range: El Nido Mahogany Beach Resort, Lime Resort, Happiness Boutique Resort
- High-end: Frangipani, Karuna El Nido Villas, Panorama Beach Club & Resort
Las Cabañas Beach
For the best sunsets in El Nido, scenic view of Bacuit Bay’s nearby islands and idyllic tropical charm, the lodging options found within the vicinity of Las Cabañas Beach are the best spots to catch all of these. The area also boasts a handful of beachfront restaurants, bars and even the strip mall of The Shoppes at Vanilla Beach for more dining and shopping options.
- Budget: Orange Pearl Beach Resort, Lexias Hostel
- Mid-range: Las Cabanas Beach Resort, Beach Huts El Nido
- High-end: Mua Tala Hotel, Maremegmeg Beach Club
Lio Beach
For a secluded experience paired with beachfront views and close proximity to the airport, Lio Beach is home to El Nido’s top and most luxurious accommodation options that offer these. Located seven kilometers north of the town center, this area is surrounded by lush greenery and bordered by its namesake beach where guests can enjoy a few water activities. Nonetheless, the downside of the place is its limited dining options due to its secluded location.
- Mid-range: Charlie’s El Nido, Balai Adlao, Isla Amara Boutique Resort
- High-end: Seda Lio, Piece Lio, Bahay Artisano
Nacpan Beach
The longest beach in El Nido has also become a favorite area to stay for tourists in search of an idyllic tropical setting and beachfront accommodation. Located 20 kilometers north of El Nido Town Proper, this four-kilometer stretch of cream-colored sand beach boasts a laid-back and quiet atmosphere, perfect for lounging and relaxing. The area is also dotted with a handful of restaurants and bars for dining options.
- Budget: Mad Monkey Hostel, Valine Grace Beach & Cottages
- Mid-range: Nacpan Beach Resort, Eco Sanctuaries Nature Lodge, Nacpan Beach Glamping
- High-end: Angkla Beach Club & Boutique Resort, Nacpan Beach Villa
Getting Around El Nido
Getting around El Nido Town Proper is quite easy due to the center being dotted with business establishments knitted close to each other that everything is within walking distance. However, destinations beyond its vicinity are tucked quite far from it that traveling by foot is not the ideal choice.
For nearby destinations like Corong-Corong Beach and Las Cabañas Beach, the popular mode of transport is taking the tricycle that plies through the streets of the town proper. For licensed drivers who know how to operate it, renting a scooter is also an ideal choice to travel around. Shared vans are also another alternative, especially for long trips such as visiting Nacpan Beach.
Based on experience, the best mode of transport for exploring El Nido is renting a scooter, for being the most convenient and most affordable, especially if you plan to travel around a lot. Rental starts at ₱500 per day and varies depending on the model chosen. This also includes a one-liter gasoline to allow travelers to load up the vehicle to the nearest gas station.
During our trip, we loaded our rented scooter’s tank for ₱200 which lasted for two whole days for us. Interestingly too, my friend wasn’t required to present his license before using the scooter, which was opposite of how rentals are implemented in the tourist-favorite Siargao.
Where to Eat in El Nido
Upon stepping into the town proper, one wouldn’t have a hard time looking for a place to sit down and chow on grubs after a long day of island hopping or travel to El Nido. In fact, the place is dotted by side-by-side restaurants, cafés and bars that it may rather feel overwhelming to choose where to eat from the handful of dining options offering various cuisines.
To help you narrow down on some of the popular and best spots (based on my experience too) to try in your trip, here is a list of dining spots to visit in El Nido:
- Bella Vita – Located along Corong-corong Beach providing beachfront views while dining and offering one of the best brick-oven pizzas and Italian cuisine in El Nido.
- Midtown Bakery – Strategically-located along the bustling Rizal Street in the town proper, this humble bakery sells well-loved Filipino and Western breads for as low as ₱5. Must-try is their pan de coco which boasts a tasty coconut filling.
- Gusto Gelato – Matching the tropical weather that the place possesses, Gusto Gelato has several branches in El Nido and, as its name implies, serves tasty gelato starting at ₱120. Aside from this, the place also offers crêpes and other desserts.
- El Nido Boutique Artcafe – One of the frontrunners in the town center’s dining scene, El Nido Boutique Artcafe sits along Serena Street and boasts an overlooking view of the nearby beach in its restaurant found at the second level. Aside from Western dishes, the place also serves vegan options and has a souvenir store and, an island hopping and flight booking counter at its first level.
- Sunset at Las Cabañas – The best spot to catch sunset in El Nido offering Mexican cuisine and a variety of selections of alcohol.
- Angkla Beach Club – One of the most luxurious resorts in Nacpan Beach, Angkla Beach Club also houses its own restaurant serving Western cuisine for dining customers while offering beachfront views. Visitors who also availed of their day access have a ₱1,000-peso consumable in the place. Must-try on their menu is their beef burger which boasts a thick and tasty patty and soft and crusty buns.
- Angel Wish – A local-recommended dining spot located along Serena Street, serving fresh seafood dishes and a mesmerizing window view of the nearby El Nido Beach.
El Nido Island Hopping Tours
A trip to El Nido wouldn’t be complete without visiting some of its famed islands, which can be reached by availing of island hopping tours.
Similar to its neighboring destination, Coron, off-coast sightseeing in El Nido is also divided into several tours which feature a mix of popular and unpopular destinations found within the region. For the specific spots covered in each tour, here is an enumerated list of places included:
- Tour A: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Payong-payong Beach/South of Miniloc, Shimizu Island, Seven Commando Beach
- Tour B: Entalula Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Snake Island, Papaya Beach/Pinagbuyutan Island
- Tour C: Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine (organizer-dependent), Helicopter Island, Talisay Beach/Star Beach
- Tour D: Cadlao Lagoon, Pasandigan Cove, Paradise Beach, Nat Nat Beach, Bucal Island/Small Lagoon/Ipil Beach/Serenity Beach
Specific inclusions and tour price rates vary per organizer but typical packages usually include the boat rental and its crew, an accredited tour guide, use of life vest, and set lunch and refreshments.
Minimal differences are also noticeable in the minor destinations included in the packages offered by organizers as an alternative to the popular ones, if it is crowded during the day of the visit.
Rental of kayak, snorkeling masks, fins and aqua shoes, admission to Big Lagoon (₱200) and Small Lagoon (₱200) and the mandatory Eco-Tourism Development Fee (₱400) are not included in the package rates and are paid separately.
It is also important to note to only book through accredited tour organizers whose official list can be found in El Nido Tourism‘s Facebook page to avoid getting scammed.
Lastly, for first timers, the best tours to pick are Tour A and C, which cover the place’s must-see and famous tourist spots, which I also did during my first travel to El Nido.
Sample 5-Day El Nido Itinerary
For a five-day stay in El Nido, here is the actual laid-back itinerary we had coming from Coron and in visiting Las Cabañas, Nacpan and Duli Beach and the different destinations under Tour A.
Traveling Around El Nido for Six Days
Arrival in El Nido & Unexpected Clinic Visit
Our El Nido adventure started when our ferry departed from Coron Port at past 6AM, which we booked the day before on Klook under Montenegro Lines for ₱2,800 per person. For the next four hours, we found ourselves sitting and lying down in the seats of the air-conditioned cabin of the ferry, which also wasn’t full at the time, and where we tried to catch some sleep after waking up and checking out very early from our Coron accommodation.
The remaining hours of travel felt quick as I slept through it until I was awakened by the slowing motion of the ferry and found out that we had finally reached El Nido Port as I recognized its limestone cliffs as I took a look in the window. Not long after this, we were picking our luggage from one of the handlers and walking out of the port and into El Nido town once again, which felt like déjà vu.
I was certainly happy to be back and to see again the familiar scenery of El Nido Town Proper, which took me quite a little time to get acquainted with as we made our way to our booked accommodation. The town has certainly not changed much since my last visit, although it has grown busier, livelier and more commercialized with the handful of tourists walking on its streets and more businesses operating when compared in 2022.
Nonetheless, I needed to cut this observation short as I tended to my friend who got food poisoned the night before and we needed to stop by a pharmacy to control his symptoms before proceeding to our accommodation where we were able to fortunately check-in early. After settling in and ensuring that he was stable, I grabbed brunch at the nearby Abuela Maria Café to cure my grumbling stomach.
If there was one thing that I was unprepared for this trip, it was certainly treating food poisoning. Already a bit worried for the worsening condition of my friend after returning, I decided that I needed help from a medical professional to prevent the scenario from getting worse.
We first dropped by at the nearby El Nido Health Center at Lisang Street, which was unfortunately not accepting patients at the time when we arrived due to the lack of a doctor working on weekends. The personnel assigned that day referred us to RW Melendres Medical Clinic at Real Street instead to try next, which, fortunately, accommodated us and examined my friend who turned out to be positive for food poisoning from something he ate last time in Coron. Apparently, the doctor’s suggestion of resting and taking the prescribed medicines required us to postpone our itinerary for the next days and wait for his condition to get better.
Nonetheless, this idle time in our first day in El Nido still allowed me to explore the town center a little bit more when I dropped by El Nido Beach late in the afternoon to catch the sunset and when I grabbed dinner at Not So Thai to fulfill my Thai food craving at that time.
Revisiting Las Cabañas Beach
Our actual stay in El Nido lasted for six days, but since our second day in the place was mostly spent in our accommodation to let my friend fully rest and regain energy, this post’s itinerary was cut down into five days instead. Nonetheless, we were still able to visit one major spot on this day at the latter part of the afternoon when we visited Las Cabañas Beach.
Before visiting this must-see spot, my friend, who was feeling a bit better on this day, and I dropped by at Ashoka Authentic Indian Cuisine, where we grabbed late lunch and to fulfill my Indian food craving at that time. We also briefly explored the main center of the town and bought a few souvenirs before heading back to our accommodation.
At the latter part of the day and after taking a rest, we then decided to visit Las Cabañas Beach to catch its iconic sunset by hailing a tricycle going to the place for ₱200.
Similar to my observation of the town center, the place didn’t change that much with its well-known powdery white sand beach, views of Bacuit Bay’s neighboring islands, and tall towering coconut trees welcoming us as we arrived at the place. The larger number of tourists present in the area was also noticeable when compared to my first visit.
To catch the best spot to watch the sunset, we walked towards the corner end of the beach before turning left and sitting down on a spot facing the scenery where we watched the sun set, sealing our very relaxed second day in El Nido.
Re-experiencing Tour A
After a day and a half of resting and taking it slow and with the improved condition of my friend at that time, our trip proper finally commenced with our third day in El Nido being allotted to discovering some of the place’s famous spots included in the so-called Tour A which we booked a day before via Klook under Avene Travel Services for ₱1200 per person.
Similar to our experience in Coron and in my first visit to the place, the tour started with a complimentary pick-up from our accommodation, though unlike in the previous ones, this didn’t include any vehicle and we were just fetched by a man who had our names looking for us.
We were then guided to a beachfront grill restaurant near the docking port where we waited for our group to be called and where we paid the mandatory Eco-Tourism Development Fee and Big Lagoon Fee before proceeding to our assigned boat awaiting for us at the shore. After everyone has settled in and with the guide’s usual pre-departure orientation and rental offering, the tour commenced with Seven Commando Beach as our first stop.
One of my personal favorites under Tour A due to its irresistible Moana-like tropical charm, I was a bit stoked to see Seven Commando Beach under the morning sun because the last time that I visited it, I wasn’t able to really appreciate and explore it much due to the scorching afternoon heat. Hence, after getting off the boat, the first thing that I did was to jump into its cool turquoise waters.
Although the place hasn’t changed much since my last visit, my recent experience became less appealing and serene to me due to the larger number of tourists present at that time on the beach compared to my first visit in 2022. In addition, the place’s water at that time appeared to be slightly cloudy, which is in contrast with my usual experience in Palawan waters. On top of this, the strong current during our visit also made swimming a bit difficult to do. Hence, after getting tired from the latter activity, we just spent the remaining minutes of our stay lounging under one of the handful of coconut trees on the beach.
It was on our next stop when I realized the importance of booking with good organizers to also have a good experience during one’s trip.
Upon arriving at Big Lagoon, we were guided to transfer to our corresponding kayaks which cost ₱300 to explore the place’s surrounding lush limestone cliffs and clear turquoise waters. However, unlike with my experience with another organizer, Discover El Nido, before, our guides didn’t gather us to pass through the small passage in between the two cliffs that opens up to the other side of the lagoon. Although this spot wasn’t particularly remarkable, I think the experience of being sandwiched between the two cliffs would have been good for first-timers. Instead, we just explored the lagoon on our own and stopped at its shallow area to take photo ops and to seal our visit to the place.
Our experience in Shimizu Island, which was our next stop, was another deviation from my first experience. Allegedly named after the Japanese who got stranded on the island before, the place is known to be a lunch stop for island hopping tours which also boasts a small white sand beach with gigantic limestone cliffs towering over it.
Unlike in my first visit, we were welcomed by a less crowded beach upon arrival that allowed us to dock at the island and eat the set lunch prepared for us by the shore. There’s also a vendor staying at the place selling soda and cold desserts to tourists in the area. Coincidentally, we were also able to encounter two monitor lizards on the island during our short stay.
Our next destination was another surprise for me because of the different experience I recently had in it when compared to my first visit.
A spot which I formerly described as lackluster due to the bad state of its coral reef, I was surprised and happy to find out in my second visit that there is a part of South Miniloc which boasts rich marine life with the handful of fish we were able to see in the area where our boat docked. This number grew when our guides started throwing breadcrumbs into the sea, while we were snorkeling, which prompted the fish to gather near us. Nonetheless, it is also worth mentioning that the surface wasn’t particularly clean with the presence of floating seaweeds and a few trash from tourists floating on its clear turquoise waters.
If there is one place that I wasn’t thrilled to revisit in Tour A, it would be our next and last destination for the day, which was Secret Lagoon.
A spot that is a bit tricky to visit, tourists are required to pass through a small hole in the cliff that opens up to the other side of the lagoon, hence its name. Aside from the narrow space that one should pass through, visitors also need to queue up in line to get in and out of the place, while battling with the strong waves that hit the cliff and while preventing their head from hitting the sharp rocks. Fortunately, in our experience, we were able to pass through this challenge successfully without any of us getting hurt.
Once stepping inside, visitors are rewarded with a (rather underwhelming) view of a lagoon filled with a waist-level murky mix of rain and seawater bordered by a towering rugged limestone cliff with a huge opening at its top.
Contrary to my first experience, our guides didn’t mention the different naturally-formed carvings found on the limestone cliffs’ walls, with one of them resembling the iconic scenery from The Last Supper which I learned from my guide in my first visit. Our group wasn’t also brought to the laid-back nearby beach of the lagoon, which was another personal favorite and which added to my dissatisfaction of the day’s tour. Instead, we were redirected to return to our boat which also signaled the end of the tour for us.
After returning to our boat, we found ourselves back in El Nido Town Proper again at around 4:30PM. Since we still had ample energy to explore the place, especially for my friend who wasn’t able to see it in the previous days, we decided to explore the area by foot and ended up buying a few souvenirs and a scoop of gelato at Gusto Gelato to fulfill my sweet tooth’s craving.
For dinner, I ended up having a serving of pork barbecue and rice at the beachfront grill restaurant Big Mama’s where we also watched the day ended before heading back to our accommodation to rest and recharge.
Visiting Nacpan Beach for the First Time
Bewitched under Coron’s beauty’s magical spell and underwhelmed with our previous day of tour, my friend and I decided to skip the other island hopping excursions of El Nido in our fourth day and discover instead the inland destinations found within the area. And what’s a better way to kick this off than by driving up north and visiting the famous Nacpan Beach.
Located 20 kilometers north of the town proper, we traveled to the place by renting a scooter offered by our accommodation late in the morning and arriving at it past noon.
Nacpan Beach is easy to reach using Google Maps and, unlike with the other beaches in the area, the road leading to it is mostly paved. Upon reaching the end of the route, visitors will be welcomed by a big open space which serves as a parking lot where scooters can be parked for ₱20, good for the whole day. Once settled, travelers will be redirected to register in the local tourism office’s visitor list before being allowed to walk towards the beach.
Upon stepping on its light brown fine sand, one will be instantly welcomed by a sight of a wide stretch of beach bordered by towering coconut trees and beachfront resorts. The relaxing sound of big waves crashing into the shore dominates the auditory experience of the place, muting the other peripheral noise that surrounds it. Unlike in the town proper, where buildings are knitted closely to each other, a refreshing sight of greenery balances the row of resorts fronting the beach, creating a calming atmosphere.
We eventually decided to stay at Angkla Beach Club for the rest of the day to take advantage of its day pass, which includes a pool access and a ₱1000 consumable in its restaurant. Beach beds are also up for rent for ₱500 for people who also want to lounge in front of its views. On top of this, the place boasts a live DJ who plays chill beats which matches the place’s modern tropical ambience. Not far from here, there are also a handful of massage services offered by the beach which start at ₱300.
At the latter part of the day, my friend and I agreed to try to walk the whole four-kilometer stretch of the beach with the sunset starting in our background. The golden glow coming from the latter gradually covered the entire place with a warm ambience, creating a dreamy tropical scene. This was paired with the continuous crashing of waves against our legs as we walked along the shore where we were also able to spot a few small marine animals hiding beneath the sand. I suppose the idea of walking near the water too prevented us from encountering any sand mite, which the place is infamous for, as we have successfully traversed most of the beach without getting bitten.
If there is one word to describe the beauty of Nacpan Beach during this time of the day, it would be magical. It is not hard to realize why the place has been highly regarded as a must-visit in El Nido because of its unmatched relaxing atmosphere and undeniable tropical beauty. Indeed, it is one of the best beaches I’ve visited in the country and certainly the cherry at the top of the cake of our whole El Nido trip.
After watching the sunset and realizing that the road we took earlier didn’t have streetlamps to guide us, we scrambled to go back to Angkla Beach Club to prepare to depart. Nonetheless, the effort and heat we experienced in going back made us parched once again, so before leaving, we ordered another glass of the place’s mango shake to refresh ourselves before finally departing. After more or less an hour, we found ourselves back to the bustling town proper where we decided to call it a day after reaching our accommodation.
Driving to Duli Beach and Catching the Sunset at Las Cabañas Beach
A spontaneous idea which wasn’t originally part of the plan and influenced by our positive experience at Nacpan Beach the day before, my friend and I decided to drive up north again in our fifth day in El Nido, this time visiting the less popular Duli Beach.
Tucked 25 kilometers away from the town proper, this brown fine sand beach is the getaway of surfers in El Nido due to its big waves and good swells perfect for the activity.
Unlike in Nacpan and Las Cabañas, Duli Beach is still uncommercialized with only a few establishments constructed out of light materials lined up along the shore and serving visitors in the area. Parking is also free for travelers arriving via scooter, and similar to Nacpan Beach the day before, registration in the tourism office’s list is also required before entering. However, since the place is still undeveloped, the road leading to it from the highway is rocky and unpaved and requires extra caution, especially when traveling with a motorbike.
Our personal experience of driving to Duli Beach turned out to be quite a challenge due to the moody weather when we traveled to it in the earlier part of the day. We needed to stop twice along the road to shelter ourselves from the pouring rain, especially when it started to get heavy. There was also a time during our trip when there was no place to stop by that we needed to continue driving under the light pouring rain. Fortunately, after all of the challenge of making our way to it, we reached Duli Beach safely past 11AM and were welcomed with a sight of an uncrowded beach.
We eventually decided to settle at Amihan Vibes Snack Bar, which boasts a laid-back and simple bar-and-dining-area setup, and where we stayed for half of the day and had our lunch. The place also offers surfing lessons and surfboard rental service, which I also wanted to try but unfortunately wasn’t able to because I forgot to bring swimwear with me during our visit. Nevertheless, this didn’t stop me from enjoying Duli Beach, which I did by chilling and lounging in the hammock found in the area.
Being our last full day in the place and to seal our trip, my friend and I decided to return to Las Cabañas Beach at the latter part of the afternoon one more time to catch our last sunset in El Nido.
Travel time from Duli Beach almost took an hour with a quick stopover at our accommodation to drop off my friend’s drone. After this, we were back on the road again and eventually at Sunset at Las Cabañas where we decided to wait for the sunset with a glass of cocktail in hand.
For our last dinner in El Nido and to satisfy our pizza cravings at that time, we headed to my personal favorite Bella Vita where we devoured servings of the place’s well-loved brick-oven pizzas while watching the day end at Corong-corong Beach.
Catching Our Flight in Puerto Princesa
After a total of nine days of stay in Coron and El Nido, I was amused to find myself missing the city life back in Manila. Hence, contrary to my previous travels, I departed from our El Nido accommodation with a feeling of satisfaction and relief rather than the longing to stay. But little did I know that the journey back to Manila was not easy as I thought it would be.
The day before our departure, we booked van reservations going to Puerto Princesa through our accommodation, which charged us ₱700 per head. The pick-up the following morning was also convenient because we were fetched at the doorstep of our hotel and were luckily the first ones to board, allowing us to select the best spot in the van. After around an hour of picking up all the passengers for the trip, our drive to Puerto Princesa commenced, which lasted for more or less five hours.
Having experienced traveling by van in the zigzag roads of Philippine mountains, I thought the trip going to Puerto Princesa would be a piece of cake for me since the road is mostly flat. However, our driver that day proved me wrong because the five-hour travel felt longer with the anxiety of reaching our destination alive due to the van’s above normal speed. It was then when I realized that the hearsay about El Nido and Puerto Princesa-bound vans traveling fast is definitely true. We were just fortunate that we were not sitting at the back of the vehicle because it was definitely the worst spot to be for a very fast drive like this.
Miraculously, we were able to reach Puerto Princesa International Airport safely at quarter to 2PM with still a few hours left before our boarding time for our flight back to Manila. But if I were given a choice, I don’t think I would want to re-experience the van travel from El Nido anytime soon.
El Nido Travel Tips
For a more convenient and pleasurable experience when traveling to El Nido, here are a few handy travel tips to remember when in the place:
- Avoid drinking tap water or iced beverages found in roadside eateries. The number one rule to remember when traveling to El Nido is that the water quality is unsafe for consumption. Always drink bottled mineral water and if unsure of the quality of ice when dining in restaurants, confirm its safety with the server. An insider tip is to also look for a hole at the center of the ice, which usually signifies that the water used in making it is safe. Other travelers also reported getting an upset stomach even after just using tap water for brushing teeth or when taking a shower. In my recent trip, I also experienced having breakouts after using the tap water for washing my face.
- Apply insect-repellent lotion as protection against sand mites. When traveling to the inland beaches of El Nido, especially at Nacpan Beach, one can ensure a layer of protection against sand mites by applying insect-repellent lotion. In my two travels to El Nido and after doing this practice, I’m happy to report that I was never bitten by any of these insects.
- If arriving in Lio Airport without a complimentary pick-up from your booked accommodation, a line of tricycles awaits outside of it that service tourists to the different areas of El Nido for a fixed rate of ₱300.
- For a classic budget-friendly siomai rice meal, there’s a food cart found near Haim Chicken Restaurant at Real Street at night which serves the dish for as low as ₱60, which is also popular among locals. The vendor also sells an a la carte serving of a cup of rice for ₱15 for those who may need it.
As a second time traveler to the place, my experience of revisiting El Nido was a mix of excitement and indifference due to having expectations from my first trip and the fact that I hadn’t explored the destination that much during my first time. After two years, the place still remains mostly unchanged, retaining its beauty that astonished me and still boasting one of the best sunsets and limestone cliffs in the Philippines.
Will I come back for the third time? Not anytime soon, for sure. But, in the meantime, I would definitely treasure all the good memories I had in this part of Palawan.
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