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Home Archive for July 2016

If you are planning on an El Nido trip but have no idea how, well, here's a travel guide and itinerary that will surely help you. This guide will provide you information and instructions on how to get there, accommodations, tour packages and daily expenses. All of that within a budget of 7,000 pesos!

Big Lagoon

How to get there

El Nido is located on the northernmost part of Palawan Island. Options to get here from Manila/Cebu are via air or sea travel. There are direct flights from Manila to El Nido (via AirSWIFT) but it is expensive. Here are the options on how to get to El Nido.

From MANILA/CEBU via Puerto Princesa

Take a flight from NAIA/Cebu-Mactan Airport to Puerto Princesa International Airport.
If by BUS, ride a tricycle at the gates (fare is P8) of the airport then get off at Junction 1 then ride a multi-cab (fare P13) to San Jose Terminal .
Ride a bus going to El Nido either Cherry or Roro Bus (fare is P385 ordinary, P480 A/C, and discounted for students). Travel time is around 6 hours.
The last bus stop will be at El Nido Integraded Bus Terminal where there are tricycles that can take you to your accommodation.
You can also charter a tricycle going to San Jose Terminal for P100 (try to haggle).
First and last trip of buses from Puerto Princesa - El Nido and El Nido - Puerto Princesa is 04:00 AM and 10:00 PM.

If by VAN, ride a tricycle to either, San Jose Terminal, or Robinson's Place (where there is a transport terminal) then ride a van going to El Nido.
Travelling by van is a little faster than bus, but fare is higher P500 (P550 if they will pick you up at the airport), travel time is around 5 hours.
Earliest trip of Puerto Princesa to El Nido start at 5:30 AM and last trip is around 8:30 PM.

El Nido bound bus in San Jose Terminal

From CORON

Check ferry schedule here and book a trip from Coron to El Nido.

Travel time, in good weather is around 5-7 hours for ordinary passenger boat (fare P1400++) while fast craft operated by Montenegro Lines is around 3 and a half hour (P1700).

Northern Palawan

Where to Stay

El Nido have many accommodations that you can choose. From budget and backpacker friendly to luxurious resorts. In this guide, we'll focus on budget friendly accommodations. Here are some budget friendly accommodations located in the town proper.

El Nido Sands Inn

Rate: Fan:P600++ | A/C:P1300 | T:(048) 723-1916 | M: 0917 773-3324 / 0999 452-5843

Our Melting Pot Hostel (OMP)

Rate: Dorm: P400 | M: 0906 412-7861 | E: omphostel.elnido@gmail.com

Bunakidz Lodge

Rate: P800++ | M: 0912 405 9509

Mam Olson Pensionne House

Rate: A/C: P800++ | M: 0927 919 0722

El Nido Bay Inn

Rate: A/C: P1800++ | M: 0927 560-8535 / 0998 987-2995 | E: info@elnidoinn.com

The town of El Nido

Tour Packages

The main activity in El Nido is island hopping. Tour packages are standardized and is grouped into 5 tours, Tour A, B, C, D and E. Tours A to D are island hopping tours while Tour E is a land tour around the town. Depending on season, tour package rates vary. Tour providers usually have a standard rate for each tour, but there are some that give discounts for big groups and if you have a good haggling skills.

Tour A - Rate per person: P800 (off-peak) to P1200, destinations are: Big and Small Lagoon, Simizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commandos Beach

Tour B - Rate per person: P900 (off-peak) to P1300 destinations are: Pinagbuyutan Island, Cathedral Cave, Cudugnon Cave, Entalula Island, Snake Island

Tour C - Rate per person: P1000 (off-peak) to P1400 destinations are: Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island, Star Beach

Tour D - Rate per person: P800 (off-peak) to P1400 destinations are: Bukal Island, Ipil Beach, Nat-Nat Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach

Tour E (Land tour) - Rate per person: P1500 destinations are: Nacpan and Calitang (Twin) Beaches, Marimegmeg Beach, Nagkalit-Kalit Falls

Lagoon Tours

* Usually, a whole day is spent for each tour in El Nido, but, if you have limited time, you can combine tours as well. Tours B and D are usually combined as well as Tours A and C.
* For your E, you can just rent a motorbike (P350 to P500, not including gas) and ride to the destinations above.

Activities and Attractions

Aside from island hopping, here are some other activities you might want to do in El Nido.

Scuba Diving/Snorkeling - Witness El Nido's rich marine life. There are over 30 diving sites to check in El Nido.

Snorkel snorkel

Climb Mt. Taraw - Have an extreme activity by climbing Taraw Cliff and to see the breathtaking view of the town and Bacuit Bay. If you don't want to live dangerously, you can also try a safer way to go to the summit via the canopy walk for P500 per person.

View from Taraw Cliff (Photo from Cess Catangal)

Tour the town via Motorbike - Rent a motorbike and visit the inland beaches like Nacpan, Calitang and Marimegmeg (Las Cabanas) Beach. Then take a 1-2 hour hike to Nagkalit-Kalit Falls (best to visit during wet season).

Always wear your helmet!

Zip Line in Marimegmeg (Las Cabanas Beach) - Try out the 750-meter zipline from Las Cabanas Beach to Depeldet Island. A one-way ride cost P500 (sitting position), P700 (superman) and a two-ride cost P900 (sitting), P1100 (superman).

Enjoy the sunset in Corong-Corong Beach - Take a break and relax for a moment, having a drink after a long day in Corong-Corong Beach just nearby Las Cabanas Beach.

Eat out! - Try out some popular restaurants in the town like Trattoria Altrove for its pizza, Squidos for grilled dishes, Art Cafe for breakfast, Angel wish for seafood and L’Assiette Ice Cream for you've guessed it, ice cream!

Pizza from Trattoria Altrove

Itinerary

Make the most of your time visiting El Nido. Here's a 5-day, 4-night itinerary for your trip.

Day 0: ARRIVAL in PUERTO PRINCESA

06:00 PM: ETA Puerto Princesa Airport
06:15 PM: ETD Puerto Princesa to El Nido
12:00 AM: ETA El Nido/Check-in/Sleep

Day 1: TOUR B & D: Caves and Islands!

07:00 AM: Breakfast
08:00 AM: Start of Tour B and D
04:00 PM: End of Tour
05:00 PM: Back to Town

Day 2: TOUR A: Lagoons and Beaches!

07:00 AM: Breakfast
08:00 AM: Start of Tour A
04:00 PM: End of Tour
05:00 PM: Back to Town

Day 3: TOUR C: Beach Bum Haven!

07:00 AM: Breakfast
08:00 AM: Start of Tour C
04:00 PM: End of Tour
05:00 PM: Back to Town

Day 4: TOUR E: DIY Land Tour!

06:00 AM: Breakfast
06:30 AM: ETA Taraw Cliff
07:00 AM: Climb Taraw Cliff
09:00 AM: ETA Summit of Taraw Cliff/Descent
12:-- PM: End of Descent/Lunch
01:00 PM: Hire Motorbike/Start tour
01:45 PM: Nacpan and Calitang (Twin) Beaches
03:00 PM: Nagkalit-Kalit Falls
04:00 PM: Marimegmeg Beach (Sunset)
06:00 PM: ETD El Nido Town
07:00 PM: Dinner/Back to Hotel

Day 4: (OPTIONAL Early Fly Out)

08:00 PM: Checkout/Travel back to Puerto Princesa
01:00 AM: (Day 5): Check-in to Lodge/B&B
--:-- AM: Catch earliest available flight

Day 5: GOING HOME

07:00 AM: Breakfast
08:00 AM: Checkout/ETD El Nido
02:00 PM: ETA Puerto Princesa

Sand bar in Snake Island

Expenses

Here's a breakdown of what it'll cost per day on a 5-day El Nido trip. This only includes expenses that are necessary like fares (except airfare), food, tour guides, entrance fees and accommodation. Tips and other expenses like "pasalubongs" are not included. The other expenses are shared by a minimum of 2 pax.

Day 0: Puerto Princesa - El Nido Traveel

Fare - Trike Airport to Junction: PhP 8.00
Fare - Multicab in Junction to San Jose Terminal: PhP 12.00
Food Dinner: Karinderia in Bus Terminal: PhP 50.00
Fare - A/C Bus to El Nido: PhP 480.00
Fare - Trike from El Nido Bus Terminal to Accommodation: PhP 25.00
Food Water - 12 Liters: PhP 190.00
Total: PhP 765.00

Day 1: El Nido Check-in/First Tour

Accommodation - Mam Olson Pensionne House: PhP 800.00 / 2 (pax) = PhP 400.00
Food Breakfast - Free Coffee + Pandesal: PhP 10.00
Tour - Tours B & D (with lunch) from Lagoon Tours (+63 926 304 9680): PhP 1,000.00
Food Dinner - Eatery in town proper: PhP 100.00
Total: PhP 1,510.00

Day 2: El Nido Island Tour

Accommodation - Mam Olson Pensionne House: PhP 800.00 / 2 (pax) = PhP 400.00
Food Breakfast - Free Coffee + Cup Noodles: PhP 20.00
Tour - Tour A (with lunch) from Lagoon Tours (+63 926 304 9680): PhP 800.00
Others (optional) - Kayak in Small Lagoon: PhP 300.00 / 2 = PhP 150.00
Food Dinner - Eatery in town proper: PhP 100.00
Total: PhP 1,470.00

Day 3: El Nido Island Tour

Accommodation - Mam Olson Pensionne House: PhP 800.00 / 2 (pax) = PhP 400.00
Food Breakfast - Free Coffee + Bread and Spread: PhP 25.00
Tour - Tours C (with lunch) from Lagoon Tours (+63 926 304 9680): PhP 1000.00
Food Dinner - Eatery in town proper: PhP 100.00
Total: PhP 1,525.00

Day 4: El Nido Land Tour

Accommodation - Mam Olson Pensionne House: PhP 800.00 / 2 (pax) = PhP 400.00
Food Breakfast - Tapsilogan in town proper : PhP 80.00
Tour Guide - Taraw Cliff: PhP 300.00 / 2 (pax) = PhP 150.00
Food Lunch - Eatery in town: PhP 100.00
Transport - Motorbike Rental + Gas: PhP 350.00 + 150.00 = 500 / 2 (pax) = PhP 250.00
Food Dinner - Eatery in town proper: PhP 100.00
Total: PhP 1,080

Day 5: El Nido to Puerto Princesa

Food Breakfast - Eatery in town proper : PhP 70.00
Fare - Trike from Accommodation to El Nido Bus Terminal : PhP 25.00
Fare - Bus from El Nido to Puerto Princesa: PhP 480.00
Food Lunch - Eatery in Puerto Princesa : PhP 60.00
Fare - Trike + Multicab from Bus Terminal to Airport: PhP 20.00
Total: PhP 685.00

Total Expense: PhP 7,005

What are you waiting for?

We've some islands with lovely beaches, beautiful lagoons and amazing caves, but El Nido still has more to boast. Tour C, one of the most popular and tourists' favorite tour, will show us more of the lovely beaches of El Nido!

Hidden Beach

The first beach is located on Matinloc Island. Hidden Beach is, well, hidden between two huge limestone formations. There's a passage between those two limestone formation going to the beach that you need to swim since boats can't go there. The beach is surrounded by limestone formations and tall trees at the back.

Boat docking area

Matinloc Island

Hidden Beach

Shores of hidden beach

Matinloc Shrine

After Hidden Beach, just a nearby destination is Matinloc Shrine. Matinloc Shrine or known as Shrine of Our Lady of Matinloc is an abandoned site that was built around 1982. The shrine offers a great view of the ocean. You'll just need to climb a huge limestone rock to see that.

The abandoned site

Shrine of Our Lady of Matinloc

View from the cliff

A nearby coral reef in Masinloc Shrine

Star or Talisay Beach

Star and Talisay beach are the beach stops where you will be having lunch. Both beaches are located on Tapiutan Island. You can snorkel and swim around while waiting for the tour guides for the lunch.

Kain na!

Chill after a meal

Secret Beach

The next beach is on the other side of Matinloc Island. Among the destinations of Tour C, Secret Beach probably has the most "wow! factor" according to our tour guide. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to see it personally since when we did Tour C, waves are too strong for our boat to dock. Hence, I'll give you some pictures I got from my friends who visited it. By the way, they also said wow!

Helicopter Island

There are no helicopters or even helipad on this destination. It got its name from the shape of the mountain on it. A helicopter without blades. It is usually the last destination of Tour C since it is close to the town of El Nido. Helicopter island has a very nice beach that creamy fine sand. A perfect destination to end the tour.

Helicopter Island

The island has a nice shore

Cheers from El Nido!

Tours A and C are probably the most popular and tourist favorite tours in El Nido. But, your El Nido experience won't be complete if tours B and D are not included. Tour B includes caves and other beautiful islands while Tour D includes a lagoon and some beautiful beaches. Usually, a whole day is spent for each tour in El Nido, but, you also have the option to combine two tours together.

Paradise!

The only disadvantage when combining tours is the time allotted for each destination in the tour will be lessened or not all destinations will be visited. Anyways, here's our destinations for the combo tours B and D.

PINAGBUYUTAN ISLAND

Pinagbuyutan is an island that is part of Tour B, with a huge limestone rock and a beautiful white sand beach filled with coconut trees. A very relaxing place where you can enjoy swimming.

Pinagbuyutan Island

Closer look to the island

Coconut trees welcomes you!

A short walk along the coconut tress and tall grass to the beach area

This is just the first stop but look at that view!

What a view!

Pinagbuyutan Island's beach

And swim we must!

CATHEDRAL CAVE

The next destination is a cave that is also part of Tour B. However, the boat will only stop at the entrance of the cave where guests can only take pictures of the entrance. Guests are not allowed to swim or go kayaking inside the cave since there might be some snakes or other dangerous creatures living inside.

Approaching the island with Cathedral Cave

The tall cave entrance

Approaching the cave entrance

What we can only see on the entrance

And just a picture at the entrance

CUDUGNON CAVE

Another cave which is also part Tour B is Cudugnon Cave. This cave is located in Cudugnon Island. The entrance of the cave is a small hole along the shores of the island. To get inside, you need to crawl through. Inside the cave is limestone rock formations.

Going to the cave

The start of the entrance is big

And then this

Inside the cave

Limestone formations inside the cave

ENTALULA ISLAND

After the caves, the tour continues to islands with beautiful beaches. Next stop is Entalula Island, still part of Tour B. The island has a public beach and is a main stop over to have lunch. Guest can enjoy the beach and go snorkeling around while the tour guides prepares the lunch.

Next stop: Lunch! and Entalula Island

Docking to Entalula Island

Snorkeling spot on Entalula Island

Attack!

Just relaxing after that great meal!

SNAKE ISLAND

Nope, there are no snakes on this island. In fact, monkeys live on this island. Snake Island got its name from the shape of a sandbar connecting the island to another island. Snake island also has a view deck where you can have the view of the sandbar. Snake island is part of tour B.

Snake Island

That little hut on the top of the island is the view deck

Is this for real?

The sandbar that will lead you to the view deck

At the other side is an island where Snake Island connects (they're have a moment)

That way!

Saw this fellow on the way to the view deck

And there's that view again!

The snake sandbar!

Lovely view!

Now, my turn!

CADLAO LAGOON

Next on the tour is Cadlao Lagoon, which is located in Cadlao Island and part of Tour D. Along the way to the lagoon, there is a shallow area which is perfect for some snorkeling. The lagoon boasts its turquoise water surrounded by limestone formations. And there's monkeys living on the island.

Cadlao Island

There's the lagoon! Can you see? No?

Need to swim to the lagoon

Off to the lagoon

Saw this little guy on the way to the lagoon

During low tide in Cadlao Lagoon

Enjoying the lagoon

Aprub!

Dinner for our boatmen

BUKAL/IPIL/NAT-NAT/PARADISE BEACH

These beaches are part of tour D and a few of these beaches is included in the combined tours B and D. For us, we only visited one of these beaches, but I forgot which beach it is, anyways I'm sure all of these beaches are beautiful.