Surreal. Paradise. The inspiration behind the film "The Beach". The best in the world. El Nido used to be a luxury but now has become more accessible and in fact a favorite among Filipino and foreign travelers. Here are some useful information for those who are planning to visit this part of the Philippines. 1. Getting there The best way to get there from Manila is by plane. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines fly to Puerto Princesa where you can then take a bus or van to El Nido. If you plan to stay only in El Nido, better take a morning flight then take a tricycle (PhP13 per head) directly to San Jose Station where you can take a Roro or Cherry bus (non-aircon or aircon, from PhP290 to PhP480) or van to El Nido. It takes around six hours to get there, so if you leave Puerto Princesa at 12 noon, you will get there by early evening. Consider the travel time when making your itinerary. There are also direct flights with a 50-seater plane from Manila to El Nido. 2. What to bring While there are several kiosks, small stores and pharmacies where you can buy something you might have forgotten to bring, there are no ATMs yet in El Nido so make sure to take enough cash. It is also better to have your own snorkeling gear especially if you plan to do a lot of island-hopping. For documenting your trip, make sure you have a waterproof camera or case or a dry bag as you need to swim from the boat to get to certain islands. 3. Going Around Within El Nido Proper, everything is reachable by foot. You can take a tricycle for short trips if you want move from one town to another but you have to negotiate to get the right price. It is also possible to do a day trip with them, though doing it in a motorbike is cheaper. For renting a motorbike, Fast & Furious gives the best price (around PhP400-450 per day depending on the season and how many days you will rent it - again, negotiate). 4. Booking your tour It is convenient to do island-hopping in El Nido even for solo travelers. Unlike in other towns where you need to rent the whole boat for a day which costs more the less people you are, you can book a tour with your lodge, hotel or a travel agency (there are several around town). Doing this requires an environmental pass, which is usually included in the price of the tour. Ask your tour operator for your pass and use it in the succeeding trips. Some advertised tours automatically include a pass in the price, so inform the operator before booking that you already have it and check if they can discount that from the price (PhP200). Tour prices range from PhP1000-1500. 5. What to see El Nido is empty during the day as most people are out doing island-hopping. For first timers, the most recommended tours are A (famous for the Big, Small and Secret Lagoons) and B (known for the Snake Island). I have done all tours and my personal favorites are those two. Tour D is rather less frequent and difficult to book. If you prefer to spend a day in the mainland, you can checkout Las Cabañas Beach or explore farther areas by motorbike or tricycle (you can make arrangements with a tricycle driver for a day trip if you do not know how to drive a motorbike, though the latter is cheaper). See Nakpan and Calitang Twin Beach and Nagkalitkalit Falls. El Nido is heaven for divers, so if you are one, don't miss the opportunity to do it when you are there. If you don't dive, snorkeling is enough to appreciate its beautiful marine life. (Note: Do not swim in El Nido Town Proper's beach.) 6. Where to sleep There are several lodges in El Nido Town Proper and Corong-Corong. Popular among backpackers are dorm-type accommodations (starts at PhP250) and private fan rooms for as low as PhP500 (prices vary during non-peak and peak seasons). Tranquility lovers can now stay in Nacpan Beach or Tapik Beach, too. Try to book in advance especially if you plan to come during the peak season or on a holiday weekend. If you want to be based in El Nido Town Proper, it does not necessarily have to be beachfront as the town is small - you can go by foot almost anywhere. Ricgem Place is affordable, new and clean. Try Our Melting Pot if you want a hostel atmosphere. For more luxury, you can stay in one of El Nido's resort islands. For a list of inns in El Nido, this link is helpful. 7. Where to eat There are several options available depending on your budget and the type of cuisine you prefer. Travelers who are tight on the budget frequent Silog Republic and the rotisseries along Rizal Street while those looking for a more posh ambiance go to resto-bars like Mezzanine. For the best sunset and Spanish tapas, go to Republica Sunset Bar in Corong-Corong. For a more detailed review of Nido restaurants, see: The Ultimate Guide for Traveler Foodies: El Nido Palawan Restaurants. 8. Where to go next
If you want to continue your trip, you can take a boat to Coron (take note that this is an 8-hour trip) up north, see the historic town of Taytay or explore the more virgin Port Barton or San Vicente down south. For more information, see: A Rewarding Untrodden Path: Port Barton and San Vicente Palawan. Enjoy El Nido! -JB If you have questions or reactions, feel free to leave a comment below.
0 Comments
|
The Philippines7107 islands. Deserves to be in your bucket list. About the AuthorAlways in search for vitamin D. Archives
July 2016
Categories
All
|