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.
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Heavy traffic, pollution, too much people, lack of green spaces, and having almost just the mall for leisure activities: these are just some of the reasons for a quick escape from Manila. Given these daily hassles and chaos, an easy weekend getaway to relax before another work week starts is not a bad idea. Here are some trips you can choose from depending on the type of activities and landscape you are looking for. 1) Hit the Talipanan beach Located at the far left end side facing the sea, this is the more hidden beach along that side of Puerto Galera. It is ideal for those who prefer tranquility, e.g., instead of staying in the busier White Beach. While it is isolated, there are small resorts for accommodations and dining. You can ask them to call a masseuse if you feel like having a massage by the beach. Try Luca's Pizzeria down the end of the beach. Wake up early to see the beautiful sunrise. Why it is easy: You can drive or take a bus from Manila (e.g., the bus stations beside LRT Buendia) and in more or less three hours you will already be in Batangas Port (there is a parking area for cars). Take a boat to get to White Beach and from there take a tricycle to Talipanan. 2) Dive in Anilao, Batangas It is not necessary to take a flight to have a good dive. All it takes is a three-hour drive to enjoy a rich marine life. This makes Anilao a popular weekend destination for Manileños who love to dive and snorkel. Being a certified diver is not necessary: some offer the easy introduction dive accompanied by a professional. Why it is easy: Aside from being close to Manila, there are a number of resorts (like Planet Dive) to choose from that offer everything you may need: equipment, lessons, lodging and food. You can go for a day or overnight trip that usually includes meals. Ask about their menu before you book as some packages strictly cover all meals. It is also possible to get there using public transportation. 3) Appreciate Filipino Heritage and Art in Rizal province For those who have no time for an overnight trip, this is one option you should consider. A whole day is enough to savor Rizal's several treasures. Make a stop at each city's nineteenth-century-old church, the Pinto Art Gallery, and end your day with a drink and some FIlipino food in one of the restaurants along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo with a view of Manila. Why it is easy: While it is more convenient to do this trip with a private vehicle, the route is simple for everybody. Get a map and mark the the places of interest before hand: they are all easy to locate and directions are nothing complicated. Watch out for traffic near some of the churches on Sundays due to the volume of people attending the mass. 4) Relax in Tagaytay Weekenders visit Tagaytay for different reasons: its churches, garden restaurants, nature spas, bed and breakfast and hotels, and of course, the picturesque view of Mt. Taal with the surrounding lake that you can contemplate from any cafe along the main road or hike up to its crater. While you have the usual favorites like Bag of Beans, Leslie's Sonia's Garden and Rowena's, there is always something new to find in every visit. Check out the hidden Chateau Hestia garden restaurant and deli for their savory dishes and charming ambiance. Why it is easy: Approximately two hours from Manila (depend on traffic), Tagaytay itself is small so it is easy to move around. Most places of interest are along Tagaytay Road: its main highway that stretches from Sta. Rosa to Calamba and Nasugbu. Pasalubongs can be bought everywhere - from tarts (e.g., Rowenas), pineapples, buko (coconut) pie, or even plants. 5) Explore Baler Though it is famous for surfing at Sabang Beach, you do not need to like it to appreciate Baler. You can rent a motorbike or tricycle or use your private vehicle to see the historical town center, its waterfalls, hills and other beaches. It has a lot of restaurants and cafes where you can simply hangout, too. (See: The Ultimate Guide for Traveler Foodies: Baler Aurora Restaurants). Why it is easy: The bus company Genesis runs trips from Cubao in Quezon City to Baler. If you prefer to ride their Joy Bus (with couch seats) and go for a night trip to Baler and the last trip coming back to Manila, make sure to buy your tickets in advance. It is possible to do it via internet but has to be at least three days before your trip. You can also join a tour offered by travel companies. 6) Discover Las Casas de Acuzar Popular among couples as a prenuptial shoot backdrop, this private resort showcases transplanted heritage houses recreating a colonial village. For example, Paseo de Escolta is a replica of a popular hotel in Manila back in the 1900s which is among the overnight accommodations you can choose from if you prefer to stay overnight in this resort. There are several day tour options to choose from depending on your budget, i.e., ones that include the entrance fee, set meal or buffet lunch, snacks, use of the beach area. You can also opt to stay overnight either in Why it is easy: Simply take a bus (for an approximately three-hour trip) from Genesis in Cubao in Quezon City to Balanga, Bataan (PhP200). From there, a jeepney or tricycle can bring you to the main road of the resort. 7) Hike the Mt. Pinatubo Famous for its eruption in 1991 which is the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century, it is possible to trek the mountain to admire the surreal landscape on its crater. Why it is easy: A lot of travel companies offer a day trip to Mt. Pinatubo which includes transfers from Manila, the 4x4 ride to and from the trek start point, and a free shower after the hike. They will meet you at a meeting point and drop you off there as well when you come back to Manila. You can also organize a do-it-yourself trip. 8) Go back in time in Corregidor Island
An island located at the entrance of Manila Bay, it played an important role in our defense against the Japanese forces during the WWII. Heavily bombarded, it now serves as a memorial for the Filipino, Japanese and American soldiers who died during the war. Why it is easy: You can take a ferry from the terminal in CCP to Corregidor. There are also tours that you can buy online - try to search for offers. Check the weather forecast when you plan your trip as there are possible cancellations of trips (e.g., coming back to Manila) if the sea is rough and bring some snacks and water. (For more travel tips, see: 12 Practical Tips for Traveling Smart) Manila, being the entry or transit point for most flights, is visited by most tourists coming to the Philippines. While it does not boast a beach or beautiful mountains of which the country is known for, there are a number of places and things to do here that teach us about Filipino culture and heritage. Whether you are a foreign tourist or a Filipino who wants to explore Manila, here are activities you should include in your itinerary. 1. Enter the Walled City. Intramuros, the old center of Manila, is a must-see. Make sure to enter the San Agustin Church, Casa Manila, Manila Cathedral, Fort Santiago and Rizal Museum. You can go around by foot, in a kalesa (a horse-drawn calash typical during the Spanish colonial times; look for a Samahan ng Magkakalesa sa Intramuros member: a 30-minute ride for three people costs PhP350) or by bicycle (bamboo bikes are available for rental: PhP300/hr; check their Intramuros itinerary at: http://bambike.com/itinerary). A major rehabilitation plan is said to be in the works for Intramuros. 2. Admire the only church built like the Eiffel Tower. The church was designed by Spanish architect Genaro Palacios who was said to be inspired by the gothic cathedral of Burgos, Spain. The prefabricated steel sections that compose the church were shipped all the way from Belgium, a construction method of which is similar to that when the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty were built. It is the only steel church in Asia. 3. Explore the rich neighborhood of Quiapo. This area is very rich in terms of Philippine heritage. Aside from the Quiapo Church with the famous Black Nazarene believed to be miraculous among devotees, the adjacent market with everything from amulets to Filipino native products under the Quezon Bridge, and the Muslim mosque, it is also home for several Filipino colonial houses. Some are well-preserved, such as the Bahay Nakpil-Bautista which is open for visits (http://bahaynakpil.org). 4. Learn about Filipino contemporary art. Located at the Bangko Central ng Pilipinas, it is the Philippine's premier museum of modern and contemporary art including works by Felix Resurreccion-Hidalgo (1855-1913), one of the great Filipino painters of the late 19th century, and portraits and landscape paintings by Fernando Amorsolo. 5. Relax at the Paco Park. Built by the Dominicans and inagurated in 1822, it used to be Manila's municipal cemetery during the Spanish colonial period. The remains of Jose Rizal (the Philippines' National Hero) used to rest prior to its transfer to the Rizal Park. At present, it is a quaint recreational garden worth visiting, and is also a favorite venue for concerts, weddings, etc. 6. Eat at Dampa Seafood Paluto in Macapagal Road If you like seafood and you are with a group (as minimum that the y cook per dish is 1/2 kilo) then this is the place for you. This is already in Pasay City, though very close to Manila so it is recommended that you go here if you are in the area. Dampa is a wet seafood market where you will first have to buy raw seafood. Make sure to put your negotiation skills into use. (*Tip: Haggle 50% of their original price as a starting point. If you are foreign, say anyway that you have live in Manila and you know the prices - this work in other situations too. Shrimps and prawns areat around Php400-450 per kilo, clams around Php120. Buy crabs claws only for more meat.) Once you are done shopping, go to a restaurant where they can cook what you bought for you. If you don' like doing the shopping yourself, they can do it for you. My favorite is Lola Ina's at the far end of road and seafood market. Try having the abs cooked in sweet chili sauce, clams in oyster sauce and garlic, steamed lapu-lapu (a type of fish) in soy sauce, shrimps in chili butter or singang (a typical Filipino soup similar to Tom yum but not spicy), and grilled tuna or blue marlin. Depends how big your group, how much food and how many types of dishes you want, price can start at $10 per head but that already means at least 3 types of food. 7. Buy yourself a book in Solidaridad. Owned by National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose, this 50-year-old quaint bookstore has the widest selection of Filipiniana in the country, including hard-to-find titles, aside from their Western and Eastern nonfiction books and documentaries personally hand-picked by the proprietor himself. For those who are looking for their first Philippine studies and Filipino literature acquisition, check out William Henry-Scott's Philippine history books, Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere, or any of the bookshop owner's or Nick Joaquin's works. It can found along Padre Faura Street in Ermita near the University of the Philippines Manila (open from Mondays to Saturdays, 9am - 6pm.) 8. Contemplate the Manila Bay sunset. This is the best taste of nature one can get out of Manila and there is no discussion on how beautiful the sunset gets here. Try to catch it with ice-cold beer or cocktails from the Bayleaf Hotel's roof deck cafe in Intramuros. White Moon Bar's lounge in Manila Ocean Park also has a picturesque view. 9. Experience night life in Malate. An evening walk around Malate opens one’s eyes when it comes to realities in the metro. A red-light district, families living in the streets, food vendors, high-rise condominiums and restaurants of different cuisines all in one neighborhood. Try Filipino dishes at Cafe Adriatico or Bistro Remediosin Adriatico Street. If yo want to witness a different kind of atmosphere that is only in Malate and have cheap beer, sit for a short while in Erras also in Adriatico Street. Finish the night with a massage at Lucky Massage (starts at PhP300) in Bocobo Street near Robinson's Ermita in Pedro Gil. 10. Discover Chinatown and Binondo.
The Philippines has a long history with he Chinese, one proof of which is Chinatown in the district of Binondo "created by the Spanish Governor Luis Perez Dasmariñas as a permanent settlement for Chinese immigrants who converted to Catholicism during the Spanish colonial times". The area is currently most popular for its old restaurants such as Toho Antigua Panciteria (since 1888) and dumpling hubs as well as several cultural buildings along Escolta Street like the El Hogar which is currently under controversy. One does not need excellent skills in photography or a professional camera to capture breathtaking sunset photos in the Philippines. Our sunsets come in different colors, shades, and hues. You can never run out of adjectives to describe it: dramatic, peaceful, amazing, relaxing, awe-inspiring. Here are the some places where you can catch the most breathtaking sunsets in the Philippines. 1. San Vicente, Palawan This has been the most breathtaking sunset I have seen - even better in actual than in the photo. Said to be the next Boracay of the Philippines, it does not only have its 14-kilometer stretch of white sand beach but this amazing sunset as well (which can be seen from their port it if it is not too cloudy). Soon this will not be hidden anymore as they are building an airport to make it more accessible for tourists. 2. Siquijor Also known as Isla del Fuego, Siquijor is worth visiting for the beautiful sunset there as well as its beaches, the Cambugahay Falls, and more. How the sunset looks like from the same spot is not whole year round - it changes depending on the time of the year. I have been there a few times and this photo that I took in November from the Royal Cliff Resort was the best. (You can go there one afternoon to have a drink and watch the sunset). 3. Boracay Aside from being named as the best beach in Asia for its clear waters and powdery white sand, Boracay is also known for sunsets that come in different shades and colors. 4. Coron, Palawan After a whole day of island-hopping, make sure that your camera has enough battery left to capture this sunset. 5. Puerto Galera, Mindoro Captured in Tamaraw Beach, Puerto Galera, it guarantees less people and an amazing sunset. 6. El Nido, Palawan Its limestone cliffs, different types of lagoons, white-sand beaches, turquoise seas, the marine life, and sunset are just some of the things you can find in this paradise on earth. 7. Anilao, Batangas About two hours away from Manila, it is a good option for a quick nature getaway (day trip or overnight) for snorkeling and diving. 8. Borawan, Quezon Known as the Boracay and Palawan of Quezon, it is less-touristy and quiet (there were no resorts and electricity when I was there) and a good option for a "barkada" outing. 9. Panglao, Bohol Another popular destination in the Philippines, you can spend the afternoon in Bohol Beach Club (you can enter with a day pass if you do not have a room there that allows you to use their amenities and dine in their restaurant) or along Alona Beach to relax and see the sunset. 10. Nasugbu, Batangas Take a boat to explore Nasugbu and you will encounter the Twin Islands, the private beach house-resort of Philippines' ex-President Fidel Ramos, and as well as this sunset. 11. Manila
If you do not have the time to go to the beach, you need not go too far as the sunset in Manila Bay is also famous for its beauty. Have a walk or sit on one of the benches along Roxas Boulevard or watch it from one of the restaurants or cafes at the CCP Complex, in the area of Manila Ocean Park (e.g., White Moon Bar) or from one of the hotels in the area. |
The Philippines7107 islands. Deserves to be in your bucket list. About the AuthorAlways in search for vitamin D. Archives
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