North of the mainland Palawan is a paradise considered by many as one of their dream destinations. With 45 islands and islets that harbor some of the country’s best white sand beaches, hidden lagoons, picturesque cliffs and rich marine life underneath its Earth, El Nido is indeed a piece of paradise.

The town is a managed and resource protected area of Palawan, 238 kilometers from Puerto Princesa. Contrary to common notion that El Nido is an expensive destination, the place is in fact, can be explored on a budget. With plenty of budget accommodations lined up on the streets of the town and lots of tour groups offering cheap packages, El Nido is another backpacker’s haven.

Get a tan on numerous white sand islands of Bacuit Bay; climb a cliff; dive to its diverse underwater life; snorkel and feed the tame fishes; sit and relax along the beach; watch the sun set; satisfy your cravings on its array of restaurants… El Nido is for everyone.

Perhaps it is now time to fulfill your dream, or revisit and rekindle the good times in paradise. El Nido is a promise of a perfect getaway. Experience paradise, experience El Nido.

Helicopter Beach

How to Get There

From Manila

By Air

ITI has daily flights to El Nido, for booking and reservation contact ITI at (02)8515674. Travel time: approximately 1 hour.

By Sea

There are also cargo ship operators that also ferry passengers from Manila to El Nido. Contact the shipping lines for schedule and fare information. Please note that these are smaller cargo ships/hauls that cater specially to cargo but also allow passengers.

• Operator: San Nicholas Shipping Lines (M/B Andrea-1, M/V Catalyn-A, M/V Catalyn-C, M/V Catalyn-E, M/V Asuncion-IX, M/V Asuncion-XI)
  Route: Manila-El Nido-Liminangcong and vice versa
  Contact Info: (02)-243-4595
• Operator: Atienza Shipping Lines (M/V Josilee-II, M/V April Rose, M/V Q-Carrelyn-III)
  Route: Manila-Coron-El Nido-Liminangcong and vice versa
  Website : http://www.atienzashippinglines.com
  Email: atienzashippinglines@yahoo.com
  Telephone No. : (02)-986-3118 and (02)-536-8123

From Puerto Princesa

By Air

Puerto Princesa City is accessible by air from Manila via Philippine Airlines, AirphilExpress, Cebu Pacific Air and Zest Air; from Cebu via Cebu Pacific Air; and from Busuanga (Coron) via AirphilExpress.

By Sea

By ferry, Superferry services Puerto Princesa especially during summer and peak season. Please check their website to get the latest schedule. (Update as of  2012, Negros Navigation bought Aboitiz Transport System, owner of Super Ferry, Supercat and Cebu Ferries. It launched 2Go Travel and Coron was dropped on its network.)

Puerto Pricesa to El Nido

From Puerto Princesa to El Nido, air-conditioned vans depart at 7AM and 11AM.
Fort Wally Van: +63917-2762875
Savior Van: +63929-6225974
Travel time: approximately 5-6 hours
Fare: (Puerto to El Nido) P600/(El Nido to Puerto) P500
Return trips (El Nido to Puerto Princesa): 7AM, 7:30AM and 9AM

Public buses departs from 5AM, 7AM and 9AM.
Eulen Joy Bus: +63919-7162210/+63926-6998700
Sweety Bus: +63919-7119221
Travel time: approximately 7-8 hours
Fare: P250
Return trips (El Nido to Puerto Princesa): 5AM and 830AM

As of February 2012, RoRo Buses started serving Puerto Princesa-El Nido route and vice versa. Buses leave San Jose Terminal to El Nido with stop over in Roxas and Taytay on these times: 4:00 AM, 6:00 AM – aircon, 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM – aircon, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – aircon, 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM – aircon and 10:00 PM – aircon. Fare is P485 for the aircon bus  and P350 for the non-aircon. For booking and reservation contact +639175971186, +639228897013 or +639089202568.

From Coron

There are boats to El Nido from Coron daily. Fare is P2200 for foreigners and P1500 for Filipinos. Travel time: approximately 8 hours.

Snorkeling in Shimizu Island with the tame sergeant fishes

Where to Stay

Accommodations in El Nido range from very basic for as low as P400 per room to the high-end resorts that go by the thousands. I have tried staying in Lualhati Cottages (+63919-3196683) for a twin fan room at P400/night. My stay with them was very pleasant. It is located along the main road, five to ten minutes walk to Bacuit Bay.

If you prefer beach front accommodation, Og’s Inn, located along the Bacuit Bay, is a good choice for budget travelers. They have rooms fan rooms for as low as P500 and aircon rooms at higher rates. Og’as Inn is on the second floor of Og’s Restorbar, the place is equipped with free wi-fi. Contact number: +639167070393 or +639204040223.

Marina Garden Beach Resort, also along the beach, have good reviews too. They have rooms for as low as P955. Contact details:  +63917 6247722/639088843711/marinagarden.elnido@gmail.com.

If you prefer more adventure, just pitch a tent or a a hammock in one of the islands in Bacuit Bay

For list of other accommodations in El Nido please visit this site: http://www.elnidopalawan.com/sleep.html

Activities

• Island Hopping: Small and Big Lagoons of Miniloc Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos, Pangulasian Island, Snake Island, Codugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Pinagbuyutan Island, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Star Beach, Matinloc Shrine and Helicopter Island
• Diving
• Snorkeling/Fish Feeding
• Cliff Climbing
• Kayaking/Kayak Island Trip
• Wind Surfing
• Beach Bumming/Camping
• Watch the beautiful sunset in Bacuit Bay or Corong Corong Bay
• Biking/motorbike tour to Makinit Hot Spring and other villages nearby
• Hike to Nagkalit-kalit Falls
• Explore the historical Ille Cave
• See the beautiful twin beaches of Nacpan and Calitang
• Visit Taytay, Roxas, Coron and Puerto Princesa

Underwater Bacuit Bay, this school of small fish is mimicking a big fish as defense mechanism.

Tips

• Electricity runs from 2PM to 6AM only
• No ATM in town
• Unlike Coron that charges entrance fees to almost every spot, El Nido implemented a single payment of  “Eco-Tourism Development Fee” for only P200/person for each visit of up to ten (10) days. This gives access to almost all public tourist sites in El Nido and Bacuit Bay
• If your entry and exit point to El Nido is Puerto Princesa, it is advised to reserve your seat in advance, call the numbers above
• I enjoyed the pizza of  El Nido Boutique and Art Cafe, you might want to give them a try
• Go to Bacuit Grill before sun down for the best view of sunset, their Shrimp Spaghetti is good
• Touring El Nido can be done on a budget. Try Lagoon Tours of Sir Harvey Templado (+639263049680), they offer cheap package tours complete with meals, and they cooked real good foods

Entrance to Small Lagoon

Sample Itinerary (4D/3N via Puerto Princesa)
Estimated Budget (Airfare excluded): P4500-P5500

Day 1: En Route to El Nido
0900H-1000H: Manila to Puerto Princesa
1000H-1100H: Puerto Princesa Airport to Fort Wally Terminal(San Jose Terminal)/Breakfast
1100H-1700H: Puerto Princesa to El Nido
1700H-1900H: Hotel check-in/fix stuff/rest
1900H-2100H: Dinner/Night Walk/Lights out

Day 2: Whole Day Island Hopping Tour
0700H-0800H: Call time/Breakfast
0800H-1700H: Tour A: Small and Big Lagoons of Miniloc Island, Payong-Payong Beach, Shimizu Island and Seven Commandos (Lunch included)
1700H-1900H: Back to hotel/fix up/wash up/rest
1900H-2100H: Dinner/Night Walk/Lights out

Day 3: Whole Day Island Hopping Tour
0700H-0800H: Call time/Breakfast
0800H-1700H: Tour C: Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Star Beach, Matinloc Shrine and Helicopter Island
1700H-1900H: Back to hotel/fix up/wash up/rest
1900H-2100H: Dinner/Night Walk/Lights out

Day 4: Back to Puerto Princesa
0600H-0700H: Call time/Breakfast/Proceed to terminal
0700H-1300H: El Nido to Puerto Princesa
1300H-1500H: Lunch in KaLui
1500H-1530H: To Airport
1530H-1730H: Check-in/Assemble
1730H-1830H: Puerto Princesa to Manila

Related Posts

• En Route to El Nido
• Diving in El Nido
• Touring El Nido in Two Days

*First published: Apr 14, 2011; Updated: Dec 26, 2012