El Nido, Palawan | Top Philippine Destination | DIY Travel Guide
Visited this sleepy little town north of Palawan’s main Island more than 10 years ago. The time when there were hardly any tourists; Filipino and foreigners alike. There were very few accommodations and small restaurants facing El Nido bay. The island hopping experience that time was amazing, you can enjoy each island, beaches and lagoons without a crowd.
When I had a chance to re-visit this paradise, I immediately said YES without thinking it twice. I remember feeling thrilled in rediscovering El Nido’s favorite spots like Big and Small lagoons and Secret Beach. Especially this time, I have a GoPro to document everything. What we did was booked our flight and do a walk-ins to random budget-friendly hotels in the town of El Nido, Palawan.
We expect looking for an accommodation would take time but to our surprise, we managed to pick one easily. We chose Entalula Beach Front Cottages. A bed and breakfast with beachfront access to El Nido Beach.
After we’ve checked in, we went to Boutique and Art Cafe for lunch. Back then, this was only a tiny restaurant with few table capacity.
After lunch, we hired a trike for a short trip to Nacpan Beach. Nacpan is part of the famous Twin beach of El Nido. Around 4KM stretch of powdery cream sand, clear turquois water and dense coconut trees facing the sea. The end part of Nacpan Beach connects to a lesser known beach called Calitang Beach.
As soon as we saw the beach, we knew we will spend our whole afternoon in that place. I like that the place was not commercialized or developed. It makes the experience even better.
For our dinner, we went in one of the “Paluto” restaurant in El Nido Beach with a beachfront access. Would definitely recommend this experience because of 3 things: food served is fresh, affordable and it comes with a picture perfect view.
On our 2nd day, we booked a private boat for the island hopping experience – Tour A. The tour includes 7 Commandos, Shimizu Island, Big and Small Lagoon and Secret Lagoon. We’ve picked this tour because of the iconic big and small lagoon.
Like most tour groups, our first stop was 7 Commandos Beach. We tried to take quick photos and videos of the beach and decided to move on to the next stop. With this plan, we can avoid the crowd.
On our way to Shimizu Island, it started to drizzle. Our boat docked on a secluded beach on Shimizu Island. Surrounded by limestone cliffs, it had the effect of a private beach. The tour guide prepared lunch or a feast to be specific: Grilled Fish, Grilled Squid, Liempo, Ensalada and Fruits.
Big Lagoon - this is one of my favorite spots in El Nido. From the entrance, we paddled our kayaks through the narrow and shallow channel with towering limestone cliffs on both sides.
The water here is crystal clear.
The channel will lead you to the main lagoon. A wde area with almost circular shape with deep dark blue water.
Small Lagoon - It is actually just beside Big Lagoon. As soon as the boat anchored in the drop-off point, heavy rain started to fall. So we waited it out for a few minutes before going inside Small Lagoon.
The entrance to the lagoon is pretty cool, either you swim or paddle your kayak through a small opening in the limestone wall.
Even if it doesn’t compare to the size of Big Lagoon, it has its own beauty that makes it part of my favorite spots in El Nido.
Last stop should be Secret Lagoon. Due to the rain and tides shifting, our boatman changed the plan. It was dangerous for small boats to go to the other side of the island. Instead, we went to a random island without tourists. Snorkel, beach bum and captured some videos on this island before ending our Island Hopping Tour A experience.
On our 3rd day, we availed Island Hopping - Tour C which includes Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach and Hidden Beach.
I was pretty excited for this day because of Secret Beach. I kept telling Wynne about the dreamlike experience where you have to dive under a limestone rock to go in. From a deep blue color it gradually turns to clear one. Schools of fishes welcomes you at the opening. Coral reefs guide your way to the shore. And as soon as you emerges from the water, you’ll see a beach enclosed by gigantic limestone cliffs. This is the reason why Secret Beach is my top spot in El Nido, Palawan.
Our first island was Helicopter Island.
Here, we spent time freediving.
Before leaving the island, our tour provider dropped a bad news. Again, small boats were not allowed to go further to the other stops of tour C due to the choppy waters and strong current. With no other option, our tour became a mixed of Tour C and D. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed because I really wanted to re-live the Secret Beach experience.
We changed course and entered Cadlao Lagoon.
Seeing the lagoon for the first time, quickly turned my spirit back up. The clean, Gatorade-blue water of the lagoon was surreal. Cadlao Lagoon instantly became one of my top spots in El Nido.
We also visited Nat Nat’s beach, a lunch at Pasandigan Beach, went kayaking in Paradise Beach and our last stop, Bukal Beach.
The unexpected change of plans opened up an opportunity to discover new places. Tour D is the least popular package in El Nido. But it doesn’t mean that it is not worth visiting. I think it has a positive effect because it means – Less tourists. So it gave a raw island experience. I was glad that we stumbled upon Cadlao Lagoon on this trip.
After the tour, we hopped on a trike to the Las Cabanas Beach. We ordered a few drinks at the bar, looked for a spot in the beach and watched the sunset.
On our last day, instead of climbing Taraw Peak, we decided to take it slow and experience the town in daytime. We spent the remaining hours of our trip watching the postcard-like view of El Nido bay.
El Nido, Palawan is way different from what I used to know. From a sleepy little town to a very busy one, a boom in tourists and development in every corner. But the places in El Nido still kept its beauty. My favorite spots are still Big and Small Lagoon. Plus newly discovered places like the long stretch of powdery cream sand of Nacpan Beach and the Gatorade Blue water of Cadlao Lagoon. El Nido, Palawan is truly a paradise.
Here’s a list of destinations in Palawan.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT EL NIDO, PALAWAN
The best time to visit El Nido Palawan is Dry Season, it is from December to May. My recommendation is to visit from December to March for a pleasant cool climate. From March to May, it is summer in Philippines and temperature can be scorching hot. Also, expect a boom of local tourist during summer.
WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO PACK TO EL NIDO, PALAWAN
Beach / Summer Outfit
Sandals / Slippers
Swimwear
Snorkeling Gear
Camera / Action Cam
Batteries and Power Banks
Memory Cards
Dry Bag
Tumbler
Protection from the sun
Beach mat
HOW TO GET TO EL NIDO, PALAWAN FROM MANILA
The fastest but most expensive way to El Nido from Manila is a direct flight via Airswift. The departure terminal is in Manila Domestic Airport Terminal 4. Arrival is in El Nido (LIO) Airport in Brgy. Villa Libertad, El Nido, Palawan. Flight time is 1 hour 20 minutes. Then in Lio Airport, hire a tricycle to El Nido town proper. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes.
EL NIDO, PALAWAN BUDGET AND ITINERARY
The estimated budget for a 4 days 3 nights trip to El Nido, Palawan is Php10,000.00/pax. Assuming the accommodation rate is PHP3,000.00 with breakfast. Then, lunch is already included in two island hopping tours. More or less, you’ll need to spend on 5 meals. Note: Airfare not included.
You can lower the cost on the following: accommodation and food. See expected costs below:
Entalula Cottages Standard Room – Php3,000.00/night
Island Hopping Tours – around Php1,200.00 – Php1,500.00/pax
Eco-Tourism Development Fee – Php200.00 for 10days
Kayak – Php700.00/day
Snorkel – Php150.00/day
Trike from Airport to Town Proper – Php350.00
Trike to Las Cabanas – Php150.00 per trip
Trike to Nacpan Beach – Php800.00 roundtrip
Note: Rates indicated above may change
IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN VISITING EL NIDO, PALAWAN
Island Hopping Tour Rates is standardized by the Local Government.
Eco-Tourism Development Fee should be paid. Usually this is processed by your accommodation.
Private tours
You can book this through your hotel or in town. The price may vary but you can at least see how much it will costs depending on the boat size. If the boat is for 4pax, then multiple the tour price per head by 4. The total will be the max amount for the said tour. But depending on how you bargain with your tour provider, it can be lower.
Ensure that the Eco-Tourism Development Fee is already included in your tour package.
All tours include lunch. Inform your tour provider if you have any concerns or issues with food in advance.
Bring Cash since majority of the establishments in El Nido are still cash basis.
Few ATMs in the area.
Signal is weak in remote places.
No decent internet connection in establishments
EL NIDO, PALAWAN TRAVEL TIPS
If you are coming from Manila, best to fly directly to El Nido. Flight will cost more but it will save you time.
Scheduled a hotel pickup from the Airport and back for convenience.
Same with my other Philippine trip, I always recommend to rent a private boat for the island hopping tours. Even if it will cost more, the experience will be worth it.
Island hopping tours doesn’t include a kayak. You can rent at the entrance of Big and Small Lagoons. But I recommend renting one for the whole to your tour provider for a day.
If you will bring snacks on tours, include some for your tour guides.
Only drink bottled water.
Do not leave trash behind.
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