Tour El Nido Palawan

I started this blog when i was in my 30-ish , at the point in my life when i quit the comforts of a monthly paying job and try to earn money from business. I promised myself that if i earn enough that i would treat myself to some luxury such as trips abroad or domestic (within phils). Things i cannot afford when i was still tied up with the corporate world. I am proud to say that i've traveled to most part of Southeast Asia and covered at least 75% of the Philippine islands (that's over exagerating coz we have 7,107 islands in the phils.:):):)). I have my favorites. Apo Reef in Occidental Mindoro tops up my list for its simple beauty. Coron Palawan for its pristine waters and friendly people and grilled fish. I'd go for Boracay for a  beachcapade. And for a really quick getaway i head to Batangas for a diving/snorkeling session.

As you may notice, i like being in the water . I love the beach. My mother would always tell me not to soak up too much sun because i'm brown already (she always has whitening products for me to try on). But alas, no motherly persuasion can deter me from El Nido's warming embrace. :)

El Nido

El Nido has always been compared to Coron. Some people say they prefer Coron over El Nido and some say otherwise. As for moi? I LOVE them both. I love their Karst limestone formations, secret/hidden lagoons , turquoise waters, prehistoric caves , waterfalls, powder fine beaches . I think El Nido has more island tours to offer than Coron. Our 4 day stay in El Nido was so limiting that we had to combine 2 tours in one. Here's our itinerary :

Day 01: Arrive 0900am Puerto Princesa ; airport pickup for transfer to El Nido town.
             Land travel via private van (6 hours) . Arrive town at 0300pm . Check in.
             Buy food supplies from the market for island hopping tour next day.
             SIDETRIP: Marimegmeg beach

Day 02: Tour A & C combination
Helicopter Island
Hidden Beach
Matinloc Shrine
Star Beach
Secret Beach
Hidden Lagoon
Big Lagoon
Small lagoon
Simizu Island
Seven Commando

Day 03: Tour B & D combination
Vigan & Snake Island
Cadugnon point and cave
Pinasil Island and Cathedral Cove
Cadlao Island
Pasandigan beach
Natnat and Ipil beach
Bucal beach
Paradise beach

Day 04: Transfer back to Puerto Princesa city

Tour rates are as follows:
Tour A 

Standard Cost: PhP 700 per person
Main Destination: Miniloc Island
Places to visit:

• Small Lagoon (Miniloc Island)
• Big Lagoon (Miniloc Island)
• Secret Lagoon (Miniloc Island)
• Simizu Island
• Entalula Island
• 7 Commando Beach

Tour B

Standard Cost: PhP 800 per person
Places to visit:

• Snake Island
• Cadugnon Cave
• Pangulasian Island
• Cathedral Cave
• Pinagbuyutan Island

Tour C

Standard Cost: PhP 900 per person
Main Destination: Matinloc Island
Places to visit:

• Matinloc Shrine (Matinloc Island)
• Secret Beach (Matinloc Island)
• Hidden Beach
• Tapuitan Island
• Helicopter Island

Tour D

Standard Cost: PhP 700 per person
Main destination: Cadlao Island
Places to visit:

• Cadlao Lagoon
• Bukal Island
• Ubugon Cave
• Paradise Beach
• Natnat Beach
• Pasandigan Cove

Touring El Nido must not be rushed. I highly suggest you to have at least one (1) week allotted for travel/tour/transfers . But if time is of essence then choose the best tour for you. My personal favorite is TOUR A and TOUR C. I definitely enjoyed the secret passages to hidden lagoons small or big . Truly a paradise for snorkeling and kayaking.

Island Hopping tour essentials (what to bring):
1. Snorkeling gears - mask , snorkel, fins. If you have one at home then you must bring it for hygiene purposes (wink). If you do not own one then the tour company will provide . Request for fins so you may propel yourself better in the water.
2. Dry Bag - or any plastic to protect your belongings from getting wet.
3. Sunblock cream - hey we're in a tropical country and even when you're in the street sun rays can be very very potent.
4. Mosquito repellant cream - we had to bring this for the little ones. We were informed by the boatmen that mosquitoes in Matinloc Shrine can be very nasty. So better be safe than sorry.
5. Swimsuit/rash guard - my swimming attire preference is to always don a rash guard coz i spend most of my time in the water and i easily get ---> you guessed it right ---> rashes .
6. Breads - for fish feeding.
7. Waterproof Camera -best investment you can get if you love being in the water.
8. Snacks / Bottled water - swimming can zap your energy just like that . You cannot find Sari Sari (convenience) stores in any of the islands so bring something to munch on in between activities.
9. A good book - but be sure to stash it in #2.
10. Friends/Family - or if you're a solo traveler it's the best way to create new friends.

See our faces? They're grinning from ear to ear. love the place. @ Matinloc Shrine

Ways to get to EL NIDO (cheap and expensive way)

It's been months and i miss EL Nido Palawan already. Who wouldn't? If only time and much needed resources would permit i would jump on a plane and beach bum until my skin would roast no more. But you see, El Nido is not just a long way from Manila but also direct flights come with a price tag. Don't you worry price is subjective . What might be expensive for me may be affordable for you. Mind you i am just such a miser. I always try to find the most affordable way to travel because i need to cure my itchy feet at least 4 to 5 times a year.

There are two ways to get to El Nido from Manila the cheaper longer route version and the more expensive but shorter route. As of writing there is only one carrier who flies directly to El Nido and that is ITI or Island Transvoyager Inc. They have daily flights from Manila to El Nido and back . Please see below their flight schedules:

Manila to El Nido
etd 0730am - eta 0845am
etd 1130am - eta 1245pm
etd 0300pm - eta 0415pm

El Nido to Manila
etd 0930am - eta 1045am
etd 0100pm - eta 0215pm
etd 0500pm - eta 0615pm

Fares:
One Way - P 6,000++ (adult)  P 4,000++ (child)
Roundtrip - P 12,000++(adult) P 9,000++(child)

You are allowed 10kgs baggage only. In excess you will be charged with P100/kg. Take note that your luggage may be offloaded in the event of aircraft overloading so just bring your essential necessities if you don't want your precious luggages to be left behind. You only need your swimming apparels in the islands because you will be doing a lot of immersing in the water. El Nido's beauty is best viewed in the water under or over it if you know what i mean :)

El Nido airport is just 4 kms out of town. Upon arrival you may hire a local tricycle to bring you to town. Or alternatively, if you've made prior arrangements with your resort for airport pickup then that would be less of a hassle for you.

Tip: Book your flights the earliest possible especially during the peak seasons (Holy Week, Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, summer months of April to May). The aircraft can only carry 19 passengers at a time.

Contact them through:

E-mail: elnido@mailstation.net 

Website: www.elnidoresorts.com

Contact No. (632) 894-5644 . Fax (632) 810-3620

Now for the less expensive option which i would take at any given time. You may fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa Palawan and from then on do a 6-7 hour land trip to El Nido. This may be done by boarding a RORO bus or renting a private van if you're a big group.

Airlines flying from Manila to Puerto Princesa are Cebu Pacific, Air Asia Zest , Pal Express

Before leaving for El Nido i have read numerous blogs pertaining to ways on how we can do it the cheapest way . Aparrently there are RORO bus plying the PPS to EL Nido route but as i have learned it would take longer to travel because of stops along the way . We have 3 kids on tow so we opted to get a private van . We arranged it through our guesthouse and saved money with this kind of arrangement because they picked us up at the airport instead of going to San Jose Terminal (in Puerto Princesa City) first.

For a more comprehensive and detailed instruction on how to get to El Nido by land and/or even water, i found this very helpful.

I must tell you that it was a loooonngg and bumpy ride for the most part of it but it was surely worth it. The oooohhhss and the aaahhhs i heard from my family upon reaching El Nido was priceless. It surely was comforting for someone who arranged this itinerary.

What about you? How would you like to travel to El Nido?