A Piece of Heaven on Earth Called El Nido: Getting There and Other Things

Going to El Nido has become easier through the years. With more flights going to Palawan, roads going up north from Puerto Princesa paved and maintained, tourism strengthened and coordinated with the tour operators, transport providers and hotels and resorts, more and more resorts and even small lodgings now offer bookings over the net....well, there's no reason not to go to El Nido anymore. Everyone should take time out to come here. For the unseasoned traveller, here's some things to keep in mind in planning your dream vacation to El Nido...

A wonderful mauve sunset, boats on the water for a night's rest. #pink sunset #sunsetinelnido

Well, planning for a sea adventure for El Nido requires that you check the weather. It should be on top of everyone's list. Schedule the trip when its Amihan time.  That's when the wind a.k.a. stormy winds come from the eastern board of the country, leaving the west storm-free...well, most of the time. Also, consider the number of people trooping to El Nido each season. Summer is still best but it’s also the time when most travellers head out to the beach. We went this February, not too windy, not scorchingly hot, still a lot of travellers around but not that asphyxiatingly crowded. Well, 'twas a great time for a boat adventure....#elnido #sunsetinelnido

El Nido can be reached directly by air via SEA Air and Zest Air if you don’t mind the hefty price.  You can also book your flights to Palawan’s capital, Puerto Princesa, which was what we did. Vans are available at the airport for P600 per pax for a 6-hour ride. Nice, air-conditioned buses are also now available at the San Jose Terminal, cheaper at around P400 but for an 8-hour ride.  Bus trips are scheduled at 5 am, 7 am and 9 am. We didn’t try the bus so better check other sources for the cost and time of departure. Vans can be arranged where you booked your lodgings. One cannot estimate how much people are going to El Nido at a particular time. It was February, months away from summer yet almost all lodgings were full. Better arrange for sure transport and lodgings than be sorry.  If you skip this part, well, there’s always the 6-hour van ride back to Puerto Princesa…no problem, right? #elnido

Don't worry about food along the way, the vans and buses has their designated 'lunch' stopovers. They were clean, not cheap but still affordable.

After a 6-hour ride, you'll see this sign, now time to wake up and open your groggy eyes for your first sight of El Nido.

Settle in first in your lodgings, assuming you had followed my advice on booking ahead. The town of El Nido has a crowded line-up of resorts, lodgings, accommodations of all sizes, price range and stars. Whatever suits you, whether your fancy or your wallet...just have patience and you'll find it on the net. Look for lodgings near the beachfront, though most of the time they are the most expensive.  There are some accommodations still available farther in town, but if you ask me, it doesn't matter if you are willing to pay a small price for trykes (which are everywhere!) and a few minutes (3-10 min at most) before you get to the beach. I said it doesn't matter because the beach you see is not the prize...its the appetizer! you still need to hire a boat to get to the islands #elnido

When you get to El Nido, it will be easy to find a tour operator. Your hotel might have their own “suki” so try asking them first. You also need to buy lunch at the local market and your boatman and guide can help you cook it for a satisfying grilled-over-the-rocks island meal. The tours are arranged based on the clusters of islands for easy navigating.  Here’s a rough sample of their tours:

Tour A: Simizu Island, Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando

Tour B: Pangalusian Island, Snake Island, Cadugnon Cave, Pinagbuyutan island, Cathedral Cove

Tour C: Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Star Beach, Tapuitan Strait

Tour D: Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, Paradise Beach, Natnat Beach, Bucal Island

Now food, let's talk about food. there's a lot of restaurants and eateries in town. You won't get hungry. There are also bars that are open up to midnight. Now what is most interesting is the food you'll take to the islands!

If the tour operator includes food in his price and if that suits you, then no problem at all!. The boatman will prepare the food for you, grilled or packed lunch.

We kinda' liked a castaway sumptuous lunch so we bought our own fish, salted eggs and eggplant for grilling. If you're like us, you can drop by at the local market to buy fresh fish and vegetables for grilling! The tour operator was kind enough to shoulder the cooked rice, so we just went hunting for big fish for grilling...at the market, not the open seas! 

Gear? Well, you better come prepared! Depends on your chosen adventure, your gear should suit you. Protection? Mosquito-repellent is a must! Some parts of the islands have been reported to have malaria-infested mosquitoes; sunscreen, the higher the UV protection the better (cannot get enough of this!), remember, you’re gonna go island hopping and not all islands have coconut trees for shade and sleeping; water gear: better check-in those fins and life vest (though all boats are required to have them on-board), snorkelling and scuba diving gear if you plan to dive (though these can be rented in town).

Now you're all set: hotel (check!), tour (check!), food (check!), gear (check!)….now what else? Hmmm….guess we have ‘em all. Now all we need to do is relax on the beach, wait for that glorious sunset, have dinner, head home to your lodgings, rest and wait for the excitement on the morrow…

Ready to see the islands? Browse through my next posts
Images of El Nido, The Island Series Part 1: From Helicopter to Snake with a Star in Between
Images of El Nido, The Island Series Part 2: Matinloc Shrine with a Hidden (Lagoon) and a Secret (Beach)

Now check my other post:
A Piece of Heaven on Earth called El Nido: My Best Shots