El Nido Travel Guide
Hi there! π Iβm Benj Tupas and welcome to another Philippines Travel Guide where I write DIY and budget-friendly guides on how to travel to all 82 provinces of the Philippines!
For todayβs guide, letβs explore El Nido in the province of Palawan!
If you have any questions, you may message me on Facebook. π
Summary
Day 1:
βοΈ Flight to Puerto Princesa
π Van to El Nido
π₯ Femssan Restaurant
π Amos Pili Tree Inn
πΆ C Hama and Rizal Street
π₯ Wilnags Resto
π¨ Gusto Gelato
Sosyal accommodations I'll try on my next visit:
π Lime Resort
π Dolarog Beach Resort (See Day 3)
Use my 5% Promo Code on Klook: BENJKLOOK
Day 2: Tour A
π£ Big Lagoon (π₯ Episode)
ποΈ Shimizu Island (π₯ Episode)
β°οΈ Secret Lagoon (π₯ Episode)
π€Ώ Snorkel (π₯ Episode)
ποΈ 7 Commandos Beach (π₯ Episode)
π₯ The Food Truck
Day 3: Land Tour
βοΈ Centrale
ποΈ Vanilla Beach (π₯ Episode)
ποΈ Dolarog Beach Resort (π₯ Episode)
π₯ Mcdo
πββοΈ Duli Beach (π₯ Episode)
Day 4: Tour D
βοΈ Taste Cafe
πββοΈ Bukal Island (π₯ Episode)
ποΈ Paradise Island (π₯ Episode)
ποΈ Pasandigan Cove (π₯ Episode)
ποΈ Cadlao Lagoon (π₯ Episode)
ποΈ Small Lagoon
π₯ Mazabor
π¦ Spinner Ice Cream
Day 5: Nacpan Beach
βοΈ Maremegmeg Beach Club (π₯ Episode)
π Angkla Beach Resort (π₯ Episode)
ποΈ Nacpan Beach (π₯ Episode)
π₯ Portos Fiesta
Day 6: Lio Beach
π΅ Lio Beach (π₯ Episode)
βοΈ PLNT + HRVST
π 11:11 Cafe x Bistro
π Van Transfer to Puerto Princesa (Book Here)
π₯ Femssan Restaurant
βοΈ Flight back home
Please consider Athena Cafe and Art Cafe (This should be the final foodtrip but the weather didn't permit)
Expenses Breakdown: P17,300 for 6 Days
βοΈ P2,516 - Round trip tickets with Cebu Pacific Super Pass
π P3,539 - Amos Pili Tree Inn (P7,078.05 for 2 pax. Book Here)
Day 1: P1,719
P189 - Breakfast at Mcdo
P650 - Van Transfer (Book Here)
P180 - Femssan Restaurant
P100 - Tricycle to Amos Pili Tree Inn
P350 - Wilnags Resto
P200 - Gusto Gelato
Day 2: P2,530
P50 - Coffee and bread
P1,200 - Tour A (Book Here)
P200 - Environmental Fee
P200 - Entrance Fee on Big Lagoon
P300 - Kayak in Big Lagoon
P580 - Dinner
Day 3: P1,057
P250 - Motorcycle (P500 / 2)
P100 - Gas (P200 / 2)
P410 - Centrale
P177 - Mcdo
P120 - Dinner
Day 4: P2,000
P390 - Taste Cafe
P1,400 - Tour
P180 - Mazabor
P30 - Spinner Ice Cream
Day 5: P2,195
P250 - Motorcycle (P500 / 2)
P70 - Gas (P140 / 2)
P550 - Maremegmeg Beach Club
P1,000 - Angkla Beach Resort
P325 - Portos Fiesta
Day 6: P1,740
P250 - Motorcycle (P500 / 2)
P70 - Gas (P140 / 2)
P570 - PLNT + HRVST
P50 - Tricycle
P600 - Van Transfer (Book Here)
P200 - Femssan
Day 1: Travel to El Nido and Foodtrip
βοΈ 05:30AM - Flight via Cebu Pacific to Puerto Princesa
Cebu Pacific is now practicing 100% fully automated check-in from printing of boarding pass to dropping luggages. Really cool!
You can eat breakfast at the airport mall after checking in β
βοΈ 07:30AM - Arrival at Puerto Princesa International Airport
There's a car rental and sim card for foreigners on the arrival area
π 08:30AM - Ride the van to El Nido
- Just walk outside of the arrival area and you'll see the van terminal immediately.
- Our driver's van has a Katana shifter. π
Duration: 6 hours
- 10:30AM - First stop over (sari-sari stores and restroom)
- 11:30AM - Second stop over (lunch)
You'll eat lunch at Femssan Restaurant, a home-cooked Filipino food and garden restaurant.
P180 for chicken inasal with rice.
- 01:30PM - Third stop (sari-sari stores and restroom)
- 02:30PM - Arrival
Fare: P650 (Book Here)
π΅ Motorcycle to Amos Pili Tree Inn
- All tricycles in Puerto Princesa and El Nido look like sports cars
- Good leg room and height for foreigners
Luggage-friendly
This should be the benchmark in our country
Fare: P100
I also see solar farms at their terminals and schools. They should start planning to go 100% electric vehicles for public transport.
π Check-in at Amos Pili Tree Inn (Book Here)
Why here?
An aesthetic hotel in the heart of El Nido proper
Rooms are well-designed and clean. Free shampoo + conditioner that smells really good, soap, and tissue papers.
Beautiful view of El Nido limestone at the window
Cute dog that wants to be scratched all the time
πΆ Walk around the city proper
- My favorite areas: docking area and streets of Hama, Rizal, and Serena.
- You'll see coffeeshops, restaurants, bars, pasalubong centers, and island hopping agencies.
Here are the highlights per street:
- Hama Street: restaurants, bars, El Nido branded clothes, pasalubong centers, tour agencies, and convenience stores. (Find the "Boyfriend's Waiting Area")
- Rizal Street: cafes, restaurants, and tour agencies
- Serena Street: restaurants and tour agencies
- Docking area: beach and limestone views, restaurants and bars
We will review coffeeshops and restaurants in this area as you continue reading the guide.
π₯ Dinner at Wilnags Resto
Sample order: stuffed squid with rice (P350)
π¨ Gusto Gelato
Sample order: Arabeschi Pistachio and Hazelnut (P200 for 2 scoops. P120 for one)
πͺ Buy Water and Snacks
From Wilnags Resto to Gusto Gelato, just continue walking forward, there's a convenient store on the right. You can buy water and snacks for the tour.
π Ready your tour essentials
π΄ Sleep early so you'll have energy for Tour A
Day 2: Tour A
β 06:00AM - Breakfast, Prepare, and Tour Registration
πΆ Walk around Hama and Rizal streets to find breakfast:
- The Amos Pili Tree Inn's breakfast and all coffeeshops in the area open at 7AM
- Fortunately, thereβs a 24/7 bakery called Kierstine Bakeshop located at Amboy corner G Del Pilar street.
- From Amos Pili Tree Inn, just walk to the street on the left side.
- Total cost of the bread and 3-in-1 coffee is at around P50 or less.
- Just bring the food back to the hotel.
βοΈ Tour Registration (Seashore Inn):
- You can book Tour A for only P1,200 or P950 if promo. Book Here
- Most tours start at 9AM
- Mandatory fees:
P200 - Environmental Fee (Please keep the receipt of the Environmental Fee for future tours)
P200 - Entrance Fee on Big Lagoon
- Optional fees:
P100 - aqua shoes rental
P100 - snorkel rental
P300 - kayak
β°οΈ Take photos at their beautiful docking area
β΅οΈ 09:00AM - Boat ride to Big Lagoon
π£ 09:30AM - Kayak Ride in Big Lagoon
- The place offers beautiful limestone cliffs surrounded by turquoise blue water.
- You can navigate through the lagoon using a kayak you can rent for P300.
π₯ 11:30AM - Lunch at Shimizu Island
- Despite the gloomy weather, just look at how clear and blue the water is.
- This is where we ate lunch. Boodle fight in El Nido is no longer allowed for hygiene purposes and to avoid food poisoning according to the tour guide.
- I saw 3 huge and harmless komodo dragons.
β°οΈ 12:30PM - Secret Lagoon
- Located just beside of Shimizu Island.
- You need to enter a small hole to see the Secret Lagoon.
- There are rock formations shaped like a dragon glass (Game of Thrones reference) surrounding the lagoon
π€Ώ 01:30PM - Snorkel beside Secret Lagoon
- You can rent snorkel + googles for P100 and aqua shoes for P100 at the docking station.
- Renting aqua shoes is optional but recommended coz the stones in El Nido are sharp.
ποΈ 03:00PM - 7 Commando Beach
π The perfect day ender for Tour A.
π You can play volleyball with fellow joiners or strangers on the island. The guides will initiate the play to entertain the guests.
π₯€ Thereβs a store where you can buy shakes, beers, and snacks
π€Ώ Swim and snorkel on the turquoise blue water thatβs so inviting.
β΅οΈ 05:00PM - Go back to accommodation, rest, and change clothes
π₯ 06:30PM The Food Truck
- It's a jeepney turned food truck that serves Thai food
- Sample order: 6 pcs Gyoza (P240) and Pad Thai with Seafood (P340)
- The serving is large so assume that both are good for 2
π Go back to accommodation and ready your tour essentials.
π΄ Sleep early so you'll have energy for tomorrow's tour.
Day 3: Land Tour
π΅ Rent a Scooter
- Rent with Amos Pili Tree Inn
- There are also a lot of rentals in Hama and Rizal streets
- Standard rate is P500. I already asked everywhere.
- There's Caltex on the way to Vanilla Beach if you're collecting GoRewards points
- P220 - Gas for 3 liters
βοΈ Breakfast at Centrale
- All day breakfast and bar
- Sample order: pancake (P220) and iced latte (P190)
ποΈ Vanilla Beach
π A beach you can easily access for free
π¬ There are restaurants, bars, coffeeshops, gym, apparel stores, etc.
β I highly recommend eating breakfast at Maremegmeg Beach Bar (More on Day 5)
ποΈ Their restaurant has a beautiful beachfront view
π₯οΈ You can rent a speedboat for P3,500 per head with a 6-person minimum
π¦ You can also ride the zipline from P600 to P1,200 depending on your combination
ποΈ Dolarog Beach Resort
- You can access this beautiful place for FREE as long as the resort doesnβt have many guests.
- How to get here? Upon reaching Maremegmeg Beach, just turn left and walk on the beach for around 10 minutes until you see this wooden bridge.
π₯ Mcdo
Sample order: Cheese burger with medium fries and medium coke (P177)
πββοΈ Duli Beach
π The surfing spot of El Nido.
π΅ To get here, you need to rent a scooter and easily pin the location on Google Maps. Itβs around 45 minutes of travel time from the city proper.
πΆ Hangout with chill and happy doggos
π Just be careful during rainy days. The road is really slippery.
π₯ First Karinderya
- After the crazy drive from Duli Beach, we were too lazy to find a good place to eat.
- There's a karinderya in-front of Kierstine Bakeshop located at Amboy corner G Del Pilar street.
- Sample order: lechon paksiw with rice (P120)
π Go back to accommodation and ready your tour essentials.
π΄ Sleep early so you'll have energy for tomorrow's tour.
Day 4: Tour D
βοΈ 07:00AM - Breakfast at Taste Cafe
- Aesthetic vegan cafe
- They have board games you can play with friends
- Sample Order: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich (P200) and Iced Latte (P190)
βοΈ 09:00AM - Registration with Travconn at Docking Area
πββοΈ Bukal Island
- First destination of this tour
- Perfect for people who prefer a beach thatβs not crowded
ποΈ Paradise Island
The name perfectly describes this beach. Just look at the crystal clear blue water. π
ποΈ Pasandigan Cove
π My favorite beach of Tour D and my entire El Nido trip.
π₯ This is where you'll eat lunch
π€Ώ You can snorkel here
ποΈ Cadlao Lagoon
π£ You can explore the place by renting a kayak for P300.
ποΈ Small Lagoon
β°οΈ Small Lagoon is the smaller version of Big Lagoon. Both are beside each other.
π£ You can explore the place by renting a kayak for P300. But I decided to skip kayaking here since I already enjoyed both times at Big Lagoon and Cadlao Lagoon.
π€Ώ This is where I found around 4 Nemos.
π₯ Mazabor
- You can eat at their balcony and enjoy seeing people pass by as you eat.
- This is located beside Gusto Gelato
- Sample order: Sizzling Beef Pares (P180)
π¦ Spinner Ice Cream for Dessert (P30)
Just walk a few steps from Mazabor
π Go back to accommodation and ready your tour essentials.
π΄ Sleep early so you'll have energy for tomorrow's tour.
Day 5: Nacpan Beach
It will take you around 40 minutes from the town proper to reach this beautiful place.
π΅ Rent a scooter
- Rent with Amos Pili Tree Inn
- There are also a lot of rentals in Hama and Rizal streets
- Standard rate is P500. I already asked everywhere.
- There's Caltex on the way to Vanilla Beach if you're collecting GoRewards points
- P140 - Gas for 2 liters
π Breakfast at Maremegmeg Beach Club
Their hotel, restaurant, and bar are located on the beach front.
Sample order: Filipino breakfast with your choice of meat plus coffee plus fruits (P550)
π Angkla Beach Resort
- A popular beach resort in Nacpan visited by big celebrities like Anne Curtis, Kathryn Bernardo, Yassi Pressman, Liza Soberano, Catriona Gray, Mimiyuuh, Dominique Roque, Kylie Versoza, and Belle Mariano
- Thereβs a P1,000 consumable entrance fee which is very sulit for the place. Better if you stay there for the whole day to maximize the resort.
- Sample orders: Tinola (P650), Mango Shake (P250), Rice (P500), Chocolate Cake (P360), Summertime Magic smoothie bowl (P550).
ποΈ Nacpan Beach
- A very long beach with 4KM of sand.
- You can access the beach for free but better if stay at a resort like Angkla
- Drive back to city proper
π₯ Portos Fiesta
Sample Order: Sizzling Pork Sisig (P295) + Rice (P30)
π§Ί Laundry shop near Centrale
At this point, you'll have a lot of wet clothes. I don't want to bring home wet clothes so I decided to wash my clothes at a laundry shop near Centrale the night before.
P100 per kilo with discount if wet. Quite expensive but worth it.
You can pick it up tomorrow morning.
Day 6: Lio Beach
π Get Laundry and Pack Things
π΅ Ride to Lio Beach
ποΈ Another beautiful beach you can easily access for free
βοΈ This is located beside Lio Airport
π΅ Just 15 to 20 minutes away from the town proper
βοΈ Breakfast at PLNT + HRVST
- Another delicious and Instagrammable vegan cafe
- Sample order: Sausilog (Sausage with egg, rice, and water melon) at P380 and Iced Latte with Soy Milk at P190
π Checkout at Amos Pili Tree Inn
π Lunch at 11:11 Cafe x Bistro
- The initial plan was to visit Art Cafe but it was raining
- In front of El Nido Central School
- Sample order: chicken inasal with unli rice (P199)
π Go Home
To go home, just reverse the process going here:
π΅ Ride a tricycle going to the van terminal (P50 per head)
π Ride a van going to Puerto Princesa (Book Here)
π₯ Dinner at Femssan (sample order: fried chicken + chopseuy + 1 rice for P200)
Duration: 6 hours
βοΈ Flight to Metro Manila
Thanks for reaching this far!
π
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ποΈ
Travel dates: October 11 to 16, 2023