Things to do in El Nido Palawan + Travel Guide Hotels, Resorts, Tours, Packages
THINGS TO TO IN EL NIDO, PALAWAN TRAVEL GUIDE
Here’s your updated travel guide to help first-time travelers with the basic information they might need when visiting the place.
As of this writing El Nido, Palawan remains to be my favorite vacation place in the Philippines.
The place, being part of the Island is a coastal community composed of 45 islands and islets. From its spectacular towering cliffs to its white sandy beaches with crystal clear water, caves that can take you to hidden beaches, and a very diverse variety of wildlife, El Nido is no doubt one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines.
One very exciting activity when visiting the place is the Island hopping wherein guests can explore various beaches and enchanting lagoons with tranquil turquoise-green water surrounded by spectacular limestone rock formations. The islands and islets of the place have a landscape formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone. This is why sinkholes and caves are very common and are great attractions of the place. Many well-traveled visitors compare the karst backdrop of El Nido, Palawan similar to those found in Ha Long Bay, Krabi, and Guilin.
Things to do in El Nido Palawan + Travel Guide Hotels, Resorts, Tours, Packages
Apart from Island hopping, this destination offers a wide array of activities that will surely delight each of her guests. Activities which you may like include scuba diving as the place has over 30 dive sites for varying levels and skills; cliff climbing and spelunking for the more adventurous ones; kayaking, and windsurfing. If you wanted to see more of the place, you can also hire a motorbike for easy mobility.
Things to do in El Nido Palawan + Travel Guide Hotels, Resorts, Tours, Packages
Because of the beauty of the place, tourism became the main source of income in the place. The beachfront area has exploded in popularity over the years and is now largely a party area. Of course, the place is still not as crowded or as the festive as Boracay when it comes to beach parties. The place is also known for water sports such as diving, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Please click these articles for an additional Travel Guides :
THINGS TO DO IN EL NIDO, PALAWAN (Island Hopping Tour Packages)
The place is a top destination in the Philippines for Island hopping. Various tour operators are offering 4 Tours (A to D) and their prices are almost the same. Your own hotel can help you book your tour as most of them (if not all) are connected with any tour operators on the island. Tour operators will normally pick their guests from their hotels early morning to start the tour. All tours are inclusive of sumptuous buffet meals prepared by the staff during the trip.
Here’s a short description of these Island Hopping Tours
Tour A
BOOK THE CHEAPEST EL NIDO TOUR A HERE
Please click here for my review of “TOUR A” (LAGOON AND BEACHES)
El Nido Tour B
BOOK THE CHEAPEST EL NIDO TOUR B HERE
Tour C
BOOK THE CHEAPEST EL NIDO TOUR C HERE
El Nido Tour D
Things to do in El Nido Palawan + Travel Guide Hotels, Resorts, Tours, Packages
BUDGET FOR YOUR THINGS TO DO IN EL NIDO, PALAWAN
Van Transportation from Puerto Princesa to El Nido – P700/pax (one way)
Hotel – P900 ( I stayed at Gemini Traveler’s Lodge, Air-conditioned with Private Bath)
Island Hopping Tour Packages:
Things to do in El Nido Palawan + Travel Guide Hotels, Resorts, Tours, Packages
HOW TO GET THERE
The most popular way to reach the place is via Puerto Princesa, the capital city of Palawan. In going to Puerto Princesa, there are several flights from various airports in the country like Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Iloilo through Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Asia.
More affordable transportation, ideal for groups or budget travelers to reach Puerto Princesa is by sea. It takes 18 to 22 hours from Manila on board the 2Go Travel. 2Go Travel calls on Puerto Princesa once a week.
2Go Travel – Schedule Manila (Pier 4) to Puerto Princesa
Things to do in El Nido Palawan + Travel Guide Hotels, Resorts, Tours, Packages
FROM CORON, CUYO, ILOILO, AND CEBU BY SEA
From/To Cuyo, Iloilo, and Cebu, Montenegro Shipping also travels to Palawan once a week.
From Coron, it takes approximately 10 hours from Coron to Puerto Princesa on board To Go Travel.
To Go Travel – Schedule Coron to Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Things to do in El Nido Palawan + Travel Guide Hotels, Resorts, Tours, Packages
FROM PUERTO PRINCESA
Upon arrival at Puerto Princesa, you still have to cover about 220 kilometers of a highway to get to reach the destination. This is why it would be great to take the earliest flight possible from your place of origin so that you can reach Puerto Princesa very early as well. Of course, you don’t want to reach the place at night.
BOOK A VAN IN ADVANCE
If you want to ensure of a ride from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and vice versa, you can book in advance on this link:
If you are a budget traveler, take a bus. Two companies ply the Puerto Princesa-El Nido route every day. Outside the airport, take the tricycle and ask them to bring you to the bus terminal for El Nido. It takes about 6-8 hours, depending on how many stopovers the bus will take on the way.
Van: If you book your trip to the place through a Travel Agency, they can also book a van for you. However, a lot of Vans are waiting just outside the airport to bring you to the destination. The trip usually takes 5-6 hours.
LEXXUS TRIP SCHEDULES FOR A VAN
TO EL NIDO TO PUERTO PRINCESA
| TRIP NO. | DEPARTURE TIME | TYPE OF VAN | TRIP NO. | DEPARTURE TIME |
| TOYOTA COMMUTER | 1 | 4:00 AM | ||
| 1 | 5:30 AM | TOYOTA COMMUTER | 2 | 5:00 AM |
| 2 | 7:00 AM | TOYOTA GRANDIA | 3 | 7:00 AM |
| 3 | 8:00 AM | TOYOTA GRANDIA | 4 | 8:00 AM |
| 4 | 9:30 AM | JOYLONG MAJESTIC | 5 | 9:30 AM |
| 5 | 11:00 AM | JOYLONG HIVAN | 6 | 11:00 AM |
| 6 | 1:00 PM | TOYOTA GRANDIA | 7 | 1:00 PM |
| 7 | 2:30 PM | TOYOTA GRANDIA | 8 | 2:30 PM |
| 8 | 4:00 PM | TOYOTA COMMUTER | 9 | 4:00 PM |
| 9 | 5:30 PM | TOYOTA GRANDIA | 10 | 5:30 PM |
| 10 | 8:30 PM | JOYLONG MAJESTIC | 11 | 8:30 PM |
| TOYOTA GRANDIA | 12 AirAsia
SPECIAL TRIP FOR AIR ASIA MORNING FLIGHTS |
2:00 AM
ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL @ PPS 8:00AM |
||
| SPECIAL TRIP TO SABANG
BOOKING FROM TRAVEL AGENCIES |
4:00 AM
IF THERE IS 9PAX RESERVED DIRECT TRIP TO UNDERGROUND RIVER |
SPECIAL TRIP FOR AIR ASIA MORNING FLIGHTS
ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL @ PPS 8:00AM
BOOKING FROM TRAVEL AGENCIES
IF THERE IS 9PAX RESERVED
DIRECT TRIP TO UNDERGROUND RIVER
The schedule may change without prior notice.
Things to do in El Nido Palawan + Travel Guide Hotels, Resorts, Tours, Packages
LIST OF EL NIDO, PALAWAN HOTELS, AND RESORTS
It would be best to book ahead of your hotel/resorts when visiting the place. For certain months, more guests are visiting the place. Listed below are hotels and resorts wherein you can book directly your room. Just click the link and it will bring you directly to a booking site.
BUDGET HOSTELS/INNS
Our Melting Pot Hostel
Real Street, Philippines, 531
Relucio Travellers Pension, Palawan, Philippines
Blessed Inn
Rizal Street, Barangay Maligaya, El Nido
Forever Blessed Home
Serena Street, Barangay Buena Suerte Palawan, Philippines
Bnky Bed and Breakfast
Calle Amboy, Brgy. Maligaya
Big Creek Mansion
Zone 3, Barangay Masagana,
Kalinga Beach Resort
Sitio Caalan, Palawan, Philippine
ALESTON Secret El Nido Hotel
Bacuit Station
Mochileros Guesthouse
Real Street corner Tabanca, Brgy Masagan
Lolo Oyong El Nido Pension House
Rizal Street, Barangay Maligaya Zone 1
Karizma InnRecently
Pecado Street, Barangay Maligaya
Lualhati Garden Cottage
Rizal Street, Philippines, 5313
Arkitel Bed and Breakfast
Amboy St. Brgy. Maligaya, Palawan, Philippines, 5313
MEDIUM PRICED RESORTS AND HOTELS
El Nido Beach Hotel
Calle Hama Street, Brgy. Masagana
Four Seasons Resort
Barangay Corong Corong
Sophia’s Beach Guest House
Barangay Corong Corong
El Nido Beach Hotel
Calle Hama Street, Brgy. Masagana
LUXURY RESORTS AND HOTELS
Cauayan Island Resort
Bacuit Bay
Things to do in El Nido Palawan + Travel Guide Hotels, Resorts, Tours, Packages
FOOD: THINGS TO DO IN EL NIDO, PALAWAN
If you visit the place for an Island Hopping, lunch is already provided. For your breakfast, not all hotels offer free breakfast and not all of them have restaurants as well. But there are a few restaurants along the beach which offer breakfast. I recommend for you to take your breakfast to the beach to see how people prepare for the Island Hopping Tours which are the major activities on the Island. Moreover, the beachfront also offers a great view while dining.
At night time, most tourists prefer to dine also along the coastline or beachfront of El Nido, Palawan. This is also my favorite place to eat for dinner because the beach is a little livelier as compared to other parts of the place. However, I noticed that the food in the area is a bit pricey.
For those who are really on a tight budget, there are small grocery stores available in the area which sell cup noodles, coffee, bread, waters, drinks, etc.
Things to do in El Nido Palawan + Travel Guide Hotels, Resorts, Tours, Packages
HAPPY TRIP TRAVEL TIPS
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