Enjoy the waters of El Nido
If you’re looking for serene and pristine beaches, head off to the northern part of the Philippines' last frontier.
Are you looking for serene and pristine beaches? You should head to El Nido, one of the best beach destinations in the Philippines, located in the northern part of Palawan.
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El Nido has something to offer for every kind of tourist visiting the place—from kayaking, snorkeling, mountain climbing, to diving and many more.
Look for island tour options before heading to El Nido. Kayaking is a good option if you want to go to the Big Lagoon or the Small Lagoon and it’s best to go in the morning.
If you want to swim and enjoy friendlier waves, Helicopter Island is the ideal option. I liked how the waves pushed me to the shore and how the sand tickled my back.
The Hidden Beach should be in your list if you want to snorkel and find Nemo. The diverse marine life in the area will surely take your breath away.
Hidden Beach is part of island tour B, which also includes Snake Sandbar. This is the best place for lunch and a lot of photos. A tip: Go up the hill to take photos of the island.
Other attractions in El Nido are the Nacpan-Calitang Twin Beaches, an inland tour. You can best reach this destination by tricycle. You can also opt for a van.
HOW TO GET THERE
For a budget traveller like me, I took a plane bound for Puerto Princesa and from there, a van bound for El Nido. This is more convenient and budget-friendly for me than taking any other routes. The usual van would cost you at around P600-700 (USD14 to USD16) from Puerto Princesa-El Nido, but if you want bigger legroom, be prepared to add P200-300 (more than USD5). You can also opt for a chartered plane from Manila to El Nido.
OTHER TIPS
Come nighttime, several places offer good music and nice ambience, so, just chill! Aside from getting a good meal, make sure you charge all your gadgets in the evening, as El Nido being such a rustic paradise, doesn’t have electric supply from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. (So make sure you’re out enjoying the beach at this time!) Another tip, El Nido doesn’t have ATM machines, only pawnshops and money remittance centres, you should withdraw beforehand and have more than enough.
