El Nido, Philippines

The only way of getting to El Nido if you have limited funds is by boat or bus. The flights there are a lot more expensive than other local flights in the Philippines (PHP 6,750 per person from Manila) and the plane is even smaller than the one that flies to Coron. We opted on taking the eight hour boat ride from Coron which only cost us Php2200. The boat was tiny and we were packed in it like sardines, uncomfortably staring at the strangers we were going to spent the entire day with.

The boat from Coron to El Nido, The Overcomer 2.

When we arrived in El Nido it was pouring with rain. We went straight to Art Café, a restaurant/ shop/ travel agency, that we had booked a package through prior to our arrival. The package included accommodation at any one of five different resorts in EL Nido, breakfast at Art Café, island hopping, lunch, rental fee for masks and snorkels and environmental fee. They then proceeded to take us to our accommodation at Marina Garden Beach Resort where we were staying in the deluxe room (Php2250). The accommodation itself was really nice. It is right on the beach and there are hammocks for guests to use (if the staff are not already lying on them) and a little bar type thing where guests could purchase drinks and sandwiches. I found the staff however to be very unfriendly and they seemed to get upset when I requested something. They also allowed hawkers to use their chairs outside and disturb guests which I found really annoying.

Marina Garden

We woke up on the first day and headed to Art Café for breakfast. The staff working there were incredibly friendly and efficient. We had booked an adventure package through them which would keep us entertained us for the next four days. On the first day we went on a kayak tour. It was perhaps the most beautiful day we had our entire holiday. The scenery was breathtaking, clear blue water lapping against limestone cliffs. We kayaked through the Ubugon lagoon, visited Helicopter Island, Cadlao Wall and Bocal Island. We were also fortunate to meet up with another couple on our tour who were also there on vacation. The next three days we continued to eat breakfast at the Art Café and spend the remainder of the day island hopping. We snorkeled at various spots, did some cave diving and relaxed on white sandy beaches. Each day we were presented with a delicious lunch on the beach which for me consisted of some cooked vegetables, rice and fruit whilst Ian enjoyed the fresh fish that had just been cooked on hot coals. Perhaps a highlight for me was all the snorkeling we did as it was my first time. There were so many things to see under the water and you did not have to go far to find anything. We also were fortunate enough to see a turtle. Another highlight was visiting snake island which is an island that has taken on the shape of a snake. I was instantly taken back by the beauty that was there.

Me and snake island below (above)

Where we had lunch that day (left). Also a part of snake island.

Places to eat
There are many restaurants in El Nido that house an array of various foods. It’s therefore not difficult to find something you like. Ric’s Son and Sea Slugs are right on the beach and have a great atmosphere and incredible food. Sea Slugs in particular had incredible pizza’s. Art café is another restaurant that has great food and a large menu. Most of these places also have a live band playing which adds to the atmosphere. Another fabulous restaurant we visited was Blue Azul. The man who owns it was very friendly and accommodating. His slogan is, “Name it, Libby will cook it.” This is certainly true as this restaurant serves anything from fish and chips, curries, pasta’s, spring rolls, cordon blue etc. The list is endless. The prices are very reasonable due to the fact that this restaurant is not on the beach. It is situated in Real St, Buena Suerto, they also have a website www.blueazul.co.cc. Most of these restaurants also offer island hopping packages.

A picture of Art Cafe (left).

Beaches around El Nido
There is a beach around El Nido that we visited towards the end of our stay. We paid a tricycle to drop us off at Marimegmeg beach which cost us Php50. The beach itself looked really nice however when we lay down on the sand we were ravaged by sand flies. Thus it did not take long before we were back on a tricycle heading back to El Nido. Here is a picture below that I took whilst we were riding in the tricycle.




Leaving El Nido

Leaving El Nido turned out to be another long strenuous journey. The Art Café had thankfully organized for Ian and I to catch a small bus (Php2200) from El Nido to Puerto Princesa where we would spend the night and fly to Manila the following day . The bus ride was 7 hours long on possibly the worst road I have ever seen. We had also been out quite late the night before with the couple we had met on our first day in El Nido which added to the discomfort of the trip. It was however interesting to witness Palawon on the outside, far from a place that has been kitted out for tourists. I had always accepted the fact that I was from the third world country; however it dawned on me as I was flushing a toilet by pouring water into the toilet bowl at one of our stops along the way that my perception of third world was rather candy coated.

Puerto Princesa is nothing special. In fact I was relieved that we were only staying there one night. The town is very run down and dirty and everything is spread out and difficult to find. We stayed in Manny’s guest house, which was actually very nice and affordable (Php500 a room). We were the only guests there so we thankfully did not have to share a bathroom with anyone.

View from Manny's of the streets below.

Overall I had a great trip to the Philippines. It is a truly beautiful country with so many things to see and do. I was quite concerned upon arrival as this time of year is considered their rainy season however, when we were there, it only rained once a day for an hour therefore it did not affect any of our activities. On one of the days we even snorkeled in the rain. I think in high season it would perhaps be a bit too busy for my liking.

Places to stay El Nido
Marina Garden Beach Resort
Rooms range from Php650 (Family cottage)- Php2250
www.marinagardenelnido.multiply.com
marinagarden.elnido@gmail.com
+ 63 9176247722

Rosanna’s cottages
Rooms from Php 1000- Php 1800
www.rosannas.multiply.com
rosannascottages_elnido@yahoo.com
09206054631

Places to stay in Puerto Princesa
Manny’s Guest House (Small kitchen, WiFi zone, cable TV)
Rooms range from Php400- Php650.
www.mannysguesthouse.com
emmanuellucena@yahoo.com
(048) 725 1938



House of Rose (Swimming pool, WiFi zone, resto bar and free airport transfer)
Rooms range from Php300 (backpacker room) to Php1400.
www.palawonhotel.com
E- mail: andyhouse_of_rose@yahoo.com
(048) 4341316

Dolce Vita (Swimming pool, WiFi zone, room service, bar and restaurant, laundry and babysitting).
Rooms range from Php 2500- Php 4100
www.hotels-palawon.com
E- mail: info@hotels-palawon.com
(0063) 48 434 5357

Some last pictures
The cave where we went diving (left) and below, an abandoned shack on one of the beaches.