An impulsive decision that turned out to be an amazing trip to paradise. I booked a return ticket to Manila for 500 AED (130 USD) a while ago. Only a week before my trip I decided to book a flight from Manila to the island that just has been voted best island in the world. I couldn’t agree more, it’s the only place I have been that looks better than the photoshopped pictures.
Scroll to the end if you just want to know all the practical summary: how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to party …. and drool at all the pictures on your way 😉
First stop is is Puerto Princesa, 1h20m flight from Manila. The flight is quite entertaining, a Cebu Pacific air hostess starts to sing. I sit back and relax, other passengers raise their hands to guess the song and win some merchandise. It’s not a luxurious airline but at least its fun 🙂
Tricycles are waiting everywhere at the airport to show me around. My time here is limited so I get out at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. On the opposite side there is a less peaceful place: a war a memorial for American soldiers who were burned alive by Japanese soldiers. Plaza Cuartel is a quiet little park where the history of this horror place is portrayed. In the building next to the park I can hear a choir practicing, it’s almost like they are honoring all the deaths here. Every place on earth is different but sadly I have seen war memorials in every single one.
Wow that sounded all a bit deep and dark, time to hit the road to El Nido. 6 hours that’s how long I will be sitting in a van. There are different types of transportation, from public transport to vans with WiFi. My ride was something in between, like a sardine can: a seat of 50 cm and almost no leg space. Oh well it’s all part of the adventure. Btw I think they make custom seats to fill any empty spaces in the van.
On the way from Puerto Princesa to El Nido I am being entertained by group of locals. Filipinos are very open, friendly and they like to chat so the ride was very amusing.
A week later on the way back, I traveled with a backpacker that I met in the hostel, who said traveling alone is lonely and boring?
Finally, after 6 hours I arrive at my destination: El Nido aka Paradise.
Spin designer hostel is my base for the next couple of days. I drop my carry on bag (travel light!) in the dormitory and ask the staff where I can catch up with seafood. Sea slugs is the place to be! It’s only a 5 minute walk, I like the atmosphere in the streets of El Nido, the vibe is good. Tricycles, street stalls but not too busy. Enjoying fresh sea food with a local red horse beer on the beach while I can hear the waves hitting the coast, aah life is good.
The waitress asks me if it is my first day and if I already booked any island hopping trips. Just what I need, I didn’t plan anything. She offers me a good deal for 2 island hopping tours: Tour A and C. Remember that A and C, all companies offer tours A, B, C and D but A and C are the best tours!
One tours costs 1200 – 1400 peso (25 – 30 USD), starts at 9 am and ends at around 5 pm. Lunch, guides, snorkeling gear included.
Island hopping is a new concept for me, I don’t like sitting on the beach the whole day so I am not sure what to expect. Well it turns out that this island hopping is a mix of snorkeling, exploring lagoons and magical beaches. I swim with all kind of fishes in the azure blue water and enjoy jaw dropping views of paradise, I am constantly smiling here 🙂 🙂
Lunch during the island hopping is also an experience. There is a BBQ attached to the side of the boat and our meal is prepared as we cruise to the next island. Fresh crab, squid fish, shrimps, this is a delicious feast!
After 2 days of island hopping I decide to explore the island in a different way. Why not use a zipline to fly from one island to the other? Yes in Elnido you can fly over paradise like superman and I have it on Go Pro!
The sunset on the way back is the cherry on the pie.
Well I think it’s clear that I highly recommend a trip to El Nido on the island of Palawan. It’s more fun in the Philippines!
How to get to El Nido?
There are 2 options, it all depends on your time and budget.
- Fly from Manila to El Nido = Fast but expensive, 1 way 6000 peso (130 USD)
- Fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa + take a 6h bus ride to El Nido
- 1 way flight 1100 peso (23 USD)
- 1 way bus trip to El Nido 500 peso (10 USD)
Where to Stay in El Nido?
I stayed in Spin designer hostel it’s a super clean, new hostel with a good atmosphere and a perfect location. A high end hostel but still affordable.
For 4 nights in a dormitory I paid 3700 peso (80 USD).
- Location: you can walk to all places mentioned in this post in less than 10 min. The zipline is a 10 min tricycle ride.
- Atmosphere: meeting people here is super easy. There is a beer pong night, BBQ, … I even got to try balut 😀
- Staff: amazing: everyone was very helpful and cheerful. They also mingle with the guests and just make you feel very welcome 🙂
- Breakfast: free, fresh eggs in any style, pancakes, waffles, different types of bread, toast, jams, honey, juices, coffee, … (this is luxurious for a hostel)
- Cleanliness: very clean, almost every time I went to the shared facilities I saw someone cleaning.
- Interior: super cool, boutique hostel, I love this trend of well designed high end hostels.
It’s a bit more expensive than a regular hostel in Philippines but for me it was definitely worth it!
Photo’s Spin Designer hostel by Ben Beringuela http://www.benberinguela.com/
What to do in El Nido?
- Island Hopping 1200 – 1400 peso per tour (25 – 30 USD), if you only have time for 2 tours then do:
- Tour A
- Tour C
- El Nido Zipline 700 peso (14 USD) watch a video about my ride over paradise like superman.
Where to eat in El Nido?
Where to party in El Nido?
Hi, love the blog. Two questions, how do I grab the van from Puerto Princessa to El Nido. Also, what tour companies did you book your tours through?
Thanks!
Hi Rachel, glad you like the blog 🙂
To answer your questions:
– In Puerto Princessa you will see a lot of people offering the mini van and every hotel will offer this service as well, just try to negotiate the price down a little.
– In El Nido I went to the sea slugs restaurant who offered me all the tours while i was enjoying fresh sea food. (location is in the blog) The food on their tours was delicious as well! Any hotel/hostel will offer the same tours as well.