This is my first time to visit El Nido and it makes me want to go back.
March 23, 2019 7:15pm, we landed in Puerto Princesa Airport and went straight to El Nido. From PPS to El Nido it will take 4-5hrs travel time, for Php500 fare. ($9.61)
I arrived in Our Melting Pot Hostel around 3am and it’s not time to sleep yet as I need to work. haha! I worked from 3am to 11am that day while waiting for my friend to arrive.
So basically stayed at that hostel just to work, I do not recommend this kind of hostel if you are not used to small toilets and high bunk beds, I wasn’t able to stay on the bed itself as it is so high, that I think I might fall anytime especially on getting up and down from the bed. So I stayed at the Hostel’s lobby all the time, but it is affordable- for Php550 ($10.57) per night per person (with breakfast) on their 7 Mixed Dorm type bed.
Breakfast that day includes Pandesal, coffee, banana, and some pancakes. I like the view while eating breakfast ‘cos from their breakfast area -you can see Taraw Cliff.
After breakfast around 9am, I decided to transfer to Novie’s Tourist Inn, which we will stay for the next 4 days and since I only had coffee at the hostel, I also ordered a full breakfast meal- Tocilog.
We spent Php5,400 ($103.81) in an AC room for 3 and that’s for 3 nights and 4 days already. So that’s only Php1,800 ($34.60) each – super affordable for 3 nights stay. Right? And the place is so relaxing, surrounded by plants and the room has a clean toilet and bath, and comfy beds too. ( 1 single bed and 1 queen bed) and the staff are all very welcoming and accommodating.
We also got our island tour from them as well as the van transfers (PPS-El Nido and El Nido to PPS)- hassle-free.
So I finished my work around 11am and since my friend and my husband is not yet arriving, I decided to try the Taraw Canopy Walk while waiting since it’s just 10mins away from Novie’s Inn. Entrance is Php400 ($7.69) per person (includes helmet, harness and a guide)
I heard from the locals that hiking Taraw Cliff has been prohibited because there had been accidents but they are able to this as an alternative, which is safer. But there are still a few people who choose to take the risk to see the beauty of El Nid, but this one is okay for me for now.
The great thing about this experience was the tour guide are well trained not only for the canopy walk but also with taking good photos! Just look at this photo above. ⇑ WOW!
It only took me about 30mins with this experience and went back to Novie’s Inn.
In the afternoon, we decided to just chill at Las Cabanas Beach which is just 15mins away- The water is so nice, there are several bars and restaurants in the place which is now been develop with commercial buildings. I hope they will be able to preserve the cleanliness of the beach.
One thing I advise, do not order fruit shakes from the people walking around the beach and offering drinks, it is so expensive and not good at all. Sorry! Just my own opinion- It is better to buy drinks and food outside then just bring it since it’s a public beach so it is allowed to bring your own food/drinks.
Then we spent our night at Outpost Beach Hostel as they also have a bar. This was actually our first choice when we are looking for a place to stay but they are fully booked. I wasn’t able to take photos here. 😦
The Next Day, we are scheduled for our Tour A. We pay for Php1400 ($28.82) for the Tour which includes fees and lunch.
PS: If you guys have aqua shoes, you better bring it as there are parts of the tour that will have rocky sands, some locals offer rentals for Php100 ($1.92) But it would save you some money if you bring your own.
The tour also includes transfer from the Inn to the pickup point of the boat.
This is where we ate lunch, tadaaah!! eating time!!
We finished around 4 in the afternoon and head back to Novie’s Inn and took a nap.
That night we just chill with some drinks and pizza from Trattoria Altrov’e. Then Decided to call it a day and sleep early.
The next day is scheduled for a Land Tour- very exciting as we hired a motorbike to go around El Nido. We managed to get a tour guide which includes the rental of motorcycle for only Php1500 ($28.84) for 2 people for the whole day.
Kuya Ernie is also my tour guide during my Taraw Canopy Walk experience and that day happens to his day off so it’s kind of an extra income for him. Contact him here if you want to have him as your tour guide. +639452979194. I highly advise to call him days before you plan your land tour to make sure he is available.
We started around 9:00 am and decided to go to Nacpan Twin Beach first,
It takes 30-45mins from El Nido proper to Nacpan, (depending on how fast you drive)
Nacpan Beach is said to be the most beautiful beach around El Nido town and some vloggers said it can be the next Boracay. But I really hope this stays as what it is, raw and beautiful. There are several stores offering food, drinks, and this fresh buko juice.
We stayed for about 30mins, had buko juice with booze, swim and of course picture taking. (IG is life haha)
Next, Duli beach which is about 15-20 minutes away from Nacpan. This 2 km beach is just wow- picture perfect. Clear blue water, white sand, palm trees- what more can I ask for? and oh yeah it said to have seven months per year good waves to surf! Yes! they have surfing here in El Nido!
From Duli Beach, we ate lunch and head straight to Lio Beach and stayed there to chill and rest.
We can see airplanes from our spot since just a few minutes from here is the Lio Airport, where small airplanes can land from Manila, this way you can save 5hrs land travel from Puerto Princesa- buuuutttt it is expensive so we still prefer Puerto because we love Piso fare. haha!
After the land tour, we just decided to chill again at Las Cabanas Beach and again call it a day.
The following day we left El Nido in the morning as we need to be in Puerto Princesa before 3 in the afternoon because of work.
El Nido has so much to offer and 4 days is not enough. If you have plans on going to El Nido better get all the tours if you have lots of budget- as there are lots of islands here that are really beautiful- and also make sure to visit Nacpan, Duli, and Lio beach. Specially Nacpan- it’s a must! There is an option to rent a tricycle or van instead of a single motorcycle for the land tour. So it depends on how many are you and how much budget you have.
Another travel bucket list checked on my list.
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