This blog post was written a while back. I recommend to also check my newer blog on El Nido vs. Coron

A few years ago when I came the first time to the Philippines, I traveled to El Nido. All I remember about this place is, that it was such a hassle to get there. I was sitting on the roof of a bus and praying that I would survive the endless 7 hour ride. Hold on, there was something else I remember clearly. Right, I remember that I felt like Alice in Wonderland. El Nido had blown my mind.

I have never seen anything like that before, it was probably the most beautiful place in the world.

Over the years I kept talking about El Nido, I was telling friends and strangers about the place and how magical it was (and I sent quite a few people there, just for the record, everybody was amazed).

Actually it was not the town El Nido itself that took my breath away. It was the surroundings and the stunning views of the seascape. Every morning people are heading out by bangka boats to explore nearby Islands and lagoons, snorkel in crystal clear waters and discovering caves and hidden beaches.

In 2013, I decided to visit El Nido again (fantastic decision!!) to take photos for my blog. The roads were better than I remember, and the buses looked newer and had A/C. Nice. When I reached the town and looked over the bay of El Nido, it was just as amazing as I remembered it. The beauty of the Archipelago was almost surreal. I was back in paradise. And ridiculously happy. The place is magic I tell you...

Good question. Once upon a time, El Nido was a sleepy town at the northern tip of Palawan that has been relatively unknown to foreigners. In the 1980s, it became a popular tourist destination and worldwide attention for its superb diving, endless white sandy beaches and steep limestone cliffs, surrounded by turquoise crystal clear waters, beautiful lagoons, waterfalls and caves. El Nido became the gateway to Asia's most beautiful natural treasure: The Bacuit Archipelago. 

Or let's say it in other words: Mother Nature has gone crazy here.

El Nido is not just a tropical beach paradise, it's a place like no other. With breathtaking views of nature, over and under the sea, El Nido is so unique and for sure, one of the most beautiful seascapes on earth.

Have you seen the movie or read the book "The Beach"? The author Alex Garland wrote his bestseller novel while he was living in El Nido. The story in the movie is about Thailand though, but the truth is that Thailand was not the inspiration for his book. It was El Nido and the stunning Islands around. Eventually, for creative licence purposes Garland felt that the theme of the story itself was better off being set in the Islands of Koh Phi Phi, Thailand.

The beauty of El Nido is hard to describe, you have to see the place with your own eyes.

You can not leave El Nido without exploring the nearby Islands! That's the MOST important sightseeing in Palawan! No excuse! El Nido offers 4 different kind of Island Hopping Tours and each of them visit different places. They call them Tour A, B, C, and D. If you have only time for one or two of them, choose Tour A or C. Both are amazing. Actually all of them are amazing. But A & C are my favorites.

The prices for Island Hopping rise every year, at the time of 2013 they charge usually PHP700-900 (~US$15-19) per person for a full day trip incl. Lunch and boat rental. I highly recommend to book your island hopping tours online.

If you already have a group of 4 people or more, hire a private boat, so you're more flexible with the route and can escape the other tour operators. With around 50 beaches to explore, it's quite easy to find your own secluded beach without seeing any crowds. 

Dip into the pristine waters, go snorkeling and discover an underwater wonderland with more than 100 species of corals and 800 species of fish.

Besides Island Hopping you can go diving or rent a kayak. I didn't do any of those and rented a motorbike instead. You have to bargain hard, they usually ask for PHP500-700 (~US$10-15) for daily rental. With a big smile and a lot of schmooze I was able to get a motorbike for PHP400 (~US$8) for 6 hours.

Nacpan and Calitang Beach are MUST VISIT PLACES! Those twin beaches (Photo above and below) are 1 - 1,5 hours north from El Nido. The streets are in terrible condition! Oh hell, they were unforgivable! If you're not an experienced motorbike driver, don't do it! Better hire a tricycle instead (PHP700-1000 or US$15-20) for the round trip to Nacpan/Calitang Beach.

The roads were so dirty, I was covered in dust when I got there. I could literally write my name on my arm! But it was all worth it!! 

When I arrived at Nacpan Beach, I was all alone and had the beach completely to myself. The water was unbelievably clear and warm...

I climbed up the little hill, where both beaches come together. The view was absolutely stunning (Photo above). Turquoise sea, white powdery sand, an endless beach with countless coconut trees. A gorgeous place, perfect for an afternoon picnic. Just for the record, there is nothing along the beach, in case you get hungry, there is a restaurant along the path that leads to the beach.

There are no international flights to El Nido, so you have to fly via Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

El Nido itself has an airport, but at the time of writing only ITI (Island Transvoyager) serves the route Manila to El Nido. 

Update 2016:

Also Airswift has direct flights to El Nido from Manila and Cebu. fares around PHP6000 (US$120).

Flights can be quite pricey, but it's the fastest and most direct way. My friend Tyri flew with them, she said it's like flying with a private jet. The planes are very small (20 seater), so it'll be for sure a terrific experience to see all the Islands and the Archipelago from above. 

Alternatively (and this is what I did), it's cheaper (but more time consuming) to fly to Puerto Princesa. For flights check Cebu Pacific Air, Pal Express, and Air Asia. Definitely compare prices at Skyscanner and watch out for promotions! My ticket was less than PHP1000 (US$21)!

From Puerto Princesa Airport, connect via Bus or Van to El Nido. The trip will take 5-6 hours.

Air conditioned vans leave direct from the Airport in Puerto Princesa to El Nido for PHP600-700 (US$12-15) one-way.

Cheaper are Buses, leaving from San Jose Terminal. RORO Bus Company has relatively new buses, leaving every 2 hours between 4 AM and 10 PM. For more comfort, choose the A/C Bus (PHP480 ~ US$10). The fan bus (PHP380) can get  quite overcrowded. The bus stops a lot of times on the way and it will take at least 6 hours or more to reach El Nido.

El Nido offers a wide selection of accommodation for all budgets. If your budget is tight, along Rizal Street you can find basic rooms with bathroom for PHP400-800 (US$8-16). A good budget place is Melting Pot Hostel (~PHP500/US$10).

I stayed 2 weeks in El Nido and tried several resorts, the following ones are my personal recommendations:

After all, El Nido is really a magical place. I'm glad I made it back there in 2013, and I'll be back for sure in a few years. The town changed a lot compare to my first visit in 2009. Prices are higher, more hotels have been built, and along the beach more and more bars and restaurants have opened. It's not the sleepy town I remembered. If you can make the trip to Palawan, do it sooner than later, before this place gets overcrowded. The town might change, but the Archipelago will hopefully never lose those magic I felt when I saw the place in the first time.

Travel Tips for the Philippines

Are you ready to fly to the Philippines? Here some quick booking links and resources that I use myself for travel planning. These websites will help you to get started with your Philippines itinerary!

Cheap Flights to the Philippines (and around)

Skyscanner is my favorite search engine for finding cheap flights, I always start my flight search here! I've tried plenty other flight websites - hands down - Skyscanner has the lowest rates, almost every time! 

Transport within the Philippines

Bus, boat, and trains: 12Go is one of the most reliable websites in Southeast Asia when it comes to booking buses, ferries and railway. Get an instant seat confirmation and start your overland travel worry-free.

Taxis: Grab is my go-to app to call a cab. No more hailing taxis down the road.

Find a place to stay in the Philippines

Hostels, hotels and resorts: Agoda is excellent if you're looking for hotels from budget to luxury! It's one of the largest hotel booking websites in the world. Plenty of options to book now and pay later, or even pay at the hotel. Risk-free booking, many with free cancellation. My other go to is Booking.com.

Homestays and Housesits: For a more authentic and local experience I recommend Homestay.com, a website where you can find places to stay with locals for such a great price. Personally, I'm obsessed with Trusted Housesitters, where you get to stay completely for free in exchange for pet care. Find out more in my article on How to Become a House Sitter and Never Pay for Accommodation.

Fun Tours and Activities in the Philippines

Get your Guide has plenty of fun activities in the Philippines, such as island hopping, hiking tours and city sightseeing trips. There is plenty of choices to keep yourself entertained!

Klook is similar than the one above, but offers additional options such as airport transfers, SIM cards, and food & dining experiences. It' a great way to meet other travelers while exploring a new place!

eSIM - Stay connected with Internet

Get an eSIM before you go and have Internet available from the second you arrive! I highly recommend Roamless or JetPac -  they're both highly ranked, inexpensive and reliable. 

Travel Insurance

Never go adventuring without travel insurance! I recommend Genki or SafetyWing - they're both very affordable and will cover you in an emergency. 

Do I need a Visa for the Philippines?

Most likely you don't need a visa. Travelers from 157 countries are allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free, for a period between from 14 to 59 days. You can check on iVisa.com whether you need a visa and how long you are permitted to stay.

More Blog Posts about the Philippines

• Philippines From The Air - Incredible Drone Footage Reveals Nothing But Paradise
• Coron vs. El Nido? Which One Is Really Better?
• The Ultimate Guide To Siargao In The Philippines (For Non Surfers)
• Smokey Mountain: A Walk Through The Slums Of Manila, Philippines
• Five Best Things To Do In Manila
• Postcards from Amorita Resort, Bohol
• Travel the Philippines: 20 Photos that will make you pack your bags and go
• Boracay - Still a Paradise? A Travel Guide to Philippines' Most Visited Island
• Atmosphere Resort - An unforgettable Stay in Dauin, Philippines
• Falling in Love with a Wonderland called Bohol (Philippines)
• 10 Reasons Why You Should Travel To The Philippines

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