{"id":359,"date":"2015-07-23T16:06:35","date_gmt":"2015-07-23T16:06:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vuelveaviajar.com\/es\/?p=359"},"modified":"2024-06-02T11:38:06","modified_gmt":"2024-06-02T11:38:06","slug":"best-things-to-do-in-el-nido-palawan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vuelveaviajar.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-el-nido-palawan\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Best Things to Do in El Nido (Palawan)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Philippines is a country made up of 7107 islands. Choosing which ones to visit is not easy, but if there is one place you should not miss under <\/b><\/span>any<\/b><\/i><\/span> circumstances, it\u2019s El Nido, on the north end of Palawan. In this post, you will find all you need to know and the best things to do in El Nido, Palawan.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Ultimate<\/a><\/p>\n

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After quitting my job in February 2015, I decided to go backpacking in\u00a0Southeast Asia<\/a>. I started in the Philippines and, after that, I visited\u00a0Indonesia<\/a>, Vietnam<\/a>, Thailand, and Cambodia. It goes without saying that I saw many wonders during my trips\u00a0and had an incredible time in every place\u00a0I visited. But the truth is, I will never get over the days I spent in El Nido (Palawan). El Nido\u00a0is the most beautiful place I have ever been and still today, not a single day goes by that I do not dream about coming back<\/strong>. If like me, you are searching for paradise, you have come to the right place.\u00a0Read on to discover the best things to do in El Nido (Palawan), aka paradise on Earth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Matinloc<\/a>

The surreal color of the waters in the Bacuit Bay (Matinloc Shrine, El Nido).<\/p><\/div>\n

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Getting to El Nido<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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There are many breathtaking places to visit in the Philippines, but one of the reasons why El Nido is probably the most special is it remains relatively remote. Getting to El Nido can be tricky, but totally worth the effort. There are three ways to get there:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. \u00a0If money is not an issue, you can take\u00a0one of the five daily\u00a0direct flights from Manila or Cebu to El Nido. At the time of writing, Air Swift<\/a> is covering\u00a0this route\u00a0at a price from 4900 to 7200 PHP per person\u00a0(from 80\u20ac to 115\u20ac,\u00a0one-way fare).<\/li>\n
  2. \u00a0A cheaper and the most popular way to get to El Nido is flying to Puerto Princesa in Central Palawan. From there, you can catch\u00a0a van or a bus to the town of El Nido. The trip takes from 5 to 8 hours depending on how much of a kamikaze your driver is!<\/li>\n
  3. \u00a0If you are visiting Coron, you take a fast boat\u00a0from the town of Coron to El Nido. Montenegro Fast Ferry<\/a> runs once a day and takes around 4 hours.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    El Nido Town<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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    El Nido is a small and friendly town at the north end of Palawan surrounded by emerald green, jungle-filled limestone cliffs. El Nido is the ideal base to explore the many remote crystal-clear water beaches, islands, and hidden lagoons in the Bacuit Archipelago.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The best time to visit El Nido is between December and May, which is the hot, dry season; June to October is the rainy season, while accommodation prices drop, strong winds and flooding are commonly experienced during these months.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    \"Ultimate<\/a>

    Views of El Nido town (Palawan).<\/p><\/div>\n

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    Best Things to Do in El Nido (Palawan)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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    01 | El Nido Island Hopping\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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    Exploring the Bacuit Archipelago is the must-do in El Nido. For that, there are 4 different El Nido island hopping\u00a0tours: tours A, B, C and D (being tours A and C the most popular). The secret lagoons, white sand beaches, and paradise islands you will find in these tours\u00a0will take your breath away!<\/p>\n

    There are multiple operators offering island hopping tours in El Nido and, at the time of writing (July 2018),\u00a0they charge around\u00a01200 and 1400 PHP (23\u20ac to 28\u20ac). All island hopping tours bring you to 5-6 spots where you can swim and snorkel. They all\u00a0include a\u00a0picnic\u00a0lunch on the beach and some\u00a0also include snorkel gear<\/a>\u00a0and towels. They leave every morning at 9.00am from El Nido beach\u00a0and get back at 5.00 pm.\u00a0Here you have a\u00a0little more information about each of the tours:<\/p>\n

    Tour A:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0is the most popular of the tours for a reason. It\u00a0covers the Small\u00a0and Big Lagoons of Miniloc Island, a couple of paradise beaches and stunning snorkeling places.<\/p>\n

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    \"Big<\/a>

    The stunning Big Lagoon in Miniloc Island is probably the highlight of Tour A.<\/p><\/div>\n

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    Tour B:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0takes you to a few caves in El Nido, a couple of beaches\u00a0and the beautiful Snake Island.<\/p>\n

    Tour C:<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>takes\u00a0you to\u00a0the Hidden and Secret beaches, Helicopter Island\u00a0and one of the\u00a0most photographed places in El Nido:\u00a0the\u00a0Matinloc Shrine.<\/p>\n

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    \"Helicopter<\/a>

    The impressive Helicopter Island is the last stop in Tour C.<\/p><\/div>\n

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    Tour D:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>Not always available, this tour brings you to Cadlao Island and\u00a0is\u00a0probably\u00a0the most underrated among the four. I did not have the\u00a0opportunity to do this tour, but I rented a kayak and explored a bit of Cadlao Island on my own (more on this below).<\/p>\n

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    \"Paradise<\/a>

    Views of Paradise Beach in Cadlao island (included in Tour D).<\/p><\/div>\n

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    For island hopping, I tried three different operators: Tarawis,\u00a0<\/a>Boutique Art Cafe, and Kraken el Nido (Tour K)<\/strong>, but there are a lot more to choose from. Tarawis and Boutique Art Cafe offer standard tours, and Kraken el Nido is a deluxe version. Kraken is just above the rest when it comes to organization and boat conditions. They do their itinerary in a way that manages to avoid the crowds. It costs 3000 PHP, more expensive compared to other tours, but the experience is well worth the money.\u00a0You also get unlimited drinks and cocktails, great food, kayaks, snorkel gear and towels included in the price. I highly<\/span>\u00a0recommend Kraken el Nido!<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you are traveling with friends, another option I recommend is hiring a private boat instead of doing the tours with any of the operators. This is not only cheaper, but you will also be able to choose the route you\u2019d like to go (and you can combine places from different tours). You can also avoid the crowds doing the routes in reverse.<\/span><\/p>\n

    When I visited El Nido for my second time, my friends and I hired a boat with Sea Dog Diving (on Serena Street). We paid only 700php each (plus 150php for snorkel gear rental), with lunch included. It was a great experience. If you have 5 or more people in your party, I recommend contacting these guys!<\/span><\/p>\n

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    \"Matinloc<\/a>

    This is me in the top of the Matinloc island, one of the most photographed spots in the Bacuit Bay.<\/p><\/div>\n

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    02 |\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Diving<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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    You caught me here. Diving is not my thing. For now, snorkeling is good enough! So, I cannot really give you personal advice about diving in El Nido. But if you dare, I am sure diving is one of the best things to do in El Nido! Check <\/span>Palawan Divers<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Submariner Diving Center, <\/span>or <\/span>Deep Blue Seafari<\/span> for more information on this.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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    03 |\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Exploring the twin beaches of Nacpan and Calitang<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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    \"Nacpan<\/a>

    Nacpan and Calitang are the twin beaches in Palawan.<\/p><\/div>\n

    \"Nacpan<\/a>

    Amazing views from the hill in Nacpan beach.<\/p><\/div>\n

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    Another must see in El Nido are the twin beaches of\u00a0Nacpan and Calitang (above and below). These beautiful remote\u00a0beaches are between 1 to\u00a01.5′ hours tricycle ride\u00a0from the town of El Nido. Since most tourists in El Nido\u00a0prefer going\u00a0island hopping and very few brave the bumpy tricycle ride to Nacpan, the twin beaches remain off the beaten path<\/strong> and generally almost empty, can you believe it?<\/p>\n

    Tip:<\/span> upon arriving, look at the hill to your left. Go there and take\u00a0the short hike up to reach\u00a0stunning\u00a0views of the two beaches sandwiching the area (pictures on the right and\u00a0above).<\/p>\n

    \"Nacpan<\/a>

    The long and wide Nacpan beach.<\/p><\/div>\n

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    In Nacpan, there are no restaurants, nor\u00a0coffee shops, just a few\u00a0simple beach shacks where you can buy drinks, shakes and some meals. As already happened with other paradise\u00a0beach destinations in the Philippines,\u00a0I am afraid it is\u00a0just a matter of time before resorts are built in Nacpan.<\/strong>\u00a0Don’t leave El Nido without visiting these beaches!\u00a0Such a pristine and isolated beauty is rare to find these days.<\/p>\n

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    \"Nacpan<\/a>

    Nacpan beach is, in my humble opinion, the best beach in El Nido.<\/p><\/div>\n

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    Getting there: <\/strong><\/span>to\u00a0get there you\u00a0can either rent a motorbike or hire a tricycle (from 700 to 1000php for the round trip). Since the road condition is far from good, I don’t recommend renting a motorbike\u00a0unless you are an experienced driver.<\/p>\n

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    04 |\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Kayaking<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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    Kayaking is another of the best things to do in El Nido.\u00a0This is the best way to explore the isolated beaches and remote islands in the Bacuit Archipelago\u00a0at your own pace.\u00a0You can rent your kayak at Boutique Art Cafe (450php for half a day or 150php\/hour). From El Nido beach, you can easily access Cadlao Island (around 45-55 minutes) or get to beaches like Ipil or 7 Commandos (1 to 1.5 hours from El Nido beach).<\/p>\n

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    \"Paradise<\/a>

    Paradise beach in Cadlao Island (El Nido)<\/p><\/div>\n

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    I rented my kayak for a half a day (from 12:00 until 17:00) in the Boutique Art caf\u00e9, and within 45 minutes I had reached Paradise beach in Cadlao Island (part of the tour C) where I had this incredible beach all to myself (and some friendly stray dogs I shared my lunch with).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    You don\u2019t need much experience kayaking to access Cadlao Island, but make sure the sea is calm before attempting it. I recommend bringing a dry bag to keep all your beach essentials in (especially your electronic devices, cameras, etc.), or they will get wet.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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    05 |\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Hiking to the Nagkalit-Kalit Falls<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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    \"Nagkalit-kalit<\/a>

    This is me in the Nagkalit-Kalit falls.<\/p><\/div>\n

    If you feel like doing something other than relaxing on beaches in paradise, you can go hiking to\u00a0Nagkalit-Kalit Falls.\u00a0The falls, themselves, are probably not the most impressive you can find, but the 45-minute hike to reach them is truly incredible and you will be rewarded with a cold and refreshing dip in the falls\u00a0after the trek.<\/p>\n

    To reach the falls, you\u00a0will need to cross\u00a07\u00a0knee deep\u00a0rivers and streams and face a few steep and muddy climbs… Don’t forget to bring appropriate shoes and a dry-bag for your belongings.<\/p>\n

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    Getting there:<\/strong> <\/span>the falls are around 40 minutes tricycle ride\u00a0from El Nido town. While there is not an admission fee,\u00a0I highly\u00a0recommend hiring a local guide (200 PHP)\u00a0as\u00a0the falls are difficult to find otherwise.<\/p>\n

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    06 |\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Watching a Dramatic Sunset on Marimegmeg beach (Las Caba\u00f1as)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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    \"Marimegmeg<\/a>

    Marimegmeg Beach (AKA las Caba\u00f1as) is the best local beach around El Nido town.<\/p><\/div>\n

    Marimegmeg Beach (aka Las Caba\u00f1as or Sunset Beach) is the most beautiful mainland beach around El Nido town. Las Caba\u00f1as offers breathtaking views\u00a0during the daytime and is, therefore, a wonderful place to chill out.<\/p>\n

    But, if you like how Marimegmeg Beach looks during the day, wait until you see the sunset! The views of the beach and the sky are absolutely stunning when the sun immerses itself slowly into the sea between the majestic limestone cliffs.<\/p>\n

    Getting there: <\/strong><\/span>from El Nido town you can walk in the direction of Corong-Corong\u00a0(one hour more or less) or hire\u00a0a tricycle (15 minutes). The tricycle ride should be between 100 and 200 PHP depending on your negotiating skills.<\/p>\n

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    Dramatic sunset in Marimegmeg Beach (AKA las Caba\u00f1as).<\/p><\/div>\n

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    Where to Stay in El Nido<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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    I have compiled a list of cheap accommodations in El Nido to help you plan your stay. If you want to be in the heart of El Nido, you should look for accommodation around Real Street (Barangay Buena Suerte) or Rizal Street (Barangay Maligaya). If you prefer to be on the beachfront, Barangay Masagana is your best bet. Corong-Corong is nice but a bit outside the center of the action. As peak season can be busy and the town of El Nido is small, I highly recommend booking in advance via Agoda<\/a>\u00a0(you will find the best deals on this site!).<\/p>\n

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    El Nido on a Budget<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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