El Nido, Palawan is a beautiful destination known for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning limestone cliffs. My husband, mom, and sister recently took a three-day trip to El Nido, and it was a memorable experience that we'll never forget.
Getting to El Nido:
Luckily there are several ways you can get to El Nido. One popular method is to fly to Puerto Princesa, which is what we did, and then continue the journey to El Nido by road. We started our journey after our Mt. Magarwak Hike in Puerto Princesa (you can read about our Puerto Princesa Adventure). We were picked up by a van to El Nido, which took around five hours. The ride was long, but the scenery was breathtaking, but that traffic was rough. Historically, this road trip was known for its rough conditions, but recent improvements have made it much smoother, alleviating issues like motion sickness for sensitive travelers. From Puerto Princesa, you can take a shuttle van for approximately $10 (500PHP) or opt for a slightly cheaper coach bus for the five-hour trip.
Alternatively, for a quicker but generally more expensive option, direct flights to El Nido Airport are available. From there, a short 15-minute ride on a local motorcycle taxi, known as a habal-habal, costing about $2 (100PHP), will get you into the town of El Nido. However, these direct flights are less frequent and more expensive than flying into Puerto Princesa.
When we got to El Nido we checked in to Cuna Hotel, El Nido. The hotel looked dodgy in the outside. Granted that it's been raining but the roads were not maintained well. Luckily there is a ton of options in El Nido. Check out your options below
The inside of the hotel looks decent though. Clean and well maintained. Then we get checked in to our room and although not as nice as our Puerto Princesa since would be there for a short time we figured it did not matter.
We got in a little late so we so we went to dinner once we had unpacked. We decided to try out Angel Wish El Nido. The food took forever but it is a good opportunity for a family pic:
Tour time!!!
The highlight of our El Nido trip is the tour. You can find multiple tour operators in El NIdo. We used GetYourGuide to look for a tour. There is a ton of options but they do get filled up quickly.
It was still raining so we had contacted the tour operator to see if they tour was still on and they said it was so we went to our meeting place. When we got there though we were told to wait while they called our tour boat... and we waited.... and waited...
It's like going to a doctor. You wait in the waiting room and then they tell you to come to the exam room only to wait some more. We were brought to the beach to wait this time so at least we have better views
Better late than never though. At least our tour did not get cancelled. After hours of waiting we finally got on our way.
Our first stop was 7 commando beach!
Once you arrive at the beach, you'll be greeted by crystal-clear turquoise waters and soft white sand. The beach is named after a group of seven soldiers who were stationed on the island during World War II, and you can still see some of the remnants of their camp on the island today.
We get to spend about an hour goofing around the beach and of course when it is time for the tourist-y photos we all signed up!
Our tour guide then called us to get ready for our next island which was kind of scary because I've not done it before but also exciting.
Next stop on our island tour is the Big and Small Lagoon!
The Big and Small Lagoon in El Nido, Palawan are two of the most stunning natural attractions in the area. Located on Miniloc Island, both lagoons are surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters, making them a popular spot for swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling.
The Small Lagoon can be explored by kayak or small boat, while the Big Lagoon can only be accessed by boat due to its size. So of course we went kayaking... me.. kayaking... in open sea!
Kayaking was fun and really exhilarating. Doing something you are scared of and just doing it anyway is kind of freeing. Knowing it is not as scary as you thought and you'd live though it. It also helps I have an adventure partner that won't let anything happen to you is also a great comfort.
Next stop Simizu Island!!!
Simizu Island is a small but beautiful island located in El Nido, Palawan, and is a popular stop on many island hopping tours in the area. The island features pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Visitors usually take a short hike up to the island's peak for panoramic views of the surrounding sea and nearby islands. The island is named after a Japanese diver who died while exploring the waters around the island, and a small memorial now stands on the island in his honor. With its stunning natural beauty and rich history, Simizu Island is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to El Nido.
Unfortunately we did not get to do all of this because we are pressed for time. It was time for lunch though so our boat crew had prepared a delicious lunch for us! Everyone is obviously hungry though...
Our last stop is The Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon is a hidden gem tucked away in El Nido, Palawan, and is a popular destination for those seeking a secluded and tranquil escape. We read that it can only be accessible only by swimming through a small opening in the limestone cliffs or by a small boat, but we actually just walked on rocky bottom waters to get to a whole and eventually we were able to get inside.
Cost of doing El Nido Activities
There are multiple underwater and island activities in El Nido offered through GetYourGuide , expect to be spending around the following:
The scuba diving sessions, offered by multiple operators at , are priced around 3600PHP (approximately US$77) for two dives.
For island excursions the pricing is varied depending on the islands you wanted to visit but a sample would be: Tour A is available for 1200PHP (about US$24), with an option to rent a kayak for an extra 700PHP (US$14). Tour C can be joined for 1400PHP (US$28) and includes the option to rent a mask and snorkel for an additional 100PHP (US$2). Both tours are inclusive of a lunch meal.
Weather in El Nido
Our trip to El Nido, Palawan was a bit of a wet adventure, thanks to the non-stop rain. We were really hoping for some sunshine, but weather is truly unpredictable Despite the frustration (which we heard others talk about too), we tried to stay positive. Unfortunately, the rain kept us from doing a lot of the cool stuff El Nido is famous for. I was especially bummed about missing the chance to climb Taraw Cliff for that amazing view and not catching a stunning sunset over Bacuit Bay.
We had planned to spend a good chunk of time enjoying these experiences, so being stuck indoors was a bit of a downer. It’s tough when you’re expecting adventure and relaxation but end up feeling cooped up.
But, it wasn’t all gloomy! We did manage to have some fun kayaking despite the stormy weather. It was a great way to lift our spirits and connect with the beautiful surroundings.
Looking back, the weather really shaped our trip in unexpected ways. It reminded me that travel can be unpredictable. El Nido was still gorgeous, but maybe visiting during a different season would’ve been better for us. Despite the rain, it’s a memorable part of our Philippines adventure, even if it wasn’t exactly what we had in mind! So keep that in mind when visiting
That concludes our El Nido Adventure! I hope you enjoyed our December travel guide to El NIdo Palawan.
TTYL!
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