EL NIDO, PALAWAN : The Finest Limestone Cliffs

Palawan is a home for stunning limestones, blue and pristine waters, well-known for its lagoons, an extra effort of adventure just to reach the hidden gems like secret beach or lagoons, superb dishes along with other guests, and so on.

I just realized that for you to appreciate Palawan and get amazed with its natural beauty, I highly recommend to take on kayaking in a two or three-seater kayak boat. Yes, kayaking is the key while getting closer to the living mountain of limestones astonished by cliffs which are visible in every destination from A, B, C, and D day tour. It will cost you at P300 for two persons in a two-seater kayak, P350 for a three-seater kayak. I could not compare Coron, Palawan when I got to visit way back in 2018 as it has the same features with El Nido but what made me in awe moment is that Twin Lagoon, Barracuda and Kayangan Lake of Coron are the highlights of that travel more so if I did kayaking.

For you to visit Tours A, B, C and D in El Nido, a group tour is usually arranged and offered in each tour with a total passenger of 15-18 persons (75% capacity) but in recent local government announcement, the boat can now accommodate 100 percent passengers of about 20-23 persons. The potable water in El Nido is still an issue but the locals including the travel agencies and tour guides are reminding all guests and strictly giving advice for awareness and safety. So it would be better to bring distilled water bottle to avoid upset stomach. Some accommodations are giving away distilled for their guests so bring your refillable bottle.

Always check the travel agencies you are transacting with if they are authorized and legit. We got ours through Palawan Travel Solutions who was our contact for both tour A and C in two consecutive days including airport transfer from Puerto Princesa to our accommodation with a complimentary pick-up from our hostel to the port of Corong-corong for the tour. Thanks to Kuya Fidel who assisted us! You can contact him by visiting his Facebook page. There are two ports by the way for island hopping, the other one is in El Nido town. Check out the latest tour rate below. Rate may change without prior notice.

Here’s a map for the tours you can choose from where Tours A and C are undoubtedly, most-availed, and highly recommended by locals and both domestic and foreign backpackers.

We were overwhelmed by plying from Puerta Princesa Airport going to El Nido proper because it took us around six hours in three stops just to reach El Nido. Our first and last day itinerary were not push through due to exhausting travel. But it can be manageable only if you allot an extra hours vice versa. You can also try to land at Lio Airport from the barangay of Villa Libertad, four kilometers away from El Nido town. Expect the high rates of airfare from Airswift carrier, go if budget is not an issue as this is the most convenient way to get to El Nido.

The Canopy walk right behind our hostel can be done as well by walk-in or schedule it through your travel agent and will cost you P400 for canopy view deck or locally called as Taraw Via Ferrata Canopy Walk. For Canopy and Spiderweb or Dreamcatcher, it will cost you P700. Each choice includes gears like helmet and harness where first timer can enjoy through scaffolding up to view deck with a birds-eye view of El Nido, each also includes a one-time entrance fee of P30, and a tour guide. Reception Area is located along Rizal Street near Barangay Hall of Maligaya.

If you want to visit nearby beaches in the mainland, you can contact Kuya Jess at 0930-446-2740 using his tricycab that can accommodate at least three persons for P1200 with six destinations; Nacpan Beach, Las Cabañas, Lio Beach, Duli Beach, Zip Line in Las Cabañas (at your own expense ranging from P500 to P1100 depending if you opt a one-way or vice versa), and last spot is Kuyawyaw Water Falls.

Here’s a suggested itinerary including primary expenses for four days and three nights. Ideally, for you to enjoy Puerto Princesa and El Nido, a minimum of five to six days is enough.

If you are asking for Pasalubong Center, it is located near the airport but we requested the van driver to drop us off at the airport premise where OTOP, a project of Department of Tourism is available.