on the way to Small Lagoon
El Nido, Palawan
El Nido, Palawan
EL NIDO, PALAWAN
Back then, when you hear people say El Nido, you immediately think about Paradise. A group of beautiful islands with white sand, turquoise waters, hidden lagoons, and rich underwater marine life. Some even say that the famous movie “The Beach” was supposed to be shot in El Nido. But back then, only a few people who can afford to go ride a chartered plane can go to El Nido. Or those who can afford to pay for luxury resorts. The price one has to pay to experience paradise.
Back then, when you hear people say El Nido, you immediately think about Paradise. A group of beautiful islands with white sand, turquoise waters, hidden lagoons, and rich underwater marine life. Some even say that the famous movie “The Beach” was supposed to be shot in El Nido. But back then, only a few people who can afford to go ride a chartered plane can go to El Nido. Or those who can afford to pay for luxury resorts. The price one has to pay to experience paradise.
But things are slowly changing. The major highway connecting Puerto Princesa to El Nido is almost halfway done. Private vans are now available for people to commute to El Nido. Budget hostels and inns are now abundant in the main town. Various organized tour boats can take you island hopping.
I’ve been to Coron, another paradise in Palawan, before going to El Nido. It was February 2012, the last few weeks of my Big Trip, when we went to finally see it for ourselves. True to our backpacking ways, we rode the public bus going to El Nido. It took us almost 6 hours, double that of a van’s travel time, and it was dusty and bumpy. But it was worth it.
just near Snake Island
Our hostel in Puerto Princesa already warned us that it’s already the high season in El Nido. So what we did upon arrival was just to hire a tricycle to bring us to a cheap hostel/resort. What he found for us was a small but really nice and cheap bungalow. The resort which was also in the same property was full. So our bungalow was just behind the caretakers’ house. We were okay with it and even enjoyed the hospitality of the caretakers.
The next day, we hired our own boat and visited some islands and lagoons. And that’s when I understood why people love this place so much. The water is so clear and the beaches are amazing. For someone who’s quite scared of the ocean (due to an almost drowning experience), I enjoyed snorkelling in El Nido a lot. The lagoons are wide and peaceful despite the number of tourists.
My favorite was Miniloc Island where we had our lunch. It was just a small cove but the sand and the view were really nice. I wanted to stay there longer because there were only a few of us who were sharing the island that time.
The view from the top of Snake Island was amazing as well – the sandbar and the waters below.
Snake Island
sandbar :)
We ended the day in Pinagbuyutan Island where we camped for the night. And I’ve missed camping. We shared the island with just one other couple that night.
camping!
And as always, the Palawan sunset was beautiful. :)
beautiful Palawan sunset :)
We wanted to stay longer in El Nido, but we wanted to get away from the tourists and we heard about another place to visit in Palawan. Port Barton which was more remote and also has beautiful beaches and islands.
Other beautiful beaches and islands in the Philippines:
Port Barton, Palawan
Coron, Palawan
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
El Nido, Palawan
Cebu
Anawangin Cove, Zambales
Boracay
Port Barton, Palawan
Coron, Palawan
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
El Nido, Palawan
Cebu
Anawangin Cove, Zambales
Boracay
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