El Nido [1] is a coastal town in Palawan.

Culture and History

El Nido is located at the far northern most tip of Palawan Island. It is noted for its stunning inlets, limestone cliffs, sandy beaches and clear water. Historically, the area relied heavily on fishing as source of revenue, however in recent years it has gained an international reputation for water sports such as diving, snorkeling and kayaking, and so the economy is becoming more recreational based.

El Nido is a fourth class municipality and marine reserve park in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. It is about 420 kilometers southwest of Manila. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 27,029 people in 5,191 households. Eighty-five percent (85%) of the population are living in the rural barangays, while only fifteen (15%) of them are in the Población (town proper).

The municipality covers the northernmost tip of mainland Palawan. It is composed of 45 islands and islets, each has its own unique geological formations. Like the rest of Palawan, it is part of the Eurasian Plate, a plate that is entirely separate from the Philippine Plate to which the rest of the Philippines belongs. The limestone cliffs here are similar to those that can be found in Ha Long Bay in Vietnam and Guilin in China, as well as Krabi in Thailand, all of which are part of the Eurasian Plate.

Travel to El Nido - Visa Requirements

By Air

  • Direct Flights from Manila with ITI [2]:

By Bus / Van

  • From Puerto Princesa, daily 6.00 and 8.30am Sweety Bus 09197119221 , Eulen Joy Bus 09197162210, Fare P300. Shuttle Vans operated by Fortwally Shuttle Company, daily departures P600 per person. Reservation: 09172762875, 09209815702. Vans for hire in Puerto or El Nido, ca. P10,000.

By sea

Long distance voyages in Philippine ferries are not recommended for foreign tourists accustomed to more comfortable conditions.

San Nicolas Lines 02-243 2830 operate two smallish Cargo/Passenger boats every Wednesday and Saturday to El Nido (30 hours). Atienza Shipping Lines 02-243 8845. El Nido - Coron Thursday midnight (is often delayed).

Superferry operate ships both ways from Manila to Coron and Puerto Princessa. The large Philippine ferries are designed for low cost high density economy accommodation and the conditions fall way short of international standards. There is not much to do onboard during the 24 hour voyage except hang out in the basic restaurant come coffee lounge and stroll along the limited decks. Cabins with toilet & shower are available for premium fare. Cabins, which have four bunks, are often shared with other passengers unless you are lucky. Otherwise tourist and economy class has sleeping on bunks in more or less open areas of the decks with very little privacy and security. This is real "cattle class". Ferries often encounter rough seas so check weather forecasts before booking if prone to seasickness. It's prudent not to get a Return ticket to Manila because many can not face the voyage back and opt to fly with ITI instead. Getting a refund from Superferry for the return voyage is a troublesome affair bogged down in typical Philippines Red tape and delays for which tourists on a timetable will not have sufficient time to get to the end of, effectively ending in no refund.

  • Boat tours
  • Regular Boats from El Nido - Coron - El Nido 2 to 4 times weekly.

El Nido tourist attractions and sightseeing

The islands around El Nido have several lagoons, Caves, Coral reefs, hidden beaches and coves and on the mainland more to see like hot springs, waterfalls

El Nido city tours

Island hopping tours, snorkeling, kayaking, trekking, cliff climbing, diving. El Nido is a protected area, so while beach combing may seem an enjoyable activity, it is prohibited with Corals and Shells being confiscated during check-in luggage search at the airport. Highly recommended is camping for a night on one of the beaches. You can either hire a boat to drop you off and pick you up in the morning, or you can kayak out on your own. The best beaches to be reached by paddling are on Cadlao Island and Helicopter Island.

Good quality snorkeling equipment is provided free on the island hopping tours operated by El Nido Art Cafe. Art Cafe is the most popular boat operator and as a result it has the most crowded tours. Book with one of the numerous other tour operators for a more personalized experience.

Walk North towards the airport from El Nido town along the beach. Some sections are impassable at high tide so be mindful of tide times. This walk eventually takes you past the airport with nice secluded beaches and lush rainforested headlands along the way. There are several small rivers to cross and if the tide is near the top you will get wet to the chest when crossing. There is good surf near the airport but it's a secluded place so swim safety is not assured, there could be strong undertows in certain conditions that will carry you out to sea.

Caution: avoid walking under the many coconut trees growing along the beach and elsewhere. Falling coconuts kill or injure thousands each year throughout the world. One lucky tourist had a narrow miss in a gas station when he took a step forward a second before two large coconuts crashed to the pavement where he had been standing.

Fishing trips (trolling and bottom fishing) are available from several tour operators. Pelagic fish (Tuna and Mackerel) are present in small numbers and not in large sizes.

Hire a motor bike (cheap prices) if you have a licensee or be prepared to expose yourself to low level police corruption and possibly pay a cash fine if caught. Riding without a helmet is not recommended. Ride the road north past the airport for scenery and fun or south past several fishing villages and beachside resorts on a good sealed road. After several kilometers the bitumen ends and the road gets a bit rough and dusty. There are several high vantage points and nice scenery along the way. Also there are several tracks leading to the beach so be adventurous and go exploring. There is a waterfall with a good swimming pool about a 30 minute ride up the road followed by a 30 minute hike. Hire a local guide unless you want to get very lost.

Rock climbing & walking. The western side of El Nido township lies in the shadow of an impressive sheer cliff face which is just the visible portion of an even more impressive headland. There are organized walking treks to the top of the headland and it's breathtaking views all the way.

  • Water Fall tours

El Nido souvenirs and shopping

  • Nharcelles Souvenir Shop.  
  • Bhing's Bizz, ☎ 0920 5549916.  
  • El Nido Souvenir Shop.  

El Nido Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Generally speaking the number of and standard of eating houses is very good. Menus have good variety and prices are moderate. Most of the better ones have beachfront locations but one exception is the highly conspicuous Art Cafe which is on the opposite side of the laneway to the beachfront eateries. Most are accessible from the laneway as well as from the beach and seating has the advantage of views of the bay and environs.

  • Sea Slugs, ☎ 0918 5837903.  

  • Nhor's Place, ☎ 0916 3019306.  
  • Marber's Restaurant, ☎ 0927 4658311.  
  • Ric Sons Restaurant, ☎ 0920 4986940.  
  • Skyline Restaurant.  
  • Pura Vida Restaurant.  
  • Squido's Restaurant, ☎ 0921 4946108.  
  • Balay Tubay Bistru & Galeri.  
  • Artcafe, Buena Suerte(Nier Pier), ☎ 09209026317, [3]. 6.30-23.00. The new Artcafe BAR/RESTAURANT/TRAVEL CENTER is now open at its new bigger location with a beautiful terrace and a nice Bar. Live music a few days a week. The Artcafe is also a one-stop-shop where you can arrange all you onward travel, sign up for a boat tour or a trekking and meet people. It has a very relaxing atmosphere.P120-300.  

El Nido nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

  • Sea slugs Beach Bar, arante.Divinagracia @yahoo. com.  
  • Shipwrecked Bar.  
  • Hard Rocks Cafė.  

Or enjoy several Karaoke bar around town.

  • < drink name => Barrack Cafe " addres elnido Palawam.Phone 09155582896 "

  • < Elnido Lagoon tour > offer Island Hopping Tour..Island A B C elnido, Palawan.. phone number +639263049640
  • barracks cafe, ☎ 00639194058858.  
  • barrack's cafe, ☎ 00639194058858. resto bar and cafe 

Camping / Kayaking

El Nido cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Budget

  • Four Season Inn, ☎ +639194524266(Jhkim_8@yahoo.com). Standard Fan Room 2 pax 650 to 900 

  • El Nido View Deck Cottage, ☎ +63 (02) 382-6176, [6]. El Nido Viewdeck is a newly built bed and breakfast featuring bamboo cabins with private shower, fan, and private balconies with great views overlooking the seaside, town, as well as the cliffs nearby. It's only a 5 minutes walk from the center.400-800 PHP.  

  • Gloria's Cottage.  
  • Dare Faye Cottage, ☎ 0916 9849924. </sleep * Tandikan, ☎ 0927 5825386.   
  • Sunset Lover's Point, ☎ 0927 7243683. Located around the corner from the main stretch of beach, past the cemetery. Very quiet place run by a lovely family. 
  • Hadefe's Cottage. * Casa El Nido, [7].   
  • Lally & Abet Beach Resort, ☎ 0989 6481906, [8].  
  • Island Front Cottages, Corong Corong beach, ☎ 0917 6183030, 09186993437(islandfront_cottages@yahoo.com), [9]. It is good place for all trips around Bacuit Archipelago. Boss: Onie Echague - very responsive and honest man!400, 700, 1100PHP.  

Mid-range

  • El Nido Cove, ☎ 0918 9081204, [10].  
  • La Cabanas Beach Cottages, 0915 624 4590, [12]. P4200-4500 per person including meals.  
  • Greenview Resort, Corong Corong Bay, ☎ 09204413287, 02 8981384, [14].  
  • El Nido Garden Resort, ☎ 0487230127, [15]. $100-145.  
  • El Nido Beach Hotel, ☎ 0487230887(elnido_beachhotel@yahoo.com), [16]. P3500-4500.  

Splurge

  • Lagen Island Resort, [17].  
  • Miniloc Island Resort, [18].  
  • El Nido Resorts, [19].  

Get out

FLY STRAIT TO MANILA WITH ITI DAILY DEPARTURES AT 9.30 AND 17.00 AND CERTAIN DAYS ALSO 13.00h. Many will prefer to fly rather than face the bumpy 6 hour journey back to Puerto Princessa and possibly the return voyage on the Superferry.

This page was last edited by Ryan Holliday. Based on work by Stefan Ertmann, Wikitravel user(s) Texugo, Jdkoenig and Limestone, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

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