From its crystal-clear waters, towering cliffs and white-sand beaches, El Nido in Palawan is a perfect spot during summer season. It is known as a paradise with its rich natural resources and marine life. It is also a top destination for scuba divers and island-hoppers.
One of its beaches has been named as one of the best in Asia recently by the world’s largest travel web site, TripAdvisor, in its 2015 Traveller’s Choice Awards.
I have so much to boast of this town, from the nice people populating the town to how local and foreign tourists are mesmerized by this paradisiacal gift of the heavens to mankind.
Tourists often wonder if they have the budget for such an escapade. Of course, everyone can enjoy El Nido. Summer is still here, and what follows are my top 5 tips for an enjoyable respite in El Nido.
1 Accommodation. Find a cheap room online. There’s a lot to choose from that will be right for your needs. If you are on a tight budget, book a fan room since you’re there to discover the beauty of the place, especially if you have limited days of stay. Fan-room accommodation ranges P500 to P1,000.
2 Island-hopping. If you’re on your own or with just a companion, it’s okay to ride with others than rent a boat by yourself. Wouldn’t you say meeting perfectly agreeable strangers is better than being alone by your lonesome? Make some friends and cut down on those boat fees.
3 Airfare. There are a lot of promos. Piso fares and even centavo fares can be found if you look hard enough. It can be Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, Tigerair and flag-carrier Philippine Airlines. Check their web site regularly because most of these low-fare offerings are for a limited number of seats only.
4 Land travel. From Puerto Princesa City to El Nido, riding a Roro bus may save your budget. It ranges from P300 to P400. If you want a hassle-free ride, there’s also a shuttle, an air-conditioned van that may take four to five hours of travel for only P500 at the cheapest fare price.
5 Foods. To savor all the fresh sea foods, some of the inns in El Nido offer an inclusive gas range. Just cook your own dishes. Enjoying the same at restaurants can quickly add up.
For all the first-timers, you must watch out for those extra charges that can creep into your airfare. If you don’t need to, like if you’re the backpacker sort, look for features and offers that you don’t want or need.
On the other hand, scuba diving is one of the popular activities in El Nido, with over 30 dive sites for various levels of expertise, from taking the plunge for beginners to advancing your skills and perfecting your dive.
El Nido has so many different treasures to offer. You can also do snorkeling, cliff climbing, waterfalls, kayaking, cave exploration and windsurfing. If you want to discover the surrounding north of Palawan, you can also rent a motorbike.
With 50 beaches to discover, El Nido is the top destination for island-hopping in the Philippines. You can find enchanting lagoons with tranquil turquoise green water, caves that can take you to hidden beaches, and a very diverse variety of marine life.
Image credits: Jose Paolo Escobedo