In the past decade, Palawan has become more visited and the town of El Nido certainly has a big presence of tourists. But overall the beaches here were far less crowded than we expected – especially when compared to world-famous Boracay.
Palawan is a bit isolated from the main clustering of islands that make up the Philippines. Being that it takes some time to get there, many travelers leave it off their itinerary.
UNDERSTANDING EL NIDO
The municipality of El Nido encompasses the northernmost tip of the main island of Palawan and the 45 rocky islands dotting Bacuit Bay. A protected area, El Nido is a treasure trove of marine life and spectacular seascape, earning it a consistent place among the best beach destinations in the world.
Although a first-class municipality, El Nido remains a quiet town. The town proper is tiny, with very few big establishments other than small travel agencies, hotels, restaurants
Things to do in El Nido
Go scuba diving: The Philippines is an amazing place to see underwater life!
Climb Taraw Cliff: This is a risky climb only for the truly adventurous (and experienced!) hiker, but you’ll be rewarded with amazing views.
Rent a kayak: Explore the waters at your own pace.
Rent a motorbike: This is an adventurous way to explore the nearby villages. Be sure you have travel insurance because motorbike crashes aren’t uncommon (I can tell you from experience!).
Watch the sunset: A must in any west-facing beach destination!
Eat dinner next to the ocean: Many restaurants set up tables lit by candles on the sand and you can enjoy fresh seafood as the ocean waves lick your feet.
Party on the beach: Reggae tunes and rum drinks make the perfect combo for partying on the beach in the late hours of the night.
HOW TO GET TO EL NIDO
Manila to El Nido (Direct Flight)
AirSwift is the only airline that flies from Manila directly to Lio Airport in El Nido. They operate up to four flights per day.
An off-peak one-way fare is at P5100 (including taxes, a meal in Manila, and welcome snacks El Nido). An additional P200 is collected for 10kg baggage allowance.
At the airport, you can travel by tricycle to the city center. Travel time: 30 minutes. Fare: 200.
WHERE TO EAT IN EL NIDO
El Nido seems to not have a distinct, world-famous cuisine, but it has an emerging food scene, led by boutique restaurants. I can’t count the number of food places that I have tried here over the past several years. Those fostering a unique vibe win in El Nido. Whether it’s a spectacular view or the character-filled interiors, the most popular dining places in El Nido are those that go beyond food and adds a little something to the experience. Sadly, however, most of them are overpriced, charging P350-P450 for a meal that is forgettable at best.
Two restaurants stand out in my memory: Trattoria Altrove and Artcafe.
Trattoria Altrove is an Italian restaurant in the town proper (a short walk from Spin Hostel, but they have another branch in Corong-corong). I was with a group of friends when I dined here. Everyone on our group ordered something different and we loved every single dish served to us, from the wood-fired oven pizza to the risotto. A pizza costs somewhere between P320 (margherita) and P650 (with truffles), while pasta between P300 and P350.
Artcafe is one of the oldest restaurants (and shops) in town, best known for their view of Cadlao Mountain and the beach. I’ve only dined here once and when I did, I got drunk. I don’t remember what I ordered anymore or whether it was good or not. But I remember the beer. Artcafe serves local craft beers from Palaweno Brewery. I tried all the varieties available that night, which explains why I don’t remember anything. Sorry about that. Haha
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is El Nido safe?
El Nido has a very, very low crime rate. But please don’t leave your belongings just anywhere. There are also no hospitals here, so please be very careful. The nearest major medical center is in Puerto Princesa. Also, there are no terrorists in El Nido.
When is the best time to visit El Nido?
January to April. These dry months are the sunniest. However, this period is also the peak season, especially March and April, which are widely considered the “summer” months in the Philippines. For me, the most ideal time to visit El Nido is January-February. Weather’s still fine but the place isn’t crowded.
Just Travelous 