EL NIDO, PALAWAN: TRAVEL GUIDE (Budget + Itinerary) 2019

You won’t have seen El Nido if you haven’t experienced island hopping here. This place is gorgeously studded with breath-snatching limestone cliffs that cradle swirling mix of aquamarine water and gleaming talcum sand, plus jade-colored lagoons that look miles away from the ordinary.

 

To help you plan your El Nido tours and island hopping, here is my El Nido travel guide blog.

el nido land twin beach

 

ALSO READ: EL NIDO TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS 2022

HOW TO GET TO EL NIDO

 

Manila to Puerto Princesa to El Nido

From Manila there are daily flights to Puerto Princesa via local airlines such as  Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.

 

VIA VAN

 

At  Puerto Princesa City, you can take a multi-cab or charter a tricycle to Robinson’s Mall.  There are shuttle vans available to take you to El Nido town. Van departs almost every hour from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Travel time is approximately 5 hours.

There are also some shuttle vans that depart for El Nido at Puerto Princesa Airport.  You can find them near the airport arrival area.

Here’s a list of shuttle vans that travel between Puerto Princesa and El Nido.

VAN COMPANYFARECONTACT NUMBER
Lexus ShuttlePHP 550 (€ 10/USD 11)  to PHP 600 (€ 10/USD 12)0920 957 1025
Eulene Joy VanPhp 550(€/10 USD 11) to Php 600 (€ 10/USD 12)0999- 7093- 766
Day Tripper VanPhp 550(€ 10/USD 11)

to Php 600(€/ USD 12)

0918 – 2546 – 749

VIA BUS

 

At Puerto Princesa airport, exit the gate and hail a tricycle (outside of the airport).  Tell the driver to drop you  off at Junction 1. Fare is PHP 8 (€ 0. 14 /USD 0.16 ).  At Junction 1, ride  a multi-cab to San Jose Terminal, fare is PHP 13 (€ 0.23/USD 0.26).

 

Alternatively, you can also charter a tricycle to take you to the terminal for PHP 100 (€ 2/USD 2) – PHP 150 (€ 3/USD 3)  depending on your haggling skills.

At San Jose Terminal, there are buses (Cherry or Roro Bus) bound for El Nido, travel time is approximately 6 – 7 hours . Roro bus fare is around PHP  290(€ 5/ USD 6) for non-air-conditioned bus and PHP 380 (€ 7/ USD 8)  for air-conditioned bus. Cherry bus fare is Php 480(€ 8/USD 10) for aircon bus and ordinary bus is Php 385 (€ 7 /USD 8).   Travel time is approximately 6 hours.

 

The ride ends at El Nido Integrated Bus Terminal where you can hire a tricycle to take you to downtown El Nido or wherever your hotel is.

el nido island hidden beach


Here’s the bus trip schedule from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO CHERRY BUS TRIP SCHEDULE

 

TIMECLASSFARE 
05:00 AMOrdinaryPHP 380 (€ 7/ USD 8)Fix trip
07:00 AMOrdinaryPHP 380 (€ 7/ USD 8)Fix trip
09:00 AMAir-conditionedPHP 480 (€8/USD 10)Fix trip
11:00 AMAir-conditionedPHP 480 (€8/USD 10)Fix trip
01:00  PMAir-conditionedPHP 480 (€8/USD 10)Fix trip
03:00 PMOrdinaryPHP 380 (€ 7/ USD 8)Extra trip
05:00 PMAir-conditionedPHP 480 (€8/USD 10)Extra trip
07:00 PMOrdinaryPHP 380 (€ 7/ USD 8)Extra trip
09:00 PMAir-conditionedPHP 480 (€8/USD 10)Fix trip

 

 

PUERTO PRINCESA TO EL NIDO RORO BUS TRIP SCHEDULE

 

 

TIMECLASSFARE 
04:00 AMOrdinaryPHP 367 (€ 7/ USD 7)Fix trip
06:00 AMAir-conditionedPhp 483/ USD 9.75Fix trip
08:00 AMOrdinaryPHP 367 (€ 7/ USD 7)Fix trip
10:00 AMAir-conditionedPHP 483 (€ 8/USD 10)Fix trip
12:00 PMOrdinaryPHP 367 (€ 7/ USD 7)Fix trip
02:00 PMAir-conditionedPHP 483 (€ 8/USD 10)Fix trip
04:00 PMOrdinaryPHP 367 (€ 7/ USD 7)Fix trip
06:00 PMAir-conditionedPHP 483 (€ 8/USD 10)Fix trip
08:00 PMOrdinaryPHP 367 (€ 7/ USD 7)Fix trip
10:00 PMAir-conditionedPHP 483 (€ 8/USD 10)Fix trip

 


 

GETTING OUT OF EL NIDO

 

 

EL NIDO TO PUERTO PRINCESA

 

From El Nido town, you can charter a tricycle to El Nido Bus Terminal.

At El Nido Bus Terminal there are vans and buses (RoRo Bus and Cherry Bus) to Puerto Princesa City.

Here’s the contact number of shuttle vans that travel between El Nido and Puerto Princesa.

 

VAN COMPANYFARECONTACT NUMBER
Lexus ShuttlePhp 550 (€ 10/ USD 11) – Php 600 (€ 10/USD 12)0917- 5859 – 612
Eula Joy VanPhp 550 (€ 10/ USD 11) – Php 600 (€ 10/USD 12)0999- 7093- 766
Day Tripper VanPhp 550 (€ 10/ USD 11) – Php 600 (€ 10/USD 12)0918 – 2546 – 749

Here’s the bus trip schedule from  El Nido to Puerto Princesa

 

EL NIDO TO PUERTO PRINCESA CHERRY BUS TRIP SCHEDULE

 

TIMECLASSFARE 
05:00 AMOrdinaryPHP 380 (€ 7/ USD 8)Fix trip
07:00 AMOrdinaryPHP 380 (€ 7/ USD 8)Fix trip
09:00 AMAir-conditionedPHP 480 (€ 8/USD 10)Fix trip
11:00 AMAir-conditionedPHP 480 (€ 8/USD 10)Fix trip
01:00  PMAir-conditionedPHP 480 (€ 8/USD 10)Fix trip
03:00 PMOrdinaryPHP 380 (€ 7/ USD 8)Extra trip
05:00 PMAir-conditionedPHP 480 (€ 8/USD 10)Extra trip
07:00 PMOrdinaryPHP 380 (€ 7/ USD 8)Extra trip
09:00 PMAir-conditionedPHP 480 (€ 8/USD 10)Fix trip

 

EL NIDO TO PUERTO PRINCESA RORO BUS SCHEDULE

 

TIMECLASSFARE 
04:00 AMOrdinaryPHP 367 (€6/ USD 7)Fix trip
06:00 AMAir-conditionedPHP 483 (€8/USD 10)Fix trip
08:00 AMOrdinaryPHP 367 (€6/ USD 7)Fix trip
10:00 AMAir-conditionedPHP 483 (€8/USD 10)Fix trip
12:00 PMOrdinaryPHP 367 (€6/ USD 7)Fix trip
02:00 PMAir-conditionedPHP 483 (€8/USD 10)Fix trip
04:00 PMOrdinaryPHP 367 (€/ USD 7)Fix trip
06:00 PMAir-conditionedPHP 483 (€8/USD 10)Fix trip
08:00 PMOrdinaryPHP 367 (€66/ USD 7)Fix trip
10:00 PMAir-conditionedPHP 483 (€8/USD 10)Fix trip

 

EL NIDO TO CORON , PALAWAN

el nido island 6

Montenegro Lines started offering ferry service between Coron and El Nido since last year.  Travel time is about 3.5 hours and fare is about PHP 1,760 (USD 35/€31/SGD 48).

Here’s the ferry/boat/fastcraft schedule between Coron and El Nido, Palawan

FAREDEPARTUREARRIVAL
 

Adult (Regular fare) – PHP 1,760 (USD 35/€31/SGD 48)

 

Student (with valid ID) – PHP 1,496 (USD 30/€26/SGD 41)

 

Senior Citizen (with SC ID) – PHP 1,257 (USD 22/€25/SGD 35)

El Nido –  6:00 AMCoron – 9:30 AM
Adult (Regular fare) – PHP 1,760 (USD 35/€31/SGD 48)

 

Student (with valid ID) – PHP 1,496 (USD 30/€26/SGD 41)

 

Senior Citizen (with SC ID) – PHP 1,257 (USD 22/€25/SGD 35)

Coron – 12:00 PMEl Nido – 3:30 PM

 

Montenegero Lines
Phone #: (043) 740 2881 / 0917 496 2009 / 0917 650 6468/ 0998 85 1428 / 0908 571 3984
Email: [email protected]

 

 

 


 

 

EL NIDO TOUR PACKAGE 2018

el nido land tour


 

Island hopping in El Nido is divided into : Tour A, Tour B, Tour C, Tour D and Tour E (land tour).  If you only have a few days to spend, you can pick either Tour A or Tour C

 

BOOK DISCOUNTED EL NIDO TOUR A HERE

BOOK DISCOUNTED EL NIDO TOUR B HERE

BOOK DISCOUNTED EL NIDO TOUR C HERE

 

  TOUR DESTINATIONSPRICE
TOUR ABig Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Simizu Island, Secret Lagoon and 7 Commandos BeachPHP 1,200 (€ 21 /

USD 24)

TOUR BEntalula Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave and Cathedral CavePHP 1, 300 (€ 23/

USD 26)

TOUR CHidden Beach, Helicopter Island, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine and Star BeachPHP 1,400 (€24/

USD 28)

TOUR DBukal Island, Ipil Beach, Nat-Nat Beach, Cadlao Lagoon and Paradise BeachPHP 1,200 (€ 21 /

USD 24)

TOUR ELand tour includes Twin Beaches, Marimegmeg Beach and some waterfallsPHP 1,500 (€ 26/

USD 30)

 

For El Nido Tour E, you can just hire a tricycle for PHP 800 ( (€ 14/ USD 16) – PHP 1,400 ( € 24 / USD 28), good for 3 persons, to take you to Twin Beaches, Marimegmeg Beach and Nacpan Falls.

 

Island Hopping Tour Schedule: 9 AM to 4 PM

Tour inclusion:

Lunch, snorkeling gear, life vest and guides to assist you.

Does not include the PHP 200 (€ 3/USD 4)  per person Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF). This is good for up to 10 days of your stay here in El Nido. (The will ask the receipt before you embark on your island hopping tours so make sure you pay the ETDF)

On every Island Hopping Tour, they serve a generous amount of the following:

Fruits and Vegetables, Grilled Chicken, Grilled Pork, Grilled Fish*,  Shrimp/Crabs/Squid*

  • * Subject to availability in the market.
  • Do advice your tour agent of your food restrictions.

Kayaks are available for  whole day rental  PHP 700 (€ 12/ USD 14) so you could easily go inside the hidden lagoons.

Underwater camera can also be rented at Northern Hope Tours for  PPHP 700 (€ 12/ USD 14) per day.

 


 

WHERE TO STAY IN EL NIDO

 

BUDGET

 

Joaquinn’s Bed and Breakfast

agoda joaquinns final

Real Street, Barangay Buena Suerte, El Nido, Palawan

Trendy but not costly!

Walking distance to the port, quiet location with a great view of El Nido Bay.

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE 

 

 

Dayunan El Nido Tourist Inn

agoda dayunan final

Sitio Cabigsing, Barangay Buena Serte, El Nido, Palawan

Located at the town center

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

 

 

Bayog Beach Campsite

agoda bayog final

Barangay Sibaltan, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

A short ride from the town center.

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

MID-RANGE

 

Rainforest Beach Hotel

agoda rainforest final

Hama Street, Brgy. Masagana, El Nido

Conveniently located at the heart of El Nido town center.

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

 

Rovic’s Tourist Hotel

agoda rovics3

Hama Street, Brgy Masagana, El Nido, Palawan

CHECK ROOM RATES  HERE

 

 

HIGH-END

 

Vellago Resort

agoda velago final
7 Commando Beach, El Nido, Palawan

Situated in an island off the coast of El Nido town.

 CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

 

El Nido Resorts Lagen Island

agoda lagen final
Lagen Island, El Nido, Palawan

Situated in a private island off the coast of El Nido

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

 

 

Cauayan Island Resort

agoda cuayan final

Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan

Situated in a private island off the coast of El Nido

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

 


 

EL NIDO ITINERARY (3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS)

 

 

 

DAY  1ACTIVITIES
07:30 AMArrival at Puerto Princesa Airport
07:45 AMCharter tricycle for Puerto Princesa City Tour

(Php 600 good for 3 persons)

08:00 AMBreakfast
08:30 AMStart of City Tour

Puerto Princesa Provincial Capitol

Puerto Princesa Museum

Puerto Princesa Cathedral

Plaza Cuartel

Baker’s Hill

Mitra’s Ranch

Crocodile Farm

Ihawig Penal Colony

02:30 PMEnd of Tour
03:00 PMTravel to El Nido
09:00 PMEstiated Arrival in El Nido
09:15 PMCheck in at hotel/resort
09:30 PMDinner

 

 

 

 

DAY  2ACTIVITIES
07:00 AMBreakfast
07:30 AMRegister at El Nido Tourism Office and pay the Php 200 Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF)
08:00 AMStart of El Nido Tour A

Big Lagoon

Small Lagoon

11:00 AMLunch at SimizuIsland
12:00 PMContinue Island Hopping Tour

Secret Lagoon

7 Commandos Beach

04:00 PMEnd of tour. Back to El Nido Town
04:15 PMBuy souvenirs
05:00 PMReturn to hotel
06:30 PMDinner

 

DAY  3ACTIVITIES
07:00 AMBreakfast
07:30 AMTricycle to Taraw Cliff
07:45  AMFind local guide
08:00 AMStart ascent
10:00 PMSummit Taraw Cliff
11:00 PMDescent
01:00 PMEnd of Climb Back to El Nido
01:30 PMLate lunch
02:00 PMHire tricycle for land tour
02:15 PMStart of El Nido Land Tour

Nacpan Falls

Twin Beaches

04:30 PMBack to El Nido town for Marimeg Beach
05:30 PMWatch Sunset at Marimeg Beach
06:30 PMBack to El Nido
07:00 PMDinner

 

 

DAY  4ACTIVITIES
07:00 AMBreakfast
07:30 AMCheck out
08:00 AM Travel back to Puerto Princesa
02:00 PMEstimated Arrival in Puerto Princesa

 

 


 

EL NIDO TRIP BUDGET

 

el nido island food

 

ACTIVITIESEXPENSES
Tricycle to San Jose Terminal (roundtrip)PHP 21 x 2 = PHP 42 (€ 0.73/ USD 0.85)
Bus fare (roundtrip) to and from El NidoPHP 480 x 2 =  PHP 960 (€ 17/ USD 19)
Eco-Tourism Development FeePHP 200 (€ 3/ USD 4)
Hotel/Resort (per day x # of days)PHP 800 x 2 =PHP 1,600 (€ 28/USD 32)
Food Budget (per meal x # of days)Php 150 x 2 x 3 = PHP 900 (€ 16 /USD 18)
El Nido Tour APHP 1,200 (€ 21/  USD 24)
El Nido Land TourPHP 1,000 / (€ 17 /USD 20)
GRAND TOTALPHP 5,902 / ( € 103 /USD 117)

 

*Airfare not included.

 


 

 

EL NIDO TRAVEL TIPS

el nido island hidden beach 1

  • Bring dry bags with you during your island hopping tour and make sure it is locked securely.  My DSLR “drowned” while island hopping, so investing on a reliable dry bag would be wise.
  • Almost everything is on cash basis, stack up cash as there is only one ATM  in El Nido, only in Coron and Puerto Princesa.
  • Bring mosquito repellent especially if you are camping or staying at lodges in the island.
  • Food in restaurants in El Nido will cost you at least PHP 150 (€ 3/ USD 3) per meal. There are small eateries dappled around the town proper if you want to save, but just a reminder: you’ll get what you pay for.  A reader (Jay) commented they had diarrhea while they were there, never experienced that in any of my visit. I always eat at eateries  and restaurants by the beach.  But just to be safe, you can buy bottled water or refill from water stations instead of drinking potable water.
  • As per comment  by Eloise Davis, there is a monkey that bites and steals food and drinks somewhere in Snake Island, please be careful and avoid bringing food and drinks while climbing the hills there.
  • There are monitor lizards in some islands, avoid getting close to them as they can bite humans and it is painful and poisonous, resulting to heavy bleeding.

 

 

 

 


 

 

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

 

el nido twin beach 4

RELATED POST

 

PUERTO PRINCESA TRAVEL GUIDE (Budget + Itinerary)

CORON TRAVEL GUIDE

CULION TRAVEL GUIDE

 THINGS TO DO IN PUERTO PRINCESA

SAN VICENTE PALAWAN TRAVEL GUIDE + ITINERARY  2019

 


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24264_351910964162_336201504162_3580676_6142279_nAbout the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina travel blogger. Her work has appeared in local and international publications.

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