2022 EL NIDO TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Momentarily ditch the bustling concrete jungle and head to El Nido, a blissful town  in Palawan with raw appeal.  Like the rest of the province, it is flanked by jaw-dropping tropical islands and palm-fringed, white sand beaches, vast pastoral lands, and lush forest. El Nido is an impeccable holiday destination for those seeking a laidback escape, no wonder why it is always on the list of  top beach destinations in the Philippines. Now good news is, El Nido, Palawan is now open to local and foreign tourists, and the the travel requirements is more relaxed now.  For fully vaccinated tourists traveling to El Nido, effective immediately, there is no more testing requirements. Here’s the latest El Nido travel requirements for 2022.

EL NIDO TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR  FULLY VACCINATED TOURISTS

1.Proof of Vaccination

• Domestic Tourist: If you are  a domestic tourist, you need to show your vaccination card or vaccination certificate that can be obtained HERE.
• Foreign Tourist: If you are a foreigner, you can present the One Health Pass, which can be obtained HERE.

  IMPORTANT: I get this question a lot, “What if I’m vaccinated out the country but I’m already staying in the Philippines for a while now?” I’m not sure about that, but it should fall under the One Health Pass.  However, that would still require an RT-PCR Test taken within 48 hours.  So, to make sure, please contact El Nido Tourism, their contact details is listed below.  Usually, what’s required is the World Health Organization International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, or National/state digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted Vax Cert PH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF.

2. Roundtrip Tickets

3. El Nido DOT accredited hotel booking. Tourists must present a confirmed booking at any DOT accredited hotels. It should match the number of days you are staying in the island as per your roundtrip ticket.See the list of DOT accredited hotels in El Nido below.

4.Approved S-Pass. All visitors must present an approved S-pass, click HERE.   You need the travel requirements indicated above (1, 2,3) to be able to get an S-pass.

5. Valid ID. Though not really listed on the El Nido Travel requirements, you will need to bring your ID for verification, upon boarding your flight, checking in your hotel, applying for S-Pass, etc.

EL NIDO PARTIALLY OR NON-VACCINATED TOURISTS

1.Negative RT-PCR test. Must be taken within 48 hours prior to arrival in El Nido. 2. Proof of booking at El Nido DOT accredited hotels. You need a confirmed hotel booking at DOT accredited hotels. It should match the number of days you are staying in the island as indicated in your roundtrip ticket. 3. Roundtrip Tickets 4.Approved S-Pass. Must show your approved S-pass. 5. Valid ID.  

• El Nido Tourism
• Contact Number: 0930 336 2029/ 0905 084 663

WHERE TO STAY IN EL NIDO (DOT ACCREDITED HOTELS)

As I mentioned above, a confirmed booking at a DOT accredited hotel is required when traveling to El Nido.  Here’s some of them:

• Buskamp Inn Hotel
• Location: El Nido Town
• RESERVE HERE 

• Rosanna’ s Pension
• Location: El Nido Town
• RESERVE HERE 

• Hidden Garden Pension
• Location: El Nido Town
• RESERVE HERE or BOOK HERE

• Bella Athena Garden
• Location: El Nido Town
• RESERVE HERE or BOOK HERE

• Spin Designer Hostel
• Location: El Nido Town
• RESERVE HERE or BOOK HERE

• Buena’s Haven Travel Lodge
• Location: Corong-Corong Beach
• RESERVE HERE or BOOK HERE

• Novie’s Tourist Inn 
• Location: Corong-Corong Beach
• RESERVE HERE or BOOK HERE

• Maligaya Beach Bungalows
• Location: El Nido Town
• RESERVE HERE or BOOK HERE

HOW TO GET TO EL NIDO, PALAWAN:

Manila to El Nido, Palawan (Via Puerto Princesa)

1.From Manila, there are daily flights to Puerto Princesa, Palawan via Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Airasia.

2. At Puerto Princesa International Airport, prepare your El Nido travel requirements documents especially your S-Pass. Staff at the airport will check and verify them.

3.Collect your luggage.

 4.At Puerto Princesa International Airport, you can take a direct van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. To reserve a seat, book through the link below.

Puerto Princesa Airport van to El Nido/San Jose Terminal  bus to El Nido: BOOK HERE

Alternatively, you can charter a tricycle to San Jose Terminal for roughly ₱150 ($3), good for 3-4 passengers. At San Jose Terminal, there are vans and buses en route to El Nido, Palawan. You can also book a bus through the same link above from San Jose Terminal to El Nido, choose “bus” and scroll down. But take note that you still have to make your way to San Jose Terminal from Puerto Princesa Airport to ride the bus.

5.At El Nido bus/van terminal. Take a tricycle to your hotel.

6.At the check-in counter of your hotel, show your S-Pass, booking confirmation and other El Nido travel requirements for verification.

San Vicente, Palawan to El Nido

 *Flights to San Vicente, Palawan are currently unavailable*

1.If you are coming from San Vicente, you can ride a passenger van  to El Nido, Palawan. You can arrange this with your hotel/resort, so that the van will just pick you up at your accommodation.

 2.At El Nido bus/van terminal. Take a tricycle to your hotel.

3.Upon arrival at your hotel, show your El Nido travel requirements for verification.

ALSO READ:

SAN VICENTE PALAWAN TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

SAN VICENTE PALAWAN THINGS TO DO

SAN VICENTE PALAWAN ITINERARY

EL NIDO PALAWAN TOURS

Here’s a list of El Nido Tours for 2022, prices vary depending on the travel agency.  This is just a guide so you’ll have an idea approximately how much you need to pay for the El Nido Tours when planning your El Nido itinerary.  Also, prices may change without prior notice. If you notice, the tours below only include about 5 islands/beaches. The tour usually starts at 9:00 AM and lasts until 4:00 PM.  For shared tours, you will share it with other tourists.

*El Nido Tour Inclusion:

• Mask and snorkel
• Lunch buffet (typically consists of grilled fish, pork, seafood, and chicken, fruits and vegetables)
• Drinking water

*Additional Charges (not included in the tour package):

• Eco-tourism Development Fee: ₱200 ($4) per person, good for 10 days
• Lagoon user fee: ₱200 ($4) per person
• Kayak in Lagoon destination: ₱300 ($6) good for 2 persons

  Here are the usual prices per person for group tours, that means you will be joining other tourists during the El Nido island hopping tours. El Nido Island hopping rate.

EL NIDO TOUR A: RESERVE HERE (Discounted)

OTHER EL NIDO TOURS:

• Taraw Cliff: BOOK HERE

• Luxury Speedboat El Nido Tour: BOOK HERE

   

DIY EL NIDO ITINERARY

Here’s a sample DIY El Nido Palawan itinerary for your reference. I’ll write a more detailed blogpost soon. This is just to give you an idea what to do in El Nido when your plan your trip.

ALSO READ:  EL NIDO TRAVEL GUIDE + BUDGET ITINERARY

TRAVEL TIPS AND REMINDER

• There’s still Covid-19, so, I recommend bringing your own snorkeling gear for your safety.
• Wear mask when not swimming or eating/drinking.
• Practice social distancing.
• Keep yourself hydrated especially if you’re traveling this summer. Bring your own water bottle and refill your water at your hotel.
• Support local businesses and tour operators.
• When riding the tricycle, ask for the copy of tariff rates so you’ll know how much exactly you need to pay. Unless you’re hiring the entire tricycle, you should pay for the minimum fare stated on the official tariff rate for tricycles. You’re also helping the locals this way. Because tricycles in most tourists spots tend to charge tourists higher, thus, they prefer tourists than local passengers. Many residents/locals end up complaining because tricycles won’t let them ride or ignore them since  drivers often prefer passengers who are tourists/outsiders because they pay higher.