This
world class tourist destination is no longer new to me as I have been in the island
for several times. In fact I made some noted works in the southern part of the
island during the height of my course in Environmental Science and Ecosystem
Management.
But during those days, I spent little time for leisure and wandering to enjoy the beauty of the place and it did not even cross my mind to look around as I was 100% focused on my job documenting the soil profile of the mountains of Espanola. Living in the area was just like any ordinary “probinsya” days way back in 2007 until I saw the pictures of my friends who’d been in the beautiful spots of Palawan that made me feel a little bit jealous.
But during those days, I spent little time for leisure and wandering to enjoy the beauty of the place and it did not even cross my mind to look around as I was 100% focused on my job documenting the soil profile of the mountains of Espanola. Living in the area was just like any ordinary “probinsya” days way back in 2007 until I saw the pictures of my friends who’d been in the beautiful spots of Palawan that made me feel a little bit jealous.
Recently,
while scrolling down on my emails I found a notification from a local flight
carrier reminding me of my scheduled flight bound for Puerto Princesa. I almost forgot the reservation I made almost
a year ago. It was timely that it coincides with my 2nd quarter home leave
from work in Mindanao ,so I took the chance to have some bit of good vacation and splurge a little.I decided to chase El Nido since I have never been there for recreation purposes.
Day 1(En Route to El Nido from Mindanao)

Reaching
the terminal I took a tricycle and requested for a quick round in the
town. I asked the driver’s suggestion
for a good and cheap accommodation. I requested that it should be away from the
crowded center of the town.
We drove a kilometer towards the small barangay of Curong Curong and inquired on some available resorts. At the end of the haggling with managers and attendants I decided to settle with Telesfora BeachResort (click).
We drove a kilometer towards the small barangay of Curong Curong and inquired on some available resorts. At the end of the haggling with managers and attendants I decided to settle with Telesfora BeachResort (click).
I took a little rest and hit back the town proper or poblacion and had my dinner at Sea Slugs Bar and Resto along the “aplaya”. Curious about the night life of El Nido, I searched for the famous Art CafĂ© and hangout a little with some tourists with a bottle of beer while listening to the jazz music played by a band. The place is a hit among travelers and serves as a common spot for you to meet other travelers either foreigners or locals. When the clock hit 11pm, I decided to retire back to Telesfora Resort. Thank God, tricycle service in town operates 24 hours.
Day 2 ( Unlucky thirteen)
It
was June 13 and I don’t know if the accident that happened the night before has
something to do with the number. A ferry boat MV Josille 2 by Atienza Shipping
Lines sunk when one of the engines died and battered by big waves and crushed
into one of the rocky island of Pagawanin in Bacuit Bay, El Nido. The incident left
5 passenger and crew dead and 65 carabaos on board perished and dozens of
passengers injured took refuge in Tent Island. All island tours scheduled that day were cancelled
as boatmen assisted the PPA and Philippine coastguard in rescuing the victims.
Diverted Tour
Our tour facilitator, to which I made an arrangement, kept
on negotiating with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for us to have an island tour even on the
nearest spot.But with no luck, the PCG disapproved all requests made by all
Island Tour Facilitators. With this unfortunate event, Kuya Ramil of CAERA Travel and Tours suggested
of having an inland tour instead.
Nacpan Beach
Accompanied by other
5 guests, we hit the rode bound for Nacpan Beach. With the Habagat hitting the
west coast of the Philippines, we experienced a heavy scattered rain . Reaching
Nacpan, we take a temporary shelter on a nearby house that happened to be a
close relative of our tour guide.
With no other option, we cooked our food in the temporary shelter and had a delicious marinara lunch. The food prepared by our tour guides was superb. I finished at least 5 crabs and it think I consume more than the other guests as I lost count of sumptuous food I put into my mouth .Hahaha. It could have been better it we had it on the beach.
With no other option, we cooked our food in the temporary shelter and had a delicious marinara lunch. The food prepared by our tour guides was superb. I finished at least 5 crabs and it think I consume more than the other guests as I lost count of sumptuous food I put into my mouth .Hahaha. It could have been better it we had it on the beach.
After the rain stopped, we stroll along the beach of Nacpan.
The whole coast have a pale milky white coral sand. The cove was simply beautiful
and very serene with no other visitors wandering on the beach other than us. We
took the opportunity to enjoy the beach and had some picture taking for the
next 30 minutes.
Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls
Coming from Nacpan Beach, it took us only less than a few
minutes to reach the jump-off point going to Nagkalit kalit waterfalls.
According to our guide we have to trek going up to reach the falls. I made a
little stretching as this off the book activity caught me off guard for a long
distance walking tour. We started walking at almost 3:00 PM.
Though unprepared, I enjoyed the trekking part as we
encounter farm animals along the trail . We even have to cross countless
springs and rivers.
After
an hour of endless walking, we reached the falls. For some who have not seen
falls before would be amazed with this discovery but for me who have been to
dozens of gargantum waterfalls in Mindanao like Tinuy-an and Tinago, the almost
15 feet Nagkalit kalit falls would be just a regular spring falls compared to
the falls mentioned.
Nevertheless, I joined the group taking a dip into the cool water of Nagkalit kalit to freshen up from the tiring hike we did. After a few minutes, we decided to descend back to the jump-off point as the day started to darken.
We
arrived back to El Nido aplaya just in time for dinner. I had a full blast meal
at Sea Slug for less than Php200.00.
Day
3 (Ultimate Island Tour)
Visiting
the beautiful limestone islands and white beaches of El Nido was my primary
goal for my 2nd quarter vacation away from Mindanao for the year
2012. It was a blessed day as the Philippine Coast Guard lifted the ban of
pumpboats from taking guests to the island due to the recent accident/tragedy
happened in Bacuit Bay.
Together
with all foreigner guests and travelers, we set sail to our most anticipated
island tour. We were all in the Package A Island Tour which costs Php 700.00
per head.
Destinations and Activities:
CAERA Travel and Tours
Hama St.
Brgy. Buena Swerte Zone II
5313 El
Nido, Palawan
ISLAND
HOPPING TOURS
(9:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M)
Tour
A
|
Php
700.00/pax
|
Small
Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Entalula Island, Secret Lagoon, and 7
Commando Beach
|
|
Tour
B
|
Php
800.00/pax
|
Pangulasian
Island, Snake Island, Cudognon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Pinagbuyutan Island, and
Ipil Beach
|
|
Tour
C
|
Php
900.00/pax
|
Hidden
Beach, Secret Lagoon, Matinloc Island, Talisay Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, and
Helicopter Island
|
|
Tour
D
|
Php
700.00/pax
|
Balinaod
Beach, Ubugon Beach, Pasandigan Beach, Paradise Beach, Natnat Beach, and
Bukal Island
|
|
INLAND
TOUR
|
Php
950/pax
|
NAGKALIT-KALIT
WATERFALLS
|
Travel
time from the town proper is 20 mins by tricycle or air con van. A local
guide is needed and it takes an hour hike/trek to Nagkalit-kalit waterfalls
through under forest area and cool off with a dip in the refreshing,
cascading waters.
|
Makinit
Hotspring
|
Makinit
Hot Spring 20 km. north of El Nido, 45 mins drive away from the town. You
can feel the therapeutic warm water with smoke oozing out from the water.
|
||
NACPAN
BEACH
|
Beautiful beach, clear water best for snorkelling, swimming, sun bathing, peaceful place, panoramic view, long beach.
|
Contact Information:
Cel# : (+63)919.207.4064
(+63)939.902.2215
(+63)917.549.5622
Email: caera_traveltour@ yahoo.com
Getting There:
Traveling to El Nido is now easier compare to previous years. There are now atleast 3 entry points to reach El Nido.
- Direct flight from Manila to El Nido.
There are a couple of airline company that have a direct flight to
El Nido like ITI and SEA Air so it won’t be too hassle in your part traveling
by land.Though this option is a little expesive.
- Manila/Cebu- Puerto Princesa Palawan.
There
are direct scheduled flights daily from several airline to Puerto Princesa,
Palawan . From the airport you have options to get to El Nido.
1. Van
For Hire- There are several van for hire company in PP. One is Fort Wally that
has a shuttle service terminal in the city. The fare per head is Php 700.00
that includes airport pick up.
You can contact Ms. Evelyn R. Gonzales (OM) for reservation
Cel # : (+63)917.276.2875
(+63)921.311.8755
email : fortwallytransport@yahoo.com
You can contact Ms. Evelyn R. Gonzales (OM) for reservation
Cel # : (+63)917.276.2875
(+63)921.311.8755
email : fortwallytransport@yahoo.com
2. Commute
from PP to El Nido- If you are traveling
alone or by two and would like to venture on traveling by public, you can take
a tricycle from the airport and head to city proper ( Rizal St.), -fare is
Php15-30. From Rizal St. take a multicab type jeepney bound for San Jose
Terminal Bus Station, fare is Php15.00. At San Jose, there are several buses
bound for El Nido, but I suggest to take the RORO airconditioned bus, fare is
Php 380.00. Interval is every two hours.
For
booking and reservation you may contact these numbers:
(+63)915.307.7133
(+63)908.920.2568
(+63)922.889.7013
(+63)915.307.7133
(+63)908.920.2568
(+63)922.889.7013
- Coron-El Nido vis-Ă -vis
If
you happen to be in Coron, Palawan, there are scheduled ferry boat trips everyday directly bound for El Nido to Coron
and vice versa. This is managed by Montenegro Shipping Lines.
Schedule:
Schedule:
- El Nido to Coron: 6:00 AM
- Coron to El Nido: 12:00 NN
For
booking and reservation you may contact these numbers:
(+63)915.307.7133
(+63)908.920.2568
(+63)922.889.7013
website: www.montenegrolines.com.ph

(+63)915.307.7133
(+63)908.920.2568
(+63)922.889.7013
website: www.montenegrolines.com.ph
El Nido is one of the best tourist destination in the Philippines. Thanks for the info's, I think I should run through out the post to have an idea about the place.
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