This is my second visit to Palawan, one of the most visited place here in the Philippines by tourists, and it always amazes me. Palawan makes me feel like being in a paradise, like having a day dream.
The limestones, crystal clear beaches and lagoons, seafood, good vibes...
So if you're a beach lover, a tropical person, who has a great excitement when it comes to salt water adventures, note and bold Palawan in you places to go.
From Manila to Puerto Princesa there is a around 1h and 15 minutes of travel time.
We took the Cebu Pacific airline for it is the cheapest airline here in the Philippines because airfares to Puerto Princesa/El Nido usually costs a lot.
The airfare (MNL - Puerto Princesa) cost me 2,200 roundtrip.
When we arrived in Puerto Princesa, we didn't have any reservations for our transfer to El Nido. We didn't worry because transfers are offered in the airport and outside the airport.
There was this one offering a mixed van transfer to El Nido. They asked us to pay 700 pesos each but I bargained to 500 pesos and they agreed.
There are also bus transfers to Puerto Princesa to El nido if you prefer.
Travel time from Puerto Princesa to El nido is aprox. 5 hours.
(Never be shy to bargain if you're in a budget trip because you'll never know. Although, I think foreigners don't get discounts that much unless they're travelling with a local.)
Day 1 - Arrival to El Nido
Van stop over
The road to El Nido is like the road to Baguio or Pagudpud. All green and many curves.
Our van transfer dropped us in our hostel, Spin Designer Hostel.
It is the best hostel where I've stayed so far. They offer private and shared rooms with an eat all you can breakfast everyday. They also have different events depending on the day.
Visitors are usually foreigners and travellers, so if you're looking for a friend it's also a good place to find them.
So, I highly recommend Spin Designer Hostel.
Sala
Pancakes, bread and egg for breakfast
Mix shared room
Dining room
Atic for breakfast or for BBQ night
Kitchen (you can cook if you want)
After our dinner in El Nido, we roam around to book for our tours during our stay.
My friend, Ryan, recommended me a tour agency in front of M lhuillier, Kashiecas tours
Joined tour for tour A's price is usually 1200 pesos and Tour C is 1400 pesos, but we got a discount for them two for only 1900 pesos! ( Bargain skills)
Goggles and lunch with drinks and ECO ticket are included.
A piece of advice: It's way cheaper when you book your tours when you arrive in your destination. Tour packages are usually cheaper and you can bargain their prices!
Day 2 - Tour A
Meeting time is 9:00 AM.
Pick up point
Boat with the joined tour
1. Seven Commandos Beach
It was our first stop. Around 15 minutes travel time from the meeting point to the island.
It is named after the 7 remaining japanese commandos who lived in the aisland as straglers after Worl War II.
2. Big Lagoon
We weren't able to enter through it because it was low tide so we walked.
Sea orchins are everywhere so be careful because I got pinched
3. Secret Lagoon
It's secret because it's behind the limestones.
Limestones
Coconuts sorrounded by limestones
Inside the Secret Lagoon
It is located on the cove of Miniloc Island so you have to swim of kayak (300 pesos) through to see the turquoise-green waters and limestone walls.
Kayak for 300 pesos good for 2 persons
Paddle board
Last picture before our Tour A ended
Day 3 - Tour C
Joined Tour with around 20 people from different places!
1. Helicopter Island
It is called Helicopter Island because of its form. A place for snorkeling.
2. Hidden Beach
Walk or swim around 100 meters to get here.
2. Talisay Beach
We had our delicious buffet lunch here with this kind of views. Beautiful!
View
Buffet lunch
After lunch we headed to the 3. Secret Beach but waves were crashing the limestones where we had to enter so I didn't go there. Sadly, I had to skip it.
4. Matinloc Shrine
Our tour guide said that the Matinloc is now a private property so we weren't able to enter the place but we snorkeled near it.
Enjoying our last tour in the island
Catching sunset and having our last dinner in El Nido
Port side seafood restaurant for grilled foods and etc.
Day 4 - Back to Puerto Princesa - Manila
We took a quick visit to the Puerto Princesa Baywalk before our flight. It's very near to the airport so tell your van driver to drop you here and get a tricycle after. Php 10 pesos/person.
Puerto Princesa Baywalk
EXPENSES:
Airfare: 2200 pesos
PP-El Nido-PP: 500 + 450 = 950 pesos
Tricycle Baywalk - Airport = 10 pesos
Tours: (Tour A & C) 1900 pesos
Hostel: 1000/night x 3 nights = 3000 pesos
Terminal fee (PP): 200 pesos
TOTAL: 8,260 pesos
*Food and other expenses are not included
