El Nido, Palawan is my dream beach in the Philippines.
The prestine waters and long beaches complete the serenity of El Nido.
We planned for our first trip as a couple a month after we became us. We had 7 months to plan this travel, Angelo was very helpful in getting the best deals. Planning for this getaway is not so easy-breezy, we became so detailed in planning the logistics. Of course, we don't want to spoil our first jaunt.
Tip1: Book your tickets months before the trip, going to El Nido is not like going to a beach in Batangas. There are only few trips going in and out of El Nido. We flew with Sea Air, we stopped in Coron, Palawan and continued the air travel to El Nido.
Flying above the islands of Palawan is truly beautiful. Vast blue waters and green forestry is a view that brings pleasure to the eyes. When we arrived in El Nido airport, we learned that there is only one runway for the planes and the cars. Yeah! What?! But it's true, when a plane is arriving/departing the cars cannot go inside the airport. But the airport has some hammocks and benches for the visitors to rest. Even if you're still in the airport, the surroundings will turn you to beach mode in a snap.
Tip2: El Nido is popular with foreigners, most of the resorts are expensive for locals. But there are resorts which offer reasonable prices. For our stay, we chose Dolarog Beach Resort,
http://www.dolarog.com/. The owner is a European national married to a Filipina. If you're lucky he will send or fetch you to or from the airport.
From the airport, we were fetched by a tricycle to the beach where the boat is waiting for us to head to the resort.
When we arrived at the resort, they had welcoming drinks for the guests. I tried to look around but I cannot see locals vacationing there, only me and Angelo and the rest are foreigners. Dolarog beach resort is fronting Pinagbuyutan Island, it is bliss to have this view in the morning.
Tip3: The resort is clean but since it's an open area, do bring mosquito repellants. Also, during the day there will be power cut-off and the resorts in El Nido will use generators. The resort will give welcome talk and important reminders to their guests.
Tip4: Walk around the resort, in front is the beach and at the back is the forest. We walked around the area, nature is really a beauty.
Tip5: The resort serves meals for the whole day, the resort's food is sumptous. During dinner guests are dressed up in casual attire. I remembered me and Angelo discussing about him dressing up or not. In our first dinner in the resort I told him to dress up but he would not agree. So I let him be, he was wearing sleeveless jersey then we head to the resto. Only when he saw that the guests are casually dressed, when he told me to go back so he can change his top. I agreed with "i told you so" smile.
The sunset by the beach is dramatic, the hues are perfect.
The second day of our trip refrained us from doing the island tour because the coastguard announced that it is not safe to go near the waters. It's ironic because it's a perfectly sunny day. We wouldn't waste a day in the resort right? So if we cannot go sightseeing by boat, we still push through by land. We did hiking, we walked from the resort to city center. Locals usually use boats to town center but they said there is a way to go by land but its quite far.
Rock formations in El Nido are admirable, it's nice to think that nature molded everything in El Nido. It was done marvelously.
During low tide, you can literally walk from one island to another.
From Dolarog resort we walked quite a distance to go to town center, only then we realized that for us to reach the town we need to cross over these rocks.We cannot go near the waves because it may smash us against these rocks. No other way but to climb up these boulders.
Yes, it was tough but we were laughing our heart out when I nearly lost my slippers and the camera captured my funny shocked face.
But the beach awaiting at the other side is picture perfect.
A lengthy shore and stream of palm trees.
Tip6: If you go swimming be careful of the big waves. Always be cautious specially as tourists we are strangers to El Nido's waters.
Tip7: In town center, there are shops for pasalubongs and souveniers you can still bargain but the prices are surprisingly cheap. There are also foodjoints near the beach that serves local dishes. Most of the people we met during our trip are very nice, I even concluded that Palawenos' simple lifestyle keeps their feet on the ground.
We also visited a church in town center before we went back to the resort, but this time we rode the tricycle and not walk anymore. When we saw the shore line that we walked through on our way to town center, we realized it's really far. When the driver was saying that we took the wrong way I giggled because even if we were lost I would never exchange the experience that we've been through.
When we arrived at the resort, we felt a little tired but we were really pumped up that we still have the energy to do kayaking.
El Nido's daily weather is unpredictable, on our 3rd day in the island it was raining and we have not been in any tour yet. My Angelo is quite frustrated already but I guess God heard our prayers because the weather permitted us to go on island tour.
It's my scariest boat ride so far, I saw our boat on top of the waves. Yes, the waves in El Nido are gigantic. What assured me that it's ok are the boatmen, they kept on telling us that its normal and its safe to go on island tour.
Tip8: Be friendly with the boatmen and try to chat with them about the islands. Some of them are shy but it's fun to know some facts about the islands and islets. Beware of baby sharks, boatmen can see sharks from afar. Also be careful of the big and sharp rock edges when snorkeling.
We went into the Small Lagoon, there's no way for the boat to go inside. The only way is the small hole as seen in the picture, also it's fascinating because no matter how stormy it is outside when we went into the lagoon the water is very calm.
The Big Lagoon in El Nido is eye-catching, the big limestone formations placed perfectly are like masterpieces of nature.
Every island and every islet have its own white beach exuding unique beauty.
Tip9: Some lagoons are only accesible during low tide, it's best to start the tour early morning.
What island of El Nido I most love? It's the Snake Island! Snake-shaped white sand beach which can only be seen during low tide. Me and Angelo run till the tip of the island, thanks to our camera hanging on a small withered tree branch for capturing the moment on a windy morning.
Tip10: In the island there is a deck to see the view from above. It's a high climb, keep the energy because when you reached the top the view is glorious.
Take a while to sit down by the beach and appreciate the beauty of nature.
Tip11: The tour includes visiting the Cathedral Cave, it's jaw dropping. When the waves are strong the boatmen avoid going in because it may wreck the boat, the current is strong inside the cave. It's more advisable to dive and explore the cave.
Every morning we are enjoying the serene view of Pinagbuyutan Island, we got the chance to step on it's beach. The island has a small beach at one side but the other side is submerged in deep water.
It's a wonderful experience to see the beauty of El Nido, it's really one of our country's treasures. It's been almost 5 years since we visited the island but until now I haven't seen a place as beautiful as El Nido.
EL NIDO is truly a paradise.
