Shimizu Island, El Nido
Hello everyone! So I thought I would share with you some helpful tips I gathered from my research while I was planning our trip to El Nido Palawan and give you honest reviews of hotel/tour package that we availed during our trip [that is solely based from our own personal experience] . I hope this post would somehow be of help to those who are also planning their next adventure to this beautiful Island.
How to go to El Nido?
I've heard that The fastest and most convenient way to get to El Nido is thru taking a direct flight from Manila from an airline company called AirSWIFT. Fare is a little hefty though compare if you book a flight via Puerto Princesa. But at-least you wont have to endure a 5-6 hours of land travel from Puerto Princesa airport.
For a cheapest (and most popular) option, take the latter like we did. From Puerto Princesa Airport, we hopped a van parked outside the airport that travels directly to El Nido. Fare is between Php500-600.00. It is best to book your van transfer in advance with your hotel in El Nido.
Where to stay in El Nido:
Aqua Travel Lodge --We stayed in this hotel in our recent trip in El Nido and I could say that we had a pleasant stay in this hotel. The hotel is very basic, nothing fancy but clean accommodation and the rate includes daily plated breakfast. The hotel is located in the beach front where the main action happens and near to many famous restaurants in El Nido.
Rate: 2,000.00-2,500.00
Aqua Travel Lodge Standard Room
Mansion Buenavista --This was our first choice to stay in El Nido when we were planning our trip. Unfortunately, they're fully-booked when I inquired with them. If you're looking for a quiet place to stay in El Nido but still has an easy access to the main interest, I think Mansion Buenavista is one you should consider. When we come back in El Nido, we would definitely stay in this hotel and ensure to book in advance to secure a room. Not to mention that they have 5/5 rate in TripAdvisor so I guess the hotel must be doing something good that makes their guests feel very satisfied. The hotel is also walking distance to the famed Marimegmeg beach which is said to be the perfect spot to watch the sunset of El Nido.
Rate: Php3,000.00 for rainy season promo & 4,000.00 for regular rate
Swiflets Inn- This hotel is also one we consider when we were planning our trip. The location is also accessible to the main action with the beautiful view of the mountain in your terrace. The hotel has high rate (8/10) in agoda review.
Rate: Php3000.00 and up.
Where to book your Island Hopping Tour
Servant Tours -- I've read a couple of good reviews about this tour operator when I was searching for "the best Island Hopping Tour Operator" in El Nido and so we decided to book with them as well. Although the local government standardized the rate of each tours but Servant Tours offer cheaper tour packages (about Php200-400 off) compared to the standard rates around. The package usually includes lunch, free use of snorkeling gear and clean towel. Most of these inclusions have additional payment in other tour operators. In addition, the staff are very nice, honest, helpful and accommodating.
Other tour operators in El Nido that have good reviews are Northern Hopes, El Nido Art Cafe and Alternative tours.
What to bring:
Sufficient cash for your stay. Majority of establishments in El Nido only accept cash.
Aqua shoes
Underwater camera,
dry bag or waterproof gadget bag,
Mosquito repellent
sunblock
cap/hat
battery-operated handy fan (to keep you cool from power interruption which is a common occurrences in El Nido)
How much did our trip costs?
For our 4 days 3 nights stay in El Nido, we only spent less than Php20,000.00 (Mind you, we splurged a lot for food and souvenir shopping). Airfare is not included.
I hope you find this post helpful! Till next time!
Always,
Rica ♡
