Located at the northern tip of the Philippines island of Palawan, El Nido is a truly breathtaking tropical paradise. Getting there, however, isn’t the most straightforward affair.
For international travellers, they would need to take a separate domestic flight upon arrival in the Philippines. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila is the busiest airport in the country, and chances are most foreign visitors will land here first.
In my case, I spent a night in Manila before flying out the next day. This might be a good idea if you would like the chance to do some shopping or explore the Filipino food scene.
ALSO READ: What can Malaysians see, do and eat in El Nido, Palawan?
El Nido is not as commercialised as Boracay island. And if you’re staying at an exclusive resort (which is located at one of the 45 islands and islets), your excursions will be restricted to the souvenir shop and restaurants within the vicinity of your accommodation.
Of course, the reverse is also applicable where you spend a day in Manila after your return from El Nido. This might be the wiser choice as most airlines operate smaller aircraft to El Nido. Thus, your baggage allowance might also be restricted.
After a night in Manila, I made my way to Terminal 3 of NAIA to catch a direct flight to the Lio Airport. I flew on AirSWIFT, which operates regular ATR 42-500 turboprop planes (they’re the ones with the propellers on each side) to the archipelago. Flight time from Manila to El Nido was about 1.5 hours.
From the airport, I travelled to my accommodation at Lagen Island via a modern “bangka”. The bangka is a uniquely Filipino boat with two planks on both sides.
The aforementioned is the most convenient and fastest way to travel to El Nido from Manila. Those on a budget may want to consider flying to Palawan’s capital of Puerto Princesa, before travelling by road to your last destination. The journey would take about 10 hours, though.
There’s also another option of taking two ferries from Manila, with a transfer in Coron. Some adventurous travellers have reported that the travel time for this method is about 20 hours. It’s definitely an experience if you’re all about slow travel.
Accommodations in El Nido range from backpacker hostels to luxurious resorts. The town proper of El Nido, according to my local guide, is the best place for budget stays. There’s also a good selection of shops and restaurants.
For eco-conscious travellers, you may want to consider El Nido Resorts, which operates a group of sustainable island resorts. Some of these include Lagen Island, Miniloc Island and Apulit Island. These venues come with more premium rates, but you will have a quieter stay in a private island.
As for activities, the island hopping scene in El Nido is its main highlight. Most operators operate four different tour packages (simply named Tour A, B, C and D), each with varying itineraries that cover different interests. Depending on the your chosen tour, you will go to different locations around the archipelago.
My island hopping itinerary was arranged by the resort, covering places such as the popular Big Lagoon and scenic Entalula Island. But regardless of which tour you choose, chances are you will be amazed by the natural beauty of El Nido.
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