Solo Backpack: Traveling to El Nido, Palawan

“Help us preserve El Nido’s fragile ecosystem. Be an eco-tourist”- Mayor Edna Gacot-Lim

Sunset at Bacuit Bay

Day I: Traveling to El Nido

Day II: El Nido Tour A ( My Birthday Celebration)

Day III: El Nido Tour B

My 3^rd Time in Palawan, 1^st was in Puerto Princesa, 2^nd in Coron last year and this was my 7th Solo Backpacking Trip

El Nido, Palawan: How to get there faster? An Hour Flight from Manila(MNL) - Puerto Princesa (PPS), Philippines

Here's my Itinerary

From 8 Hours Zombie Shift, Straight to Manila Domestic Old Terminal.

Zest Air (Thank You for your so called "Intercept" service,brought my Tripod even i don't have any checked-in baggage allowance at no extra cost. Wow! Kudos!)-RT Ticket P780.64 

Welcome to Puerto Princesa Airport(PPS) again. Last visit 2011

Exact Time Arrival.15 Min Tricycle Ride to San Jose Terminal. 5-Hour Van Ride to El Nido (Lexus Van)

     *I don’t have any prior reservations to Lexus(+639175859612/+639175859602), luckily I got a seat (Reservations is a must, A Day before your trip)

     *Other  mode of transportation to El Nido are RoRo Buses, Other Van Companies, Non- AirconBuses or by Air.

Lexus Logo then Toyota (Conflict)

Uphill,Downhill, Curve Roads,Zigzag Roads Non- Stop (What a Ride?)

     *For Dizzy-Prone Peeps, prepare your medicines, ammonia, sick sack bag etc… 

By 1145AM, Stopover at Fort Wally Food Store (Municipality of Roxas). Lunch for 15 Mins

Fort Wally Food Store

     *Back to the Roller Coaster Ride ( Downside Riding a Van: No Leg Room and there are no Headrest, Shrink Yourself, I pity my legs and always headbanging if i fall asleep (lucky if you got the front seats), BUT it is the Fastest)

By 1 PM, Stopover at Taytay Lexus Terminal (Unloading Other Passengers)

     *From Taytay to El Nido ( Combination of Rough and Paved Road.. Thank You for the Free Massage (Bumpy Ride...Hehehe)

By 2.30 PM Arrived at El Nido Public Market. Tricycle Ride to La Banane Hostel (a new Backpacker Lodge- info from Andy and Marcoss’ Blogs)

     *Before I left, I made reservations to Lexus Van (c/o Driver) for an earliest trip Back to Puerto Princesa on my 4^th Day

Checked in at La Banane Hostel for a Fan-Cooled Room (Good for 2/CR/With Ceiling Fan/Stand Fan/Towel/ Free WIFI)

     *Other Cheap Accommodations in El, Nido (Click Here. Thank You Ada!)

Rest for a while. Freshen Up. Strolled the El Nido Town Proper. Dinner.Booked Tour A (c/o Servant Tours:(Along Rizal Street cor Hama) +639154157245/ +639178088599/ servant_tours@yahoo.com)

Pay Respect

La Banane Beachfront Hostel

Beachfront by Nightime

My P500 Fan-Cooled Room

Related Articles: El Nido Tour A (My Birthday Celebration)

Things You Should Know (Source: El Nido Tourism)

*El Nido is now collecting Eco-Tourism Development Fee (P200- Valid for 10 days)

*Segregation is practiced  in the town proper. Penalty for littering at any public place is P100.

*Swimming attire is not allowed in the town streets.

*Taking shells and sands from the beach is prohibited

*Electricity runs from 2PM- 6AM

*ATMs machines are for First Consolidated Bank (FCB) depositors only. Credit Cards are accepted in some tourism establishments.

*Curfew hours for minors (17yrs old and Below) 10PM-5AM.

Tips for the Day

*Booked Tour A (c/o Servant Tours-(Along Rizal Street cor Hama) +639154157245/ +639178088599/ servant_tours@yahoo.com)- 9:00AM to 4:30 PM –Free Usage of Fins, Snorkeling Mask , Life Jackets and Lunch (Provide your Own Drinks)
*Best Seller Tours are A and C, Others B,D and Inland Tours (Coordinate with your Travel Agency)

*El Nido by Night, the scene is like in Puerto Galera ,Mindoro Philippines ( a lot of RestoBars, lively)

*No need to book prior for your tours in El Nido, there are a lot of travel agencies around, just do walk in.

*The number of foreign tourists are more than the local tourists

*All of the Islands in El Nido are privately owned, but others are open for public.

*If you’re into budget (like me),and looking for a decent place to eat ,go to IBR (24 Hour-Resto/Fastfood) along Calle Hama.

Would you like to Read: Ada’s Blog for El Nido

Expenses for the Day

Taxi (Office to Airport)- P140

Terminal Fee- P200

Food(Breakfast) –P105

Tricycle (PPS Airport- San Jose Terminal) –P60

Van (Puerto to El Nido (Lexus)- P500

Food(Snacks)-P80

Food( Lunch)- P80

Lodge (La Banane)- P1500 for 3 Nights

Food( Dinner)-P125

Tour (Servant Tours- Tour A)- P600 (Discounted- P100)

Environmental Fee – P200 (Good for 10-Days stay in El Nido)

Next > El Nido Tour A (My Birthday Celebration)