Things You Can Do In El Nido, Palawan When Tours Get Cancelled

Who would not want to visit El Nido? It is one of the primary destinations of the Philippines and it has always been a part of the Top Beaches of the World. Just seeing photos of it in the internet makes you want to teleport there and marvel on God’s creation.

We booked our flight last year when PAL had a sale, we got it for 1,119 pesos only. CRK-PPS

I sure am very lucky on flight sales! 😉

 

The ride from Puerto Princesa to El Nido took us 6 hours because of the stopovers the van had to make but others make it with only 5 hours of travel time. The trip was exhausting, there were lots of winding roads and zigzags.

Honestly, if I go back to El Nido I would probably take the direct flight from Manila/Clark or make a stop at Port Barton and stay there for a few nights.

We arrived at El Nido at around 6-7 p.m. and we stayed at Ipil Suites, we then booked the tours we’ll have for 2 days (Tour A&C). The receptionist told us that earlier in the morning Tour C was cancelled due to rough tides.

The next day we prepared for our Tour, and at around 7:30 am they told us that all tours were cancelled I think it was due to amihan (trade winds) causing big waves.

It was also the same the next day.

Hence the title, “Things You Can Do In El Nido, Palawan When Tours Get Cancelled”.

a) Visit Nacpan Beach

There is a Restaurant called Sunmai at Nacpan Beach, their food and drinks are good!

We asked our hotel to get us a shuttle to Nacpan Beach a 30 minute ride from the town. Back and forth was priced 600 pesos.

b) Visit Marimegmeg Beach/Las Cabañas BeachTo go here you can ride a tricycle which cost 150 pesos from town. *Note that there will be stairs to reach the beach.

As I look back I think of Marimegmeg Beach as a long stretch of white sand jam packed with foreigners getting their tan, and have different establishments and bars to choose from.

Walk further more and you’ll reach Las Cabañas Resort, one of the oldest resorts in El Nido. Wait for sunset here.

By the way there is also a zip line in this area, I think it would be nice to ride one during sunset.

c) Go on a food trip

Explore the town, try the different restaurants; there are so many food choices in El Nido, cuisines ranging from Filipino, Mediterranean, Italian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, and etc.

The prices of food and commodities here are slightly higher compared to other places in Palawan most probably because it is far and the prices have been adjusted because most tourists are foreigners.

My most favorite is this Falafel Stall!

d) Visit Lio Tourism Estate

Lio is owned by Ayala Land Inc., and it remind me of Anvaya Cove in Bataan.

If you want to stay in this area there are available accomodations, what I liked most about Lio is their Kalye Artisano which houses different stores selling local products.

 

e) Visit Nagkalit-kalit Falls

 

f) Meet new people and interact with the locals

 

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION:

Lunch, Tour Guide, Life Vests and Snorkeling Gear are all included in the tours.

TOUR A

Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Simizu Island, Secret Lagoon and 7 Commandos Beach

P 1,200

TOUR B

Entalula Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave and Cathedral Cave

P 1,300

TOUR C

Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine and Star Beach

P 1,400

TOUR D

Bukal Island, Ipil Beach, Nat-Nat Beach, Cadlao Lagoon and Paradise Beach

P 1,200

TOURS A & C are the most popular.

 

As I look back on this trip, I feel bad for not being able to do the different tours but the place definitely looked amazing even when it’s gloomy. I feel like we have an unfinished business, though!

So see you again soon, El Nido!