Take some much-needed and well-deserved R&R in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines with this easy DIY 4D3N itinerary. El Nido boasts of an abundance of natural wonders such as beaches and limestone formations, akin to Coron, Palawan. With its unprecedented beauty, this paradise must certainly be on everyone’s travel list.
DAY 1:
8:00 to 9:00
Fly to El Nido from Clark/Manila/Cebu through AirSwift. This will cost roughly PHP 7,000 per person but airfare can go much higher if it’s on-season. The flight will only take 45 minutes.
If you intend to save money, catch a seat sale and fly to Puerto Princesa then take a bus or van to El Nido. This will take around 5-6 hours and cost PHP 400 to PHP 800 depending on the class.
9:00 to 9:30
Head to your resort/Airbnb
Accommodation:
I highly recommend booking an Airbnb since it’s much cheaper than resorts and many of them offer an exquisite lodging experience that can beat over-expensive hotels.
Check out this 3-bedroom Airbnb just a stone’s throw away from the Lio Beach Resort. It can house up to 6 guests and gives a cozy and relaxing ambiance with its native modern villa design.
9:30 to 11:00
Unload your belongings and take a quick breather.
11:00 to 14:00
Take a tricycle from Lio to Serena St.
Delight yourself with a quick brunch at Art Cafe along Serena St. while taking in the grandeur of the over-looking beach. There is a souvenir shop below the restaurant for your pasalubong needs.
Palawan strongly supports a zero-waste lifestyle, so bring reusable straws if you need it and always refuse plastic use.
TIP: Ask the locals how much the tricycles usually cost. Otherwise, you might get ripped off.
14:00 to 19:00
Head back to your Airbnb via tricycle to quickly refresh, then walk to LIO, take a dip in the beach, and bask in the glorious sunset.
There are several restaurants and restobars in the area for a memorable dinnertime by the beach. A few of them are vegan and keto-friendly!
DAY 2:
Book a tour via Klook for a breathtaking trip around the islands.
I highly recommend Klook because the friendly boatmen/tour guides provide comprehensive backgrounds of each destination. The kuyas even take incredible photos by painstakingly balancing on the boat. Despite the long travels from point-to-point, you won’t find yourself bored because the kuyas are also effortlessly funny!
Below is their tour’s itinerary:
“ 8:00am-8:30am hotel pick up*
Big Lagoon or Small Lagoon (package dependent)
Hidden Lagoon
12:00pm lunch
Shimizu Island
7 Commando Beach
3:00pm end of tour
Please note: The itinerary is approximate and subject to change based on tidal and weather conditions of the day. Tours are also regularly checked by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of the municipality of El Nido and the coast guards before allowing each boat to sail off shore to start the tour. Hence, the starting time of each tour is beyond operator’s control. This is a new rule implemented and only after permission from the LGU and the coast guards will the tour start for the customers’ safety”
If you are coming from the Airbnb, take a tricycle to Art Cafe and ask the driver for directions to the meeting place, Ellen’s Travels and Tours.
Delectable and local lunch meals are part of the tour and will be cooked by the boatmen.
15:00 to 19:00
Head back to the Airbnb to refresh and unwind by Lio Beach. With the wide array of places to eat in the area, you’ll never run out of options.
DAY 3:
Book Klook’s Tour C.
Below is the Tour C itinerary:
"8:00am-8:30am hotel pick up*
9:30am depart El Nido Pier Harbor
Helicopter Island
Matinloc Shrine
12:00pm lunch
Secret Beach**
Tapiutan Island
Hidden Beach
3:00pm end of tour
Please note: The itinerary is approximate and subject to change based on tidal and weather conditions of the day. Tours are also regularly checked by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of the municipality of El Nido and the coast guards before allowing each boat to sail off shore to start the tour. Hence, the starting time of each tour is beyond operator’s control. This is a new rule implemented and only after permission from the LGU and the coast guards will the tour start for the customers’ safety"
** The Secret Beach is an astounding and unforgettable piece of paradise, but you would need to go under a narrow crevice to access the area. Ask the tour guides if it is safe to swim to the spot before diving in. High tides make it dangerous for people to pass through.
DAY 4:
If your flight is at night, you might still have time for Klook’s Tour B, but if you’re pressed for time, you can trek to Bulalacao Falls for only PHP 400 inclusive of a tour guide.
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Additional tips:
1. Buy water shoes to make walking on the beach more convenient.
2. You may opt to bring your own goggles, but snorkeling gear is provided by the tour as well.
3. Use Anzen Supply Ltd.’s The Tokyo hiking bag alongside your waterproof bag. The bag is great for treks and tours.
4. Tip your tour guides!
5. Bring a waterproof phone case, just in case.
6. Have cash on-hand. Although there are ATMs in LIO, it’s best to be ready for unexpected spends.
7. As our tour guides say: Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, and kill nothing but time.
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