El Nido, Numero Uno!

by John Jerick T. Sermona

Named as the most beautiful island beaches in the world by Condé Nast Traveller magazine in 2015, El Nido is one of the must-visit and must-return places in the Philippines in 2016. When in El Nido, experience different island hopping tours to white sand beaches, enchanting lagoons, and crystal clear waters, where you can swim, snorkel, do kayaking, or just relax and embrace the hidden beauty of other Nature.

You can look at the small coastal town in Bacuit Bay boasts breathtaking natural beauty. It was this surreal landscape of white sandy beaches, cliffs, turquoise water and tropical forests inspired Alex Garland to write his famous novel “The Beach.” Then you can hike the Taraw Peak if you want to see the whole beauty of Bacuit Bay from a bird’s-eye view, Taraw Peak is a limestone karst rising over El Nido. It takes effort to go up, but it is totally worth it. The whole hike could take 2 to 2.5 hours round trip. And after that tiring trip you can Island Hop with Lunch Buffet. You can pick from 4 tours that takes you from different places, caves, islands and your boatmen or tour guides can prepare you lunch buffet.There are many more things you can do like go to the Twin Beach, Makinit Hot Springs, Marimegmeg Beach, Nagkalitkalit Falls, Pangulasian Island and after that beautiful and tiring day you can catch the beautiful sunset at Corong-Corong or Calaan Bay.

(Taraw Peak)

(Twin Beach)

(Marimegmeg Beach)

(Nagkalit-kalit Falls)

  

You can get at El Nido, Palawan through rolling into Palawan via Puerto Princesa. From there walk two minutes out of the airport to the street and flag down a P50 tricycle to the bus terminal. There are two bus companies, Cherry and Roro that leave the bus terminal each hour for the 6-hour ride to El Nido. You can take a regular bus (P280) or an air-conditioned bus (P380).Alternatively, you can get a van shuttle for P400 and save yourself an hour on the journey. Then you can check into OMP Hostel (P350 per person, including breakfast). Or you can check in to El Taraw Inn for 400-500 php good for two people without breakfast. Both options were in El Nido town which can be a bit congested and noisy. You can find rooms for P1000 - P1500 and might be able to squeeze in 4 people on two double beds. The Birdhouse, our glamping hotel (disclosure: this is a project of the author and his wife), is opening in the next few months and will have P2000 options for up to 4 people. Orange Pearl Resort offers beachfront rooms but the bargain with them is in their tents. During 100% occupancy they rent out tents for people willing to sleep under the stars in front of the crashing ocean. These two options are located at Marimegmeg Beach. You can see broader or wider guide here at http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/travel/ph-travel/119544-el-nido-palawan-beaches-philippines-budget-guide.

Cultures on EL Nido is quite more on Arts, Poetry all about nature. They have this so called Kalugtan Arts Festival organized by the Kalugtan Arts Guild and supported by the municipal government of El Nido, the event featured seminar workshops on different art disciplines and various special events. The festival highlighted grassroots efforts to promote environmental awareness through the arts. She said that with annual event, the town has become a haven for culture and nature because of its bustling local art scene, prehistoric archaeological sites and diverse ecosystem.