That El Nido Tour

Arriving at 1pm in Puerto Princesa City, and after a quick lunch at some nearby carinderia from the airport, we took a pre arranged van to El Nido - a tiring 6 hour drive; It was past 7 when we arrived in El Nido. We checked in at Tay Miloy's Inn at the town proper.

We did the tour C the morning after. Glad we were given some discount by the inn. Of the four tours, A, B, C, D, I was told that tours A and C are the best. Tour C included the Helicopter Island, Then a lunch at some cove for our own, and then the secret beach (where you'll have to swim through a small opening to get to a crowded cavity) and then to what they call a hidden beach as it is covered by a big rock, where you'll have to walk through some dead sharp corals and stones.

Helicopter island in El Nido, Palawan

snorkelling in Helicopter Island, El Nido, Palawan

Reef at Helicopter island, El Nido, Palawan

Reef at Helicopter island, El Nido, Palawan

Reef at Helicopter island, El Nido, Palawan

Reef at Helicopter island, El Nido, Palawan

some rock formation en route to Helicopter island, El Nido, Palawan

some short cove in some island in El Nido, Palawan

some short cove in some island in El Nido, Palawan

lunch at some cove in some island in El Nido, Palawan

reef in that small cove in El nido, Palawan

Destination 2 of the Tour C of El Nido Tour in Palawan

view from a cliff in Destination 2 of the Tour C of El Nido Tour in Palawan

Destination 2 of the Tour C of El Nido Tour in Palawan

limbonis in El Nido, Palawan

Secret Beach in El Nido Palawan

secret beach in el Nido, Palawan

Hidden Beach in El Nido Palawan

There was nothing spectacular in the tour, other than the reef in the helicopter island, and then in the cove where we had lunch. The other problem too was there were a lot of planktons that sting.

We've spent almost 2,000 for accomodation, food, and that tour in 2 days. I was bothered with how much I have been spending so I told my travel pals that I'm moving to Linapacan island (which was anyway my original plan). 

They said they'll go.

After Linapacan, while the rest of the pals decided to go all the way to puerto princesa, I decided to drop by Nacpan Beach.

I walked from the road going to El Nido all the way to the beach (3 kilometers away). It would have been very easy hitchhiking but for some reason I thought I was full of energy, though too lazy to smile and ask favors that day.  I spotted some squirrels on the road too :-)

Selfie atthe walk to Nacpan Beach

When I reached Nacpan, I immediately looked for that twin beach. Sadly it was next to a community, and they have turned the place into a garbage dump. 

Nacpan Beach in Calitang, El Nido, Palawan

residential area in Nacpan Beach in Calitang, El Nido, Palawan

Nacpan Beach in Calitang, El Nido, Palawan

Twin beach in Nacpan Beach in Calitang, El Nido, Palawan

To get to El Nido, cheapest way is to take the bus from Terminal in Puerto Princesa. Fare in the bus to El Nido is only 294 compared to the minimum 500 that travel operators arrange. Travel time is just almost the same as the vans.

Upon arrival in El Nido, you'll have to take the tricycle to town proper. Fare is P50 per trike, though regular (local) is only P10 per pax.

For the tours, while offer is standard since it is managed by local tourism, you may still get from 300-400 pesos discount depending on your haggling skills.

There are eateries from P50/meal up, though careful about just eating anywhere in El Nido. I was told about high incidence of Hepa in the town. I was also told that, after some water testing, El Nido seems to have the dirtiest water in Palawan. From the port, you can see how close the establishments are to the water. And as I was told again, their drainage go directly into that dock.

To get to Nacpan, from El Nido, Tricycle drivers might ask from 1000 pesos up for the service (back and forth) trip. For budget travellers, you may take the jeep from the terminal in El Nido to Sitio Calitang (this is where the beach is located). The jeep leaves at about 9am, and fare is P50. In case you get left by the jeep, you may take the other jeeps there bound to brgy San Fernando or other nearby baragays. Just tell them to drop you off at the turrn to Kalitang. That's where you walk (or hitch) for 3 kilometers (it didn't take me more than 20 mins though so it should be easy).

There are accomodations now in Nacpan, and it seems a lot more will be due construction. Food is cheaper than El Nido Town.