If you have seen the movie or read the book “The Beach”, you now know where the author Alex Garland got his inspiration. For creative purposes, however, he decided to base the movie in Thailand, but El Nido was in fact his main inspiration because he used to live there. We understand why he felt so inspired; El Nido is not just a tropical beach, it’s a place like no other. The nature is breath-taking and unique, and it is definitely one of the most beautiful seascapes on earth.
Island hopping in El Nido
El Nido means 'the nest'; referring to the swiftlet birds that nest in the caves of the islands in El Nido. The edible swiftlet nests are expensive delicacies you can eat in restaurants all over Asia. The town of El Nido is not particularly exciting, although it has undergone huge developments in terms of tourism. However, travellers do not come to El Nido to explore the town – they come to experience the 45 islands and lime stone cliffs surrounding El Nido. There are four different Island-hopping Tours to choose from, that each take you to 4-5 different islands and we recommend that you try at least one of the tours. If you are traveling with a group of people, it might even be cheaper to rent your own boat and go explore the islands at your leisure time. It is very easy to find amazingly beautiful, secluded beaches.
Activities in El Nido
It is no secret that the most exciting activities in El Nido take place in the crystal clear, turquoise water. Go kayaking and explore the islands at your own pace or bring your snorkelling gear and discover underwater wonderlands with gorgeous corals. The area has more than 800 different species of fish. If you are a bit more adventurous you can, however, also go rock climbing or trekking on the western side of El Nido. Here, you’ll find impressive cliffs and there are guided trekking tours to the top with breath-taking views along the way.
A trip to Nacpan and Calitang Beach is a must when in El Nido. The twin beaches are about 1 - 1,5 hours north from El Nido. You can either rent a motorbike or hire a tricycle driver to take you. These two beaches are like something from a movie or postcard and perfect for an afternoon picnic. Bring your own food and drinks though, as there are no vendors on these beaches!
How to get to El Nido
The most convenient way is to fly directly from Manila to El Nido. The most popular, and cheapest, way however, is via Puerto Princesa in central Palawan. The bus ride from Puerto Princesa airport takes about 5-6 hours and you can choose to travel in regular fan buses, or in the more comfortable air-conditioned buses.
Travel tips for El Nido
There are no ATMs in El Nido so remember to bring cash and/or use your credit card whenever you can, such as when paying for meals or accommodation. Also look out for the “Enjoy El Nido” leaflet which features monthly offers, deals and promos on tours, accommodation etc.