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Published: November 30th 2009
Snake Island
One of the best points in El Nido.. A must seeDAY 1
I always loved the beach. If there's one thing in the world where I want to stay for the rest of my... it would involve somewhere with pure white sand, crashing waves with a hint smell of the salty sea. Having been to some parts of the Philippines (Boracay, Coron Palawan, Cebu and Batangas) and Honolulu, Hawaii, nothing prepared me for El Nido. This paradise situates at the Northern tip of Palawan and is normally 8 hours if via the Sweety and Euleen Joy bus from Puerto Princesa airport. Seven (7) hours via Fort Wally (due to stopover in Roxas and Taytay). But if you're lucky to be picked by your resort in El Nido, travel time will be reduced to 6 hours.
It all started with a Cebu Pacific flight that we got on sale (P500 one way. Chaching!). Booked the flight on March and flew to Puerto Princesa on November of the same year.
Upon arrival in Puerto Princesa, we immediately proceeded to Fort Wally terminal which is just 20 minutes away from the Puerto Princesa Airport. You can take the white tricycles just in line across the airport. Price is P120 per trike.
But before you head to Fort Wally, be sure to call them first so that you can bet they're still around when you get to the terminal. Chances are, if no reservation is made, there's no more available seat for you and your friends and you end up riding the Sweety or Eulen Joy non airconditioned bus for 8 hours straight, since next van going to El Nido will be the following day. There are no buses nor vans travelling at night due to the roads does not have any road lighting. Even curve neon signs are nowhere to be seen. Definitely dangerous to road drivers.
Also, be sure to ask for FIRST ROW seats (back of the driver). It was so uncomfortable sitting on the 2nd and third row. First row offers space and an elevated place where you can rest your legs.
When we got to the terminal, Fort Wally gave the seat to another person (even if we were first group to arrive at the terminal!!). So be sure to insist on sitting on the first row of the old Hi Ace van.
Fortwally contact http://www.elnidoboutiqueandartcafe.com/faq.html
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This is the sweety bus bound for El Nido. Remember that half of the roads are still under construction therefore, riding in a non airconditioned bus will definitely be a very uncomfortable one. They do have stopovers in Roxas and Taytay so your waiting time will take almost an hour every layover since they will not leave the place unless the bus gets full.
Credits to
for the sweety bus picture.
I also heard, the buses travelling from Puerto Princesa to El Nido would often experience engine breakdown in the middle of the road. We don't want any mishaps do we?
Here's the picture of the Fort Wally van from diary of a traveler blog.
Unfortunately, Fort Wally does not travel directly to El Nido. It will travel for two (2) hours to Roxas. Stop for a 30 minute layover to change passengers. Note: Even if passengers on the first row already left and was replaced by another passenger, Fort Wally did not heed our request to transfer to the first row!!!.
After the layover, the van proceeded for another two (2) hour to Taytay where another 30 minute resting break was also present. The last route will be bound to El Nido which is another 2 hours. Despite the bumpy and long travel, it all would all soon be worth all the hassles once you arrive in gorgeous El Nido.
Note that El Nido proper is a fishing village and the beach front is not at all attractive for swimming. You must be transported via trigger boat to the various white sand beaches on any of the islands. It is highly recommended that visitors get an island tour as there are no other activities in El Nido besides water.
We were originally booked at Marina Garden Resort but for some reason, they were already fully booked when I called them up 3 days before our departure for El Nido (I know! My bad! I should have called them at least 2 weeks before the tentative date). However, It turned out to be a silver lining. Despite my efforts to book us in Marina Garden, I came across Lally and Abet as my 2nd choice and gave us an airconditioned room for P2,800 for four (4) pax per night (Marina Garden was more expensive). It already includes breakfast good for 4. For that price, that's already a bargain for all of us.
Free breakfast and lunch is already provided in the island tour!
One afternoon, we strolled within El Nido proper and chanced upon Marina Garden. I was glad I chose Lally and Abet, it was just few stones away from Fort Wally Terminal (no need to hire a tricycle)
AND Lally and Abet were more quiet, private.. Homey.
Me and my friends even commended the staff of Lally and Abet, everyone was so courteous and friendly. They always share a conversation with us. Even offered some help even if we didn't ask. They mentioned that we were a treat because it was rare for Filipinos to be staying at their place. Most of the time, foreigners rule the place.
El Nido Proper Town Map:
This is the restaurant inside the Lally and Abet compound
Here's a sample of the hearty breakfast included in the accommodation:
Pancake with Jam (my friend opted for honey):
Fried Rice with Bacon and Orange Juice
Lally and Abet also offers island touring as they have their own trigger boat for utilization.
Tour A costs P600 per person
Tour B costs P650 per person
Tour C costs P650 per person
P200 El Nido Preservation fee is not included in the Tour. This preservation fee will provide you with a ticket to good for 10 days. It is more like El Nido's Boracay environmental fee counterpart (P75).
All tours are inclusive of lunch to be cooked (grilled) and prepared on one of the beaches.
As our vacation is only for 4 days (2 days of which are reserved for the long travel to and fro Puerto Princesa), we only had the chance to try Tour A and B.
Day 2
Tour A consisted of Small and Big Lagoon (a must!), Shimesu Island where we had our lunch and snorkeled while waiting for the food to be cooked and Seven commandos for a fresh cool buko juice(P25) to be drunk straight from the buko shell.
We also met a lot of foreigners who are very vocal about their awe in the wonderful places of El Nido.
Mesmerizing beach in Seven Commandos
Small lagoon
Dory in Shimezu Island
Nemo's Family in Small Lagoon
Big Lagoon
Day 3
Tour B consisted of Entalula Island for short photo Op. Since it was owned by El Nido Resorts (another private resort), we were not allowed to go beyond a certain point. Stopover here was only for 20 minutes. Next stop was the Snake Island. One of the most breathtaking points in El Nido. Then we went to Cudugnon Cave for a short exploration. You won't get wet inside the cave, thereby it is safe to bring your SLR or point and shoot camera. Inside the cave was a cathedral type where light is flowing from the crater above. The insides of the cave was such a sight. After the exploration, we snorkeled along the deep waters of Cudugnon Cave. Here, marine life was in full bloom. Various fishes and sea creatures where present.
The breathtaking Snake Island
View from top of the hill of Snake Island
On the way to Cudugnon Cave (I was not able to take my camera in Cudugnon cave.. too bad!)
Beautiful Entalula Island
To be continued....
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ROYJEN
non-member comment
Great Travel Log!
Very well done! The only thing I recommend differently is from Puerto Princesa, go to Sabang and see the Underground River, enjoy the beautiful beaches, waterfalls, caves and awesome nature there. Then, for the adventure of a lifetime, hire the ROYJEN Double-deck Charter Boat, for a voyage from Sabang to Cacnipa Island or Port Barton, and then on to El Nido. Along the way, you can enjoy: Island Hopping, Snorkeling, Bay Trolling, and Sport Fishing. To arrive in El Nido by boat is a very special treat.