Island Hopping in El Nido
I previously though that going into this part of the last frontier of the country we all know as Palawan would be really expensive. But I learned that with a bit of haggling, looking around and being with other thrifty companions while in El Nido can really stretch your budget. In the 5 days and 4 nights, with two days of Island hopping, 1 day of inland tours and sampling some of the good food of El Nido, I only spent P6082 (US$132) (excluding transport to El Nido from Manila). Read on for the details.
El Nido Bacuit Bay Map of our route
ITINERARY
Day 1
- Flying from Manila to El Nido Palawan via Seair
- Hadefe Cottages and other Budget Accommodations
- Caalan Beach Views in Changing Light
Day 2
- Going Island Hopping in Bacuit Bay Palawan
- Miniloc Island’s Small and Big Lagoon
- Miniloc Island’s Secret Lagoon Beach
- Snorkeling Shimizu Island and Lazing at 7 Commandos
Day 3
Day 4
- Discovering Matinloc Island’s Secret Beach
- Matinloc Island Shrine and finding the Hidden Beach
- Helicopter Island and Sunset at Ipil Beach 2
Day 5
TRAVEL BUDGET:
Accommodation
Hadefe Cottages (750/night) x 4 = P3000 – P1500 each (shared)
Tours
Tour A – P550/pax
Tour C – P690/pax
Inland Tour (Nagkalit-kalit and Makinit HotSpring) – P800 (P400 shared)
Taraw Cliff Climb – P300
Fees
Eco-Tourism Development Fee(Valid for 10days) – P200
Terminal Fee (Domestic) – P200
Terminal Fee (El Nido) – P112
Food, Snacks and Drinks – P1620
Transportation
Tricycle to and from Lio Airport – P200 (P100 one way)
Tricycle to Coron-Corong – P10
Taxi to Domestic Terminal – P140
Taxi Home – P 160
Seair Flight Manila-El Nido-Manila – FREE (Sponsored by Seair)
TOTAL = P6082
The airfare was sponsored by Seair and if you add the cost of flight (P13500) roundtrip the total cost would be P19582. The price would be much higher but good thing there are options for travelers to cut down the cost.
ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO EL NIDO
Via Puerto Princessa: There are buses, Eulen Joy Bus Line and Sweety Bus Line that departs early morning to El Nido and vice-versa for P400+ with travel time of 8 hours from 6:00am to 8:30am. Vans are also available which has a much faster 6 hours travel time for P500+ also leaving daily.
Via Coron: There are Atienza Shipping Lines ferry to El Nido on Tuesday spanning 10 hours of travel.
5 days for less than 20K (all in) is truly not bad at all. I will keep your itinerary for future reference.
Now that’s a number I could live with especially since you’ve been there for 4 nights. Great job Ironwulf.
Thanks Oman! I hope you find it useful
Thanks Photo Cache
Wow… I did tour C and the alternative way to El Nido! ~~^^
http://insidemybackpack.blogspot.com/2010/02/palawan-philippines-last-frontier-part.html
This blog series will surely come in handy. Our budget Batanes trip would never have materialized without the help ouf En Route/Ironwulf. And plus our Batanes guide (Kuya Wacks) speaks highly of you Ferdz. Thank you for inspiring travelers to explore Pinas, on a shoestring!
hi! Thats was a fantastic package.my family we’re planning to vacation in El Nido Palawan next year.I wondering the cost less 20K is that only per person? We’re 2 adult/2 Kids(5&3 yrs old) hoping you can give me a good price.Thanks and have a nice day!
Hey Ferdz! I recently completed my 7k Puerto Princesa-El Nido challenge. I came across your very detailed post on El Nido on my
research. In fact, I followed your footsteps and stayed in Hadefe Cottage. Will post details of my trip on our blog soon.
Happy Travels!
Planning to go to Palawan next year, so this is really helpful. Thank you!
thank you so much for this very detailed blog post on el nido. i’ll be going to el nido next month and your blog was very helpful in my planning. maraming salamat!
Glad it was able to help you. Enjoy your El Nido trip
[...] and Nina are no strangers as they had been travel companions to Palawan, particularly Coron and El Nido. Welcome new travel companions were Cedric and Patricia who convoyed along with us on this road [...]