Dubbed as one of the best islands in the world. Palawan offers a wide range of beautiful sceneries, from beaches, and islands to underwater landscapes. It is considered the Last Frontier because of being the last unsettled region in the Philippines which resulted to its unspoiled natural resources and treasures.
Before I resigned, there was a seat sale at Cebu Pacific. I should have saved but traveling was also one of the reasons why I will resign. I also wanted to take my girlfriend somewhere we haven’t been before. So, without hesitation, I booked our flight. Of all the destinations, we chose Puerto Princesa, Palawan as our entry point.
WHERE IN PALAWAN?
It gave me a hard time choosing what places should we consider in our itinerary. We wanted to visit all destinations (El Nido, Sabang, and Puerto Princesa) in Palawan, but 4 days were not enough. In the end, we chose El Nido and Puerto Princesa, leaving Sabang (PP Underground River) off the list.
Our priority is El Nido. Home to scenic rock formations, diverse marine life, and beautiful islands. Traveling to El Nido is easy, there are buses and direct vans going there. Tours were made available for tourists to choose from. Each tour has specific tourist destinations which include lunch. We’ve chosen Tours A (Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, 7 Commandos Beach) and C (Helicopter Island, Secret Beach, Star Beach, Talisayen Beach, Hidden Beach).
All of our tours were made easy for us because our accommodation booked us to their contacts. We just registered and they informed us if we got the slot and when will the transport arrive.
We also visited the Twin Beach, Calitang, and Nacpan, in Sitio Calitang by renting a scooter and traveling on our own.
On our last day, we wandered around the city of Puerto Princesa. Tried local restaurants, visited historical landmarks, and observed the local way of life.
ITINERARY
DAY 0
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
EXPENSES
REMINDERS/GUIDES/TIPS
LOCATION:
- Palawan, Philippines
HOW TO GET THERE:
*El Nido can be reached by bus or van which will stop at the El Nido Bus Terminal:
- By Bus:
- Cherry Bus is the only bus company that operates going to El Nido and vice versa. Its terminal is located in Common Terminal, New Market in San Jose. Fare ranges from ₱380 to ₱480 depending on if you want an ordinary or aircon bus.
- Going to the Terminal:
- Take a tricycle outside of the airport and tell the driver to drop you off at the Bus Terminal in San Jose. The fare price is ₱50.
- For a cheaper option, ride a multicab going to the junction (₱8). Ride again another one going to the New Market (₱14) which will stop at the front of the terminal.
- By Van:
- If you want to ride a van, there are travel agencies outside the airport, that offer van transfers to El Nido and a return back to Puerto Princesa. One that we rode is the Lexxus Shuttle Services. The fare is from ₱500-₱600.
- By Bus:
ACCOMMODATIONS:
*We just stayed in one called D’ Strong Tower Inn. Located in the town proper and 5 minutes away from the beach. The place is clean and simple. Our room is fan-cooled and has a bathroom. What I really like about the place was the staff. They were nice and very accommodating. We paid ₱1,625.85 for 3 nights. If you are on a tight budget and want a simple place to stay, this is the place.
- Charles El Nido
- Spin Designer Hostel
- Frangipani El Nido
- El Nido Viewdeck Cottages
- Outpost Beach Hostel
- OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS IN PALAWAN
FEES:
- Eco-Tourism Development Fee (Good for 10 days): ₱200
- Island Hopping Tours (A, B, C, D, and E – inclusive of lunch): ₱800-₱1500 depending on the season. Click HERE for a discount.
- Entrance Fee (Palawan Museum): ₱50
POWER PACK:
CHECK OUT THESE DISCOUNTED/PROMO RATES FROM KLOOK:
- Coron Tour A
- Coron Tour B
- Coron Tour C
- Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour
- El Nido Tours in a Luxury Catamaran
NOTES:
- ATM machines are now available in El Nido. We saw a BPI office near El Nido Port.
- Bring dry bags, so you will not worry about your gadgets getting wet while island hopping
- Scooters and Motorcycles are available for rental. Just make sure you know how to drive one. Safety First!
- Tricycles going to Nacpan, Marimegmeg, and Corong-Corong are available for rent. This will cost you around ₱800-₱1000.
- Please don’t step on the corals, they are alive as well.
Our trip to Palawan was short but it is one of the most beautiful places we have ever been to. We had a great time and made unforgettable memories. It was an adventure, experiencing both challenges and fun. Hope that it will be protected and well-maintained for the coming generations. For them to experience, love, and treasure it as well.
The next posts will be about the places we’ve visited and our day-to-day activities. 😀
- Island Hopping Tour A – El Nido Day 1
- Island Hopping Tour C – El Nido Day 2
- Nacpan and Calitang Twin Beach – El Nido Day 3
- Puerto Princesa City Tour – Puerto Princesa Day 4
© CHASEJASE
