El Nido Island and Beach, Palawan Philippines Travel Tips, Ideas and Guides by The Poor Traveler

The Budget Travel Guide to El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

March 16, 2012 by The Poor Traveler 61 Comments

As our boat glided through the waves into the Big Lagoon of Miniloc Island in El Nido, Palawan, I couldn't help but think about how much I needed this break. The limestone cliffs that surround the clear, turquoise water reflecting the sunny skies were more therapeutic than any massage or cigarette I had. It was the perfect moment. A classic corporate-slave-meets-paradise moment. Every stress that work had brought me in the past few weeks was blown away by the wind, washed away by the waves of El Nido. The only expensive thing about El Nido, Palawan is the cost of direct flights getting there but no one is forcing anyone to take direct flights. Taking a flight to Puerto Princesa and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Budget and Expenses, El Nido, Palawan, Planning a Trip, Sample Itineraries, Travel Guide Tagged With: airphil express, el nido, el nido hotels, el nido itinerary, el nido palawan itinerary, el nido palawan trip, el nido trip, el nido trip budget, how to get to el nido, how to get to el nido from puerto princesa, palawan, planning an el nido trip, puerto princesa to el nido

The 7 Commandos Beach and the 7 Lost Soldiers – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

March 15, 2012 by The Poor Traveler 14 Comments

Coconut trees are first to welcome tourists approaching the beach.

We called ourselves S Club 7. We were a group of three guys and four ladies on the beach. We couldn't help but relive our younger days when the airwaves were filled with melodies of boy bands and pop groups. We wanted to shoot a remake of S Club 7's Bring It All Back video when we were there. Don't worry because we didn't do it. "You're such a cheerful, fun bunch," noticed Kate, half of the Danish couple who were with us on the tour. Our laughs resonated across the entire Bacuit Bay. Our body movements were so big and animated we could be seen from the top of the cliff of another island. Our smiles were wider than any stretch of white sand that you could find in any of the 45 islands of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beaches and Islands, El Nido, Palawan Tagged With: 7 commandos beach, el nido, el nido hotels, el nido itinerary, el nido palawan itinerary, el nido palawan trip, el nido trip, el nido trip budget, how to get to el nido, palawan, planning an el nido trip, seven commando beach, seven commandos beach

The Secret Lagoon of Miniloc Island – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

March 12, 2012 by The Poor Traveler 17 Comments

The view of this side of Miniloc Island from our boat

El Nido, apparently, has many secrets. We thought the Secret Beach of Matinloc Island (Tour C) was the only concealed beach that we were gonna set foot on in this trip. But Miniloc Island has a secret, too. After exploring the Big and Small Lagoons, and having lunch at Payong-Payong Beach, Tour A continued and led us to paradise made of limestone. It was a surreal experience approaching this hard, spiky karst world. It was like we entered another world --- a world where either "ugly" is banned or non-existent. To our right were magnificent cliffs that, as we passed by, slowly revealed a white, sparkling beach that harbors coconut trees. The cliffs were like open arms, inviting us to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beaches and Islands, El Nido, Palawan Tagged With: big lagoon, big lagoon el nido, el nido, el nido hotels, el nido itinerary, el nido palawan itinerary, el nido palawan trip, el nido trip, el nido trip budget, hidden lagoon, how to get to el nido, how to get to el nido from puerto princesa, miniloc island, palawan, planning an el nido trip, puerto princesa to el nido, secret lagoon, secret lagoon beach, secret lagoon miniloc island, small lagoon, small lagoon el nido

Making Friends at Payong-Payong Beach – Miniloc Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

March 11, 2012 by The Poor Traveler 10 Comments

The waves behind these two cliffs were really strong.

They were the first to speak. "Where are you from?" asked the gentleman. "We're from Manila," Leo, one of my friends answered. "How about you?" "We're from Denmark," said the lady. They were Rene and Kate. He's a surgeon and she's an anthropologist. They had been traveling around the Philippines for almost a month at the time and El Nido was their last stop, not counting Manila. "Are you a couple?" asked Leo. "Yes, yes," said Kate. "We've been together for three years." "Oh, getting married soon, I bet?" added Leo. And then there was silence. It was a long, awkward moment and no one said anything. We just looked at one another. "Oh Leo," said Ayn, another friend … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beaches and Islands, El Nido, Food, Palawan Tagged With: airphil express, el nido, el nido hotels, el nido itinerary, el nido palawan itinerary, el nido palawan trip, el nido trip, el nido trip budget, how to get to el nido, miniloc island, miniloc island el nido, miniloc island el nido palawan, palawan, payong-payong beach, planning an el nido trip

Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Good Vibes – Miniloc Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

March 11, 2012 by The Poor Traveler 22 Comments

Our ever-helpful boatmen as we moved into the Big Lagoon!

I was starting to enter a state of depression as I tried to zip up my life jacket forcefully. "My tummy is getting in the way," I self-deprecated when I was asked what the matter was. It was the third life jacket I tried and I really needed one because I, embarrassing as it sounds, doesn't know how to swim. Boo, bite me. (I should start taking lessons.) Fortunately, I was able to find one that fit me. This is why two of my favorite bodies of water are lagoons and lakes. They're just not as tiring as the sea or the freakin' ocean. The waves are gentle and "friendly," and they do not try to drag me farther against my will. In many of the lakes and lagoons I have visited, I just put my life … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beaches and Islands, El Nido, Palawan Tagged With: airphil express, big lagoon, big lagoon el nido, el nido, el nido hotels, el nido itinerary, el nido palawan itinerary, el nido palawan trip, el nido trip, el nido trip budget, how to get to el nido, how to get to el nido from puerto princesa, miniloc island, palawan, planning an el nido trip, puerto princesa to el nido, small lagoon, small lagoon el nido

Review: El Nido Waterfront Hotel – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

March 10, 2012 by The Poor Traveler 3 Comments

Standard room at El Nido Waterfront Hotel

We stood in the middle of the road, not talking, on our second night in El Nido. All seven of us wanted to try other hostels but we just couldn't find available rooms. We were in front of Garnet Hotel, a towering red-orange building that looked newly-built. We had already talked to the caretaker but she said there was only 1 room available and it could accommodate up to three persons. We were a group of seven. Just when we were about to walk away, the lady from Garnet Hotel asked us to check its neighboring El Nido Waterfront Hotel. We did. The guy from El Nido Waterfront Hotel said there was one available room that is good for two persons. "But if you're willing, we can provide an extra … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Accommodations, El Nido, Palawan Tagged With: el nido, el nido hotels, el nido itinerary, el nido palawan itinerary, el nido palawan trip, el nido trip, el nido trip budget, el nido waterfront hotel, el nido waterfront hotel palawan, el nido waterfront hotel rates, garnet hotel, garnet hotel el nido, garnet hotel rates, hotels in el nido, how to get to el nido, palawan, planning an el nido trip

Restaurant Review: ‘El Nido Corner – Palawan, Philippines

March 1, 2012 by The Poor Traveler 3 Comments

The Danish flag was flirting with the wind that evening as my friends and I discussed where to have dinner. We had seen this restaurant before --- on our first afternoon --- and our initial impression was good. The day before, we were just enjoying the view of Bacuit Bay when we were approached and greeted by a Danish man, who owns and runs the place. "My name is Ole," he said to us. "Are you looking for good food? I can show you our freshest catch of the day!" Ole Jakobsen had a sweet, friendly smile and he was really accommodating. Unfortunately, the Happy Hour sign hanging in front of the restaurant next to his was too tempting for us to pass up. We had to decline Ole's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: El Nido, Food, Palawan Tagged With: el nido, el nido corner, el nido hotels, el nido itinerary, el nido palawan itinerary, el nido palawan trip, el nido restaurants, el nido trip, el nido trip budget, food, food in el nido, how to get to el nido, palawan, planning an el nido trip, restaurants in el nido

Helicopter Island: On a Different High – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

February 26, 2012 by The Poor Traveler 6 Comments

The "bigger cliffs" on one side of the island

"Look at that island!" exclaimed a friend as she pointed to an irregular shape that was slowly becoming clearer as our boat sped up in between islands that morning. "It looks like a dolphin." "Really?" said another friend. "It's more like a whale to me." "It looks like a fried chicken. Drumstick. Soaked in water" "An airplane." "A helicopter." "Yes, a helicopter. Without the propeller." "What is the name of that island?" Finally, somebody asked one of our boatmen, who smilingly answered --- Helicopter Island. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beaches and Islands, El Nido, Palawan Tagged With: el nido, el nido hotels, el nido itinerary, el nido palawan, el nido palawan itinerary, el nido palawan trip, el nido tour, el nido trip, el nido trip budget, food, helicopter island, helicopter island el nido, helicopter island el nido palawan, helicopter island photos, hidden beach, hidden beach el nido, how to get to el nido, islands, tour c

The Secret Beach of Matinloc Island – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

February 26, 2012 by The Poor Traveler 17 Comments

Another boat waiting for tourists who were at the Secret Beach!

The towering gray karst cliffs surrounding me went ignored as I stood in the middle of a pocket of white beach on one edge of Matinloc Island. I was at the so called "Secret Beach," the place that, according to legend, inspired author Alex Garland to write his novel The Beach when he stayed in El Nido. The Secret Beach is a piece of paradise concealed by the cliffs and is only accessible through a narrow crevice. One has to swim through this opening to reach this place, shining even under the shade created when the sun kisses the cliffs. I wanted to take it all in when I was there. It was beyond beautiful indeed but all I could think about was: "I should have brought a water-proof … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beaches and Islands, El Nido, Palawan Tagged With: el nido, el nido hotels, el nido itinerary, el nido palawan, el nido palawan itinerary, el nido palawan trip, el nido tour, el nido trip, el nido trip budget, food, hidden beach, hidden beach el nido, how to get to el nido, islands, lunch, matinloc island, palawan, planning an el nido trip, secret beach, secret beach el nido, secret beach el nido palawan

‘Out To Lunch’ at Talisay Beach – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

February 24, 2012 by The Poor Traveler 20 Comments

Hey look! Pineapple! And inside, Spongebob! NOT.

Water is said to be the most important substance to life. All living things need water. All living things, yes, including travelers. Swimming, snorkeling, running around, and more swimming are exhausting activities that must be enjoyed by those who will go on a whole-day island-hopping adventure. And to survive this day, one should not forget to bring a bottle of WATER. I did. I did forget. Poor me. Why does it always happen to me? Damn. But I'm getting ahead of the story. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beaches and Islands, El Nido, Food, Palawan Tagged With: el nido, el nido hotels, el nido itinerary, el nido palawan itinerary, el nido palawan trip, el nido tour, el nido trip, el nido trip budget, food, how to get to el nido, lunch, matinloc island, palawan, planning an el nido trip, talisay beach, talisay beach el nido

The Budget Travel Guide to El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

The 7 Commandos Beach and the 7 Lost Soldiers – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

The Secret Lagoon of Miniloc Island – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Making Friends at Payong-Payong Beach – Miniloc Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Good Vibes – Miniloc Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Review: El Nido Waterfront Hotel – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Restaurant Review: ‘El Nido Corner – Palawan, Philippines

Helicopter Island: On a Different High – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

The Secret Beach of Matinloc Island – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

‘Out To Lunch’ at Talisay Beach – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

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