Visit El Nido Palawan Philippines
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EL NIDO
El Nido is the frontier of travel on this "last frontier" island. Imposing limestone cliffs surround the peaceful town, sheltering tourists from tourism. It seems enchanted at dawn when the fog slowly reveals the towering islands of Bacuit Bay. A couple of hours later, turquoise waters and blinding white sands make for postcard-perfect scenery.
TRANSPORTATION. Seair flies to: Manila (M, F 3:25pm) via Busuanga; Puerto Princesa (M, W, F 9:45am). Jeepneys go to Puerto Princesa daily during high season and every 2-3 days during low season (12-14hr.). Alternate routes to Puerto Princesa include taking a jeepney to Sibaltan (2-21/2hr., daily 7am) where a boat leaves for Taytay (3-4hr., 9:30am); from Taytay, jeepneys head to Puerto Princesa (8-10hr.; 2, 4pm). During high season, boats leave for Port Barton (4hr., F 6am) and Sabang (7hr.; W, Sa 7am). During the low season, private boats will bring you anywhere if you pay enough.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION. Calle Hama, which turns into Palmera St., runs along the coast; Calle Real runs parallel. Rizal St. cuts through the two and heads to the ocean. All other roads are unmarked, unnamed, and unpaved. Buy a map at El Nido Boutique. The Municipal Tourism Office (open M-F 8am-5pm) is across from the post office (open M-F 8am-5pm) on Calle Real. There are no banks, but Palawan Pawnshop, El Nido Boutique and ArtCafe, and Lim's Store exchange cash. The police station is in the Municipal Building on the corner of Calle Real. Farmacia Compren-dio has most non-prescription drugs. (Open daily 7am-9pm.) There is also a clinic next to El Nido High School. (Open M-F 8am-noon and l-5pm.) Globe Telecom offers collect call service. (Open M-F 7:30am-10pm, Su 9am-10pm.)
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD. Like most of Palawan, El Nido is deserted in the off season but receives large crowds of backpackers and adventurers during peak months. During low season, prices of cottages are halved and many restaurants shut down. Lally and Abet Cottages , at the far end of the beach, is popular and quiet.
SIGHTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. The islands of Bacuit Bay are El Nido's prime attraction. "Asia's Galapagos," these isles boast coral, three species of endangered giant turtles, and brilliant fish, all beneath rugged limestone cliffs. Among the best sights are the small lagoons of Minlloc Island, the secret beach ofMatinloc Island, and Pinsail Island, where a skeleton of a WWII Japanese soldier lies within a marble cave. Simisu Island offers great snorkeling. Cottages have boats that will take you wherever you want. Alternatively, Judith and Tani from the El Nido Boutique and Artcafe have set island-hopping trips. Other tours include cliff-climbing, island trekking on Cadlao, and hiking to the Maquinit Hot Springs and Nagkalit Kalit Waterfalls. All prices include lunch and are per person, with a minimum of two. Palawan Divers on Calle Real offers dive trips around the archipelago, but Coron Island has better diving. On most Sundays, especially holidays, cockfights erupt at the cockpit on Rizal Ave. TheShipwrecked Bar, on Palmera St., is a popular tourist hangout. Locals get down at Bom Disco, opposite Mac-Mac Restaurant. (Cover P10. Open daily 8pm-midnight.) The bar at Bistro El Nido has great mixed drinks and relaxed live guitar music. (Open daily 8am-lam.)
