Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ISLAND
HOPPING IN THE BACUIT ARCHIPELAGO
Bacuit archipelago
tours
(generally 9am-4pm) have been standardized into packages, and
prices are set by the local government. They cost P1200-1400 per person (including lunch)
depending on the islands visited, plus a P200 ecotourism development fee valid for ten days.
Numerous places offer trips; one of the best options is the
El Nido Boutique and Artcafé
.
Tour A
takes in the attractions of Miniloc and Shimizu islands;
B
goes to Snake Island,
Cathedral Cave and points south and
C and D
usually take in Matinloc and Tapiutan islands.
The highlights are, naturally enough, scattered throughout each itinerary, designed to
encourage several days of touring.
If time is short you can
charter your own boat
, taking in all the best locations; reckon on
P4000-5000 per bangka. Another option is a
kayak tour
: Cadlao and Miniloc tours both cost
around P1900 - you can book at
El Nido Boutique & Artcafé
or through El Gordo's Adventure
Tours (
T
0926 685 9798,
W
elgordoadventures.com) in Sitio Tandul, west of the town centre. If
you simply want to stay put on a
beach
for a few hours and do some snorkelling, you can
charter a boat for P1200 to 7 Commando Beach (which has a small bar behind a lovely strip of
sand), P1300 to Helicopter Island or P1600 to Shimizu Island.
7
organized by Tao Philippines (five days/four nights P23,000/
person;
W
taophilippines.com), stopping at remote islands
and villages along the way. For other destinations you
generally have to charter your own bangka: it's P9000 to Port
Barton
(4hr 30min) and P12,500 to Sabang (7hr). Enquire at
El Nido Boutique and Artcafé
or
Greenviews
(see opposite).
By bus and van
The bus and van “terminal” is in Corong-
Corong, a 10min walk or P20 tricycle ride from El Nido
town. There's a local fruit and wet market here where you
can stock up on supplies. Regular and a/c buses run to
Puerto Princesa (via Taytay and Roxas) with Roro and (more
comfortable) Cherry; they take around 8hr. Faster and more
expensive but often more cramped vans (6hr; P700) also
leave throughout the day. Daytripper Palawan (
T
0917 848
8755,
W
daytripperpalawan.com; P900) is the comfortable
alternative, although they currently only have one service
a day, at 9am. There are more bus and van services in the
mornings; the last trips leave at 10pm. For Port Barton
change in Roxas (or the San José turn-off ), and for Sabang
jump off at the Salvacion turn-off.
INFORMATION
Tourist o
ce
Inside the DENR building near the town hall
on Calle Real in El Nido, one block inland from the beach
(daily 8am-8pm;
T
0917 841 7771).
El Nido Boutique and Artcafé
On Serena St, this
café (see opposite) is a good source of up-to-date local
information (travel centre daily 7am-8pm;
T
0920 906
6317,
W
elnidoboutiqueandartcafe.com). You can book
tours, change money, rent mountain bikes (P500/day),
go online (P90/hr) or make international calls (P30/min),
and they accept credit cards.
ACCOMMODATION
It's just a 10-15min walk from the bus, van and jeepney terminal in Corong-Corong to El Nido proper, although it's worth
taking a tricycle if you have heavy luggage.
Backpackers
tend to congregate in the heart of town where there are still
plenty of cheaper accommodation options, but anyone looking for a bit more peace and quiet, plus more attractive
surroundings, will be better off in
Corong-Corong
or
Caalan Beach
. Advance reservations are essential if you're on
a budget, and especially at Christmas and Chinese New Year.
fan-cooled
cabañas
(P3000) plus standard a/c rooms,
beautifully crafted from wood and nipa,
all with
hot water
and sea-view verandas. Laundry P70/Kg.
P2800
Lally and Abet Beach Cottages
Northern end of town
on the shore, off Calle Hama
T
0917 850 2948 or
T
02 455 5656,
W
lallyandabet.com; map p.385.
Long-
established, well-run resort with more than thirty fan or
a/c rooms and cottages (P2400-4500), many with terrific
views across the bay and balconies where you can sit and
watch the world go by. Some rooms a
re a bit
past their
prime, so take a look before checking in.
P1800
EL NIDO
El Nido Beach Hotel
Calle Hama
T
048 723 0887,
W
elnidobeachhotel.com; map p.385.
Slick Korean-run
hotel at the southern end of the beach; it's a big two-storey
modern building that some might feel goes against the
El Nido budget vibe, but the spacious rooms are stylish,
with hot water and a/c, and the best ones have sensational
views of
f the b
ay (P3600). Free wi-fi or computer use for
P60/hr.
P3000
★
Entalula
Calle Hama
T
0920 906 6550,
W
entalula
.com; map p.385.
Elegant beachfront option with four
