WHY IS EL NIDO SO SPECTACULAR?

Good question. Once upon a time, El Nido was a sleepy town at the northern tip of Palawan that has been relatively unknown to foreigners. In the 1980s, it became a popular tourist destination and worldwide attention for its superb diving, endless white sandy beaches and steep limestone cliffs, surrounded by turquoise crystal clear waters, beautiful lagoons, waterfalls and caves. El Nido became the gateway to Asia's most beautiful natural treasure: The Bacuit Archipelago.

Or let's say it in other words: Mother Nature has gone crazy here.

El Nido is not just a tropical beach paradise, it's a place like no other. With breathtaking views of nature, over and under the sea, El Nido is so unique and for sure, one of the most beautiful seascapes on earth.

THINGS TO DO IN EL NIDO:

You can not leave El Nido without exploring the nearby Islands! That's the MOST important sightseeing in Palawan! No excuse! El Nido offers 4 different kind of Island Hopping Tours and each of them visit different places. They call them Tour A, B, C, and D. If you have only time for one or two of them, choose Tour A or C. Both are amazing. Actually all of them are amazing. But A & C are my favorites.

Island Hopping in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines © Sabrina Iovino | @Just1WayTicket

If you already have a group of 4 people or more, hire a private boat, so you're more flexible with the route and can escape the other tour operators. With around 50 beaches to explore, it's quite easy to find your own secluded beach without seeing any crowds.

Dip into the pristine waters, go snorkeling and discover an underwater wonderland with more than 100 species of corals and 800 species of fish.

Nacpan and Calitang Beach, North of El Nido, Palawan, Philippines © Sabrina Iovino | @Just1WayTicket

Besides Island Hopping you can go diving or rent a kayak. I didn't do any of those and rented a motorbike instead. You have to bargain hard, they usually ask for PHP500-700 (~US$10-15) for daily rental. With a big smile and a lot of schmooze I was able to get a motorbike for PHP400 (~US$8) for 6 hours.

Nacpan and Calitang Beach are MUST VISIT PLACES! Those twin beaches (Photo above and below) are 1 - 1,5 hours north from El Nido. The streets are in terrible condition! Oh hell, they were unforgivable! If you're not an experienced motorbike driver, don't do it! Better hire a tricycle instead (PHP700-1000 or US$15-20) for the round trip to Nacpan/Calitang Beach.

DISCOVER THE JEWELS OF

CORON, PALAWAN

Add Coron, Palawan to your bucket list, because I’m about to share with you an epic adventure itinerary, which was so breathtaking it blew my mind! What to do in Coron? A small warm-up hike followed by two days of island hopping amongst the most breathtaking scenery and the clearest water I have ever laid my eyes on. Finish it with a soak in the magical hot springs. This blog post details how to make the most of your time in Coron with a detailed itinerary. You will also find my tips on where to stay before and after your island hopping tours. I hope you are staying for a week because there are so many awesome things to do in Coron.

HIKE THE STAIRS TO MT TAPYAS FOR SUNSET

Mount Tapyas is the most popular viewpoint in Coron Town, Busuanga, with sweeping views over the rolling hills and a direct look towards the epic Coron Island in Palawan. The view doesn’t come easy though, to reach the giant cross at the summit, you need to climb 721 steps. In the piercing sun of Coron, this is a challenge that leaves many drenched in sweat and gasping for breath once they reach the top. For some, the 721 steps will be a walk in the park. However, for those who aren’t very active, you may battle through the incline and the sun. Be sure to pack at least one water bottle and possibly a snack for energy if you are worried.

EXPERIENCE ISLAND HOPPING

It includes Barracuda Lake, Banol Beach, Snorkel at Skeleton Wreck, Twin Lagoon

Skeleton Wreck is a 25m long Japanese supply ship that was hit by an airstrike during WWII by US airforce. The ship now rests at a depth of 5m ranging to 22m at the deepest. It is an awesome spot for free-diving or scuba diving as well as snorkeling on the surface.

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Barracuda Lake feels like a dream world. The entrance to the lake leads you along a path that winds through jagged rocks that look straight out of a movie before they reveal the beautiful, expansive Barracuda Lake. The lake is huge but swimmers enjoy an enclosed area of free-diving paradise in the deep waters. Underwater cliffs will blow your mind as you snorkel or free dive in this fresh-water lake in Coron Island.