EL NIDO | BEYOND CLIFFS AND WATERS : In Monochromatic Visuals

**conquered Big Lagoon on a kayak. Yes, love**

El Nido, as described by many, is a concoction of stunning vertical limestone cliffs and spectacular islets and beaches. It has been consistently ranking as one of the top tourist destinations around the globe and has been publicized on many travel journals. Visitors on the upswing has produced aplenty of tourism related businesses and has gathered revenues and popularity for the country. If you try to google the country's best bet for natural attractions, you'd most likely be routed to Mountain Province, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol or Palawan. You have to realize that top scoring sites almost often lead to tourism congestion, and El Nido is no exception. But, if you are up for an adventure: beach parties, friendlies in any form, fifty shades of tan and endless surprises, do see El Nido. It is rad. It is mad, brad.

HOW TO GET TO EL NIDO |

From Puerto Princesa

1.       Several Vans, parked outside the airport, offer daily trips bound for El Nido for Php 700. Provincial a/c and  non-a/c buses at Puerto Princesa Terminal depart at an hourly basis that starts as early as 6AM but not later than 9PM; travel time is approximately 5-6 hours.

From Port Barton

1.       Vans leave at 8AM and 11AM; non a/c buses leave late in the afternoon. Fare is a little less than Php 400. **Arriving tourists from San Vicente Airport (once it opens) will have less travel time compare if they will be coming from Puerto Princesa; an approximate of 2 hours will be reduced to a fraction of the time**

** and, as always, get lost..

STAY | 

- THE TOWN - HOSTELS -

Poblacion, the point of entry in almost all of the attractions in the island, has many accommodation options for all kinds of traveler. From hostels ranging from Php 450/ night to a solo beachfront villa – all goes by the dozen! Consider your travel date as hotel businesses tend to be very busy during summer and holiday seasons: November, December, February and March.

The town; where tourism office, restaurants, cash machines, salons and travel agencies are located, transforms to a long strip of pub come night time.

OMP HOSTEL | Backpacker type; non-beachfront but accessible to the beach, restaurants and convenience stores;  a/c and non a/c rooms

**karaoke and beer party every night at the common area**

Price starts at Php 450 – 800/ pax

RECLUCIO PENSION | Solo and group; beachfront; a/c and non a/c rooms

**View deck with several loungers on a patio overlooking the sea is incredible. This is a peaceful getaway from the rowdy crowd in Poblacion**

Price starts at Php 500 – 900/ 2 pax

THE SEA |

- SECRET BEACH - SECRET LAGOON - HIDDEN BEACH - 7 COMMANDO BEACH 
- SCHMIZU ISLAND - SMALL LAGOON - BIG LAGOON - MATINLOC SHRINE - 

Islands and neighboring islets can be reached either by boat or a kayak. Island hopping tours range from Php 1200 - 1400, inclusive of lunch, a local guide and applicable environmental fees. Alternatively, you can rent a kayak for Php 500-700/day. Small and Big Lagoon kayak rentals range from Php 300-500/hour.

Marimegmeg Beach

Schimizu Island

EL NIDO's BEST KEPT SECRET |  A few beaches and lagoons in El Nido are popularly named as "secret". These paradises are almost too often hidden, either behind the towering cliffs or enclosed by it.

The Secret Beach, or more so should be called as the "Open Secret Beach", since almost everyone who visits El Nido gets to see it. Parang yung relationship status ninyo, open na secret, secret na open. Magulo? O basta, ang alam ko opeyung beach sa parties tuwing summer. Secret lang natin.

The Hidden Beach

Razor-edged cap of Secret Lagoon

The miraculous, historical and weathered shrine of El Nido - The Matinloc Shrine.

Entrance fee of Php 50.

A local traversing the path toward the Small Lagoon to sell fresh merchandise.

When boats are moored near the shore, locals on their kayaks would offer cold beers and fresh coconuts! 

Seafood buffet, love.

Paparazzing at Seven Comando Island

Good day, sir.

THE GIANT |

- TARAW CLIFF -

Canopy walk, the newest addition to El Nido's inland attraction, is the safest way unto the skyline.

Topview of Cadlao Island and Bacuit Bay

• Tourism office opens at 8AM, fee of Php 400 inclusive of safety gears and a local guide.
• Address: Along Rizal Street in Brgy Maligaya, beside Cliffside Cottages and across Sei Nazioni and Bulul Garden.
• Climbing is no longer allowed due to unfortunate incidents in the past.

THE EXPERIENCE |

- YOUR KALEIDOSCOPE - 

There is just something about traveling that makes one superhuman and  mortal at the same time. Imagine you are temporarily trapped in a new place, where nearly all pods of souls greet you and carry you to a surface you cannot even tell; a new world or hyper cosmos, perhaps? It's like your physicals are drained but the rest of your atoms are galvanized, yet again, you feel alive. It's as if all the little luminous plasma come together and become your universe - your kaleidoscope. Welcome to my adventure.
Ikinagagalak kitang makilala, El Nido.