EL NIDO, Palawan: The Paradise: Getting there via Puerto Princesa

For 2012, my goal is to visit the 3 famous tourist destinations in Palawan- Puerto Princesa City, Coron and El Nido. It was february when hubby and I went to Puerto Princesa City for the Underground River tour (see my entry here) and then Coron last June for the ultimate snorkeling adventure, which you can find my posts here. So to finish the last leg of our Palawan series, we went to see why CNNGo named El Nido to have the #1 best beach in the Philippines. ♥

This is an itinerary-free trip. My first time to have done this. Being a control freak that I am, I was able to manage letting go of the plans and advance reservations and just simply go along with whatever may come. All I know is upon reaching Puerto Princesa, either take a van or bus to El Nido. That's it!

How we got there?

We flew via Cebu Pacific from Manila and landed in Puerto Princesa International Airport on October 20 at 4:30PM. Originally, our arrival was at 5:50PM but since the plane arrived unexpectedly, we were able to board early. Time was my major concern prior to this trip. From what I've read, there are no night trips bound for El Nido and the latest trip is at 2PM. If that is the case, we would have to stay overnight in Puerto Princesa.

Taking Puerto Princesa route is cheaper compared to taking a direct flight to El Nido. However, cheaper cost means additional land travel of 5-6 hours via van or bus. At the airport, tricycles are waiting for hire for P50 to get around town. We took a tricycle and told the driver to drop us off to where the vans are bound for El Nido. Good thing, the driver knew a driver who's van is waiting to leave for El Nido at 7PM. I was anticipating to ride a Roro Bus at around 9pm or 10pm but since we arrived early, we settled for the van.

The driver collected P700 each and then gave us free bottled water (welcome drink? hehe). As expected, people in Puerto Princesa are warm and welcoming, just like what I've experienced from them during our visit last February. They asked if we have an accommodation in El Nido. I said we don't. Then they offered a newly built beach front, fan room that's good for 2, for only P700 which we gladly accepted.

We were only 6 passengers inside a Nissan Vanette van. It was already dark so I just slept the entire ride. It was 12 midnight when we reached El Nido. The driver brought us to our accommodation - Cabugao Lodge.

This is what I learned when DIY-ing this trip. 

From the Airport, take a tricycle to San Jose Terminal. Cost is P50. Then from there take a van or bus going to El Nido. Bus is cheaper but travel takes longer as they pick up passengers from the road.


El Nido, Palawan: Getting There Via Puerto Princesa
El Nido, Palawan: Day 1: Island Hopping - Tour C
El Nido, Palawan: Day 1: Island Hopping - Tour A
EL NIDO, Palawan: Day 2 : El Nido Town
EL Nido, Palawan: Day 2 : Island Hopping - Tour B