El Nido - Summer 2014

Summer would always mean sun-kissed skin, relaxing getaways, and gorgeous beaches. In short, it's simply the best time para maglakwatsa! So right after my Coron getaway, it's time to revisit El Nido.

SUMMER:
Hair gets lighter. Skin gets darker. Life gets better. 


El Nido - The Second Time Around
For some reasons, I wasn't really stunned with El Nido when I saw it the first time. It could be the water, the weather, or my mood that time. The experience was great, but I knew my expectation was more than that. #TaasStandards So my friends and I went back to El Nido. This time around, it left us breathless.

now I believe this is one of the best beaches in the Philippines


Island Hopping in El Nido
Rumors are true. The standard rates have increased. Here are the current rates (for peak season at least):
Tour A 1,200/pax - Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Simizu Island, Secret Lagoon, and 7 Commandos Beach
Tour B 1,200/pax - Entalula, Pinagbuyutan Island, Pangulasian Island, Snake Island, and Cathedral Cave
Tour C 1,400/pax - Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, and Star Beach
Tour D 1,200/pax -  Bukal Island, Ipil Beach, Nat-Nat Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, and Paradise Beach
Underwater Camera rental - P700/day
Kayak rental - P800/day

Combination trips are not widely offered anymore BUT special trips can be easily availed by renting out a private boat for your group. Once again, Northern Hope Tours took care of our island hopping activity. Depends on the number of person on your group and how many tours will you avail, ate Neriza (owner of Northern Hope) is easy to deal with if you ask for discounted rates.

Northern Hope Tours, El Nido
email: northernhopetours@gmail.com
mobile: 0939.902.22.16

What we visited: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Simizu Island, Snake Island, Helicopter Island, and Papaya Beach. Much better than the Combination Tour A and C, because we also went to Snake Island which is included for Tour B. We could have visited Matinloc Shrine but the weather's gone crazy, we skipped it.

Big Lagoon

 
the perks of renting a private boat
you have all the time on this spot

Small Lagoon

floating my worries away

Northern Hope's big and private boat
Snake Island

goofing under the summer heat

artistic lunch c/o our boatmen at Snake Island
yes, we do love El Nido!

 live music on board

snorkeling at Helicopter Island

healthier-looking corals

kayaking at Papaya Beach
the finest and whitest sand in El Nido

 easy kayak for the guys

unobstructed sunset view

As always, I felt blessed for having the privilege to travel and see these awesome places in our country. A big dose of Vitamin Sea just filled our wanderlusts.


Overcomer Lodge
For affordable yet decent and spacious accommodation in El Nido, we chose the newly built Overcomer Lodge. Location is at Corong-Corong. Our spacious room includes our own bathroom, big beds, tv, fan, and aircon. Rates normally start at P500 per person and this already includes breakfast at the rooftop. And yes, there's free WiFi.

Overcomer Lodge
facade, 1st floor, and roof deck as breakfast area

Overcomer Lodge's room for 2

Btw, rates are negotiable. If you avail the tours from Northern Hope, then you most probably have a discounted rate for the rooms at Overcomer Lodge. Just ask ate Neriza.


Nacpan Beach - Now I'm a Believer
Parang Justin Bieber lang ah. Anyway, this is really the spot I wanted to see again. Most friends I knew hailed this beach as the most stunning - but when I see it the first time, it looked uhm ordinary. I know I just have to see it again. Luckily this time around, Nacpan Beach proved me I was wrong.

  the white stretch of flawless and uncrowded shore at Nacpan Beach

Nacpan Beach - even better upclose

view from top

Twin Beach

trekking under the sun at 35°C was rewarding

Nacpan and Calitang Beaches

We were truly amazed. Im so happy too that I revisited this place. Immediately I thought of rearranging my Best Beaches List. Definitely, El Nido is not #10.


Cadlao Resort - Splurging a little for my birthday
Since it's my birthday, we decided to splurge a little. We made a good choice for picking Cadlao Resort which is along the town proper. The resort is extremely beautiful. Rate is around P8,000 per night which comes with breakfast for 2 people. A little expensive yes, but it's just right. FYI, there are only 4 resorts in El Nido town which has a pool. For me, it is worth every peso spent specially when the resort is well maintained, the staff are friendly, and the view is breathtaking!

lush green Cadlao Resort 

room with a view (thanks to the full-sized sliding glass door)

we love the room, but the pool and view are so much better!

well maintained resort

the world is our playground

Cadlao Resort
drool.. i wont judge you. ^_^

one lazy afternoon by the pool

camwhoring at its finest

happy birthday to me!


We wished we could have stayed longer (and of course if we could afford it. hehe). Relaxation in this place is very achievable. The Cadlao Lagoon which is just across the resort is a good addition to the view of the infinity pool. Initially we planned of going to Altenative Inn again, but it's so hard to leave the pool. I think we had a good decision to just stay. The food here is good as well, though a bit expensive. Still, I recommend this resort for special occasions.


Thank you Palawan for that another awesome experience. Thank you ate Neriza for the fun tour! Thank God for the privilege to travel, a good weather, nice company, and another unforgettable summer.


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25 responses:

chyngreyes.com said...

amazing, nagblog ako! isang bagsakan ulit =)

Doc Wends said...

I love the beaches. Nacpan is very inviting for a shoot :)

Ching, super inggit ako sa mga photos and superb talaga ung nasa infinity pool :)

Wait, maalon ba? How's the waves compared to Puerto Galera's?

mike said...

hi ms. chyng - i'm glad you featured cadlao resort. My friend and I stayed at cadlao for a few days in 2013. great staff, great food....BTW, did you pass by the cemetery?? LOL!! we went back to the hotel one time at 1 am and let's just say it was not an easy feeling. :)

michymichymoo said...

Ang ganda!!! So from Puerto sila na rin bahala sa transpo to El Nido??? How much damage? :)

KULAPITOT said...

Dumaan lang ako dyan sa cadlao resort shalaa kasi mahal ahaha :) el nido is love babalik ako dyan with mahal for our 5 yr annversary!

Ang pool grbe nakakalaglag panga!


Saan kya next venue ng birthday mo chyng hhihi

Photo Cache said...

this is a dream destination.

Rey Danh said...

Life at its finest!!! Nice one :)

julius | lakwatserong tsinelas said...

Ang ganda po ng nacpan beach. Sana makapunta ako dyan

John Marx Velasco said...

Anong underwater camera gamit mo?

Tayo nila Carla, kelan gagala? :)

Michi said...

Ang mahal na ng island hopping rate. Same rate kaya sa bata. Kelan kaya ko makakapunta dito. Hehehe!

edelweiza said...

Waaaah, El Nido is one fo the places I wanna visit in our country. Ang ganda, ganda pala talaga dyan. Bonus pa na ang gaganda ng mga pics na shinare mo sa post na ito, lalo tumaas expectations ko. :)

Sendo said...

yey..tamang tama coz my friends have been asking me about el nido and ive never been there yet! so with this...haha makakapunta na sila..pero uunahan ko muna... (y) thanks chyng..i miss here <3

Ian | GoingRoamingWandering said...

Beautiful photos and beautiful birthday trip... I used to do the same as well celebrating my birthday on a trip. It more different, memorable and happier than have it spend on parties or house-dinner. Great summer escapade!

RIZALENIO said...

Belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love love love your photos! Vitamin Sea indeed!

kim buenafe said...

i agree, ang dali kausap ni ate neriza! and may I just say, the pool + view is simply breathtaking! must visit el nido again.

Allen said...

Grabe nakakaiyak talaga ang Palawan! Love it!

Khawen said...

Hi

How much is the transpo to nacpan and marimegmeg beach?

Thanks!

Ronan said...

Hi Chyng. how much did Ate Neriza charged for the private boat? Ilang pax kayo? Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Photos are amazing! We will be following the same route you had made :) what camera did you use for the underwater shots? You mentioned they rent out underwater camera, is that the one you used?

Chyng said...

hi!

my underwater camera is Canon D20. i think the one for rent is Canon D10. ok din yun.

Vida Vergara said...

Hi Chyng, ask ko lang if malapit lang ba kila ate Nerizza yung Overcomer Lodge? Sa kanila din kami kumuha ng package last 2013.. nakita ko din d2 number nila sa blogs mo.. kaya lang malayo kasi yung nakuha nmen hotel need pa mag tric. Balak nmen mag El Nido ulit and we're looking for accommodation na malapit lang dun sa port at kila ate nerizza.. :) Thank you..

Chyng said...

hi Vida,

yes owned din to ni ate Neriza, and yes mejo malayo nga to sa town. mga 5-10mins.

Chyng said...

meron sila yung mlapit sa port. ask mo sya. backpacker style. =)

Anonymous said...

wonderful photos. when exactly were you in el nido? i mean: does the summer mean july/august or does it mean the nice weather?

Chyng said...

this happend in May.
mas ok to visit the dry months.

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