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Municipality in Palawan, Philippines
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Jdkoenig at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
El Nido is a coastal town in Palawan. El Nido comprises 45 islands and islets; limestone cliffs are also found here, which form a Karst backdrop similar to those found in Ha Long Bay, Krabi and Guilin. It is a popular destination for locals during the long holidays of the Holy Week, but has been relatively unknown to foreign tourists. El Nido is more than just a stereotypical tropical paradise. Beaches, clear waters, jungle, steep limestone cliffs and stunning inlets make for one of the world's most beautiful seascapes.
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This small dive center will offer you relaxing and long dives (departure at 8AM, come back at 4:30PM) among the colourful aquatic life of Bacuit Bay. The Japanese Yoshi Ohtsuka is the manager, he is the one who will welcome you there. He has about 20 years of experience in the diving industry, so he knows what he is talking about. The staff can speak at least English, French, Tagalog and Japanese. On Facebook.
Jose and Diana from Deep Blue Seafari are the founders of the El Nido to Coron dive seafari. This 4-day trip includes 14 dives, camping on the exotic beaches and bonfire nights. Besides the seafaris, Deep Blue also offers fun dives and PADI courses.
SSI and PADI open water and advanced dive courses are offered.
There are many island hopping tour companies throughout El Nido. They all offer similar tours and prices; therefore it is not necessary to shop around for the best tour company or price. You may want to check a few different companies to see how empty or full their boats are. All tours leave between 8 and 9AM.
El Nido Boutique & Art Cafe
The El Nido Boutique & Artcafe is a kayak tour operator and rents out kayaks, stand up paddle boards, snorkel equipment and bicycles.
Palawan Divers was the first certified PADI dive resort in town. Professional and friendly staff serving beginners to experienced divers.
Submariner Diving Center is a diving center operated by the German PADI master scuba diver trainer, Ronny Oliwka. Submariner is a certified PADI Dive Resort and certified Aqualung Partner Center that offers a high standard in diving and education as well as diving gear branded by Aqualung and APEKS. The staff is highly qualified to international standards. Habibi Restaurant & Shisha Cafe is on the first floor of the building.
A third wave coffee shop popular for its coffee and its breakfasts. It has an in-house bakery making cakes, pastries, cookies, and bread.
American and Filipino cuisine, beach snacks, and cocktails.
Make your own deli sandwich or buy groceries for food.
A beautiful, well-established restaurant with very good food such as seafood, salads, steaks, pizzas, spaghetti, homemade bread, cakes and fruit shakes and very good coffee. They have live music several nights a week. Free Wi-Fi all day.
Good food and beverages, and they are the only shisha bar in Palawan. Drinks are made with fresh ingredients, pizzas are also popular. The full bar offers all varieties of premium drinks. The owner frequently visits the local market to find the best/freshest fish available. Free Wi-Fi, widescreen projection television, and games. The vibe is warm and friendly. The restaurant is ideal for groups wishing to enjoy the freshest fish. The fish are presented to you for selection, and prepared to order.
Offers tasty & health-conscious food at good prices. Also has a pair of scenic beach-perched "nests" available for dining.
Great beachfront restaurant with a Danish owner. Try the fresh catch of the day.
Bay View Inn
Dorms and privates available. Common area over the water.
Bay view terrace, free coffee.
Fan single/double room with common bathroom.
You can pitch a tent for free in the public shelter at Sitio Danat, a small village along the highway, some 10 km south of El Nido. Just ask for permission at the convenience store. There is also a small canteen next to the shelter (mains ₱70.) There is absolutely nothing to do in Sitio Danat except for enjoying tranquil village life.
All rooms feature air conditioning, hot and cold shower, TV, free Wi-Fi internet; there are laundry servicers, and an outside seating area too.
A small friendly place with good air-con rooms.
Beautifully located on a trail just outside of El Nido, with view over El Nido bay and Cadlao island. Exceptional restaurant and bar. Has battery backed-up solar cells and private generator.
It is slightly away from the center but set in a quiet setting with porches facing the garden.
Small budget guest house with sea view. The host is really nice and helpful. The Internet connection is poor, but that's the case for all places here. Coffee is provided in the morning.
All rooms have hot water, TV, mini fridge and free Wi-Fi.
All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, TV with cable channels, hot shower, private balcony, private toilet and bath. It also provides island hopping tours, airport transfers, massage service, room service and laundry service.
Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, high-speed Internet access, and daily breakfast.
It is along Calaan beach, and has 8 cottages and beach villas available.
Two locations, both seafront; offers a variety of accommodations at different prices.
It has 50 rooms and caters à la carte meals and buffet. A clinic, library, boutique, a swimming pool, and a game area are some of the facilities offered here.
A Dept. of Tourism accredited hotel, it has 34 rooms with an A/C, telephone and shower, a laundry service and foreign currency exchange is also provided here. For leisure they also have sports facilities for badminton and volleyball games. Major credit cards are accepted here.
Nice basic bungalows in front of the beach. Free hot water, mosquito net, free hot water and friendly owner.
A/C rooms. Comfortable family-run accommodation at the edge of town.
In center of town on the beach.
Has 51 rooms. Aside from being a resort, they also offer snorkeling facilities, and they have kayaks, aqua bikes and other water sports equipment available for rent.
Three-story building with rundown rooms but a great view right on the beach. Happy Hour from 5PM to 7PM with ₱40 beer. Divers should seek out one of the staff named Mator as he often does private trips.
El Nido T-shirts printed in their own artshop, souvenirs, handicrafts, postcards, books, photo supplies and cameras, snorkel gear, swimming clothes and beach wear, sarongs, dresses, jewelry, suntan lotions and drugstore items, wine and liquors, bags and backpacks, hammocks.
By van
Three van companies are doing regular shuttle trips to El Nido, departing from San Jose bus terminal in Puerto Princesa.
By bus
Slower than the vans, but cheaper and more comfortable by far, air-conditioned Cherry buses depart from San Jose Bus terminal, Puerto Princesa and El Nido Market every 2 hours from 4AM to 10PM.
By boat (from Coron Town and v/v)
The two mainstream choices are either the Montenegro fast ferry (3½ hours), or large outrigger boats (8 hours).
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Coron · Regional · USU
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