El Nido Travel Budget Guide

Here's the challenge, a budget of 5k for our El Nido trip, is it possible? Let's see! :)

Looking at the pictures and reading blogs about El Nido made me say, "ah-amazing!! I want to go there someday". "Someday", because looking at it made it look expensive, especially when I look at the rates of the hotels there. There was even a time when I asked my friends if they wanted to visit the place with an open close parentheses saying, "annebisyosa lang". But last year, after reading a blog from lakwatseradeprimera, I realized, that you can go to El Nido on a budget! Yay!! :)

El Nido is situated in Bacuit Bay, located about 238 kms northeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan's Capital. It is known to be a very unique destination because of its magnificent beaches, spectacular towering limestone cliffs surrounded by clear-turquoise water, and countless underwater species and corals. It is one of the most diverse ecosystem in our country. 

The only thing that makes a trip to El Nido expensive is the cost of direct flights to this place. Direct flights are very pricey. But don't worry, there are friendly budget fares to reach El Nido. You can book a flight to Puerto Princesa (wherein you can get promo fares) and catch a shuttle to El Nido. This may take most of your time, since the road trip would take 5-6 hrs. Hence, this would be better than to spend most of your budget on airfare. Always remember this, for every long travel, a beautiful destination is ahead. ;)

 GETTING THERE: 

• Direct Flights - Island Transvoyager Inc & South East Asian Airlines (SeaAir) as what I said, this is fast but very costly.
• via Puerto Princesa you can book you flights with any of our major airlines like Cebupacific, PAL Express, Philippine Airlines, & Zest Air. The best way to save is to wait for promo fares. As soon as you arrive in Puerto Princesa Airport, there are shuttles waiting there. Eulenjoy Express Shuttle has daily trips to El Nido 5am, 7am, 9am, 10:30am, 1pm, 3pm, last trip 6pm. Fare: 600php (learn to haggle) There are also RORO buses. From the airport, you can ride a jeepney or tricycle. Ride going to San Jose Terminal, it would take less than 20 mins. Fare: (Jeepney) 20php; (Trike) 50-100php. RORO schedule: Every 2 hours, starts at 4am, ends at 10pm Rate: 483php (Aircon) 330php (non-aircon)
• via Coron there are several ferry companies that services Coron- El Nido vice versa 4-5x a week. Journey can take 7-10hrs. Booking can only be done when you are in Coron or El Nido. This is not recommended if you have other options since the journey is slow and tough. 

WHERE TO STAY:

Good morning El Nido! :)

There are lots of accommodations in El Nido, may it be in the town's beach front, Corong-Corong or away from the beach front. During our stay here, we'll be arriving around 12mn, I ought to get a room that would be cheap since we are just gonna stay for the night. On our first night, we stayed at Lualhati Cottages, it was like 5mins away from the beach front if you ride a tricycle. Rates starts at 250/person. 

Before going to El Nido, we reserved 2 nights in Casa Buenavista, beach-front with a spacious balcony so you can have a great view of the El Nido bay. On lean days you can a get room for only 1200/night with hot& cold shower, a/c, unlimited coffee & tea. For groups, you can stay at Casa El Nido. It's a single storey beach house that can accomodate 6pax for only 3500php/day for lean days. Cheap right? 

Highlight of the trip of course  is the Package Day Tours! There are lots of agencies that provide you with the same tours, so of course, I looked for an agency that can offer me their cheapest/discounted rate and that is Northern Hope Tours. I found out about this by reading lakas' blog. 

What to do: Package Day Tours

Tour A: Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon 
             and 7 Commandos Beach 600/person
Tour B: Pangulasian Island, Snake Island, Cadugnon Cave, 
            Cathedral Cave, Pinagbiyutan Island 700/peson
Tour C: Hidden Beach, Colasa Beach, Helicopter Island, 
            Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine 800/person
Tour D: Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Pasandigan Beach, 
             Nat Nat Beach, Bukal Beach 700/person
Combination of Tour A & C: 1000/person

Each tour includes lunch, snorkeling gears, guide vest and drinking water. Before your tour, you are required to pay an Environmental Fee valid for 10 days. Tour A & Tour C is the most popular. So during our stay here, we took these tours... and yes, its paradise! Every beach and island that we see, makes me want to stay longer and come back over and over again!!  If you plan to tour for 2 days only, tour A & C are the "must" see. 

Small Lagoon

Big Lagoon

Blue crystal-clear water

fish feeding at Shimzu Island

Free Bukooo! :)

LUNCHHH!!!

On the 2nd day of our tour, we did snorkeling in Helicopter Island. The boatman told us that he can swim with us from the other end of the island back to our boat. Well, that's kinda far. But guess what, as soon as I place my snorkeling gear and went underwater, everything was awesome!!! There where different kinds of fishes, corals and other sea creatures.. I even saw a Sea Turtle, Pawikan in tagalog, for the first time. I was really amazed. Though it was tiring, it was worth it! It's splendid! :) Our tour ends around 4:30 pm.

  On our  last day, we left El Nido at 10am.. We arrived at San Jose terminal around 3pm. Upon reaching Puerto Princesa, I told myself  that I am not leaving this place without buying pasalubong in Baker's Hill. Baker's Hill is known for their freshly baked hopia (mongo, baboy, ube). They also have crinkles and egg pie that are very cheap. I love everything they sell. Hehe. So what we did was to ask some tricycle drivers how much is the fare going to Baker's Hill alone. We tried haggling, but they said that they're rate is 150 pesos. Ok so we just took their rate, and while riding on the tricycle we decided to have a city tour too, since our flight to Manila is still 8pm. City Tour cost 600/trike good for 4 pax. Don't forget to buy Cashew Nuts! :)

What to see in Puerto Princesa City Tour

1. Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral

2. Plaza Cuatel- wherein 143 Americans prisoners where massacred by the Japanese

3. LRC Pasalubong

4. Palawan Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Center

5. Mitra Farm

6. Baker's Hill

Travel Expense: 
1,200- Van PPC-El Nido vv
  300-  Lualhati Cottage
  600-  Casa Buenavista
  200-  Environmental Fee
1,400- Tour A & C
  300-  Puerto Princesa City Tour
--------------------------------------
4,000- Total

Guess, the 5K budget is enough to have 4days 3nights in El Nido!! Yahoo!! :D
  
Things to know:
1. El Nido is just a small town. You can go around their stores there and reach the market just by walking. That is if you are fond of walking :)
2. There is no electricity from 6am-2pm. No worries, cos most of the time you will be out for Island hopping, so by the time you arrive there's electricity already. But there are also hotels with generators that offer 24 hrs electricity like Stunning Vista in Corong-Corong.
3. There are no ATM Machines in El Nido. So make sure you bring enough money. ATM Machines are available in Puerto Princesa
4. Restaurants & Bars in El Nido can be quite expensive. To lessen your budget, you can go around and find places wherein they have cheaper meals. 
5. Try their Nido soup. Since El Nido is a Spanish word for "The Nest", it would be an experience to try Nido Soup of El Nido. 1 order in Skyline Grill cost 200php.
6. Most of the accommodations in El Nido are cheap. All you have to do is research about it. 
7. The only network available in El Nido is Globe & Smart.
8. When you arrive at Puerto Princesa, don't forget to try their Crocodile Sisig. :)
9. Environmental Fee of 200 pesos valid for 10 days

Contact Details
Northern Hope Tours: 0939-9022216
Casa Buenavista:         0948-5138158
Casa El Nido:               0919-8233711
Lualhati Cottages:       0919-3196683

"Traveling to El Nido need not to be expensive. All you have to do is budget your trip, spend and plan wisely." :) 

 We are Happy Travelers! Happy Traveling UNSTOPPABLEWANDERERS!! :)

Thanks to Ms. Kristine Tan, a colleague, whom we met during our Island Hopping for the wonderful pictures. Hope to see you in one of our trips again :) 

Happy Campers: Anawangin Cove Travel Guide

Finding out about Anawangin Cove, made me want to go, ASAP! Why? Because it's a real adventure, and something NEW! No hotels, no decent shower rooms, no restaurants!! Meaning you have to have your own tents, cook your own food, enjoy being a camper and most of all enjoy nature :)

It was 4am in the morning when we left for Zambales. It was a 3 hour drive to Pundaquit. The boat trip to Anawangin is 20-45 minutes depending on the weather. Anawangin Cove is the most popular among the two other coves which is Nagsasa & Silanguin, all found in San Antonio, Zambales. It was 7am when we met our boatman. He let us park in their garage and carried our stuffs. He was really accommodating! Too bad, I forgot his name and lost his contact number. Anyway, the weather was fine and seeing the shoreline of Anawangin made me more excited. As soon as we reached the shore, the campsite was very wide with pine trees all over the vicinity. As I stepped to the campsite, it made me more excited seeing lots of campers with their tent. I can't wait to put up ours too :)

locals of Zambales

Hello Campers!!

Welcome!

Hello pine trees!

our helpful boatman :)

The campsite has some open cottages that you can rent. They also have shower rooms & toilets available. During the time we went here, I think they were adding more restrooms. There are also stores that sell merchandise but are more expensive than the usual price, you can even rent a tent for the night. There is a pump in the middle of the campsite where you can get water. But of course you should bring your own drinking water to be safe. :) Going further to the woods, we saw more of the pine trees and a dry riverbed which really looks amazing.

siesta time :)

When you overnight in Anawangin, bonfire at the forest is prohibited already, but wait, why can I see people having a bonfire? :? Maybe they really set this up to give light to the forest:)

We used to do this in my Grandpa's resort when we were young:)

Fire dancingggg! Tuwang-tuwa si kuya!! haha

DAY 2

On our 2nd day, last day, we made sure to climb the mountain at the other end of the shoreline. I really don't like trekking. I find it hard to go up and especially go down. I'm scared of falling and getting scars. (arte side of me) hahaha!! But guess what, I faced my fear, I was able to reach the peak of the mountain! and saw the beauty of Anawangin from the top! What an accomplishment :)

Goodmorning Sunshine!

Breathtaking! I used to see this only on the net, now I have my on pic of it!yay!:)

Higher we get, the wider the view

YAY!

loving the shade & the background:)

So I'am one happy camper! I would want to visit Nagsasa Cove too! :)

Things to know:

1. there is no electricity in Anawangin
2. there is no cellphone signal
3. no atm machines in San Antonio
4. food sold in stores are pricey
5. there are no resorts

Things to bring:

1. Cash/ extra Cash
2. Tent
3. Mattress
4. Pillows
5. Blanket
6. Hammock- this are available there which may cost 200-300php
7. Off lotion
8. Cookwares
9. Knife/fork/spoon/plate/cup
10. Portable lamp/ Candles
11. Portable gas range
12. Bbq Grill
13. Clothes
14. Sunblock/sunglasses
15. Canned goods
16. WATER
17. Trashbag
18. Toiletries 
19. Dishwashing Liquid
20. Ipod /portable speakers (for music)
21. Charcoal
22. Snacks
23. Goggles/Snorkel Gear
24. Camera

Expense:

1. Boat ride to Pundaquit-Anawangin: 800 (day tour)/ 1200 (overnight) good for 4pax
2.Trek Guide fee: 100php
3. Maintenance & Security Fee: 50php (Day tour)/ 100php (overnight)

Your total budget would depend on what food you will bring. 1500-2000php would be enough to make your stay in Anawangin comfortable & enjoyable :)

How to get there: 

If you plan to bring your own car to Anawangin, you can ask your boatman to have it parked at their garage just like what we did. or you can ask them where is the pay parking and he will direct you there. parking fee is 100php per night. But if you plan to commute going to Anawangin, no worries, because it's very accessible.

1. Take the Victory Liner Bus in Cubao or Monumento headed for Iba, Zambales. Fare is ~PhP250 to San Antonio, Zambales. Iba-bound buses are not always available. Another option is to take the bus bound for Olongapo City (the SCTEX bus will get you to Olongapo much faster). Fare is ~PhP200 for Olongapo City. Once in Olongapo, ride any bus headed for Iba. Fare for an ordinary bus is ~PhP40 and ~PhP60 for an airconditioned one. The trip to San Antonio takes around 3-4 hours depending on the time of the day.

2. Get off at San Antonio Town Proper. 

3. Ride a tricycle to Barrio Pundaquit. There are several tricycle terminals on the highway with dispatchers shouting "Pundaquit!". The ride costs PhP30 per person and takes 10-15 minutes. Tricycles are available 24/7

4. Pundaquit is a seaside community where boats sailing to Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove, Capones Island, and Camara Island can be rented. There are a lot of boatmen on the beach you can speak with to get a boat to Anawangin. If you're planning a day-tour, there are a lot of resorts available in Pundaquit. Boats do not usually sail at night and even if a boatman agrees to sail after dark, it's still not advisable to do so.

So there! hope you would enjoy the beauty of Anawangin, Happy Campers, happy unstoppablewanderers! :)