Best season to come

The local climate is hot, humid and tropical. The average annual temperature is about 27°C. Usually, in the Philippines there is three seasons:

• tag-init or tag-araw: the hot & dry season, or summer, from March to May.
• tag-ulan: the rainy season, from June (or July) to October-November.
• tag-lamig : the cold & dry season (min 24°C at night), from December to February.

The best season to come to El Nido is the coolest and driest period, between December and February. During this period, temperatures are the lowest – they remain relatively high, averaging 30°C. The months of March, April and May are still usually dry, but much warmer – an average of 33°C at the day. Regarding the rainy season, rain usually pours twice a day, for 1 to 2 hours. Therefore, it’s still much possible to enjoy a trip to  El Nido during this season!

Prepare your trip to El Nido: which travel equipment to take

We understand that everybody travels differently, according to each one needs. But as “forewarned is forearmed”, here are some items we strongly suggest you to take in your luggage:

• Light clothes, swimsuit, beach towel
• Lighweight rain jacket, depend on the season
• Hiking/water shoes 
• Hydro flask (one single-use plastic bottles are prohibited on islands)
• Waterproof dry bag and phone cover
• Multimedia equipment: camera, drone, sports cam, selfie stick…
• Worldwide power adptor (US standard plugs, but most hotels offer universal plugs)
• Sunscreen (environment friendly, to not damage reefs)

In case you forget something, you might found some items in our Boutique or in town. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff to help you get what you are missing!

Extra practical information

Last but not least, here are some extra practical information about your trip in El Nido:

• Time difference: + 8 hours GMT
• Power: 220V or 120V (in very rare case)
• Country code: 00 + 63

Some helpful local sentences:

– Good morning / Good afternoon. Magandang umaga / Magandang apon
– How are you? Kamusta ka?
– I’m good, thank you. Mabuti, salamat.
– Do you speak English? Nagsasalita ka ba ng (pronounced “nang”) Ingles
– I don’t understand Indi ko maintindihan (pronounced “ma-een-teen-dee-han”)
– How much? Magkano?
– I’d like to buy some. Bibili ako.
– Yes.  Oo.
– No.  Hindi.
– Ok. Sige.
– Excuse me. Pasensya.
– Where? Saan?
– When? Kailan?
– Let’s drink! Inom tayo!
– Delicious! Masarap!
– See you! Kita-kits!

Don’t forget to add “PO” to your sentences to show some respect!

Book your accomodation

If you didn’t already have a look at our resorts, it’s the right time to check our different types of accommodation, prices and availability:

And don’t miss the opportunity to get free cocktails or massages (subject to availability) if you book directly through our website!

The importance of such spaying event

El Nido’s spaying event is very important for the community for many reasons:

• Stop the uncontrolled reproduction of stray dogs and cats, in order to limit their populations and the harmful consequences linked to their proliferation, such as animal suffering, malnutrition, fights between animals, physical aggression, road accidents involving a stray animal, etc…
• It tends to limit the transmission of sexual diseases between animals, such as Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor (CTVT)
• Animals are vaccinated against rabies
• It helps to sensitize locals to problems related to the overpopulation of stray animals

By supporting the spaying event on September 20th, Moringa Resort team is committed to provide to all the well-being they deserve: first and foremost well-beings of animals and local residents, but also well-being of its clients – by guaranteeing them a safer environment.

A successful day

During this day, two veterinarians assisted by their assistant and 12 volunteers have worked hard to sterilize and tattoo 109 animals (plus 6 more animals have been vaccinated)! The spaying event proved to be a great success, and its organization members would like to warmly thank all the contributors for their involvement:

THE FREE STERILIZATION EVENT HAS BEEN A BIG SUCCESS ! Our amazing vets sterilized 109 dogs and cats ! Thanks to all the responsible pet owners who brought their animals to got spayed and vaccinated, and thank you for the donations

El Nido Animal Welfare (original post here)

The Moringa Resort team would like to thank all the people involved for the success of this spaying event, and is ready to partner again in the future for the sterilization of El Nido stray animals!

What makes Palawan considered as the best island?

Citing one fan: “The landscape and scenery are just gorgeous. It offers the most beautiful beaches, resorts, and scenery anywhere”.
Indeed, Palawan has a lot to offer to visitors:

• A dramatic landscape, with limestone cliffs extending directly from the ocean
• Long white sandy beaches, lined with coconut trees
• Turquoise waters, looking straight out of postcard
• Scuba-diving spots, recognized as world-class
• A coastline that could be explored form a kayak or canoe
• Stunning and unforgettable sunsets 
• Beautiful old-growth rainforests
• A welcoming environment, full of friendly locals and fresh, tasty traditional Filipino food

Considering visiting the best island in the World?

Our resorts are located right to the Corong-Corong sandy beach, in front of the beautiful Bacuit Bay. Additionally, our bar-restaurants offer delicious traditional Filipino dishes – cooked on the spot, with the greatest care for our guests. Coco Resort boats a lush tropical garden as well as a Spa center, where you can get a traditional Filipino massage with home-made coconut oil. Our team will be delighted to arrange an Island Hopping tour for you,  or guide you during your stay. Visit our pages for more information!

Withdraw money at the nearest ATM

In El Nido you can find few ATM machines accepting foreign debit/credit cards to withdraw local money. Here are the ones that we can recommend for their reliability:

• BPI – located in town, calle real 
• Metrobank – located in town, calle real

Please note that these ATMs charge a fixed fee of 250 pesos with foreign debit/credit cards (plus the possible fees applying from your own bank). The amount limit that can be withdrew is set to P10,000. Also, be sure that there are no potential limitations from your bank when you are abroad.

Change offices

If you come to El Nido with your own currency, there are a few change offices in town where you will be able to exchange at a honest rate. Here are our suggestions to change your money:

• in local banks, such as BPI: introduce yourself to the guard outside, he will show you to which counter you have to go to make your request. The bank worker will ask for your passport, in order to proceed. Both guard and bank employees are well aware of the current exchange rate; don’t hesitate to ask them before.
• at Palawan Pawnshop,  Cebuana LHuillier or M.LHuillier, a few money transfers located in town: as above, introduce yourself to the guard to inquire about the process and exchange rate. Your passport will be needed to handle you the money.

Wondering where to go out in El Nido?

Check and try one of the suggested places below:

Community Hospital

Since August 28, 2020, a 17-bed community hospital has opened near El Nido (see press article).
This hospital is equipped with several medical services:

• Emergency care
• Laboratory
• X-ray service
• Out-patient care
• Surgical service
• Pharmacy

The community hospital also has an ambulance and a quarantine unit.

Medical centers

Beside the community hospital, there are four local healthcare clinics in town – where a doctor and a team of nurses can treat mild health issues:

• El Nido Health Center (Rural Health Unit), located in town (next to basketball court)
• Palawan Medical City, located in town (at the entrance of the town)
  
• Dr. Nestor A. Reyes Medical Clinic, located in town
• DR Medical Clinic El Nido, located in Corong-Corong (near Caltex petrol station)

If your health state requires further medical attention, you might be then directed to the local hospital or one of Puerto Princesa hospitals, or even lifted to Manila (for the most serious case).

Pharmacies

Most common symptoms (such as cough, mild fever, headache, stomach, diarrhea, etc) that require medicines can be cured with over-the-counter or prescription drugs sold in local pharmacies.
Here is a list of local pharmacies:

• Drugman in Corong-Corong (next to Caltex petrol station)
• Goodmeds in Corong-Corong (next to DR Medical Clinic El Nido)
• Farmacia Comprendio in Corong-Corong (next to Island Front Hotel)
• Farmacia Comprendio in town (in front of the church)
• Farmacia Roxas in town (next to New El Nido Bakery)
• The Generics Pharmacy in town
• Mercury Drugstore, in Lio beach (~5km of El Nido town)

If you use specific prescibed medicines, we advise you to bring your own medication as it may not be easy to find in town. If you are unable to find specific medicines in El Nido, you may try to call and visit pharmacies located in Puerto Princesa.

Dental clinic

Leni Pia Vega Dental Clinic in El Nido welcomes patients for all kind of dental cares: caries, check-up, scaling, toothache… The prices are reasonable and cares given of good quality.

New to El Nido?

If you have any questions regarding your stay in El Nido, we invite you to contact us directly through our hotels pages: Coco Resort or Moringa Resort. Our dedicated staff will be happy to help you plan your stay!

Direct flight to get to El Nido

The most direct way to come here is to fly to Lio Airport, located about 4 kilometers from midtown. 

Air Swift (formerly Island Transvoyager Inc. ITI) offers daily flights offers daily flights to El Nido. Flights operated by Air Swift depart from Manila, Bohol, Boracay, Cebu, Clark, and Coron (Basuanga).

From Lio airport, you can take a 20-minute tricycle ride going midtown or Corong-Corong. A tricycle ride from our resorts to Lio airport costs P400 for 2 persons.  Or a private van P1000 for 6 persons max.

Land travel from Puerto Princesa

If you come to Palawan by Puerto Princesa city, you will have to cover about 220 kilometers of highway to get to El Nido. You can either choose to take a van, a bus or rent a car/a motorbike according to your preferences and budget.

Get to El Nido by boat from Coron

Many travelers choose to combine a visit to El Nido once in Coron. A common way to move from one island to another is to travel by sea. Our resorts are located  a few minutes ride from the boat terminal. 

New to El Nido?

If you have any questions regarding your stay in El Nido, we invite you to contact us directly through our hotels pages: Coco Resort or Moringa Resort. Our dedicated staff will be happy to help you plan your stay!

About Las Cabañas beach

You can go to the beach by renting a motorcycle or by riding a tricycle. The entrance to Las Cabañas beach is called Vanilla beach. There are a lot of bars and restaurants scattered around the beach, where you can order food and drinks to enjoy a perfect picnic at the beach. Most of them provide bean bags, long-chairs or even hammocks. This beach is well known among tourists for its chilled vibes. Tourists often come to this beach just to sun bathe, and relax for a day. You can also rent a kayak, explore the surroundings or try the longest Zipline found in Palawan. 

Why going to Las Cabañas beach

This beach is the perfect place to pick up, if you are just on a limited time in El Nido. You can spend a day or spend an hour depending on your availability and it will not cost you much. Plus, its location near the town square and the terminal makes it the ideal choice. If you are looking for a place to chill after your Island Hopping, Las Cabañas is definitely your pick!

Interested by some sea activities?

There plenty of options available to enjoy days at sea in El Nido! If you are not decided yet, check the below suggested sea activities and let our staff help you organize your perfect holidays plan:

• 
  Island Hopping

There are four kinds of tour to choose from when you go on an Island Hopping: Tour A, B, C, and D. All of which are composed of different packages that will take you to at least 5-6 destinations and it usually covers a whole day of activity.

Tour A

Tour A is a tour of Lagoons and Beaches. The said tour consists of the following destinations: The famous Big Lagoon, Shimuzu Island, Secret Lagoon with Its magnificent beach surrounded by cliffs., Payong Payong Beach & for ending 7 Commando or Papaya Beach. During this tour you will discover one of the most beautiful tropical lagoons in the world, and you will be able to enjoy beautiful beaches as well as snorkeling spots.

Price
Tour A costs P1,200 / person in a group tour;

Tour B

Tour B is a tour going to Caves and Small Islands. This Island Hopping tour consists of the following destinations: Snake Island, Cudognon Cave, Pinagbuyutan Island, Cathedral Cave, and Entalula Island. Definitely an interesting one. You will get to visit a cave and discover a very unique sandbar that connects to islands to each other. You will also enjoy snorkeling as well as white sand beaches open on impressive panoramas.

Price
Tour B costs P1,300 / person in a group tour; 

Tour C

Tour C is probably the most popular of all tours. It is consists of the following destinations: Talisay Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach, and Secret Beach. This tour will take you on a journey between beautiful islands, well-formed hidden beaches and colorful snorkeling spots. If you were to pick only one tour in El Nido, this is probably your top pick.

Price
Tour C costs P1,400 / person in a group tour; 

Tour D

Last is Tour D, paradise beaches. And since recently, maybe the best one. This tour will take you to the following destinations: Cadlao Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Pasandigan Beach, Paradise Beach, Nat-Nat Beach. if it’s a private tour. Tour D will take you on a memorable journey through ones of the most charming beaches and lagoons in Palawan. You will have the time to relax on the white sand, to snorkel around and admire the aquatic fauna in quiet area. You will simply enjoy and be amazed of the beauty of nature.

Price
Tour D costs P1,200 / person in a group tour; 

Looking for a place to dine after your Island Hopping tour?

About Nacpan beach

Nacpan Beach is a paradise destination for tourists. The beach extends 4 kilometers long, which allows you to find a large shady spot to put your towel down and enjoy the beach. With its pristine white sand, this beach is, according to the locals, the perfect place to relax, swim, take photos, and enjoy the beautiful view of the sea. You can also rent a kayak and explore the surrounding area. To complete the picture, a few bars and restaurants along the beach can welcome you for lunch or dinner, set a table right in front of the sea. It’s a memorable beach experience that can only be experienced in Palawan!

How to get to Nacpan beach?

There are a couple of ways to get you to Nacpan Beach. You can either take the shuttle service that depart every day from El Nido, or an aircon van – which will cost you about 600 pesos per person. Another option is to rent a motorcycle for a whole day (about 500 pesos) and include a break at Nacpan beach in your tour. But be prepared! The road is not paved all along…

If you have an extra day in El Nido, visiting and spending few hours at Nacpan Beach is a good option. It will surely make your stay in El Nido extra worthwhile!

Interested by some sea activities?

There are plenty of options available to enjoy days at sea in El Nido! If you are not decided yet, check the below suggested sea activities and let our staff help you organize your perfect holidays plan:

• 
  Island Hopping