Coron or El Nido? After MUCH deliberation, research and headaches, I finally decided on El Nido. Although El Nido is known for its luxurious resorts, there are also budget options that I am definitely going to be using.
Anyhow in this post, we are going to be figuring out what there is to do in El Nido. Although El Nido town has beachfront properties, their beaches aren't really all that great. What El Nido is really known for are the multitide of little beaches, coves, karsts and lagoons that are supposedly spectacular. The only downside is, you need a boat to get there.
Fortunately there are tours that will take you there for for approximately 700-900 ($18-23) pesos per person. There are four tour packages throughout El Nido, listed A, B, C, and D. They all last pretty much from 9am-5pm and include lunch.
| Tour A 700 Pesos/pax | Tour B 800 Pesos/pax | Tour C 900 Pesos/pax | Tour D 700 Pesos/pax |
| Small Lagoon Big Lagoon Simizu Island Secret Lagoon 7 Commando | Cathedral Cave Codugnon Cave Panggalusian Island Snake Island Pinagbuyutan Island | Hidden Beach Shrine Secret Beach Talisay Helicopter Island | Cadlao Lagoon Pasandigan Beach Paradise Beach Natnat Beach Bukal Island |
I think Tour A is a definite must on this trip. I've heard great things about it and I really wouldn't want to miss El Nido's main attractions.
Small Lagoon - The boat docks at an entrance with a small hole that you have to swim through to get to the Lagoon. Once inside there is clear emerald water.
Big Lagoon (we would just pass by this and not snorkel or swim here since it's too deep)
Secret Cove/Lagoon - I believe this is the place where people have lunch and relax
Simizu (snorkeling) - This is supposed to be a great spot for snorkeling with quite a variety of fish.
7 Commando Beach - this is the last stop before heading back to the town. Here there are stretches of white sand beach where people can snorkel or just swim around. There is also a little sari-sari store where one can get coconut juice and other snacks.
This is a great post about Tour A with pictures and includes great tips about what you need to bring, etc.
After all this, am I really up to posting about Tours B, C, and D? Probably not, but if I have free time soon, I just may get bloggitivity on and do a post on each of the tours. Don't hold your breath though.
After all this, am I really up to posting about Tours B, C, and D? Probably not, but if I have free time soon, I just may get bloggitivity on and do a post on each of the tours. Don't hold your breath though.
