El Nido | Budget vs Luxury

As a kid, I used to think people named El Nido after my favorite powdered milk, Nido, because the sand there is as white and fine as the powdered milk I love drinking. Its been my dream to go there since then.

Photo Courtesy of El Nido Resorts Website

El Nido is famous for the luxury resort chain, El Nido Resorts. There are currently 4 resorts in the different islands of Palawan under their management. Each are internationally recognized and multi-awarded for its eco-friendly design and luxury. But of course, luxury comes with a price. For more budget conscious tourists, a trip to El Nido could be as equally fun and exciting with the affordable island hopping activities that are available. Bacuit Bay in El Nido features beautiful islands with white sand beaches, lagoons concealed in limestone walls and rich marine life that are perfect for diving and snorkeling. So its just a matter of preference and, of course, budget. 

There's a small domestic airport in El Nido, however, only the charter airline of El Nido Resorts fly there now and they offer guests round trip airfares for about Php13,000++ per person. Seair no longer offers direct flights to El Nido Airport since early this year. A more affordable alternative is to fly to Puerto Princesa airport and ride a bus or a van to El Nido. Another option is to ride a boat. I'm not a fan of long boat rides so I won't even explore that option.  

Thanks to one of Cebu Pacific's promo fares, my friends and I were able to book a round trip flight to Puerto Princesa, Palawan for only Php1115. I was able to contact Fortwally Shuttle Service and they offered us round trip private airport transfers to El Nido for Php 1100 per person. Its a 5-hour ride so I really hope its a comfortable van. 

The next question is whether we'd go for budget traveling or luxury vacation. For easier decision making, I made two itineraries with projected expenses each. 

Luxury El Nido Itinerary

March 2 (Sat): Day 1 – Arrival

4pm        Departure: NAIA Terminal 3 

5:15pm   Arrival: Puerto Prinsesa Airport

               Van to El Nido

               Dinner

1am        Arrival at El Nido

               Check-in at El Nido Town Hotel

March 3 (Sun): Day 2 – El Nido Resort

9am         Check-out El Nido Town Hotel Transfer to El Nido Resort

10am       Check-in at El Nido Resort

                Water Sports Activites (Hobie Cat, Windsurf, Kayak, etc)

                Standard Resort Guided Activities/Tours (snorkeling, island-hopping, etc)

March 4 (Mon): Day 3 – El Nido Resort

               Water Sports Activites (Hobie Cat, Windsurf, Kayak, etc)
               Standard Resort Guided Activities/Tours (snorkeling, island-hopping, etc)

March 5 (Tues): Day 4 - Departure

12pm      Check-out El Nido Resort Lunch

               Transfer to Puerto Princesa 6pm Arrival at Puerto Princesa

               Dinner
8:10pm   Departure: Puerto Princesa Airport

9:25pm   Arrival: NAIA Terminal 3

Budget El Nido Itinerary

March 2 (Sat): Day 1 – Arrival

4pm        Departure: NAIA Terminal 3 

5:15pm   Arrival: Puerto Prinsesa Airport

               Van to El Nido

               Dinner

1am        Arrival at El Nido

               Check-in at El Nido Town Hotel

March 3 (Sun): Day 2 – Island Hopping

9am        Island Hopping (Tour C) 

5pm        Return to El Nido Town Hotel

               Rest, Dinner, Nightlife

March 4 (Mon): Day 3 – Island Hopping

9am        Island Hopping (Tour A) 

5pm       Return to El Nido Town Hotel

              Rest, Dinner, Nightlife

March 5 (Tues): Day 4 - Departure

12pm      Check-out El Nido Town Hotel Lunch

               Transfer to Puerto Princesa 6pm Arrival at Puerto Princesa

               Dinner
8:10pm   Departure: Puerto Princesa Airport

9:25pm   Arrival: NAIA Terminal 3

We still haven't decided on where to go just yet. But its definitely going to be fun either way. 

Till next time ;)