El Nido is among the popular hotspots in the Philippines characterized by amazing turquoise sea, fabulous white sandy beaches, mind-blowing limestone cliffs, and unforgettable sunsets. This place is filled with tourists making it difficult to find peaceful spots.
The adventure started in Coron, flying to El Nido. The flight on a small plane which had only a couple of rows of seats was only around 25 minutes long but it provided magnificent views of islands and blue waters of Palawan from a bird’s eye.
What came next was looking for a breakfast and finding accommodation. A delicious ham and cheese sandwich gave some strength to get to the hotel that had been booked online. After that, a tricycle was hired to get to the town of El Nido which had a hotel for about $100 a night that offered a small but cozy room with an ocean view, swimming pool, and free breakfast.
Using a Motorbike to Explore El Nido
Renting a motorbike made discovering El Nido easier than before. The journey takes you through stunning limestone formations and tropical foliage while providing glimpses of the ocean on occasion. The beauty of the sights alone provides an explanation for the popularity of Palawan for travelers.
To begin the expedition, the first stop was at Las Cabanas Beach, a stunning stretch of beach known for its turquoise sea and amazing views. A beachfront restaurant offered lunch, which consisted of a Wagyu beef burger and fries. The burger was very juicy and tasty, but the stunning beach surroundings were as impressive as dinner.
For those wanting to try something adventurous, El Nido has one more intriguing option. There is a 750-meter zipline that stretches from the beach to another island. Climbing to the starting point of the zipline brings great views of the coastline and limestone cliffs. The landing level was rather rough, but the experience was still amazing.
Halo-Halo in a Coconut
As the sun set, we had a more exciting food experience with halo-halo served in a coconut shell. This classic dessert from the Philippines was made of ice with different flavors such as fruity ice cream, bananas, mangoes, jelly, corn, and coconut.
It might seem strange to eat halo-halo from a coconut while on the shore but it actually made the experience fun and enjoyable. This creamy dessert was delicious and refreshing.
However, the most fascinating part was yet to come.
A Quiet Beach for Sunset
While the popular sunset viewpoint was crowded by about a hundred people, a short walk through the neighborhood revealed that instead of being amidst a crowd, one could find a deserted beach close by.
The sunset over El Nido’s well-known limestone formations was experienced from this secluded beach. The sunset slid under the horizon, creating an exciting atmosphere in a place that did not teem with visitors typical of famous viewpoints.
This difference illustrates the essence of El Nido as a tourist destination. Many people associate it with a big number of tourists, but one does not have to follow the majority of people while being in the area. One can always rent a bike and take less traveled routes or just walk a bit farther.
After spending only some hours in El Nido, one can see a combination of different elements, such as beaches, crags, local cuisine, excitement, and beautiful sunsets.
