NACPAN BEACH GLAMPING
ASK A LOCAL: THE ISLANDER GUIDE
The islands with Paloma Zobel, founder and creative director, PIOPIO lifestyle brand, promoting local fabrics and products.
A LIST: WHAT’S HOT RIGHT NOW
13 of the best buys from El Nido, from trendy basket totes and fashion jewelry to hot foodie finds.
OH WHAT FUN!
A GUIDE TO FESTIVE EL NIDO
How best to enjoy the festive holidays, from island hopping to fireworks night.
+ TRAVEL TIPS
Getting around El Nido
12 Ways to Enjoy Sublime El Nido
16 of the Best Beaches in El Nido
Where to stay and eat
The
16 NACPAN BEACH GLAMPING
luxury tented experience has arrived in El Nido
Nacpan's airconditioned tent facing a white-sand beach
Editor's Letter
Welcome to the islands… and our maiden issue of Archipelago, an independent travel publication focusing on El Nido and the Bacuit Bay archipelago.
Archipelago is a bi-annual travel magazine + guidebook featuring travel, lifestyle and culture stories combined with a practical guide to the islands, curated by El Nido locals and our Archipelago editors. A handy map of El Nido is included in every issue.
We hope to bring you the voice of El Nido residents and visitors, featuring local personalities sharing their island life, favorite places and hangouts. For our maiden issue, we are lucky enough to catch up with Paloma Urquijo Zobel, the young woman behind the PIOPIO lifestyle brand, a champion of all things Filipino. Don’t leave the islands without checking PIOPIO’s innovative clothing line using locally woven Inabel fabric.
On our cover we bring you Nacpan Beach Glamping, El Nido’s luxury tented experience.
EDITORIAL
Combine your El Nido hotel stay with a romantic night or two under canvas on one of El Nido’s finest white-sand beaches.
Also included in this issue is a handy guide to the top places not to miss in El Nido, a list of Bacuit Bay’s spectacular beaches, and where to stay and eat in El Nido.
Pick a free copy of Archipelago in our partner hotels and resorts, restaurants, bars, dive shops, and tour companies in El Nido. Select stories are available on www.archipelago. com.ph
Giselle Dalton Editor
archipelago@dorniermedia.com
Executive Editor: Iren Dornier
Editor-in-Chief: Giselle Dalton
Managing Editor: Lory Alba
Art Director: Jocas A. See
Archipelago is a travel magazine + guidebook published bi-annually by Dornier Media International
306, La ‘O Center, 1000 Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City, 1227 Philippines
Tel +63 2 8791 8187 Mobile +63 977 826 8322
Contributors
Photographers: ReyRey Ochavez, Cyrus Panganiban, and Lala Magbuhat
Writer: Ana Kalaw
For editorial inquiries, email: editors@dorniermedia.com
ADVERTISING SALES AND MARKETING
Sales & Marketing Director: Bing Rodriguez
Senior Account Manager: Kim Tutanes
Sales Assistant: Daryl Joy Mendoza
For advertising inquiries, email: advertising@dorniermedia.com or call: +63 977 826 8322
Beach Glamping. Location: Nacpan Beach, El Nido. Photo courtesy of Nacpan Beach Glamping
PUBLISHING
Publisher: Dornier Media
Publishing Director: Nikos Gitsis
Publishing Manager: André Palma
BOARD OF ADVISERS
Chairman: Iren Dornier
Publishing Director: Nikos Gitsis
Editorial Director: Giselle Dalton
Legal Counsel: Atty. Loreto Dapon, Jr.
COPYRIGHT © 2020 DORNIER MEDIA
ON THE COVER Nacpan
Café Athena
Authentic Greek flavors, gorgeous views of Bacuit Bay, and the best service — these are the reasons why everybody loves Café Athena
Café Athena has become one of El Nido’s staple dining destinations ever since it opened way back in 2016. It has become such a hit that they decided to open a second branch in popular Maremegmeg (Vanilla Beach).
Diners cannot get enough of their bestsellers, the Souvlaki (P295 or US$6 for vegetable option and P515 for the lamb), grilled and served with freshly baked pita bread and
either fries or rice. There’s also the classic Moussaka (P450), made fresh every day. Another must-try is the Seafood Platter (P840) with the freshest catch-of-the-day prawns, squid, and fish with a side of roast potatoes and a Greek salad. It’s perfect for two.
Café Athena offers the best views of breathtaking Bacuit bay, with its limestone cliffs and islets in the distance, making it the perfect place for a meal or drink at any
time of the day. There’s buy one, get one free on selected cocktails daily, from 2PM until close. A popular choice? The Mango Daquiri that’s best paired with some fries or calamari.
Café Athena has two branches in El Nido: along Serena Street, Brgy. Buena Suerte and at Maremegmeg (Vanilla Beach) in Corong Corong. Book a table through Facebook @cafeathena.ph or mobile +63 977 830 0732.
District Bar & Kitchen
Everyone’s invited to the newest food and drinks destination in town
Walking inside District Bar & Kitchen along Osmeña Street, you’d think they’ve been around forever — the vibe is fun and inviting, people are having a good time over good food and cocktails, and everyone seems to know everyone else. District Bar & Kitchen just opened November of last year, already it has become a favorite among locals and tourists. This shouldn't come as too much of a surprise — their Vietnameseinspired dishes are delicious! Not to be missed are their bestselling Phở (including a great-tasting Vegan option), their Beef Bahn Mi made with fresh baguette, and their Shrimp and Pomelo salad which is bursting with flavour. The Spring Rolls are good for sharing and make a great snack after a couple of drinks.
Cocktails are made with the freshest local-sourced ingredients.
Top on the drinks menu is the Vietnamese sling , a twist on the Raffles classic, and the refreshing Miss Saigon, which has banana liqueur, basil, and honey in it. Another favorite is the Coco Cream Martini made with premium white rum and the Piña Colada, which is simply the best in town. Pair these delicious drinks with great music, and District’s wide selection of starters and bar snacks, and you’re all set.
“People are on holiday to have fun, and District is the perfect place to go for an evening or night out,” says owner Eva Aston. If you still have a hangover from the previous night before, be sure to drop by for a Phở.
District Bar & Kitchen is located along Osmeña Street, El Nido, make reservations through mobile +63 917 324 4543 or find them on Facebook @district. philippines.
Café Athena along Serena Street with the best views of Bacuit Bay, and the crowd favorite Seafood Platter
Inside District Bar, and some their bestselling noodles (Pho) and cocktails
El Nido ActivityGuideMap
El Nido Bay
Base Bay
Strait
PACANAYAS
Cadlao Lagoon GUINTUNGAUAN
LIO AIRPORT
Small Lagoon
MATINLOC Big Lagoon Tres Marias ENTALULA PAGLUGABAN PANGULASIAN POLPOCAN Cudugnon Cave VIGAN
7 Commandos Lapus-lapus Maremegmeg Twin Rocks
EL NIDO TOWN
PINAGBUYATAN MINILOC
Bacuit Bay El Nido
PROTECTED AREA
LEGEND
KAYAKING SNORKELING DIVING
Cave MALAPACAO
Nacpan Beach
LABUTAYA
El Nido Cove
Tapiutan
Daracotan Bay
Imorigue Bay
IMORIGUE
El Nido
Shark Fin
Bulang
Sibaltan
Tapik
THE ISLANDS WITH… PALOMA ZOBEL
Founder and creative director, PIOPIO lifestyle brand
PHOTO BY CYRUS PANGANIBAN, COURTESY OF LIFESTYLE ASIA
How long have you lived in El Nido?
On and off for three years now. It has been great to be a part of a growing community in El Nido and to see the landscape drastically change in a short period time.
Why El Nido?
It’s a place that holds a special place in my heart since I was a child. As the tourism industry here grows, I want to be able to support and showcase local artisans and make local culture part of the El Nido experience for visitors.
What are you involved in right now and what businesses do you run in El Nido? For the past few years I have been developing a lifestyle brand called PIOPIO (www.piopio.ph) to preserve and showcase Filipino culture in a colourful and considerate way. Our flagship business in El Nido is Kalye Artisano (@kalyeartisano on Facebook), a cultural hub and marketplace where we promote all things local, from artisanal shops to immersive experiences and workshops. Adjacent to Kalye we have Tambok’s El Nido (www.tamboks.ph) and Jungle Bar by PIOPIO (@junglebarelnido on FB), both food and drink concepts rooted in time tested Filipino recipes and cutting edge cocktails featuring local ingredients.
What are your plans for the next three years or so?
Our plan for 2020 is to keep growing Kalye Artisano by introducing new tenants and merchants into the mix to offer visitors a full day destination where they can enjoy local dishes, interact with local artisans and join immersive experiences.
We love your Piopio clothes using local Inabel fabrics. How did that concept start? My venture into the fashion industry was purely coincidental. While travelling around the Philippines and researching for Kalye Artisano, I kept seeing beautiful weaves that inspired me to make them
relevant again. I wanted to ensure that the local craft is kept alive and passed on to the younger generation, so I created PIOPIO retail, a clothing brand that reimagines local textiles into everyday wear.
What is your ideal island/beach look? I love wearing our PIOPIO kaftan.
“While travelling around the Philippines and researching for Kalye Artisano, I kept seeing beautiful weaves that inspired me to make them relevant again. I created PIOPIO retail, a clothing brand that reimagines local textiles into everyday wear.”
What do you take with you on holiday?
A good juicy book, a PIOPIO beach poncho, and reef safe sunblock.
Top 5 souvenirs one must buy in El Nido. Pan de coco from Tambok’s panaderia or bakery, a traditional wood carved mask from Asiano in Kalye Artisano, KasoyKolate cashew chocolate bars made by the Sibaltan community, a recycled beer bottle finger drum from Ka Likha, and baskets from K-Art Collective.
The best thing about El Nido? The people and the limestone cliffs.
What’s your ideal day in El Nido? Breakfast at Kape Ni Manang (@
kapenimanang on FB), meetings with my team, surf at Duli Beach (about 24.7km or a 44-minute drive from El Nido town. Visit www.dulibeach.com), sunset drinks at Panorama (@panoramaelnido on FB), dinner at Tambok’s, and a nightcap at Jungle Bar.
Your top 5 unmissable places in El Nido? I’d say Panorama Boutique Hotel & Beach Club and bar, Lio Beach (www. lio.ph), Duli Beach, Kalye Artisano for shopping, and Maremegmeg Beach Club and Bar (@maremegmegbeachbar on FB).
Your top 5 favorite restaurants in El Nido? Maremegmeg Beach Club, Panorama, Tambok’s, Altrove (@altrovephilippines on FB), and Kape Ni Manang.
What are your favorite hotels in El Nido aside from the hotels in Lio? Why? Panorama, Dryft (@dryftcamp on FB), Birdhouse (@thebirdhouseelnido on FB), and Frangipani (@frangipanielnido on FB). All are well designed and unique.
Your top tips for first time visitors? Explore the inland as much as the islands. Engage with the local community as much as possible, be respectful and help keep our beaches clean.
ABOUT OUR ISLANDER
Paloma Urquijo Zobel is the founder and creative director at PIOPIO which was set up in 2016. She was also the co-founder of IDEA’yala which aims to encourage the youth to come up with innovative ideas and creative marketing concepts for the Ayala Malls in the Philippines. She studied at the Parsons School of Design and has a master’s degree from the Imperial College Business School for strategic marketing.
SEDA LIO – CATERING TO LEISURE, M.I.C.E., DESTINATION AND WEDDING MARKETS IN EL NIDO
Seda Lio in the 325-hectare Lio Tourism Estate in El Nido, Palawan, o ers a complete range of facilities and amenities catering to travelers in this vast tourism estate intended to make the world-famous attractions of El Nido more accessible to foreign and local travelers. Only a few minutes from the airport, the resort-hotel caters to leisure tourists; families; destination weddings; groups for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (M.I.C.E); and other discerning visitors to this stunning vacation spot that o ers modern facilities and conveniences, while showcasing the area’s biodiversity and spectacular natural attractions.
Guests can enjoy a wide range of facilities and amenities. Within the hotel grounds are the adults' and children's swimming pools, Seda Spa, Children’s Playroom, Game Room, Pool Bar and Misto restaurant. Misto is Seda Hotels’ signature restaurant and the
Italian word for “mixed.” It has the most extensive breakfast bu et in the area, made more attractive by its very reasonable rate.
Group General Manager Brett Hickey says, “We have a good combination of Western and Filipino dishes, an assortment of breads, cheeses and pastries, and other breakfast staples not commonly seen in other establishments.” The Seda Spa, he adds, has become the recommended place for quality massage and other wellness treatments, moreso for the privacy that the spa villas ensure. Both Misto and the spa are open to the public.
On the beach, non-motorized water sports are available like kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, pedal boating, as well as snorkeling. Ayala Malls’ Shops at Lio is just a short stroll away, and those who wish to go further out can arrange for island-hopping tours of Bacuit Bay’s iconic sites.
All the afore-mentioned advantages work just as well for team
Seda Lio offers a complete range of facilities in a prime location close to the Lio airport
building and incentive groups. In addition to having 153 rooms, its fully-equipped, air-conditioned function rooms can accommodate up to 150 people seated, even more with the adjoining outdoor patios of the main event venue. It also has three meeting rooms and two boardrooms.
Hickey says the resort aims to be a leading wedding and meetings destination in the country. Couples will appreciate the various options that allow them to make the occasion as traditional or unique as they want it to be: a beachfront wedding and reception; a more conventional indoor ceremony in one of the largest indoor venues in El Nido; outdoors in the gardens, or even poolside. Each venue has its own advantages, but all o ering great possibilities for this event of a lifetime.
Seda Lio is a low-rise structure with only three floors or no taller than the surrounding coconut trees in keeping with Lio Tourism Estate’s sustainable development masterplan. It is also adopting eco-friendly practices to limit its impact on its immediate environment.
“We will be addressing environmental concerns at Seda Lio,” Hickey explains, “in addition to o ering guests our brand of genuine Filipino hospitality aligned with the premier service standards o ered by top-tier destinations.”
Seda hotels are located in nine other locations in the Philippines, including Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Laguna, Makati, Quezon City and BGC, Taguig.
Address:
Lio Tourism Estate
Bgy. Villa Libertad El Nido, Palawan
T: (632) 7956 8888
E: lio@sedahotels.com sedahotels.com
13 OF THE BEST BUYS IN EL
Shopping may not be the main attraction in El Nido, yet of late this island paradise has become a great place for shopping local, from native baskets and tote bags and jewellery to foodie finds and arty face masks you wouldn't mind taking home to remember your island holiday by.
NIDO
Ana Kalaw and Archipelago's editors reveal their favorite island buys, from trendy tote bags and jewelry to foodie finds
Maldita Fiery Foods hot sauces. Made with habañero and jalapeño chilies, and a medley of fruits, these spicy sauces won the top award at the Chili Grower's Philippines hot sauce competition. Varying heat levels are available. Try the peaches and cream hot sauce, the hijo de fruita habanero hot sauce, and cariño brutal superhot sauce.
Maldita Fiery Foods hot sauces are priced from P140 for a small bottle to P280 for a big one. K Collective at Kalye Artisano, Lio Tourism Estate, El Nido, mobile +63 927 955 2321, @malditafieryfoods on Facebook. Find Kalye Artisano on Facebook @kalyeartisano.
BUY LOCAL. Arts and Craft at Kalye Artisano and the locally produced chocolate covered cashew nuts
KasuyKolate chocolate. Cashew nuts, one of Palawan’s most famous produce, are given a bittersweet artisanal upgrade by coating them in chocolate. Made by the Sibaltan Women Weavers Association of Barangay Sibaltan, El Nido, the KasuyKolate is moreish so buy more than one pack. Every centavo you spend buying this product helps improve the lives of El Nido’s entrepreneurial women. KasuyKolate is available at Mangaad at Kalye Artisano.
Beaded slip-ons. This gorgeous pair of beaded espadrilles adds liveliness to every step, and pair well with your classic little white dress. Cabañas by Tesoros at Shops @Lio, Lio tourism Estate, El Nido. Find Tesoros @tesorohandicrafts on Facebook.
Fashion jewelry. Beautifully made colorful dangly earrings which are on trend right now, bracelets, and native tote bags are available at shops at Kalye Artisano.
69slam printed swim trunks
These colorful, alternative printed swim trunks by fun lifestyle brand 69slam (www.69slam.com) are available at shops at Vanilla Beach (www.vanillabeach.com.ph).
Wood carved mask . This one is already on my shopping list. The intricately carved and decorated mask is available from Asiano Arts and Crafts.
Find them @AsianoArtsCrafts on Facebook.
Mermaid dolls. These adorable handmade dolls make for great gifts to friends, both young and young and heart.
Available at K Collective at Kalye Artisano for P700 to P1,200.
Bambuhay woven lanterns are often seen hanging from some of El Nido’s coolest bars and restaurants. Available at Mangaad at Kalye Artisano, Lio Tourism Estate, El Nido.
Woven tangkip baskets are beautifully shaped baskets traditionally used to store everything from condiments to grains, sundry to linen.
From P450 to P850 at K Collective at Kalye Artisano.
Amihan Sunbug Screen offers a double dose of defense. This aromatic product is made from natural essential oils and non nano zinc oxide. Certified skin- and ecofriendly.
Priced at P320, Salt & Sun at Shops @Lio, Lio Tourism Estate, www.lio.ph.
Get the island vibe: beaded espadrilles, dangly earrings, bamboo cutlery, and tote bags are on our editors' wish list
Bamboo cutlery sets make a great eco gift. Ditch plastic by carrying around this lightweight bamboo set on your travels.
Priced at P350, at Mangaad at Kalye Artisano.
Watercolor paintings and wooden carvings by local artists.
From P1,500 at Art Kompak at Kalye Artisano.
SaIsla Wild Forest Honey
This 100% pure raw natural honey is unprocessed, unaltered, and has never been heated.
Available at Kalye Artisano.
OH WHAT FUN!
A GUIDE TO FESTIVE EL NIDO
Island residents tell us how best to enjoy the festive season, from island hopping, a dance-till-you-drop boozy party, to fireworks night
BY LORY ALBA
SHAUN BOAG Manager, Submariner Diving Center
Clockwise from bottom, party prepping at Sava Beach Bar, El Nido town, and one of Kraken's outrigger boats for island hopping
WHAT TO DO? “It’s a very busy time of the year and everyone is happy around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. There are a lot of firework shows so the main beach lights up with a free display of colour for everyone to see. But I’d say SAVA Bar is the place to be for New Year’s Eve. You have to buy your ticket early though as there are only limited spots.”
WHAT TO DO? SAVA is a modern beach bar serving world-class cocktails using only premium liquor and imported ingredients. It is located right on the beach side where tourist boats dock, so it’s a convenient stop off and the best
place to go after a day of island hopping. Every year, they host the biggest holiday party on the island with international guest DJs. Tickets run out fast, so it’s best to get yours as soon as you can. Calle Hama, Barangay Masagana, El Nido. To know more about their year-end party, email savabeachbar@gmail.com or send a message on Facebook @SAVABeachBar
VICKI ABARY
Co-owner, SAVA Beach Bar
WHAT TO DO: “I have not yet spent Christmas in El Nido as my family is based in Manila and I usually spend it with them. But our New Year’s Eve party at SAVA is off the hook. We bring in guest DJs from Manila, have fireworks, the whole bit. We sell tickets to control the crowd, so if you are in El Nido for New Year’s, be sure to reserve as we sell out quickly. For the best night life, I’m totally biased, are you sure I can’t say SAVA? The sunset scene at Republica is pretty awesome, and if you are lucky to catch it, The Beach Shack’s Full Moon party.” WHY GO? The excellent cocktails at SAVA puts it on our list of things not to miss in El Nido. Republica is a Spanish restaurant and bar, serving great food. Its sunset views alone make it worth a visit. And the Beach Shack is known for its awesome full moon party.
Visit @SAVABeachBar on Facebook, Republica on www.republicasunsetbar. com, tel +63 905 486 2499, and thebeachshackelnido on FB, tel +63 917 577 7513.
EVA AND JEREMY ASTON
Owners, Café Athena and District Bar & Kitchen
WHAT TO DO? “Well it is a bit of a cliche but we love being able to go to the beach or go island hopping on Christmas and Boxing day. Because we are in a touristic destination, everyone is here to have a great time, and there are plenty of options for dining and celebrating during the festive season. Of course our must-dos are Café Athena for Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinner, and then off to District for a fun party. Other places worth checking out are SAVA Bar in town, Maremegmeg Beach Bar & Panorama
in Corong-Corong and The Gardens in Nacpan. They will all be organizing an event of some sort.”
WHY GO? Café Athena is a gorgeous open, beachfront restaurant that serves authentic Greek cuisine with fantastic views of the rock formations over Bacuit Bay. For Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Café Athena will have a special set menu. Tip: It usually gets packed so make sure to book ahead.Newlyopened District Bar and Kitchen is best for savory Vietnamese-inspired dishes and bar snacks paired with cocktails. Join District’s New Year’s Eve (NYE) party, and usher in 2020 in style.
Café Athena is at Serena Street, Brgy, Buena Suerte, El Nido, mobile +63 977 830 0732. District Bar + Kitchen is at Osmena Street, El Nido and is open from 11:30 AM-2AM. Find them on Facebook @district.philippines.
JEREMIE GREEN
Co-owner, The Gardens Day Club
WHAT TO DO? “The holiday, that two-day period of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, is a time for family and for friends. We make sure that the staff and everybody at The Gardens are all able to come together as one big family and celebrate. There’s the New Year’s Eve party at Happiness Bar which we started about three years ago. It’s just good to bring together people from all over the world to just enjoy themselves and have a good time. This year is the first year for The Gardens and we’re doing a New Year’s pool party during the day.”
WHY GO? The Gardens Day Club is water party place central for adults from 18 years, with a 10-meter tall water slide, a salt water pool, and a custom mural bar. The Gardens Day Club is at Nacpan Beach Road, El Nido, tel +63 916 527 5559. Happiness Bar is a charming bar and restaurant that serves vegan-friendly, Middle Eastern food with a Mediterranean twist. Try the margarita or piña colada with their delicious house fries. Happiness Bar is along Serena Street, El Nido, mobile +63 966 972 9264. Find them on Facebook @happinessphilippines.
REMY ELLIOT
Owner, Karuna Villas El Nido
WHAT TO DO? “The best thing about being in El Nido this time of the year is that the weather is pretty good, the seas are clear, I can get the boat and spend three to four hours in my favorite snorkelling spots around Bacuit Bay. From where we are located on the hill, on
The underwater tunnel at Dilumacad Island, and holiday fun at Gardens Day Club's 10-meter tall water slide
the Corong Corong side, we can see all the fireworks going on. So yeah, it’s just great. We’re planning a special dinner for Christmas at Karuna, and something for New Year’s Eve as well.”
WHY GO? Karuna El Nido Villas is located up on a hillside, with spectacular panoramic views of Bacuit Bay and its towering limestone cliffs. Stay in one of their luxurious pool villa and joglos, all modernized versions of the ancient Indonesian Joglo design.
Karuna El Nido Villas is at Barangay Corong Corong, El Nido, www. karunaelnido.com, tel +63 926 087 4782.
BORJA RIBES GARCIA
Co-owner, Panorama Boutique Hotel and Beach Club
WHAT TO DO? “This coming Christmas is gonna be my 5th year celebrating here in El Nido. My first time was in 2015. I remember it was a little bit different for me because normally I spend this time with my family and friends on the mountains skiing. But it was so easy to adapt myself with the amazing views of El Nido, the weather, the food, the beaches and all my new local friends from here. During this season, people just want to enjoy places like SAVA, Pangolin, Maremegmeg or Panorama Beach Club that bring good DJs from Manila or international DJs to make sure people have a memorable night. For us at Panorama, every January 1st, we organize a brunch event at the Beach Club for people who want to spend their first day of the year with us, starting at 12 PM with DJs until 10PM. As a tradition, we offer seafood paella, tapas, and beers for our first in-house and walk-in guests.” WHY GO? Panorama Beach Club's location is its biggest draw. Corong Corong, about eight minutes from El Nido town, is acknowledged by locals to have the best sunset views. And Panorama Beach Club, which opens out right on the beach, with day beds on the deck, makes full use of nature’s asset. It’s also a favorite place of El Nido’s who’s who.
Panorama Beach Club is at Sitio Lugadia, Barangay Corong Corong, El Nido, Palawan, mobile +63 998 240 5291.
NACPAN BEACH GLAMPING
The latest luxury tented experience has arrived in El Nido
WITH NACPAN BEACH GLAMPING
The magnificent setting of Nacpan Beach Glamping — an icing sugar beach and lush forest
It was my first night under canvas with all the luxury of a five-star hotel at Nacpan Beach Glamping. It was Headspace quiet, with just the sound of waves lashing against the rocks, and leaves rustling in the wind. My low queen size bed was so comfortable I felt suitably cocooned under immaculate white bedlinen and didn’t want to ever leave. And with no TV and just the sound of nature, it wasn’t too long before I was fast asleep.
The following morning, the sunlight streaming in woke me up to the now familiar sound of waves. A few more days under canvas and I’d have my out of sync body clock successfully reset, if I am to believe proponents of the tented experience. Natural light does your body good and the views don’t hurt either. Right outside my door was an icing sugar white-sand beach, the four-kilometre plus Nacpan Beach, one of the finest in the world, and one of twin beaches.
Located on the northwestern side of El Nido, about an hour’s boat ride from El Nido main town, the Twin Beach of Nacpan and Calitang , two white-sand beaches separated by a hill, are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Nacpan, the glamping site’s location, has a longer shoreline than Calitang which is more like a little cove, with gentle waves. Lots of boats dock on Calitang's side because it's close to a fishing village. The Nacpan side is more private and peaceful.
LUXURY UNDER CANVAS. Nacpan Beach Glamping has only nine glamping Tianhai tents in all with a private verandah, each facing the sea or the mountains, but either way you’re only a short walk from the shore. These tents are sturdy, made from 360gsm (that’s grams per square meter and is the metric measurement of the weight of a fabric) canvas and heavy-duty cotton canvas. They are fitted with zipped mesh windows and PVC windows, allowing you the choice of enjoying the cool sea breeze or zipping up to let the aircon do its work. Whatever the weather — and in this part of the world it’s usually hot and sunny — you’ll still feel secure and sleep soundly.
My tent was suitably luxurious, with two queen size beds for up to four people and flooring covered by beautiful native-style sisal rugs.
There are two comfortable designer seats, two pouffes, a small table, Japanese paper pendant light, bedside lamps, fridge freezer, one big electric fan and three smaller fans. Airconditioning is available only at night. And there’s a small safe for valuables.
The tent is spacious and comfortable, the size of a standard hotel double room. The interiors, a palette of desert beige, is rather Out-of-Africa romantic. No wonder these luxurious tents are a hit with honeymooners and couples. There have been numerous instances when staff have happily arranged private dinners right on the beach for marriage proposals and honeymooning couples. The majority of guests come from Asia, with an increasing number coming from Europe and North and South America.
ACTIVITIES. With only a handful of tents at Nacpan, you do get a degree of privacy and can often stake your claim to your own patch of sand for a blissful day of sunbathing, swimming, snorkelling or if you so wish, island hopping. You can curate your experience as you see fit — doing as little as possible or going action mad.
Nacpan Beach Glamping offers complimentary sunset sailing, with the boat departing at 5pm every day for an hour. Private sailing trips and private romantic dinners on the beach can be arranged. Kayaks and stand up paddleboards can also be rented from the front desk. Just recently, Nacpan added a swimming pool to its facilities and there’s a poolside bar for guests to enjoy. You can book massages in your tent or right on the beach.
Free activities for guests include classes in traditional
methods of origami using coconut leaves, exploring Nacpan’s massive garden with all its plants identified and labelled, sitting around the campfire at night for some games, or booking adventure and island-hopping tours.
El Nido town, with its various shops and restaurants is just a half-hour drive away and a good jumping off point for more island hopping, snorkeling and scuba diving.
MEET THE ISLAND RESIDENTS. If you book between December and May, you just might get lucky and meet Nacpan’s VIP residents, the sea turtles and its turtle hatchlings being released to sea. Nacpan is one of the
From left: Nacpan's pool, and inside one of the luxurious glamping tents
biggest nesting grounds for sea turtles in El Nido and has actively protected turtle nests. To date it has released some 10,000 hatchlings with a success rate of 80%. The Nacpan Beach Glamping and Sunmai Hatchery has been privately funded entirely by the resort and restaurant. Every guest booking with Nacpan helps to support the program. A turtle conservationist from Ayala’s Ten Knots Corporation has helped Nacpan train and educate staff and local residents on turtle protection. Nacpan plans to start an “Adopt a Turtle” program, allowing others to support conservation efforts.
Environmental efforts include installing a state of the art STP allowing water to be recycled and reused to water the gardens.
ESSENTIALS
NACPAN BEACH GLAMPING is at Nacpan Beach, El Nido, www. nacpanbeachglamping.com, tel +63 956 234 0162. An overnight stay in a beachfront glamping tent for two costs from P7,500 a night. A tent can accommodate up to four. The nearest airport is El Nido Airport (30 minutes away). There is also an airport in Puerto Princesa, but it’s a five-hour van ride from Puerto Princesa to El Nido town. Nacpan Beach Glamping is on Nacpan beach about 45 minutes (22km) north of El Nido town. There’s a Nacpan Shuttle Service from El Nido town. Their office is inside the Discover El Nido office in Amboy Street, a short walk south from the beach. The shuttle will drop you directly beside the entrance to Nacpan Glamping. The shuttle can also pick you up from El Nido airport. For details visit www.discoverelnido.com
FOOD AND DRINKS. Meals are served at Nacpan Sunmai Restaurant, which is right next door to the campsite and has great views. Get there for sunset and enjoy a drink (or two) before dinner.
The menu is international, but there are also Filipino dishes such as sisig , grilled tanigue fish, and spicy squid. Also on the menu are Japanese dishes, lamb stew, lasagna, and Korean stir fried rice noodles, and vegetarian choices. The kitchen uses only choice ingredients mainly sourced locally. At the helm are Filipino head chefs Jojo Alog and Eddison Ramirez, who each brings 15 years experience in five-star resorts in Southeast Asia.
Top right: Nacpan Sunmai Restaurant
EL NIDO
GET YOUR BEARINGS
El Nido in northern Palawan, about 420 kilometers southwest of Manila, is known for its stunning beaches, virgin islands and limestone cliffs. It is the gateway to Bacuit Bay, and all its 45 limestone islands and islets, all remarkable for their unique topography — featuring lagoons, caves, sandy beaches, and thriving reefs. In the distance, the jagged peaks of the islands are beautiful from almost any angle and at any time of day.
El Nido is part of the Coral Triangle, a marine area in the western Pacific Ocean named for its wealth of corals and marine species. It is home to 16 endemic bird species, Palawan-endemic marine mammals like the endangered sea cow, marine turtles, about 200 fish species and about 50 types of hard corals. Swifts, hunted for their prized eggs used in the Chinese Nido soup, nest in El Nido’s limestone cliffs and caves.
El Nido also raises the bar in eco-consciousness and sustainability, setting it apart from many tourist destinations in the country. Guests of resorts are encouraged to contribute in small ways to the area’s environmental protection.
GETTING THERE
There are a couple of ways to get to El Nido from Manila. One is to fly direct from Manila onboard AirSWIFT (www.air-swift.com) to El Nido’s private
Lio Airport. Or fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa, Palawan's captial. From there, it’s a five to six-hour van or bus ride to El Nido. Visit www.kayak. com.ph to browse flights .
AIRPORT
Lio Airport has a modern, tropical resort-inspired terminal, and is quite compact, which means you can walk from the tarmac to the front gate in less than five minutes. On arrival, airport staff serenade you while you wait to collect your bags, definitely a pleasant way to arrive.
At departure, drinks and native snacks are served while you wait to board your flight.
GETTING AROUND
AirSWIFT (www.air-swift.com) is the only carrier operating direct flights to El Nido, Palawan. The flight from Manila is one and a half hours, departing from Ninoy Aquino Internatiional Airport (NAIA) terminal 4, often called the Old Domestic Airport in Pasay City. Flights land at El Nido’s private Lio Airport. Lio Airport is the jump off point to your island adventure in El Nido. It is located in Villa Libertad, approximately four kilometers away from El Nido town proper. From Lio Airport, you can take a 30-minute tricycle ride to town. A tricycle is a three-wheeled motorbike service, with a carriage for passengers.
The
Guide
ISSUE 01 | 2020
Tricycles are the main means of transportation. Fares are from P150 to P400. Tricycle fare from the main town to Lio Tourism Estate, a 5.4km ride, is about P300; tricycle from Corong-Corong to Lio (about 6.7km), P400; tricycle from Maligaya to Lio (5.7km) is about P300. Most hotels can also arrange airport pick up and transfers.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The good news is that El Nido is great for a visit year-round, as the islands generally do not get hit by typhoons. Plan your visit between November to May, the dry season, to enjoy a pleasant climate.
MONEY
There is an ATM machine in El Nido town but it is best to bring Philippine pesos with you.
COMMUNICATION
El Nido town and Lio generally have good internet. However, some parts of the island suffer from weak signal. Buy a local sim card (Globe or Smart) before heading to El Nido.
TOURISM INFORMATION
For more info, contact El Nido Tourism office, mobile +63 919 002 1339, NIPAP Bldg., Real St., Masagana 5313, El Nido.
Visit www.elnido-official.com or @talindak on Facebook.
The Sandbar on Lagen Island
WAYS TO ENJOY SUBLIME
Heaven’s a beach:
El Nido’s whitefringed Bulalakaw Island
GET YOUR BEARINGS
El Nido in northern Palawan, about an hour’s flight from Manila, is the gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago, with its stunning beaches, virgin islands and limestone cliffs. Bacuit has some 45 limestone islands and islets, and the clearest waters this side of the planet.
Island hop around Bacuit Bay
El Nido is no longer an under-the-radar destination, with about 160,000 tourists visiting each year. Thankfully, with close to 50 islands to explore, you can still find plenty of uninhabited islands to play Robinson Crusoe on, or have a picnic lunch between island-hopping tours. Tours with a group cost as little as P2,500 per person (about US$46). Most tours start at 9AM and takes about eight hours, covering some 5-8 stops, depending on how long you’d like to linger in one spot.
Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon on Miniloc Island are two spots you won’t want to miss. They’re spectacular and almost ringed-in by towering, mystical limestone cliffs. Other stops include the Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, 7 Commando Beach, Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Star Beach, and Hidden Beach, all beach lovers’ paradise.
Matinloc Island, the longest island in El Nido, is where you’ll find Secret Beach, a hidden pocket of white sand beach. Go snorkelling around Dilumacad Island, also called Helicopter Island because of its shape. Take a selfie at the popular Matinloc Shrine (there’s an entrance fee of about 100).
It’s smart to time your El Nido visit off peak, sometime October to November, when there’s less people. The peak season is usually from December to May.
Kraken El Nido, mobile +63 908 895 4401.
Hit the trails on a motorbike, passing secondary and dirt backroads, discovering El Nido’s interior, its mountains, jungle, secret beaches and local village life. Nani Montoro, one of Panorama Boutique Hotel & Beach Club's owners, organizes motorbike trips for experienced riders only.
For motorcycle tours, contact @lakwatseromotorcycles on Facebook.
PHOTO BY REYREY OCHAVEZ
See turtle hatchlings make their way to the sea
El Nido is a haven for sea turtles, with at least three out of five species of turtles in the Philippines — all considered threatened — known to nest in some of its beaches. The Ten Knots Group, composed of El Nido Resorts and Lio Tourism Estate, actively protect turtle nests and care for turtle hatchlings. Book a stay sometime September to April, the turtle nesting season, in one of the group's resorts known to protect turtle nests, and if you’re lucky, get the chance to see hatchlings make their way to the sea. In October 2018, Pangulasian Island Resort released 152 green sea turtle hatchlings to the sea.
Other resorts in the area such as Duli Beach Resort has the Hawksbill sea turtle and the Green sea turtle nesting on its beaches from November to February. The resort protects the nests from poachers and animals until they are ready to head out to sea.
On the 120-meter beach on Dilumacad island, also known locally as Helicopter island, the Asian Conservation Foundation (ACF) releases hundreds of turtle hatchlings. Since 2016, the island has become a turtle hatchery, a place where the ACF transfers endangered turtles for care and protection. The hatchery is a safe nesting ground for local turtles to lay their eggs. While the beach itself is open to the public, the hatchery is private.
Visit www.elnidoresorts.com, www.dulibeach.com, and www.asianconserve.com.
Look out for baby blacktip reef sharks
Baby blacktip reef shark sightings in El Nido are quite rare and are usually from December to February, the plankton season, although there have been sightings outside this period. At the luxury Cauayan Resort in Cauayan Island, El Nido, you’re almost guaranteed to see baby blacktip sharks, often swimming freely in the shallows close to the beachfront villas. The resort has spa rooms with huge picture windows looking out to sea, perfect for spying on the gentle marine creatures while having a massage. Cauayan Island, where baby blacktip reef sharks seem to have set up residence, is nestled in the midst of a virgin tropical jungle.
The 120-meter beach on Dilumacad Island, also known locally as Helicopter Island, is a favorite stopover area for tourists on islandhopping trips
Cauayan Island, Bacuit Bay, El Nido, www.cauayanresort.com, mobile +63 919 587 7350.
Get ready to party
El Nido has always had a great beach party scene, but in recent times has moved a little upmarket with cocktails you’ll never forget. SAVA Beach Bar in El Nido town is leading the cocktail revolution.
Lonely Planet calls it “a contemporary cocktail bar/ club worthy of El Nido’s status as a rising international starlet.” This is the place to hang out at the end of a long day of island hopping (or sunbathing). Try an English fizz, SAVA sensation, espresso martini, piña colada or fruit daiquiri.
British mixologist and general manager Anthony White is in charge of the concoctions and only top quality booze is used. The bar’s location is just perfect.
It extends on to the beach where bean bags are scattered around low tables, perfect for watching the glorious El Nido sunsets. At 10PM, SAVA morphs into a beach club with DJs.
Cocktails are from P300 and happy hour is from 4-6PM. If you’re peckish, try the cheeseburger, garlic Parmesan chicken wings or nachos.
SAVA Beach Bar, Calle Hama, Barangay Masagana, El Nido, open daily from 4PM-2AM. Email savabeachbar@gmail.com, mobile +63 928 964 6743.
Sail around El Nido in style
Luxury boat tours are available with El Nido Yachting Club offering group boat tours and private boat rentals. The club has speedboats, a 16-meter catamaran, and other vessels, allowing you to travel in style around Bacuit Bay. Book a 7-hour tour of El Nido’s islands on board a catamaran for P3,500 per person, or take the same tour on a 7-meter twin engine speedboat for P5,000.
For half-day or full-day private trips, renting a whole boat costs from P20,000. Not only will you get an added level of luxury, but you’ll also get to skip the usual crowded areas and instead explore hidden, exclusive destinations not covered by most tours.
El Nido Yachting Club, Unit K-5, 2nd floor, Lio Tourism Estate, El Nido. Visit www.elnidoyachtingclub.com, mobile +63 917 555 8817.
Surf in Duli Beach
Duli Beach in northern Palawan is at the center of El Nido’s surf scene, with a two-kilometer stretch of sandy beach offering a pretty consistent swell from November to April. The beach itself is beautiful, backed by a lush forest, and fringed by golden sand. There is not much tourism in the area yet so it's pretty quiet. Duli Beach Resort has spacious bungalows with balconies facing the sea for about P3,000 for two, including breakfast. Surfboards are about P1,000 a day and lessons extra; motorbikes are P600 a day.
Visit www.dulibeach.com or get in touch on Facebook @dulibeach.
SAVA BEACH BAR PHOTO BY KYLE SHIH
El Nido's trendy SAVA Beach Bar
08
Try some of the best scuba diving in the world
El Nido is part of the Coral Triangle, a marine area in the western Pacific Ocean named for its wealth of corals and marine species. It’s home to the endangered sea cow, marine turtles, some 200 fish species and about 50 types of hard corals, making it a paradise for divers of every level, from novice to full-blown expert.
Popular dive sites include South Miniloc for its amazing cabbage coral and a good chance of seeing
stingrays, sea turtles and perhaps manta rays; North Rock for its pelagic life; Dilumacad Tunnel for a challenging dive targeted at experienced divers; and Cave Paglugaban for its rock formations and many swim-throughs. El Nido is a great place to learn diving or indulge in a fun dive with several PADI centers in El Nido town.
Submariner Diving Center offers fun dives, night dives, open water and PADI specialty courses, as well as Dive Seafaris that go from El Nido to Coron, Palawan. Visit www.submarinerdiving.com, mobile +63 917 140 1188.
Matinloc Shrine, a popular stopover
While there are lots of places to watch the epic sunset in El Nido, Panorama Boutique Hotel and Beach Club stands out because you get the best seats in the house. The resort — on the west coast just south of El Nido town — is a laidback place with friendly staff; the ideal sort to order a cold drink and watch Mother Nature’s show.
Another place to catch the sunset is Maremegmeg Beach, to the south of El Nido town. There are several small resorts and casual little bars along the beach where you can order a cocktail or a beer and grab yourself a deckchair on the sand. The popular and informal Maremegmeg Beach Bar has a two-hour happy hour from 4PM.
Panorama Beach Club, Sitio Lugadia, Corong Corong, El Nido, mobile +63 998 240 5291.
powered retreat on a quiet part of Bulang Beach in northeastern Palawan. It is about 45 minutes drive from El Nido town. The resort has seven bamboo cottages and villas, a yoga pavilion, and a large swimming pool. It's quiet with only the relaxing sound of waves crashing onto the beach. The phone signal here is also patchy.
Lio Beach has a 3.8 kilometer Lio Eco-Trail for those who'd like the chance to encounter native and endemic species like the talusi or Palawan hornbill, white-vented shama, long-tailed macaque, and the Palawan treeshrew. The trail takes about 30-45 minutes to walk and ends at a view deck 82 meters above sea level, offering stunning panoramic views of Bacuit Bay.
For inquiries, stop by the Lio Beach Activity Hut located across Jungle Bar in El Nido or message Lio Beach on Facebook @LioElnido.
Nacpan Beach Glamping is on Nacpan Beach, El Nido, www. nacpanbeachglamping.com. Qi Palawan is in San Fernando, El Nido, www.qipalawan.com, mobile +63 939 925 9433.
If you’d like a more tranquil and secluded stay in El Nido, away from the hectic social scene and activities, head to Nacpan Beach Glamping, 45 minutes north of El Nido town. Its biggest draw, aside from the chance of sleeping under canvas, under the stars, is its location. Nacpan Beach is one of the finest beaches in El Nido. WiFi is available but is patchy, so grab the chance to have a tech detox. Or stay at Qi Palawan, a solar
Pay a visit to Ayala’s Lio Tourism Estate development, just to the north of El Nido airport, which has everything from chic accommodation to buzzy beachfront restaurants and some tempting native shopping. You can buy local crafts and clothes in a number of small shops. Kalye Artisano brings together a number of small outlets that sell sustainable fashion and works of art. There are also regular market days with live music and delicious native food prepared by women from nearby villages. The “estate” itself has a number of boutique resorts on a stunning 4km crescent beach. There is a good choice of bars and restaurants and plenty of activities including yoga, paddleboarding, surfing and windsurfing.
Visit www.lio.ph. Check out @kalyeartisano on Facebook.
Manille Beach Bar along Lio Beach
OF THE BEST BEACHES IN EL NIDO, PALAWAN
It’s the holy grail of travellers — the perfect icing-sugar sand beach with clear, turquoise waters, swaying palm trees, and not a soul in sight. Archipelago writers pick their favorites
Entalula Beach
Its name alone is magical and mysterious. Entalula beach is a picturesque destination, with over 250 meters of fine white sand lined by coconut trees, and waters the color of turquoise and emerald. The beach is great for swimming, and is a favorite place for picnic lunches and sports like introductory rock-climbing. Dive sites are located in the west south side of the island.
Secret Beach
Found on Matinloc Island, Secret Beach is a sinkhole which you enter by snorkeling into a small opening through a limestone wall. At the corner of the sinkhole is a 10-meter white sand beach, the island’s secret beach. At noon, the sun streams in through the opening, allowing a play of light and shadow against the beautiful rock formations.The beach floor drops abruptly. There are four dive sites around the island with the one at the south tip of Matinloc being the deepest at 39 meters. Best to visit when the sea is calm.
Helicopter Island
The 120-meter beach on Dilumacad island or Helicopter island is another favorite stopover for snorkeling, swimming and picnic lunches. But on some days, you might just be lucky and find you have the island all to yourself. For divers, there is an underwater tunnel at the northern side of the island and a fringing reef on the southern side. The sea floor drops abruptly here. Both ends of the beach have snorkeling spots
Pangulasian Beach
Pangulasian Island is El Nido Resorts' private "ecoluxury island" in Bacuit Bay. It has a 750-meter stretch of pristine white-sand beach, crystal clear Philippine tropical waters, a marine sanctuary at its doorstep, and enviable views of the sunrise and sunset. A trail located in the middle of the island is a good place for birdwatching. The trail ends at the peak of the island and provides a magnificent 360-degree view of Bacuit Bay and nearby islands. On the eastern part of the island, there's a 50-meter white-sand beach, a perfect spot to spend the day, away from other resort guests.
Pangulasian Resort (www.elnidoresorts.com) has 42 deluxe contemporary Filipino cottages and villas, all built to take advantage of the stunning beach views. The Beach Villa, which has immediate access to the pristine beach, costs from about P46,000 a night and can accommodate three people. You have to be a guest at the resort to gain access to the island.
Bulang Beach
Located on the northeast coast of San Fernando, El Nido is the quiet, hidden Bulang Beach. It is situated some 55 minutes away from El Nido town and offers little to no phone and Internet reception, so you will definitely get the solitude and digital detox that you desire. But visit during the wind season (November to March) and watch the beach come alive with kite boarders who ride the waters while enjoying the views of far off Linapacan.
Pangulasian Island, El Nido
Nacpan-Calitang Twin Beach
Situated on the northwestern side of El Nido, about an hour’s boat ride from El Nido main town, the Twin Beach of Nacpan and Calitang, two white-sand beaches separated by a hill, are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Nacpan is a 5-kilometer stretch of whitesand beach with an undercurrent to be mindful of, while Calitang is smaller, like a little cove, with gentler waves. Lots of boats dock on Calitang's side because it's close to a fishing village. Nacpan is quieter.
Hidden Beach
Hidden Beach is a popular stopover for those on island hopping tours. The beach is not immediately visible, hidden by limestone cliffs, hence the name. Its entrance is too narrow and immediate waters too shallow for boats to pass through so you will have to swim or walk to reach the gorgeous white sand beach cove.
Sandbar
The Sandbar, a 25-meter-long private beach at the back of Lagen Island Resort (www.elnidoresorts.com) in El Nido and 45 minutes away from El Nido town, is a great place for a romantic dinner under the stars. It's also a favorite location for island weddings and has been witness to many marriage proposals. Lagen Island Resort usually arranges lunch and dinner picnics on this private beach for its guests. Non guests are allowed on the beach if they give the resort advance notice.
Cadlao Island
Cadlao island, about a 25-minute boat ride from El Nido town, is known locally as a ‘‘mini-Tahiti.’’ It has six beaches — Sandigan, Paradise, Sunset, Natnat, Subang, and Kalarangan — all fine, creamy white sand beaches with a gradually sloping sea floor and crystal clear waters, perfect for snorkeling and swimming. It is also home to Cadlao Lagoon or Ubugon Cove, which has the highest limestone peak in El Nido at 609 meters above sea level.
Pinagbuyutan Island
From the waters, Pinagbuyutan island is enchanting to look at. Tall vertical cliffs with a white-sand beach dotted with coconut trees. It’s something fresh off a postcard! The beach has shallow waters close to the shore, perfect for a leisurely dip. Surrounding the island are colorful reefs, offering amazing diving and snorkeling.
Above, the 130-meter long Snake Island; below, Pinagbuyutan Island
Snake Island
Located near Pangulasian island, Vigan island is referred to as ‘’Snake Island’’ because of its fine natural sandspit sandbar the shape of a snake. The 130-meter long sandspit, popular with tourists, is clearly visible only when the tide is low. Enjoy swimming around the island as there are shallow swimming areas on both sides.
Tapiutan Island
Further out of Bacuit Bay is Tapiutan (pronounced tap-wee-tan) Island, majestic for its vertical limestone walls and rich marine life. Located here is Star Beach, named such because it is home to hundreds and perhaps thousands of starfishes. Talisay Beach, also located here, is about 50m long and is a heart spot for snorkelling.
Maremegmeg Beach
Located in Corong-corong, about 30 minutes away from El Nido main town center, Maremegmeg is quite a developed beach, with a few resorts and restaurants on the island. It has a nice long stretch of sandy beach, about 900m long, with a seabed that slopes gradually. Locals and tourists, however, come here not just for the beach, but for the best sunset views in El Nido. The main beach has an unobstructed view of Bacuit Bay.
HOW TO GET THERE. Book your AirSWIFT flight to El Nido, Palawan on www.air-swift.
com. From Lio Airport, it’s about a 30-45 minute drive to El Nido town. Tricycles are the most common means of transportation
Imorigue Island and Bacuit Beach
The star of Imorigue island is what's underwater rather than on shore. Imorigue is the only karst island on the eastern side of El Nido, surrounded by spectacular diving and snorkeling sites. Expect impressive corals and schools of tropical fish. If you don't want to snorkel or dive, there's a 20-meter stretch of beach on the island called Bacuit beach where you can laze about and swim.
7 Commandos Beach
This is a rather huge beach, stretching to about 200300 meters with fine white sand, crystal clear water, gradually sloping sandy seabed, safe for small children to wade in. About five meters on the left hand side of the beach is a snorkeling area where you can spot corals and schools of small fish. There are no amenities available so bring your beach mat, umbrella, hat, food and drink if you plan to stay all day.
Maosonon Island
Located in Sibaltan village, Maosonon is a small privately-owned uninhabited island (except for the caretaker’s family) with 500 meters of pristine whitesand beach. There are small makeshift huts on the beach where you can take shelter from the sun. No electricity, no resorts or any other structure mean you get bare, idyllic beauty.
Our thanks to Marte Abueg for the El Nido coverage, and to Ferdz Decena and Arvin Acosta, El Nido’s tourism officer, for information on the various beaches. (You may get in touch with El Nido Tourism via Facebook, elnidotourism@hotmail.com, or +63 919 002 1339.)
but can be pricey since most locations in El Nido are spread out. There are many boat operators and tour guides that offer island hopping tours, but it’s always best to ask your hotel for recommendations. Kraken El Nido offers special tours onboard the famous Kraken boat. Find them on Facebook @KrakenElNido or call +63 908 895 4401
THE BEST TIME TO GO is from March to June when the waters are calm. For more on El Nido, visit www.archipelago.com.ph
Sunset at Maremegmeg Beach
WHERE TO STAY
THE ISLANDS
El Nido Resorts' tropical island resorts rank highly among hotels in El Nido. The group is big on sustainable tourism and has its own sustainability director. Choose from eco-discovery island resort Miniloc Island, the eco-luxury island of Pangulasian, and Lagen Island, a 2.7 hectare property set on a forested limestone island with rich wildlife. Book until February 2020 using the promo code INFLIGHT2019 to avail of special promotions. Visit www.elnidoresorts.com or email holiday@ elnidoresorts.com.
Dryft Camp is an eco-friendly tented accommodation on a private island beach north of El Nido, a 45-minute ride from El Nido town. It runs solely on solar power. Darocotan Island, Barangay Teneguiban, El Nido, @dryftcamp on Facebook.
LIO TOURISM ESTATE
If you’d like to be a short distance from the airport and close to Lio Beach and just a few minutes to El Nido town and its amenities, then stay at one of the hotels at Lio Tourism Estate (LER), Ayala’s 325 hectare tourism development. Located about 5.4km or a 25-minute drive northeast of the main town of El Nido, Lio has hotels and resorts, residential communities, and shops. Beachfront hotels here are 40 meters away from the shore and built following strict architectural guidelines such as no building beyond the height of coconut trees and no loud sounds and striking lights to disturb the wildlife. The plan is to build on only 55 percent of the land area (about 179 hectares), leaving the rest to nature reserves and natural space.
Casa Kalaw is a 42-room, two-storey beachfront resort with rooms designed around its pool area.
From P5,600 a night in a deluxe room for two. Visit www.casakalaw.com, tel +632 7902 5969.
Balai Adlao is a 20-room modern tropical
island resort targetted at couples and honeymooners. Rooms are airconditioned with a balcony and terrace, and some with a beach view.
From P4,500 in a deluxe room. Visit www. balaiadlao.com.
Hotel Covo is a 20-room hotel with rooms from 23sqm-studios to the 24sqm superior and deluxe rooms for two. Rooms are painted all white livened up by brightly colored accessories and wood accents. Targeted at European backpackers and millennials, the resort provides ample spaces in its garden and lounge for hanging out.
From P3,600 a night in a studio room. Visit www. hotelcovo.com.
Seda Lio is a 153-room hotel targetted at both business and leisure travellers, with facilities for meetings and incentive groups, and destination weddings. Choose from the 45sqm deluxe room to the 90sqm Seda suite, complete with a separate living and dining room and kitchenette, bath tub, and large balcony. Seda Lio has three
interconnected swimming pools, a pool bar, Misto Restaurant, and spa villas. Visit www.lio.sedahotels.com.
EL NIDO TOWN
The Apartments at El Nido offers various sized self contained apartment units, from the 45sqm one-bedroom apartment to the two-bedroom apartment for up to eight people.
El Nido Town, El Nido, www.aptelnido.com, tel +63 48 716 2428. You can also book on airbnb.
Lagùn Hotel is a premier boutique hotel in a quiet spot in the heart of El Nido town. It has 37 rooms, each designed in a neutral palette with a beautiful art wall showcasing nature. Amenities include an infinity pool, roof deck bar, and a spa room.
A premier room is from P9,000 a night. Balinsasayaw Road, Brgy. Maligaya, El Nido, www.lagunhotel.com, mobile +63 917 156 1507.
Sanse Boutique Hotel which opened in November 2019, has beautifully-styled tropical rooms with an open-air bathtub
El Nido Resorts’ Pangulasian Island
and a private toilet. It is located in the center of El Nido.
Rooms are from P5,000 a night. G. Del Pilar St, Barangay Buena Suerte, El Nido, Palawan, mobile +63 916 442 6092.
CORONG CORONG
Corong Corong is about a six-minute drive from El Nido town. It’s acknowledged to have the best sunset views in mainland El Nido. It’s a quieter beach, with upscale resorts and bars.
Karuna El Nido Villas is a two-hectare hillside property with spectacular views of Bacuit Bay from its private modern villas styled in the Javanese Joglo design. Its two-bedroom villa has oversized decks for lounging and a 10 meter long private infinity pool. Studios are also available. Barangay Corong Corong, El Nido, www. karunaelnido.com, mobile +63 926 087 4782.
Maligaya Beach Bungalows is a beautiful beach front hotel facing the natural reserve of Bacuit Bay.
Corong-Corong, El Nido, mobile +63 966 973 7590 or email maligayabungalows@gmail.com.
Panorama Boutique Hotel & Beach Club is a boutique resort with eight welldesigned rooms, each spacious, and can comfortably fit two adults.
Sitio Lugadia, Corong Corong, El Nido, @ panoramaelnido on Facebook, mobile +63 998 240 5291.
MAREMEGMEG
Maremegmeg has a white-sand beach likened to that of Boracay. From El Nido town, it’s a 15-20 minute drive. There are only a few hotels, bars and outlets along the beach so it’s still relatively private. Stop by the Vanilla Beach area, just before you reach Maremegmeg beach, for shopping and dining.
The Birdhouse El Nido has three luxury suite tents on large stilt platforms with a private bathroom.
Maremegmeg Beach, El Nido, mobile +63 920 606 1186.
Maremegmeg Beach Club offers luxurious beachfront accommodation overlooking El Nido’s world-famous limestone cliffs and islands.
Maremegmeg Beach, mobile +63 918 257 2981.
NACPAN BEACH
Nacpan Beach Glamping is best for upscale glamping. It's about a 45-minute drive north of El Nido Town on the powdery white sand Nacpan Beach. Nacpan Beach, El Nido, www. nacpanbeachglamping.com, mobile +63 977 742 2869.
EAT
Cadlao Restaurant at Cadlao Resort serves good food in an unbeatable setting, facing the sparkling blue waters of Bacuit Bay and tall limestone cliffs. Seafood here is always a bestseller. Also try the popular pork ribs and Filipino dishes such as sinigang, kare kare, and caldereta.
Calaan, El Nido, visit www.cadlaoresort.com, mobile +63 917 589 7069.
Café Athena is a beachfront restaurant serving some of the best Mediterranean food on the island.
Serena Street, El Nido, Palawan, mobile +63 977 830 0732, @cafeathena.ph on Facebook.
El Nido Boutique & Artcafé. A popular ‘one-stop shop’ for everything you need, from booking island hopping tours to having a meal at the second floor café.
Serena Street, El Nido, mobile +63 920 902 6317, @elnidoboutiqueandartcafe on Facebook.
Fat Choy in Lio Tourism Estate is best for an authentic Chinese dining experience facing Lio Beach.
Lio Tourism Estate, Villa Libertad, El Nido, www. fatchoyliobeach.com, mobile +63 995 174 6890.
Kape ni Manang is popular with locals for coffee and a hearty breakfast, from Filipino breakfast with eggs, beef tapa or local sausages, and fried rice, to just the usual
toast. Don’t miss the sticky rice cakes. These days they also do airbnb deliveries in tropical take-out breakfast baskets lined with banana leaves.
Pasto, Villa Libertad, El Nido. You can find Kape ni Manang on Facebook.
Local Provisions uses the finest local ingredients from Palawan and Philippine suppliers, from the perfectly baked flatbread with Indian mackerel butter to the chunky grilled fish wrap. Dishes fuse New American culinary techniques and Filipino gastronomy
Shoppes at Vanilla Beach, Sitio Marimegmeg, Barangay Corong Corong, El Nido, mobile +63 928 378 3349, @localprovisionsph on Facebook
The newly-opened Sausage with Benefits serves simple quality food on the grill, including the best homemade sausages on freshly-baked baguette.
G. del Pilar St. El Nido, mobile +63 917 622 0916.
Tambok’s is best for delicious and authentic Filipino cuisine, based on heirloom recipes, using the freshest ingredients sourced locally. If you are to order only one dish, order Tambok’s Bacolod chicken inasal or barbecued chicken, the best in Palawan.
Taytay-El Nido National Highway, Barangay Villa Libertad, El Nido, www.tamboks.ph, mobile +63 917 639 3173.
Café Athena's Souvlaki
Panorama Boutique Hotel and Beach Club
Beach bohemia in El Nido
WHY GO?
El Nido is the jump off point for Bacuit Bay archipelago and its 45 limestone islands and islets, glorious white-sand beaches, lagoons, caves, and thriving reefs. It is also home to tiny swiftlets, valued for their edible nests used in Asian cuisine. Thus the name El Nido or “the nest.”
El Nido town proper, where most visitors go to catch their boat headed for the various outlying islands, is a popular spot for a vibrant nightlife, with its rows of bars and restaurants, and retail shops, as well as dive and boat tour shops. The town has a choice of hotels and resorts for all budgets.
Just a few minutes walk from town, Corong Corong where boutique resorts such as Panorama Boutique Hotel and Beach Club are located, has a narrow sandy beach facing Bacuit Bay, fringed by hundreds of tall palm trees. This area extends south from El Nido proper for about 3km, and commands the best sunset views.
It’s easy to see why El Nido has often hugged the best beach destination title. Recently, it ranked fourth in Conde Nast Traveler’s list of the ‘20 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World.’
El Nido is located some 420 kilometers southwest of Manila, 238 kilometers northeast of Palawan’s capital, Puerto Princesa.
There are a couple of ways to get to El Nido from Manila: by plane to Puerto Princesa for a little over an hour, followed by a four to six-hour land trip by bus or van to El Nido. The fastest and easiest way is to take direct flights from Manila to El Nido, about 55 minutes. You land at Lio Airport in Barangay Villa Libertad, about seven kilometres away from El Nido town. A tricycle, El Nido’s popular mode of transport, costs from P200-P300 (US$4-6) from the airport to town.
Panorama's beach bar facing Bacuit Bay GET YOUR BEARINGS
If you like beachy bohemia and cool architecture — the resort’s eight thatched cottages are shaped like a coconut husk covered by cogon grass — then Panorama has your name on it. It’s the sort of place where you’d be equally comfortable in Net-a-Porter boho chic ala Kate Moss or in an old t-shirt and shorts, barefoot.
WHERE TO STAY
The resort’s detached cottages are dotted around a small swimming pool, each a tranquil retreat tucked between palms and tropical plants.
All airconditioned cottages are ensuite, good for two, with floor to ceiling glass doors, vaulted ceiling, and walls painted all white. The bed is king size and
comfy, the bathroom clean and spacious, and much thought has gone into furnishing the room, using local materials, and providing creature comforts like tea and coffee-making facilities, mini bar, work desk, and ample storage space. From the cottage, you have a view of the garden and pool. It’s a short walk to the beach and Panorama’s beach bar, fitted out with day beds, the best chill-out space in the house, perfect for watching the sunset, horizontal.
Panorama is a brainchild of three young Spanish entrepreneurs, Nani, Borja, and Pepillo who fell in love with El Nido and decided to transform an empty piece of land in Corong Corong into a three-star boutique resort.
Panorama’s thatched cottages shaped like a coconut
WHAT’S COOKING? BAR PICKS
The drinks at the resort are excellent. Try the Jinfizz, negorini and a good old SML, favorites of the resort owners.
Come for a sunset session with a DJ playing live, chill music. Not to be missed are their holiday specials, including a pitcher of sangria with Moët & Chandon (P5,800).
Some of Panorama’s new concoctions to try are the paella del señoret (P800 per serving), the chicken adobo croquetas (P380), and the delicious wagyu steak MB5 (P1,850).
Breakfast like a King. Something to look forward to are Panorama’s newest premium breakfast offerings, including healthy smoothies and juices, vegetarian smoothie bowls, and Spanish choices like the Iberian Spanish breakfast with slices of toasted bread, omelet, and hand-cut jamon Iberico “Belloterra.”
Stay for the holidays and book a table at Panorama’s special dinner and party on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. And start the new year right with an indulgent champagne breakfast.
Panorama Boutique Hotel and Beach Club is located at Sitio Lugadia, Corong Corong, El Nido, Palawan. For reservations, call +63 998 240 5291, message panoramaelnido@gmail.com or @ panoramaelnido on Facebook.
Local Provisions
Come by Vanilla Beach in El Nido, and dine at this restaurant that serves flavorful, balanced dishes using fresh, and local ingredients
FIRST IMPRESSIONS. Vanilla Beach in Corong Corong, El Nido has it all: a beautiful beach that’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or catching El Nido’s mesmerizing sunset. What’s more, conveniently located just a few steps away is the first and only strip mall in El Nido that’s home to some of the best homegrown shops and restaurants on the island. Top on the list? Local Provisions.
SETTING. Local Provisions
Kitchen + Mini Bar is a familyrun restaurant that offers a simple, straight forward menu using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The space is designed island-style with a modern twist, it has an open and inviting feel. There’s also an outdoor seating area should you wish to dine with the sound of the beach and waves in the background.
FOOD. Something unique to Local Provisions is that the food and menu are based on seasonal availability. “We believe
in local, fresh products rather than importing frozen goods,” says owners Barbra Sia and Kurt Famador.
Everything is fresh and made from scratch, from sauces and drink mixes to breads and desserts that are all made in-house. Expect a wide range of the menu items from local favorites like the pork sisig that’s served with rice (best with an iced-cold San Mig beer!) and spicy sizzling squid and tofu, to international cuisine like pasta, salad, and sandwiches. Prices range from P150 to P600 (US$3-12).
Of course there’s also their signature cocktails and everyone’s favorite happy hour. Try the signature Palawan Sour with Old Captain Rum, homemade toasted cashew nuts syrup, lemon juice, and merlot float.
WHO DINES HERE. Adventurous travelers, foodies, and locals.
VERDICT. Local Provisions consistently delivers flavorful dishes that use local, fresh ingredients. One day you could be having grilled blue marlin and sauteed squid with light lemongrass coconut curry sauce, and the next, some Vietnamese-inspired beef noodle soup! There’s always something fresh and delicious to look forward to. No wonder customers are happy, and keep coming back.
Local Provisions Kitchen + Mini Bar is located at Units 60-61, Shoppes at Vanilla Beach, Sitio Marimegmeg, Brgy. Corong Corong, El Nido and is open from Monday to Saturday. Book a table or for a party through +63 928 378 3349 or on Facebook @localprovisionsph.
Clockwise from top: inside Local Provisions, a Braised Kitayama Beef Spaghetti, and the bar area
Today's fresh catch and Palawan Sour
Maremegmeg Beach Club
Set against a hill with unobstructed views of Bacuit Bay, this jewel of a hotel and bar sits on one of mainland El Nido’s finest beaches
Spontaneity can sometimes launch a pearl of a product. This could well be said of Maremegmeg Beach Club, whose owner Melanie Alvarez envisioned a stylish and indulgent accommodation along one of El Nido’s most popular playgrounds — Maremegmeg Beach.
When construction began in October 2016, the entrepreneur thought of installing a small temporary bar for starters. Led only by a desire to create something functional, but unique, she went out to buy the equipment, designing the space as she went along. Even
the menu was conceptualized to complement the pop-up drinks station. Naming the place came easy. Why stray from the iconic beach where it sits, right?
Fast forward two years later, and the Maremegmeg Beach Club has opened, set against a picturesque hillside with 12 guest rooms boasting views of Palawan’s fabled limestone cliffs and the turquoise waters below. In keeping with the natural theme, interiors showcase Filipino talent and craftsmanship from the locally made furnishings to the hand-woven accessories. The result is a warm and welcoming space.
Wake up in this lovely guest room, with the best views of Bacuit Bay
Clockwise: From the verandah you can see El Nido's limestone cliffs, the beach bar below, and the beach club at night
Rooms all have air conditioning, flat-screen TV with cable channels, fridge, glass-bottled water, kettle, hairdryer and bathrobe. An ensuite bathroom is supplied with free, ecofriendly toiletries from organic soap to bamboo toothbrushes.
This beachfront jewel, just 5 kilometers from the Big Lagoon, 500 meters from the Small Lagoon, and 1.8 kilometers from Corong Corong Beach, features a wide verandah to lounge about, restaurant and infinity pool beside the Maremegmeg Beach Bar. Water sports facilities are available and activities like snorkeling, diving, kayaking and island hopping on a private speedboat can be arranged by the hotel’s helpful team. On Fridays, the place enjoys cool sounds at sunset, courtesy of a visiting DJ. It’s one of the best places to hang out, have drinks, while watching the sun go down. Maremegmeg Beach Bar is in one of the most beautiful beaches, if not the most beautiful, in mainland El Nido.
The Maremegmeg Beach Club experience is priced at P17,500 and includes a filling breakfast to help kick start a day packed with adventure or simply doing nothing at all.
A night at Maremegmeg Beach Club is from P17,500 (about US$344) and includes breakfast. Maremegmeg Beach Club is located at Sitio Maremegmeg, Brgy. Corong Corong, El Nido, Palawan, mobile +63 918 257 2981. Find us on Facebook @Maremegmegbeachbar.
Frendz Hostel El Nido
This trendy space combines fun, hostel vibe with all the conveniences and facilities of a modern hotel
FIRST IMPRESSIONS.
Checking in at Frendz Hostel in El Nido is like coming home: it’s relaxed and inviting, and the staff are all warm and accommodating. The space has that urban, industrial design to it with lots of open spaces, fun graffiti, and tropical plants here and there. Local materials like bamboo, nipa, and rattan are incorporated in the design, adding to its overall charm. There’s WiFi, so you can take snaps of this Instagram-worthy place.
ROOMS. Being a backpacker’s hotel means that no matter what your budget is, there’s a space for you at Frendz. Take your pick from private and shared accommodation, all airconditioned with ensuite bathrooms.
A bed in a shared dorm starts from P1,130 or US$23 per night. There’s also a standard room for two people, and a family room for four.
Located on the topmost floor is the roof deck swimming pool with stunning panoramic views of Bacuit Bay and its famous limestone cliffs. Take a dip before heading out for the day’s island hopping tour or stop
Inside one of the
by at sunset for a few drinks and to meet new friends.
FOOD. Right next door is Kitchen & Bar HUB, Frendz’s restaurant partner that serves delicious food and drinks: Filipino favorites and international food fare. Try the specialty coffee, iced or hot.
VERDICT. One of the best things about travelling is the friends you meet along the way, sharing stories and even travel itineraries. The good news is, socializing and meeting new people is part of the Frendz culture. It’s where you come to turn strangers to #frendzforlife!
A great, budget-friendly, Instagram-worthy space in one of the most beautiful islands in the world? Now that’s hard to beat.
So what are you waiting for? Whether you’re traveling solo or with a big group, the next time you’re in El Nido, make sure to stay with Frendz!
Frendz Hostel in El Nido is the hostel’s second location. Its first branch in Boracay was voted Best Hostel of the Philippines 2019 by Hostelworld.com. Frendz Hostel is located at Osmeña Street, Masangana, 5213, El Nido, www. frendzresorthostels.com, email elnido@ frendzresorthostels.com or message them on Facebook @frendzhostelelnido.
The bar area at Frendz Hostel, always a good place to have fun and meet new people
rooms, and their specialty coffee
Sea Cocoon Hotel
This 27-room homey bed and breakfast hotel has immaculately clean rooms with private balcony, and a pool right in the heart of El Nido town
FIRST IMPRESSIONS.
Sea Cocoon Hotel is a 27-room, four-storey mid-scale hotel in the heart of El Nido town. The decor is warm and homey, with unabashed pops of colors from bright yellows, greens, oranges to blues. Right in the middle of the ground floor area past the reception desk, lounge, and dining area is a swimming pool for cooling off on a hot summer’s day. The idea behind Sea Cocoon, according to the owners, was to offer a modest bed and breakfast accommodation with all the conveniences of a hotel. Sometime March next year, rooms on offer will increase to 44. The hotel stays true to its motto of ‘Your Comfort is Our Pride’.
ROOMS. All rooms are spacious with ensuite toilet and bath, hot and cold shower, air-conditioning, satellite TV, and private balcony. Room categories include the standard double room with a queen size bed for two, the triplet room with three single beds, and a family room for up to four people. A memory foam is laid over the bed’s spring mattress and double glazed windows ensure a comfy and quiet night’s sleep. Doors are gasket lined to help cut out noise. Street side rooms have double doors to balcony and triple glazed windows to lessen
We look forward to welcoming you at Sea Cocoon in El Nido town!
street noise. Overnight rates start at P4,000 or US$80. Rates include complimentary breakfast.
FACILITIES. Right next to the swimming pool is the dining area. There’s strong Wi-Fi all throughout the hotel, so you can stay connected while on vacation. The hotel also has a silent stand-by generator, in-house water purification
system using reverse osmosis plus ultraviolet disinfection, and a deeper well for cleaner water.
Sea Cocoon Hotel is TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awardee for three years in a row: 2017, 2018, and 2019. The hotel is located at Calle Real, Brgy, Masagana, El Nido, www.seacocoon.com, or call mobile +63 917 674 1024 and +63 918 911 6670
Gusto Gelato
A great place to hang out and grab a bite with some of the best homemade artisanal Italian gelato in all of El Nido
Ask anyone in El Nido where they can find the best gelato and surely they will point you to the direction of Gusto Gelato along Calle Hama. This gelato shop on the ground floor of a two-storey
The Pangolin Cocktail Bar
This is where locals go for drinks and one helluva good time — all for a good cause
Located just above Gusto Gelato along Calle Hama is The Pangolin, a cocktail bar with the chillest vibe and where locals come to drink and mingle.
The space was built and designed using local materials like bamboo and nipa, to maintain that authentic, tropical vibe. The Pangolin is where expats and tourists come to relax and perhaps people-watch after getting their coffee or gelato fix downstairs. Sunset is when it starts to get busy, people come for an
Gelato, coffee, and all the best flavors, come and have your fill at Gusto Gelato!
complex serves the real deal — homemade artisanal Italian gelato made fresh and to perfection with the finest ingredients.
To guarantee freshness, the Gusto team starts making the Italianstyle ice cream every day at around 5AM, so there is never any gelato older than 1.5 days. “It is tough on the operational side but it really pays off on the quality side,” says Gusto owner Maxime Janot. “We rotate our flavors daily, so while the classics are always available, there’s often something new.”
Great vibe and delicious cocktails, see you at The Pangolin
But truth be told, there’s more to this place than just their bestselling gelato. As a matter of fact, Gusto is a favorite hangout space among expats looking for their espresso fix or a quick panini. Not to be missed are their bestsellers including the hazelnut brownies, chicken curry panini, vanilla gelato with a shot of Baileys, and the owner’s personal favorite, apple crumble topped with a generous scoop of cherry cheesecake gelato.
Let’s face it, calories don’t count on holidays. (Wink wink!)
Gusto Gelato is located along Calle Hama, Brgy. Masagana, El Nido, and is open daily from 7AM-11:30PM. There are also two small satellite shops along Nacpan Beach. Email gustogelato.elnido@ gmail.com or find them on Facebook @gustogelatoelnido.
aperitif or cocktail and by 8PM, the bar is in full swing.
The most popular item is their signature drink, also called The Pangolin that’s been speciallyconcocted by chef Eduardo Garcia. It is a pineapple-based cocktail with tequila, and a tiny hint of local chili—the perfect sweet and spicy
alcohol combo that’ll make you smack your lips in satisfaction.
The scaly anteater or pangolin, locally called balintong is sadly, the world’s most trafficked mammal, and is almost extinct. As an animal that’s endemic to Palawan, the owners found it as an opportune moment to name their bar after something so personal to Palawan, and to also raise awareness to help protect the pangolins. In fact, as their way of giving back to the community, The Pangolin is donating a part of the sales of their signature drink to the awareness and conservation of the pangolins.
“One of the best things about our bar is that more and more people now know about the pangolin, when in fact, they didn’t before. I am very proud about that,” says owner Augusto Chávez.
The Pangolin El Nido is along Calle Hama, El Nido. Happy Hour is 5PM-7PM daily, with buy-one-get-one on any cocktails of the same price. Mobile +63 927 938 3806, Facebook @pangolincocktails.
Karuna El Nido Villas
Welcome to your personal oasis set on the hillside of El Nido, with the best panoramic views of Bacuit Bay
In case you’re wondering, Karuna Villas in El Nido got its name from a Sanskrit word that typically translates to compassion. But more than that, it also means “to do” or “to make”, indicating a more action-based form of compassion. This is an apt description of what this place represents: living life beautifully and meaningfully.
FIRST IMPRESSION. There’s something breathtaking about arriving at Karuna. And no, it’s not just because of the spectacular panoramic views of Bacuit Bay and its limestone cliffs. This 2.5 hectare property that’s nestled on the hills above Corong Corong is beautifully landscaped with bamboo groves, bougainvillea, lush trees and multiple kinds of flora, freshened by balmy breezes from the bay.
Going further around the property, you are treated to intricate wood carvings that adorn beautifully unique villas, featuring pyramid style Joglo roofs - iconic and most complex of Javanese roof forms - as well as ethnic minimalist artworks, inclusive of original commissioned paintings from Bali. The overall design and ambience of the place is thoroughly conducive to rejuvenation of the mind, body, and spirit.
ROOMS. Here, you’re treated to exclusive accommodation options, from the private pool residence to one bedroom Joglo villas that are all modernized versions of
the ancient Indonesian Joglo design. “All the villas were manufactured to design in Indonesia then shipped here, this being one of our unique selling points,” says designer and co-owner, Remy Elliott, along with Corinne Perez de Tagle and Helmut Sima.
There’s the amazing two-bedroom private pool villa with its cavernous 140 sqm interior living space, rising to 6 meters high at its peak. This abode features two king beds, two showers, two marble bathtubs with a view, a fully-furnished kitchen, dining area, and a main salon that can be converted to a third bedroom, with a luxurious pullout king bed couch. There’s also a private Balinese stone swimming pool and 100 sqm of outdoor terraces with astounding sunset over the bay views… the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring El Nido’s islands. Overnight rate starts at P20,000 or US$400, good for up to eight people.
Next are the five 100 sqm Joglo villas that can comfortably fit three people. They feature a king bed, adjoining kitchenette, separate bath with a view and shower, as well as a 30 sqm outdoor terrace. All villas have landscaped gardens between them, and all have magnificent unencumbered ocean views. Overnight rate starts at P10,000. Other amenities include a high-speed WiFi connection so you can post about your amazing vacation, and transport around the property and down the hill to the local environs.
In addition to these, there are five studio suites, one below each Joglo, that have the same amenities and views, and can be booked together with the Joglo to accommodate a family or group of five people, or individually for a couple.
Our new restaurant and bar, with its panoramic view over the pool and Bacuit bay, particularly at sunset, features excellent renditions of Western and
From top: stunning views over Bacuit Bay, the villas, in and out of the pool villa, Karuna's new restaurant and bar, and below, one of the bedrooms at Karuna
Filipino favorites with some unusual options like gumbo from New Orleans and mango crepes.
SERVICE. What’s more, staff are all attentive and welcoming, ready to assist you with a smile should you need any assistance. They can book you both customised private and group island hopping tours, all mode of transport services, and even deliver an excellent massage in your room if you like.
That’s just the kind of warmth and hospitality that one can expect in Karuna, making sure you get the best experience while here!
Karuna El Nido Villas is at Brgy. Corong Corong, El Nido. For reservations, go to www.karunaelnido. com, email info@karunaelnido.com or call mobile +63 926 087 4782.
Kraken El Nido
A
luxe tour of Bacuit Bay away from the madding crowd
Enthusiastic about Bacuit Bay, El Kraken Tours has more than a decade of experience as a travel agency. It always makes sure to strike balance between keeping the Filipino exotic essentials, offering a personalize, modern touch and travelling in style, worry-free. Rates start from P3,000.
At Kraken El Nido, you get the opportunity to explore the best spots of Bacuit Bay in just two days, visiting untouched white-sands beaches, secret caves, and the most famous lagoons.
Kraken tours depart after the regular island hopping tours, effectively avoiding the crowds
and navigating with a few local fishermen. Tours last until end of day, in time to catch the breathtaking sunset of El Nido.
Be part of the reduced number of passengers and enjoy a traditionallooking fiberglass bangka dotted with more than 50sqm of free-way platforms, comfy seats with foam and the sunbath-taking bed for a perfect lounging. Relax during navigation while listening to music or keeping in touch with the rest of the world using the Wi-Fi on board or de-stress your mind and body with the daily activities such as snorkelling, kayaking and paddle boarding.
All your senses will be satisfied with the delicatessen food menu
Clockwise from top: Come onboard the famous Kraken boat, enjoy delicious food, create beautiful memories, and explore the best islands of Bacuit Bay
from the chef, and be refreshed with unlimited mocktails and juices in the bar. Be worry-free with the ecofriendly CR on board.
For those that value exclusivity, Kraken El Nido also has the Searay Style Speedboat, rates from P3,750. It can comfortably accommodate six passengers. Plus, you can customize your route, staying longer in those places tempting you to stay forever or having that sweet escape, longer than others.
Kraken El Nido became remarkable with national and world recognition. For two years in a row, it has been awarded the TripAdvisor Excellency Award, and an Elite Awardee as a Premier Travel agency from Palawan.
Kraken El Nido became known as a Party Boat in 2014 but soon shifted to an Island Hopping Tour, offering VIP services around Bacuit Bay. They also offer car rentals with a driver as well as domestic and international flights and ferry tickets around the Philippines. Find Kraken El Nido at Lot 8, Hama St. Barangay Masagana, El Nido Beach or at Las Cabanas Beach, Vanilla Beach Commercial Center, Barangay Marimegmeg. Visit elkrakentour@gmail. com, mobile +63 908 895 4401 or message them on Facebook @KrakenElN.
Country Inn, El Nido
Cozy rooms, spectacular views, and excellent service
Situated in Corong Corong, with amazing views of Bacuit Bay and its limestone cliffs is the 15-room Country Inn El Nido.
Rooms here are air-conditioned, cosy, unfussy, and brilliantly clean. One of its guests wrote a letter saying it is indeed “the cleanest in El Nido”. But most of all, this homey hotel’s biggest draw is its excellent service and rooms with a view.
Country Inn’s 15 air-conditioned guestrooms all come with a balcony with spectacular views — some looking out to the destination’s
famous azure waters — that may have you never wanting to leave. Its location makes it a perfect base from which to begin your magical El Nido adventures. Country Inn is conveniently located 3 km from the main beach and about a five-minute ride from El Nido town. It’s also just 3 km away from Calaan Beach, a favorite of surfers; Seven Commandos with its powdery white sand and crystal clear waters; and Las Cabanas Beach, also known as Maremegmeg Beach.
Owned and managed by Audrey Herrero, the three-year-old property is part of a boutique chain that first
Top: Stay in one of Country Inn's spacious and welldesigned rooms.
Left: Comfy beds, clean rooms, and delicious food, these are why guests love it here
opened in Santa Ana, Cagayan and now has branches in Palaui Island and Baggao, also in Cagayan, Siem Reap, Cambodia and El Nido, Palawan.
Food here is equally good. Taking advantage of local ingredients and the freshest catch of the day, the kitchen at Country Inn serves great seafood, Filipino comfort food like pakbet (vegetables steamed in fish or shrimp sauce) and Bicol Express (pork in spicy coconut sauce and shrimp paste) and a range of international dishes.
Reserving your piece of serenity at Country Inn is easy and hassle free. This can be done through online booking, but even walk ins will be warmly welcomed.
What are you waiting for?
Paradise awaits at County Inn Hotel and Restaurant, El Nido, Palawan.
Country Inn El Nido is at Corong Corong, El Nido National Highway, El Nido, mobile +63 947 691 5708, email countryinnhotel@gmail.com or audrey_ herrero@yahoo.com. Rates start from P3,000 for a standard room to P9,500 for a loft unit.
The Cavern
A treasure of a hotel
Located off the main highway in CorongCorong, The Cavern Pod Hotel & Specialty Café is in a quiet neighbourhood in El Nido, only five minutes to the main town.
The hotel offers great value-formoney pod-style accommodation. Each guest room is designed to hold four pods, each consisting of a single bed with curtains that can be drawn for privacy. An ensuite bathroom and ample storage space under the bed are provided.
The specialty coffee shop, which is open seven days a week, offers a
range of vegan selections such as 100-percent plant-based blueberry pancakes, burgers, pizza, and vegan sisig among others.
First-timers to Palawan and El Nido need not fret about getting around or missing out on the destination’s famous attractions. The in-house concierge team stand at the ready to answer questions or address concerns guests may have. They are experts at crafting an El Nido itinerary tailored to any kind of traveler: millennials, individuals, families and groups.
Advance online reservations or walk ins are welcome and treated from the get-go as very special guests.
Legend has it that gold and treasure have been buried deep in El Nido's lagoons and caves.
Likewise, The Cavern Pod Hotel & Specialty Café hopes to provide memorable moments as rich as Palawan’s secret gems.
Clockwise from top: Book a bed at The Cavern, bestsellers off the menu, and inside one of the private and cozy pods
The Cavern Pod Hotel & Specialty Café is at 527 National Highway, Brgy. Corong Corong, El Nido, email thecavernelnido@ gmail.com, mobile +63 910 422 3612, or find them on Instagram @ TheCavernElNido.
Taste by The Vegan Café
Make sure to add this plant-based café on your El Nido itinerary!
People go plant-based for a lot of reasons: for their health, for the conservation of our planet, for the ethical argument on animal cruelty. Taste by The Vegan Café in El Nido hopes that it’s all these three, spreading the word that veganism isn’t just the future — it is the present.
And of course it helps that they offer delicious, healthy food items in a fun, good-vibes-only environment. Located on the ground floor is the
from top:
coffee bar and ordering counter. Stairs lead up to the loft where you’ll find a casual, relaxed setting: perfect for kicking off your shoes (or beach flip flops) and taking a seat in one of the teal cushions on the
floor. There’s also a fun blackboard where guests can doodle.
Food is fantastic. All smoothie bowls are patterned after the colors of the rainbow, and contain superfood-rich antioxidants and good fiber. There’s the crowd favorite Smooth Red with strawberries, banana, dragon fruit, and chia seeds, and Cool Blue with blueberries, acai, spirulina, and hemp seeds. For the mains, the Eggplant Lasagna with cashew cheese is a hit.
And of course, there’s the best-tasting specialty coffee that highlights the unique flavors of locally-sourced single origins — a true experience on its own.
So it doesn’t matter if you’re vegan, vegetarian, or simply someone looking to try going plantbased, you’re always welcome to have a Taste in El Nido.
Downtown El Nido in front of Midtown Bakery. Mobile +63 998 240 2561 or find them on Instagram @tasteelnido.
Clockwise
Eggplant Lasagna with cashew cheese, some of Taste's bestsellers, and the Pretty Violet smoothie bowl
Glow Plant-Based Café
Enjoy fresh, mindfullyprepared food in El Nido town
low Plant-Based is a small local Filipino-owned business located in Calle Hama, Masagana, in the town center of El Nido area. "It started as a coldpressed take-away shop when I was constantly seeking for shop that offers healthy fair of drinks (which I needed when I was seven months pregnant)" says owner Sheryl Ocampo. Now it is on second year of operation with more variety of local, seasonal, fresh and mindfully prepared menu items like the Cold Pressed Juices, Non-Dairy Smoothie bowl, smoothies, super bowls, seasonal toasts, farmer’s burger, home-made brew and coco bowl. We are dedicated to feature our local ingredients that are often
Goverlooked for its high nutritional value so all our recipes are mindfully tailored for the body’s nutritional needs. Hence the name Glow as what you eat is what you radiate and what we offer for your body will make you glow from inside. Our menu changes as we work on the season’s produce and what is offered by our Mother Earth through our local farmers. We want to decolonize the healthy eating trend as we intend to be more than just a fad but rather a movement to remind locals and tourist alike of eating consciously.
Try our Farmer’s burger made with artisan brioche, Glow's signature vegetable patty, pickled vegetables, home-made mayonnaise and sweet potato fries on side for only P280. If you want to detox, try our cold-pressed juices that are extracted through cold method so enzymes are retained.
The shop has a wall mural of
Gaia, Mother Earth as we dedicate our methods to preserve the earth and honor her through our practices in the business. We use earthfriendly materials in our operations: zero plastic, we serve free water, we make everything homemade from ketchup, mayonnaise all our sauces and our artisan cheese is made locally and has no preservatives — all from the scratch.
Find Mother earth in the town center and you will stumble in our little café.
Glow Plant-Based Café is located at Calle Hama, Brgy. Masagana. Book a table through +63 917 145 3992 or email glowjuicebox@gmail.com.
Glow favorites: the Black Maharlika and Kanluran bowls
L’Assiette Bar and Restaurant
Views of Bacuit Bay, topnotch French and Asian cuisine, and great service make this one of the restaurants you shouldn’t miss in El Nido
SETTING. Located on the second floor, L’Assiette has glass accordion doors that fold open to show off breathtaking views of Bacuit Bay. Wood and iron dining chairs and wooden tables painted in colorful stripes give the place a funky feel. Pendant lamps that look like lava lamps in various colors give the bar area a fun feel.
FOOD. L’Assiette Bar and Restaurant serves French and Asian food. Owners Cristophe and Lorna Huss share their passion for food in every dish they serve. Only the best
ingredients sourced either locally or imported from the US, France, Australia, and New Zealand are used. The crowd favorite, seafood spaghetti, uses the freshest catch of the day. Steak and duck confit are also popular. Another must-try are the homemade crepes with plain butter sugar (P60) or flavors such as Nutella with banana (P150) and dulce de leche (P130). Asian dishes are also available on the menu, like the Spicy Thai Salad and Red Thai Curry. Drinks include fresh fruit shakes (P150) in season and cocktails.
SERVICE. Servers are attentive and
Above, view of Bacuit Bay; dining; and bar area
Below, craving for meat or seafood?
Enjoy both at L’Assiette!
make sure that you get the best experience when you dine here.
VERDICT. With its good quality food, service, ambiance, and gorgeous views of Bacuit Bay, L’Assiette Bar and Restaurant is a destination on its own.
L’Assiette Bar and Restaurant is along Serena Street, Brgy. Buena Suerte, El Nido, Palawan. They are open daily from 7AM-10PM. For reservations, call +63 917 872 4333, email lassiette.elnido@gmail. com or message them on Facebook.
