Entrepreneur Eva Aston reveals her travel secrets

Me and My El Nido

Top things to do, where to eat and drink, and best travel souvenirs from an insider

How has El Nido in Palawan changed after the pandemic?

El Nido has always been a beautiful, unspoiled place. But during the pandemic, nature has had time to flourish. We would regularly spot turtles and occasionally see dugongs close to the shore - nature basically had time to repair itself. When El Nido reopened in early in 2022, tourists started coming back, primarily driven by domestic travelers and returning Filipinos from overseas. We were delighted that business had resumed but I think it will take another year before we get to pre-pandemic levels.

Do you have any regrets, setting up your home and business in El Nido?

None at all. When I first visited my relatives in El Nido in 2014, I was captivated by El Nido’s beauty and knew that I wanted to settle down here. My husband Jeremy and I opened Café Athena in El Nido in 2016, our first baby! It was a natural choice of business for me, as I love cooking and talking to people. I used to travel to Greece when I was younger, and immediately fell in love with the food there. Our menu at Café Athena is mainly Greek, with a few contributions from my husband, who is also a foodie like me.

What are your top 10 favourite places to eat, drink, shop, and just chill in El Nido?

Trendy District Bar and Kitchen

Hayahay Café. I try to eat healthy food as much as possible, and I get my veggie boost at Hayahay. I go for their vegetarian wrap or their quinoa bowl which comes with a choice of tasty, healthy fillings as well as a selection of homemade sauces. Art Café (@artcafeelnido on FB) for the variety of food on offer and their farm-to-table dishes. District Bar and Kitchen (@district.philippines on FB) for their signature cocktails, live music and regular DJ sets. SAVA bar (@SavaBeachBar on FB) for their ambience and variety of music. Maremegmeg Beach Bar (@ MaremegmegBeachBar on FB) for their ambience and amazing sunsets. Trattoria Altrov’é El Nido (@ altrovephilippines on FB) for the best oven-fired pizza in El Nido. My favourite is the four-cheese pizza. The Organic Spa (theorganicspa.ph) for its traditional Filipino hilot and the stone massage. For Yoga, I usually go to Yoga Tayo (@yogatayo.elnido on FB) in Lio three times a week.

For shopping, there is Kalye Artisano (www. kalyeartisano.com) which offers natural products, native bags, interior decor, earrings and other accessories. I’m an island girl so I’m often in slippers and linen clothes. Walang Problema (www.walangproblema. com), a boutique shop near Café Athena that sells beach clothes.

Kalye Artisano sells native bags, clothing, jewellery, handicraft and other local products

Photo courtesy of Kalye Artisano

What not to miss when visiting El Nido?

I would say book one or two island tours to appreciate the beauty of El Nido’s islands — Snake Island’s sand bar on Tour B is probably my favorite stop. Go to Nacpan Beach for a chilled afternoon, or an overnight stay at Angkla (www.angklaresort.com) and Nacpan Beach Glamping (www.nacpanbeachglamping.com). If I have family and friends visiting, I would take them to Papaya Beach, which isn’t too far from El Nido town. It has soft, white sand and crystal clear waters, and is more secluded than other locations. Duli Beach (www. dulibeach.com) offers a great surfing experience and a laid back vibe.

Could you tell us some of the tour operators you trust?

I recommend Ape Tours (www.apetours.ph), Tao Philippines (www.taophilippines.com) and Art Café.

What are some of the active things you can do in El Nido?

Surfing, muay thai, yoga, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, open water swimming… the list goes on. There are so many activities for visitors and locals to try out, and the list keeps on growing.

What are some of the best souvenirs to buy in El Nido and Puerto Princesa?

Palawan honey, available at Art Café in Coron and in the local market, handmade bags from Kalye Artisano, abaca slippers from Art Café, and linen clothing from Kultura (www.kulturafilipino.com) in Puerto Princesa.

Eva Aston owns Café Athena Greek Taverna in El Nido (@cafeathena.ph), and is the co-owner of District Bar and Kitchen (@district.philippines), Hayahay Café (@ hayahayelnido on Facebook), and The Organic Spa (www.theorganicspa.ph)