HomeAsiaPhilippinesLuzonPalawanEl NidoArrival in El Nido: DIY Solo Backpacking By Marcos Detourist on August 11, 2011The daylight was already starting to fade when I arrived in El Nido town proper. It took me a few months to prepare and plan my first solo backpacking trip to El Nido. Like most people, I was initially scared at the thought of travelling alone but I knew that I had to overcome this fear if I were to achieve my long term travel masterplans evil laugh. Palawan, was the perfect start since, other than being a very beautiful place to visit, it was already an established backpacking destination. After getting off the bus in El Nido, I couldn’t resist to urge to dash to the beach. I felt really good that I’ve survived the long journey … yey! My itinerary worked really well so far :)Looking for the Cheapest HostelEl Nido town proper had a decent white sand beachfront area. As first impressions go, the beach itself didn’t look impressive. I was however left awed by the monolithic rock cliffs bordering the town proper and the uber inviting view of the nearby islands. Although it was low season during my visit, I was surprised to discover the cheapest room in El Nido was priced at P350 per night at “El Nido Plaza Inn.” I was expecting El Nido to be more budget friendly for solo backpackers but I couldn’t seem to find hostels/guesthouses at the P200 price range. I knew I would’ve had better luck at nearby Coron-coron Beach but I was already feeling too tired to venture out of the town proper.El Nido Plaza Inn was located across Dara (Fernandez) Resort. My room was in a native style cottage, which could fit two people (basic fan room & shared batchroom). The guy managing El Nido Plaza Inn was quite accommodating and offered unlimited coffee during my stay.Looking for the Cheapest Island Hopping ToursI hurriedly got out to the beach, hoping to catch some sunset/dusk shots but realized the town proper wasn’t a great vantage point since the tall rock cliffs at the western end were blocking off the sunset view. Well, I had two more afternoons in El Nido to try taking better sunset shots. During my stay, I planned to go on two different island hopping tours of Bacuit Bay: I read that Tour A and C were the best, so I wanted to try them out. I had a contact person for the tours beforehand but I later realized that it would have been better to just go around town (the day before) and check/haggle for the cheapest boat tours. Most places had signs & prices of island hopping tours displayed at the entrance of their establishments.Looking for the Cheapest FoodOutside the beachfront area, the rest of El Nido town proper looked like a typical coastal village with local eateries, bakeries, shops, a school, park, municipal hall etc… The restaurant tables decked out at the beachfront looked inviting but I chose to eat dinner at a carinderia, where a meal only costs P50 or less.Had to force myself to sleep earlier than usual for the island hopping tours I booked for the next day. Call time was 8AM and I couldn’t forgive myself if I ended up oversleeping … like I always do :)El Nido, Palawan Notes “Eulen Joy” bus ride from Taytay to El Nido (3 hours) – P100. Boarded the bus in Taytay terminal at around 2:45PM and arrived at 5:30PM. Most likely, its the same 10AM bus (last trip of the day) from Puerto Princesa City. El Nido Plaza Inn – P350 per night (Fan room with shared BR; Good for 2 persons) Learn more about El Nido, Palawan; El Nido Resorts; El Nido Tourist SpotsDon’t leave yet. There’s more!Survivor Palawan: A Solo Backpacker’s TravelogueMy First Solo Backpacking Trip and First Time to PalawanSurvived Palawan, the Philippines’ Last FrontierBreakfast at Calaan Beach. Planning an epic 3-day El Nido…Taraw Peak El Nido, bird's eye view of Bacuit Bay PalawanRediscover Palawan - 13 days in Tabon Caves, El Nido &…Comments JeffZ saysAugust 11, 2011 at 9:14 pmI would like to meet that man in El NIdo Plaza Inn.. for the love of coffee.. haha :P Marcos saysAugust 13, 2011 at 4:08 pmhaha …free flowing coffee Olive saysDecember 25, 2011 at 12:43 pmhi! :) do u have contact numbers for el nido plaza inn? Thanks! :) Olive saysDecember 25, 2011 at 12:46 pmPlease text me. 09158470116. Sory ha.. I’ll go there this jan but i dont know where to find cheap rates to stay. thank u so much! :) Merry Christmas! Marcos saysJanuary 7, 2012 at 11:45 amUnfortunately no :( Maja saysJanuary 21, 2012 at 10:22 amHi,I have a trip to palawan on march for 3D/2N, half days for the 1st and 3rd days, is it possible to have EL Nido Island Hopping and Underground river tour considering the timeline? :) Marcos saysFebruary 2, 2012 at 2:51 amIt’s possible if you have your own ride but if you’re commuting (to El Nido particularly) then it will be difficult. kakay saysJuly 14, 2012 at 10:06 pmcheap on the beach and nice staff: http://www.labanane-hostel.com Marcos saysJuly 18, 2012 at 2:36 pmI stayed there! I loved Hostel Banane because its the only hostel in El Nido offering dorm type accomodations :) Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
JeffZ saysAugust 11, 2011 at 9:14 pmI would like to meet that man in El NIdo Plaza Inn.. for the love of coffee.. haha :P
Olive saysDecember 25, 2011 at 12:43 pmhi! :) do u have contact numbers for el nido plaza inn? Thanks! :)
Olive saysDecember 25, 2011 at 12:46 pmPlease text me. 09158470116. Sory ha.. I’ll go there this jan but i dont know where to find cheap rates to stay. thank u so much! :) Merry Christmas!
Maja saysJanuary 21, 2012 at 10:22 amHi,I have a trip to palawan on march for 3D/2N, half days for the 1st and 3rd days, is it possible to have EL Nido Island Hopping and Underground river tour considering the timeline? :)
Marcos saysFebruary 2, 2012 at 2:51 amIt’s possible if you have your own ride but if you’re commuting (to El Nido particularly) then it will be difficult.
Marcos saysJuly 18, 2012 at 2:36 pmI stayed there! I loved Hostel Banane because its the only hostel in El Nido offering dorm type accomodations :)