TBT: El Nido Island Hopping Tours

El Nido has always been on my bucket list. When Cebu Pacific started to offer a direct flight from Iloilo to Puerto Princesa last 2012, I grabbed the chance. Fortunately, I was able to fit the El Nido tours in our 6-day itinerary in Palawan. I have always thought it was very expensive to go there because it looked so luxurious. I didn't know there are affordable guest houses in El Nido, big thanks to the Internet!

From Puerto Princesa City, we took a bus going to El Nido. The trip was approximately 5 hours including one stop-over for lunch. We arrived at El Nido at around 4PM so we just strolled around after we found a guest house and settled our bags.

Our favorite hangout place near the beach was the Pukka Resto Bar. The bar has live band performing reggae songs that's perfect for a relaxing beach vibe.

El Nido Island Hopping Tours

There are four types of island hopping tours in El Nido and all have standard prices per person. However, I found out through my research online that you may also rent a boat for around 2000-3000 or higher for any of the tours offered. I forgot the exact prices on our 2-day tour but prices are negotiable with the boatmen. Renting a boat is cheaper if you are a group of 5 or more.

El Nido Island Hopping Tour A

Small Lagoon

Big Lagoon

Secret Lagoon at Entalula Island

The Tiny Entrance to Secret Lagoon

Simizu Island

7 Commandos Beach

El Nido Island Hopping Tour C

Helicopter Island

Hidden Beach

Talisayen Beach (Near Matinloc Shrine)

Matinloc Shrine

Secret Beach

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Thrilling Side Trip at Ugong Rock Adventures

Ugong Rock Adventures, Puerto Princesa City Palawan

During our Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour, we had a side trip at Ugong Rock Adventures located at Brgy. Tagabinet. It happened last December 2012 so this is a late post already.lol

Ugong Rock is a limestone rock formation where you can do several activities like caving, zip lining, rappelling, or rock climbing. Actually, we did not expect this trip at Ugong Rock but we were thankful we stopped by here on the way to the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR). A great add-on to our PhP1500/pax PPUR tour. 

Among the activities at Ugong Rock Adventures, we tried caving and zip lining. The rates are kind of expensive though and there was nothing much to see or explore on the cave. You just need to climb through it to be able to go zip lining from the top which is about 75 ft. high, which means that caving is compulsory if you want to zip line. But the view at the top is really breathtaking.

Here is a compilation of videos and photos while zip lining:

Ugong Rock Adventures Rates:

Caving - PhP200 Pesos/pax
Zip Line - PhP250 Pesos/pax
Rappelling - PhP200 Pesos/pax
Rock Climbing PhP200 Pesos/pax

Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour Standard Rate: PhP1500/pax

Inclusions:

Transportation Service 

Lunch

Fees & Necessary Permits for PPUR Tour

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The Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour

Day 2 of our 6days/5nights Puerto Princesa and El Nido Itinerary was the Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour. Part of this tour was a side-trip in Ugong Rock where we went Caving and Zip Lining.

Necessary permits from local government need to be secured days before your tour to make sure that you have a slot on the day of your visit. Most travel agencies arrange this for you as part of their package. Standard rate for this tour is PhP1500 per person.

The tour needs to start early because its a long trip from Puerto Princesa to the Underground River. Plus, it is a must to get on the waiting list as early as you can as the queue of visiting guests can be overwhelming especially during peak seasons and you don't want to miss the opportunity to step foot at the famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park or commonly known as the Underground River.

Ugong Rock Adventure

On the way to Sabang (this is the jump-off point going to the Underground River) you can stop at Ugong Rock and have a bit of an adventure. You can go Caving, Zip Lining, Rappelling, and Rock Climbing.

Sabang Beach 

After the Ugong Rock adventure, we continued the rough ride going to Sabang. At the stop, a long strip of white sand, coconut trees and of course, cottages welcomed us as we arrived. We settled and had our lunch to one of the restaurants at the beach front, which was also included in our package. After the buffet, we had a quick stroll at the beach and did some photo ops.

Puerto Princesa Underground River

At the wharf, you will need to register and wait for your turn to ride a boat going to the Underground River. This is where tour guides become a good advantage because they do all the works for you. Less hassle when there's a long line of people waiting for their turn.

Monkeys were roaming freely at the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Some say you have to take care of your belongings as they might snatch it from you, so we got extra careful with our things and just didn't mind them. Then, a small trek led us to the entrance of the Underground River.

One impressive thing about Palawan is they are tight on rules on protecting Nature especially the tourist spots like the Underground River.

The cave is really dark and you can only rely on the tour guide's flashlight to see what's inside. You also need to pay attention to what he's saying to enjoy the tour. These are the only decent shots I have of the Underground River. (Shame!)

Quite frankly, I wasn't stunned that much with the cave. Maybe because I've been to Lumiang and Sumaguing Caves at Sagada and I can't resist to compare them. Anyhow, the Underground River is undeniably a beautiful creation of Nature. I was awed with the fact that inside the "ordinary looking" limestone mountain is an 8.2km long underground river and a cave full of amazing rock formations and different stories (as told by our tour guide). I also enjoyed the boating experience inside the cave. 

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Puerto Princesa City Tour Itinerary

Its been more than 5 months since we went to Palawan and the only thing I've posted about it was the 6D/5N Puerto Princesa and El Nido Palawan Itinerary. Lol Hmm let me start the Palawan series of posts in our City Tour which happened on the first day of our trip. I 

Puerto Princesa City Tour Itinerary:

Plaza Cuartel

Palawan Wildlife Rescue  and Conservation Center a.k.a. Crocodile Farm

Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm

Baker's Hill

To be honest, I'm not a fan of city tours when traveling, especially if its a guided tour with fixed itinerary. I'd rather want to explore the city on my/our own. I find it fun to walk in an unfamiliar street, ask for directions, ride a different mode of transportation, and interact with various types of people. But don't get me wrong. We still had fun touring the city of Puerto Princesa. :)

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Puerto Princesa City Tour Rate: PhP600/Person

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WW: Philippine Beaches

Wordless Wednesday

Its summer and the scorching heat of the sun really hurts big time. Going to the beach just seem so perfect this season. Last year, I've been to a few beautiful beach destinations in the country:

El Nido, Palawan

Isla Gigantes, Carles Iloilo

Sandbar Island Resort, Concepcion Iloilo

The Famous Boracay Sunset

Oslob, Cebu

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6D/5N Puerto Princesa and El Nido Palawan Itinerary

Palawan is one of the most famous tourist spot in the Philippines. So when Cebu Pacific introduced their new route from Iloilo to Palawan with a seat sale, I took the opportunity right away. Our flight was originally dated December 5-10, 2012. But because of super typhoon Pablo affecting almost all areas in the country, our flight was cancelled. We then moved it to December 7-12, 2012.

I have lots of stories and photos to share soon. For now, you may watch our El Nido Fun video which will give you an idea on how much we enjoyed our trip. heheh Here's our itinerary, too. Hope this will be of good help to those who are planning to visit Palawan soon. :D

6days/5nights Puerto Princesa and El Nido Itinerary

December 7

8:50AM ETA in Puerto Princesa
9:00-11:00 AM Hotel Check-in and Rest
11:00-1:00 PM Lunch at Badjao Seafront Restaurant
1:00 PM Puerto Princesa City Tour
It was already dark when the tour ended.

December 8

8:00-9:00AM ETD for Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour with Ugong Rock Side Trip
6:00-7:00PM ETA from the tour

December 9

10:00 AM ETD from Puerto Princesa
3:00-4:00 PM ETA in El Nido
4:00 PM onwards: Free Time

December 10

8:00 AM El Nido Island Hopping Tour A

December 11

8:00 AM El Nido Island Hopping Tour C
10:00 PM ETD from El Nido

December 12

3:00-4:00 AM ETA in Puerto Princesa
4:00-6:30 AM stayed at McDonald's
6:30-8:00 AM Bought Pasalubong
9:20AM ETD from Puerto Princesa
10:25AM ETA in Iloilo International Airport

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El Nido FUN (Video)

November and December of 2012 were busy months for me. There are a lot of adventures that I haven't posted yet. I'm not even finished blogging everything about our Sagada trip in mid November.lol Three weeks after that, we went to Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Palawan. Then there was the Christmas holidays and the unexpected Boracay getaway before the year ended. Phew!

For now, let me share this video that says all about the FUN we had in exploring the different islands in El Nido. It's best to watch it in HD. Enjoy! :)

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. Thanks! :)

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