1

I was there in October and it was great - "Paradise" is a good description!

There were a few tourists around, but it definitely wasn't "packed". I appreciate that October isn't high season though. I didn't go scuba diving so I can't really comment on the state of the reefs, but for snorkelling, it's the best I've ever experienced!

Overall, El Nido is one of the most amazing places I've ever visited. The only downside was the the unreliability of the flights to El Nido airport.

2

El Nido is touristy, but not that touristy as for example Alona beach, which is, in my opinion, destroyed by the tourism. it's probably because it's still not that easy to get there (for most travellers it takes at least 5 hours bumpy ride in a minivan). at least there are not that many massage sellers (I haven't seen any) in El Nido, as on Alona beach, where, within 10 seconds, from the same guy, you'll get offered boat trip RIGHT NOW, a motobike, marijuana, a girl for the night, and on and on it goes/
El Nido is mostly about the islands around and fantastic landscape. normally people take boat trips and many boats end up in the same small lagoon at the same time. however, august is low season so it should not be that bad.
at some places the corals are broken, as many stupid people simply stand on them and break them, without realizing what they are doing. if you wanna find some peace and quiet, you can stay in Corong Corong village, a minute south of El Nido on the tricycle or you could consider buying some cheap tent somewhere say in Puerto Princesa, and arrange with some boat company to get you on one of the islands so you could sleep there alone, and pick you up the next day. they will go there anyway with other tourists so it should not be a big deal.

3

i was there a few years ago and i was disappointed when i arrived. there were a lot of bunka's on the beach, the water not really clear. if you go island hoping it gets much better but the town itself was no paradise in my opinion.

4

"My travelling dates are mid August- mid September"
Unlikely to be crowded at that time, doesnt really get busy until November /December time..
As above the Islands are stunninly beautiful if you get out and do some Island Hopping daytrips..

5

Paradise is just a description of how one feel. No one been to paradise so we cannot know how a paradise look.

6

Thank you very much for the helpful responses. much appreciated.
Now just as an extra, can someone recommend a good place to sleep, not too expensive and crowded but preferably with a nice ocean view. If there is such place (:

7

And thanks for the philosophical insight..(:

8

Lol, if another person mention its a "paradise" to him, you really dont know what he means, do you?

9

This is especially a question for those who have visited El Nido. I am planning to stay for 2 days.

1) Is it worth going during this monsoon season? Or would you advise me to wait till November?

2) Are there any places you would recommend staying at? Any particular "Must Sees" for a 2-day trip?

3) Other than the regular route (Puerto Princessa 5 hour shuttle bus) has anyone tried to go there by direct flight? Has anyone tried ITI (Transvoyager)? Any advice?

10

@ 9

1. Going during typhoon season is a gamble. Palawan isn't usually affected as badly as other parts of the Philippines, but if a storm hits while you're there, it's enough to spoil the trip, especially if you only have a couple of days.
2. Where to stay depends on your budget and the hotels aren't particularly cheap. However, I'd recommend staying in the town. Best thing to do while you're there is an island hopping boat trip on each of the days.
3. We got direct flights to El Nido with Seair. Never again. The outbound flight was cancelled without notification and no one could tell us if the return was going to happen until the plane actually arrived. We ended up flying out with ITI, who seem like a very competent little airline. However, you'll only get on a flight with them if there are any spaces left after the people staying at the posh "El Nido Resorts" have been booked. Flights to El nido are expensive too.

11

@10
Thanks Jimmer

I guess I will wait till November for El Nido then. How much did your flight with ITI cost you?

My budget for resort / hotel is 3,000 to 4,000 pesos per night.

I checked out El Nido resorts - while it appears to be exceptionally beautiful (more like Maldives), the costs appear to be pretty high - 7,000 - 10,000 pesos per night. Am I looking at the right palce for the rates?

12

After their cock up, Seair paid for our flight with ITI. The return flights with seair were over £200.

P3-4K is enough to get you a decent hotel right on the beach in El Nido. But don't forget that to see the most beautiful areas and beaches, you need to get out on a boat.

We looked at El Resorts too. Although they look like beautiful places, we decided against it and used to money we saved to pay for private boat trips.

Apart from the problem with our outbound flight, our trip to El Nido couldn't have been better!