Guidebook for El Nido

Rusty And Justine
Rusty And Justine
Guidebook for El Nido

Food Scene

My personal recommendations for palaces to eat, yummmmmm!
BEST GELATO! great coffee too
6 personas locales recomiendan
Gusto Gelato
Calle Hama
6 personas locales recomiendan
BEST GELATO! great coffee too
Great pizza, pasta and Italian food. The have 2 locations: In town next to Gusto Gelato that serves only pizza and in POPS district in Corong Corong is much more quiet and enjoyable with their full menu.
Trattoria Altrove
Calle Hama
Great pizza, pasta and Italian food. The have 2 locations: In town next to Gusto Gelato that serves only pizza and in POPS district in Corong Corong is much more quiet and enjoyable with their full menu.
Israeli food, busy spot and open for breakfast till late at night, they have a great vegan and vegetarian menu - FALAFEL yumm!
Happiness Beach Bar
Serena Street
Israeli food, busy spot and open for breakfast till late at night, they have a great vegan and vegetarian menu - FALAFEL yumm!
Local food, decent price and tasty too! open 24 hours! Sometimes it takes a while to get food.. but overall pretty good! Located just a few steps away from the house, turn left and walk about 200 meters.
Bulalo Plaza
Rizal Street
Local food, decent price and tasty too! open 24 hours! Sometimes it takes a while to get food.. but overall pretty good! Located just a few steps away from the house, turn left and walk about 200 meters.
Cute little beachfront restaurant located on Corong Corong beachfront. Super tasty and authentic pizza! Open all day as they also serve breakfast. Italian owned. Pizza is pretty good and they deliver starting at 1pm until 9pm! see their FB page to order.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Bella vita el nido
7 personas locales recomiendan
Cute little beachfront restaurant located on Corong Corong beachfront. Super tasty and authentic pizza! Open all day as they also serve breakfast. Italian owned. Pizza is pretty good and they deliver starting at 1pm until 9pm! see their FB page to order.
Good vegan food, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Taste El Nido - The Vegan Cafe PH
1028 Rizal St
Good vegan food, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Yummy burgers all night long! Open late for those late night eaters or after a night out. Check them out right next to Sava on the main road.
Malditas Burger House
Lot 15 Calle Hama
Yummy burgers all night long! Open late for those late night eaters or after a night out. Check them out right next to Sava on the main road.
Fantastic filipino cuisine! They also make cakes to order or by the slice! Super delicious!
The Kollektive
Amboy Street
Fantastic filipino cuisine! They also make cakes to order or by the slice! Super delicious!
Great Mediterranean food by the beach. They serve breakfast lunch and dinner. Healthy and vegetarian options. Their souvlakis are great too!
Cafe Athena
Serena Street
Great Mediterranean food by the beach. They serve breakfast lunch and dinner. Healthy and vegetarian options. Their souvlakis are great too!
LOCAL FAVOURITE! Super cute and local gem, check them out! Local food, super delicious , great coffee and cute courtyard to hang out in with lots of pets! (Must love dogs and cats if you come here!). How to find it? just after you pass the Lio Estate (LIO Beach) entrance from the national highway, keep to your right and you'll soon see a white concrete wall with a big gate. The sign says Kape ni Manang! :) Find them on Google maps too
Kape ni Manang
LOCAL FAVOURITE! Super cute and local gem, check them out! Local food, super delicious , great coffee and cute courtyard to hang out in with lots of pets! (Must love dogs and cats if you come here!). How to find it? just after you pass the Lio Estate (LIO Beach) entrance from the national highway, keep to your right and you'll soon see a white concrete wall with a big gate. The sign says Kape ni Manang! :) Find them on Google maps too
Spanish tapas and food - located in Corong Corong on the way to Mariemegmeg beach.
Chica Chica El Nido
Spanish tapas and food - located in Corong Corong on the way to Mariemegmeg beach.

Drinks & Nightlife

Want to check out what's going on at night in El Nido? Stop by any of these places for a great time!! Something is always going on any day of the week, not just on the weekends!
Great cocktails, happy hour, sunset drinks, late night dancing..
13 personas locales recomiendan
SAVA Beach Bar
Calle Hama
13 personas locales recomiendan
Great cocktails, happy hour, sunset drinks, late night dancing..
This is a hostel but anyone can go in and enjoy the scheduled nightly activities like beer pong, Crossdress party, quiz nights etc. Also a nice place to watch the sunset and grab some grub! SOON to Reopen MAY 2022
Outpost Beach Hostel
This is a hostel but anyone can go in and enjoy the scheduled nightly activities like beer pong, Crossdress party, quiz nights etc. Also a nice place to watch the sunset and grab some grub! SOON to Reopen MAY 2022
Great cocktails with a great cause! They have nightly DJ's playing some fun beats till late in the morning. Check out their FB page for details.
The Pangolin Bar
Calle Hama
Great cocktails with a great cause! They have nightly DJ's playing some fun beats till late in the morning. Check out their FB page for details.
Check out Lime's FB page for special events like live music nights and concerts. You can access the rooftop pool for a fee but best to contact them first to confirm (things can change here without notice)
Lime Resort El Nido
Check out Lime's FB page for special events like live music nights and concerts. You can access the rooftop pool for a fee but best to contact them first to confirm (things can change here without notice)

Activities

Check out the following things to do here in El Nido. We can help you book tours, scooters and plenty of tips for you, just ask!
Island hopping tours are the number 1 thing to do here! Check out the different tours: A, B,C,D, all with different stops and sights to see! All those visiting the islands need to pay an environmental fee (EDTF) of 200 pesos per person and is good for 10 days. If you want to see the famous lagoons it's another 200 pesos per person. The Lagoons are on tour A (big lagoon) and tour D (small lagoon). These EDTF fees are used to maintain the protected areas around the island such as putting mooring lines. Make sure you get the EDTF receipt from your tour guide/tour company or you will need to pay for another one if you chose to do more than one tour. We can help book any tour for you, just ask or check them out yourself: I use the following boats/companies: ***Beachfront tours located in POPS district in Corong Corong #09084811602. They will even pick you up in the morning and bring you to the boat in Corong Corong as a complimentary service. ***APE tours also located in the same place is a bit more expensive (about 2000 per person) but they include FREE photography on their tour and they are amazing! Check them out on FB to contact them directly! If your time is limited you don't have much time in El Nido, I recommend the following speed boat tours: **La Salagane Boat Rental 5-6 stops instead of 4. Price is around 3400 per person and includes lunch, drinks, towels, environmental fees and pick up in the morning. All taxes and fees (EDTF and one lagoon fee) are included in the price. Contact #09175140882 or WhatsApp 639056778030 to make a booking. oh and They also normal normal boat tours (bank boats) with groups or private. We only use trusted companies so you can rest assure that they will provide great service and be accommodating. Make sure to mention that you're staying at Justine'e Airbnb for an extra discount ;)
Cadlao Island
Island hopping tours are the number 1 thing to do here! Check out the different tours: A, B,C,D, all with different stops and sights to see! All those visiting the islands need to pay an environmental fee (EDTF) of 200 pesos per person and is good for 10 days. If you want to see the famous lagoons it's another 200 pesos per person. The Lagoons are on tour A (big lagoon) and tour D (small lagoon). These EDTF fees are used to maintain the protected areas around the island such as putting mooring lines. Make sure you get the EDTF receipt from your tour guide/tour company or you will need to pay for another one if you chose to do more than one tour. We can help book any tour for you, just ask or check them out yourself: I use the following boats/companies: ***Beachfront tours located in POPS district in Corong Corong #09084811602. They will even pick you up in the morning and bring you to the boat in Corong Corong as a complimentary service. ***APE tours also located in the same place is a bit more expensive (about 2000 per person) but they include FREE photography on their tour and they are amazing! Check them out on FB to contact them directly! If your time is limited you don't have much time in El Nido, I recommend the following speed boat tours: **La Salagane Boat Rental 5-6 stops instead of 4. Price is around 3400 per person and includes lunch, drinks, towels, environmental fees and pick up in the morning. All taxes and fees (EDTF and one lagoon fee) are included in the price. Contact #09175140882 or WhatsApp 639056778030 to make a booking. oh and They also normal normal boat tours (bank boats) with groups or private. We only use trusted companies so you can rest assure that they will provide great service and be accommodating. Make sure to mention that you're staying at Justine'e Airbnb for an extra discount ;)
Want to climb up and see El Nido from above? Pass by your local booking office to hire a guide first(check out "Philippines a la carte" office, they often have guides) and make sure you have proper footwear (NO FLIP FLOPS). The climb is usually done earlier in the day due to the heat and this is done at your own risk! cost is about 500-700 pesos for the guide.
Taraw Cliff
Want to climb up and see El Nido from above? Pass by your local booking office to hire a guide first(check out "Philippines a la carte" office, they often have guides) and make sure you have proper footwear (NO FLIP FLOPS). The climb is usually done earlier in the day due to the heat and this is done at your own risk! cost is about 500-700 pesos for the guide.
Check out the surf guys at Duli Beach Resort at Duli Beach. Drive up for the day, just 45-50 minutes from El Nido. Road is easy to follow and in good condition. The Duli Beach Resort is located at the end of the beach on the left hand side. You'll see little white cabins. Grab an hour lesson or just rent a board and enjoy! Surf season starts in November and ends beginning of June.
Duli Beach Surf Palawan
Check out the surf guys at Duli Beach Resort at Duli Beach. Drive up for the day, just 45-50 minutes from El Nido. Road is easy to follow and in good condition. The Duli Beach Resort is located at the end of the beach on the left hand side. You'll see little white cabins. Grab an hour lesson or just rent a board and enjoy! Surf season starts in November and ends beginning of June.
Great place to hangout for the day, suntan and relax. Plenty of restaurants to choose from and a pretty place to watch the sunset. I enjoy going there early in the morning before the crowds arrive and it's also when the water is at its bluest and prettiest.
Marimegmeg Beach
Great place to hangout for the day, suntan and relax. Plenty of restaurants to choose from and a pretty place to watch the sunset. I enjoy going there early in the morning before the crowds arrive and it's also when the water is at its bluest and prettiest.
Qi Palawan in Sibaltan offers kite surfing. Make sure you contact them and ask about their rates, time of year classes are offered and best time to go.
Qi Palawan Kiteboarding
Qi Palawan in Sibaltan offers kite surfing. Make sure you contact them and ask about their rates, time of year classes are offered and best time to go.
Great dive shop, I myself only dive with them as they have really nice instructors, new equipment and professional. Don't have a diving licence? No problem, you can do a discovery dive with an experienced instructor who'll be with you every step of the way and show you the basics. Best time to dive in El Nido is March-December.
Submariner Diving Center
Calle Hama
Great dive shop, I myself only dive with them as they have really nice instructors, new equipment and professional. Don't have a diving licence? No problem, you can do a discovery dive with an experienced instructor who'll be with you every step of the way and show you the basics. Best time to dive in El Nido is March-December.
Want to swim with the mantas? Check out Dive Sibaltan in Sibaltan. Mantas are not guaranteed but are often seen. They also have nice dive sites and less traffic than El Nido. And best of all, you don't even need a diving licence for this one! Contact them via Dive Sibaltan on Facebook and let the know you're staying at Justine's Airbnb. You can also contact them via email @ divesibaltanelnido@gmail.com.. or phone 0917530737 /09952723499 (but phone signal is spotty in the area)
Dive Sibaltan
Want to swim with the mantas? Check out Dive Sibaltan in Sibaltan. Mantas are not guaranteed but are often seen. They also have nice dive sites and less traffic than El Nido. And best of all, you don't even need a diving licence for this one! Contact them via Dive Sibaltan on Facebook and let the know you're staying at Justine's Airbnb. You can also contact them via email @ divesibaltanelnido@gmail.com.. or phone 0917530737 /09952723499 (but phone signal is spotty in the area)
Great place to spend the day. Free beach chairs, variety of restaurants and shops, really cute art structures to take photos on (a little instagram heaven for some! ). There's a free shuttle departing from El Nido every hour on the hour. Lio shuttle bus terminal in located just 5 minutes walk from here. Turn right, 2nd street turn left and you'll see a small covered area with benches on the right hand side. Tricycle rides are 300p one way.
Lio Beach
5310 Lio
Great place to spend the day. Free beach chairs, variety of restaurants and shops, really cute art structures to take photos on (a little instagram heaven for some! ). There's a free shuttle departing from El Nido every hour on the hour. Lio shuttle bus terminal in located just 5 minutes walk from here. Turn right, 2nd street turn left and you'll see a small covered area with benches on the right hand side. Tricycle rides are 300p one way.
Best waterfalls! Only good between June and November (rainy season)..December is okay but falls start to dry up and water is very low. There's a series of 7 falls, 3 of which are accessible. You can rent a scooter and drive about 45 minutes- 1 hour up towards Taytay. Keep your eyes open for the turnoff sign/poster of the left hand side. Entrance fee is now around 700p per person.
Kuyawyaw Waterfalls
Best waterfalls! Only good between June and November (rainy season)..December is okay but falls start to dry up and water is very low. There's a series of 7 falls, 3 of which are accessible. You can rent a scooter and drive about 45 minutes- 1 hour up towards Taytay. Keep your eyes open for the turnoff sign/poster of the left hand side. Entrance fee is now around 700p per person.
This little hike only takes about 30 minutes round trip. Secured with rope and nets you'll also need to wear proper footwear (closed toe shoes) and a helmet (provided by them) Located just a few meters away from Full House, turn left and then take a sharp turn to the right at the angle. Walk down a few hundred meters and you'll find the entrance on the left hand side of the street.
Canopy Walk
Rizal Street
This little hike only takes about 30 minutes round trip. Secured with rope and nets you'll also need to wear proper footwear (closed toe shoes) and a helmet (provided by them) Located just a few meters away from Full House, turn left and then take a sharp turn to the right at the angle. Walk down a few hundred meters and you'll find the entrance on the left hand side of the street.
Beautiful beach, just 40 minutes away from El Nido. You can can rent a scooter and drive up, take a tricycle for about 700-1000 pesos round trip. Hang out and grab some drinks at Mad Monkey hostel or check out ANGKLA Beach Club. There's growing food scene there. However, watch out for the niknik sand flies while you're there. I'd put on some OFF bug repellant once you arrive as many people can have allergic reactions to their bites and can last up to a few months. The bites are small but the bite swelling can be severe. Just be prepared! Use calamine lotion on bites and antihistamines if you react to niknik bites.
19 personas locales recomiendan
Nacpan Beach
19 personas locales recomiendan
Beautiful beach, just 40 minutes away from El Nido. You can can rent a scooter and drive up, take a tricycle for about 700-1000 pesos round trip. Hang out and grab some drinks at Mad Monkey hostel or check out ANGKLA Beach Club. There's growing food scene there. However, watch out for the niknik sand flies while you're there. I'd put on some OFF bug repellant once you arrive as many people can have allergic reactions to their bites and can last up to a few months. The bites are small but the bite swelling can be severe. Just be prepared! Use calamine lotion on bites and antihistamines if you react to niknik bites.
Great beach just 20 minutes pass Nacpan. Rent a scooter and head up there for the day, great place to chill, sun tan, get away from the crowds. Check out the little resort on the end with white cabins. Say hi to the owners Max and Alma and their 2 little boys and have some lunch there. They've got games, volley ball, hammocks..
6 personas locales recomiendan
Duli Beach
6 personas locales recomiendan
Great beach just 20 minutes pass Nacpan. Rent a scooter and head up there for the day, great place to chill, sun tan, get away from the crowds. Check out the little resort on the end with white cabins. Say hi to the owners Max and Alma and their 2 little boys and have some lunch there. They've got games, volley ball, hammocks..
Got a few days? Check out Tao's 3 and 5 day tours to Coron. They're the best in their field and worth the extra money. Make sure you google them and see all the great work they do and read up on their amazing tours.
Tao Philippines
National Highway
Got a few days? Check out Tao's 3 and 5 day tours to Coron. They're the best in their field and worth the extra money. Make sure you google them and see all the great work they do and read up on their amazing tours.
Cute little district with shops, restaurants, whisky bar and live music on some nights. There's also a great Spa and Yoga studio called NAMASTE with daily classes in the morning and at sunset . Their massages are a bit pricer at 1200/hour but sooo soo worth it! They use organic locally made oils from their family farm and it's super clean! Ask for the owner Chit ;) Check out the beachfront area of POPs district too while you're there, plenty of little bars and places to hang out.
Pops District Promenade
District Road
Cute little district with shops, restaurants, whisky bar and live music on some nights. There's also a great Spa and Yoga studio called NAMASTE with daily classes in the morning and at sunset . Their massages are a bit pricer at 1200/hour but sooo soo worth it! They use organic locally made oils from their family farm and it's super clean! Ask for the owner Chit ;) Check out the beachfront area of POPs district too while you're there, plenty of little bars and places to hang out.
Check out this little art district located just inside the entrance of Lio beach. Support filipino artist and buy original and locally made souvenirs here (it's much better then the stuff you'll find in town) They also have great little restaurants and host evening activities such as live music on Thirsty Thursdays (with beer on tap, locally brewed!)
Kalye Artisano
Check out this little art district located just inside the entrance of Lio beach. Support filipino artist and buy original and locally made souvenirs here (it's much better then the stuff you'll find in town) They also have great little restaurants and host evening activities such as live music on Thirsty Thursdays (with beer on tap, locally brewed!)
Yoga classes are offered here daily. Check them out on FB for class times. They also offer amazing massages. I only go here for my massages because they use amazing oils produces from their local farm and I love the outdoor style of the space. They have 50% discount of their 1 hour signature massage from 10am-3pm every day. Make sure you tell them you're staying at Justine's :)
Namaste El Nido
Yoga classes are offered here daily. Check them out on FB for class times. They also offer amazing massages. I only go here for my massages because they use amazing oils produces from their local farm and I love the outdoor style of the space. They have 50% discount of their 1 hour signature massage from 10am-3pm every day. Make sure you tell them you're staying at Justine's :)
Bek is one of the BEST yoga teachers in our area and she just opened her own studio located in Lio Beach facing the water. Check out her class times on FB and Ig.
Yoga Tayo - Yoga Studio & Café
Bek is one of the BEST yoga teachers in our area and she just opened her own studio located in Lio Beach facing the water. Check out her class times on FB and Ig.

Medical needs/Essentials/food-groceries

Want some fresh food? Check out the fruit and veggie market located in front of the van terminal. It's a 10 minutes walk away from the house (turn left once you're at the zbottonw of our path and walk all the way down, pass the blue church and right in front of the Caltex gas station you'll see a covered area with a large parking lot on the right hand side of the street. Wednesday and Saturday mornings are when all the vendors set up tables outside in the parking lot, this is called market day! Make sure you check it out and grab some fresh fruit and see some local produce) or you can take a tricycle for 10 pesos per person. Other stores for dry good, toiletries and medicine and medical clinic are listed below:
Dry food goods such as pasta, canned veggies, spices, toiletries and general stuff!
Inggo Grocery Store
cor Real St
Dry food goods such as pasta, canned veggies, spices, toiletries and general stuff!
Pharmacy, dry goods, toiletries ...
6 personas locales recomiendan
Farmacia Comprendio
Real Street
6 personas locales recomiendan
Pharmacy, dry goods, toiletries ...
Mercury Drugs is located at Lio Beach. Has all essentials including name brand medicine, tampons and personal care products.
10 personas locales recomiendan
Mercury Drug
1235 Enrique St
10 personas locales recomiendan
Mercury Drugs is located at Lio Beach. Has all essentials including name brand medicine, tampons and personal care products.
Drugman is located in front of the fruit and veggies market and next to the Caltex gas station. Has general good goods, toiletries and meds.
Drugman Caltex
Drugman is located in front of the fruit and veggies market and next to the Caltex gas station. Has general good goods, toiletries and meds.
You can find so much random stuff here. Shoes, flip-flops, houseware, random clothes, cheap knockoff electronics and VERY loud music ! Worth a visit if you're bored!
Abot Kaya Commercial
You can find so much random stuff here. Shoes, flip-flops, houseware, random clothes, cheap knockoff electronics and VERY loud music ! Worth a visit if you're bored!
The first and only Newly opened supermarket with a variety of goods and foods. Located just 5 minutes walk from our airbnb.
Prince Hypermart El Nido
The first and only Newly opened supermarket with a variety of goods and foods. Located just 5 minutes walk from our airbnb.
Adventist Clinic is the only clinic in the area located in Corong Corong. Opened Sunday to Monday (closed Saturdays). Doctor on duty 8am-5pm, can also do blood and urine labs.
Adventist Hospital Palawan Clinic
Adventist Clinic is the only clinic in the area located in Corong Corong. Opened Sunday to Monday (closed Saturdays). Doctor on duty 8am-5pm, can also do blood and urine labs.

Getting Around

Want a scooter for the day? Just ask Inday my housekeeper and she'll get one delivered here, comes with helmets and you'll need to provide your I.D, price is 500/day. Other options for getting around Palawan, check out below
Need a ticket to get to another town? Go to the town Van Terminal and book your transfer to San Vicente, Sibaltan, Taytay, Roxas, Puerto Princessa...
Cherry Bus El Nido
Need a ticket to get to another town? Go to the town Van Terminal and book your transfer to San Vicente, Sibaltan, Taytay, Roxas, Puerto Princessa...
Air swift operates inter island flights. You can only book directly from their website or go to their office in Lio Beach or at Art Cafe. Flights from El Nido to Coron, Bohol, Cebu, Manila, Clark(located an hour outside of manila), Boracay etc. Some flight destinations and frequency have changed since Covid so be sure to book in advance and check their schedule online. Make sure you pre-buy extra luggage online as there's only 10kl per booking allowed and 7kl hand-carry. Buying extra weight at the airport is WAY more expensive.
AirSWIFT
Air swift operates inter island flights. You can only book directly from their website or go to their office in Lio Beach or at Art Cafe. Flights from El Nido to Coron, Bohol, Cebu, Manila, Clark(located an hour outside of manila), Boracay etc. Some flight destinations and frequency have changed since Covid so be sure to book in advance and check their schedule online. Make sure you pre-buy extra luggage online as there's only 10kl per booking allowed and 7kl hand-carry. Buying extra weight at the airport is WAY more expensive.

Around El Nido

Great little town..quiet and away from the BIG El Nido crowds. Can go island hoping, chill on the beach, check out waterfalls..
6 personas locales recomiendan
Port Barton
6 personas locales recomiendan
Great little town..quiet and away from the BIG El Nido crowds. Can go island hoping, chill on the beach, check out waterfalls..
Check out this small community just an hour and a half away from El Nido. Quiet and off the tourist path!
Sibaltan
Check out this small community just an hour and a half away from El Nido. Quiet and off the tourist path!
Head out to Duli beach for the day and get away from the crowds or stay a few nights at the Duli Beach resort.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Duli Beach
6 personas locales recomiendan
Head out to Duli beach for the day and get away from the crowds or stay a few nights at the Duli Beach resort.
Head to the Van Terminal to grab a shuttle van to almost anywhere in Palawan. It's located just past the gas station and in front of the market in Corogn Corong. Vans leave frequently but it's good to pre-book if you need an early departure (they can even pick you up if it's early morning). Vans to Puerto Princessa start around 5am and last van is around 6 or 7pm. The ticket fee is 550 to Puerto Princesa and prices range depending where you want to go.
Bus Terminal
Unnamed Road
Head to the Van Terminal to grab a shuttle van to almost anywhere in Palawan. It's located just past the gas station and in front of the market in Corogn Corong. Vans leave frequently but it's good to pre-book if you need an early departure (they can even pick you up if it's early morning). Vans to Puerto Princessa start around 5am and last van is around 6 or 7pm. The ticket fee is 550 to Puerto Princesa and prices range depending where you want to go.

BEST places to watch the sunset

Nice cocktails, delicious food, quiet and laid back place to watch the sunset. Corong Corong beach next to Panorama beach bar.
Buko Beach Resort
Lot 10 Sitio Lugadia
Nice cocktails, delicious food, quiet and laid back place to watch the sunset. Corong Corong beach next to Panorama beach bar.
This place is a bit more rowdy but if you're down for cheap drinks and a fun crowd then this is the party place for you to watch the sunset!
Outpost Beach Hostel
This place is a bit more rowdy but if you're down for cheap drinks and a fun crowd then this is the party place for you to watch the sunset!
Corong Corong Beach
Great place to watch the sunset :)
Marimegmeg Beach
Great place to watch the sunset :)
Great spot with live Dj's, events and best of all, it's front row to the unfolding sun down. Feel free to get dolled up when going to Panorama for sunset.
Panorama Resort El Nido
Taytay - El Nido National Highway
Great spot with live Dj's, events and best of all, it's front row to the unfolding sun down. Feel free to get dolled up when going to Panorama for sunset.