The Island Explorer

Deciding on your accommodations in El Nido is quite tricky, given that it is not like Boracay, where you have everything within walking distance. El Nido's best experiences are often outside the town proper  which is very busy and packed with restaurants, cafes and tour operators, making a stay not as ideal.  So, when one comes to El Nido, accommodation hopping is a norm. So, I am giving the low down on the top beaches that are battling it to attract visitors to make it their homebase or a part of their hop. Let's start off with the most convenient option, which is located right next to the airport - Lio Beach. Lio Beach was once a barren vastness of a beach that has been utterly transformed into one of the most expensive property developments in Palawan. Helmed by the Ayala Group, the massive redevelopment is aimed to cater to those who want to invest in a family-centered resident community and creative hub in El Nido.  Lio Beach is built for beachside living, perfect for fami

It's amazing how much a destination evolves over time. The first time I have been to El Nido was memorable. Confined to El Nido Miniloc Island, I had an unexpected treat to nature that truly made me fall in love with the Philippines even more. You can read about these adventures here  and here . I was hooked, and eventually flew back to these islands to experience their other exclusive resorts. Lagen followed and soon Pangulasian . Back then, our tours to the Small and Big Lagoons were not so crowded. Kayaking the islands was one of the greatest experiences I've had, especially from Entalula Island. I never wanted Palawan to be known. Just as most visitors, they wanted it mostly to themselves. The elusiveness and remoteness of the islands were just enchanting.  This time, 10 years after, I went back, coming short of a supposed visit in 2017 where I ended up settling in Port Barton instead. Though I've heard so many good things about the recent transformation, I was still w

It seems weird that after writing this series from El Nido, I am now leaning towards it as my favorite in Palawan. I always said to myself that Coron is better. Now, with all of these reminiscing, I just want to go back to El Nido and explore more of it.

So my El Nido adventure continues after staying 2 nights in Lagen. I knew about El Nido's new resort, Pangulasian Island. However, Pangulasian was more expensive and having 4 people in the trip will definitely hurt our budget.

And I'm back. Yes, if you thought the Island Explorer has retired, well, I just forgot to write. But so far, since my last post, which was already a year delayed, I haven been traveling twice a month. Imagine all the backlog! So, moving on, I will be revisiting some experiences that needed to be posted. Let's begin where I took off. Currently the number 1 island in the world according to Travel + Leisure, Palawan is still a vast and long treasure cove filled with underrated beauty featuring nature's best. Palawan has everything I assume. From the sparkling islands of the North to the wild mountains of the South, and more and more islands in between. I am very ashamed to say that I have only touched the tip of Palawan's iceberg. I have only been to Puerto Princesa, Coron and El Nido. What a shame indeed. But these are the basics, so let's check out another resort that have of course, made headlines for the past 20 years in the island. For years, it has been THE

Our short vacation in El Nido was coming to an end, and believe me, those days were not even close to enough to truly enjoy and explore this beautiful place.

We woke up to a beautiful day in El Nido, with the sun now shining. The Miniloc Resort glittered with life as the morning's activities were beginning. It started with feeding the jacks found on the resort's house reef. The jack's were huge, probably averaging at almost 2 feet long. It was an experience to be swimming with them as well. The feeding of the jacks happen only here in Miniloc, thus, making the resort again a better place for kids.

Finally, I am on a journey to one of the most desired tourist hotspots in the country. And it begins in this small plane, similar to the plane I took to Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, only more luxurious. I was so anxious to land safe and sound in the northern part of Palawan, in a place called El Nido.

Finally, a much deserved promotion on the Philippines. Tripadvisor, one of the most informative and reliable travel blogs in the world has come out with the 2010 Travelers' Choice Awards with 3 destinations in the Philippines landing in this coveted list. Boracay has landed on the top spot for beach and sun destinations in Asia, beating the Maldives and all the other islands of Thailand. It is also no. 9 for beach and sun destinations in the world and no. 9 again for Relaxation and Spa in Asia. Interestingly, I found out that I have no entry on Boracay in this blog. Weird. Though I haven't been back to the island since 2008. This is the longest time that I haven't been back. I hope to revisit this June, and finally, have a comprehensive series on this tropical paradise. Then, the two wonders of Palawan, El Nido and Coron, land on 5th and 6th spot respectively for Outdoor and Adventure destinations in Asia. El Nido also landed no. 8 in beach and sun destinations in Asia. Pa

I just came back from a travel photography workshop in northern Palawan. The workshop was organized by Colors Travel, and the Palawan leg was the 2nd tour offering out of 4. The first one was held in Batanes with George Tapan. This tour had Master Photographer Wig Tysmans. We took a SEAIR flight and landed in Busuanga Island in northern Palawan. We then proceeded to our host resort, El Rio Y Mar, which is a sister resort of the established Club Paradise. El Rio is situated in a quiet cove near Maricaban. It is on the way to Club Paradise. Though not really an island resort, the secluded location of El Rio becomes an attraction, highlighted with calm waters and a backdrop of hills. The beach is not that great, but the water is clean and clear. At high tide, the beachfront cottages seem to float on water. There is a restaurant serving great food and a refreshing infinity pool that looks out to the serenity of the cove. The cottages are appointed well, neat and huge by ordinary standards.