As our plane descended towards the northern tip of Palawan, the first thing that I noticed were the enchanting islands with white sand beaches, and once we landed, the limestone cliffs that took my breath away. El Nido Palawan, is an escape to paradise, with its name “El Nido” derived from Spanish, meaning “the nest.”.
This place is famous for its serene islands filled with majestic limestone cliffs, topped off with forest green fringes, all surrounded by blue-green, crystalline waters filled with marine life. With the plane landing at Lio Airport, the sea breeze, limestone cliffs, and the anticipation of a great discovery of the weekend filled the air. First-timer or not, El Nido, Palawan never bores.
There is always something waiting to be discovered on its shores, with new hotspots ready to pamper you with a unique and unforgettable getaway, rain or shine. A short drive from Lio, El Nido Airport is Lime Resort and Hotel where we checked in. Opened only last January 2022, this beachfront hotel in Sitio Lugadia is just a stone’s throw away from popular spots like Corong-Corong Beach, Marimegmeg Beach, Vanilla Beach, and Lapus-Lapus Beach.
Their Sky Lounge with infinity pool, as well as their Sky Deck, is the perfect place to have cocktails and watch the stunning Palawan sunset overlooking Bacuit Bay. The room I got to check in was a Premiere Suite that had the same majestic view, as well as a luxurious bathtub, spacious room with a sitting area, work desk, and balcony. The main thing that I liked about the room aside from the view and tub is that Lime Hotel offers smart hotel rooms.
You can easily personalize your TV channels, room temperature, and lighting settings to suit your liking via their in-room tablet. After a relaxed first day highlighted by gorging on scrumptious meals, we woke up the next morning ready for an adventure. Our first stop of the day was a boat ride to Seven Commandos Beach.
Located just around the corner from El Nido town proper, this stretch of powdery white sand is usually a first stop for tours. We were greeted by a panoramic view of the stunning turquoise waters of the Sulu Sea, promising a proper escape from real life. The place is lined with coconut trees up above where there is plenty of shade to lounge or play volleyball.
We also snorkeled here to our heart’s content. Our tour guide from Señorita Travels mentioned the origins of its name. He said that “while not proven, it is known the name Seven Commandos came from the fact that during the Second World War, seven soldiers got stranded on the island.
” An interesting history lesson while traveling is always fun. A more interesting part of the tour for me was when we transferred to Serenity Beach. Much like its namesake, this is a picture-perfect tropical setting that feels more private as this is usually connected with Tour D, the less crowded one.
The beach, located near Cadlao Lagoon, is encircled by majestic limestone cliffs, vibrant greenery, and gently swaying coconut palms. It presents an idyllic tropical paradise for travelers to relax and immerse in tranquility. Add in capturing our memories with some drone shots, coconut juice, fruits, and sandwiches, all prepared by Seniorita Travels and it was a great conclusion to our relaxed island adventure.
Another underrated spot that you should definitely drop by is a visit to Cathedral Cave, with huge stalactites like pillars in the cave that go back more than 40 meters. Usually, you can go inside to swim, but during sea krait mating season, the cave becomes a breeding ground for sea snakes, and entering it could disturb them. For lunch after the tour, we headed further north to discover El Nido’s latest gem, Angkla El Nido Beach Club, situated along the pristine white sands of Nacpan Beach.
The soothing sounds of waves lapping on the shore and the promise of carefree relaxation greeted us upon arrival. We had a feast of their best, with the beef and mushroom Salpicao that stole the show with its succulent beef cubes bathed in a rich, garlicky soy sauce. And as night fell, we visited Barakuda in the town center, offering a blend of Filipino flavors and European culinary techniques, centered around the freshest seafood from Palawan’s waters.
Launched in late October of the previous year, it has sustainability at its core. With its subdued, intimate lighting and chic beach house ambiance, it sources decorative elements such as chandeliers from local craftsmen and obtains seafood straight from the town’s fishermen. We really loved the Pulpo Adobo here, a sous vide octopus tentacle accompanied by a rich squid ink adobo sauce and garlic tomato confit that features what can come from old and new in El Nido.
From my travels within this nest of a paradise, it’s the undiscovered corners that truly captivated my spirit of adventure. Away from the famed lagoons and beaches lie other hidden treasures that offer a unique view of this tropical haven. Be it a secret cove, an untouched island, or new restaurants that can take your taste buds to a different place altogether, these discoveries encourage us to see El Nido through a different lens.
As you map out your journey to this beloved island, make sure to embrace the unexpected— that’s what El Nido is all about. Image credits:.
