Tag Archives: commuting to el nido

The Long Way to El Nido

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Are we there yet?

I heard the Fil-Am kid asking his mom who was seated in front of us. It was the same question that I had in mind. My butt was numb. My legs wanted a stretch. I peeked through the window and saw nothing but darkness. I remembered how this day started.

At 2:00 pm, we boarded the RORO Bus at the San Jose Terminal. I closed my eyes to sleep hoping that when I wake up we’re already in El Nido. I tried to sleep yet my mind was awake. The way to the north of Palawan was winding. I peeked through the window but all I saw were trees in a panning motion. I returned to sleep.

At 5:30 pm, the bus stopped. The conductor said that we’re already at the Taytay Bus Stop. I felt my stomach looking for food. My friend Janet decided to stay in the bus with the thought that we’ll be arriving in El Nido at around 8:00 pm. I went out and grabbed a dinner.

There were no restaurants at the Taytay bus stop but carinderias. J was apprehensive of eating at the carinderia (Maarte kasi sya! haha). Nonetheless, he shared the meal with me.

After 20 minutes, all of the passengers returned to the bus. I was happy that finally, we’re nearing El Nido. Taytay was the last stop. I estimated that we’ll be arriving around 8:00 pm considering that it’s a six-hour trip according to my research.

Darkness fell. The smooth paved road ended as we leave Taytay. The road in between Taytay and El Nido was rough and bumpy preventing me to sleep further. I was bored.

I looked around and others still managed to sleep. It was already past 8pm but still the bus continued to move like a turtle.

Are we there yet? Where art thou El Nido? 

It seemed like our roadtrip to El Nido was never ending until signs of civilization showed up. It was already 9:00 pm. The driver finally stopped the bus. I checked on the bus ticket and saw that we traveled 267 kilometers from San Jose Terminal, Puerto Princesa to El Nido. The travel time summed up to 7 hours.

Welcome to El Nido! The rains continued to pour as we went out of the bus. Tricycles were waiting for passengers. We hailed one trike and told him to bring us to Tay Miloy’s Inn. We paid him Php 50.00 (the fare that they usually charge coming from the terminal).

Kuya Rodrigo Carag welcomed us to his home. He told us that the RoRo bus slowed down its pace of travel as some passengers complained feeling dizzy due to the bumpy ride.

We left our bags in our rooms and off we went to the town proper since Janet and J haven’t eaten dinner yet. We called it a night at around 12midnight. It’s time to finally get a long sleep.

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Commuting 101: How to go to El Nido

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If there’s a wheel, there’s a car. But seriously, if there’s a will, there’s a way. Many have this misconception that it’s difficult to get to El Nido. I say, it’s not. Actually, you have many options to reach this paradise in the North of Palawan.

THE EASIEST BUT MOST EXPENSIVE WAY: Fly to El Nido via the Island Transvoyager Inc. It’s a chartered 19-seater Dornier 228 which brings you direct to El Nido. Travel time from Manila to El Nido Lio Airport is 75 minutes. (There’s no indicated fare on their website but since it’s chartered, prepare to pay a huge amount of money. )

Contact: +63 (2) 851 5664; +63 (2) 851 5674

FLY to Coron and CRUISE to EL Nido: Montenegro’s Ferry started this voyage last March. You can enjoy both Coron and El Nido via this route. But it would cost you Php 1,760 per way. Here’s the detailed post about it.

Travel time Coron to El Nido: 4 hours

Fly to Puerto Princesa and take a LONG ROAD TRIP to El Nido: If you’re on a budget, this is the most economical way to reach El Nido. And since we’re on a budget, this was how we went to El Nido. 

  • Airfare to Puerto Princesa- Php 800 roundtrip (This was booked on a seat sale last November 2011 but the travel date was June 2012).
  • Buses, shuttles and vans from San Jose Terminal of Puerto Princesa City are your means of transportation to El Nido.

via BUS

  • RORO Bus- This is the newest bus in San Jose Terminal. You can choose an airconditioned or a non-airconditioned bus ride to El Nido. The aircon and non-aircon buses have alternating schedules. Should you choose to ride the RoRo Bus, reserve a seat via their contact numbers: 0908 920 2568 / 0921 255 2765 / 0917 597 1186
         Puerto Princesa to El Nido
         RORO Non-Aircon Bus Schedule: 4am, 8am, 12NN, 4PM
         RORO Aircon Bus Schedule- 6AM, 10 AM, 2PM, 6PM, 10PM
         AIRCON BUS FARE: Php 483.00
         NON-AIRCON BUS: Php 367.00
         TRAVEL TIME: 7 hours
         PRO: Comfy new aircon bus. It has more leg room.
         CON: Long travel time

 

via Van

  • Lexus Shuttle Van – If you’re traveling in a big group, it’s better to take a van. However, it has lesser leg room.

PRO: Lesser travel time to El Nido 5 hours

CON: Lesser leg room. Fare is Php 600 per way

Contact: 0917 585 9602/ 0912 100 2653

So if it were you, how will you get to El Nido?

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