I am pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Mariola, a member of the Solo Travel Society on Facebook. Mariola lives in the United States, and submitted the following report about El Nido. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Solo travel rating: 1.5 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Languages spoken: Tagalog, English
Reasons to Visit El Nido
I am having a hard time finding the perfect adjective to describe El Nido in Palawan, Philippines. The word beautiful doesn't do it justice. Just looking at my photos again makes me want to jump on the next plane and fly there right now.
Island hopping is the most popular activity here. The tours are divided into four different itineraries:
- Tour A, which includes Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Simizu Island, Secret Lagoon and 7 Commandos Beach;
- Tour B, which includes Entalula Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave and Cathedral Cave;
- Tour C, which takes you to Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine and Star Beach; and
- Tour D, which covers Bukal Island, Ipil Beach, Nat-Nat Beach, Cadlao Lagoon and Paradise Beach.
After thorough research and some extensive blog reading, Tours A and C won me over. Each tour costs around US$36, inclusive of lunch. Yes, that comes with lunch – a heavy lunch, let me warn you. After eating, all you want to do is just take a nap by the beach, under the coconut tree. Ahhh, awesome!
For accommodation, I stayed at Treetops. They have great reviews on tripadvisor and communication with the owners was easy. They were happy to arrange just about anything for guests – dinner, transport, trips, etc.
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 2 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1.5 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult)
