Travel Guide to Palawan (El Nido and Coron).

El Nido and Coron are the two primary tourist destinations located in the province of Palawan, which is absolutely a paradise. The tropical Palawan is popular for its freaking landscapes, diverse natural tourist attractions, turquoise water, and Sunny golden beaches. Besides that, the destination is blessed with two mesmerizing islands, Coron and El Nido. The stunning Coron is the exclusive option for Ocean lovers as it is well known for its Crystal clear pristine water, coral reefs, and ultimate to experience adventure, especially exploring the underwater life so bounce on a guided Mangrove kayak tour either enjoy a volleyball match on the beach seems fantastic. In contrast, El Nido island is home to various spectacular places such as hidden lagoons, limestone formations, and sandy white beaches surrounded by turquoise water despite the island being more developed and having plenty of stay choices. In this comprehensive travel guide, you will discover all the key pointers, How to visit, the best time to visit, nearby outlets, and additional tips. 

1. How to Go to El Nido and Coron?

Most travelers are unaware that both popular islands of Palawan are located in the same province nor even how to go to El Nido and Coron; however, there are mainly two ways to reach the island, either Air or sea, as there is no connectivity by road. Due to limited transportation choices, sometimes it becomes tricky, although these two mesmerizing islands are located at a distance of 280 km by sea. Thus, to find the best mode to go to this fantastic island, you should go through the complete blog post. 

Travel to El Nido and Coron by Ferry:

Coron and El Nido are well recognized for their stunning oceans and lagoons, but reaching them seems complicated and depends on time, budget, and convenience. Although there are only two modes of transportation, the total distance between the islands is 280 km, which can be covered within 3.5 to 9 hours, depending on the choice of Ferry. The best way to visit here is by taking the fast ferry option, which features multiple services like padded seats, even though few have Screens playing entertainment for the travelers. Therefore, the ferry costs nearly P 1800 per person, and only two companies operate these services due to monopoly; they have a record of canceling and overbooking at the last minute.

Travel to El Nido and Coron by Flight:

For anyone who is looking for the quick and fastest way to reach El Nido and Coron, then flight can be the best choice as it will take only 40 minutes to cover the distance; consequently, it is the most convenient method, but it is pretty expensive as only one Airline is operating on this route i.e., Airswift which offers one flight a day departing from Busuanga Airport to El Nido Airport which is only 15-20 minutes distance from the main town itself. Though the flight's departure time is scheduled chiefly around 9:30 am, and the fares may vary depending on the time of booking and availability generally, it remains between P 4,000 to P 5,000, especially during the peak season. 

2. Best Time to Visit:

Admirers can visit the marvelous islands yearly to experience diverse climate conditions. Still, the best time to visit the destination is based on the traveler's preferences and what activities you want to experience. For more information, we have listed the peak season and off-season depending on temperature and weather conditions, making it less complex to discover the ideal season for outdoor and underwater activities.

• Peak Season—The ideal season to visit the exclusive beachy destination is between December and May, as it is dry, warm, and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 31' C. It is the ultimate time of the year to enjoy outdoor activities like island hopping, snorkeling, and Scuba diving. In addition, it is also perfect weather to travel over Bacuit Bay in El Nido and explore the Siete Pecados Marine Park in Coron.
• Off-Season—The off-season, considered to avoid flying to El Nido and Coron, is between June and October due to occasional rain and storms. However, you can view the lush green landscape, which is not an ideal time to enjoy outdoor activities.
• Mild Season—Those who love to explore the destination with fewer crowds or for a more relaxing and budget-friendly trip should consider exploring El Nido and Coron Island in April, May, and November. This is the time to make this trip cost-effective, and you can get enough time to explore the island. 

3. What to Wear in El Nido and Coron?

Once the El Nido and Coron beach destination is finalized for the upcoming getaway, most travelers start wondering What to wear on the mesmerizing island trip. If you are also one of those muddled with what to wear and what to pack, then to make your task less complex, we have enlisted a few pointers that you must consider while packing.

• The Palawan climate is consistently hot and humid, so you should pack loose, breathable fabric that helps keep your body temperature cool. The best fabrics are cotton and linen, or you can consider activewear.
• As it is a beach destination, pack your beachwear like swimsuits.
• As a tropical destination, it might experience rain showers, so it is wise to carry a waterproof coat and umbrella.

4. Nearby Places to Explore:

There are plenty of places that you should consider exploring during your El Nido and Coron Island hopping to make this experience unforgettable. These two islands are popular tourist destinations because of their pristine white sandy beaches, Oceans, Turquoise water, and more. Let's discover the nearby places that one should not miss out on.

• Kayangan Lake: The brackish Lake is located on Coron Island, a must-visit tourist spot the Tagbanwa people maintain. It is well known for its clear crystal Turquoise water, which has also been awarded the Presidential Fame of the World. 
• Duli Beach—The famous Duli Beach is approximately 25 km North of El Nido, a journey that will take approximately 40 minutes. Travelers find this white beach ideal for surfing spots, especially during the peak surfing season, from November to March.
• Twin Lagoon—This exclusive tourist spot for day tours is in Coro,n. It is one of the prominent nearby places for its stunning lagoons and limestone cliffs. It is known as twin lagoons because the open sea's warm water indulges into the subterranean river's pure water. You can pre-book a boat tour of this iconic destination through any renowned company.
• Nacpan Beach—Marvelous Beach is nearly 22 km from El Nido and almost 30 minutes from the Lio Airport. Coconut trees surround it along the coastline, so it is well known for its best seafood.

5. Convenience and Local Transport:

The most convenient and best local transport to explore the mesmerizing El Nido and Coron island for a short distance via rental motorbikes or tricycles, which can carry up to two to four passengers. However, the charges are fixed, but travelers can also negotiate the charges else; it may cost approximately PHP 1000, whereas covering the distance between Lio Airport and the central city will cost nearly PHP 300.

6. Estimated Expenses:

Generally, the estimated trip expense to both islands depends on the traveler's preference for accommodation, food choice, travel style, island hopping tour, number of activities the traveler plans to experience, and the main expense of flights. Otherwise, if you plan a budget trip to both islands, the cost could range from $500 to $1000 per person, valid for up to 5 to 6 days. Still, if the traveler prefers to book the flight tickets at the last minute, the trip will be expensive as the last-minute flight fares are higher than bookings made at least a few weeks before departure. 

7. Additional Tips: 

When traveling to a tropical island for the first time on a relaxing trip, you have to be aware of the essential things to avoid inconveniences, whether on a solo or family trip. This extensive travel guide will be beneficial as it features additional tips to enhance the overall experience and make the trip unforgettable.

• Both islands are filled with a fusion of indoor and outdoor activities, so it is better to plan for various adventure activities.
• Still, El Nido is developing, which is why the town has few ATM options. Most are out of cash, so make sure to carry enough money.
• You might face network connectivity issues, as only some cafes and hotels provide Wi-Fi facilities. It is wise to get a new SIM Card instead of becoming dependent on Wi-Fi.
• The prominent way to explore the entire island in less time via opting for rental bikes, which nearly cost between PHP 350 - 500 
• Those traveling to the El Nido and Coron Islands in the rainy season should pack clothing for hot and cool weather and rain gear like an umbrella and a raincoat.
• To prevent inconvenience, it is highly recommended that you stay updated on the weather forecast so that you can plan the adventure activity accordingly. 

.