Our first day in Palawan can be described as a rough patch for many people in terms of traveling. Not in my case though—part of the joy of traveling is the journey from point A to B to C and so on. I eagerly anticipated the seven-hour bus trip from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. However, I never expected the stretch of dirt road on the last 50 kilometers of the trip. Being aboard an ordinary bus with open windows, we ended up covered in dust. Looking back, it was one of the best bus moments of my life. The awesome scenery, grinding bumps, and powdery dust made it memorable and, in a crazy way, a fun experience.
El Nido: 0–24 Hours
Upon arriving at Puerto Princesa Airport, we took a tricycle to Junction 1 (8 pesos per person) and from there hopped on a multicab to San Jose Terminal (12 pesos). We were supposed to take an air-conditioned RORO bus to El Nido. However, the next one wouldn't depart for two to three hours because the previous bus had left moments before we arrived. Since it was already past ten in the morning, we settled for an ordinary non-AC bus rolling out of the terminal (380 pesos) so we could reach El Nido before sundown. The bus was packed with passengers and luggage. My friend Pam and I sat at the very back, next to a couple of young local girls on our right and an elderly couple on our left.
The Dusty Bus Ride to El Nido
I kept stealing glances at the old couple as the man gently held the woman's hand. Obviously locals who had spent most of their lives in this island paradise, they stared out the window as if still captivated by the scenery. I imagined them sharing memories of decades past and reflecting on how Palawan has grown. There are more roads and people today, yet the charming island vibe endures despite environmental threats from mining and resource extraction. The couple looked so content growing old together. It made me reflect on my own future—hoping to one day grow old with a wonderful wife, living simply and taking long bus and train rides together in our twilight years.
During a 2:00 PM stopover in Roxas, Palawan, we briefly caught up with another travel writer friend, Josiah, who would join our El Nido adventures two days later. Speaking of Josiah—don't be deceived by the title of my blog, "Nomadic Experiences," because I only travel during time off from work. Josiah, on the other hand, is a true nomad. He left his job to travel across the Philippines, spending months immersing himself in local communities to learn their traditions and lifestyle. At the time, he had been living in Palawan for three months, tending a plot of land, learning to farm, and documenting remote destinations. He mentioned his biggest dilemma was balancing traveling, blogging, and farming. I wished I had that kind of problem!
I was thoroughly enjoying the bus ride, and by the time we reached Taytay, almost half the passengers had disembarked. I moved to an empty three-seater by the window and soaked in the view. Then came the grinding unpaved dirt road. At first, I assumed it was just a short unfinished section, but an hour later, I realized it stretched all the way to El Nido. With dust coating everything, my hair felt like a broomstick and my face felt three layers thicker. All the while, an LPG tank beside me kept bouncing on the floor, making me wonder if it might explode at any second!
Arriving in Town & El Nido Plaza Inn
I heaved a huge sigh of relief when signs reading "Welcome to El Nido" came into view, along with travelers walking along the streets toward their hostels. Soon, the bus pulled to a final stop. After a grueling (yet fun) seven-hour journey, we were finally stepping onto El Nido soil. Pam and I looked at the thick layer of dust covering our faces, clothes, and backpacks, laughed it off, and set out on foot to find budget lodging.
We spotted a sign declaring "Home of Budget Tourist" and asked a tricycle driver to drop us off. There we met Mr. Jun, the owner of El Nido Plaza Inn—an unassuming, friendly man around 50 walking around comfortably shirtless. As he showed us a fan room (good for 2–3 people at 500–600 pesos), he shared stories about his younger years in Manila managing student boarding houses around the University Belt.
First Night at Sea Slugs Bar
While the inn wasn't directly on the beachfront, it sat right in the town center just a short stroll from the shore. After settling in and taking a long-overdue shower, Pam and I explored town on foot. Prior to arriving, Pam had connected with a few Couchsurfers and arranged to meet them for dinner. We caught up with them at "Sea Slugs"—a lively beachside bar where a live band performed 90s and 60s classics (Pink Floyd and Sublime covers included).
We met Janice, a Filipina solo traveler who has explored Asia and Europe; Reiza from Iran and Ana from Portugal, both working with an NGO near UP Diliman; Liyi, a teacher from mainland China based in Laguna; and Yoyo, another Chinese backpacker who traveled to El Nido on her own after her companions backed out at the last minute.
We shared cold beers while listening to waves crashing against the shore and music filling the night air. Someone shouted "Cheers!", and as glasses clinked, I memorized the names behind the smiling new faces around the table. Our first 24 hours in El Nido ended on an exceptionally high note—setting the stage for our Tour A island hopping adventure the following morning!
More El Nido Travel Chronicles:
- El Nido: Paradise Momentarily Disturbed
- El Nido: 25th–48th Hour
- El Nido: Tour B–Hop a Dope
- A Piece of C in El Nido, Palawan
Planning a bigger trip across the island? Check out our complete Palawan Travel Guide for itineraries, transport tips, and island-hopping insights.
