Soon after our arrival at Puerto Princesa Airport, we immediately hired a tricycle to take us to San Jose Central Terminal. I did not notice any taxis near the airport or in the city so I guess tricycle is the primary mode of transportation to get around Puerto Princesa. It took us about 15-20 minutes to reach the central terminal where we found a van bound to El Nido. We got to the terminal at 9:30AM but unfortunately, the van was scheduled to leave at 11AM so we had to wait for 1 ½ hours.
One may also opt to ride a non-airconditioned bus to El Nido for a cheaper fare but this trip would take longer. These buses are old so passengers may not feel comfortable and there’s always a possibilty that they break down along the way.
The road to El Nido seemed to be in very good condition during the first 3 ½ hours of the trip. But a few kilometers after Roxas City, we started to pass through a combination of smooth and rough roads. The highway was under contruction during our visit. At some point during the trip, the van we were riding got stuck in the mud .Our driver tried to maneuver the van out of the mud but failed several times and I thought we were going to be stuck there for a while. Fortunately, he brought a rope with him. He tied the rope under the front bumper and we all helped him by pulling the van out of the mud. We were succesful after two attempts and we continued with the trip.
It took us 6 hours to get to El Nido from San Jose Central Terminal with a lunch stopover at Roxas City.
At El Nido van terminal, we hired a tricycle to take us to the beach. (We found out the next day that we could have just walked from the terminal to the beach since it isn’t really far.) After checking out some of the beach front accommodations, we decided to stay at Ogie’s Beach Pension.
TRAVEL EXPENSES:
Tricycle fare from PP Airport to Central Terminal = P120.00. ( This is the standard fare if you would hire one of the tricyles lined at the airport’s parking lot. You could save half of the price if you walk just a little farther from the airport and hire one of the tricycles looking for passengers outside of the airport.)
Van fare from San Jose Central Terminal to El Nido = P700.00 each. (We thought we were overcharged by Fort Wally. Fort Wally told us that if we take their van when we go back to Puerto Princesa from El Nido, we would get a P200-discount each. Since Fort Wally’s vans are old we decided to just let go of the discount and take a different van bound to Puerto Princesa .We were only charged P500.00 each)
Lunch at Fort Wally’s Restaurant in Roxas City= P180.00 ( The food? Not so good for the price)
Water and Snacks = P50.00
is there a bus that leaves at night like 10pm?
during our trip, earliest bus leaves at 7AM and the last trip is at 11AM.
nice blog…
same terminal ba yon vans and buses going to el nido? and you have any idea what time the buses leave pp
thanks ayan. yes, same terminal. buses and vans leave as early as 6am, last trip is at 11am 🙂
how much accomodation sa ogies?
nasa P700 with free breakfast. I suggest you call them to make reservations. +63 916 7070393 / +63 920 404 0223
how was it there??how was the room ?and their facilities?
how about the food and the location?
Do you remember the van company that took you at 11am? I am flying in at 9:30, so same itinerary.
AES, it was Fort Wally. I’ve actually written it in this post, under travel expenses 🙂
hi, aside from fort wally, are there other vans that travel to el nido?
Yes, there are. I just couldn’t remember the names. When you get to the terminal, and you’re early, just look around for other vans going to El Nido.
ayos..
good thing i bump into your site..
will go here on wed…tipid trip kaya pahirapan malamang..actually excited to ride the bus..sna pwde sumakay sa taas =)
Thank you for posting this^^we are planning to go there on 21st of april(for the first time)and I think this blog of yours is a big help:)the problem is we will leave Cebu around 11am since all airplanes bound for puerto princesa leave at that time …can we still find vans upon arriving there??and do u know how can we do ‘island hopping?
I don’t think there’d be any available transpo going to El Nido after 11am. But it would still be best to ask when you get there. The tricycle drivers may be able to tell you if there’d still be available traspo. You may rent a van, but that would be too expensive. Regarding food and accomodation. there are a lot to choose from. You can walk from the terminal to the beach and just choose which place you want to stay. Accomodation at Og’s is pretty basic. Fan rooms only. Good for backpackers and for those who travel cheap. There is a hotel there though, (forgot its name) that has AC rooms. For tours, there’s a lot of tour organizers to choose from. They offer the same destinations. We took the tour from Ogie’s 🙂
Hi! When was your trip to El Nido? Planning to go around August and worried about the weather. Thanks! 🙂
We went there August last year. The weather was fine during our visit 🙂
hi,
my bf and i are planning to go there this october, and we are thinking of staying in coron for 2days and 3days in el nido..is it possible for us to tour those amazing islands you have posted in your blogs for 6days and 5nights?
many thanks xx
yes, that’s more than enough 🙂
Me and my barkadas are planning to visit El NIdo, one of our concern is our transportation. Are there Van service leaving El NIdo at Night?
unfortunately, none 🙁 you may hire a van for exclusively for your group but that would be more expensive
Sir, question, which do you prefer, beachfront accommodation or town proper? kasi I’ll go there sa July 31 to August 4, this is my itinerary kasi, July 31, arrival Puerto Princesa, then travel to ElNido. August 1, tour A, August 2, tour C, August 3, try to climb Taraw Cliff then August 4, uwi na to Manila. Parang i will spend most of the days sa tours, kaya i want to know ano kaya malapit na accommodation from jump-off point ng island-hopping and malapit sa taraw cliff?
Thanks pala for accepting my add sa FB 🙂
Beachfront. Plenty to choose from 🙂