After a few days of the “basic but edible” food routine at our eco-lodge in Sibaltan, I was desperate for flavor—and thankfully, El Nido did not disappoint. Here’s a full rundown of our whirlwind day trip from Sibaltan to El Nido town, the food highlights, unexpected coffee hunt, serene beach scenes, and why we fell in love with a little-known stretch of sand on the way back.
From Sibaltan to El Nido: Ride, Rent, Refuel
- We started our morning by hitching a ride into downtown Sibaltan to rent motorbikes.
- The one-hour ride across the island to El Nido proper was scenic and surprisingly smooth.
- First stop? Food. Always food.
Lunch at Odessa Mama Café: Ukrainian Comfort Food in the Tropics
- We stumbled upon Odessa Mama Café—and it was everything we needed.
- I had pork & veggie cabbage rolls, smothered in a creamy sauce.
- Dave ordered a crispy potato pancake topped with mushroom sauce. Gluten-free and delicious? A rare combo in these parts.
- Honestly, I could’ve cried. After bland rice and smoothies, it felt like fine dining.
- Pricey for the Philippines (₱1,600 / ~$38 CAD), but absolutely worth it.
Caffeine Quest & Beachfront Breaks
- We wandered around El Nido trying to find decent coffee that wasn’t packed or exclusively plant-based (sorry, Dave's not there yet).
- Eventually, we landed at Marber's Beach Club on El Nido Beach.
- Pricey coffees? Yes.
- Beachfront seating with toes in the sand and a sea breeze? Yes, please.
- Total bill: ₱430 (~$10 CAD), and we got to fly the drone and capture stunning coastal views.
Nacpan Beach: Paradise Found
- On the way back to Sibaltan, we stopped at a beach we’d only heard whispers about: Nacpan Beach (we may have butchered the name at first 😅).
- Picture this: soft, fine sand, rolling surf, and very few people.
- We didn’t bring towels, so no swim this time, but we vowed to return early the next morning.
- Pro tip: Park for just ₱20 and get a beach chair all day for ₱250.
Next Morning: Back to Nacpan
- Breakfast at Sunm Bar by the beach—worth skipping our lodge’s bland fare.
- We rented chairs, basked under the sun, and dipped in cool, wave-heavy water.
- I even tried fresh coconut water straight from the source! (Shocking: it wasn't thick and weird like I feared.)
Final Thoughts in Sibaltan Town
- We made a quick stop at Sibaltan’s main beach, a calm spot with kiteboarding and two dive shops.
- We plan to go diving with Dive Sibaltan as soon as Dave’s lungs are 100% again.
- Tried to book a more low-key island hopping tour from this side of the island—but they were fully booked for February! We might give in and do one of the touristy “Alphabet Tours” (Tour A, maybe?).
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