After four nights in Siquijor, it was time to continue our journey. While we managed to explore a bit, Dave was under the weather for part of our stay, making this transition even more exhausting. Our destination? El Nido, a breathtaking beach paradise—but first, we had to navigate a long, multi-leg travel day involving ferries, vans, and flights.
Leaving Siquijor: Tricycle Ride to the Port
We started the morning by walking to the main road, hoping to flag down a tricycle to the ferry port.
- Original Plan: Our motorbike rental guy, Frank, was supposed to pick us up, but he never showed.
- Backup Plan: Walk to the highway and hail a ride.
- Success! Within minutes, a driver stopped and offered us a ride for 50 pesos to the port.
- Travel Tip: Fares to and from accommodations are usually higher when arriving than when departing.
Ferry from Siquijor to Dumaguete
After reaching the port, we boarded the ferry to Dumaguete.
- Ferry Duration: 45 minutes.
- Ticketing Process: Even with an e-ticket, we had to check in and get a printed ticket.
- Onboard Experience: Window seats in Row 22 (H & I)—a first for us!
- Motion Sickness Prevention: Took Gravol ahead of time, which made us drowsy but helped with the choppy water.
Flight from Dumaguete to Manila
Once in Dumaguete, we caught a flight to Manila, which was an unexpected detour due to a canceled direct flight.
- Why the Change? A volcanic eruption near Negros affected flights.
- New Route: We had to fly to Manila first, then take a separate flight to Puerto Princesa.
- Delay: Our flight was delayed almost two hours, pushing our arrival into the early morning hours.
- Sleep Deprivation: By the time we reached our hotel in Puerto Princesa, it was 2 AM.
Van Ride from Puerto Princesa to El Nido
The next leg of our journey involved a long van ride from Puerto Princesa to El Nido.
- Duration: Estimated at 5–9 hours (ours took 5.5 hours).
- The Ride: Extremely fast and rough—the driver overtook cars constantly and swerved sharply.
- Speed Check: At times, we hit 100 km/h on narrow roads.
- Motion Sickness Remedy: More Gravol, which helped immensely.
- Break Stop: A 30-minute rest stop with washrooms, snacks, and some much-needed fresh air.
Final Stretch: Tricycle to Nacpan Beach
Once in El Nido, we had one more challenge—getting to our final stay in Nacpan Beach.
- Options: A bus (200 pesos per person, only once a day) or a tricycle (1,500 pesos for a private ride).
- Our Choice: The tricycle, which was more expensive but left immediately.
- Ride Duration: One hour on a bumpy, scenic route.
Best Meal of the Trip: Dinner Before the Airport
Before catching our final ride, we stopped for dinner at Arbor, a highly-rated restaurant.
- Our Orders:
- Fish & chips
- Chicken breast with ratatouille
- German-style potatoes with bacon
- Food Rating: Best meal of the trip so far!
Final Thoughts & Travel Tips
✅ Tricycle Fares: Expect higher prices when arriving at a destination compared to departing.
✅ E-Tickets: You still need to check in for a printed ticket at ferry terminals.
✅ Van Ride to El Nido: Prepare for fast, bumpy travel—take motion sickness meds!
✅ Best Meal Tip: Look for Arbor in Puerto Princesa for an amazing pre-flight dinner.
✅ Final Journey: Tricycle rides can be costly but are the quickest option to Nacpan Beach.
Next Adventure: Exploring El Nido
After a long travel day, we’re finally in El Nido. Join us next as we visit hidden beaches, take an island-hopping tour, and soak in the best of Palawan!
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