El Nido, the name of this small village now resonates with the ears of the many Filipino lovers. Originally known as the starting point to the archipelago of Bacuit, El Nido is now a full destination. Moreover, the «village» in itself, in the last few years, as a result of the influx of tourists, is more likely to visit this paradise every year.
Located 238 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa (the capital of the island of Palawan), El Nido holds its name from swallows of swallows (salangans) found in excavations of limestone cliffs: " nest "means nido in Spanish.
Well known from a French clientele who discovered charms with Koh Lanta in 2007, the «village» and its surroundings have been classified as a natural reserve since 1992, which has preserved its natural riches, particularly from breathtaking landscapes at Bacuit or the north tip of Palawan?
How did you find El Nido?
After ten years traveling across Asia, I came to El Nido to help my brother open his pension and restaurant (La Salangane). I then found a manager work in a dive center on the island of Borneo (Malaysia). As the latter is close, I returned to Palawan regularly on holiday. At the end of my contract in Malaysia I seized the opportunity to take care of a dive center in El Nido. And finally, at the end of the season and after 6 years to see El Nido evolve, I made the decision to create my own project.
Can you tell us more about the particularity of your institution?
My concept of "Hotel Flotant" is quite difficult to describe. I wanted to offer my clients the possibility to sleep in the heart of the bay; The luxury of awakening with the sun in front of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Other companies already proposed camping on certain islands; But my idea was to offer another range of comfort: real beds, real toilets, freshwater showers, a bar, refined kitchen… and all this coupled with the desire to stay "typical", to melt into the landscape and be close to the headlights of El Nido Bay. I have therefore found and personalized a Bangka (a traditional Philippine boat) respecting this specification.
What will you advise French tourists who are plotting for the 1 st time the Philippines soil?
My advice is very simple: do not scatter! Transport is long and often uncomfortable. Choose two or three places (including El Nido!) and take advantage of these places as much as possible rather than losing your days to run, fly, navigate from island to island. In ten days' time, I will start with the famous rice fields of the Banaue mountains, then a stay in Surigao for its tranquility and surf spots (or Boracay if you prefer night action and party), and finally finish with the sun of El Nido and discover the secret lagoons and hidden beaches…
Finally, you who are also a graduate divers have a "secret" destination to advise our readers?
The Philippines is full of breathtaking diving sites. New ones are discovered every month. Apo Reef (Mindoro), Tubbahata (Palawan), Anilao (Batangas), are properties known to divers. From El Nido, the new destination is north between Coron and Palawan, around the island of Linapacan: completely virgin and unexploited, this archipelago has incredibly rich funds in corals and underwater fauna.
