Palawan Travel Tips


To help you organize your trip to the Philippines with Tao, we have put this together this Travel Information section for you.
You will find all the information you will need to book with us, flight information, accommodation recommendations, and packing lists.

Booking with Tao
When you have chosen a trip or retreat that you are interested in, contact Eddie by filling out the Enquieries & Booking form.
We strongly recommend that you book in advance with Tao as we only work with a handful of travelers and spaces get booked up quickly, so to avoid disappointment contact us as soon as possible to reserve your place. 



Palawan-Getting Here and Away
First you will need to book your international flights to Manila [Capital of the Philippines] 
From manila you will need to travel to either Coron or El Nido and be there the at least the day prior to the expedition [see map].  Please come and see us to check in when you get into town so we can brief and advise you. In Coron we have the Tao office by the main strip in front of seadive resort. In El Nido we have Tao bar by the beach.

If you are joining us from Coron or flying out of Coron, look for a flight to Busuanga airport (Coron).
There are regular flights 5 to 6 times a day with Cebu Pacific, PAL express or Zest air.
From Busuanga airport it is a 30min transfer to Coron town. There are shuttle vans operating outside the terminal and cost 150Pesos per person. Tell the driver you would like to be dropped off at ‘Tao café opposite Seadive’ or they can drop you to your accommodation and you can make your way to our base later.

To get to El Nido from/to Manila: You have 2 options:  a) the cheaper but not direct or b) the expensive direct flight.

a) Via Puerto Princesa, Fly in or out of Puerto Princesa with Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines. Puerto is aprox 150km south of El Nido and requires a 7hour van ride or 9 hour public bus. First departures are 5am and the last leave Puerto by 11am.
If you are traveling directly, you may need to stay overnight in Puerto to catch a van in the morning. Vans and buses leave from the bus station in San Jose. You can just turn up and get a van or if you are a group it is best to book. Tao can do this for you if you request. Once you arrive in El Nido get the driver to drop you at our departure lounge, the 'Tao beach Bar'. Here you can meet us and check in for your expedition.

b) Direct Flights In and out of El Nido available with charter planes from the El Nido Resort. ITI is the company that service the charter. 6,500 to 8,500pesos per person. Contact El Nido Boutique and Art Cafe to inquire about booking and availability. Seair is also another airline that fly direct in and out of El Nido. only scheduled twice a week- 6,700pesos. Once you arrive in El Nido get the driver to drop you at our departure lounge, the Tao beach Bar. Here you can meet us and check in for your expedition.

Cash
As Northern Palawan is gradually improving its infrastructure for banking and cash access for visitors and tourists, there are still  
some inconveniences such as high percentage charges for cash advances and limited availability of cash machines.
Tao unfortunately does not accept credit card payments at the moment.  We advise that you withdraw a sufficient amount of Pesos before you head to Northern Palawan, either from Manila or from Puerto Princesa. You can take out cash from any cash machines in Manila, or exchange currencies in  
major banks and Bureaus.There are no cash machines in El Nido and there is only one cash  machine in Coron that accepts foreign bank cards but it runs out of cash frequently. There are businesses that offer cash advance but they charge from 6 to 10%. You can change foreign currencies in both El Nido and Coron - US dollars, UK pounds or Euros the rate is a few pesos less than in Manila.
You do not need cash on board!

Visa Requirements
Visa requirements vary. Please contact the Philippine Embassy in your country.


Weather
Our season runs from November to early June. This is the dry season and the weather is good most of the time. Sometimes there is bad weather with rain or storms but you can not predict when. We do not opperate during the monsoon season [Aprox June to October]

Children
Children can only join private expeditions. The open expeditions are not suitable for children under 12.

Sleeping Arrangements
Our sleeping will be mostly shared under one roof, it all depends where we end up- a village or a secluded beach hut or on the roof deck of the boat if its calm and sky clear enough- everyone gets a mattress, pillow, blanket and net.

Food and Diet Requirements
Our menu is based on traditional filipino cooking using Fresh seafood, vegetables, fruit and rice. We do not generally serve meat because we use ice boxes and we do not have refrigeration for storage on the boats. Sometimes we will buy livestock in the islands such as chickens or pigs. Vegetarians can enjoy the numerous vegetable dishes. For any other diet requirements please inform us when you check in, or if you think it maybe an issue then inform us via e- mail.

Alcohol

Alcohol, [spirits and beer] and mixers are included in the price of the Bespoke Expeditions. Alcohol is not included in the price of the Open Expeditions or Safaris so if you wish to bring something to drink, we have ice boxes to keep it cold. The only products available locally are various rhums and San Miguel beer, and mixers of coke, sprite or pineapple juice or tonic water. If you prefer something specific then its a good idea to pick up a bottle when you pass through duty free on your flight here.

Departure and Arrival Times
We will be expecting you to 'check in' at our base in the town of your departure the day before your expedition is scheduled to leave. On the morning of the Expedition or Safari everybody meets at the base at about 8:30am. There is always time to pick up last minute essentials and Alcohol. If you are staying out of town at a resort, you do not have to meet us the day before, you can check in the morning of departure, but please inform us of this via e-mail in advance. 
We arrive at the end of the trip in the destination port at about 5:00pm so there is time to transfer to you accommodation before it gets dark. 

Baggage restrictions
There are no baggage restrictions on the boats. But try to pack light as you wont need that much stuff. Below we have given a list of recommendations.

Packing List
•    The Philippines is a tropical Climate, so it warm and humid even at night.
•    Pack shorts and t shirts/vests for the day. Most people wear their swimwear during the days because you will be in and out of the water.
•    In the evening you will shower or rinse off and put on some very light weight trousers and a long sleeve top or shirt to minimize insect bites.
•    As footwear, we suggest flip flops that can get wet. Also bring light trainers for treks and climbing.
•    Sun hat or cap, lots of sunscreen, after sun and sun glasses.
•    Wash-kit, toiletries and a towel.
•    Insect repellent.
•    A small torch or headlight. Electricity is not always available.
•    If you have reef shoes, fins, rash guard, water proof bags for electronics and rain ponchos we suggest you bring these too.
•    We provide everyone with a mask and snorkel  but if you have your  own bring it with you.
•    A Cellphone that accepts international simcards can be useful. Get ‘Smart’ simcard [available everywhere for aprox 70pesos or 300pesos in the airport] Everyone uses cellphones in the Philippines so its easy to book accommodation and vans etc.
•    Camera. Ideally charge all your electrical equipment before departure. There is no electricity on the boat but there are generators in the islands where you can charge things if necessary.
•    Your ipod, journal and a good book.
•    We will ask you to bring a smaller day pack where you can access most used  things easily, toiletries, book, camera, clothes etc. your big  
•    backpack will be stored somewhere dry and out of the way.
•    You wont wear any jumpers or jeans or socks…its too hot. Also try not to bring expensive watches, sunglasses or jewelry that might get water damaged or lost. There is a locked cupboard onboard for essential valuables.

Accommodation
Coron
Some of the accommodation is in the middle of town which is fine for overnight but if you are spending longer in the area it is worth booking into a resort or quieter hotel outside of town such as:
Princess of Coron- e mail princessofcoron@yahoo.com (09186950563),
Kokosnuss- www.kokosnuss.info (09194487879),
Village Lodge- www.coronvillagelodge.com (09079773808)
Mt Tapias Hotel (09175005566)
Sangat Resort www.sangat.com.ph (09192050198)-$70 45min from town.
Coral Bay www.coralbay.ph

There are plenty of dive shops to choose from around town but we would recommend a Coron Divers (09186539854)- the only locally owned dive shop.

El Nido
Makulay House and Makulay Observatory is set up on the hill, hidden in the forest overlooking the bay. This is probably the best place to stay in El Nido. You can book the villas with us.  5,000 pesos per night based on 2 sharing including breakfast.
Makulay lodge: quieter end of the beach, with best view of the sunset. 1300-1600pesos/ room
Bayview Inn 0917-9059659 Centrally located, sea front with terrace, clean simple rooms, shared toilet. 400-600pesos per room
Golden monkey 0929-2064352 way out from the buzz of town (10-15min walk) on the beach- quiet and atmospheric stay, 1000-1500per room
View deck 0916-6076577 - quiet up the hill with a great view, 5 min walk up! 1000-1500pesos
Island Front cottages- more isolated and away from town on Corong Corong beach. 1000-1500pesos/ room
El Nido Resorts- www.elnidoresorts.com-  High end accommodation on the islands of Bacuit Bay.

El Nido and Bacuit bay is one of the most protected area in the Philippines. Upon arrival in El Nido, every visitor have to register at the tourism office and pay conservation fee of 200 pesos.
For general information about El Nido visit the El Nido Art Cafe and Boutique.

Manila
Green Mango Inn- garden-style international guesthouse & youth hostel in an antique Spanish colonial-era style mansion.

Suggested Itineraries
We have compiled a few travel itineraries for recommended routes…
One week is the minimum amount of time we suggest you stay in the Philippines especially if you are traveling from Europe or the Americas. Try not to take on too much as traveling in the islands takes time and you don’t want to spend half your trip on a bus or waiting in an airport. If there are several provinces you would like to visit try to plan to spend a week in each, enough time to take it all in and at the same time get as much as possible out of your trip.
All our itineraries below are based around going to Palawan and going on a 3 day Open expedition with Tao. They run from North to South [Coron to Puerto Princesa] but remember that you can do it vice versa South to North [Puerto Princesa to Coron]. If you are interested in doing a trip with us we strongly recommend that you contact us and book in advance.

One week
Manila-Coron-Tao Expedition-El Nido- Puerto Princessa-Manila
Starting in manila get a flight straight down to the islands. Take the shuttle van into Coron town and find some accommodation. Most of our recommended places are slightly out of the town centre [see Coron section for suggested accommodation]. Spend a few days here diving the WWII ship wrecks and take a boat to visit Coron Island and the lagoons for great snorkeling and a picnic.
Take the Tao Open Expedition through the remote Linipacan group of islands down to El Nido.
In El Nido either relax in town or take a boat out into the bay and see the lagoons and some more stunning islands.
Head down to Puerto Princessa [which takes one day]

Ten Days
Manila- Coron- Tao Expedition- El Nido-Tao Village- Puerto Princessa- Manila

Two Weeks
Manila- Coron- Tao Expedition- El Nido-Port Barton- Sabang Underground River- Puerto Princesa- Manila

Three weeks
Manila- Coron- Tao Expedition- El Nido-Port Barton- Sabang Underground River- Puerto Princesa- Manila-Baguio- Bontoc- Sagada- back to Manila

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