El Nido in Palawan is famous for its beautiful beaches, lagoons, and outdoor activities. While some people choose to explore this magical place by island-hopping tours, others may want to explore at their own pace on rented motorbikes.
While most of the main highways in Palawan are now fully paved, some alleys in smaller towns are pretty narrow. The road leading to beaches and natural spots are usually a combination of pavement, dirt roads and gravel, making motorbikes and scooters the perfect mode of transport. Here are some great places you can visit on two wheels while you’re there.
Nacpan Beach
Hop on your bike first thing in the morning to enjoy a perfect day trip to the incredible golden sand Nacpan Beach. The beach is located about 16km north of El Nido along the main National Highway. Further down is a four-kilometer dirt road that leads to the beach. Nacpan can get crowded on certain days, so you can take a detour to the Nagkalit waterfalls, just north of the 285 mark on the highway. To reach El Nido you can take several road travel options from Puerto Princesa to El Nido.
Big Lagoon
The Big Lagoon is a massive lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs. While your scooter won’t get you all the way inside, you can drive up to the entrance and then hire a kayak to explore this stunning area. The Big Lagoon is not far from El Nido town and you can reach it from Miniloc island.
Tour the North
There are plenty of hidden treasures in the Northern tip of Palawan which are now accessible by El Nido Junction – New Ibahay Road best visited on a motorbike. However, one has to take extreme care as the newly paved roads soon turn into tracks of dirt within a few kilometers of driving. To avoid any painful memories, ensure your vehicle is in good condition. An hour’s ride on the scooter can take you to places like the completely empty, but beautiful, Dagmay Beach, for those seeking peace and quiet.
Santa Isabel Fort
This Spanish Fort is located in Taytay, which is about 60 km from El Nido and can be easily accessed on your scooter. The fort is covered with plants but is still in perfect condition. One can easily combine this day trip with a stopover at the Kuyawyaw Falls, either on the way or while going to Taytay.
Sibaltan Village
Sibaltan is a quiet, coastal village on the eastern coast of El Nido, that provides a secret escape for those who prefer to get away from the crowds. The local bus takes close to four hours, but you can easily cover the distance on your scooter in an hour. This makes a visit to Sibaltan village an easy day trip from El Nido. Here at this scenic and laid-back fishing village, one can discover untouched islands and beaches.
Surfing at Duli Beach
This remote beach is a pleasant one-hour drive from El Nido town. Surfing conditions at Duli are excellent from the months of November to April. One can rent surfboards here and take the help of instructors if they so desire. The swell during this period is very consistent and provides ample opportunities for good surfing.
Going around El Nido by motorbike is a convenient and cheap way to experience the scenic beauty of the Philippines. Not only you get up close to many locals, you get to visit spots where no tour bus can get anywhere close.
If you know how to drive one and have a valid license, renting one to go around is a great way to explore El Nido especially for first-time visitors. Motorbike rentals are easy and one can rent a vehicle for any number of days, for your desired model from as little as 350 to 500 pesos (6 – 10 USD) per day.