El Nido is a beautiful place filled with various attractions in mother nature. One of these…read moreattractions include the Nagkalit-Kalit Falls. Parking is as another person said in front of a random hut. HOWEVER I do not recommend this place to foreigners as the people who run the place wanted to charge us a lot per head. Since my family is also Filipino and speaks fluent Tagalog, they were able to haggle for a better price. Sadly some attractions do take advantage of foreigners and their inability to speak Tagalog. If you don't mind the cost, then the place offers an interesting hike through various streams and rivers. They provide free walking sticks for everyone to help them maintain balance during this hike. You do not keep the sticks though so remember to give them back at the end of your tour. Due to the uneven pathing and rivers, I would recommend coming here prepared. Do not wear your cute dress or favorite white shoes. It will get dirty here quick. Instead, put on some water sandals that are a must have for this occasion. Be cautious of bugs and make sure you have your mosquito lotion on. During the hike, a bee tried to sting me and had to be thwarted away by my partner's walking stick. COME HERE EARLY. You do not want to be here when it is dark. We were unable to see the full waterfall as it was already late. Our tour guide instead showed us the smaller version of it. In order to see the full view, it would require more time and for us to climb up the hill using a rope. However, my grandma was part of this trip and we were not sure if it was safe for her. I would say this hike is not meant for the elderly. Even though my grandma did it, she did slip at one point and we were lucky that she was caught. But for those who are experts in hiking, then this is actually pretty easy for you. Overall, as someone who enjoys hiking, this was a pleasant experience. Sadly, I went during the rainy season so the trails were muddy and less stable. Hopefully other visitors have an easier trek to the waterfalls.

Mother Nature at it's finest!…read more While most of the fun in El Nido can be found offshore, Nagkalit-Kalit Falls is totally worth taking a day trip to visit. Parking is in front of a random hut and you will pay a young boy a small fee to pass through the road behind their house. After this you will go on a nice long hike that includes walking through many streams and rivers. Don't worry -- the cool water is super refreshing! Once you reach the top of the waterfall you will see that they have a few cabanas to lounge around in but the real action is in the crystal clear waters. You can climb the rocks and jump off ledges or if you are more chill like myself, float your cares away in one of the most beautiful lagoons you will ever see. The husband made friends with a group of guys from Manila who brought their speakers and a bottle of Tanduay to share. Everyone danced to Katy Perry on top of the river rocks and toasted to life. It truly was a wonderful day to be alive. By the way, I recommend going with a tour guide since the trail is not very well marked (I ended up getting lost in the emergency route even WITH a tour guide).

Three words best describe Barracuda Lake. It's simply breathtaking, gorgeous and screensaver…read moreworthy. The lake was part of our tour itinerary for the day. I kept hearing about it in travel blogs but didn't think much of it until we saw it in person. It's a short hike from the landing dock with the route leading you up a set of rickety stairs. The stairs had rubber tires nailed in for additional traction. Despite the haphazard construction, that didn't deter us from going. You just need to move with caution. If anything, the stair's construction does two things. #1.) The optics give the place character and #2.) It builds an element of risk for adventure seekers. The waters are a rich turquoise blue reaching 30 meters deep. This picturesque blue lake contrasts against towering, jagged limestone cliffs sprawling with lush vegetation. These cliffs emerged underwater by geological forces formed from skeletons and shells of marine life dating from the Jurassic period. It is truly a spectacle to behold. Barracuda Lake depending on perspective can be a multifaceted prism of experiences. Despite being surrounded by beauty there are dangers that lie below. One particular danger is the possibility of encountering a barracuda. I did not encounter a barracuda but given the vastness of this lake, I might have been in the company of one. The lake also has a thermocline providing a unique swimming environment for divers or free divers. Barracuda Lake is one not to miss and if you can get there early enough, I would encourage it. Tourism to such sites needs regulation in order to preserve the natural environment for generations to come.

Very unique lake that they took us to, from a tour package. It is crazy deep like over 100 ft…read more There is also geothermic activity as very warm water comes from the deeper depths. So if one is able to go deeper (like a scuba diver) then water could get to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit which is like a hot tub. Up near the surface where everybody is at because nobody is allowed to go in without a life jacket, the water is a mild 80 degrees. You have to walk single filed down some steep wooden steps, I'd say maybe a 100 yards. Once you get to the secluded lake it can get busy due to all the tours passing through. There is also not a lot of room lakeside as it is basically a lake surrounded by towering sheer cliffs. So they say not to lounge around near the lake. Either get in the water, and once out go back up the stairs. You can bring your snorkeling gear here, and if you want to get the full immersion (pun intended), you should try and view what is below you. It will BLOW you away. Once you pull away from the lime stone edge, and look down with goggles the depths just drop that you can't even see a bottom. Eerie AF but real exhilarating as well. There's no fish or plant life to view, just jagged limestone near the edges. We just floated around for about 20-30 minutes and besides getting spooked out by the abyss below, the other half of the time I just floated on my back and faced the sky and watched these cliffs go up about a hundred feet. One of the most unique experiences I've ever done. And it's not like just staring at an object or landmark. You are actually inside this thing, absorbing it from all angles and depths. What an adventure!

Brutal 'hike' but I want to clarify what others are calling a hike and reaptly call this a straight…read moreCLIMB. This is not a meandering trail goes in different directions which I define as a hike. This is a straight concrete staircase that goes straight up in one line some 750 steps. And in all my climbing experience, climbs that traverse back and forth in a zig zag pattern aka 'switchbacks' are less strenuous on the body and breathing. Going straight up in a one line fashion is the quickest route but it is also the most taxing on your endurance. This trek on Mt Tapyas is definitely the latter. This was part of the 'Town' tour that I took on the first day here as to acquaint my self with the town and its terrain. The guide does warn us that if anybody has asthma or high blood pressure to not try,and just stay in the van. 8 of us started including our guide. Only 4 of us made it to the top as the others stopped at some point and turned back. About half way up due to the heat and humidity I was gassed. If I would have known that it was going to be this involved I would have worn lighter material clothing. I went shirtless from here on out as all my clothes were soaked. Our guide should have told us to bring more water as I only brought a small plastic water bottle. You need much more than that for this. The second half of the climb I found myself stopping more frequently. Like had to stop 4 times on the second half and only once on the first half. Finally got to the top. There's a huge white cross up there made of metal white piping. Supposedly you can see this cross from most places in town proper. There's a 360 view from up there and the special one is overlooking the sea and the neighboring smaller islands. The other side are just grassy hills. Our guide took several photos of us as he knew the vista points and cool angles. And all guides here are super versed in handling phone cameras of all types. The way down is a breeze. Looking at all the sweating faces still trying to go up. I felt their pain. But I didn't want to discourage anyone as once on top there is a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that will sweep through your psyche. Mt. Tapyas you kicked my ass, and I ain't mad at ya for it. You made me stronger, so much appreciated.

People like to spend their last day of vacation in different ways: my nieces and nephew wanted to…read morecram as much activity as possible into the remaining time we had, hubby slept in, while my cousin and I woke up early to conquer Mount Tapyas. Mt Tapyas is less than 13 minutes away on foot; but we wanted to conserve our energy for the climb. We paid P30 for a trike to take the two of us from our hotel to the base of the mountain. It took us about an hour to climb the 721 steps to get to the top and then back down, this included multiple stops to rest and take pictures (there are numerous landings and benches along the way). It was a nice climb, most of which was shaded by trees. At the view deck at the top there's no shade, so I wouldn't recommend coming when it's hot. It was a perfect spot to take in the width and breadth of Coron.

Tropical island in the Philippines [PALAWAN Philippines]…read more We dedicated a whole day island-hopping in Coron Palawan. It is one of the most amazing islands in the Philippines, with massive limestone peaks, multicolored lagoons, and great water activities like kayaking, snorkeling or scuba diving. We rented a private boat for a day tour. There were nine of us. Coron town is authentic, rural and cheap! Perfect town with a great balance of delicious Filipino food, shopping, and cheap transport. We used tricycle rides to get around. All the restaurants we dined in had live music entertainment. Filipinos love to sing. We stayed in Bacău Bay Resort for four nights. It was peaceful since it was away from the main town. Our room was spacious and comfortable with modern amenities. Buffet brunch was included with the room. The locals were friendly and felt safe in the island. I absolutely loved shopping here too. Review #3369

What an amazing experience to visit a place that I've only seen in travel brochures. Palawan is…read moregorgeous with clear, blue water; coral reefs teeming with sea life and ship wrecks; white sand beaches; hidden lagoons and numerous islets to explore. My niece was able to get us a cheap 3 day package deal which included airfare, transportation to and from the airport, hotel accommodations with free breakfast, and one full day of island hopping with lunch included. It was an hour flight from Clark International airport and a 30 minute car ride from the Busuanga airport. The road to Coron Town Proper was long and winding. Since we arrived earlier than our check in time, we had lunch at the hotel's restaurant. Afterwards, we bought essentials at the convenience store on the first floor, then walked across the street to get water shoes (a necessity to protect your feet from the corals and to ensure your footing on slippery surfaces), a waterproof cover for our phones, hubby's swim trunks and my niece's sunglasses. My nieces and nephew were so excited to go snorkeling that they spoke to some locals. They introduced them to a boat captain who agreed to take us on a half day tour of Barracuda Lake, Hidden Lagoon and Smith Beach. My favorite spot was Smith beach which had white sand, lots of HUGE starfish and two friendly cats. The sun was setting which gave us gorgeous lighting for our pictures to capture our first day in paradise. The next day on our island hopping tour we went to Twin Lagoons, CYC Beach, Skeleton Shipwreck, Green Lagoon, Kayangan Lake, and Siete Pecados. Hubby's favorite spot was Skeleton Shipwreck with it's many colorful corals, exotic tropical fish, and of course, a 25 meter long Japanese ship that sunk during WWII. My favorite site, however, was the Twin Lagoons. It's best to go there early in the day when the tide is low, because you can kayak through a tunnel beneath the limestone mountain. We had to bend over backwards to be able to pass through, which gave us an opportunity to examine the interesting rock formations above us (please see video). On our last day, before heading home, my cousin and I climbed the looooong staircase to the top of Mount Tapyas. It took us about an hour for us to climb up and then down the 700+ steps. We took multiple stops to rest and take pictures. It was a nice climb, most of which was shaded by trees; it was an ideal spot to take in the width and breadth of Coron. Sadly, we must say our goodbyes. What I'm most grateful about this trip is the time spent with loved ones, and the opportunity to enjoy the simple things in life: the warmth of the sun on my skin, the wind through my hair, waves lapping at my feet, the gorgeous colors of the sunset and the welcoming rays of the sunrise. Life is good! Amen

Postcard picture perfect. Kayangan lake was part of our tour and it requires moderate hiking up a…read moresignificant number of stairs. The hike up is guaranteed to challenge your cardio. The view from the cliff seems to be a hot spot with long lines forming during peak times for photo ops. The line moves quickly but if there is a large group taking group photos expect a significant wait. After you take your photo, you climb down the stairs on the opposite side to get to the lake. Visiting Kayangan, like many other attractions in Coron, will require coming earlier in the day to avoid the crowds. Everyone on tour is required to wear their life vests when entering the lake. Unless you are a strong swimmer, you can remove the life vest but you're going under the conditions of swimming at your own risk.

There are 2 lakes in Coron that if you take the 'island-hopping' tour, will take you to these…read morelakes. We did this lake before we did Barracuda Lake. I will point out a harsh reality about this particular lake experience that some will not mind but could be a deal breaker for others. This lake is quite tucked in one of the smaller non inhabited islands. There is some serious trekking to do in order to get to the lake itself. You have to climb about 160 steps up and 200 steps down to get to the lake. The initial climb is brutal, steep with big steps. And the tropical heat can suck the endurance out of you...it did me. I had to stop once to take a breather and my legs were starting to quiver. But a few more steps I was there at the top but only half way there. At that halfway mark and cuz you are now perched over a mountain, there is a vista point where almost everyone will snap a pic (God Bless Social Media). Your tour guide will control your group and actually snap your pics to how ever many poses you want. So this can take a while but in our out only 1 tour group was in front of ours. I usually pass on this kind of bs but damn is this view worth it. I gave in shamelessly. After the photo op shoot you now descend onto the lake which is easy. But guess what when you're done with swimming in that lake you gotta do it over again. But the consolation is the climb back isn't as steep or hard as the one in the front. YAY. The lake is super refreshing once you take the plunge after running your body into exhaustion. The water is a perfect temp that you could float in it until you prune up. The color is amazing as well, I've never seen a lake of this color, kinda deep greenish/blue. And very clear. I actually liked this lake better than Barracuda Lake but to get here is some serious work for the weather conditions. But ya know what...I'd do it again. The exhilarating dip and reward of memories was worth it.

I attended this beach for a family reunion a day after Christmas. My first impression was the…read moreamount of people around. Of course it was a day after Christmas. My first impression was the amount of trees available to provide shade. More in the pavilion areas seemed new. They were covered spaces. The bathrooms were pretty clean and in a new building. There was another newer building that people were able to rent out. It seemed that there were investments in the area to build up. This is a good thing. It seemed crowded, but considering the time it is understandable. Here is the problem. I was told that across the street were a lot of shops and restaurants. I just saw a bunch of empty buildings. If there is more money put in the area, I can't wait to visit again and see it.

Aroma Beach may not be as beautiful as other beaches I've been to in the Philippines and beyond,…read morebut it'll always be dear to me because of the memories I have of swimming and picnicking here with my family and going to bonfires at night with my uncles and his friends when I was a child. We often walk to this beach from my parents' house to get some exercise in the morning. It's about a 2 km walk each way and then we swim in the West Philippines Sea to cool down. The water must be in the high 70s to low 80s, so very pleasant. The water is clean and clear but the sand can be rocky, so best to take water shoes with you. No need to worry about getting cold. If you come early enough (around 7 am) you can catch the guy who sells Taho (soy pudding with caramelized syrup and tapioca pearls). So good! Otherwise, bring your own food. We often bring pandesal and other good stuff to the beach if we decide to have our breakfast or lunch here. You'd see people grilling pork belly, fish or Filipino BBQ skewers in makeshift grills on the weekends. This beach has so much potential! If only the past mayor of San Jose hadn't ruined it by letting these karaoke bars set up shop on the beach a few meters from the water, and if only the current mayor would make it a priority to clean up the beach, this beach would be the jewel of San Jose, Occ Mindoro. On a positive note, the new Mayor is in the process of moving all the karaoke/restaurant huts that are on the beach to the other side of the road. The people of the island of Mindoro have decided to ban single use plastic bags. This too can be only good for this beach!

Wow loved Discovery Island. Our adventure starts at the airport, where what seems to be 20 people…read moreare crammed into a mini van. We then drive at break neck speed over roads, paths, and cattle farms. We arrive at Coron docks and board a small boat for a relaxing 10 minute ride to the island. The island is just off shore by a few hundred feet, but is worlds away from Coron town. The island itself is a lush paradise. We are greeted with iced tea by the staff. They quickly explain our tour option for the following days, and show us around. The resort has A few simple amenities. Pool, restaurant and bar. The cabins we stayed in are simple rooms. They have two twin beds, a table and two lamps. There is a bathroom with shower , sink and toilet. But be warned sometimes we had no water. Hey it's a island adventure! I just showered at the pool. Remember the reason you are here is ocean fun. We did three tours one per day. Coron Island tour, Malcpuya tour, and Pass island. All are worth the trip. Our tour guide/ fixer/ lifeguard was Eliz. She is the best! Full of local knowledge, and fun. She masterfully guided us thru the next three days, juggling our schedule to arrive at locations without the crowds! The Kayangan lake stop is worth the entire journey! For it we climb 300 steps up the side of the mountain with to a fresh water lake. The is the most beautiful place I have ever seeen! Note: the Discovery island Resort Dive Center is very hilly. The step to our cottage are very steep, and uneven. You have the option of dining at the restaurant on the island of taking a boat in to town. The boat runs every 20 minutes. Just check in at the bar and they will schedule you. They also do a good job of keeping up with who has gone into town, so everyone is accounted for. The food one the island is good as anything in town.

First I want to say that for the most part this place was as advertised. I knew it wasn't luxury…read morewhen booking at $100/night. The daily excursions were AMAZING and for 1700 pesos (around $30 American) worth every penny. My guide for all 3 days was Eliza and she was awesome. The fee included 9a-430 p boat tour guide and lunch. I absolutely could not have been happier with this aspect of my stay. Likewise the surroundings of the hotel were incredible - thanks to Mother Nature. However, the accommodations were more like camping without amenities than a hotel. Our room NEVER had adequate water for a shower and on 2 days we had no water at all. Ended up sort of showering at the pool shower and going by the # of shampoo packets we were far from the only ones doing this. I suggest paying cash for any food or drink. On more than one occasion I was charged more than double and it would have been a nightmare trying to correct when getting room bill! Also at the end of our stay the staff said we didn't pay for one meal that we had paid for. I don't think any of it was malicious just really poor system. Be very aware that if you have any sort of disability/issues climbing A LOT of stairs/inability to climb off boats this is NOT the place for you. I would definitely NOT pay $100/night to stay here again but maybe $ more along the lines of a camping fee.