Nacpan & Calitang Beach Travel Guide in El Nido

There is a bucket full of superlatives that are time and again associated with the beaches of El Nido, but the simple and honest truth is that they are simply stunning, and few beaches anywhere in the world can upstage them. As an avid traveler and beach lover, I had heard countless tales of the breathtaking beauty of El Nido’s shores, but nothing could have prepared me for the awe-inspiring sight that awaited me.

Of course, being a popular destination, there are thousands of pictures online that visually demonstrate, some better than others it must be said, their beauty; caster sugar white sand, lined by swaying palm trees, glass-clear water, and so on. All the hype left me wondering if there was any point to a visit, just to add my name to the lengthy list of bloggers who have already been there, seen it, and done it. But ultimately, I fell back on the adage, “don’t comment until you have experienced it for yourself” – and here I am, ready to share my unforgettable journey.

Nacpan & Calitang Beach

As I approached Nacpan and Calitang Beach, the aerial view took my breath away. Stretching out before me were two pristine beaches, Calitang on the left and Nacpan on the right, facing the stunning El Nido Bay. The sight was nothing short of a miracle of nature.

So, where are these miracles located, and how does one get there? As the header suggests, they are about 17 kilometers north of El Nido town. In motorcycle ride terms, it’s around a 90-minute journey – not because the bikes go slowly, but because the roads are not of superb standard.

The beaches run into each other, forming a stretch of jaw-dropping pristine sand that extends for around 4 or more kilometers in the case of Nacpan. It is fringed like a well-plucked eyebrow with coconut trees straight out of a novel of castaways or Treasure Island and, still thankfully, not saturated with so many tourists that would give you the impression you’re on Muscle Beach in San Francisco.

The entrance fee for these beaches is a mere Php 50 per person, a small price to pay for such natural splendor.

The southwest tip of Nacpan is where it meets the smaller Calitang Beach, and if you scramble up a small hill at this point, you get a wonderful sense of scale to the surroundings. It is also a great spot to take family/friend pictures or selfies-on-a-stick.

If you have already seen some pictures of this place, this is likely where they were taken from. As mentioned, this area is still relatively free from mass tourism, with no high-end resorts in the area, only some small-time cottages and huts for those adventurous enough to want to spend the night there. But be warned, although wonderfully romantic, the accommodations are basic, with just a few local stores and places to get something to eat on the fringes or a little more inland.

As I stepped onto the soft, powdery sand, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and tranquility wash over me. The gentle waves lapped at the shore, and the warm tropical breeze caressed my skin. It was as if nature had conspired to create a paradise just for me.

Lio Beach

Lio Beach is unlike any other beach in El Nido. Its 4km stretch of beautiful sand is a brilliant place to swim (even surf sometimes, depending on the waves), relax, and for the romantically inclined, watch often spectacular sunsets. Although it is open to the public, it never seems to feel crowded at all, although I guess there may be exceptional days.

The best part? There is no entrance fee!

Another asset of the place is that while you can enjoy a day of sun, sea, and sand, there are also other things to see and do in the same area, such as renting bikes, kayaks, frisbees, and participating in other water sports.

When you are done soaking up the sun and swimming your heart out, you can indulge in some great spa services before having to choose from an amazing variety of restaurants that cater to all tastes, such as burger bars, pasta, pizza, fusion international, Chinese, Filipino, and of course, the proverbial beach bars that serve imaginative and refreshing cocktails! And finally, there are the souvenir shops for all your relatives and friends at home who expect something!

During my time at Lio Beach, I couldn’t resist the allure of the Marimegmeg Beach Bar, which is probably the best place to hang out while you’re there. The food and drinks they serve are brilliant, and the staff’s excellent service only added to the experience.

As I lounged under a mango tree, sipping a refreshing cocktail and listening to the cool music, I couldn’t help but feel pampered and relaxed. And when the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, I understood why this place has a reputation for Hollywood-style sunsets that are hard to beat.

Marimegmeg Beach is a great place to go with a few really good bars and is ideal for relaxing under a mango tree. The imaginatively named Marimegmeg Beach Bar is probably the best place to hang out while you are there, and the food and drinks they serve are brilliant.

While you are enjoying yourself there, listening to the cool music and being pampered by the excellent staff, be sure to hang around for the often spectacular sunsets; the place simply has a reputation hard to beat for fun, relaxation, food, and drink, and Hollywood-style sunsets.

There are no entrance fees for these beaches either, making them accessible to all.

Inland Adventures

There are other different places you can discover during an inland tour: Makinit Hot Springs, Taraw Cliff, The Ille Cave, and Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls. These places are free to access, and you can go there on your own.

During my stay, I decided to explore some of these inland wonders, and let me tell you, they did not disappoint. The Makinit Hot Springs were a welcome respite after a day of beach-hopping, with their soothing, mineral-rich waters offering a natural spa-like experience. The Taraw Cliff, on the other hand, provided breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes, and the Ille Cave was a fascinating exploration into the underground world of stalactites and stalagmites.

But perhaps the most memorable experience was the hike to the Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls. The trail was challenging, but the reward at the end was well worth the effort. As I stood beneath the cascading waters, surrounded by lush greenery, I felt a sense of peace and connection with nature that is hard to describe.

How to get there?

How to get to these natural wonders, you might ask? Well, there are a few options:

With a tricycle: The price for 2-4 persons is around Php 1000 (Kuya Danny, 09183431892). The trip will take you around 1 hour. Know that it will not be a comfortable one since half of the road is in a very bad state. It can even get really muddy if it has been raining in the previous days.

With the Inland Beaches and Waterfalls Tour (aka El Nido Tour E): The last option is to visit Nacpan Beach while doing Tour E. You will then have motorbikes and a tour guide with you. Nacpan Beach will be one of the stops during your day. You can book this tour online by clicking here.

Where to get cheaper Palawan tours?

Puerto Princesa Tours ⭐ Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Tour ⭐ Puerto Princesa City Heritage Tour ⭐ Puerto Princesa Hundred Caves ⭐ Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour ⭐ Puerto Princesa Chasing Waterfalls

El Nido Tours ⭐ El Nido Tour A ⭐ El Nido Tour B ⭐ El Nido Tour C ⭐ El Nido Tour D

Like in many places in Palawan, the roads are not made up, and you will find lots of dirt roads full of potholes and worse. When it rains, they can turn to mud. In fact, the first time I went to Palawan, Google Maps very kindly guided the car I was traveling in onto one of these dirt roads between Puerto Princesa and El Nido.

Luckily, it was dry, and apart from adding an hour or so to the travel time, it was more of a horror experience for the suspension of the car! The reason I mention this now is that the road to these beaches is one of the dreaded dirt roads, so you really want to make sure that you have an experienced driver who knows what they are doing and has previous experience in taking people to these beaches.

If you think it is bad at the start, it only gets worse the closer you get to the beaches, and be prepared to get off your bike and help push, especially if it has been raining, and the road is covered in some deep mud patches. But trust me, it is worth it. Although you might feel like you’ve been in a wrestling match with a bear by the time you arrive, the discomfort is quickly forgotten when you lay eyes on the stunning beaches.

Accommodation Options

If you want to stay overnight in Nacpan, you can camp out at Jack’s Place (+63 907 344 9337). Just take your own tent, and you pay only Php 150 per person per night. If you don’t have one, you can rent a tent from them for Php 500, which gets you a tent big enough for two, a mattress, pillows, and a blanket.

Another option is the Hammock Homestay (+63 917 665 6614 or +63 939 271 2120), which costs Php 450 per night per person, with breakfast included (pancake and one coffee/tea). However, even though you’re a couple sleeping on the top of the tree house, it’s definitely not as good value if you are two or more, as you can find front beach bungalows for as cheap as Php 800 per night.

There are also rooms at Nacpan Twin Beach on the southern end, with rooms ranging from Php 600 to Php 800 per night, which gets you a basic fan room right on the beach front. You can find other alternatives to booking sites; at least 3 or 4 places offer rooms. If you prefer, you can also wait until you are there and just walk in and ask for a room.

A charming little village named Calitang is located there but has very little in the way of amenities, so if this is important to you, it would be best to stay at a hotel/resort in El Nido Town Proper, where you will have access to lots of restaurants, bars, tour operators, etc. Most tourists go to Nacpan Beach on a day trip only and return to the town proper by the end of the day.

Best Budget Hotels in El Nido

Spin Designer Hostel – El Nido: From around Php 799 Our Melting Pot Hostel: From Around Php 397 Ricgem Place: From around Php 874 Bacuit Lodge: From around Php 700

During my stay, I opted for a few nights at the Spin Designer Hostel, which offered comfortable accommodations at a reasonable price. The friendly staff and central location made it an excellent base for exploring all that El Nido had to offer.

Final Thoughts

As I reflect on my time in El Nido, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for having experienced such natural beauty firsthand. The beaches, with their pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters, were truly breathtaking, and the inland adventures provided a unique glimpse into the diverse landscapes of this incredible region.

But more than just the stunning scenery, it was the sense of peace and tranquility that I found in these remote corners of paradise that left the most lasting impression. In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, El Nido offered a much-needed respite, a chance to reconnect with nature and oneself.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit this slice of heaven on earth, I implore you to do so. Immerse yourself in the beauty, embrace the adventure, and let the magic of El Nido work its way into your soul. Trust me; it’s an experience you’ll never forget.