I posted a short video on my stay at the El Nido Beach Camp. Here’s a little bit more info, and a few more pictures from my five nights there.

I arrived after getting off the three-day boat excursion from Coron to El Nido and this sunset was my first sight when I arrived. Way to make an impression, El Nido! The cost of my tent accommodation was $13 a night which includes breakfast (or in my case, all the coffee I could drink). Each tent includes a power outlet and a fan. The power is on from 6PM to 6AM and then for about six hours in the middle of the day. There is a shared shower and bathroom which was about 150 meters from my tent which made late night bathroom breaks an adventure.

I was able to keep all of my bags and goods next to me inside the tent but some folks who slept two to a tent kept their backpacks outside the tent where they were at the mercy of the insect hordes. I quickly got the hang of entering the tent without tracking any sand inside. A short learning curve.

Yes, it’s roughing it, the water pressure was low, the electricity was not reliable, the wifi was four out of five stars, but the place had essentially everything I needed. The “restrobar” at the camp served some good food, but it took me a couple of tries to find the food I really liked (spicy stir-fry noodles with vegetables and chicken, please. 350 pesos, or around $6.05).

The other downside of this property is the dirt road leading to it. It is 650 meters of roller-coaster-like hills. When I arrived, a gentleman offered to give me a ride with my backpack and sling on the back of a motorbike. I politely declined. I walked the 650 meters instead and I was wiped out as a result. Leaving was harder because the walk up to the road from the beach was more uphill than down. And even though I tried to ride on the back of the motor bike on my last day, getting up with first hill was impossible, so I had to walk. Oh, well.

Overall, I would stay here again. Highest beauty-to-cost ratio of anywhere I’ve stayed so far.