When we got off the motorcycle, the beach struck us.
On the right was Nacpan Beach, a long stretch of white sand shore that was made prominent with the low tide effect, and on the left was Calitang Beach, a landscape of coconut trees on hills abound which made the visual very appealing. Our heads were slowly spinning from left to right and vice versa confused where to go first — to Nacpan or Calitang?
Our time was spent more on relishing the place than taking pictures; everything in this beach was better enjoyed with naked eyes than being hooked up with camera.
There’s also a very nice huge rest house standing there which is owned by a German who fell in love with the beach. What a lucky dude to have bought that spot; every morning, all he has to do is to stretch his body and lie down overlooking the pacific blue.
The road challenges
We went there during wet season and it was a tough challenge – the road was bloody muddy. As previously mentioned above, we hired a motorcycle and had to get off from to time to help the driver cross the muddy road.
There were three muddy obstacles during that time which ruined my beauty and poise. Aside from that, being seated at the very back of the motorcycle was also a nightmare, yuck, lots of mud at my back. We also have to pass by several bridges with no rails and really gave me heart attack.
On the road, we realized how people there lived a very simple life. They have limited access to transportation and electricity. You will also notice several rice plantations and some houses have poultry and piggeries as their food access.
Nacpan Beach and Calitang Beach Photos
I tried pulling these woods out but they are stuck. So I think these were cut coconut trees before.
My roommate turned to be my travel buddy, Nelly posing.
That island behind me is the Lalutaya Island, a private island owned by Manny Pacquiao. Locals said that before Manny bought the island, there used to be people living there, and they believe that he also bought another island and transferred the people to it so basically, he bought two!
Calitang hills by the beach.
How to get to Nacpan and Calitang Beach
Image Source: Left: Wikipedia. Right: El Nido Tourism Guide shot by yours truly.
Nacpan and Calitang Beach is 45 min to 1 butt-wrecking hour ride from El Nido town proper. Both beaches are part of Barangay Bucana, El Nido. Nacpan and Calitang Beach is actually part of Tour E or Inland Beaches and Waterfalls Tour which cost Php 950.00 to 1,100.00 per head (USD 23 to 26) when availed in a tour agency in El Nido.
However, there will be times that Tour E is not available due to lack of participants which unfortunately happened in our case.
So I went ahead and asked some people if they knew any ways for us to get there. Bunch of them offered their personal services and the price was Php 1,100 per head. NO WAY. Until I decided to ask the hostel owner where we stayed at and he gladly negotiated with his brother-in-law to serve as our driver and guide with the use of his motorcycle. He offered Php 1,000.00 for a tour in Nacpan and Calitang Beach only, so gora na. Since we were only two, we paid Php 500.00each.
Essential Things to Bring
- Food and water
- Comfortable footwear (sandals if wet season)
- Camera
- Beach or picnic blanket
- Umbrella
- Swimwear
- Sunblock
Some Travel Tips
- Walk beyond the tip of the island and climb the tiny hill overlooking the twin beach of Nacpan and Calitang sharing the same shore.
- Stay on this beach for as long as you can! We only stayed here for like an hour or two and we don’t have swimwear (nahihiya kasi kami si driver), but if given the chance to go back here, I will definitely stay there for a day.
- Grab a beach blanket, put sunblock, and swim. This is the perfect way to savor this beautiful beach. I just hope I did this!
- Interact with the locals. They always tell a story. Locals were the ones who told us that Lalutaya Island is a private island owned by Manny Pacquiao.
- Best time to go there is off-peak season (maybe outside March to May). Locals said that during summer, the beach is crowded with tourists.
- If going there during wet season or rainy season, vans or tricycle might have a hard time and it is recommended to hire a motorcycle, so wear proper footwear for mud conditions!
Obviously, these tips are for me as well when I get back and will definitely bring my honey here, maybe I can plead him to build a rest house there as well. Of course, if you’re a travel blogger visiting Nacpan, you are free to stay at our rest house. HAHA.
Ada Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
AHAHA Ang tagal naman bago kayo makabalik ng El Nido antayin niyo pa rest house namin =)) Thank you Killerfillers eka, ano ba kasing name mo lol.
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killerfillers Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
ang haba ba ng killerfillers?haha james na lang madam..dahil dyan gagawa na ako ng about page.:p
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