In 2019, national government agencies found unacceptable levels of coliform in the waters of El Nido. Coliform can cause illnesses in humans. This makes the waters of El Nido are safe for swimming and other activities.
The Apartments likewise headed this call. The company committed to work with the El Nido local government to address this issue. This effort bore fruit. In April 2, 2022, The Apartments became one of the top 10 sanitation compliant establishments in El Nido.
The Apartments at El Nido remains a proactive member of the El Nido community. The company also has a no plastic policy to reduce the impact of tourism on the environment. Staff regularly participates in community activities, particularly during relief efforts during disasters. The company also supports the local Coast Guard detachment having donated a speedboat in 2021.
Protecting the environment and caring for the community are simply part of the APT Way.
Your approved S-Pass Travel Permit is used for for electronic contact tracing and contactless entry and exit purposes.
It will be scanned:
upon boarding aircraft;
upon arrival in El Nido;
upon arrival at different tourist spots and at island hopping destinations in El Nido,
For further questions please reach out to: El Nido Municipal Tourism Office: (048) 433-2802 Landline 0919-002-1339 SMART 0970-811-1117 SMART Calls 0966-197-2493 GLOBE 0906-449-0282 GLOBE Calls elnidotouristspass@gmail.com
Like most people caught in the daily grind, a thought that gets us through is the prospect of the next restful weekend or the next long holiday. Days of rest and not thinking about work invigorates us and compels us to take that leap, pack our bags, and embark on the next big adventure of our life. And why not? What’s keeping you from making the most out of the holidays and mini-breaks? Why not do something amazing for a change? You deserve to take a break too! May it be summer vacations, mid-year breaks, or Christmas time, holidays are perfect opportunities to create something special and extraordinary.
If you’re like many others who feel the gloom of cabin fever, chances are, you want something different for the holidays. You want to go out, experience the great outdoors and bask in some ecotherapy. How many times have you dreamed of the beach? A nature trek? A road trip? Meeting new people? The excitement is as real as it gets and your search online is likely pointing you to the right direction – visit El Nido and book your stay at The Apartments!
With the reopening of countries and destinations for travel, what better way to celebrate the coming holidays than to go to the best island destination in the country. You deserve a one-of-a-kind adventure, starting your day with beautiful vistas, filling each moment with exciting activities, and capping off the night in a relaxing haven. If you haven’t booked your next holiday yet, here are 10 perfect reasons to visit El Nido and stay at The Apartments:
1. World-famous, Award-winning Beach Destination
El Nido is a league of its own and has been ranked as a top destination by countless travel experts, organizations, and personalities. In the 2021 World Travel Awards, El Nido was cited among the leading beach destinations in Asia.
Nacpan beach, which is 1.5/2 hours away from The Apartments, is one of the most famous destinations in El Nido. Nacpan is known for its long stretch of fine sand and serene environment. Vigan Island or Snake Island is another popular destination – known for its long sandbar shaped like a snake. Tourists who visit this spot often trek to a view deck to admire the landscape from a bird’s eye view. Other mesmerizing beach destinations that are accessible from The Apartments are Lio Beach, Papaya Beach, Duli Beach, Seven Commando, and more! Exciting beach tours can be arranged with The APT team, with in-house speed boats that will take you to the islands fast, so you can take your time enjoying the sights.
Don’t take our word for it. A lot of world-famous personalities have vouched for the pristine beaches of this island. Among the long list of celebrities are pop singers Beyonce Knowles and Mariah Carey, Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz who starred in The Bourne Legacy, and even Bill Gates and his family. You need to tick it off your bucket list – or maybe it’s time to come back and experience the magic again!
2. Safe and Ready for You
Being a prime island destination, El Nido is among the first in the country to be tourist-ready. The APT team is at the forefront in the call for safe travel and tourism. Our staff will ensure every guest will be taken care of and will have nothing to worry about. When it comes to health and safety, the APT Team has taken the following precautions:
Initiated full vaccinations for all staff
Undergone training on safety protocols
Regular testing for staff
Guests have exclusive stay to the APT property
And we have the DOT accreditation to prove/show fitness and readiness to operate. You can enjoy your vacation to the fullest, worry-free.
3. Picture-perfect Lagoons. No-filter required.
Have you come across a picture of an enchanting lagoon with happy travelers enjoying the pristine waters? That’s probably one of the lagoons in El Nido. Part of the quintessential El Nido tour is experiencing the big lagoon, the small lagoon, and the hidden lagoons.
Travelers from around the world get mesmerized by the enchanting water enclaves hidden around Miniloc Island. The lagoons are so beautiful that people who visit them feel they are straight out of a fantasy paradise story. The lagoons are perfect for kayaking, snorkeling, or simply relaxing and wading in the waters. A trip to El Nido is never complete without the Instagram-worthy backdrop of these lagoons. Capture those truly unforgettable snaps perfect for throwback moments in the future!
4. Haven for Ecotherapy
El Nido shares Palawan’s stature as the Philippines’ Last Ecological Frontier with its rich natural resources and unrivaled biodiversity of flora and fauna. The island is home to a variety of plants both on land and at sea that are abundant and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
For your next holiday, go back to the earth and appreciate the beauty and intricate artistry of mother nature. The lush green surroundings mixed with vibrant colors of flowers, plants, and other wildlife make for a one-of-a-kind experience. Connecting with nature is one of the best ways to heal from the daily stressors you experience.
5. Exciting Speed Boat Tours
There are so many breathtaking and iconic places to visit in El Nido, you’d want to visit them all. The good news is you can stop worrying about how to complete the tour on time. The APT team offers exciting speed boat tours so you can “get there fast, and then we’ll take it slow”. Dock early at Commando Beach, enjoy a stretch of time at the Secret Lagoon, explore Cathedral Cave, and feast on a lunch buffet at Pinagbuyutan Island.
All our seacraft and equipment are disinfected and properly maintained. An experienced captain and a licensed tour guide will assist you and ensure you have a safe, fun, and memorable experience. And for guests of The Apartments, we’ll bring along towels, snorkels, masks, fins just to get a few more things off your mind.
Enjoy the thrill of the speed boat and make the most of every moment in the breathtaking seascapes.
6. Healthy Choices within Reach
No guilt vacations are possible! The best way to keep healthy is to have healthy choices within your reach. Another benefit of traveling to an island destination like El Nido is indulging yourself with fresh food choices, fresh air and wide open spaces. Imagine being served the fresh catch of the day, organically grown vegetables and fruits, and savoring every bite with a beautiful view of nature.
7. The Holiday Continues at The Apartments
After a full day of island hopping, trekking, and touring, the holiday fun continues when you get back to The Apartments. Take a dip in the pool and continue your hydrotherapy. Enjoy a good conversation with friends and family at the bar area. You can also sit back and relax for some quiet time. Comfortable couches, soft and clean linen, and a spacious area await in your suite. Enjoy movie night with your family, or indulge in a TV series marathon.
8. No-stress Butler Service
Give yourself the chance to fully relax on your next holiday. You’ve stayed home long enough and done your share of household work. Treat yourself to a holiday of true rest, relaxation, and time to unwind. Ditch the general cleaning, laborious cooking, house repairs, and preparations. When all of those tasks add up, that sounds like a lot of work for the holidays. Your APT reservation includes butler service to help you with your food needs whether for a delicious take out or ingredients for a special meal you’d like to prepare. Other services like shopping assistance, organizing transfers, and booking island tours are also available. Our staff will also assist you using our laundry equipment.
9. Less Presents, More Presence
Go for the true holiday spirit! The gift of family and friends. Less material, more on what matters. Invest in experiences and create lifelong memories with people who are dear to you. Learn more about the many, holistic health benefits of investing in experiences like holidays by reading our article on how vacations enrich the whole family’s experience – from the young once to the young ones.
10. Take Part in Safely Rebooting the Tourism Industry
As the saying goes, we rise when we lift each other. Taking part in the safe rebooting of the local tourism industry will go a long way. Choosing to visit places that have been hard-hit in the last year but are demonstrating safety compliance, resiliency, and social advocacy deserve a chance to thrive again. When you make intentional decisions to support local, you strengthen a chain of goodness.
So the next time you feel the bouts of monotony, go find the next holiday, long weekend, or mini-break and plan that much deserved vacation. Safe and fun travels await!
SUBJECT: LIMITING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ACCESS TO VACCINATED POPULATION IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION UNDER ALERT LEVEL NO. 3 OR HIGHER
DATE: 11 JANUARY 2022
WHEREAS, the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them and that the right to travel shall be subject to the interest of public health, as provided by law;
WHEREAS, under Executive Order No. 292 (s. 1987), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is mandated to provide safe transportation services and is empowered to call upon any agency to assist in the implementation of transportation programs;
WHEREAS, under Presidential Proclamation No. 1218, the President extended the state of calamity until 12 September 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
WHEREAS, there is an alarming increase in the number of reported cases, with the local transmission reportedly to be likely due to the Omicron variant of the virus;
WHEREAS, the President directed the restriction of movement of unvaccinated individuals;
WHEREAS, the Metro Manila Council issued MMDA Resolution No. 22-01 (s. 2022), urging Metro Manila Local Government Units (LGUS) to enact ordinances on enhanced restrictions over unvaccinated individuals, who are more susceptible to severe cases of COVID-19 infections, thereby avoiding any undue burden on the health care system to the detriment of public health;
WHEREAS, National Capital Region (NCR) LGUs consequently passed resolutions, ordinances, and/or advisories regulating mobility of individuals in their respective jurisdictions, depending on their vaccination status;
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing, I, ARTHUR P. TUGADE, Secretary of Transportation, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, hereby order as follows:
Section 1. Scope.
This Department Order (DO) shall apply to all domestic travel TO, FROM, and WITHIN NCR via public transportation by land, rail, sea, and air. This DO shall cover public transportation for individuals who reside outside NCR but who work and/or travel to the same.
Section 2. No Vaccination, No Ride Policy.
All concerned attached agencies and sectoral offices of DOTr are directed to ensure that operators of
public transportation shall allow access or issue tickets only to “Fully Vaccinated Persons,” as evidenced by (i) physical or digital copies of an LGU-issued vaccine card, a DOH (Department of Health)-issued vaccine certification, or any IATF-prescribed document, with (ii) a valid government-issued ID with picture and address.
In general, a person is considered fully vaccinated (i) two (2) weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines; or (ii) two (2) weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
Section 3. Exceptions.
The “No Vaccination, No Ride Policy” shall not apply to the following:
a) Persons with medical conditions that prevent full COVID-19 vaccination, as evidenced by a duly signed medical certificate with name and contact details of the physician; and
b) Persons who will procure essential goods and services, such as but not limited to food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work, and medical and dental necessities, as evidenced by a duly issued barangay health pass or other appropriate proof to support and justify such travel.
Section 4. Violation.
Any violation of this DO shall be penalized in accordance with the respective charters, authority, rules, and regulations of the concerned attached agencies and sectoral offices of DOTr.
Any violation of this DO by operators of public transportation shall be considered a violation of applicable general safety and health provisions under any concession or service agreements, authority or permit to operate, or other similar instruments.
Section 5. Implementing Guidelines.
The concerned attached agencies and sectoral offices of DOTr are directed to immediately issue resolutions,
circulars, advisories, and other notices to implement this DO. They may call upon other agencies and/or coordinate with other government offices to effectively implement the same.
Section 6. Effectivity.
This DO shall take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, and submission of a copy with the Office of the National Administrative Register, U.P. Law Center.
This DO shall remain in full force and effect while the COVID-19 alert level in NCR is at Alert Level 3 or higher, as may be determined by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF).
For travelers from outside Palawan via Lio Airport or Puerto Princessa International Airport, the documents needed are the S-Pass Travel Permit and valid identification.
make sure to select local tourist for the type of traveler and El Nido (Bacuit) for your destination
Fill-up the form and submit the following documents
Valid ID
RT-PCR on the RT-PCR Tab
Hotel and Round-trip ticket**
Coordinate with El Nido Tourism Office
Notes:
*Upload documents. In the uploading of RT-PCR tab, upload your RT-PCR test results accomplished within the last 72 hours prior to your flight to Palawan.
**In the uploading of Other documents tab, Hotel booking confirmation and roundtrip ticket shall be uploaded as WORD or PDF document. Uploading images will only allow the uploading of ONE and not TWO documents. We are communicating with the concerned offices to try to make the uploading of documents easier based on the new set of requirements for fully vaccinated tourists.
The number of nights prescribed in your hotel booking and the number of nights prescribed in your roundtrip tickets shall be the same. Tourists are to stay only at DOT-accredited hotels, per National IATF guidelines. Booking several hotels are allowed, provided that all of them are DOT accredited.
***Erroneous applications cannot be entertained and tourists will be asked to re-apply correctly. El Nido Municipal Tourism Office will not be able to receive applications if the point of destination entered upon permit application is not El Nido (Bacuit); and travelers who will select other categories besides local tourist will be routed to another office and will be considered a mistaken or incorrect application.
Your S-Pass Travel Permit will be scanned for the electronic contact tracing and contactless entry and exit upon:
Executive Order 2021-63 Effective November. 22, 2021
For more information, please contact the El Nido Municipal Tourism Office: (048) 433-2802 / 0969-013-7720 0919-002-1339 / 0906-449-0282 elnidotouristspass@gmail.com
For travelers from outside Palawan via Lio Airport or Puerto Princessa International Airport, the documents needed are the S-Pass Travel Permit and valid identification.
make sure to select local tourist for the type of traveler and El Nido (Bacuit) for your destination
Fill-up the form and submit the following documents
Valid ID
vaccination certificate* instead of an RT-PCR on the RT-PCR Tab
Hotel and Round-trip ticket**
Coordinate with El Nido Tourism Office
Notes:
*Upload documents. In the uploading of RT-PCR tab, upload your VaxCert accomplished through https://vaxcert.doh.gov.ph/ instead. VaxCert is easy to get and is easy to verify, thus making the entire process fast. If Vax?ert is not available, upload QR-coded vaccination certificate or card issued by your local health office.
**In the uploading of Other documents tab, Hotel booking confirmation and roundtrip ticket shall be uploaded as WORD or PDF document. Uploading images will only allow the uploading of ONE and not TWO documents. We are communicating with the concerned offices to try to make the uploading of documents easier based on the new set of requirements for fully vaccinated tourists.
The number of nights prescribed in your hotel booking and the number of nights prescribed in your roundtrip tickets shall be the same. Tourists are to stay only at DOT-accredited hotels, per National IATF guidelines. Booking several hotels are allowed, provided that all of them are DOT accredited.
Your S-Pass Travel Permit will be scanned for the electronic contact tracing and contactless entry and exit upon:
Executive Order 2021-63 Effective November. 22, 2021
For more information, please contact the El Nido Municipal Tourism Office: (048) 433-2802 / 0969-013-7720 0919-002-1339 / 0906-449-0282 elnidotouristspass@gmail.com
5 Tips to Prepare for your Next Staycation Adventure
You don’t have to go far to go on an adventure. If cabin fever has been getting the better of you, staycations are a great solution for breaking the monotony of everyday life. Exploring your city, town, or nearby locations can give you the same good mix of fun and relaxation–without the long queues, complex itineraries, and skyrocketing expenses. Need more reasons to plan your next nearby getaway? Going on staycations doesn’t just benefit you and your travel group, it also positively impacts the local economy and environment.
Taking a few days off to immerse in a beautiful but nearby scenery is a smart and convenient way to bring back vibrance into your life. Is there a nearby beach your locale is known for? How about adding a bit of adventure riding a speedboat or going on a scuba dive? Maybe treat yourself to a gastro-fix with the night sky as a backdrop? Rewarding yourself with a luxurious vacation rental where you can just hang out and relax sounds like a great idea too. Going on a staycation opens limitless possibilities for you to safely enjoy a vacation in a place that’s within reach.
While you don’t need a plan that’s set in stone to thoroughly enjoy a staycation, a few tips can help you maximize your getaway. Here are some nifty ideas to get you started:
Aim to go beyond the weekend
A weekend escape sounds like a good idea but extending a day or two is even better. Being intentional about rest and recreation means setting ample time for it. Imagine experiencing a beautiful view at a leisurely pace versus catching your breath to get from one amazing spot to the other. Staycations are a tempting option for an overnight stay since long queues and distant miles are out of the picture. A few extra days, however, might just spell the difference between getting into vacation mode and a regular weekend.
Set your schedule --and mind for vacation mode
It can be challenging to relax when you have tons of emails and house work to attend to. Fulfill your prior commitments a few days before you hit the road. Set up your email auto responder. You’ll also want to come back home to an organized and tidy space. Clean out food from the refrigerator, empty the garbage cans, unplug devices and appliances. As you unplug, free your mind as well from stress, embrace the next few days, you’re on vacation!
You can also get maximum relaxation from your staycation when you tap into the power of your five senses. A getaway is not the time to multitask. Let go and immerse yourself in the moment. Savor the mouthwatering meals. Delight in nature’s raw symphonies. Get a hydrotherapy session by choosing a vacation rental with a pool or one that is near the ocean. Enjoy the milieu and also take time to feast on the smaller details. Before you set out to explore your own backyard, check our blog on how engaging your senses through travel is a great way to reduce stress.
Organizing your itinerary?
Try timeblocks for Culture, Adventure, and Nature
The key to any amazing staycation is to get out of your usual routine. Create an itinerary that will allow you to see the fun even in a familiar place. One way to organize your itinerary is to diversify your activities by dedicating a day or a timeblock to each of these categories: Culture, Adventure, and Nature.
Culture – What’s the buzz about your locale? What do travelers like most about it? Take time to experience it with your travel squad. Book a museum tour, visit heritage places, dine at an ethnic restaurant.
Adventure – What vibrant and lively activity can you try? Take a speed boat tour package to get your adrenaline pumping while enjoying the ocean view. Snorkel or scuba dive and let marine life inspire you. Find a biking trail or a kayak rental or get sun-kissed and enjoy a round of beach volleyball.
Nature – Enjoy nature at a leisurely pace. Go on a trek, walk on the coast, lie on the sand, stargaze with your favorite drink at hand.
Let creativity flow and surprise yourself
Sprinkle some variety to your indoor activities too. A staycation is the perfect time to surprise yourself with something new. Does your vacation rental come with a kitchen? Then it’s time to swap or rotate cooking duties with your travel squad. Add some new flavors to your usual menu. Bring board games or card games to liven up your downtime. Go for a wildcard program when you switch on the television.
The opportunity to be creative is all around, even in your own backyard. You don’t have to travel halfway across the globe. You just have to be open-minded and add a few tweaks here and there. Be wacky, wild, and wonderful!
Ready, Set, Snooze!
Make sure your accommodations offer quality sleeping arrangements. Rest is one of your priorities. Not catching enough sleep will also leave you sluggish and unable to enjoy the amazing activities you’re set to do. That being said, maybe an afternoon nap sounds like a great idea. Shut your eyes, turn off your alarm, you’re on vacation and you’re free to sleep in.
Your next amazing adventure does not have to wait until long. You can experience the benefits of a vacation with the right mindset, enough diversity, and a spark of creativity.
Surf’s up. Accessible by land from The Apartments, this beach becomes an alternative to Siargao every November. The waves pick-up towards the latter part of the year giving surfers their kind of fun in Palawan
