Palaweña Travel and Tours & Wellness Spa (El Nido, Puerto Princesa), Palawan — Local services in El Nido

-I did not like how the owner was putting down all the other island hopping tour companies in el nido, saying they were of poor quality, ‘use a rented boats with no guarantee to the safety checks, hygiene and aesthetics’. She said that her tours cost more than other company’s as hers provides a special boutique experience with the highest quality.. We did not receive the quality we had been promised, as you will see below.

-I told the owner in advance that I had She said she informed the guide and I would be catered for. However the pineapple was not given its own serving fork (which I said was needed) which meant many of the other dishes were potentially contamined. If someone has an allergy, their food should be separated.

-There were no snacks in the afternoon

-The water provided was in a large plastic bottle that was sitting in the sun all day, so it was very warm water. Not only did they not have the large bottle of water in a cold box (as other tours have, and as we would particularly expect from a tour company that promises higher quality), but it was not even kept in the shade. The guide didn’t understand what the problem was and said we should have asked for there to be cold water if we wanted it kept cold. I didn’t know we had to ask for cold water on a tour advertising itself as the highest quality.

-The boat was relatively comfortable but nothing that looked much different than all the other boats. It had a cushioning layer on the seat, which was the other thing I noticed it had that the last boat I was on didn’t. There was no toilet on the boat, which many others have.

-The boat broke down multiple times. We wasted a lot of time while they attempted to restart it. They should have provided another boat when it first broke down. By the fourth time it broke down, we had to wait over an hour for them to send a new boat.

-We did not visit the Tour C snorkle stop even though I said that was a condition of us doing the tour and had been promised it. That was why we did this tour rather than a cheaper one. It was agreed we would be doing the best spots of Tour A and C. The other people on the boat had also been expecting to do it. The only stop from tour C we went to was the secret beach, and we had only done 2 of the stops from tour A (snorkling and big lagoon). I don’t know if it was because the boat broke down, delaying us, or if they had never planned to actually take us there. When we finally did a snorkle stop, and the guide said it was the last stop. I asked where the secret lagoon was and he said ‘right over there’. So I asked if we could visit it (we all wanted to) and he said ok. But we don’t understand why he wasn’t going to take us there in the first place.

-When we had switched boats due to our boat breaking down, the guide said he would transfer everything while we snorkled. But he did not bring the towels and snorkle shoes. 3 of the girls needed them so struggled to walk into the secret lagoon. He said ‘ah well it’s the last stop anyway’.

-Walking back from the boat through the sea to the shore, one girl stepped on a sea urchin and had to go to hospital for removal. This happened because she had no water shoes to wear since they had been left by the guide on the other boat.

-The owner did not apologise once for anything that had happened, including the boat breaking down, the sea urchin that went in the girl’s foot since water shoes were not transferred onto the new boat, not visiting the snorkle stops of Tour C I was promised, and not allocating a separate serving spoon for the food I was allergic to. She instead argued and then said she would give us the tour for free to leave the conversation. She said that she tried everything to do what we asked for (but, no, they did not, as described above - no tour C snorkle spot, a broken down boat, and contaminated food with pineapple that I was allergic to!) Even though she did not charge us, I felt the need to write this review as there are other great tour...

Palaweña Wellness Travel is the only way to go. Here is why:

First, we stayed at Seda Lio, and Palaweña had the best online brochure 😂 lol

Second, the communication from start to finish was present and never lacking. Wineth did an exceptional job ensuring everything was taken care of. From the moment of my inquiry to the day we departed El Nido, she answered every question and responded to every email / text. Our trip was customized based on what we wanted to do during our limited time on the island. We booked a private combination tour of A and B. Side note: we booked everything prior to arriving to the Philippines. It’s a personal preference when traveling. You’re also able to book their services through the hotel. Again, we stayed at Seda Lio. The biggest pro of booking a private tour was that we were on our own time and didn’t have to deal with the stress of waiting for other passengers to board. Watching the different boat crew herd their passengers in the Big Lagoon when their time was up justified the decision to pay extra for a private tour.

Third, Palawena owns, manages, and employs the entire operation. There aren’t multiple entities passing you over once their part of the assembly line is complete. Typically, most tour agencies hire different single-boat operators with free lance boat crew where quality service isn’t ensured. I read a few reviews where tourist had issues with what the booking agent promised and what the boat crew delivered. Their response— they’re not associated with the third party boat operator but will forward their comment.

Palawena provided all the equipment needed for our full day adventure: kayak, snorkeling gear, quality water shoes (if needed), and food and water provided by the hotel restaurant. I suggest bringing additional drinks and snacks. Soda and chips / fruit taste really good after snorkeling. Lol. Or, bring cash. Some stops had “stores” selling drinks, buko, ice cream, and snacks at a steeper price (P100 each). Also, unlike all the other boats we saw along the way carrying multiple parties, their passengers had to rent kayaks when they got to the Big Lagoon. Some even opted to stay behind on the boat, which defeats the purpose of that stop, in my opinion. I can’t even begin to imagine how they managed their other activities.

Fourth, our local tour guide and boat crew were the most hospitable. We were picked up at the Seda Lio beach front aka they came to us 😊 Senior Tour Guide, Levy; Boat Crew Vicente; and Captain M— kudos to all of them for making our full day island tour a memorable one, especially Levy. He shared the rich history of their beautiful island, answered every question we asked, and went as far as helping my mom and sister with kayaking and snorkeling. It was their first time doing any island tour, kayaking, and snorkeling; and, he set a very very very high standard for their next experience. The Big Lagoon was the only place we encountered the most people. The crew did a great job timing and finding ways to avoid crowds or kept crowds to a minimum.

Lastly, Wineth was a lifesaver! When AirSwift cancelled four days worth of flights, Wineth assisted us getting transportation from Puerto Princessa to El Nido quickly and efficiently. Palaweña became a one stop shop for all our needs during our stay...

If I could sum up Palaweña Travel Agency in a few words, it would be - perfection personified! From the initial interactions right up to the final farewell, Palaweña demonstrated excellent service, leaving no stone unturned in ensuring a trip to remember.

One cannot speak about Palaweña without highlighting their seamless support in organizing transportation and accommodations. Our plans were dynamic, with changes happening on-the-go, yet, every alteration was accommodated without a hitch. Their robust system and flexible service ensured we didn't have to worry about any logistical nightmares that might often come with changing plans, creating a smooth travel experience.

But Palaweña doesn't stop at just the basics. We were absolutely delighted with their curated custom island-hopping tour. Their recommendations truly added a golden touch to our journey, providing an eclectic mix of adventure, relaxation, and breathtaking vistas. The variety of islands, the timing, the activities - everything was tailored to perfection, attesting to their keen understanding of Palawan's treasures and how to best enjoy them.

And then, there were those exclusive spots! Places so spectacular, they seemed like hidden pearls only Palaweña had the keys to. Their access to such places added an element of exclusivity to our trip, making us feel special and privileged - a feeling every traveller cherishes.

A major shout-out to Wineth and Meko. Wineth, with her organizational skills, turned planning the trip from what could have been a stressful task to an enjoyable one. Meko, our tour guide, brought Palawan to life with his vibrant energy and extensive knowledge. His enthusiasm was infectious, and his knack for photography ensured that we returned home with beautiful memories, perfectly captured.

In conclusion, if you're considering a trip to El Nido, I would highly recommend entrusting your plans to Palaweña Travel Agency. They deliver not just a trip, but an experience – one filled with joy, excitement, and peace of mind. Palaweña is not just a travel agency, it's your key to a quintessential...