The Cadlao Resort is an amazing oasis by the ocean, close enough to explore downtown El Nido and…read morebreathtaking views from two oceanside pools situated conveniently in the middle of your villa-esque hotel room. The service was impeccable by the staff and onsite restaurant Jinjer provided amazing food. The free breakfast was a combination of traditional Filipino dishes and western dishes which was tastefully done in both food quality and presentation. They even packed us breakfast for our early flight without any additional expected charge. Perhaps the only recommendation would be to have pool side service of drinks and food but otherwise the bar and Jinjer were close enough to the pools that it wasn't difficult to get anything. Would highly recommend this resort to anyone!

Very helpful service, free tuktuk accommodations to the town, great in resort restaurant…read more Would stay here again if I came to El Nido

We first booked private tour A for 10 with Irene who was super helpful and showed us the breakdown…read moreof all the different fees we had to pay. We had 4 adults, 1 senior with mobility issues, 3 kids (ages 7- 9) and 2 toddlers (ages 3-4). It Was the cheapest of the 3 places we compared pricing with for the same Package. They also offered water shoe rentals for the grownups (100pesos per person), but unfortunately didn't offer any for the kids. My kids and I did fine with our tevas, crocs, and slide sandals, but could definitely see the benefit of having water shoes if you prefer them. They accepted Pesos only (no credit card) 21,500 (not including kayak rentals or gratuity), about $46USD per person for full day excursion, including lunch. Toddlers were free (3 and 4 year old)! Had we done a group tour, would have been closer to 14,000 pesos ($30USD per person), but would have been a shorter tour (9:30am-3:30pm vs our 8am-4pm), you would have had to take a car to town, and been with a group of 15-18people. Victor was the main guide leader and he and their team on Wild Angel were awesome and so accommodating with our elderly mom and 2 toddlers. Victor and Jon Jon frequently carried the toddlers to and from the boat to land and onto the kayak taking us to shore, keeping them safe and comfortable each time. They also made sure to escort our elderly mom at every turn, keeping her safe and supported. They Picked us up right at the beach of our hotel, the Nest (also highly recommend). One benefit of private tour is we didn't have to take a car to town and wait to be assigned a group/boat. First stop Big Lagoon. You have to rent kayaks (300php for double, 350 for triple, pesos/cash only). They also offered a guide to escort/paddle you for free, but you still had to rent the kayak. Victor took the initiative, taking one of our phones to snap some awesome photos of our group! We skipped Secret Lagoon since he said it was rockier, you had to swim to certain things, which was not an option for our mom and toddlers. We had such a great experience, we ended up booking Tour B with them 2 days later (18,000php) and received the same excellent service. The weather was not as cooperative and we got caught in pouring rain in the afternoon, but that didn't stop us from snorkeling and enjoying the caves and sand bars. We booked and paid for both tours in person after speaking with Irene (who is also readily available to answer additional questions via WhatsApp), but she mentioned that they were all booked up online on the following days, as we moved into the weekend and the holidays (we visited the week before Christmas). I am guessing there is a credit card option if you book online if that is your preference. The extra time and attention given to our group was well worth the extra cost to pay for a private tour on both days. Not expected, but they were even keeping a close watch on the kids while at the beaches and in the water. The entire team was great and they helped make our trip to Palawan really fun! We're glad to have booked with them and highly recommend.

Do NOT book with this company…read more We stayed at the Cadlao Resort in El Nido with all intentions of going on one or two excursions during our 3 night stay. When we arrived, they wasted no time checking with us upon arrival (separate from Resort staff) to make sure we booked with them since their store front is on-site. After settling in, we inquired about rates, days/times and availability. Our first day, the very next day actually worked out as a small group outing which would depart early to beat the crowds while also not losing the integrity of a private tour feel. We decided to move forward and lock that in. Later that same evening we were approached by a staff member to inform us that one of the couples canceled but for 500php more we could still go; because we already had the mindset of going, we agreed to those terms. On the morning of, we departed at 845am from the Cadlou Resort waters with the boat crew. Immediately, we witnessed sarcastic and inappropriate comments from the crew, relating to current world events that are simply no joking matter. After about 5 minutes into a 40 minute ride to our first destination the engine stops... the crew is unable to restart and get us back up and running. For about 10 minutes, we remain calm and quiet. Then we start to drift towards the flow of boat traffic as well as the cliffs. The winds start to pick up as more and more boats begin to head outward. We start to ask the crew if there was another boat coming.... Brushing us off they said another one is on its way out. Now that it's been 20+ minutes and no other boat is in sight we begin to get verbal with the crew and demand to call for help and to return to our resort. We already started seeing other tours head out ahead of us which is why we paid a premium in the first place... to avoid the crowds. With the first sign of any bit of luck, we see a Navy boat with full crew onboard and immediately begin to flag them down. With the help from a third boat who had 15-20 guests onboard to attend the same excursions, we were luckily pulled in and return back to the port safely by the Navy officers. Seriously...? The Navy had to save us from our boat colliding with the cliffs or being struck by other boats..!? Looking back now, that was extremely dangerous and possibly could have been deadly. We planned on going back on-site and getting an immediate refund but the tour company assured us that we would be given a speedboat take us 4 (myself, my wife and a nice couple from Spain) out on the same tour but with much safer and quicker accommodations. Upon our return, we checked in at the office only to find out that they added two more couples to our tour the next day but figured they'd refund us the 1000 pesos required earlier. The next day comes and my wife wakes up with a headache and nausea. I walk over to the office at 730am to let them know we are unable to join and would like a refund per the policy agreement. The clock turns to 7:31am and the miserable old woman who was working the counter checks the time and refuses to give us the full refund, giving me excuses left and right about stuff that was already paid for... since that 1 minute passed during our conversation. With the world crisis of COVID-19, you would think this woman would be appreciative that we are taking proper precautions to quarantine and not potentially infect other resort/tour guests or staff. Instead, she showed no sympathy, poor customer service, or sensitivity to what is currently widespread around the globe. One minute passes during our conversation, and she steals 2800 pesos from us because we were not within compliance according to her company's standards. The lack of professionalism all around made me feel the need to write this so that others are fully aware of what they're getting themselves into. Had their equipment not malfunctioned, had they been prompt with calling for backup or assistance, we would have completed our excursion that we waited so long for that very first day in El Nido. Instead, we were blindsided by this scam of a company policy after KNOWING that they already had been the cause of why we weren't able to complete it in the first place. PLEASE USE ANOTHER COMPANY!!! ASK FOR REFERRALS ELSEWHERE! DO NOT USE J BENITO TOURS IF YOU STAY @ THE CADLAO RESORT I hope this saves other vacationers from the disastrous experience that we had to witness and all of the stresses that came along with it.

I cannot count how many people I have told to add this report to their bucket list! Once in a…read moreLifetime experience, literally a hidden gem! Incredible Staff, amazing views, gorgeous resort, perfect pool, and the most delicious all you can eat food. Best trip of my life, for real!!

This place has been featured in AWE channel, travel channel and travel magazine. I'm impressed by…read morethis place especially the staff. You don't have to worry about anything. Make sure you book the whole package including the meals. It is worth it. The staff makes sure it is smooth and safe from the time you check in at the airport, the transfer and all the tours. They accommodate you if they have it. The island hopping is beautiful. I was worried about the water that they serve, I was reluctant, but we are fine. I did not have to buy bottled water. The water here is filtered and safe. Highly recommended. They discourage tipping, but if you insist, they centralize the tipping. They make sure you don't miss your flight back. Awesome!

El Nido, Is a group of islands that are beautiful and very peaceful and relaxing Sanctuary, a…read moreheaven on earth. You can hike, go stay on a beach, do kayaking, paddleboarding it is all just wonderful. The surrounding area is just also amazing. The Corals are so healthy and the local government enforces an environmental approach to El Nido tourism that will make the beauty of these islands last in years to come. The price to stay at a resort is extravagant for Philippines standards and many activities, like island hopping, and food are not included in the basic room price. But you can still make it here as a backpacker if you want too.

El nido Palawan is fabulous! The water is warm like a bath. The fish are abundant. The town people…read moreare so delightful. The H hotel was the best! I used Kubera travel and tours for our private boat tours. They were excellent!

This is a boutique airport with limited flight in and out. It's essentially a one room operation…read morethis you do not want to get here any earlier than two hours before your flight. If you arrive earlier, they may ask you to stand outside the airport I. The heat. As this is such a small airport, you do not need to be here any earlier. Upon arrival be prepared with your boarding pass and ID as they won't let you in without them. Then you will go through security. You will then check in any luggage. Afterwards you will enter the waiting room. Within the waiting room there is a coffee shop with reasonable price drinks and snacks. Plus there are super clean bathrooms with toilet paper. Boarding is super easy. You will be board in the tarmac. Entrance to the plane is by stairs. Quote an experience and may be worth a picture or two! Cheers!

Very small airport! Luckily we were staying in Lio Beach area, only 5 mins away. Watching the…read moreplanes take off and land were cool to see while relaxing on the beach. The operations here are smooth and efficient. 1 overall security, 1 waiting area, 1 plane to load or unload at a time, and the list goes on. There are less than 20 commercial flights a day here and they fill up fast. El Nido was a great part of pur trip and flying in/out of this airport was very convenient.

This was a peaceful, eco-friendly resort. It seemed a bit older, and could use some upgrades. The…read morestaff were very friendly and accommodating Be forewarned, it takes awhile to get to paradise. From the airport you take a bus ride for about an hour to an hour and a half (no bathroom breaks). Then they drop you off to a little hut where they provide you some refreshments and wait for your boat. We waited for over an hour for the boat. There's nothing much to do where the hut is, so hopefully you have a book. Once on the boat there's about an hour or so more for you to get to the resort. A bunch of people got sick on the boat (so you may want to take some motion sickness pills with you!). It was breathtaking as we pulled up to the resort, however. I have always wanted to stay in a bungalow over the water. This allowed my dream to come true. Included in your stay are meals and activities. That was a bonus, and I was able to climb and rappel off of a huge mountain. It was an exhilarating experience. We were supposed to take a sunrise cruise one day but unfortunately because of the water it had to be cancelled. My mom and I decided to get massages. Although not included, the rates were reasonable and the massage was relaxing. The massage tables were in the mountain looking down onto the beach. The beach was nice, and private. Although the water was beautiful, I have been to nicer beaches. Get up early if you want a lounge chair in the shade too. Although if the staff will bring you a chair if there aren't any available on the beach, they are limited with the umbrellas available. They also have a beautiful pool, but also limited with chairs. The only reason I would not stay here again is because I was allergic to the soap used to wash the sheets and towels. They had a doctor on site, but all they were able to do was provide me an antihistamine that I could only take once a day. They did not have calamine lotion or aloe. Although the staff did their best (they changed all of the sheets and towels in the room, and put them through the rinse cycle twice) I couldn't touch the towels or the bed the remaining two nights I was there. I ended up putting the cushions from the chairs on the balcony on the floor and slept on them using my own towels and clothes as a blanket. I was very appreciative of the staff doing what they could to help, but unfortunately my allergies won.

From Manila Terminal 4, fly Airswift. This will take you directly to El Nido, Palawan. From el…read moreNido, there's an hour land transfer and another 1 hour boat transfer to the island of Apulit. Awesome resort staff from El Nido Airport to the actual resort.

SUCH A WONDERFUL RESORT…read more Aside from the obvious beauty of the island, this resort really shines in several areas: service & food We stayed in one of the private villas with a main house and guest house. Our private pool overlooked the ocean and was the perfect touch for the week. Facilities were decent. It's hard to critique knowing how the area "is", but bug spray is a must and definitely make sure you don't leave food in your room overnight. The food was out of this world. Fresh, authentic and served in a timely manner. Drinks were great too but ask for doubles ;) Now the best part of this resort is the staff. They were not only going above and beyond in needs anticipation, but were genuinely friendly and kind. No ask was too little and they truly made our time at Cauayan special. If you like exercise, highly recommend the sunrise/sunset hikes. Don't skip out on breakfasts. Sunset booze cruise was wonderful as well. Thank you guys for an unforgettable week!

We had a lovely time at Cauayan Resort in El Nido. The resort is on its own beautiful little…read moreisland. There are many activities to choose from (weather permitting), including island hopping, scuba diving, yoga, massages, trekking, and sunset cruises. We happened to be there at the end of a spell of windy weather, so the activities were dependent on the Coast Guard's boating guidelines. We did get to do a day and a half of island hopping and a session of scuba. Keep in mind that at this resort, the activities have to be coordinated from within the resort services, and prices are more expensive. The scuba diving was cool because we got to see a sea turtle! There are some sea turtles that nest on the island, and you can see them swim in the waves from the beach. The resort has restaurant services including breakfast buffet, dining room lunch and dinner, and bar snacks. We found that all of the food was amazing. We didn't have one bad meal! Favorites included the cauliflower soup, seafood kare kare, nachos, and laksa. The drinks were also very good. We chose the unlimited package, so we tried a lot of the cocktails. I really liked the Bramble and the Pina Coladas. The spa is very special because you can get a relaxing massage AND watch fish and reef sharks through a glass window on the floor of the spa. So cool! The staff here was friendly and very polite. They cater to a very upscale, luxurious resort experience. We enjoyed being here for our honeymoon.

My family and I stayed here for our one night stay in El Nido and it was great that it was such a…read moreshort walk to the water. The service was wonderful and the included breakfast was great. The receptionist was so kind and even helped us get a tricycle and got in touch with our tour agent when we ran into issues. Definitely would return!