Dolarog Beach Resort El Nido: Our Amazing Family Stay in Paradise

The speedboat was racing over the waves of Bacuit Bay, passing little islands and traditional outrigger boats.

Finally, we could see a jetty in the distance and a few small cottages. But what we mainly noticed were the extremely tall palm trees and a tiny white beach.

Our first thought was: Where on earth did we go?

Who knows if the lovely couple sitting on the boat next to us was wondering the same thing! 😂

The truth is, we had gone to exactly the right place for our family.

Our stay at Dolarog Beach Resort in El Nido became one of those experiences where the resort wasn’t simply somewhere we slept. Getting there, staying there and exploring Bacuit Bay from there became part of the adventure itself.

Getting to Dolarog Beach Resort

When we visited, getting to Dolarog was an adventure!

We were staying close to Puerto Princesa before our arrival, so first we had about a four-hour drive toward El Nido.

Eventually, our taxi stopped in front of a dirt road and the driver told us to walk toward the water, where we would find the boat.

As we got out of the taxi, we were pretty confused about what exactly we were supposed to do. We each grabbed a bag and started making our way down a road full of holes and puddles. Eventually, we reached the water and found the boat.

We had been warned ahead of time that we might have to step into the water, but somehow we were still surprised by the whole process!

Then came the fun part. About ten minutes speeding across Bacuit Bay brought us to the resort. As the boat approached, we realized the tide wasn’t high enough for us to get off at the jetty.

So…back into the water we went! But once we climbed the steps from the beach, we were welcomed with drinks and smiles.

We looked around. We felt at home immediately.

Our First Impression of Dolarog Beach Resort

Little cottages were scattered around the property beneath enormous palm trees, with a large swimming pool sitting in the middle.

There was a bar, a massage room upstairs, a TV room, a playroom, a lounge/library area and a deck with tables where we ate our meals.

But what I remember most was the sound. There weren’t cars or city noises around us. All we could hear were the waves, birds and the gentle wind moving through the palm trees. Our hearts were in heaven!

About Dolarog Beach Resort

When we stayed at Dolarog, we learned that it was a family-run resort, and I think that was a huge part of why we loved it so much.

We were told that the owner, originally from Italy, had discovered this beautiful spot many years earlier while exploring the area. He and his wife had run the resort together, and around the time of our visit, the next generation of the family was becoming more involved.

You could feel that family atmosphere. We didn’t feel as though we had simply checked into another hotel. There was a warmth to the place and a genuine feeling that the people working there cared about the experience their guests were having. For us, that was one of the things that made Dolarog magical.

Staying Off the Grid in 2020

One of the most unusual things about Dolarog during our stay was just how isolated it felt.

At that time, there was no regular road access, and the resort was reached by boat or by walking along the beach.

Electricity was also limited. It was available for only a couple of hours during the day and then again from around 6 PM through the night. That meant this wasn’t the type of resort where you spent the day staring at a television or sitting online. And that was exactly what we needed.

We had the pool, the beach, books, the kids, each other and Bacuit Bay right outside.

The resort also operated scheduled speedboat transfers between Dolarog and Corong Corong, so although we felt completely removed from everything, we weren’t actually trapped there. It was a chance to disconnect without feeling completely cut off.

A lot has changed at Dolarog since our stay, though, so I’ve included an updated section farther down with information for anyone considering staying there today.

Our Cottage

The cottages came in different sizes and were furnished with beautiful wood.

There were options for singles, couples and families, and each cottage had its own porch.

If you were staying near the beach, you could sit outside and watch the sunset. Otherwise, you could simply enjoy the peacefulness surrounding you.

It wasn’t about luxury in the traditional sense. For us, the luxury was where we were.

Mealtimes at Dolarog Beach Resort

Dinner became another part of the experience.

Tables were set outside on the deck or closer to the beach, and the meals changed each night.

And there was SO much food! We certainly never got up from the table hungry.

At the time of our visit, we had booked a package that included breakfast and dinner, along with our island tours and boat transfers.

It made staying somewhere so remote incredibly easy because once we arrived, there really wasn’t much we had to think about.

Other than perhaps: Which book should I read next?

Island Hopping From Dolarog Beach Resort

What was the biggest problem during our stay?

We hadn’t booked enough days!

One of the things we loved most about our package was that it included island-hopping tours around Bacuit Bay.

The tours were done aboard a traditional Filipino outrigger boat and lasted for much of the day.

This gave us the chance to explore the beaches, islands, lagoons and snorkeling spots surrounding El Nido.

And because we were spending so much time together on the boat, we also got to know our fellow travelers better.

It became part of the experience, heading out together each morning, exploring all day and returning to Dolarog afterward.

Lunch on the Islands

Lunch was included during our island-hopping days, and even preparing it was part of the adventure.

The crew would begin cooking on the boat during the morning.

Eventually, we’d stop at a beach where they would set everything out: meat, fish, rice, vegetables and fruit.

We could eat, swim and relax before continuing our trip.

Many of the beaches also had vendors paddling around in canoes selling coconuts and drinks.

It was such a different way of spending the day.

The Island-Hopping Tours We Experienced

During our stay, Dolarog Beach Resort offered four different island-hopping routes around Bacuit Bay.

Our tours included places such as Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Snake Island, Matinloc, Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, Cadlao Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach and several other beautiful stops.

Every day was a different adventure. Some days were about snorkeling. Others were about lagoons, beaches or simply sitting on the boat admiring the limestone cliffs rising from the water.

IMPORTANT: The exact island-hopping tours, regulations and packages around El Nido can change, so if you’re planning a stay today, I would check directly with Dolarog to see which tours they currently offer or can arrange.

Is Dolarog Beach Resort Still Open? Our 2026 Update

Since our stay was several years ago, I was curious to see what had happened to Dolarog.

The good news is: Dolarog Beach Resort is still open!

And while that beautiful beachfront setting and swimming pool are still there, some things have changed quite a bit since our visit.

One of the biggest differences is access.

When we stayed, arriving by boat and stepping through the water was part of the adventure. Today, there is road access to the resort, although the final road is described as steep and partially unpaved, with tight turns. The resort currently offers complimentary golf-cart transfers between Dolarog and Vanilla Beach from 7 AM to 7 PM, which makes reaching it much easier than it was for us.

The rooms have changed too. Current accommodations advertise air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, and the resort now offers several different types of cottages and villas, including beachfront and family options.

There is still an outdoor swimming pool and private beach area, along with a restaurant, games room and other activities.

So if you visit today, your experience probably won’t be quite as “off the grid” as ours was in 2020.

And that’s why I’m glad we experienced it when we did.

Why Was Dolarog Beach Resort Unique for Us?

Our experience at Dolarog Beach Resort was truly magical.

Was it because it was family-run?

Was it the stunning environment?

Was it because getting there felt like an adventure in itself?

Or was it simply because it was completely different from anything else we had experienced in the Philippines?

I honestly don’t know. Maybe it was a combination of all of those things.

What I do know is that our time there was good for our whole family. We had a chance to disconnect from the outside world and simply enjoy what was around us.

We swam. We read. We ate together. We spent our days exploring islands and lagoons by boat and came back to a quiet little cottage surrounded by palm trees and the sound of the sea.

And apparently we loved it enough that our biggest complaint was not booking enough nights!

That’s why Dolarog earned a place in our Unique Places collection.

A lot may have changed since our visit, but when I look back at the photos, I still remember that first boat ride across Bacuit Bay, seeing the tiny beach and those huge palm trees and wondering: Where on earth did we go?

It turns out we had gone exactly where we needed to be.

Happy travels!

Continue the journey with:

If you are planning a trip to Asia, these unique destinations should definitely be on your radar:

• Brunei: The Family Trip That Became a Girls’ Adventure 
• Meeting the Reindeer tribe: Our incredible travels in northern Mongolia
• A Family Journey Through India
• Discovering Cambodia: From Phnom Penh to the Magic of Siem Reap with Kids
• Visiting Bhutan with Kids: Inside the Magical Kingdom of Bhutan

I hope our experience helps you plan an unforgettable Asia adventure of your own!