You know, the good thing about going into group tours is that you get to know people who share the same interest as you, travelling. You get to have an overview of the place you’re interested in visiting since they have already visited that place. You get to have tips, do’s and don’ts, where to and what to etc. so thanks to Marvin and Lanie for sharing their Puerto Princesa experience with us.
What does Puerto Princesa have that made us so interested?
•The Underground River – New 7 Wonders of Nature.
•Firefly Watching – I’ve seen a firefly or two but never have I seen fireflies lighting up one huge tree! It made me super curious.
•Food – they say food especially seafood is cheap in Puerto Princesa.
So again, I went to my ever reliable friend, the World Wide Web, and started searching about Puerto Princesa.
We got Mercedes Bed & Breakfast for our accommodation.
We checked the reviews about this place and the most common description that they give is that it’s very near the airport. And yes, it was literally near the airport! Talking about walking distance!
A girl who’s holding a piece of board with my name written on it welcomed us at Puerto Princesa airport. She then called someone to inform that we have already arrived. Tita Ched, the owner of Mercedes Bed & Breakfast drove her Toyota Innova to fetch us in the airport. I noticed that the girl who welcomed us walked instead of riding with us so I asked tita Ched why she is walking, she said it’s okay coz the place is just right here… and before we knew it, we we’re there already! Haha! I know I’ve read a lot of reviews saying that this place is near the airport but I did not expect it to be that near!
The place has a homey feel. Lots of plants and trees and verify spacious. Good thing I’ve checked tripadvisor! We got a good one!
Even their room is spacious! We loved it!
1ST DAY
We opted in doing DIYO City Tour since it’s just the two of us. It’s cheaper compared to the hotel’s tour which is P600.00/pax (van + free simple merienda).
DIYO CITY TOUR
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RATES/ FEES
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Tricycle – good for 4-5 hours tour
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P600.00
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DESTINATIONS
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Crocodile Farm
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P40.00
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Baker’s Hill
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Mitra’s Ranch
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Butterfly Garden
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P50.00
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Plaza Cuartel
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Free Entrance
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Baywalk
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Free Entrance
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We originally planned in doing Iwahig Firefly Watching on our first night but because of the previous typhoon and the overacting southwest monsoon that we had, the bridge going to Iwahig collapsed and was under construction. Do-It-Your-Own Iwahig Firefly Watching, unfortunately at that time was not possible. Kuya Ronnie, the tricycle driver who toured us in the city said it will be hard to cross the stream at night because there’s limited light in that place and the road is rocky and muddy. So in short, it’s not safe going to Iwahig River in a tricycle, too bad. We then called Tita Ched and asked her if it’s possible to book us for that night’s Firefly Watching Tour. Unfortunately, the tour was already full (double ouch!). Good thing Tita Ched made a way and booked us for the next day’s tour. Now that’s a relief hehe!
REMINDER: always book your tours ahead of time. Better be sure than sorry right?
►Dinner at Kalui Restaurant – thanks again to Tita Ched for making a reservation for us in this awesome restaurant!
2ND DAY
►Underground River Tour
Tita Ched booked our Tour with TravelersPal.
REMINDER: this is a MUST! Book your Underground River tour at least 2 weeks ahead of time. Ever since the Underground River became one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, they became really strict when It comes to registration and number of people visiting the site. I don’t think DIYO style will be practical on this one unless you know someone who lives in Puerto Princesa who can do the registration and paper works for you before your arrival. If you don’t know anyone there then it’s better for you to inform your hotel about it so they can book your tour. Provide them with your REAL complete name as shown in your valid ID. Underground River tour is very particular with it.
RATE/FEES
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Underground River Tour
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P1,500/pax
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Environment Fee
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P20/pax
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Underground River Tour Inclusions:
•Van transfer
•Boat transfer
•Licensed tour guide
•Buffet lunch
•Entrance fees (except Environmental fee)
After your Underground River tour you’ll be given an option by your tour guide to visit Ugong Rock.
And of course you can do stop-overs to take your pictures.
►Firefly Watching Tour
Since we’re unable to visit Iwahig for the firefly watching tour due to the storms and overacting monsoon that knocked down the bridge, we went on to the Firefly Watching Tour booked by our hotel instead.
Firefly Watching Tour (Siksikan River) Inclusions:
•Van transfer
•Boat transfer
•Buffet dinner
•Licensed tour guide
•Entrance fees
We we’re picked up in our hotel at around 5:30pm and was dropped in Puerto Princesa Baywalk. The boat for the tour was parked there and the tour guide welcomed us.
As soon as the sun started to set, we then rode the boat and off we got to Siksikan River.
We noticed that there are 2 small boats that are tied in our boat on our way. The tour guide then explained to us that the reason why is because the boat we are riding on is a passenger boat which too big for the river so we will be transferred to the small boats for the tour.
As soon as the first batch got transferred to the small boat and left, the crew then started transforming the boat into a dining area for the buffet dinner. We opted for the last batch.
Now it's our turn to load ourselves in to the small boat. It was really dark on our way. It was then when our eyes got adjusted to the darkness that we noticed we’re already entering Siksikan River. The tour guide told us we can take pictures but flash is not allowed. We adjusted the ISO of our camera hoping, even if we know that it’s hopeless, that it can still capture the fireflies in total darkness! Haha! There we’re mangroves everywhere and the show started! Merry Christmas! It was beautiful… like dancing Christmas lights lighting up the mangroves. You can also see the small lights in the water, planktons! It was amazing! It only indicates that the place really is clean and free of pollution.
I know that it’s hopeless but it won’t hurt me trying right? So, I took a picture of the fireflies and here’s what I got…
Beautiful isn’t it? Hehe!
3RD DAY
►Honda Bay Tour
Honda Bay tour was our original plan for this day. We planned on availing the tour from our hotel since it will just cost us almost the same if we do DIYO. The pick-up time is 6:00am and the return time is around 2:00-3:00pm. It is still doable since our flight back to Manila was around 5:30pm but we decided to opt out since we’ve been overdosed already with island hopping tours in our Coron, Palawan trip which was just back June of this year! Our skins haven’t fully recovered yet and we don’t have plans of burning it again haha! I’ll just share to you the information we’ve gathered about Honda Bay tour.
Honda Bay Tour (hotel):
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P1,300/pax
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Inclusions:
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Van transfer
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Boat transfer
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License tour guide
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All entrance fees
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Buffet Lunch
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Islands:
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Pandan Island
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Snake Island
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Starfish Island
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Pambato Reef
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DIYO Honda Bay Tour
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RATES/FEES
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Tricycle Transfer
(from hotel/city to Sta. Lourdes wharf v.v.)
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P600
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Boat Transfer (good for 6pax)
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P1,300 – P1,500
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Pandan Island
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P50/pax
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Snake Island
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Free Entrance
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Starfish Island
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Pambato Reef
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P50/pax
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Luli Island
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P50/pax
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►Pasalubong
We spent our 3rd day buying pasalubongs. We contacted Kuya Ronnie, the tricycle driver who toured us in the city so that he can bring us again to Baker’s Hill, pasalubong area (I forgot the name but they call it Cora’s or the one with the aircondition), supermarket and back to our hotel. Instead of the normal rate which is P300, he gave us discount this time for his services (happy camper again hehe!). We got the private tricycle transfer for P200 and he even accompanied us in the supermarket to bring our things and to help us haggle with the prices! He was really accommodating and kind to us… two thumbs up to Kuya Ronnie!
Baker’s Hill
Now, believe me when I say that their Hopia is really good! Especially the Hopia Baboy in Pork Oil! I’m not really fond of eating Hopia but this one is really good considering its price which is really cheap too! I’ve noticed I’ve been using the word “really” so many times in one paragraph! Haha! But it was really good! What more can I say really?! Haha!
1box of Hopia in Vegetable Oil cost P40 and 1box of Hopia in Pork Oil cost P45 (1box consist of 10 pieces). Cheap right? That’s why we bought 20 boxes! Haha! Available flavors are: Ube, Monggo and Baboy. The egg pie is a must-try too!
Pasalubong Center (Cora’s)
You can buy pearls in a very cheap price in Puerto Princesa. So, if you’re into pearls then this is the place to be!
TIP: Although both offers genuine pearls, pearls in the Pasalubong Center are cheaper compared to those you see in the streets.
There are two types of pearls in Puerto Princesa; the Freshwater Pearl and the South Sea Pearl. You may be asking yourself why Freshwater Pearls or “siopao” (because of its shape) are cheaper compared to the later. It is because the Freshwater Pearls are cultured pearls grown in fresh water whereas South Sea Pearls are natural pearls that came from the depths of the sea. Locals do extra effort and added flavor such as risking their lives in finding and retrieving this kind of treasure that’s why they’re expensive.
TIP: There are two ways to check if the pearl is genuine:
•Burn it. If it chipped after burning then that means it’s fake.
•Rub the pearls with each other. If a scratch appears, wipe them off. If it comes back to normal (no scratch whatsoever) after wiping then that means it genuine.
We got these information and tips from the locals while we’re there. Forgive me; I’m not really an “I-love-jewelry” type or person haha! If you’re still craving for more information about it my genius friend, Wikipedia can help you further hehe!
Now you won’t be leaving a place without a souvenir t-shirt right? And I just know a great place where you can have them custom made! Hilltop Printshoppe is also located inside Pasalubong Center (left side). They offer good quality, customized souvenir t-shirts down to customized mugs, keychains etc.
Isn’t that amazing?!
Supermarket
Puerto Princesa is also known for its cheap and delicious Dangit and Kasuy.
TIP: They sell dangit and kasuy cheaper in the supermarket (palengke) compared to other locations. You’ll get them cheaper too if you buy them by Kilo instead of per bag. And don’t forget… haggle! haggle! haggle!
Seafoods such us lobsters, crabs and shrimps are also cheap in Puerto Princesa. We bought wild tiger shrimps (sugpo) for only P350/Kl haggled price!
They also offer packaging so you can take your raw seafood home. Spoilage free good for 24-hours!
►Lunch at Haim Chicken Inato
►Merienda at Noki Nocs Savory House
►Bye-bye Puerto Princesa… back to Manila.
Things we’ve noticed in Puerto Princesa, Palawan
- Standard Tourism Rate - say no to over-pricing!
- Good in English – people here esp. tourist guides and boatmen or what they locally call as “bankers” are very good in English! They are also well trained and funny.
- Cheap Food - one of the best places for food tripping!
- Plastic-Free city – eco-friendly.
- Clean public restrooms – this one really surprised us! Even the ones in Sabang Port and Underground River are clean and well maintained! They also have sprinklers in every cubicle! Aha-mazing!
- Low crime rate – would you believe that?
- No beggars – not a single soul spotted!
Contacts:
Tricycle
Kuya Ronnie - 09098788114
Tricycle
Kuya Ronnie - 09098788114
Hope you'll find this useful.
Enjoy life and much love...
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