Puerto Princesa Do-It-Yourself

When best to visit?
I guess because Puerto Princesa experiences good whether practically the whole year, anytime would do.

How long?
We stayed for 3 days and 2 nights but we missed the Honda Bay Tour so I guess 4 days and 3 nights would be perfect.

How to get there?
The easiest way to get to Puerto Princesa is of course, by air. I know nothing of a trip by sea. Domestic airlines have daily schedules to the city, being one of the top destinations in the Philippines. And the opening of AirAsia would add to the number of domestic flights flying to the city. Flight takes about 1.5 hours from Clark (perhaps it’s almost similar if the flight comes from Manila). To get to Clark, RW Manila’s free shuttle service is a big help.

How to go around?
Riding on tricycles or just renting them worked for us. Minimum fare is P8, but beyond 8PM, it’s P10. Going around downtown is pretty easy. We would walk most of the time. But other parts could be reached by jeepneys or tricycles. For tourists though, tourist vans are always the more convenient vehicles.

Where to stay?
Accommodations in Puerto Princesa range from rooms for rent to pension houses, inns to hotels. I’ve seen a lot of them when we were wandering around the city. It apparently flooded the city streets. Anyway, click HERE (you must be logged-in to Google to view the spreadsheet) for the shortlist I have made for our trip. These are the cheapest I found. And the best that we found that would fit our needs and budget was Casitas de Az Pension at P1,350 per night good for the three of us. The rate includes transfers and free breakfast, etc. It is conveniently located near downtown Puerto Princesa. It is actually a few blocks from Baywalk. Details of the pension house are as follows:

Address: Valencia corner Bonifacio Street (A.Abueg), Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Tel/Fax No. (048) 434-1945
Mobile No: 0916-9086920/ 0918-5509366
Email: casitasdeaz@yahoo.com
Website: www.casitasdeazpension.com

I was personally satisfied of the service. One because the staff were really nice especially Ms. Shana who was so kind helping us in all the little things we need and in so patiently answering all the questions we ask. And second because prices are really affordable. They actually offer a cheaper rate of P1,400 per pax for underground river tour compared to the prevailing rate of P1,500.

Where to eat?
Locals would suggest Kinabuch, but we had dinner at Balinsasayaw Restaurant. It was good for the money. We actually spent a little less than 150 per pax for a good dinner of bulalo, chopsuey, balinsasayaw rice and mango shake. Of course there are the more popular Kinabuch and Ka Lui, which may be worth the try as well.

What to do?
A suggested tour and itinerary for first time tourists in Puerto Princesa consists of: underground river tour, city tour and Honda Bay tour. We did only the first two. We had 1 whole day and 2 half days in Puerto so I guess that would best fit our schedule and our budget.

While we made our own city tour, courtesy of Kuya tricycle which we hired for P300, we took the services of a travel agency in our underground tour. It wouldn't have been that convenient if we didn't. We were assigned a tour guide who does freelance too - Ricky Gerasmia, or simply Kuya Ricky. He can be reached at his mobile numbers: 09126130579 or 09152000152. He is a registered tour guide and is really funny and cool.

Kuya Ricky could have brought us for an Iwahig Firefly tour quoted at P500each. We were just too tired already we didn't go on with the tour. Sad...Would be doing that next time, as well as the tour in some of the falls of Puerto Princesa.

What to bring home?
Actually, every tourist should bring home a story of how he/she ate tamilok. But I have none, simply because I am not the adventurous type when it comes to food. I’ll have to try it though next time.
Cashew nuts and pearls – these are the products of Palawan. But of course, I bring home t-shirts as a souvenir for myself, which I got for a cheap P90 at the pasalubong center.

How much to budget?
Normally, it would have been (per pax):
Underground -P1,500  
City Tour –P600
Honda  Bay –P1,500
Total – P3,600 ++

But ours was only around P1,620 for both underground and city tour.
We swore to just spend at most P3,000 all-in. I think my friends made it close. I obviously exceeded. Click HERE (you must be logged-in to Google to view the spreadsheet) for the actual expenses.

3D2N Puerto Princesa Itinerary

Day 1- City Tour
2:00PM           -arrival and check in at hotel
3:00PM           -lunch at Bona’s Chaolong
3:30PM           -pasalubong shopping
4:00PM           -travel to Mitra’s
4:45PM           -to Baker’s Hill
5:30PM           -Back to hotel
6:30PM           -To Baywalk and dinner
8:00PM           -Back to hotel

Day 2 - Underground Tour
9:00AM           -Depart city to Sabang Wharf
11:30AM         -arrival at Sabang and lunch
1:30PM           -boat ride to underground river
2:00PM           -underground tour
3:30PM           -back to Sabang
4:00PM           -Ugong Rock
6:30PM           -Arrival at hotel
7:00PM           -Mass at Immaculate Concepcion Church
8:00PM           -Dinner at Balinsasayaw

Day 3 - Extended City Tour
9:00AM           -To museum (but closed)
9:15AM           -Immaculate Concepcion Parish and Plaza Cuartel
10:30AM         -to Robinsons
11:00AM         -early lunch
12:00PM         -check-out


So this wrapped up my Puerto Princesa trip...definitely this will not be my last.