Legend attributes the name of this city to a princess-like maiden who in early days is said to have roamed and took guard in certain nights of the year. That was again, during the early days, this time it's way different. I see it more as a royal haven and sanctuary for the people in Palawan and the tourists.
Red carpet, blowing of trumpets and a grand entourage?! Think you're that lucky?! I don't think so! No royal treatment will be provided upon your arrival there! But the good people of Puerto Princesa will
definitely try to make things alot easier and relaxing for you.
Upon arrival from our Cebu trip and as we exited from the airport gates, greetings and warm smiles welcomed us as we make our first step on Puerto Princesa ground.
There's a lot of choices for transportation going to your chosen hotel and of course places to stay and eat. Good thing though that prior to getting there, we've already made arrangements for our transportation, hotel and restaurant reservations and tours. Yeah, I know, not an all "do-it-yourself" thing but at least it's all laid out for you. The tours already include the shuttle or van that'll take you to your chosen destination/tour, entrance fees, boat fees, environment fees and lunch for the day and some snacks. So there you go.
I'll make this post as "short" as possible (Oh I wish!) to just let you know of the things I experienced and saw in this beautiful city. First Up!
HONDA BAY
Just a few minutes north of the city proper, hop onto a boat and go island hopping at Honda Bay located in the mid-eastern coast of the city. Take your pick from dozens of white sand beaches.
The islands on the nearby Honda Bay offer beach lovers unspoilt and uncrowded havens so rarely found anywhere else. There are dozens of white sand beaches beckoning from the clear blue waters; travelers may go to dive, snorkel, or swim in the beautiful still waters of the bay, or just sit on the sand and soak up the sun.
Dive sites abound here, as the entire area is studded with patches of coral and sand. Submerged reefs may be found close to the surface down to 24 meters. Small reef and aquarium fish can also be found here. Among the well-known dive sites here are Pandan Island and Starfish Island which has good reefs near small drop-offs with small cottages for rent at P100.
Each island at Honda Bay offers different thrills. Snake Island has a sandbar that slithers on the surface of the sea, much like the critter that bears its name (we weren't able to visit though coz it was closed during that time). It is best for snorkeling, swimming or simply basking in the sand. It can be reached in an hour by pumpboat.
When you do land on any of these islands, you will be asked if you'd like to rent a cottage or use their snorkeling gear. That's something excluded from the tour package that we availed. Not sure if other tour packages would include it though.
This tour was a little pricey compared to the regular tour rates since this tour was more private. However, reason being pricey is that we had the boat to ourselves, "CLEAN" life vests, entrance/island fees, packed lunch (food was great! Gourmet! Seafood! and it was like a packed BUFFET with cold drinks c/o Celestial's Restaurant and Cafe) good for 2 but it looked more like for 6 people! ha ha. The package was for P1650 compared to the regular tour which is for P1,100. Still not bad... actually, not bad at all.
UNDERGROUND RIVER
A must-see for first time visitors and tourists in Palawan. The longest navigable underground river and reputedly the most beautiful subterranean river in the world.
Its main attraction is an 8.2 km (If I remember that right) Underground River that winds through a spectacular cave before emptying into the South China Sea.
At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge.
Monkeys, large monitor lizards (bayawak), and the gorgeous chickens (that's how I remember the Palawan Peacocks.. he he) find their niche on the beach near the cave where the tourists gather for debriefing and also near the ranger station.
The park was declared a premier ecotourism destination and has been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage lists for its outstanding universal value and ecological significance as a natural site of intense beauty.
This tour package cost us P1,500 which includes land transfers, tour guide, roundtrip boat, entrance/park fees and buffet lunch at Sabang beach which is also a long stretch of white sand beach where you can stay in one of the hotels or just take on the feast.
DOLPHIN WATCHING
See long-snouted spinner dolphins! These warm-blooded and air-breathing mammals known as "lumba-lumba" are very acrobatic animals with a triangular dorsal fin. Its color is dark gray on the sides and white on the belly.
Chances of seeing a dolphin are best when the seas are flat. Agitated seas, high winds and excessive glare make it more difficult to see them.
This attraction only cost P900 per head. Tour rates will pursue on the availability of group (minimum of 10 pax). This includes roundtrip land tranfers, 3-4 hours tour, boat, tour guide, snacks and travel insurance and of course, watching the dolphins.
There's actually a lot of things to see and do in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. We should've plotted more vacation leaves for this trip to enjoy the rest of our Puerto Princesa experience. This was just a 3 day 2 night trip to Palawan.
Other things to do when in Puerto Princesa:
City Tour - One of the basic/easy tours in PP and we didn't even get the chance to do it! Grrr.
Firefly Watching - This was offered to us by one of the tricycle drivers while on our way back to the hotel. It was offered to us at P700 and mentioned that it was one of the new attractions in the city. Thought it was a rip-off, but we were informed by the hotel attendant that that's the regular price. Oh well, maybe next time!
Ugong Rock Spelunking and Zipline Adventure - our Underground River tour's sidetrip was the Ugong Rock experience , however we were joined by 2 families on the trip so as much as we'd love to take on the challenge, we felt a little bad since they weren't enthused by the idea. We perfectly understand and consider that they're a little old (Parents saying, "Naku, parang nakakatakot at delikado" - "It's scary and dangerous") for some adrenaline and also the safety of everyone on board. Bottomline is: They are scared and not interested! Another Grrr. Next time! ha ha. Yeah, we understand that they're thinking for their family's safety. Totally fine.
I plan on visiting #Puerto Princesa again next year, and I really... really hope to experience the things I've missed.
Palawan Food? Yeah, I may have not mentioned that here. Just wait for my next post. I won't ever forget my worm-eating moment! Gross! ha ha :)
A quick pricelist for the tours:
 |
| http://en.wikipedia.org |
definitely try to make things alot easier and relaxing for you.
 |
| Underground River entry... |
There's a lot of choices for transportation going to your chosen hotel and of course places to stay and eat. Good thing though that prior to getting there, we've already made arrangements for our transportation, hotel and restaurant reservations and tours. Yeah, I know, not an all "do-it-yourself" thing but at least it's all laid out for you. The tours already include the shuttle or van that'll take you to your chosen destination/tour, entrance fees, boat fees, environment fees and lunch for the day and some snacks. So there you go.
I'll make this post as "short" as possible (Oh I wish!) to just let you know of the things I experienced and saw in this beautiful city. First Up!
HONDA BAY
Just a few minutes north of the city proper, hop onto a boat and go island hopping at Honda Bay located in the mid-eastern coast of the city. Take your pick from dozens of white sand beaches.
The islands on the nearby Honda Bay offer beach lovers unspoilt and uncrowded havens so rarely found anywhere else. There are dozens of white sand beaches beckoning from the clear blue waters; travelers may go to dive, snorkel, or swim in the beautiful still waters of the bay, or just sit on the sand and soak up the sun.
 |
| Pandan Island |
 |
| Pandan Island |
 |
| Starfish Island |
 |
| Starfish!!! |
When you do land on any of these islands, you will be asked if you'd like to rent a cottage or use their snorkeling gear. That's something excluded from the tour package that we availed. Not sure if other tour packages would include it though.
This tour was a little pricey compared to the regular tour rates since this tour was more private. However, reason being pricey is that we had the boat to ourselves, "CLEAN" life vests, entrance/island fees, packed lunch (food was great! Gourmet! Seafood! and it was like a packed BUFFET with cold drinks c/o Celestial's Restaurant and Cafe) good for 2 but it looked more like for 6 people! ha ha. The package was for P1650 compared to the regular tour which is for P1,100. Still not bad... actually, not bad at all.
UNDERGROUND RIVER
Its main attraction is an 8.2 km (If I remember that right) Underground River that winds through a spectacular cave before emptying into the South China Sea.
At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge.
Monkeys, large monitor lizards (bayawak), and the gorgeous chickens (that's how I remember the Palawan Peacocks.. he he) find their niche on the beach near the cave where the tourists gather for debriefing and also near the ranger station.
The park was declared a premier ecotourism destination and has been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage lists for its outstanding universal value and ecological significance as a natural site of intense beauty.
This tour package cost us P1,500 which includes land transfers, tour guide, roundtrip boat, entrance/park fees and buffet lunch at Sabang beach which is also a long stretch of white sand beach where you can stay in one of the hotels or just take on the feast.
DOLPHIN WATCHING
See long-snouted spinner dolphins! These warm-blooded and air-breathing mammals known as "lumba-lumba" are very acrobatic animals with a triangular dorsal fin. Its color is dark gray on the sides and white on the belly.
Dolphin watching at #Puerto Princesa Bay is the newest water adventure being offered to tourists by the City Tourism Office. See the dolphins at play and enjoy the fun.
Chances of seeing a dolphin are best when the seas are flat. Agitated seas, high winds and excessive glare make it more difficult to see them.
This attraction only cost P900 per head. Tour rates will pursue on the availability of group (minimum of 10 pax). This includes roundtrip land tranfers, 3-4 hours tour, boat, tour guide, snacks and travel insurance and of course, watching the dolphins.
There's actually a lot of things to see and do in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. We should've plotted more vacation leaves for this trip to enjoy the rest of our Puerto Princesa experience. This was just a 3 day 2 night trip to Palawan.
Other things to do when in Puerto Princesa:
City Tour - One of the basic/easy tours in PP and we didn't even get the chance to do it! Grrr.
Firefly Watching - This was offered to us by one of the tricycle drivers while on our way back to the hotel. It was offered to us at P700 and mentioned that it was one of the new attractions in the city. Thought it was a rip-off, but we were informed by the hotel attendant that that's the regular price. Oh well, maybe next time!
Ugong Rock Spelunking and Zipline Adventure - our Underground River tour's sidetrip was the Ugong Rock experience , however we were joined by 2 families on the trip so as much as we'd love to take on the challenge, we felt a little bad since they weren't enthused by the idea. We perfectly understand and consider that they're a little old (Parents saying, "Naku, parang nakakatakot at delikado" - "It's scary and dangerous") for some adrenaline and also the safety of everyone on board. Bottomline is: They are scared and not interested! Another Grrr. Next time! ha ha. Yeah, we understand that they're thinking for their family's safety. Totally fine.
I plan on visiting #Puerto Princesa again next year, and I really... really hope to experience the things I've missed.
Palawan Food? Yeah, I may have not mentioned that here. Just wait for my next post. I won't ever forget my worm-eating moment! Gross! ha ha :)
A quick pricelist for the tours:
 |
| Credits to: Lakas.com.ph |
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