If you’re going on a backpacking adventure in the Philippines, the accommodation options might seem to exist at opposite ends of a wide spectrum. On the one hand there are cheaper, hostel-type places to stay. On the other, there are glittering, world-class resorts. The latter probably isn’t what you’re looking for if you’re traveling on a budget. But that doesn’t mean all of the resorts around the country should be considered off-limits. There are plenty of relatively affordable places where you can spend a comfortable night or two during of your travels.





These are just a few we’re highlighting.



Coron Westown Resort



This resort is on Busuanga Island, on the southern side near (but not directly facing) Coron Bay. The scenery around the hotel is about as nice as you’ll find at a resort where a night’s stay can cost you under $75. It’s partially for this reason that TripAdvisor assigns it the top value out of more than 1,800 hotels in all of the Philippines. The rooms and amenities are on the nice side of standard for a 4-star facility, and the view from the pool area will keep you very much aware that you’re still in the middle of a journey through the country. Lush vegetation surrounds the backside of the hotel, with picturesque mountains in the distance. Plus, when you’re staying at the Coron Westown, you have easy access to the beautiful waters of Coron Bay. This i hand should you want to find your way out on a boat or decide to go for a dive.



Microtel Puerto Princesa



This is a small hotel run by Wyndham and located right on the Sulu Sea on the island of Palawan. For its price (rooms here can also run for less than $75, if not less than $50), it’s a stunning place to stay. Beachfront rooms have a view of the turquoise waters of the sea, the pool is right between the hotel and the beach, and fun activities like snorkeling, diving, and kayaking are easily accessible. For enjoying the sheer beauty of your surroundings, it might be the best budget option in the country.



Fort Ilocandia Resort



Located just outside of Laoag City on the western side of Luzon, Fort Ilocandia Resort is a wonderful place to spend a few nights. It’s one of the few affordable options that actually includes similar entertainment to what you’d find at a major resort. There’s a golf course, a beautiful pool, and even a small casino. If you’re a fan of gaming, you're probably familiar with the fact that the most popular slot titles now exist on the web with all kinds of special frills and bonuses. But you can find some of the same games in-person at the Fort Ilocandia Resort for a bit of casual play in the midst of your trip. Entertainment aside, the resort also has very comfortable rooms and is an excellent place to stay for the frugal adventurer.



Modessa Island Resort



This one can be a little pricier than some of the other options, in part because it’s more remote. It’s located on a tiny island east of Puerto Princesa, and serves as one of the best natural getaways you’ll find. It lacks some of the comforts and amenities of other resorts, but more than makes up forit with huts on the beach and beachside restaurants serving tropical cocktails. It’s an excellent spot for diving, though it's also about as good as it gets if your goal is to lay down by the beach and relax.

Labels: Mimaropa, Palawan, Puerto Princesa

This is a backpacking/budget travel blog but it doesn't mean that backpackers cannot enjoy premium services when traveling.

One of them is this upcoming premium Puerto Princesa to El Nido bus service using double-decker buses, similar to those deployed in Manila's Point-to-Point bus that that CCTVs, GPS, wifi, large baggage compartments and also PWD-friendly



almost all information is contained in this photo from U-Hop Palawan on Facebook:

Bus trip schedules:

Puerto Princesa to El Nido: 7am and 12 noon (2 trips per day)
El Nido to Puerto Princesa trip: 2pm (one trip per day)

Travel duration: around 6 hours

Contact Number/Telephone number: refer to the photo

Bus fare: PhP700.00 (this is almost similar fare from Manila to Baguio deluxe bus)

Note: this is a point-to-point service i.e. no picking up or dropping off in between the terminals. No bus service to Sabang, Puerto Princesa (where the Underground River is), only shuttle service (vans)

Related Posts on Palawan:
How to get to Palawan Underground River
How to Get to Boracay from Palawan

Dos Palmas Resort Tour
How to get to El Nido from Sabang, Puerto Princesa

Labels: Mimaropa, Palawan, Public Transportation

A lot times this question was asked of Tutubi, mainly by foreigners referred by Facebook. To avoid typing the answer occasionally, Tutubi decided to just create a post to answer the question How to Get to Boracay from Palawan or How to get to Palawan from Boracay:

white sand beach of Boracay is a local and international favorite

How to Get to Boracay from Puerto Princesa, Palawan

1. The best way is to fly to Iloilo instead of going back to Manila as there are no direct flights to Caticlan or Kalibo from Puerto Princesa at the moment. Puerto Princesa to Iloilo routes are served by Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines

2. From Iloilo Airport, take a taxi to Tagbak Transport Terminal (along MacArthur Highway in Jaro, Iloilo City). If you have time and less budget, take Iloilo Airport Shuttle to SM City Mall (fare PhP50/Pax ) then take SM City Mall Jeepney to bus Station (Tagbak terminal fare: PhP10.00/Pax)

3. At Tagbak terminal, take a bus to Caticlan/Boracay. Travel time to Caticlan from Iloilo is around 4-5 hours and will pass by Kalibo (Bus fare: around PhP350.00) Iloilo to Boracay Bus (to inquire on trip schedules and bus fares)

Philtranco
Office: Traveler’s Lounge, SM City Iloilo, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Telephone Number: +63.33.320.3660
Website: http://www.philtranco.com.ph

Ceres Liner
Office: Tagbak, Jaro, Iloilo City
Telephone Number: +63.33.329.1223;+63.33.321.2371

4. In Caticlan, take a short boat ride to Boracay Island.


How to Get to Boracay from Palawan by Ferry/Boat:

not for the faint of heart, there's a Puerto Princesa to Iloilo ferry via Cuyo, Palawan
served by Montenegro Shipping and Milagrosa Shipping Corporation. This is less expensive but takes a lot of time though you may really want to visit the island of Cuyo with its charming old church and Spanish-era fortress.

to answer these questions, you can reverse the directions given above:

How to Get to Boracay from El Nido, Palawan
How to Get to Boracay from Palawan (Puerto Princesa, El Nido, Coron)
How to Get to Palawan from Boracay
How to Get to Puerto Princesa from Boracay
How to Get to El Nido, Palawan from Boracay
How to Get to Boracay from Iloilo
How to Get to Iloilo from Palawan

Labels: Aklan, Boracay, Mimaropa, Palawan, Western Visayas

For people looking for information on how to get to Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan, curious after it won as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

UPDATED: April 2013

how to get to Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan:

Getting there is really not easy the backpacking way, as there's still unreliable public transportation to get there but there were and are many foreigners who tried.

1. Book a flight to Puerto Princesa (via Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, Cebu Pacific or ZestAir, or slow ferry to Puerto Princesa via 2Go Travel SuperFerry if you have the the time but not the moolah) or a RORO bus to Puerto Princesa

2. Book your access to Puerto Princesa Underground River Online or visit the Booking office near PP Airport:

2.1 Book online by visit the official online booking website here


or visit the booking office:

2.2 From Puerto Princesa Airport, ride a tricycle to Underground River Booking Office. Don't forget this step, you can't just show up in Sabang as they limit tourists to about 600 per day.
Email: reservation@puerto-undergroundriver.com
Call Contact Number: +63.48.434.2509; +63.48.723.0904; +63.48.723.2563

Park Rates and Other Fees Local International

Underground River Entrance Fee
Adult P 100.00 P 150.00
Minor P 75.00 P 100.00

Underground River Tour Rate (Boat Ride Price):
Adult P 175.00 P 250.00
Minor P 100.00 P 150.00
Commercial Video Fee P 3,000.00


3. From your hotel, ride a tricycle to New Market terminal (fare: around PhP15.00)

4. At San Jose New Market Transportation terminal, ride jeepneys going to Sabang, Puerto Princesa (it's still part of mayor Hagedorn's city, not another town of Palawan). Fare: PhP125.00 (first trip at 7am, last trip at 3pm, travel time: 2 hours). Return trip from Sabang to Puerto Princesa last trip is at 2pm daily.

5. In Sabang, proceed to the Tourism office to book your boat to Puerto Princesa Underground River cave entrance

6. Near the cave entrance, enlist for another boat, good for 6 people, to ferry you inside and out of the longest navigable underwater river in the world.

7. Enjoy one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature! :P



Note that the Puerto Princesa public transportation terminal is at San Jose New Market, a jeepney ride (signboard: New Market, fare PhP12.00) or tricycle ride from Puerto Princesa Airport (fare: around PhP15.00)

How to Get to Sabang from El Nido:

Follow this post on How to get to El Nido from Sabang to get an idea as it's just the reverse.

Note: Prices, costs, rates and fares may change without prior notice, mainly due to skyrocketing gasoline prices. Expect fare hikes anytime soon. Tutubi will update this from time to time by calling his friend in Palawan (sorry, can't post his contact number here for privacy)


Related posts on Palawan:
Puerto Princesa Airport
How to get to El Nido from Sabang
Palawan Underground River
Jungle Trek to Puerto Princesa Underground River
Palawan Accommodations in Sabang, Puerto Princesa, Cheap Palawan Package Tours

Labels: Caves, Mimaropa, Palawan, Rivers, UNESCO

Just beside Palawan Cathedral (Immaculate Conception Cathedral) in Puerto Princesa is a walled park where grim history of American prisoners of war (POW) haunts every visitor curious about the past great war.

The history of Plaza Cuartel is a must for students of history and every Filipino who wish to know the heroism of many who died and suffered for our freedom.

entrance to historic Plaza Cuartel with the NHI historical marker installed



the National Historical Commission of the Philippines marker states, in Filipino, of the history of Plaza Cuartel

"Sa pook na ito na dating tanggulang militar noong Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig naganap ang pagsunog ng mga sundalong hapon sa humigit kumulang 150 Amerikanong bihag ng digma noong 14 Disyembre 1944. Ilang nakaligtas ay lumangoy sa dagat patungong Iwahig. Ang mga labi ng nasawi ay dinala at inilibing sa St. Louis County sa isang panlahatang libingan sa Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Missouri, United States, 1952."

the Palawan Massacre Monument, created by one of the POWs who spent time at the Japanese garrison.

the commemorative Palawan Massacre marker partly reads:

"American WW-II POWs were massacred in this place on December 14, 1944.

On that day Japanese guards stationed here in Palawan ordered the American POWs under their control into the air raid shelters.

Japanese soldiers suddenly poured gasoline on and into the American POW shelters and set them on fire with the flaming torches, followed by hand grenades. As the American POWs, engulfed in flames broke out of the fiery death traps, their Japanese guards machine gunned, bayoneted and decapitated an clubbed them to death.

Of the American POWs, only 11 survived the massacre. This memorial is by artist Don Schloat, a former POW of the Japanese at Palawan."

It was due to this unfortunate incident that advancing army of the returning Gen. MacArthur (who had just landed on October 20, 1944 somewhere near Tacloban, in a place now known as MacArthur Park in Palo, Leyte) decided to free remaining POWs still incarcerated in three POW camps in Luzon were sprung in three separate and simultaneous raids: University of Sto. Tomas, University of Los Banos (UPLB) in Laguna, Camp O'Donnel in Tarlac and the so called Great Raid in Cabanatuan.

Other World War II History posts:

Corregidor
Kamikaze Field in Pampanga
Dambana ng Kagitingan
Bataan Death March

Labels: Palawan, Puerto Princesa, World War II

Shopping for souvenirs in Palawan? Pasalubong family and friends? Authentic south sea pearls for loved ones? Kasuy (cashew nuts) and danggit at low prices?

there are two places in Puerto Princesa where shopping is fun and bargains are not hard to find:

San Jose New Public Market
San Jose, Puerto Princesa
(called New Market by the locals)

For cheap souvenir t-shirts, you can find them at PhP100.00 each at a stall near the dried fish section, unusual location but serendipity struck Tutubi when he was searching for cheap danggit and kasuy. A kilo of danggit only costs PhP400 (much, much cheaper than the touristy prices of Cebu, where it's identified)

cashew nuts (kasuy) pasalubong for Tutubi's officemates. You can also buy Cashew Wine and other kasuy products there

Tiangge Tiangge Souvenir Center
Address: Lacao near corner Rizal Avenue
GPS Coordinates: N9 44 26.7 E118 44 26.3

for other stuff like bags, key chains (key fob), handicrafts, native artworks, and authentic pearls, there's Tiangge Tiangge, sort of like "Greenhills Shopping Center" of Puerto Princesa





real south sea pearls are peddled here at about half the price from similar items found in Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan, and slightly lower thatn those sold in front of Baker's Hill.

What makes Puerto Princesa shopping fun is that merchants don't overcharge unknowing tourists, unlike in other places. They quote you the same price whether you're a local or a foreigner, an unwritten policy probably of Mayor Hagedorn, something worthy of emulation by other tourist destinations not to pounce on tourists.

Labels: Mimaropa, Palawan, Pasalubong, Puerto Princesa, Shopping

Just sharing a nice "place to eat" at in Palawan visited by Tutubi in his return trip there a few months ago where they served freshly-caught seafood at unbelievable price.

the "pre-ordered" food on the table:

steamed okra (ladyfingers) and eggplant

various grilled fishes, freshly-caught

buttered prawns, fresh as usual





Are you wondering what made this "restaurant" the best so far for Tutubi? It's not actually a restaurant but home cooking of friends of his friend somewhere near Inagawan, Puerto Princesa. Tinola native chicken not shown.



Tutubi and his friends ate at the place, in a backyard surrounded by trees, kamayan-style with great food, lutong bahay at a homey ambiance.

Such hospitality of Palaweños accorded to Tutubi and his friends. For Tutubi, this is the best seafood restaurant there is in Palawan!

Labels: Filipino Food, Mimaropa, Palawan, Puerto Princesa

With Tutubi's second visit to Puerto Princesa, he did not pass up the chance to sample the (in)famous tamilok, a native delicacy of Palawan, a mangrove-infesting wood worm that's not a worm but actually a mollusk (same group as squid and octopus).
Tutubi got his curiosity sated when he and his friends went to Kinabuch's bar and Grill on Rizal Avenue in Puerto Princesa City.

How does the tamilok taste and look like?



Never mind it looks like a translucent worm, rather icky, but it really tastes like talaba (oyster) like most people who've tasted tamilok swore. To enjoy tamilok, you eat eat it fresh and raw (kilaw, kilawin kinilaw) style by dunking the slimy worm-like creature in vinegar laced with chili and other spices.

Tutubi tried but failed to ask his contacts to see and catch tamilok in the mangrove forests but was not able to do so.



For the less adventurous, there's also fried tamilok in bread crumbs at Kinabuch's Bar and Grill but waters down the icky look of the once mangrove-boring crawlers.

fried tamilok cooked with bread crumbs

Would you dare sample this exotic and bizarre food (for Metro Manilans) next time you're in Palawan?

Related Posts:

Dos Palmas Beach Resort Day Tour
Palawan Underground River
Puerto Princesa Airport Guide
Palawan Ecotourism Tour Packages

Labels: Delicacies, Exotic Food, Mimaropa, Palawan, Puerto Princesa

"The monkey trail is named after the monkey (macaca fascicularis) that are often seen in the karst. The trail consists of a total of 355 wooden steps and 386 hardened and paved steps. In 15 days, 100 men built the steps, starting from the top and working their way down be segment. The original jungle trail was made of timber salvaged from the park. Hence, it was easier to start at the top and bring the logs down rather than haul them uphill." said the billboard displayed at the entrance of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan.

monkey trail pointed to Tutubi by a park staff when asked for directions

After the touristy boat ride tour of Palawan Underground River, Tutubi took a sneak preview of the Monkey trail/Jungle Trek adventure near the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Park restrooms where he was greeted with monkeys (tsonggo) and monitor lizards (bayawak)

the trail where you can see the end of the wooden steps of the 5.3 kilometer jungle trail. Photo taken around 11am thus the contrast

What can you see on the monkey trail? Monkeys, the only species of monkeys in the Philippines locally known as tsonggo and bayawak (monitor lizards) roaming around. Expect also pythons, plants and animals better left in the wild rather than caged in zoos.







Note when you see wildlife, don't feed them as it alters their eating habits and endears them to humans making them less wild and lowers survival instincts.

This jungle trail in Palawan reminded Tutubi of the beautifully preserved Blue Mountain National Park in Australia that he was able to visit (and yet forgot to post on this blog), where you can see endemic species of flora and fauna and where trees and plants have signs with common names, scientific names and their important role in the ecosystems, including swamps that appear ordinary and must-avoid but actually goldmine for scientists.

---

Information on the Jungle Trek/Monkey Trail to the Palawan Underground River:

Monkey trail closing time:

12nn Sabang
1pm Central Park
3pm Underground River (near the cave entrance)

as you need to start early, suggest you go to Sabang the day before you intend to do the trek then spend night at some accommodations on Sabang Beach.

Map of Monkey Trail:

It's present on OpenStreetMap, you can browse it online and/or use a GPS navigator to track your location.

What to bring:
Entry permit (from the Tourist Information Office in Sabang)
insect repellant

Please also carry all your trash back with you to Sabang for proper disposal and not litter the trail (if not, you're one of the "backpackers" DOT Sec. Alberto Lim who "leaves waste" giving good backpackers a bad name).

Tutubi would love to re-visit Palawan someday, one of his favorite destinations, and intends to do this monkey trail next time around.

Related Posts on Palawan:
Dos Palmas Island Resort
Accommodations in Sabang, Palawan
How to Get to El Nido
Palawan Underground River
Puerto Princesa Airport

Labels: Mimaropa, Palawan, Puerto Princesa, Trekking

The popular Palawan beach resort that was scheduled to be visited by Tutubi and his friends but weren't able to because of an unforgettable event, five years later, they came back to Palawan and this time, they were able to see and experience the famous island beach resort that's sort of the flagship of Puerto Princesa City Honda Bay group of islands, particularly located on Arrecife Island.

map of dos palmas island resort and spa. You can walk around the island, rent a bike or use an ATV

Pictures of Dos Palmas Island Resort Day Trip:

the wharf where the boat docks to welcome guests to the music of the kulintang while schools of fishes can be seen below under the clear water




at high noon, it's unbearable to enjoy the fine white sand beach





The problem with day tours is that for quite an expensive price, you arrive at the resort around 10am, an unholy hour to take pictures and too hot even to enjoy the beach, and leave around 4pm where you also miss the golden lighting chased by photographers. You eat buffet lunch at 12nn and will rest about an hour, that leaves only a few hours really to enjoy the facilities, but the presence of his close friends more than made it memorable.

Buffet lunch is inclusive in the published Dos Palmas Day Tour rate, the food is typical hotel/resort food with soups (tasty chicken tinola), salads, main dishes and lots of desserts to fill your tummy.

Use of cottages during your day tour stay is free, beach towels are charged PhP50.00, snorkeling gears and fins are compliments of the resort (well and good, nice snorkeling and dive spot there with giant clams and colorful corals to be seen, but Tutubi forgot to bring his waterproof camera).

No information on cost of massage and spa facilities.

Souvenir t-shirts are priced at PhP280.00, just about right and not too touristy, like most of Palawan is, they don't seem to over-charge tourists in these things.

Dos Palmas Daytour rate: PhP2500.00 (Tutubi got it at a discounted day tour rate of PhP1800.00 (still too pricey for his budget-travel ways but he came here as a tourist with friends and not as a backpacker...)

Dos Palmas booking office is in downtown Puerto Princesa at the NCCC Mall

Labels: Beaches, Mimaropa, Palawan, Palawan Resorts

Unknown to many, Sabang is just a sitio of Puerto Princesa City and not a town in itself in Palawan. It has a nice fine white sand beach yet it's best known as the gateway to the world-famous Palawan Underground River (or the Puerto Princesa Subterraanean River National Park).

(click the link to find out how to get to puerto princesa underground river)

Before the list of Sabang Beach Resorts, herewith is the list of things to do in Sabang, Palawan to justify your overnight stay there:

Besides the Palawan Underground river, there's also the Ugong Rock spelunking and zipline, Monkey Trail/Jungle Trail, Mangrove Paddleboat Tour, the Sabang Waterfalls, and a Buddhist Temple to visit in Sabang.

the beach of Sabang, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

the beach where boats going to Palawan Underground River wait for passengers



The list of accommodations and beach resorts in Sabang, Puerto Princesa collected from their official websites or from pictures of signages taken by Tutubi in Sabang:

Balay Balay Travel Lodge
Sitio Sabang, Barangay Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa
+63.905.255.9727; +63.920.608.9946
Remarks: Front of Tourist Assistance and Information Center, the Mister
Donut kiosk and public toilets.

Balay Balay Travel Lodge, Sabang, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Bambua Nature Park and Resort
Mobile Contact Number: +63.916.263.3208
Landline Number: +63.48.434.3887
official website: http://www.bambua-palawan.com
remarks: backpacker friendly budget rooms here, lodging type (shared
bathrooms) for PhP200.00/night. English, Tagalog and German

Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort
Sabang Beach, Puerto Princesa City
Palawan – Philippines
Tel: +63.48.723.0889
Cell: +63.917.826.9989
official website: http://www.daluyonresort.com

Mary's Beach Resort
Sabang, Puerto Princesa City

Roberts Resort (Roberts Restaurant and Cottages)
Remarks: walking distance from the parking lot and tourist information center. Good enough all you can eat lunch buffet for only PhP200.00 on the beachfront (price is reasonable and you don't have to wait for your order against ala carte after the Palawan Underground River Tour)

Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa
remarks: the most expensive resort with 5 star hotel facilities and 5 star resort prices too, as expected, on Sabang Beach with room rates starting $150/night. look elsewhere for cheap accommodations :P

Taraw Beach Cottages and Resort
Sabang, Puerto Princesa City
Contact Number: +63.927.450.2984
http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2011/03/palawan-how-to-get-to-el-nido-from.html
How to get to Sabang, Palawan:


There are other beach resorts on Sabang Beach offering cheap cottages that Tutubi might have missed. Please feel free to leave comments. Tutubi intends to go back to Palawan and stay in Sabang that's why he collected the information. Please call the resort's published telephone numbers for inquiries, room rates, reservations, entrance fees, day trips and other questions. As always, Tutubi is in no way connected with any of these resort establishments.

How to get to Sabang, Palawan:

In Puerto Princesa, the public transportation terminal is at San Jose New Market, a jeepney ride (signboard: New Market, fare PhP12.00) or tricycle ride from Puerto Princesa Airport (fare: around PhP15.00)

At San Jose New Market, you can ride jeepneys, buses and vans to several points of Palawan.

Puerto Princesa to Sabang jeepneys
fare: PhP125.00 (first trip at 7am, last trip at 3pm, travel time: 2 hours)
Return trip from Sabang to Puerto Princesa last trip is at 2pm daily.

Related Posts:

How to get to Puerto Princesa Underground River
How to get to El Nido, Palawan
Palawan Eco-tourism
Puerto Princesa Airport
Sabang Accommodations, Where to Stay in Sabang

Labels: Beaches, Mimaropa, Palawan, Palawan Resorts, Puerto Princesa

Tutubi visited Puerto Princesa five years ago to do a Palawan Underground River tour but didn't materialize, as the trip turned to a tragedy and had to return to Manila the morrow to grieve and bury his friend.

On his return trip, however, he made the Palawan Underground River tour that started with a visit to the Palawan Underground River Booking Office on Rizal Avenue right after visiting a resort on Honda Bay to reserve his slot.

The day, his group left their "hideout" in Puerto Princesa and went to Sabang, Puerto Princesa and scheduled a boat trip to the world-famous Palawan Underground River (also called Puerto Princesa Subterranean River).

Pictures of Palawan Underground River Tour:

Tutubi's boat that took his group to Palawan Undergroung River. trip only took about 15 minutes


a boat ride at Palawan Underground River consists of 7 people, including the driver. life vests and hardhats required for the cave tour for the usual safety precautions (you don't need them but just to be safe)


the dark and dingy interiors of Palawan Underground River is really not scary. Just don't create much movement so your boat won't tip over.

The boatman doubles as tour guide who narrates funny stories to brighten up the dark (and scary to some) underground river and cave. Stalactites (limestone formations from the cave ceiling going down), stalagmites (formations on the ground going up) and columns (formations joining the ground and ceiling) were given descriptive names and stories.

Palawan underground river tour allows you to see amazing formations called stalactites, stalagmites and columns

an interesting stalactite formation called Sharon Stone

The 45 minutes tour of the longest navigable river in the world was a pleasant experience that Tutubi vowed to return there again probably with Tutubi Jr. and his grandparents, if Tutubi's budget can accommodate them all.

Palawan Underground River is one of Palawan's pride inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage sites, the other one being Tubbataha Reef. Recent news also trumpeted an amazing discovery in some unexplored chambers of the cave where fossils of extinct animals that existed at least 20 million years ago before civilization came on earth were unearthed by a team of Italian scientists who condected the scientific survey, as revealed by Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn.

Coming Up: Palawan Underground River Tour Tips for the "cheapest Palawan Underground River package tour" you can have with the latest Palawan Underground River rates and bus, jeepney fares from Puerto Princesa.

Related posts on Palawan:
Puerto Princesa Airport
How to get to El Nido from Sabang
How to Get to Puerto Princesa Underground River

Labels: Caves, Mimaropa, Palawan, Rivers, Southern Tagalog, UNESCO

For people looking forward to visiting Palawan, here's the latest fare and rates information to expect when traveling in Palawan using public transportation, plus other tips gathered by Tutubi when he visited Palawan a few weeks ago.

Note that the Puerto Princesa public transportation terminal is at San Jose New Market, a jeepney ride (signboard: New Market, fare PhP12.00) or tricycle ride from Puerto Princesa Airport (fare: around PhP15.00)

At San Jose New Market, you can ride jeepneys, buses and vans to several points of Palawan.

Puerto Princesa to Sabang jeepneys
fare: PhP125.00 (first trip at 7am, last trip at 3pm, travel time: 2 hours)
Return trip from Sabang to Puerto Princesa last trip is at 2pm daily. Sabang to Honda Bay is by the same jeepneys but there's another tricycle ride or walk.

Puerto Princesa to El Nido: vans, travel time around 6 hours.
Fare: PhP700.00 (best to be at the van terminal before 10am)

V-Hire: vans for hire to El Nido from Puerto Princesa
round trip rate: PhP12,000.00 (van good for 14 people, per Tutubi's contact)

Sabang, Puerto Princesa (gateway to Palawan Underground River)

a jeepney in Sabang waiting for passengers to Puerto Princesa city proper. Ride the same jeeps when going to Honda Bay from Sabang

Sabang to Salvacion Junction jeeps
fare: PhP100.00 (first trip at 7am)

Salvacion Junction to El Nido (bus)
Bus Fare: PhP300.00
travel time: around 8 hours

Boat trips to El Nido and other points in Palawan as displayed in Sabang Beach

Sabang to El Nido Boat/Ferry Schedules and fare:
Departure time: 7am daily
Sabang to El Nido fare: PhP1,400.00 (travel time 6+ hours)

Sabang to Coconut Garden fare: PhP850.00

Sabang to Port Barton fare: PhP850.00

Note: Prices, Costs and Fares may change without prior notice, mainly due to skyrocketing gasoline prices. Expect fare hikes anytime soon. Tutubi will update this from time to time by calling his friend in Palawan (sorry, can't post his contact number here for privacy)

Coming soon: El Nido to Coron, Busuanga and Calamianes Group of Islands bus, boat and ferry information.

Related Posts:
How to get to Puerto Princesa Underground River
How to get to El Nido, Palawan
Palawan Eco-tourism
Puerto Princesa Airport
Accommodations and Beach Resorts in Sabang, Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Labels: Mimaropa, Palawan, Public Transportation

As Tutubi's homage to the late broadcaster-environmentalist Doc Gerry Ortega of Palawan, Tutubi's publishing this post on his 40th day, for the information of many people and visitors to Palawan, the 5 ecotourism projects Doc Gerry helped established as head of ABS-CBN Foundation.

Note that unlike most tourism projects in the country, the 5 ecotourism sites in Palawan are all community-based sustainable tourism sites.

The next time you visit Palawan, do try to consider checking them out, not too expensive tours that provide direct livelihood to people of the community and helps protect the environment.

1. Bacungan River Cruise and Floating Restaurant in Puerto Princesa

Location: Sitio San Carlos, five minutes away from the city proper

A floating restaurant with meals while cruising along the Bacungan River and the 378-hectare mangrove swamp surrounding the river.

Cost: PhP3,500.00 for 10 people (Add PhP80.00 if more than 10 people)
Lunch: PhP150 to 200 per person
Contact Person: Mrs. Emma Dacanay
Contact Number: +63.907.973.0251

2. Honda Bay Island-Hopping and Snorkeling

Location: Dalubkaragatan in Pambato Reef.
Community: Honda Bay Boat Owners Association Inc.,

Tour Price: banca ride PhP1,500.00 for six people. (PhP250/pax in excess of 6 pax)
Rental for snorkeling gear: PhP 100.00 (suggest you bring your own)
Contact Number for reservations: +63.929.864.9255

3. Iwahig River Firefly Watching and River Cruise

Location: Iwahig River, 45 minutes south of Puerto Princesa city proper
Community: Iwahig Community Ecotourism Association Inc.

Tour Price: PhP600.00 per banca, good for three people.
Contact Person: Nelia David +63.910.600.1686

4. Ugong Rock Climb And Zipline

Location: Brgy. Tagabinet, 2 hours away from the city proper, a few minutes from Sabang

Length of zipline: 350 meters, about 2 minutes
Price: PhP350.00
Contact: Marivel Ocajada +63.930.862.2750; +63.918.755.8993

5. Puerto Princesa Bay Dolphin And Whale Watching

Seasonal tour from April to October (there could be tours during November to March but the waves caused by amihan may be too high and dangerous)

Tour package price: PhP600.00/person, in groups of six or more
Contact person: Jet Millare +63.918.755.8993

Go ahead, try one or all of these cheap Palawan package tours and help preserve the beauty of Palawan!

Source:
www.no2mininginpalawan.com

Labels: Ecotourism, Mimaropa, Palawan

The gateway to Palawan Underground River and other wonders of Palawan is Puerto Princesa Airport. Here's the latest travel information and guide about Puerto Princesa Airport Tutubi gathered when he visited Palawan recently.



Flights to Puerto Princesa from Manila are available via Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific, ZestAir and SEAIR. Cebu to Puerto Princesa flights also served by some of the mentioned airlines. (please visit the airlines' official websites for the latest flight information)

Puerto Princesa Airport Terminal Fee (departure tax, airport usage charge for all departing passengers): PhP 40.00

As of this time, there's only one airport x-ray machine for security and checking of hand-carried and checked-in baggage.

A small convenience store for snacks and last-minute pasalubong shopping is inside the waiting lounge. There are eateries and restaurants outside the airport terminal for those who need more than a sugar fix.

the departure check-in counters of PAL, Cebu Pacific and AirPhil Express. Not shown are those of ZestAir and SEAIR

There's a small conveyor belt at the arrival area while porters abound to assist in carrying your heavy luggage.

Vans for hire are available at the airport or through accredited travel agencies and tour operators (like Amika Travel and Tours, very near Tutubi's "homestay" accommodations in Palawan)

Tricycles are parked inside the airport to take you anywhere in the city proper or via special trips beyond the city proper, even city tours (e.g. Mitra's Ranch on a hilltop, Baker's Hill and the butterfly garden)

Outside the airport on Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa's main road, multicabs and jeepneys ply different routes but the central transport terminal in Palawan is in San Jose New Market (there you can ride jeepneys to Sabang if you're looking for public transportation to the Palawan Underground River), vans for hire to El Nido plus cheap souvenirs and t-shirts, much cheaper than those at Tiangge Tiangge pasalubong and Souvenir and buses to other towns of Palawan.

To get to San Jose New Market from Puerto Princesa City center, you can ride tricycles (fare: around PhP15.00/pax) or a multicab with signboard New Market (fare: PhP12.00)

Puerto Princesa proper to Sabang jeepney fare is PhP125.00/head, travel time around 2 hours.

The Sabang to Puerto Princesa jeepney first trip schedule is at 7am and last trip at 2pm.

Welcome to Puerto Princesa City, one of the cleanest and greenest cities of the Philippines!

related post:
How to get to El Nido from Sabang
Airport Terminal Fees

Labels: Airports, Mimaropa, Palawan, Puerto Princesa

A new community-based adventure tourism initiative in Puerto Princesa, Palawan is the installation of a zipline on top of Ugong Rock, a karst formation in Barangay Tagabenit where the sign along a dirt road leading to the jump-off point was seen by Tutubi on the way to Sabang. It's also one of five projects of the late environmentalist Doc. Gerry Ortega (of ABS-CBN Bantay Kalikasan), together with the Bacungan River Cruise Floating Restaurant, Pambato Reef Dalubkaragatan, dolphin and whale-watching tour in Puerto Princesa Bay and firefly watching tour in Iwahig River.

For the lack of time and no other adventurists with him, Tutubi deferred trying out the new zipline at Ugong Rock and instead posting the information for readers of this blog.

Here's the latest information Tutubi gathered from his correspondence with the Tagabenit Guide Association handling the Ugong Rock tours and zipline adventure package:

Ugong Rock caving/spelunking tour: PhP100.00/head to tour the Ugong Rock formation's cave.

Ugong Rock Zipline (opened on January 22, 2011)
Price for the Ugong Rock climb and zipline: PhP350.00 (introductory rate)
Length of zip line: 330 meters (approximately 21 seconds)
Open hours: 8am to 5pm daily (including Sundays and holidays)
Contact Person: Marivel Ocajada
Contact Numbers: +63.930.862.2750; +63.918.755.8993 for Ugong Rock tour reservations.

Note: you need to climb up Ugong rock (through the cave's cracks and crevices) then go down via the long zipline. There's no cable car nor elevators there. :P

Tutubi intends to visit Palawan again sometime in the future and setting his sights on finally trekking the Monkey Trail (adventure trail leading to the Underground River in Sabang) and this new Zipline in Palawan. (Note this is a new one and Tutubi has yet to see the cables and dampers so he can't comment if the new tourism facility is safe. Recommend waiting for some time for it to establish a safety record)

Should you visit Ugong Rock ahead of Tutubi, please post updated information, pictures and videos by hitting the comments!

you may also be looking for:
palawan zipline, palawan spelunking, caves in palawan, caving, palawan zipline rates, fees

Labels: Adventure Tourism, Ecotourism, Mimaropa, Palawan, Puerto Princesa

It's like shooting an episode of QTV 11's "I Survived" when Tutubi went back to Palawan and the first thing he did was visit the beach where the so called Palawan Tragedy occurred that almost extinguished his passion for travel and adventure.

After five years since he nearly lost his life in an undeveloped and unmarked beach in Barangay Kamuning, (not Inagawan as earlier posted), he found the place still the same, as if trapped in time, with the dangerous portion of the deserted beach still looking innocuous sans danger markers.

First in the "reminiscing tour" was a pitstop in front of Blue Sky Sport and Beach Resort, where the group left all of their lifevests, except one, due to the apparently harmless beach. The then German owner of the resort was the one who lent his pick up truck to transport the already pale and not breathing Rolan to the nearest clinic. The resort is reported now owned by a relative of Puerto Princesa mayor Hagedorn.



The Inagawan Satellite Clinic where Rolan was rushed after the incident. He was eventually transported to Adventist Hospital in Puerto Princesa City proper where he was officially declared dead.



A mass was held at a nearby beach house presided by a priest who used to be parish priest of inmates and prisoners at Iwahig Prison Farm



Seeing the exact spot where he almost drowned, the shouts of his three other friends rang in his ear while images of waves trying to swallow him filled his mind, reminiscent of the last scenes of the movie "The Perfect Storm."




flowers for a dearly departed friend, someone who's like a brother to Tutubi, who's always there to remind him to be careful knowing his adventurous tendencies

the "historic beach" five years ago has a lonely mangrove as silent witness to the tragic event that transpired at the place

The solitary bakawan (mangrove tree) is now gone but the beach remained the same-- unmarked, undeveloped and waiting to claim its next unsuspecting victim-- something Tutubi feels bitter about the local officials who should be the one putting danger markers even on the roadside if not buoys on the water-- such indifference!

Related Posts:
Palawan Tragedy: Four Months After
Remembering Iwahig Penal Colony
Travel Insurance
Palawan Tragedy

Labels: Beaches, Mimaropa, Palawan