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nature, Palawan, Philippines' Last Frontier, Puerto Princesa, vacation

Puerto Princesa

Located in the western provincial part of the island of Palawan, Puerto Princesa City has been hailed many a times as the greenest and cleanest city in the Philippines. Puerto Princesa, a tourist destination in itself also serves as a jump-off point to other favorite tourist spots like El Nido and the Tubbataha Reef.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

A visit to Palawan will not be complete without touring the Subterranean River. Officially chosen in 2012 as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 8-kilometer navigable underground river boasts of a complex cave system of karst limestone formations.

Getting there requires a 2-hour van ride from PPS (Puerto Princesa) town proper to Sabang Port. From there, tourists will be ushered to a 20-minute boat ride and a short nature trail walk where monkeys, squirrels and monitor lizards are seen freely roaming the place.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

Make sure to secure your underground river permit prior to visiting the place. Your tour agency will be glad to assist.
As of this writing, the underground river rate is Php1,500. Package includes round trip air-con van transfer, motorized boat transfer, tour guide, buffet lunch at Sabang beach, entrance fees and permits.
Touring the underground river can take up almost your entire day. Van pick-ups usually is at 8:00AM (PPS departure) and the tour ends roughly around 4:00PM (PPS arrival). It won’t hurt to check your schedule and plan ahead.

City Tour

Touring the city of Palawan can be done in one day. For groups of four and below, it is best to rent a tricycle. Rate can be closed to as low as Php600.00. For solo travelers on budget, hopping on and off public vehicles would do. Below are just some of the places to include in your City Tour itinerary.

Butterfly Eco Garden and Tribal Village

Brgy Santa Monica, Puerto Princesa / (+63) 917-597-5544 / palawanbutterfly_ecogarden@yahoo.com

This place aims to showcase varieties of butterflies from the Southern part of the country and promote awareness of the cultural background of the indigenous Palaw’an tribe. Scorpions, green-crested lizards, phasmids and mantises are also exhibited here apart from a few number of rescued endemic animals like the Palawan Bearcat and the Palawan Peacock Peasant to name some.

The Tribal Village, on the other hand, takes its guest to a rather deep cultural experience with the the Palaw’an tribe. Visitors are in for cultural shows and can interact with the members of the tribe to learn about their unique way of living.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

The Butterfly Garden and Tribal Village opens at 8:30AM to 5:00PM.
As of this writing, the entrance fee is only Php40.00. Discounts are given to students and senior citizens.

Special Battalion WW-II Memorial Museum

Rizal Avenue Extension, Brgy. Bancao-Bancao, Puerto Princesa

Privately-owned, this museum encourages the understanding of this city’s rich war history among residents as well as local and foreign visitors.

The museum has five galleries highlighting the five major countries that participated during the World War II (United States, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom and Russia). The museum also has a small snack bar whenever visitors opt to relax with a cup of coffee while reading books from their mini library.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

The museum charge Php30.00 for its maintenance. Children below 10 years of age can come in for free.
Open daily from 8:00AM to 12:00nn / 1:00PM to 5:00PM.
Wi-fi connection is available for free.

Palawan Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Center

National Road, Puerto Princesa / (+63) 949-946-5472 / (048) 433-2968

Formerly called as the Crocodile Farming Institute, this place serves as a sanctuary to the endangered Philippine Crocodiles which are endemic to the country. The center also houses other animals which were rescued from the wild and poachers or animals being conserved such as ostriches, Philippine cockatoos and bearcats.

The place is divided into two sections, the crocodile Hatchling House and further on the back is a densely forested area called the Nature Park which is a haven for wildlife where guests can see other rescued and conserved animals most are endemic to Palawan.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

The center charges Php40.00 entrance fee and the guided tour leaves every 30 minutes.
The place opens daily at 8:00AM to 5:00PM.
If you wish to try eating crocodile meat, I suggest doing it here at a small cafeteria where the price is lowest compared to those sold in restaurants that are twice or thrice the price. (More about this soon)

Mitra’s Ranch

Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa

Owned by Senator Ramon Mitra, this ranch offers its guests with a breathtaking view overlooking Honda bay and the rest of the city. One can come here to just take-in the fresh air of this vast land and enjoy the view from a deck or engage on a more adventurous activities such as the zip-line, trampoline or horse back riding.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

The ranch welcomes everyone with no entrance fee. Open from 6:00AM to 6:00PM.
As of this writing, the prices are as follows – zipline: Php500.00; horse back riding: Php50.00; trampoline: Php35.00

Plaza Cuartel

Taft Street, Puerto Princesa

[photo: courtesy of flickr.com]

This walled park, adjacent to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral serves as a grim reminder of a tragic history. Ruins of Japanese garrison and tunnel haunt visitors with memories of the fate of some 150 American World War II prisoners of war (POW) burned alive by the Japanese army in 14th December 1944.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

This place is open from 7:00AM – 6:00PM.
You may come in as many times as there is no entrance fee.

City Baywalk Park

Sandoval Street, Puerto Princesa

Got a little tired with the city tour? Perhaps you can end the day with a sunset view at the city baywalk. Just walking distance from the Plaza Cuartel, this place would be nice to wrap-up the city tour. Here, one can just quietly relax and feel the cold breeze or better yet satisfy your hunger.

Food stalls which are open daily from 3:00PM – 2:00AM (at least from my last visit in 2013) serve delicious grilled/barbecued foods.

Festivals

Love Affair with Nature [February] – A unique way of expressing love for nature, this yearly event that happens every 14th of February features mangrove planting activity along the coast. It promotes social awareness of the ecological role of mangroves.
Kagiban Festival [June] – Locally known as Pista Y Ang Kagiban (Feast of the Forest), this event attracts people from everywhere. It is slowly becoming a tourist-attracting event spearheaded by the city Mayor Hagedorn as part of a massive reforestation scheme to salvage the city’s denuded forestland. The festival happens annually every last Sunday of June.
Baragatan Feast [May] – By far the most colorful event in Puerto Princesa, Baragatan Festival unites the city in parades of music and dance. Trade shows are also present showcasing the city’s native manufactured goods.

A Few More Reminders on Touring Puerto Princesa

The city strictly observes the implementation of the No Littering Law. Marshals do roam the place in civilian clothes so visitors have to be more careful with their trashes. Apart from the wonderful nature experience the place can offer, the locals are one of the friendliest people in the country. Asking directions and assistance will never be a problem.