Palawan Tour – Puerto Princesa Version

My initial plan was just to see the Underground River – one of the World’s Wonders. I had two other options either to book a city tour or perhaps Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour. I chose the latter since if time permits, City Tour’s going to be easy.

Exactly three days after quitting my day job, it’s touchdown Puerto Princesa (Airport,) Sweetheart. It seemed that the Universe had intentionally booked this tour as I may really need it to enjoy one of the things that I love to do – after a chaotic and disturbing first half of 2015 at work. I was able to survive, though with the help of someone who was willing to make life at work somehow easy for me.

Stayed at Natua’s Cabin – just a few steps away from the airport.

I didn’t know much about this place, but it’s among those cheap accommodations near Puerto Princesa Airport. From the exit, turn right. They also have very affordable adventure/tour package even for single pax.

Should you get hungry, better hail a tricycle for only Php 10 and go to Rizal Avenue where you can find the usual fast food and other eatery. I decided to eat at Belly Buster since the place looked friendly for solo traveller.

Do not depend too much on room service and even the at the restaurant fronting Natua’s reception area.

However, the one in-charge in their Natua’s Restaurant was kind and friendly. Better have your complimentary breakfast here. I had a nice morning chat with her while having my breakfast. But as for your lunch and dinner, go somewhere else.

Belly Buster – Food’s delicious, average customer service, affordable, and I like their theme!

Getting around: from Natua’s Cabin going to Rizal Avenue, tricycle will do. Drivers even offer Honda Bay and Underground River Tour for Php 1,200 – P1,300 each tour. I just didn’t grab their offer since I’m on a solo tour and I preferred to have a hassle-free trip.

Budget for this Solo Trip:

Fan room Php 450/night with complimentary breakfast

Honda Bay Tour Php 1,100 lunch included

Underground River Tour Php 1,400.

DIY Tour isn’t that recommended, except for city tour.

Click links below for more Puerto Primcesa Adventure Photos:

Underground River Tour, Sidetrip: Ugong Rock

Honda Bay Adventure - Island Hopping

Add this to your budget since your Island Hopping Tour will require you to bring some stuff, unless you have your own snorkel and your slippers will do to protect your feet.

For Rent:
Snorkel Php 150

Aqua Shoes Php 150

Bread (for fish feeding Php 15)

Highly Recommended: Book accommodation: near airport. Everything that you need's gonna be within your reach: food, pasalubong store, tricycle, jeep, tours, etc.

Underground River Tour with Ugong Rock Adventure, Puerto Princesa Palawan

If your schedule for the entire day is just to see the Underground River, better bring extra cash (Php500 is enough) to maximize your time. Things run a bit faster during off peak season. We arrived between 9-10 AM at the port where we could take the boat that will bring us to the Underground River. At exactly 12noon, we had our lunch and if it wasitn't for that Ugong Rock Adventure, it could have been a boring day.

Ugong Rock Adventure (under or something related to ABS-CBN Foundation). Spelunking (plus zipline activity - one way trip)

Port where your guide settles your permit. Patience is required (queuing system). Wonder where groups of tourists will stay during peak season. Tents or shaded area are limited.

Boats can only carry less than 10 passengers.

 

Welcome to Underground River!

Beware of the snatchers – Monkeys!

Tip: Do not carry a plastic bag nor bottled juice.

Just a couple of steps and few minutes of waiting and people will get to see what's inside.

If the place isn't so much crowded, guests can explore the area or take lots of pictures while waiting for their turn.

 

It's our turn to get inside the cave full of bats! Quite smelly, but tolerable. Lots of rock formations (Twilight, Three Kings, Chicken Joy, Veggies Area, Inverted Dung, Dinosaur, etc). With funny tour guide. When you look at the “ceiling”, it's highly recommended that you say Mmmmmm! instead of Wow! Two things could possibly get inside your mouth: holy water or holy shit! (as said  by the tour guide)

The River Meets the Sea

Before 12noon, we're on our way back to the port to have our (buffet) lunch. Food's delicious (and the place has free wifi!)

 I could fall in love with this kind of picturesque view.

Other guests from your service van may opt to try the Ugong Rock Adventure. I, together with the young couple from Davao, was the only one who didn't want to try it (I was on a budget, and damn tired and bored). In the end, all those who excitedly said they'd like to try were the ones who had to stay at the waiting area for almost an hour to wait for us.

*Ugong Rock - the rocks create ugong (echo) sound

Few photos inside the cave: (with few more rock formations, too)

 

First part of the Ugong Rock Adventure: Done!

Next: Zipline! The fastest in the Philippines (21 seconds)

          And what a nice, relaxing view!

I badly wanted to do this. That was my kind of outdoor activity. No regrets I did it!

It's like having fun while helping a certain community. (Around Php500)

You can't have the Zipline activity unless you agree to go inside the cave and do a little spelunking. That's how you get to the top. In case you're either afraid to try their zipline or no enough budget for that, you can simply “walk” your way out of the cave.

Honda Bay Adventure Puerto Princesa, Palawan

A whole day activity, Honda Bay Adventure in Puerto Princesa, Palawan is among the must-see places or things-to-do when you visit this city. Three islands are covered in this tour. Though I find them ordinary, the number of fishes and corals will not give you much disappointment. As always, they’re lovely.

First Stop: Cowrie.

Our Tour Guide, together with the other boatmen, was kind and funny and very accommodating. No OP moment for me. It’s like we also own the entire island. It’s a nice place to swim. Picture lovers will definitely love this place. Boatmen (with hidden talent in photography) knew a lot of camera tricks! It was them who encouraged me to swim and try all those "photo booths."

Enjoy the cool, salty sea water.

Second Stop: Starfish Island

We stayed here from 10am up to 1pm. Summer’s over, but the sun was still super hot – but not on the scorching level. This island doesn’t offer a very convenient short trip from the cottage area to the swimming area. Wearing flops or a pair of aqua shoes is a must in this island.

Starfish Island has a lot of fishes and nice corals, plus of course lots of starfish. Fish feeding is allowed here.

Another photo booth.

They sell Fresh Buko for those who are thirsty. Price: Php 30.

Third Stop: Luli Island

Luli means lulubog (sink) lilitaw (resurfacing/reappearing). Pros of this island: finer sand, safe for your feet, has diving board. Cons: we were asked to leave our things on the boat. Make sure you maximize your swimming time here, even if the sun’s a bit hot. Just get back to your boat once done. Make sure you bring everything - camera, plastic bag or any waterproof bag, fins, vest, etc before heading to the swimming area, unless you like to have another not-so convenient two way trip.

You can leave your stuff here- Mr. Lifeguard will take good care of them.

Diving Area.

Travel time from the city (airport, in my case) is just less than 20 mins. I was already at Natua's Cabin before 5PM.