PALAWAN: Experience True Paradise

Palawan in the Philippines is not a newly discovered paradise anymore but it is still one of the most beautiful places you could ever visit. Palawan is known for its wonderful paradise like Puerto Princesa, Coron, El Nido, and so many more virgin islands.

            What I am about to tell you will be my adventures in Puerto Princesa, the capital city of the Province of Palawan. Puerto Princesa is not how I imagined it to be. It’s the capital city, but somehow you can still see the difference from Manila, a real urbanized city, and then Puerto Princesa, a city within a province. Market places and malls are very far away from each other, unlike here in Manila, some malls are just a few steps away. After gaining popularity, the city does have more foreign tourists than locals. You can see foreigners from different countries; vans busy taking tourists to their itineraries, and along the streets of Puerto Princesa are hotels, bed spacing, inns and the likes.

            There are many sights to see in Puerto Princesa, but the most popular site is the Puerto Princesa Underground River. It is a protected area and now one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region. It also belongs to the New Seven Wonders of Nature which was confirmed in 2012.

            At the Underground River, there are bats, stalagmites and stalactites, as well as monkeys lurking in the forest around it.

            How to get there, you ask? It would be easier if you did what me and my family did. We went to a legit travel agency, Travel Pros. They booked us a round-trip flight and a hotel that is within our standard and also within our budget. It’s easier to book this way because they will help you find the cheapest hotels without suffering neither from bad service nor from dirty cheap hotels. They will also provide you with a copy of your tour beforehand.

(Photo from Travel Pros Official Facebook Page)

            They booked us a flight with Cebu Pacific Air and our tour will be managed by the hotel that was booked as well. The transportation is easier this way because the tour is inclusive of it. You’ll be travelling in a van and will also be taking boat rides to get around the islands.

(Photo from Fontememe.com)

            Need a convenient but comfy place to stay? I highly suggest Holiday Suites. This is the hotel wherein we stayed for the whole trip. The service is exemplary. Its location is very convenient as well because just cross the road and you'll be at Robinson's Place, a local mall where you'll be able to buy anything you need. The hotel is a three-star hotel with a five-star feel. They also have free breakfast buffet for their guests.

(First two photos are from agoda.com and booking.com, respectively)

            Of course, there are other places to visit here than just the Underground River. Our tour included the Palawan Wildlife Rescue

and Conservation Center, Baker’s Hill Bakeshop, Binuatan Creations, Ugong Rock Adventures, Honda Bay Island Hopping (Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Island), and the LRC 908 Market Mall.

            The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center is also known as the crocodile farm. It has a mini-museum wherein they keep preserved skins and skeletons of two of the largest crocodiles recorded in the Philippines, Lolong and Rio. The place houses baby crocodiles and adults as well, snakes, birds, and other reptiles.

            Baker’s Hill Bakeshop has two branches within the Philippines and they are famous for their delicious Hopia. They have snackbars inside the property as well as restaurants. This is also a park with different statues and fixtures. It’s an Instagram worthy place for those photographer wannabes. I also suggest trying out the chocolate-tuyo pastillas.

            Binuatan Creations is a small weaving factory that also has their own souvenir shop that showcases the traditional way of creating bags, clutches, and other cute things. Sadly, the weavers are not available at all times, but surely, there are people who will teach you and let you experience how to weave.

            Ugong Rock Adventures is for those who seek adrenaline and love adventure. You can experience zip lining at the top of the mountain but of course, there will definitely be a sock climbing part. It’s fun and challenging and you’ll be able to experience climbing into places you never thought you would fit. They also have a souvenir program wherein they’ll take a picture of you that you can take home.

            Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour is one of the best to experience in Puerto Princesa. There are three islands, first is the Starfish Island; there are multiple times a day where tourists are able to see and hold starfishes. The second island, Luli island, is named Luli because during high tides, it disappears. It came from the phrase “lulubog lilitaw” hence Luli. The last island is Cowrie Island. Here you’ll be able to ride a banana boat throughout the coast. In all of these islands, you’ll be able to experience snorkeling as well.

             Lastly is the LRC 908 Market Mall. It’s the biggest souvenir shop I have ever been to. They sell a lot of delicacies, T-shirts, bowls and bowls of key chains and magnets, shell fixtures, house decorations and a lot more. It may not be the cheapest in the island but it has the most souvenirs.

            Palaweños have descended from various tribal groups and even up to this day, there are tribes existing in Palawan. They preserve the culture and old ways of their ancestors. Some of them are given jobs by making key chains and souvenirs for tourists. They also preserve the beautiful nature of Palawan.

            There are things you must remember when you go to Palawan. First, never ever litter anywhere. Think of the beauty you’re going to destroy. Second, be the friendliest you can ever be because Palawan has a lot of foreign tourists, and having fun with them on your tour would be the best to spend your vacation. Third, aside from swimwear, bring aqua shoes with you. The sand may be white in Palawan, but shards of shells will hurt your feet without aqua shoes. You can borrow equipment from their store but it’s better to bring your own to save money. Fourth, travel light. I suggest you travel light so that you won’t get excess baggage at the check-in inside the airport. If you have a light baggage, you’ll be able to take home souvenirs and delicacies too! Last but not least, have the best time of your life. Palawan is an experience you’ll never forget.