Palawan: Philippines' Last Frontier
If you're one of the #BayaningPuyats (aka BPO employee), I bet my two cents you'd agree that there's a very slim to zero chance of getting you VLs approved.
What if it is your birthday and you only have two days (restdays) and you want to spend it somewhere you won't forget but you are too scared it won't be as fun because A) you will be flying solo as your schedule sucks monkeyballs and B) bitin ang two days vacation?
Palawan, aka Philippines' Last Frontier, is probably one of the best islands I've visited. Not only it is the place where the famous underground river is located but it also has the best beaches not just in the country but across the world.
Visiting Palawan is very easy! There are airlines that offer flights from Manila, Cebu and other International Airports in the country. One way fare usually costs Php1,500+ from Manila but if you're lucky, you can get fares as low as Php1,200 without promos. Travel time (from Manila) is about an hour.
So what are the things you can do once you landed to the Province's capital, Puerto Princesa City?
A lot, actually! You can take a City Tour via tricycle that only costs Php600. City tour can last up to 5 hours and you will be taken to places like Baker's Hill (which has a view of Honda Bay, Mitra Farm, Puerto Princesa Cathedral, Plaza Cuartel, Mitra's Ranch, Crocodile Farm and Butterfly Garden. But DO NOT FORGET TO TRY PALAWAN'S EXCOTIC TAMILOK!
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| Tamilok, a woodworm, is a local delicacy, usually eaten raw or with vinegar or lime juice. If you're a fan of oysters or sea urchins, you're gonna love this! |
Once you're done with the city tour, hail a tricycle (they're everywhere and asked to be dropped off to the terminal going to El Nido. There are two options: Van takes 5 hours or via bus that takes about 6-7 hours. Fare costs Php500. Last trip is at 06:00PM
EL NIDO
This is where your adventure begins! Once you're in El Nido (which you'll probably arrive late at night if you're taking the last trip after the city tour), immediately check in to any hotels or hostels and visit Pukka bar or Squidos and make walwal! You'd see a lot of tourists and locals and they're very easy to be friends with! Make sure you know how to control your alak as you need to wake up early for your island tour!
There are several tours to choose from and prices are fixed for peak and off peak seasons. Most hotels and hostels around can accommodate you and even assist you with your trip going back to Puerto Princesa City. I chose Tour A and paid Php1000 including Environment Fee of Php200. Tour A will take you to amazing places like Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu island and 7 Comando Beach. Each tour will privide you free lunch and drinking water too. In my case, our tourguides have peovided us free Rum Cola! We had fun playing drinking games while visiting one island after another!
Island tours end at 05:00PM. Last trip of El Nido going to Princesa is at 06:00PM so make sure to manage your time wisely. Most hostels will allow you to leave your item with them and then just pick it up once the tour is done.
I arrived back in Puerto Princesa City at 11:00PM. I checked in at Rodolfo Royale Inn which was just 15 minutes away from the city. I still had a lot of time as my flight was scheduled at 8:50AM the following day so I have decided to have a massage and a nice hot bowl of Chowlong. It's a pinoy version of Pho and is very famous in the city.
So how much did I spend for this trip?
City Tour: Php600
PPS-El Nido-PPS Van: Php1000
Alexzus Inn (El Nido): Php300 via Agoda (AC room w/shower)
Tour A: Php1000
Rodolfo Royale (PPS): Php700 (AC room, w/hot shower, TV, hotel-airport transfer)
Food+Beverages: Php1000
Total: Php4,600!
San ka pa? Byahe na! I'd like to thank our tourguides and the people I met during Tour A! You guys made my trip more special!
Some reminders before heading to Palawan
-Bring your mosquito repellants
-Own water
-Enough Cash (I only saw 1ATM in El Nido)
-Keep an eye on your belongings
-Waterproof bag
EL NIDO
This is where your adventure begins! Once you're in El Nido (which you'll probably arrive late at night if you're taking the last trip after the city tour), immediately check in to any hotels or hostels and visit Pukka bar or Squidos and make walwal! You'd see a lot of tourists and locals and they're very easy to be friends with! Make sure you know how to control your alak as you need to wake up early for your island tour!
There are several tours to choose from and prices are fixed for peak and off peak seasons. Most hotels and hostels around can accommodate you and even assist you with your trip going back to Puerto Princesa City. I chose Tour A and paid Php1000 including Environment Fee of Php200. Tour A will take you to amazing places like Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu island and 7 Comando Beach. Each tour will privide you free lunch and drinking water too. In my case, our tourguides have peovided us free Rum Cola! We had fun playing drinking games while visiting one island after another!
Island tours end at 05:00PM. Last trip of El Nido going to Princesa is at 06:00PM so make sure to manage your time wisely. Most hostels will allow you to leave your item with them and then just pick it up once the tour is done.
I arrived back in Puerto Princesa City at 11:00PM. I checked in at Rodolfo Royale Inn which was just 15 minutes away from the city. I still had a lot of time as my flight was scheduled at 8:50AM the following day so I have decided to have a massage and a nice hot bowl of Chowlong. It's a pinoy version of Pho and is very famous in the city.
So how much did I spend for this trip?
City Tour: Php600
PPS-El Nido-PPS Van: Php1000
Alexzus Inn (El Nido): Php300 via Agoda (AC room w/shower)
Tour A: Php1000
Rodolfo Royale (PPS): Php700 (AC room, w/hot shower, TV, hotel-airport transfer)
Food+Beverages: Php1000
Total: Php4,600!
San ka pa? Byahe na! I'd like to thank our tourguides and the people I met during Tour A! You guys made my trip more special!
Some reminders before heading to Palawan
-Bring your mosquito repellants
-Own water
-Enough Cash (I only saw 1ATM in El Nido)
-Keep an eye on your belongings
-Waterproof bag
Looks like you had a pretty awesome trip! I do plan to visit the Philippines sometime, thanks to your suggestion; I know exactly what I need.
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