Puerto Princesa – one of the beautiful 7,107 islands in the archipelago of Philippines and can be located in the heart of Palawan. With concrete buildings and wealthy commercial firms, Puerto Princesa is slowly turning urban. But, Puerto Princesa is more visited, not because of the growing metro, but because of the magnificent natural gems it has that created a ballyhoo and buzz to adventurers and itchy feet nomads.
Environmentalists and Green Panthers will love Puerto Princesa because of its gorgeous verdant islands and crisp water lagoons. Sounds, great? Wait until you get to know the 10 best places in Puerto Princesa. And oh, Puerto Princesa is known as “the City of the Living God.” The listed sites below explain why.
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Honda Bay
Honda Bay is your gateway to other Virgin Islands of Puerto Princesa such as Pandan Island and Starfish Island. A bay that is 45 minutes away from the city proper, you can enjoy the sunshine and the splash of the sea to the shore. The natural and scenic bay will give you a beautiful and awe-inspiring view of the horizon and the islets. The azure sea will call for your swimsuit and snorkels.
Another thing that will tingle your wanderlust is the Island Hopping adventure offered by the locals and resorts. Island hopping packages usually cost Php1500 (approximately $30 to $35). It’s cheaper if you go with a group. With the Island Hopping adventure, you will get to come close to other islets.
Check out Gopalawan and Seektheworld for more information.
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Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
Put your life a little bit on edge by visiting the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. Clearly, this is not a zoo. This frequented site aims to raise the awareness that Philippine Crocodile, along with other endemic species, is getting rare and extinct. Ironically, inside the establishment is a cafeteria with crocs as menu – crocodile sisig and Crocodile tapa.
You can have a hug with the baby crocs (heck, if you dare) and have your #intrepidtraveler photo. It’s not compulsory, though. But sure a snap with crocs is fun! Isn’t it?
Address: Puerto Princesa South Road, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines
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Baker’s Hill
It will be biased if I say Baker’s Hill has the yummiest Ube Hopia, but they do! Hopia, or mooncake pastries, is a popular Filipino snack. It is usually filled with beans or ube. Started as a simple bakery shop, Baker’s Hill created a buzz and immediately turned into a reputable one-stop shop for baked goods and other delicacies. And pizza. Yes, Baker’s Hill serves freshly-cook brick oven pizza. And since Baker’s Hill is built on a hilltop, you will love the overlook of Puerto Princesa. Souvenir shops and snack bars are also available in Baker’s Hill.
Address: Baker’s Hill Mitra Road Sta Monica, Puerto Princesa City 5300
Contact: +63 48 433 4314
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Starfish Island
Patrick the Starfish lives in Bikini Bottom but his cousins and relatives live in Puerto Princesa’s Starfish Island! Various types of starfish are on the coast of the island. Hence, the name Starfish Island derived. When you’re on this island, stars go deep water in daylight and go to the vast sky at night. You might want to bring a snorkel (or just rent at the port).
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Pandan Island
Pandan Island is another showplace in Honda Bay, well known and is frequented because of the fine white sand. In fact, the island has the finest sand among other islands. You can purchase fresh seafood to the locals and have them cooked in any kind of dish you want.
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Iwahig River
Amuse yourself with the beautiful fireflies in Iwahig River. In the day time, the parameter is just a green river bounded with mangroves. But in the night time, the river turns into a haven of bright yellow-flickering fireflies. The river tour usually costs $12 and is good for three persons. The river tour starts at 7 PM onwards, so better cancel that dinner date and go with the fireflies instead. Also, you might want to bring your best camera! I promise, you’ll just need it.
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Mitra Ranch
Mitra Ranch is a place of wide greeneries, serenity, and calmness. I definitely encourage everyone to go visit Mitra Ranch. You will be delighted to come close with the horses and cows on the ranch. Scattered around the field are tables and benches where you can rest your sole from tirelessly sauntering the green field. But I prefer sitting on the grass. You can have an open-air picnic in this place or just enjoy your reading. Fun activities are available in MitraRanch such as the zip line (costs $12) and trampoline jump. And you know what else is fun? Mitra Ranch is open for public and for free!
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Ugong Rock
Puerto Princesa is not just a paradise of beaches and ecotourism but is also a place of adventure. Ugong Rock Adventures offers spelunking and zip line adventure – something swashbucklers want! The cave exploration costs only $4 while the zip line is ($5 to $7) and is non-compulsory. The 300-meter zip line will pump your adrenaline and will flood your eyes with the beautiful greeneries of Puerto Princesa.
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Badjao Restaurant
A fresco and homey restaurant in Puerto Princesa, Badjao Restaurant serves authentic and local cuisines, savory seafood meals, and refreshing quenchers. The interior of the restaurant shows the ethnicity of Palawan. The restaurant stands sturdily amidst a pool of water with scattered tall mangroves. Hence, the restaurant is being devoured with fresh and windy air. The ambiance is relaxing, the food is delighting, and the view, oh, it’s amazing!
For Reservation: +63 48 433 9912
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Underground River
Of course, who would not want to go to the world famous Underground River? One of the new seven wonders of the world, the Underground River is famed because of the subterranean wonders to be found in the cave such as the sanctuary of bats, sharp and piercing rock formation, cave inhabitants, and other marine creatures. The Underground River tour will navigate you to the first 1.5-kilometer of the cave because, technically, the 80-kilometer river is just not for everyone to explore.
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