Travel Tips and Recommendations: Puerto Princesa and El Nino Palawan

     From the amazing limestone formations to the famous longest navigable underground river to the enchanting lagoons and stunning beaches, Palawan is definitely a paradise on earth. In this article, I would like to share with you some tips, recommendations and guide for a hassle-free vacation in Puerto Princesa and El Nido for you to fully enjoy your stay in the world's top island.

1. As much as possible, book your flight ticket two to five months before your desired date of trip to score much cheaper rates. You may also wait for Piso Fare sale from Cebu Pacific or Air Asia. Both airlines are flying from NAIA (Manila) to Puerto Princesa Airport.

2. If you are availing of regular or discounted rates, booking one-way ticket from different airlines will save you a lot of money.

Sample Computation:

     Cost of round trip Cebu Pacific ticket from Manila to Puerto Princesa is Php 3,800.00.

      Cost of round trip Air Asia ticket from Manila to Puerto Princesa is Php 3,400.00.

      Cost of Cebu Pacific ticket MNL to PP and Air Asia ticket PP to MNL is Php 2,800.00.

3. Book your accommodation via direct coordination to the hotel/inn or via Agoda.com (for more discounts). If you failed to book in advance, airport tricycle may help you tour the city to look for a cheaper hotel/inn/pension houses in Puerto Princesa. Tricycle cost is Php 100.00.

4. For the Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour, getting a tour agency will cost you Php 1,200.00 each person while DIY (Do-It-Yourself) will cost you Php 1,300.00 for the boat good for 10 persons. Tricycle rental will cost you Php 500.00 with pick up from your hotel to Lourdes Wharf and vice versa. Add additional Php 500.00 to include Iwahig Firefly Watching transportation. Iwahig Firefly watching will cost you Php 600.00 per person. 

5. Availing your El Nido Island Hopping Tour and van services from Puerto Princesa to El Nido in one travel agent will give you Php 100.00 to Php 200.00 discount for each island hopping tour.

6. Ka Lui restaurant in Puerto Princesa is open only from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Advance reservation is required due to volume of tourists.

7. You should try eating tamilok (wood worm) and crocodile sisig. These dishes are available at Kinabuchs Grill and Bar, they are open from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am daily.

8. Puerto Princesa City Tour will cost you Php 600.00 to Php 700.00. Each tricycle can accommodate up to 4 persons. 

9. Puerto Princesa Underground River tour must be booked in advance via a travel agent to secure permit and schedule. PPUR tour published rate is Php 1,540.00 per person inclusive of transportation, tour guide, entrance fee, environmental fee, boat transfer, wharfage fee and buffet lunch but you can get it at Php 1,240.00 per persons only (see Fort Wally contact details below). This tour includes side trip to Ugong Rock Adventures.

10. Rent a kayak (good for 3 persons) from Php 200.00 to Php 700.00 for El Nido Island Hopping Tour A to fully explore Small and Secret Lagoon.

11. Island Hopping Tours offer free use of snorkeling gears or you may bring your own. Aqua shoes and waterproof bags are a must. Buffet lunch is included in all island hopping tours, they will serve you grilled fish, grilled pork, squid, crabs, vegetables with rice, water and softdrinks.

12. El Nido requires each tourists to pay for Php 200.00 environmental fee valid for 14 days.

Puerto Princesa Tours:

Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

     Cowrie Island - Php 275.00 entrance fee

      Pambato Reef - Php 50.00 entrance fee

      Luli Island - Php 60.00 entrance fee

      Starfish Island - Php 50.00 entrance fee

      Pandan Island - Php 100.00 entrance fee 

Iwahig Firefly Watching - Php 600.00 per person

Puerto Princesa Underground River - Php 1,240.00 per person

Ugong Rock Adventures

     Entrance Fee - Php 200.00 per person

      Sitting Position Zipline - Php 200.00 per person

      Superman Position Zipline - Php 250.00 per person

Puerto Princesa City Tour

     Palawan Rescue and Wildlife Centre (Crocodile Farm) - Php 40.00 entrance fee

      Rancho Sta. Monica (Mitra's Ranch)

      Baker's Hill

      Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garen and Tribal Villgae - Php 50.00 entrance fee

      Puerto Princesa Cathedral

      Plaza Cuartel

      Baywalk

El Nido Tours:

Island Hopping Tours (inclusive of buffet lunch)

     Tour A - Php 1,200.00 per person/shared boat

                   Small Lagoon

                   Big Lagoon

                   Secret Lagoon

                   Simuzu Beach

                   Seven Commando

      Tour B - Php 1,300.00 per person/shared boat

                   Pangulasian Island

                   Snake Island

                   Codugnon Cave

                   Cathedral Cave

                   Eli Island

      Tour C - Php 1,400.00 per person/shared boat

                   Hidden Beach

                   Matinloc Shrine

                   Secret Beach

                   Star Beach

                   Helicopter Island

      Tour D - Php 1,200.00 per person/shared boat

                   Cadlao Lagoon

                   Pasandigan Beach

                   Paradise Beach

                   Bucal Beach

                   Ipil Beach

Inland Tours (includes transportation only)

     Nacpan - Calitang Twin Beach Tour - Php 1,500.00 for 2 persons

      Nacpan - Calitang Twin Beach/Hot Spring/Waterfall Tour - Php 1,700.00 for 2 persons

      Taraw Cliff Climb - Php 350.00 per person minimum of 2

      Las Cabanas Beach (Maremegmeg Beach) - Php 300.00 tricycle rental

Important Contact Information:

09054325019

Van Rental (Puerto Princesa to El Nido and vice versa)

El Nido Island Hopping Tour Reservations

Richard Dela Torre

09106975342

Airport Tricycle Service

Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

Iwahig Firefly Watching

Puerto Princesa City Tour

09292832969

Airport Tricycle Service

Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

Iwahig Firefly Watching

Puerto Princesa City Tour

Fort Wally

0917276287

Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour 

Ugong Rock Adventures