Philippines Travel Guide

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Puerto Princesa Adventure Tours: Philippines Travel Diary

Our 3-day food tour around Manila and Visa extension processing gave us more time to wander around the stunning and spellbinding sites in this vibrant city. We could not get enough of the delicious street foods, mouth-watering Korean cuisines, and instagrammable fish-shaped Japanese ice cream.  Manila has a bunch of accommodations, activities, and foods to offer to its guests, which makes it a must-explore destination.  

For this 3-day (Day 21-23) trip, we were on an island-hopping adventure and some cave exploration, where we got to see different amazing wonders of nature. We were thrilled to discover what this magical coastal island has to offer. 

Travel Diary for Day 21-23: 

Palawan is the Philippines' largest province when it comes to total land area, as it runs from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the southwest. Although many tourists visit El Nido and Coronin Palawan's northernmost part, Puerto Princesa is the island's main gateway– being the province's capital.

Palawan, has been frequently featured in news articles and magazines as one of the world's best islands. You will surely understand why, if you pay it a visit. Can you imagine yourself being surrounded with limestone rock formations, turquoise seas, and white-sand beaches with crystal-clear waters? As a bonus, you’ll get to meet friendly locals in a relaxing atmosphere. These are only a few of the many things that you can experience during your visit to this marvelous tourist destination in MiMaRoPa Region.

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Day 21: How do we get from Manila to Puerto Princesa by Plane?

13 March:

We slept in longer than usual because it was already dawn when we came home. After checking out from the hotel, we went to Italiannis at the Robinsons Mall in Malate, Metro Manila to grab some lunch. The food was good, especially the bread served with olive oil. But, the pizza was not the best we had in the Philippines so far.

Next, we went to NAIA Airport (known as Manila Airport present) and took off to Puerto Princesa International Airport, Palawan MiMaRoPa Region. Our flight was delayed, but it did not stress us – not at all. Though it was a quite shaky and turbulent take off, it was a normal scenario for flights going to Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

As we touched down Palawan, we moved our way to Barracuda Inn, Puerto Princesa and decided to have lunch at the Kinabuch’s Grill and Bar in Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa,Palawan. Both the food and the customer service were worth-recommending.

If you are coming to the Philippines, here is what you need to know about the Manila International Airport (NAIA) travel guide, the main international gateway for travelers to the Philippines.

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What are the Best Accommodations in Puerto Princesa?

Puerto Princesa is currently a booming travel destination for both local and foreign tourists. Because of the constantly escalating influx of visitors year by year, accommodations have also improved. Here are your options for the best accommodations in Puerto Princesa.

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Day 22: How do we Explore the Tourist Spots of Puerto Princesa?

14 March:

We had wanted to go on an island-hopping trip in Honda Bay, as planned. But, we canceled it because the weather turned bad the night before. Upon waking up the following morning, the beautiful sunshine greeted us. So, we decided to rent motorbikes to take a quick tour and explore the spots in the City of Puerto Princesa.

Our first stop was the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, which was built by the Spanish in 1872. We then headed on to the Plaza Cuartel, a memorial park for fallen American soldiers during the war against the Japanese in 1945. Both of these sites can be found in Taft Street, Puerto Princesa Palawan (MiMaRoPa Region).

The Americans were allies of the Philippines for a long time. Get a quick overview of when the Americans colonized and freed the Philippines.

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How do we Explore Nagtabon Beach by Motorcycle?

We took the motorcycle to Nagtabon Beach in the north of Puerto Princesa, which is around 28 kilometers away or less than an hour drive from the city proper. Driving a motorcycle is one of the common transportation options when getting around the Philippines. The beach is absolutely stunning, and not crowded by tourists. On our way there, the weather turned bad – dark clouds moved overhead and the wind picked up.

So, we stopped for a while to check the radar on our phones and discussed what to do. It didn’t look good, but we decided to keep moving. Luckily, our courage was rewarded by the sight of an amazing sunset and pleasant weather as we reached the beach.

Know about the weather and the best time to visit the Philippines to have an idea of what to expect when traveling to a tropical country.

Note: The weather in the Philippines can change dramatically and very quickly. Sometimes you just have to follow your instinct and you’ll be rewarded. But always keep an eye on your safety when touring around Philippines’ destinations.

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How do we get from Nagtabon Beach back to Puerto Princesa?

Having been spoiled by the sight of the stunning beach, bad luck caught us up again. While we were on our way back, our bike’s chain broke. So, we had to stop by the road to fix it. Stranded in the middle of nowhere, we looked for some help, and found a house nearby. So, we came to approach its owners, but three big dogs came barking at us. 

We were not sure if we should proceed, so decided to honk instead. Thankfully somebody heard us and came out from the house. It was a farmer family, who was very friendly. He offered us water and help. The young farmer boy gave us a ride back to Puerto Princesa for a very small fee. By the time we got back to our accommodation in Puerto Princesa, it was very late. 

We tried to contact the motorbike rental place to ask for help, but they offered no solution. When looking for reliable motorbike rental in the Philippines, it should have a license and a business permit to operate. On top of that, it should also have emergency numbers so that you know who to contact in case of motorcycle emergencies and repair necessities during the trip.

Note: Driving at night is highly discouraged, as there are no road lights. While driving, crossing people and stray animals by the roadside can cause accidents to motorists. Instead, settle for day travels to ensure safety.

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Google My Maps Puerto Princesa Travel Adventures: Day 21-23

If planning a trip to Puerto Princesa, check out the Google My Maps below to experience activities and adventures, and get to know different routes and directions, accommodations to stay, attractions to visit, and restaurants to dine in. Visit the Puerto Princesa travel Google My Map to learn more about our Philippines Travel routes and adventures.

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Day 23: How do we get to Puerto Princesa Subterranean Underground River Tour?

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How do we get from Sabang to El Nido by Van?

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How do we get from Sabang to El Nido?

At around 11 p.m, we reached El Nido in the northernmost part of Palawan, MiMaRoPa Region. The entire trip felt like we’re inside a washing machine. The van took us to the El Nido Transport Terminal in Rizal Street, El Nido Palawan. From there, we took a tricycle to get to our accommodation.

Anyway, we were just happy to be there. We don’t recommend the transport company we hired. Rent a private van instead, because it is the fastest option to travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido and vice versa.

A van rental can give you more space and privacy when traveling with a small group. It is a much better option than riding on public vans that have limited space. Minivans (HIACE, URVAN) leave when it is full with about 15 passengers. This is how most public transport options work in the Philippines. Sometimes you have to learn things the hard way.

If you aren’t sure which places to visit in the Philippines, start a tour by visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines. These sites are legally protected by international treaties.

Note: Ask the locals or the accommodation staff regarding the fare price. Make sure to do this before you hop into a tricycle, so that you won’t be charged more than what you should be paying.

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Google My Maps Philippines Travel Diary: Day 1 to Day 51

Check out the Google Maps below, to have an overview of the entire 51 days of Philippines travel adventure including exciting attractions and activities we did, destinations we explored, and travel directions in the Philippines.

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Philippines Tour Adventures from Day: 1 to Day: 51

Filipinos are one of the most pleasant people that you would love to meet. They are warm and accommodating, which makes the entire experience more remarkable when you visit the Philippines. Here is a complete overview of the Philippines Travel Diary experience for our 51 Days trip to the different destinations in the Philippines in 2017:

Day 1-2: Manila Adventure Tours
Day 3-4: Bantayan Island Adventure Tours
Day 5-6: Cebu City & South Cebu Adventure Tours
Day 7-8: Southern Visayas Island of Negros Adventure Tours
Day 9-11: Siquijor Island Adventure Tours
Day 12-14: Guimaras Island Adventure Tours
Day 15-17: Gigantes Island Adventure Tours
Day 18-20: Philippine Visa Extension & Food Tours in Metro Manila
Day 21-23: Puerto Princesa Adventure Tours
Day 24-25: El Nido Adventure Tours
Day 26-27: El Nido Motorbike Adventure & Puerto Princesa Island Hopping Tour
Day 28-29: Baguio City Adventure Tours
Day 30-31: Sagada Adventure Tours
Day 32-33: Buscalan, Kalinga Adventure Tours
Day 34: Banaue, Batad Rice Terraces Adventure Tours
Day 35-36: Pangasinan Adventure Tours
Day 37-38: Hundred Islands National Park Adventure Tours
Day 42-47: Metro Manila Adventure Tours
Day 40-41: Leyte Eastern Visayas Adventure Tours
Day 48- 50: The Bamboo Paraiso Beach Resort & Hundred Islands Adventures
Day 51: Best Tour in Pangasinan & Back to Manila

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Why do we Create the Philippines Travel Guide?

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SUMMARY: Puerto Princesa Adventure Tours

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Still got more questions going around Palawan? Be it North or South, feel free to get in touch so that we can lend a hand. Aside from our knowledge about the island province of Palawan, we have traveled several connections in the area that could help you have a safe and comfortable trip.


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