Read: 4 Days Adventure in Coron Palawan
Ysabelle Mansion
We’re group of 13 people so a month before the trip I already booked our accommodation at Ysabelle Mansion and rented a van for our three days tour. We stayed in Ysabelle Mansion for our 3 days and 2 nights trip. It is a hostel that offers basic accommodation. The rooms and bathrooms are clean. The service staffs are all friendly and nice. It is very near in seaport, airport, market and restaurant so transportation is not difficult.
Day 1: Honda Bay Island Hopping
Our rented van picked us up at the airport and we dropped by at the hostel to leave our baggage and off we went to sea port for our Honday Bay Island Hopping. Since our flight was delayed for almost an hour, we only have limited time for island hopping.
On our way to sea port, we went to 7 Plates Building to book our Underground River Tour, we bought mineral water and picked up our food. I ordered BBQ liempo, Grilled Pusit, Spicy Garlic Shrimp, Ensaladang Talong, Lato Rice, Grilled Baby back ribs, Buttered lobster, Kangkong w/oyster sauce and Atchara. The food were placed in a bilao and plastic container. I also brought disposables just in case magkulang. Good thing that I already ordered our food in advance because we were all hungry before we reach Snake Island. Sa sobrang gutom, walang pictures ang mga food.
Boat rental is P1500 good for 6 person, additional pax is P250 including kids. There are different islands in Honda Bay that you could visit such as Cowrie Island, Bat Island, Lu-Li Island (lulubog-lilitaw), Dos Palmas Island, Pambato Reef, Pandan Island, Starfish Island and Snake Island. Each island has its own entrance fee except for Snake Island but you have to pay for cottage.
Pandan island entrance fee P 50/head
Starfish island entrance fee P 50/head
Pambato reef entrance fee P 50/head
Pandan island cottage P 400/cottage
Snake Island
We only choose Snake Island, Star fish Island and Pandan Island. First stop is Snake Island, where we ate our lunch. The place is quite crowded maybe because there is no entrance fee. You will enjoy swimming and snorkeling even you are not a good swimmer because you can see school of fishes at knee deep of water.
Starfish Island
Next stop is Starfish Island but we just dropped by and moved to Pandan Island.
Pandan Island
Pandan Island has the best facilities and amenities among the three islands. They have their own comfort room, restaurant and massage place. So we already stayed in this Island till 5PM.
Bilao at Palayok
After Honda Bay Island Hopping, we went to Bilao at Palayok for our dinner. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Puerto Princesa so we want to try it. The place has native ambiance and look.
We ordered Boodle Feast, Lengua Estofado, Buttered Garlic Crab and Ginataang Seafood. Among the food, my favorite is Lengua Estofado. For 13 persons, our bill is less than P2000 so price is very reasonable. Don't forget to bring your insect repellent. We took tricycle on our way back to Ysabelle Mansion.
Day 2: Underground River Tour
It’s been raining the whole night because there was LPA. I am bit worried that our Underground tour will be canceled but thank God for giving us good weather in Sabang. The travel time going to Undeground River is almost two hours and expect that is very long and winding road. It is not a smooth ride because some roads are not cemented.
Fortunately, we had stopover at Viewdeck because some of us are really dizzy and about to vomit. So don not forget to take bonamine to prevent biyahilo moments. This road is the same road that I will need to travel if I want to go to El Nido so I am really thinking twice about El Nido.
Underground River Expense
Van Rental P3000
Permit P150/head local, 200/head foreigner, 13-17 yrs old P50, 6-12yrs old P30 and 5yrs old below free
Boat (good for 6pax) P 700/boat
Tip: Do not forget to bring ID because they will look for it. I forgot the cost of terminal fee. For toddlers, bring your own life vest.
You need to ride boat to get to Underground River, it is just 15 minutes travel time. Upon arrival, you have to wait for your turn, yes pila ulit sa boart for Underground River Tour, it is about 45 minutes tour inside the cave. You will not get bored because the tour guide is really good, he will explain everything to you. I am proud that I have been here.
We availed the buffet lunch at the beach for P200 per head. The food is just ok so it is not worth the price especially for the kids because they have the same rate.
Puerto Princesa City Tour
After lunch, we decided to proceed with City Tour since we still have time. Itinerary for the day: Iwahig Penal Colony, Cathedral, Crocodile farm, Mitra’s house -Sta. Monica Ranch and Baker’s Hill.
Crocodile Farm and Nature Park
First stop is Crocodile Farm, there is a souvenir shop where you can buy pasalubong while waiting for your turn. I bought crocodile stuffed toy here. Between Crocodile Park of Davao and Crocodile Farm, I like Crocodile Park because there is so much to see in their park. But in Crocodile Farm, we were able to hold baby crocodile.
Then we visited Iwahig Penal Colony, Mitra’s house -Sta. Monica Ranch and Baker’s Hill. At this point, my grandmother was already complaining bakit hinto daw ng hinto, hehehe! City Tour nga e! So we did not stay long in each spot because our grandmother was just staying inside the van.
You will enjoy the Baker’s Hill because there is a playground for the kids. The place is big and it is not just a bakery. You can also buy food pasalubong here, the famous here is hopia.
Last stop is Cathedral na ako na lang ang bumaba just to take pictures because pagod na ang lahat. They did not want to go out anymore for dinner so we just ate at Ysabelle Mansion.
By the way, there is Vietville, Plaza Cuartel and Butterfly garden too but we did not include them in our itinerary.
Day 3: Palawan Museum
This was our last day in Puerto Princesa, since our flight was still 2PM, we decided to go to Palawan Museum. We just took a tricycle to get there. P10 for entrance fee.
We checked-out at 12 noon and naiinip pa kami na ihatid sa airport. Yun pala sarado ang airport, hindi man lang kami ininform na nagsasara pala yun. So we waited more or less an hour bago nag-open ulit ang airport.
Ysabelle Mansion
214 Abad Santos Extension
Puerto Princesa City Palawan, Philippines 5300
Contact Nos.: Landline (63)(48) 723-0992
Mobile No. (63)918-4089377 / (63)929-2417797
Email: info@ysabellemansion.com
Website: www.ysabellemansion.com
REally nice to go on a big family treat. I have yet to try island hopping it looks really fun.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is really nice to travel with family. The island hopping is fun, you should visit Underground River too. :)
DeleteWe stayed in a.pension house on our first visit to Palawan. It was a nice experience though despite the lack of glamour and ambiance. The pension house is located within the center so commuting was just a breeze. On our second.visit, we stayed in Microtel Palawan. Loved it more.than the pension house. But on both visits, we did pretty much the sAme things. But.still, I enjoyed both experience. Snorkeling at Palawan is.highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteIf ever we will go back, we will try to stay in another place for a different experience too. :)
DeletePuerto Princesa is a nice place. Medyo malayo lang ung mga tourist attractions to each other, but all pagod during the long trips are worth it.
ReplyDeleteYes, malayo-layo din so you need a ride for convenience. :)
DeleteThe first and last time I visited was back in college. It was for our thesis on a documentary about the Crocodile Farm. Sadly because of limited time we weren't able to really make the most of our trip there. Hope to go back soon.
ReplyDeleteYes, go back with your family. I'm sure you will enjoy it more.
DeleteOf all the tours in Palawan when Dane and I were there in 2013, Island hopping was our favorite. Too bad lang, we had to leave early kasi ung ibang kasabay namin sa van ay may flight schedule na the same day. I wish we could go back there and take Nate. I didn't like the underground river, ang panghe. haha.
ReplyDeleteAy sayang, yan ang downside pag group tours. Hindi naman mapanghe nung nagpunta kami Sa UG river, pero amoy bats. hehehe!
DeletePalawan is really a beautiful place. Gustong-gusto namin ni lemuel mapuntahan ya. Ipagpray muna namin. We love Island hopping. Masarap sa pakiramdam mag explore specially pag marami kayo at kasama ang family. Anyway curious ako sa snake Island, hehehe anong meron jan sis?
ReplyDelete