10 Places To Visit At Puerto Princesa Palawan

For me, traveling provides a valuable learning opportunity. Traveling helps us to learn valuable life skills such as conversation, good manners and cultural understanding as we interact with people whose backgrounds and experiences are different from us. Traveling also promotes understanding, tolerance, comprehension and imagination among other things. The lessons through traveling tend to stick with kids more than the lessons that they learn at school because seeing things and experiencing them for yourself makes a much deeper impression. Adults love to go to new places to relax, rejuvenate and to experience and see new things.

During our stay at Puerto Princesa last weekend, we went to various places. Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan, is a city rich in natural resources and wonders. This place is not all about it’s breath taking view of the beaches, there are a lot of things and places here that tourists need to see and enjoy.

If you are planning to go to Puerto Princesa soon, here are the 10 places that we have visited and recommend for you to see.

10 Places To Visit At Puerto Princesa Palawan:

Mitra Ranch

This is a dream place for people who want to wake up with a perfect sight of trees and green surroundings, a smell of fresh air and a windy veranda.

This is where the house of the late House Speaker Ramon “Monching” V. Mitra Jr. and his wife and kids is located. We went here early so we have the house all for ourselves.

Inside you’ll see old pictures of the Mitras hanging on the walls and at the center was a huge tree trunk (I forgot what it is called).

There are also many collectible vases inside the house.

I heard that they offer zipline activities and horse back riding but we were not able to try it. There are also many tables where families can relax under the trees and have picnics.

Baker’s Hill

In this place we have tasted one of the best hopiang baboy ever.

Baker’s Hill sells various pastries like hopia (in monggo, ube and baboy flavor), crinkles, cupcakes and brownies.

The prices are fair (a box of hopiang baboy is just P45). I suggest that you buy as many pasalubong you can carry here because if you buy at the airport the price is doubled (a box of hopiang baboy is P70 at the airport).

Besides the bakery, Baker’s Hill also provide various attractions and photo worthy areas for their guests and a play area for kids to enjoy. There are also shaded area with places to sit and eat.

Binuatan Weaving Creations

In here I had the chance to try weaving (ang hirap pala!).

We saw old and young gifted weavers who makes various creations ranging from bags, ipad cases, notepads, table settings, fans and place mats. I also had the chance to chat with them.

They have a store beside the factory where you can buy all the items they have made. Suportahan ang sariling atin and purchase one or two items here.

Palawan Rescue and Wildlife Centre (formerly known as the Crocodile Farm)

We had the opportunity to see crocodiles of various ages and sizes.

My son was fascinated with the crocodiles while I on the other hand felt nervous and cold while passing on the bridge with crocodiles under it.

The Crocodile Farm also has a mini-zoo, featuring other endemic Philippine species, as well as the Research Institute, which is dedicated to all things Crocodiles. My son was able to see for himself what a Binturong or bear cat looks like (they have studied about this animal at school), and the bearded pig which are both endemic at Palawan.

Binturong (Bear Cat)

Bearded Pig

Huge old trees can be found here too.

Butterfly Garden / Tribal Village

You’ll learn the life cycle of the butterfly at the butterfly garden.

these are pupa that turns into butterfly

We were able to see various butterfly species in here. Besides the butterfly garden was the Tribal Village where the indigenous people of Palawan stayed for a while.

katutubo playing their own instruments

he demonstrates how to make fire by just using stones

We were humbled when we saw how they live and survive, how they hunt for food and how they entertain themselves up on the mountain. These people don’t speak nor understand Filipino and English language but they were able to express themselves through their actions. Meeting with these people creates compassion. You will learn that earning a minimum wage isn’t bad at all, it’s better to have money to buy food than to hunt for food on your own.

Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral

The Immaculate Conception is said to be the patron saint of the inhabitants of Palawan and the very first mass at this church was celebrated in 1872.

I’m glad to be able to visit and see this church. As the saying goes, make a wish if it’s your first time to visit a church and I think I whispered one or two wishes.

Splash House

It was hailed as Palawan’s first and only “playground on the sea”.

It’s a floating structure made out of wood, bamboo and drums with a total floor area of about 750sqm.

My son enjoyed this place so much, it was awesome according to him. He tried playing in the inflatables toys and I can tell that he really had fun.

Thank you sa napakabait na si kuya Toto for taking care of my son

We also saw lobsters, bangus and other marine species in the area. There are hammocks for those who want to relax and take a short nap.

Guys will enjoy playing a “shooting” ball game on the half court or dive with their 10 ft. diving board.

This place is a new addition to the Honda Bay Island Hopping and I recommend that you visit this place during lunch to grill some fresh seafood (from submerged nets underwater). If you want to sleep for a long time, they have 2 bedrooms or relax in their massage room. Stay until dusk and revel in the view of hundreds of bats flying away from nearby caves. (Visit www.splash-house.com for more information about this place)

Honda Bay Island Hopping

Honda Bay is an ideal destination for snorkeling, swimming and diving among local residents and tourists.

My husband took this picture of Ren and I at Starfish Island in Honda Bay this morning… we love the clear water and white sands. More kwento about our #PuertoPrincesa #Palawan trip on the blog this week. Stay tuned!!!

A photo posted by Levy Martinez (@iamlevym) on Apr 19, 2015 at 3:20am PDT

We’ve made a fast trip to this place because we lack the time to stay for a whole day (we need to fly back to Manila). We were glad that we included this destination on our tour because we were able to see not only 1 but 3 different islands. We’ve visited the Starfish island, Lu-Li island and Cowrie Island. I’ll tell you about our DIY trip here on my next article, stay tuned!

Iwahig River

Read more about this destination on my post HERE

Blue Palawan

After an all day trip and you want to relax, then why not unwind and visit Blue Palawan’s bar and restaurant.

Looking forward to a relaxing weekend 🙂 #bluepalawan #itsmorefuninthephilippines #Palawan #PuertoPrincesa #wowphilippines A photo posted by Levy Martinez (@iamlevym) on Apr 17, 2015 at 3:03am PDT

Have a drink or two while listening to the soft house music.

 

Try their Mango De Palawan beer which are only available at Blue and at Palaweño Brewery in Puerto Princesa. If you’re hungry, warm your tummy with their delightful molo soup (this is one of the best molo soups that I have ever tasted).

You can also have a dip in their blue pool to refresh your senses. After that, you can rest at one of their rooms  and have a good night’s sleep on their memory foam bed. For your convenience, they can also arrange your tour the next day if you want. The next morning, wake up early and see a breathtaking view of the sunrise.

I did not include the Underground River on my list because we were not able to visit it. It was hailed as the new 7 wonders of the world and we will come back to visit this place.

Those stated above are just a few of the things you can do at Palawan. Do your research, plan your itinerary well to make the most of your time and create memories that will last a lifetime.