Exploring Puerto Princesa: Hidden Gems and Travel Tips

Intro

As my Round the World Trip 2024 unfolded, each destination brought its own flavor of adventure and charm. After experiencing the bustling cities of China and South Korea, I found myself in Manila, the gateway to my next incredible stop: Puerto Princesa, a tropical paradise on the island of Palawan in the Philippines.

With Paris and the Olympic Games 2024 calling my name, this leg of the journey felt like a brief yet essential detour—a chance to witness one of the New7Wonders of Nature before continuing my adventure.

This post takes you through the vibrant streets of Puerto Princesa, the quirky moments at Manila’s airport (yes, putos made me laugh too), and my anticipation for the iconic Puerto Princesa Underground River. Stay with me as I share how this short stop became an unforgettable highlight of my global trek!

From Manila to Puerto Princesa

I could not believe it. I was about to make the big jump. It had been more than a week already into my Round the World Trip 2024, and now I had left China and South Korea, and was about to get to The Philippines, and then do a stop in Singapore to finally jump to Paris.

The Olympic Games Paris 2024 were awaiting for me, but before that excitement, I had something to do in The Philippines, that I will mention soon on this blog post. For now, as I mentioned on my last post, I was already in Manila from Seoul, and was exploring their airport, waiting for my connection.

Knowing that “puto” means “whore” in Spanish, the name of these tasty rice cakes made me cackle lol. The airport was a little bit confusing and crowded, but at least it had A LOT of food options, which I took advantage when I ordered some sandwiches and coffee.

Finally, my Cebu Pacific Air flight to Puerto Princesa, also in the Philippines took off. It was early in the morning, and the sun was rising in this huge metropolis.

I arrived to Puerto Princesa, a coastal city on Palawan Island in the western Philippines. I recommend having cash for every transaction here, since as 2024 they do not accept credit card in many places. Currency exchanges are available in many places, including the Puerto Princesa airport.

From the airport you can take a taxi or tuc tuc into the city, which is not far at all, maybe 10-15 min. Taxis can try to overcharge you so be careful. I arrived to my hotel, Mariner’s Pension House, located in the heart of the city, perfect for my tour the next day into the reason I came all the way here…

…The Puerto Princesa Underground River. One of the most famous natural wonders in the Philippines. Located on the island of Palawan, near the city of Puerto Princesa, this UNESCO World Heritage Site and New7Wonders of Nature features an incredible underground river that flows directly into the sea.

But this tour was going to be the next day, for now, it was time to explore the town.

Exploring Puerto Princesa

When I googled “food” and noticed the Jollibee close to my hotel, I knew I had to go there. I have been obsessed with this Filipino fried chicken chain, and now I was in their country of origin with a full menu and all of the flavor.

To go around Puerto Princesa you can grab a taxi or one of these tuc tucs. For either you must have cash.

I visited the biggest mall they have, the SM City Puerto Princesa Mall, and as I was exiting the sunset was starting and it was amazing. Before this I had my laundry dropped off and got a really cheap nice massage.

30 minutes later the sunset was going and going, and the colors were showing. It had been a while that I had not been so isolated, I felt I was in the middle of knowhere.

And what was for dinner? You guessed it, Jollibee once again, but this time I got coffee and pasta lol. When do you even combine those?

The whole Underground River tour would come on the next blog post, since it is huge and full of surprises, but the next day after the tour, I decided to walk around the Puerto Princesa Baywalk Park. As a Colombian, I am always cautious when I am walking around, especially in an developing country like The Philippines, but here, I felt way more safe than in Manila city.

You still need to be aware of your surroundings and try not too show up too much (cellphone, jewels, watches, money, etc).

Made it to the typical letters on the Baywalk, and the mountains of Palawan gave them a nice touch.

Walked back to the hotel before it started raining hard, and once again the sunset was so amazing. I felt blessed that everything was going as per plan.

One thing about this hotel, for some people the family owned ambiance could be welcoming or cool, but I do not like it too much. Having mom, dad, sisters, grandma and kids all around all the time was a bit uncomfortable, but not bad for the few nights I was here.

This night I went to explore the town a little bit more. Instead of taking a tuc tuc, I took a bus which felt like an adventure. I went to the same mall for some things I needed for my jump to Paris and also picked up my laundry which I had gotten done in this town. I had to feel fresh arriving to Paris.

Back to Manila

The next morning, I felt ready to make the big jump. In the weeks before my Round the World trip, I got so nervous when my flight to Manila had gotten canceled, and I was put on another flight on the same day of the tour. I had to switch things around and completely canceled a full night in Manila, and a full night in Singapore, to also allow an early arrival in Paris. So basically, without a hotel night sleep, I was doing Puerto Princesa –> Manila –> Singapore –> Paris. I had my fingers crossed that none of my flight got more delays. I left enough buffer though in Manila and a little bit in Singapore, but still it would be a tight trek to the Olympics.

While I was in Palawan, I was asked that why I would spend so little time in this area. I had been in The Philippines before, and I was able to squeeze finishing the New 7 Wonders of Nature, by visiting Puerto Princesa. The con of Jump Traveling is that you literally have to go from place to place in a short time and do the most you can, or an specific thing you are looking for. If you can add more days or more things, great, but that is not the main point of Jump Traveling. Now knowing that there’s so much to explore and get to know on this area of the world, I am eager to come back, for more days and maybe in a more chill, relaxed vibe. A Round the World trip for my is a check list usually, and for many people this is not how they would like to spend their trips. I find it exciting, convenient and still fascinating.

Made it back to Manila Metro for a stop of a few hours. Later tonight I had my flight to Singapore.

I could not cancel my hotel after all these flight changes, so I still checked in Red Planet Manila Binondo. A nice hotel in a not so nice area. The room was good enough to freshen up and get a little nap before heading back to the airport.

Bye Philippines. Hi Singapore.

I got another massage around Robinsons Place Manila, always taking an Uber to go everywhere in this huge city. Later that night I Ubered to the airport, and took my flight to Singapore.

I had bought this Manila-Singapore-Paris flight using my Chase Rewards transferred to my Singapore Airlines mile award program, and that was the best decision ever. I love this airline, and they even feed you on these not so long haul flights.

The food was good. After arriving in Singapore early in the morning, I was sad I did not have time to go through customs and explore the city one more time. I had been here at least 3 times in the past, but I just like it a lot.

My stopover was still of a few hours, so after walking around the airport, I encountered the Singapore Foodstreet, a Food Court located on the upper level, and wow this food was so good. I of course had to get the ramen and dumpling soup.

And after seeing the famous Koi fish pool at the airport, I went to my gate to board my direct flight to Paris.

Finally on the way to Paris

14 hours long was the flight, but I still got to arrive on the morning of the next day. On the plane, they served a nice dinner.

And after a long nap (forced by taking some Melatonin), I found myself awake, watching downloaded YouTube videos and getting breakfast. Paris here I come.