Palawan has always been a favorite local destination of mine. I’ve been to Puerto Princesa quite a few times already as well as Coron and San Vicente. The beautiful scenic spots, great food and wonderful people are what keeps me coming back to Palawan.
So, upon getting an invitation to visit Palawan again via AirAsia Philippines, I immediately said yes without batting an eyelash!
During our 4-day trip to Palawan, we covered Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Taytay. Even if it was already my 3rd time in Puerto Princesa, its beauty still never fails to amaze me.
Palawan from above via AirAsia Philippines.
If you are travelling to Puerto Princesa for the 1st time, here are my picks on where to eat, where to stay and what to do.
Experience Puerto Princesa
ACCOMMODATION
Microtel by Wyndham – Puerto Princesa
This 2-storey hotel located at Emerald Beach gives you a beautiful beach view any time of the day.
Microtel by Wyndham – Puerto Princesa hotel has different kinds of room categories: Premium Double, Standard Double and Suites.
Where we stayed at for our first night was a Premium Double Room (Beach View).
Chiropractor-approved mattresses
Cable TV
Individually-controlled air-conditioning unit
Multi-function telephone system with IDD and NDD
Electronic keycard entry system
Radio Clock
Fully automated fire safety system
Baby crib available upon request
Full-sized bathrooms with hot and cold water
Internet ready data port
Mini bar
The view from our room taken at 3PM during low tide.
Facilities and Services
Lobby lounge with a view of the beach.
Swimming Pool and kids playground.
Restaurant
24-Hour Coffee Vending Area
Scheduled Shuttle Service
Others
Function Rooms
Non-Smoking Rooms
Disability Accessible Rooms
Massage (on-call)
Photocopy, fax and mailing services
Ample Parking Space
Microtel by Wyndham is just 7 kilometers from Puerto Princesa Airport. The place also provides easy access to some of Palawan’s finest attractions, such as the Emerald Playa Pavillion, Honda Bay, and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Contact Details
Emerald Playa Beach & Nature Park San Manuel
Puerto Princesa, Philippines
Twitter and Instagram: @microtelph
facebook.com/MicrotelInnsSuitesPalawan
http://www.microtel-palawan.com
WHAT TO DO
Book yourselves a Heritage Tour that covers the city’s tourist spots to know their history.
Binuatan Creations
Makers of colorful handloom woven products from home decors to table runners to bags in colorful designs utilizing Palawan’s indigenous fibers. It also helps in employing women-mothers, out-of-school youths and working students.
Placemat making.
Items for sale.
Contact Details
Employees Village Sta. Monica,
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines – 5300
T: 048-4337630 / 048-4341097
C: 0920-5428548
E: [email protected]
Plaza Cuartel
Entrance to the restored ruins of Plaza Cuartel where more or less 150 American POWs were burned alive by Japanese soldiers on Dec. 14, 1944. A few escaped and made it to freedom by escaping to the sea towards Iwahig.
Contact Details
Taft St. Puerto Princesa City
Palawan, Philippines
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
This eye-catching blue and white century old cathedral was where the first mass in Puerto Princesa was celebrated in 1872. The cathedral can be found along Rizal Avenue, adjacent to Plaza Cuartel.
Contact Details
Rizal Ave., Puerto Princesa City
Palawan, Philippines – 5300
Palawan Special Battalion WW-II Museum
The only World War II museum in Palawan is located at Brgy. Bancao-Bancao. It was built in memory of Dr. Higinio Mendoza Sr. who was killed in 1944 by the Japanese “kempetais” during WWII at Canigaran beach. The late Dr. Mendoza was a guerilla fighter who resisted Japanese control. The museum is also in honor of the Palawan Fighting 1000 Guerilla and USAFE who sacrificed their lives in defense of their freedom.
You will see a historic typewriter used by the Palawan government in printing of Palawan Script Money during WWII.
An old jeep and an old Buick.
A granite Cannon Ball that was salvaged from a galleon in south west of Palawan.
Special thanks to Mr. Higinio “Buddy” Mendoza Jr., son of the late Dr. Mendoza who welcomed and toured us around.
Contact Details
Rizal Ave. Ext. Bancao-Bancao
Puerto Princesa City Palawan, Philippines
C: +63999-6562471 / +63917-8435343
E: [email protected]
Museum Hours:
8AM – 5PM Daily
Palawan Heritage Center
This interactive museum opened last June 23, 2012 was conceptualized by the Provincial Cultural Office under the Office of the Governor. The Palawan Heritage Center tells the story of Palawan to create awareness of the province‘s rich cultural heritage, history, natural resources and diversity. It also promotes the rich cultural heritage of the province that has evolved through time. Palawan is home to different ethno-linguistic groups like the Batak, Palaw’an, Tagbanua and Tao’t Bato. Also a melting pot of various migrants from many different regions.
At the Palawan Heritage Center, you will see 300 year old artifacts, old photos, life sized dioramas, computerized touch screens, information kiosks, maps, learning stations and even a hologram.
Entrance Fees:
Student – Php20.00
Senior Citizen – Php60.00
Local Resident – Php80.00
Local Non-Resident – Php100.00
Foreigner – Php150.00
Students and Senior Citizen must present a valid I.D.
Children 6 years old and below are free of charge.
Museum Schedule:
Mondays to Fridays
(Excluding Government Holiday)
1:30PM – 4:30PM
Contact Details
Provincial Legislative Bldg.,
Fernandez St. Puerto Princesa City
Palawan, Philippines
DINING
Ka Lui Restaurant
This is the perfect restaurant to have your 1st meal in Puerto Princesa since it is just a short drive away from Palawan Airport. According to the locals, it is wise to have a reservation in this restaurant since KaLui is almost always jampacked!
The place is spacious… like an old house with a sprawling lot.
Upon entering Ka Lui, you will be asked to remove your slippers.
I noticed that my feet didn’t even get dirty. The floor has been polished so well that the dirt doesn’t even stick to it!
Art decors can be seen everywhere.
See! I am surrounded by artwork! But, these pieces aren’t for sale. When I asked Ka Lui himself about it, I learned that all the artwork are part of his personal collection. But there is a small store in the restaurant where you can buy some souvenir items.
Ka Lui offers a variety of dishes depending on the particular fresh catch of the day. It’s pretty much all veggies and seafood. So, if you are planning to dine at Ka Lui, here are my personal picks chosen from the lunch that we had that day.
Tuna Sashimi
Fresh tuna slices served on a sliced pineapple on top of pickled papaya and radish.
Fried Breaded Eggplant
While waiting for your mains, munch on these eggplant sticks that are similar to tempura.
Fish Roll Guinataan with Curry
Rolled Tanigue with chili in curry sauce. Be mindful though that the leaf at the center which looks like a rolled Kangkong has finger chili inside, too. The entire dish was actually not spicy at all unless, of course, you crush the chili. Make sure to order extra rice as the curry sauce is rich and flavorful.
Sizzling Seafood Sisig
Mix the fresh egg while the plate is still hot. This is not your usual crispy sisig, but this dish alone can easily satisfy me. Another dish that might compel you to order another cup of rice. Hahaha!
With Ka Lui himself – Lui Oliva.
Dining Hours:
Opens Daily Save Sundays
Lunch: 11AM – 2PM
Dinner: 6PM – 11PM
Contact Details
369 Rizal Ave., Puerto Princesa City
Palawan, Philippines
T: (048) 433-2580
C: +63 928-7539621
E: [email protected]
http://www.kaluirestaurant.com
La Terrasse Cafe
At La Terrasse Cafe, you are assured of eating healthy and clean food!
You can also opt to dine upstairs.
Slow cooked.
No msg. No meat tenderizers.
Seafood is bought fresh daily from the local market.
Sauces are made from scratch.
Soup stocks doesn’t contain additives or powders or cubes.
Vegetables are sourced from organic growers or from their our own organic gardens.
They use organic or free range chickens or organic native chickens.
Meats are sourced locally and whenever possible, organic as well.
Duck Confit
Crispy and flavorful duck flakes rolled in mandarin crepes with hoisin sauce, cucumber sticks and spring onions. I tell you… this was absolutely dee-lee-cious! The Duck Confit alone is worth the trip back to this place!
Bouillabaisse soup
Fish, squid, shrimp, crab meat and claws topped with julienned root veggies. Not your usual creamy Bouillabaisse as they use their own tomato soup highlighted with anise liqueur for a touch of sweetness to counteract the acidity from the tomato.
Organic Duck Rendang
This savory La Terrasse specialty was one of the tastiest dishes during our dinner. The rendang paste mixed with curry was just superb! Rendang should be spicy but I did not feel any spice at all… perhaps my tolerance level is just too high compared to others? Nonetheless, this dish is a must try!
Honey Nougat
Two of Palawan’s local products: Wild honey with whole cashew nuts. It’s just sad that I wasn’t able to try this because we were already hurrying to finish our dinner and head to the airport. Maybe I can call La Terrasse and have one whole bar shipped to me? LOL!
Dining Hours:
10AM – 11PM
Contact Details
Rizal Ave., Bancao-Bancao,
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
T: +63 48 434 1787
C: +63 947-6872168
E: [email protected]
www.laterrassepalawan.com (http://www.laterrassepalawan.com)
WHAT TO DRINK
We were also served different beers from Palaweño Brewery. I personally enjoyed this bottle of Palaw’an Honey Kolsch. It’s light and smooth with Palawan honey giving it a subtle and charming appeal.
Palaweño Brewery is the first female craft brewer in the Philippines, using only all-natural ingredients for their delicious ale.
Puerto Princesa is such a magical tropical paradise that has so much adventure possibilities. It’s a place that you could always come back to and discover more new activities to enjoy and experience. Incredible food… beautiful tourist spots… wonderful people. Truly deserving to be a part of your bucket list shortlist. Truly, Palawan is World’s Best Island!
HOW TO GET THERE
AirAsia Philippines flies 3x daily from Manila to Puerto Princesa and vice-versa at pocket-friendly rates. So, visiting the “World’s Best Island” is not a problem at all!
For updates on promos, check-out AirAsia’s website regularly. Like their official Facebook page and follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @AirAsiaPH.
Thank you to AirAsia Philippines, USAID-Compete and Palawan Tourism Council for making this trip possible.
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