I knoooow, Puerto Princesa is a usual destination whenever we thought of travelling because it is like hitting two birds with one stone, and by that, I mean Puerto Princesa and El Nido. To those who can't afford or find it very expensive to fly direct from Manila to El Nido, Puerto Princesa is the gateway to this paradise which is about 8 hours by bus or van as I've seen to some travel blogs.
We went here last March for the boyfie's birthday celebration just because we rather spend money on experience than material things. I know most of you have been here but I still would like to share my travel itinerary and how much we spent for a 4d3n stay here.
The most important of all, airfare, which doesn't come cheap. Most of you already know the drill, but again, to score cheap plane tickets, book ahead of time and wait for promos from budget airlines like AirAsia Zest and Cebu Pacific which has promos especially during the holidays. PAL Express though also has promos but not as cheap as the two budget airlines, but you'll get what you pay for.
I booked our plane ticket from AirAsia Zest last June 2015. Fare cost Php 2,242.40 for a roundtrip ticket for the both of us already. Baggage allowance not included though but it's just around 160.00++ for 15 kilos.
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| via Air Asia |
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| Touchdown PPS! |
Accommodation
I wanted to stay in a local hotel/ inn in Puerto Princesa but I cannot find THE ONE that fits my budget and my standards. So, I booked our stay in Go Hotels. Please believe me when I say that our 4 days, 3 nights stay only cost PHP 1,993.60 for a twin room, with own bathroom, air-conditioning, TV, and toiletries. The hotel is modern and the most important, it is clean. Go Hotel is like an airline too, book early and you'll get cheaper rates.
The hotel is located in North Road, Brgy San Manuel, Puerto Princesa City about less than an hour to and from the airport depends on the traffic. Going downtown, or if you will look for a place to eat like Ka Lui or Kinabuch which is near the airport, tricycle fare is around fifty to sixty pesos for a special trip. Rate is a bit expensive at night but will not go over a hundred pesos.
For transfers from airport to Go Hotel, while we are looking for a tricycle, someone approached us to ask where we'll stay and I said Go Hotel, he immediately informed us that the hotel has free transfer for their guests. He's not an employee of the hotel I suppose because he's not wearing the uniform, but I assume they're a partner and Go Hotel just pays them for every trip. I was not able to confirm this to the front desk but we also had free transfer to the airport.
For transfers from airport to Go Hotel, while we are looking for a tricycle, someone approached us to ask where we'll stay and I said Go Hotel, he immediately informed us that the hotel has free transfer for their guests. He's not an employee of the hotel I suppose because he's not wearing the uniform, but I assume they're a partner and Go Hotel just pays them for every trip. I was not able to confirm this to the front desk but we also had free transfer to the airport.
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| Twin Room |
Tours
For our tours, I always prefer to DIY, but I have read that permit is needed for the Puerto Princesa Underground River tour, I knew I needed the help of a travel agency. I searched all over google and social media sites to look for the cheapest rate, and I found it on Facebook. The usual rate for tours like the Underground River and Honda Bay Island Hopping is around less than Php 2,000 pesos per tour BUT, I booked our tours at I loveph Destinations Travel and Tours for 940.00 only per person per tour and it already includes the processing and the permit for the PPUR and entrance fees for the island hopping. And we only have to pay 500.00 each to reserve our slot. We only paid a total of Php 3,760.00!! For the city tour, usual rate from travel agencies cost Php 600.00 each in an air conditioned van. Expensive? We were able to have a tricycle tour of the city for Php 600.00 for up to 4 persons. Its just me and the boyfie but it's still cheaper compared to the agency rate plus we can go on our own pace, skip places we don't want and stay in a place how long we want.
Puerto Princesa Underground River - Php 940.00/ person (Php 1,880/ 2pax)
Honda Bay Island Hopping - Php 940.00/ person (Php 1,880/ 2pax)
Puerto Princesa City Tour - Php 600.00/ 2 persons
Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour
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| at the end of PPUR tour |
Honda Bay Tour (Island Hopping)
For the island hopping, we stopped by a store to rent snorkeling gear and aqua shoes which cost Php600.00 for the two of us.
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| Luli Island |
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| Cowrie Island |
City Tour
Entrance Fees:
- Kuyba Almoneca- 100.00 each (Php200.00/2)
- Crocodile Farm - 40.00 each (Php80.00/2)
- souvenir photo - Php 180.00
- Mitra's Ranch - 20.00 each ( Php40.00/2)
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| Kuyba Almoneca |
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| Crocodile Farm |
Food
Day 1: Kinabuchs Grill and Bar
On our first day, we had our dinner in Kinabuchs Bar and Grill. We had smoked baby back ribs, sizzling tuna, a platter of rice and mango shake for Php 700.00. Tricycle from Go Hotel to the restaurant is Php 60.00 and to the hotel is Php 80.00 because its already late.
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| Dinner |
Day 2: Baywalk
I was not able to take note how much we spent here but it's a set meal, probably around Php 300-400.
Day 3: Ka Lui
Dinner at Ka Lui is a set meal for Php 650.00. From Go Hotel to the restaurant, we paid Php 80.00 for the tricycle. After dinner we had a slice of toblerone cheesecake in Divine Sweets for Php110.00. We wanna try Halo-Halo in Noki- Nocs but its sold out already. From Ka Lui to Noki Nocs, we paid Php40.00 and Php50.00 from Noki Nocs to Go Hotel. This restaurant is very popular in the city so I suggest you call them for reservation because they're always full. If you weren't able to call, you can still go but you have to wait for the others to finish or wait for those who will not show up.
Day 4: Baker's Kitchen
Baker's Kitchen is a part of the city tour and it's the famous pasalubong shop in the city. We finally had the famous crocodile sisig for lunch plus chicken cordon bleu for Php506.00
Day 1: Our first day is a free day because its an afternoon flight for us.
Day 2: Honda Bay Island Hopping. We also had some pasalubong shopping after the tour.
Day 3: Third day is the Puerto Princesa Underground River.
Day 4: Last day is for the city tour, pasalubong shopping and our flight back to Manila.
Summary of Expenses for 2
- Airfare - 2,242.40
- Accommodation - 1,993.60
- Tours - 4,860.00
- Underground River
- Honda Bay
- City Tour
- Entrance Fees
- Food - 2,464.00
- Pasalubong - 3,660.00
- Others - 520.00 (tricycle fare)
TOTAL: Php 15,738
I was able to score cheap airfare, cheap accommodation and tour but I didn't expect that we spent almost 16,000 pesos!! I don't know if it's cheap for some, but I felt we spent too much on this trip because of the pasalubong and food. I admit, we had so much fun shopping for pasalubong in Baker's Hill. Nevertheless, it's all worth it!
xx, Joyce
