PUERTO PRINCESA CITY AND ITS ENVIRONS

Puerto Princesa City, the capital city of Palawan, is a first-class city and is the second largest in the country (Davao City being the first) in terms on land area.

* The city is a tropical paradise with a bustling urban center perfect for business with leisure trips. Forming part of the Philippines’ last frontier, the city is rich in natural resources and wonders.

* Often called 'City in the Forest', Puerto Princesa has been acclaimed several times as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines. According to the latest environmental findings, Puerto Princesa’s greenhouse gas inventory is carbon-neutral.

* The city is also acknowledged as ‘A city of the Living God’ as it is a mix of people with different religious beliefs, yet, are true disciples of God as they live in harmony and peace with nature, extending to their show of warmth and hospitality to tourists from foreign lands or to local visitors.

PUERTO PRINCESA TOUR PACKAGES

1. PUERTO PRINCESA CITY TOUR PACKAGE at P 750.00 per person

(Duration: 4 hours, either morning or afternoon)

Inclusions: Air-conditioned van, licensed tour guide, entrance fees and light snacks

This is a half-day tour around Puerto Princesa City. You will visit the Crocodile Farm which serves as the sanctuary and re-population programme of the Philippine Crocodile. The Mitra Ranch is located uphill of Sta. Monica area. Owned by former Philippine Senator, Ramon Mitra, it is basically a sprawling property giving you much room to explore, relax and take the sights across Honda Bay. Coming to Baker’s Hill is a fantastic wonderland experience with its abounding flora and fauna. Relish the mouth-watering baked goods such as the special Palawan hopia and delicious bread, all available to buy. Plaza Cuartel’s marker contains the names of eleven POWs who managed to survive the horrible massacre during World War II, the burning of more or less 150 American POWs done by Japanese soldiers on December 14, 1944. The century-old CATHEDRAL of the Immaculate Conception Parish is the center of spiritual refuge for locals and visitors of the city. The cathedral is an eye-catching edifice because of its unique architectural design. Baywalk is a developed seafront strip providing a scenic place to view the sunset. A quick stop off at Tiange-tiange for souvenir shopping completes the tour.

2. HONDA BAY ISLAND-HOPPING PACKAGE at P 1,900.00 per person

(Duration: 6 hours)

Inclusions: Air-conditioned van, licensed tour guide, travel insurance, environmental fee, entrance fees, boat rental, shed rental and picnic lunch. (Snorkeling gears are not included but can be rented at stalls along the Sta. Lourdes Wharf)

This tour takes you to Honda Bay located in the mid-eastern coast of the city. After a 45-minute van ride, a banca ride takes you for snorkeling, swimming, fish-feeding and kayaking or simply basking under the sun on its white sand beaches in any two or three of the following islands:

Pambato Reef - is a marine sanctuary that is home to different fishes and clams. The word ‘Pambato’ is a Filipino term for "bet" or "contender". The place was named as such because it is Puerto Princesa's bet/contender when it comes to the most beautiful reefs in Palawan.

Starfish Island - has the greatest population of Star Fish (Sea Stars) in all of Palawan, as evident in its name.

Luli Island - is actually a short term for "Lulubog - Lilitaw", which means sink and rise, which is what the Island does; at high tide the island disappears and at low tide, it reappears.

Cowrie Island - is named after the small-to-large sea snail, marine gastropod mollusk called "cowrie." The island has a number of cabanas, a pavilion and thatched-roof spa huts, all overlooking the sea and creating a beautiful, picturesque scene.

Pandan Island - has the finest, whitest sands of all the islands and has a lush tropical forest. This oval-shaped island offers stunning views of Honda Bay.

3. UNDERGROUND RIVER TOUR PACKAGE at P 2,500.00 per person

(Duration: 6 -8 hours)

Inclusions: Air-conditioned van, licensed tour guide, travel insurance, environmental fee, tour permit, boat rental, and buffet lunch.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean (or Underground) River National Park, a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, lies in the Saint Paul Mountain Range, 81 kilometers from the center of Puerto Princesa City, but still within the city boundaries, and one of the most distinguished protected areas of the Philippines. It was established as a National Park in 1971 primarily to protect and preserve one of the most impressive caves systems in the world and the extensive rainforest which is a habitat of diverse endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna. Recently voted as one of the 7 New Wonders of Nature, the Park is indeed a natural wonder. The Park consists of various land forms. It features a spectacular limestone or karst mountain landscape. The 8.2-km. long underground river that flows directly to the sea and subject to the ocean tides is reputed to be the longest navigable underground river in the world.

The Park Site has become a model for effective protected area management and sustainable tourism in the Philippines. It is a source of pride and a key element in the identity of the Filipino people, particularly to Palaweños. It is our symbol of commitment in the global efforts to conserve a natural heritage.

Important Reminder:

* A tour permit has to be secured at least a month in advance.

4. FIREFLY-WATCHING TOUR PACKAGE at P 1,500.00 per person

(Duration: 4 hours)

Inclusions: Air-conditioned van, licensed tour guide, travel insurance, dinner, and boat rental.

Firefly-watching is another memorable and exciting nature tour in the city. Taking place in the early evening, this tour dazzles you with the beauty of the flickering fireflies among the mangroves and nipa palms along the banks of the calm Kitu - Kito as you take a paddle boat cruise for around 45 minutes while watching and being educated by the tour guide about these insects and their significance to the environment.

On clear skies, stargazing is an added attraction to this tour.