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When you’re in the Philippines for a vacation, chances are you’ll probably go to is Boracay. In the past, Boracay was the number one beach destination in the country. Too much tourism, however, made the place a bit crowded. With the efforts of the current government, Boracay has been rehabilitated and is blooming once again.
However, did you know that there’s a place in the Philippines that has more awesome beaches than Boracay? Yes, such a place exists, and that place is Palawan. Don’t get it wrong though, Boracay is a great place to unwind, but there are just so many exciting and beautiful places to go in the country.
Palawan is home to numerous white sand beaches, which will tickle the most avid beachgoers. One of the seven wonders of the world also calls Palawan home, as The Underground River in Puerto Princesa, Palawan is just a boat ride away from its beaches. If you want to experience more of this hidden place, read on:
How Do I Get There?
First off, the province of Palawan isn’t really hidden. It’s just that more locals and foreigners prefer going to Boracay or any other beach due to word-of-mouth. Again, the beaches of Boracay are fantastic places to go, but Palawan is a whole new experience.
So how do you get there? There are lots of routes, depending on where you’re going first. If you want to go directly to Palawan’s capital Puerto Princesa, you can book a domestic flight from Manila. The best places in Palawan also have small airports like those in Busuanga and El Nido.
Arriving In Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan. When you arrive in the city, you’ll immediately notice the perfect balance between nature and a highly urbanized city, hence the name “The City in the Forest.” 2-3 days is enough to enjoy the places in the city. To get around, you can rent a motorbike or scooter for P500-1000 or $10-20 for up to 4 days. Alternatively, you can ride tricycles, which will only cost you P10 or $0.20, depending on your destination.
Don’t worry about language barriers and hospitality. Filipinos are one of the most hospitable people when it comes to foreigners. Most locals are also good at speaking English with some local tour guides being well versed in other languages such as Hangul, Nihongo, and Mandarin.
The Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park
One of the best spots to visit in Puerto Princesa is Sabang Beach. The beach is the starting point to visit many other islands near Puerto Princesa. Most notably, you can also get to the Underground Rivers through Sabang. The typical cost of a whole day tour in Puerto Princesa is about P2000 or $40. The inclusions of that tour are as follows:
- Transportation for the entire day
- A knowledgeable and friendly tour guide
- Lunch Buffet
- Boat Fee
- Terminal Fee
- Cave Entrance Fee
- Audio device for the trip
- Underground River tour
Do note that the environmental fee to most tours isn’t included in the package. Most environmental fees only cost $3 or P150. When you get to the Underground River, you’ll immediately notice the presence of wild monkeys loitering around the cave entrance. Don’t give out food or anything to these monkeys as they can bite or steal your other items. There are also large monitor lizards that patrol the riverside.
Since the place is a famous tourist spot, it’s expected that there’ll be a small line to the entrance of the caves. You can walk around the nearby beach, or you can sit down on the sandy river banks. Have your camera ready as there are rare occurrences where the monkeys and monitor lizards have funny interactions with each other.
When it’s your turn to enter the cave, follow the guidelines set by the appointed tour guide. The audio device which is included in your package will be then given to you. You also receive a free earphone for the device. Make sure that the audio device is working as the tour is very interactive.
A word of advice, though: Don’t ever look up with your mouth wide open when you’re inside the cave! Although there’s water dripping from the cave roof, the cave is also home to millions of bats, which can poop and pee anytime so, it’s best to keep your mouth closed. When you finish the tour, you’ll be ferried back to Sabang Beach for your free lunch.
That’s not pretty bad for $43, and the food for the buffet is incredible. Be on the lookout for a local delicacy called the “Tamilok.” Tamilok is a type of Shipworm found in the Philippines. Tamiloks are eating raw, with the dish resembling a ceviche. The dish is known to be an aphrodisiac, which can cost around $2-3.
What to do afterward?
After your underground river tour, you’ll be brought back to Puerto Princesa to your hotel. From there, you can enjoy the nightlife that the city has to offer. You can go to the famous Tiki bar where they have nightly bar games, live bands, dancing, and other activities. Other bars you can visit are Palaweño Brewery, Kinabuchs Grill & Bar, and many more.
If you prefer a more calm and serene dinner experience, you can go and visit Kalui Restaurant. The place offers authentic Filipino dishes along with a wide variety of locally grown fruits. When entering the restaurant, be sure to leave your shoes out. For more travel tips like these, you can visit https://travelright.com/ to know more.
El Nido and Coron
If you still have 3-5 more days on your schedule, you can either head north to El Nido or further north to Coron. If you want a mix between excellent nightlife and breathtaking beach lines, go to El Nido. For a more serene, cultural experience paired with natural beauty, head up further north to Coron.
Moneywise, El Nido is much expensive as there’s a lot to do and a lot to go. The island views and the coral reefs are mesmerizing. The bars in El Nido are also great, with a few of them being owned by naturalized foreigners or ex-pats. The expenses are worth it, though, as the experience you get from spending time in El Nido will want to make your stay.
Coron is much more affordable, but be careful when buying fruits. In some places in the Philippines, a bunch of small bananas can be between $0.50-$1. In Coron, a single banana can cost up to $1. The reason for this is that they mostly get their fruits from neighboring islands such as Mindoro. Coron is much known for its serenity and is a perfect place for couples to spend their vacation or honeymoon.
Takeaway
The Philippines is an awesome place with many hidden beaches and tourist spots. One of those places is Palawan. Known for its Underground Caves, Palawan also has cool places to visit, such as Puerto Princesa, Coron, and El Nido.