Puerto Princesa Because

Because my vacation was too short, I had very limited time to spend in Puerto Princesa City. Very little time that it only served as my transit point to San Vicente.

Because my flight arrived at 3PM, too late for the last trip (at 2PM) to Brgy Port Barton in San Vicente, I had to stay the night in Puerto Princesa City.

Airport Park, Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City

0949 762 8998

Right beside the airport's exit gate was where I stayed. Not on the street, but at Natua's Cabin. I had made a reservation for a single fan room (Php 450) through text message a week before (with confirmation), but for some reason, when I arrived, the reservation wasn't on their book. Fortunately, a single fan room was still available. (Nearly had to stay on the street!) 

They put me up in Room 13; the room and its en suite toilet and shower were clean. It had a wall fan, table, stool, a shelf (in lieu of a cabinet), and four outlets. It had a sliding window with a screen (for when you want to let some air in, but not the mosquitoes) and with too short a curtain (for when you want some privacy, but not really...since this cabin is a bit elevated, the bottom part of the window, where the curtain fails to cover, is eye level to people passing by). Towel (for a deposit of Php 100), soap, shampoo, and toilet paper were provided.

The only downside to that room was the threadbare bed sheet and the window screen which did not have a lock so I had to close the glass windows (which had a lock) at night. Luckily it was raining, and the room, with the fan on steady, was comfortably cool.

I stayed at Natua's Cabin a second time, a few days later, and was put up at Room 25. This was a corner room and had windows on two sides. It, too, was clean. The bed sheet this time was better and the curtains longer. But it still had a downside: the door knob was broken and I had to check it a couple times to be sure it locked properly.

So...Pros:

• Natua's Cabin is right beside the airport (very convenient if you have an early morning flight the next day!) but I hardly heard airplanes. 
• Rooms are clean, comfortable, and affordable. The single fan room costs Php 450 a night; single AC room at Php 800.
• They have a restaurant.
• WiFi is available at the restaurant.
• After check out, you may leave your bags at the reception.

Because my time in Puerto Princesa was too short to go on a Honda Bay Tour (and I had already done the City Tour years ago), I killed time in Puerto Princesa by eating.

369 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

(048) 433 2580 / 0928 753 9621

Monday to Saturday

Lunch 11AM to 2PM

Dinner 6PM to 1030PM

online@kaluirestaurant.com 

Whenever I am in Puerto Princesa, a meal at KaLui is a must on my to-do list. Since KaLui Restaurant is always fully booked, I remembered to make a reservation through email to secure my seat at this popular restaurant. I won't be writing about this visit's meal, but if you want to know more about the restaurant, please go ahead and read about my 2014 visit. (Nothing much has changed since then except for the price—everything on the menu has gone up by about Php 30.)

46 Fernandez St., Puerto Princesa City

0939 916 1524 

Saturday to Thursday 11AM to 9PM

Friday 11AM to 3PM

So as not to feel guilty for doing nothing but eat, I went for healthy food at Imas Vegetarian Restaurant. I ordered tempeh (Php 100), grilled mushroom and eggplant sandwich (Php 120), and calamansi juice (Php 70). When I asked the server what tempeh was she only said fermented soy beans. It didn't sound appealing, but I ordered it anyway. And I am glad I did. It turned out to be soy fries (or something like that) and tasted interesting...in fact, I loved it, and I kept popping it into my mouth 'til my plate was clean. As for the sandwich, I loved the smokiness of the grilled mushroom and eggplant. Plus they weren't stingy with the sandwich filling.

Rizal Avenue Extension, Puerto Princesa City

(048) 433 5255

Tuesday to Sunday 9AM to 830PM

I visited Rene's Saigon on a rainy morning with my stomach rumbling for bahn mi (french bread sandwich) and a hot noodle soup. Unfortunately, the former was unavailable as they still had to bake their bread (I guess it is best to visit them after 3PM for bahn mi cravings). For only Php 80, the hot beef stew noodle soup, though the noodles were too sticky and clumpy, sure hit the spot that rainy morning.

Because I had to go to Port Barton the next day, I had to catch a van ride at San Jose Terminal. The terminal, some seven kilometers from the airport, is where vans and buses to different parts of Palawan, such as Taytay, Roxas, Port Barton, San Vicente Poblacion, El Nido, Rio Tuba, etc begin their journey.

The cheapest way to get to San Jose Terminal from the airport is to take a tricycle to Junction 1 (Php 8), then a jeepney (or "multicab" as the locals call it) to San Jose Terminal (the sign on the side of the jeepney/multicab would be San Jose/New Market/Terminal; the last stop is the San Jose Terminal; fare from Junction 1 to the terminal is Php 13). This tricycle and jeepney/multicab combo would only cost you Php 21. A more expensive option (if you're going solo) but without the hassle of transfers is to hire a tricycle (Php 70).