Backpacking is not really something most Pinoys delve into. But for those who are travelling on a shoe-string, at the same time like some candid adventures, then it’s the thing you might want to do.
Anyways here are the places I’ve been to and prices of accommodations stayed at which might be of help to those who are keen to go there:
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- what a way to wake up early in the morning and be greeted by this beauty
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- sunset in front of the cottage
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- the entrance of the cave
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- snorkeling at the big lagoon
Brookes’ Point
Puerto Princesa (PP)-Brookes’ point (BP)-P250 (Aircon van) 5 hrs
Accom- BP pension house-P350 (d/b w fan); P650 (w/aircon)
*I recommend you take aircon vehicles due to dusty roads, we tried the jeep, and we ended up looking like albinos. This place is really a small town, with nothing much to do, but they have nice view of sunrise on the shore.
Puerto Princesa
BP-PP- P250 (Aircon van) 5 hrsIwahig Penal Colony-City Center-P40
*Iwahig penal colony is famous for its unique jail management; prisoners due for release in 5 yrs can stay within the compound with their families with an income.
prisoners of iwahig penal colony
displayed products of the prisoners
Accom-
a)Banwa-P450 (w/fan and shared bathroom) with fancy decors that help create the ambiance
b)Manny’s pension house-P500-P600 (fan and shared bathroom) this one’s v simple, wooden house (Mendoza st., walking distance from Banwa)
Sabang
PP-Sabang- P600 (aircon van)
Accom-Mary’s pension house-P600 (you stay in your own cottage/w fan) this is located at the end of the right side of the junction where you will be dropped off, around 30min hike. You can choose a lot of nearby cottages though.
*You can check out the waterfall that flows directly to the sea. Interesting scene. It’s a 1.5 hours trek one way. The information center will tell u about this so u can’t miss this.
the entrance of the cave
*Subterranean underground river- you only have to pay P150(for local) P200(for foreigner) going to the famous underground river… if you opt to go there by just hiking. It’s only a 2-hour trek, one way. But the interesting part is you may choose the path in going there: monkey trail or the jungle trail. They’re both superb, but I like the monkey trail. U may also choose to take a boat, for a 15min ride, for P600 I think.
El Nido
Sabang-El Nido-P600
Accom-
Hadefe’s cottage- this is highly recommended coz of its beautiful cottage location: you can look at the sunset just in front of your cottage. Btw,Taiyo cafe is good place to hang out for nice food and internet.
sunset in front of the cottage
spectacular view from the top of the cliff
*cliff climbing (P250/pax)-one of activities which I enjoyed, you can see the whole of El Nido islands at the top
*squid fishing(P600/pax)-though I was not up and running in this activity due to motion sickness, it was really something different, when we went in the middle of the sea at night, and… went squid fishing. Rewarding part was when we grilled the fresh squids-sweet taste.
snorkeling at the big lagoon
Well, this note is for my friends who have been asking for details and recommendations. I could have missed a lot of things. But u can discover those things for yourselves when you get there. Hehehe. I really do hope you’d get there one of these days, so we can compare notes, about our appreciation over one of our country’s pride.
