My Palawan Packing List

My Palawan Packing List

Adult Handcarry

wallet

• money
• credit card used to purchase airline tickets
• ATM cards 
• IDs: driver's license, school ID
• plane tickets/email of ticket purchase: to be able to enter the airport

emergency medicines

• for travel sickness: bonamine
• for fever and headache: paracetamol, ibuprofen
• for stomach problems: kremil-s, imodium, buscopan
• for allergy: claritin, virlix solution

ballpen and notebook/paper
itinerary
digicam, handycam, battery, memory card, charger
laptop, charger, internet plug it
ipod, charger
toilet paper
hand sanitizer
food: sandwich or cookies
water
jacket

Kids' Handcarry

• jacket for plane ride 
• toy, book
• cellphone, cellphone charger
• ipod, ipod charger
• glasses, extra glasses (in case your child wears glasses)
• cap
• travel journal/ small notebook with friends' address
• ballpen
• emergency money 
• name tag/kid's ID tag 
• tissue/wetones

Check-in Luggage

toilettries:

• shampoo
• soap
• toothbrush
• toothpaste
• perfume, 
• deodorant, cologne
• gel, hairspray
• hairbrush or comb

clothes

• underwear
• shirt, blouse
• shorts
• pants
• nightclothes
• socks
• hanky
• swimsuit, sarong

first aid and medicine kit

• vitamins
• or travel sickness: bonamine
• for fever and headache: paracetamol, ibuprofen
  
• for stomach problems: kremil-s, imodium, buscopan, hydrite
  
• for allergy: claritin, virlix solution 
• for colds: strepsils, cough and cold medicines
•  bandaid, iodine, buds, thermometer 

for swimming:

•  sunblock
•  goggles, floaters, beach toy
• snorkel n mask
• aqua shoes
• underwater camera case
• underwater plastic case for gadgets, cellphones, wallet
   

off lotion for mosquitoes

• although Puerto Princesa is malaria-free (except for the rainforest and mountains), it's better to be safe by arming yourself with a mosquito repellant.
• see my article Is there Malaria in Palawan? Things to add to your packing list to avoid Malaria.

•  see my article List of mosquito repellent available in the Philippines

coconut oil for sandflies
powder detergent
sponge
collapsible cooler: in case you don't have a refrigerator in your room
airbed and airpump
plastic for wet clothes
belt bag
laundry bag
shoes
slippers

Packing List for the Island Hopping and Underground River Tour

waterproof backpacks 

Search Amazon.com for waterproof backpack

extra change of clothes
cellphone
swimsuit
  
Search Amazon.com for swimsuits for women 
Search Amazon.com for swimsuits for men 
Search Amazon.com for swimsuits for kids 

sunblock

   
Search Amazon.com for hawaiian tropic sunblock


off lotion
 

Search Amazon.com for insect repellent

coconut oil
 
Search Amazon.com for extra virgin coconut oil 

hand sanitizer
 
Search Amazon.com for hand sanitizer 

floaters
 
goggles
 
Search Amazon.com for goggles

snorkel n mask

Search Amazon.com for snorkel and mask set

aqua shoes
  
Search Amazon.com for aqua shoes 

underwater camera case
 
Search Amazon.com for underwater camera case 

waterproof case for gadgets, cellphones, wallet

 
Search Amazon.com for waterproof case 

beach toy
toilet paper

emergency medicines

slippers

bottled water

cookies or biscuits

3 days, 2 nights: My Puerto Princesa(Palawan) Itinerary with Kids

My Puerto Princesa (Palawan) Itinerary with Kids
(3 days, 2 nights)

Day 0
Pack (see my packing list)

• Is there Malaria in Palawan? Things to add to your packing list to avoid Malaria.

Day 1

Departure from Manila, Arrival at Puerto Princesa,
Honda Bay Island Hopping (Pandan Island, Snake Island, Starfish Island)

5:30 AM
Leave the house and go to the Manila Domestic Airport      

• see how to go to the Manila Domestic Airport 

7:00 AM 

Arrival at the Manila Domestic Airport    

• see facilities of the Manila Domestic Airport

8:00 AM 

Departure from Manila via Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines 

• other airlines flying to Puerto Princesa: Zest Air; the first flight of Zest Air is an afternoon flight so this is not option using this itinerary.

9:20 AM 

Arrival at Puerto Princesa Airport     

• In 2009, Puerto Princesa airport arrival area has not been fully constructed. We got our luggage in one carousel at the side of the Puerto Princesa airport departure area. They prioritized construction of the departure area so the departure area building is completely built 
• We were picked up by Joseph Hidalgo of Wildrock Travel and Tours. See his rates and contact information 

10:30 AM 

Check-in at Casa Linda Inn

• Casa Linda Inn is only 5 minutes ride from the airport

12:00 PM        

Pickup by Wildrock Tours for the Honda Bay Island hopping

• see Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour with Kids

1:00 PM 
Arrival at Sta. Lourdes Wharf

2:00 PM 
Arrival at Pandan Island: snorkeling, swimming

3:00 PM 
Arrival at Snake Island: snorkeling, swimming
4:00 PM 
Arrival at Starfish Island: snorkeling, swimming
5:00 PM         
Leave Starfish Island  and head back to the wharf
6:30 PM      
Stop over at Vietnamese village and Vietville restaurant to take out Vietnamese food

7:00 PM 

Dinner at Casa Linda Inn

Day 2

Underground River Tour

Click  here  to view of our Underground River Tour with kids courtesy of Wildrock Tours.

See article on what kids will like about the Underground River Tour 

See going on your own, if you do not want to go on tour.

6 AM         
Wakeup

7AM-10AM 
Travel from Puerto Princesa to Sabang Beach

10AM-12:00 PM 
Swimming at Sabang Beach while waiting for our turn to ride the outrigger to the Underground River Park

12:00 PM-1:00 PM 
Buffet Lunch at Tamaraw Resort
1:00 PM -1:30 PM 
Boat ride going to the Underground River Park
1:30 PM -3:00 PM 
Line up and take the Boat Tour inside the Underground River

• The Underground River Boat Tour only takes 30 minutes. The length of time you stay at the Underground River Park also depends on the length of time it takes to line up for the Underground River Boat Tour

3:00 PM-3:30 PM 
Boat ride from the Underground River Park going back to Sabang Beach
4:00 PM 
Depart Sabang Beach

6:00 PM 
Arrival at Casa Linda Inn

7:00 PM 

Dinner at Ka Lui Restaurant or Kinabuch

• Ka Lui Restaurant and Kinabuch are just walking distance from Casa Linda Inn.
• Kinabuch serves the tamilok, a wood worm, which is Palawan's famous delicacy

Day 3

Puerto Princesa City Tour, Departure from Puerto Princesa, Arrival in Manila

8:00 AM 
Wakeup

9:00 AM- 12:00 PM
Puerto Princesa City Tour
12:00 PM
Lunch at Ong's maki house near Casa Linda Inn

3:00 PM 
Departure from Casa Linda Inn

5:10 PM
Departure from Puerto Princesa
6:50 PM
Arrival in Manila

Pasalubong and souvenirs

I

Total cost of trip: 

• see summary of cost
• if you wish to compute for yourself, you can do it using my interactive excel file
  

Puerto Princesa City Tour

Puerto Princesa City Tour

  

These are the places to visit for the regular tour: Palawan Museum, Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, Plaza Cuartel, Princess Eulalia Park , Butterfly Garden , Crocodile Farm, Iwahig Penal Colony, Mitra’s Ranch and Baker’s Hill.

Since we're flying out of Puerto Princesa in the afternoon of the same day of the city tour, we only had the morning to take the tour. The tour lasted for only three (3) hours. From the list above, we only stopped and visited the following. The rest we just passed by but didn't go down the van to see.

First Stop: Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm

Why see Iwahig: It's the country's largest open prison. Some call it prison without walls. It's worth seeing this place because it's a completely different prison from the ones we normally see. It looks more like a village farm than a prison.

How to go there: It's a 30 minute ride from the city proper. You can go there by hiring a tricycle or by taking a jeepney along Valencia Street.

Entrance fee: None. There's no other cost, unless you buy souvenirs from the prisoners near the gate. We bought wooden keychains of assorted animals.

My tip: Get the tour so you have a guide explaining things to you and a van to bring you around the 37 hectare facility.

This gate is the only barrier to the rest of the world

The recreational hall of Iwahig

The farm of Iwahig where prisoners work daily

The prisoners working the farm

 Second Stop: Crocodile Farm

What Kids will like
1. They can see the skeleton and skin of one of the largest crocodile captured in the Philippines.

2. The tour includes seeing the small museum and the breeding tanks for crocodiles.

3.  They can hold a baby crocodile and have photos taken.

How to go there: It's a  5 minute tricycle ride from the city proper.

Entrance fee: 30 pesos including the tour

The skeleton of the largest crocodile captured is displayed at the lobby

While waiting for the crocodile farm tour to start, our tour guide explains the background of the farm to the kids.

The bones of the sperm whale as explained in the photo above

The farm tour started with a tour of the small museum.

Baby crocodiles bred in captivity in a small warehouse.

The crocodiles are brought outdoors once they grow larger.

At the end of the tour, we are allowed to hold and take photos of small crocodiles for a small fee.

 Third Stop: Baker's Hill

Baker's Hill is actually a bakeshop situated on top of the hill. They sell a lot of pastries, etc. Their garden is like a mini playground.

What kids will like: If you have young kids, they will enjoy the mini playground. But if not, you can choose to miss this stop.

 

  
Fourth Stop: Palawan Weaving

What kids will like: 
They were taught hands-on how to weave.They discovered how difficult and tedious weaving is.

My Tip: 
The rate for the city tour is standard in Puerto Princesa at 600 per head. It's available at the same rate even if you book it with your hotel or resort. Whether you travel alone or in a big group, the cost will be the same. But if you travel in a big group like us, it's better to hire your own tour guide who will cover everything from transportation to the fees for the ff reasons:

1. You can request that the van be exclusive to your group.

2. If you book it direct with the tour guide rather than thru your hotel or resort, he can give you further discounts. In our case, Joseph Hidalgo gave us a 10% discount and free airport transfers. See his rates

What kids will love about snorkeling at Balicasag Island

 What Kids Will Love
Snorkeling at Balicasag Island

To kids and kids at heart, to those who already know how to snorkel and those who will snorkel for the first time, I would say that Balicasag Island is worth the trouble of learning to snorkel for the very first time. After seeing the snorkeling site and the coral sanctuary, I understood why people from all over the world say that it's the best snorkeling site in the Philippines and one of the best in the world. The diversity of marine life in a small area and in shallow and quiet waters make it unique. This is a must do and must see site for kids.

1. Balicasag Island is only 30 minutes away by boat from Alona Beach, Panglao Island. 

Remember how impatient kids get to arrive at a destination? "Are we there yet?" is a common line parents hear when traveling with kids. Since Balicasag Island is just 30 minutes away from the popular Alona Beach, where most families would probably stay, it's near enough for kids to enjoy.

2. The waters at the snorkeling site of Balicasag island is shallow. 

During low tide, you can walk on the corals while snorkeling. At high tide, you can use your life jacket to float on water. There's no danger of unwittingly getting out of shallow water because the locals cordoned off the snorkeling site to guide tourists where to remain while snorkeling. For amateur swimmers, you can safely let go of the life jacket and enjoy fully the marine life underneath.

3. The waters at the snorkeling site of Balicasag island is calm and quiet.

Unlike the waters of Honda bay in Palawan, which has strong undercurrents, the waters at Balicasag is calm and quiet. A child who snorkels for the first time will not find the experience intimidating. When undercurrents are strong, you struggle to keep afloat and at the same place. Snorkeling will be challenging under these circumstances. When waters are calm, you can simply enjoy watching the marine life.

4. What is truly fantastic when snorkeling at Balicasag is the diversity of marine life in just a small area of water.

You're able to experience what divers see in much deeper water, except that in this case, you are just snorkeling at shallow waters a few meters from the shore. Kids can already witness the beauty of the marine life without having to be professional drivers.

To know more about how the tour goes, see Our day at Balicasag Island and Virgin Island.

To know more about what to bring when snorkeling, see here

My Tip

Do not go to Balicasag island if no one in your group will snorkel or dive when you visit the island. Your time will be wasted. The beauty of Balicasag island can only be found underwater and not on the island. The beach front has white but coarse sand interspersed with dead corals so it's fairly uncomfortable to swim on the beach without wearing aqua shoes. Even if you tour the island, there won't be a lot to see that would make the trip worth the time and expense.

Batanes Resort: Summary, Review and My Traveler's Photos

Batanes Resort: Summary, Review and My Traveler's Photos

I recommend Batanes Resort because it is budget-friendly and affordable without having to sacrifice comfort and convenience. It has a restaurant with affordable meals. It is also possible to walk into town from Batanes Resort, although the walk will be long. 

My tip:

I have two reasons why you should book early:
1. They only have 6 hillside cottages with 2 rooms each. It will be easy for the resort to become fully booked.
2. If you book early, you can request the Itbayat and Sabtang rooms. They are the rooms with the best views of the South China Sea. The other rooms have limited views or no views at all.

Summary of Rates, Inclusions and Amenities:

• Rates: 1800 pesos per room per day, a maximum of 3 persons
• Rooms: air-conditioned, with 2 beds, hot and cold shower, private toilet and bath, free toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, tissue), cable tv, writing desk 
• free airport transfers
• with restaurant offering a variety of meals at rates ranging from 100-230 pesos per person

Traveler's Photos

I prefer travelers' photos when researching on accommodations because they are usually more accurate. They show accomodations "as-is", since the travelers who take them usually don't have any financial interest in promoting the hotel/resort.

Rates as of March 2010

Architecture is made of stone typical of Ivatan houses

  The Room

As taken from the door of the room

Location Map
 

View Larger Map

Batanes Resort location in relation to Basco town location
(Batanes Resort is in the lower left of the map. Just pass the cursor on the marks to see the names)

 

Fundacion Pacita v. Batanes Resort

Fundacion Pacita v. Batanes Resort

If you have the funds for it, I definitely recommend Fundacion Pacita. It's a bit expensive (much like booking a room at a 5-star hotel in Manila) but definitely worth it. However, if you're on a tight budget, your best bet is to stay at Batanes Resort.

1. Cost of Accommodations

Fundacion Pacita: from 7950 pesos pesos per room per night for a terrace suite, and from 8124 pesos per room per night for a family suite, and from 11268 per room per night for a luxury terrace suite

• maximum of two persons in a room for a terrace suite, maximum of 5 persons in a room for a luxury terrace suite.

• minimum booking of 2 nights.

Batanes Resort: 1800 pesos per room per night

• maximum of three (3) persons in a room

2. Room Amenities

Fundacion Pacita: air-conditioned rooms, hot and cold shower, private toilet and bath, free toilettries, no tv, view deck, mini ref, hairdryer

Batanes Resort:  air-conditioned rooms, hot and cold shower, private toilet and bath, free toiletries, cable tv in every room

3. Inclusions in Accommodations

Fundacion Pacita: set breakfast, half-day cultural heritage tour, free water, full time generator during brownouts

Batanes Resort:

4. Airport Transfers

Fundacion Pacita: free airport transfers

Batanes Resort: free airport transfers

5. Cost of Meals

Fundacion Pacita: 550-750 pesos per person

Batanes Resort: 100-230 pesos per meal at the resort

6. Transportation Options

Fundacion Pacita: tricycle rate from Fundacion Pacita to town: 90 pesos

Batanes Resort: tricycle rate from Batanes resort to town: 50 pesos

I recommend Fundacion Pacita because of the view, the stylish accommodations and the beautiful surroundings. However, the disadvantage of staying at Fundacion Pacita is you do not have a lot of meal options if you opt not to go out because the chef offers very limited choices. Also, the distance from town will not make it possible for you to walk down the hill where Fundacion is located. You will have to hire a tricycle or a van to go to town, or rent a motorcycle from one of the staff of Fundacion.


I recommend Batanes Resort because it is budget-friendly and affordable without having to sacrifice comfort and convenience. It has a restaurant with affordable meals. It is also possible to walk into town from Batanes Resort, although the walk will be long.

Location Map

Fundacion Pacita in relation to Batanes Resort and Basco Airport/Basco Town

Fundacion Pacita is indicated by a triangle mark below, and Batanes Resort is marked on the left. Just pass the cursor on the marks to see the names.

Arrival at Basco, Batanes Airport

Arrival at Basco, Batanes Airport

Basco Airport terminal

Basco Airport is not your usual Philippine domestic airport. It is housed in a small terminal building that has the same beautiful design as the building of Fundacion Pacita. Upon arrival, you immediately get the impression that Batanes is a different place from the rest of the country. The airport terminal itself is different. It is quaint, neat and quiet, much like what you will find when you go into Basco town and its surrounding areas. 

After the door of the plane opened, we were instructed to stay seated while the airport staff brought out the luggage. The first thing I noticed when the door opened was the peace and quiet. There wasn't a lot of activity going around since we were the only plane that landed. Unlike other airports, landing at Basco Airport is a totally different experience from landing at other bigger airports.

Since we were only few who arrived that day, the airport staff were very informal . The plane was almost full. We were only around 28 passengers who arrived on the second and last flight of the day.

At the arrival area, there is no luggage carousel where you retrieve your luggage.  The luggage is just hauled into the common area inside the terminal arrival area, where the registration desk is located.

The airport is only open only in the mornings. Sea air flights depart and arrive only in the mornings.

Since we were staying at Fundacion Pacita, we were picked up by their van together with other passengers of Seair who are also staying at Fundacion Pacita. 

Facilities of Basco Airport:

1. clean and new toilets

2. small airconditioned departure lounge area.

3. souvenir stall inside the terminal

4. souvenir stall outside the terminal and near the gate 

5. registration desk

Below are some photos to give you an idea of what you will encounter upon arrival at Basco Airport:

In front of the door to the arrival area

Registration desk

Location Map of Basco Airport