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Showing posts with label palawan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label palawan. Show all posts

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Kuyba Almoneca: The Holy Face Within the Underground Holy Family Cave in Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines

After going to Estrella Falls and returning to San Jose Terminal, we took a trike for 150 php to Kuyba Almoneca Meditation Garden and Spiritual Resort.

kuyba almoneca meditation garden
We came to know about Kuyba Almoneca when we shared our woes with our trike driver Jeremy that our Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour might be cancelled because of the upcoming storm.  We were very fortunate because all the tours where cancelled for on the day before us but the storm calmed and seized on our scheduled dateBut, we're still curious about this alternative destination so we squeezed it on our itinerary.

kuyba almoneca meditation garden
The place was surprisingly huge.  This is were we paid for our entrance fee of 50 php per person and got our guide.  There's an informational board about "Neil", the autistic son of the owner, who you may encounter wandering around the area.  We saw him but he was pre-occupied.

kuyba almoneca meditation garden
Our visit to Kuyba Almoneca Meditation Garden is to see The Holy Face within the Holy Family Cave.   Kuyba means cave in Bicolano and Almoneca is the combination of the names of the children of the owners.  Neil being the NE we supposed. 

kuyba almoneca meditation garden
On our way to the cave, we passed by the chapel were preparations are being made for a wedding.

kuyba almoneca meditation garden

There's also a banquet area which was lavishly decorated for the occassion.  We're told that they cater to weddings, baptismals, birthdays, debuts, seminars, retreats and other religious activities.

kuyba almoneca station of the cross
There are Stations of the Cross spread over the wide track of land.  There's a bit of a history about it too.


*All unwatermarked photos credited to Travel Tripsters Kurt
Each station has a narrative.

kuyba almoneca station of the cross

The stations are well-built.  We could tell that the owner put all his heart and devotion to faith into them.

bats cave
There's also a Bat's Cave where bats fly out at night and come in before dawn.

kuyba almoneca holy family cave
Finally, we reached the Holy Family CaveIt is a 40-meter underground cave that was accidentally discovered when the lot was being surveyed for construction.

kuyba almoneca holy family cave
It was dug and furnished for the ease and convenience of the visitors.

kuyba almoneca holy family cave
There are already rails, pathways and displays of saints which were a mix of both bought by and donated to the owner.

kuyba almoneca holy family cave
You can observe the rock formations up close but of course, you can't touch them or it will deteriorate due to our bodily chemicals.

kuyba almoneca holy family cave
It's amazing right?

kuyba almoneca holy family cave
These formations indicate that the area used to be underwater.

kuyba almoneca holy family cave
Can you see The Holy Face?
 
kuyba almoneca holy family cave
The Holy Face

In a certain angle, you can see The Holy Face which is they believe to be the face of Jesus Christ.  Do you agree?

kuyba almoneca holy family cave
There's a giant shell there too.  

kuyba almoneca holy family cave
Although you can go there when it's raining, it's better if it isn't because the cave has a lot of holes.

kuyba almoneca holy family cave


kuyba almoneca holy family cave

More of the statues...
kuyba almoneca holy family cave
This is the very last past of the cave.  So this is why it is called The Holy Family Cave

kuyba almoneca holy family cave
The cave is said to be more than 40-meters but they didn't explore further anymore since the other areas are filled with junk because locals thought of the holes we saw earlier as instant garbage bins.

Overall, we Travel Tripsters, enjoyed this spiritual adventure.  If you have an extra time in your itinerary, you can squeeze this in as the entrance fee is minimal.

Kuyba Almoneca Meditation Garden and Spiritual Resort
Address Sitio Masikap, Brgy. San Jose Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
Budget Per Person 50 php Kuyba Almoneca Meditation Garden Map
Payment Options Cash

Operating Hours Monday to Sunday:
(even holidays)
8am-5pm
Reservation Required No
Contact  (6348) 433-2855 |     
 (6348)433-3177     
 (6348)723-0295| 
 Website

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Puerto Princesa City Travel Guide (Palawan Philippines)

Puerto Princesa City is located in the western midsection provincial island of Palawan, Philippines.   It is bound to the east by the Sulu Sea, to the west by the South China Sea, to the north by the municipalities of San Vicente and Roxas, and to the south by the municipality of Aborlan
It is has an area of 2,381.02 square kilometers 919.32 sq mi making it the second largest city (next to Davao City) in the Philippines.  Despite the wide land area, it only has a population of 222,673 people making it the least densely populated city in the Philippines.

Originally, the place was named after Princess Asunción, born in 1864 to Queen Isabella II and her consort, Francisco de Cádiz.   But, when she died, it was changed to Puerto de la Princesa and it was later on, shortened to its name today.


Since it was founded by the Spanish Colonizers, it has been the center of activities in Palawan
The City has gained the distinction of being a beautiful model city in terms of cleanliness,
environmental protection and conservation, and local governance in general.  It is one of the first carbon-neutral city in the Philippines as the carbons are absorbed by its vast forests.
It's natural environment and promotion for ecotourism is the key to the economic development of the city.  Being the eco-tourism center of the Philippines, it has lots of hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and a mall (Robinsons Place Palawan).  It also has a lot of banks and ATMS available. 

Puerto Princesa City Map


Climate
Puerto Princesa has a tropical wet and dry climate. It is usually wet from June to December and with very little rain from February to May.   Although generally, warm and humid all year round, it is warmest on March to May and coldest on November to February.

Puerto Princesa City Trip Budget
The Budget for a Puerto Princesa City Trip  ranges from 3,500 php to 15,000 php.  Your Puerto Princesa City Trip Budget should include allocations for the following:

  • Accommodation (Where to Stay in Puerto Princesa City) - Around 450-10,000 per person
    • A&A Plaza Hotel (National Highway cor. Wescom Road) (048) 434-2274 | frontdesk@aaplazahotel.com
    • Abelardo's Pension (D. Manga Street) (048) 433-2195
    • Albon Pension (Lacao-Carandang Streets) (048) 434-8582
    • Aldo's Residence (Rizal Avenue)  (048) 433-2195
    • Amelia Pensionne (Rizal Avenue) (048) 433-7029  
    • Aniceto's Pension (Reynoso Street) (048) 434-6667
    • Astoria Hotel (North National Hi-way Brgy. San Rafael, Honda Bay) (048) 433-9744 
    • Audissie Pension (Malvar Street) (048) 433-4153 
    • Aziza Paradise Hotel (BM Road, Brgy. San Manuel)
    • Badjao Inn (Rizal Avenue) (048) 433-2761
    • Balai Felicisima (Rizal Avenue Ext. Brgy. Bancao-Bancao) (048) 433–0143
    • Banwa Art House (Liwanag Street) (048) 434-8963 - destroyed by fire on Oct 2014
    • Baragatan Inn (Junction 1, Brgy. San Miguel) (048) 434-5289
    • Bulwagang Princesa (Brgy. Tiniguiban) (048) 433-6079
    • Bundal Inn (Brgy. San Miguel) 
    • Casa Fuerte (Libis Road Brgy. San Pedro) (048) 434-1885 
    • Casa Linda Inn (Trinidad Road, Rizal Avenue) (048) 433-2606
    • Casis Pensionne (New Buncag) (0920) 513-2946
    • Casitas de az Pension (Valencia Street cor. Bonifacio (A. Abueg) Street, Brgy. Bagong Silang) (048) 434-1945
    • Cecilia's Comfort Inn (PEO Road) (0906) 506-7218
    • Circon Businessman's Inn (Rizal Avenue) (048) 433-2738
    • Color Mansion (Rizal Avenue) (048) 434-9406
    • Citystate Asturias Hotel (South National Highway, Brgy. Tiniguiban) (048) 433-9744 
    • D' Lucky Garden Inn, Apartelle & Suites (PEO Road) (048) 433-6576 | (048) 433-2719 | luckygardeninn@yahoo.com
    • Dallas Inn and Cafe (Carandang Street) (0919) 967-8558
    • Dangkalan Inn (BM Road Brgy. San Miguel) (048) 434-9207 
    • De Loro Inn (PEO Road Brgy. Bancao Bancao)  (048) 434-8408 
    • Deep Forest Garden Inn (Abueg Road Brgy. Bancao Bancao) (048) 434-1702
    • Dolce Vita Hotel (Wescom Road) (048) 434-5357
    • Dos Palmas Island Resort & Spa
    • Duchess Pension (E. Valencia Street) (048) 433-2873
    • Edgardo's Place (Rizal Avenue)  (048) 434-2365 
    • EJ Pension (PEO Road Brgy. Bancao Bancao)  (0919) 342-6225
    • Empire Suites Hotel (Rizal Avenue) (048) 434-2290
    • Felix Pension (Rizal Avenue) (0918) 488-3856
    • Ferzal Hotel Palawan (Rizal Avenue Extension, Brgy. Bancao Bancao)
    • Garcellano Tourist Inn (Rizal Avenue) (048) 433-2314
    • GoHotels Puerto Princesa (Puerto Princesa North Road, Brgy. San Manuel) (0922)464-6835
    • Grande Vista Hotel (Malvar Street) (048) 433-6537
    • Hibiscus Garden Inn (Manalo Extension) (048) 434-1273
    • Holiday Suites (North National Highway, Brgy. Tiniguiban) (048) 433-2526
    • Hotel Centro (San Pedro National Highway) (048) 434-1111 | customercare@hotelcentro.ph
    • Hotel Fleuris (Lacao Street)
    • House of Big Brother (Manalo Extension) (048) 723-5088 
    • House of Rose (Abueg Road) (0916) 721-1926
    • Irenea's Country Inn (Rizal Avenue) (048) 434-8581
    • Irma Maria Pension (Manalo Extension) (0915) 980-4971
    • Jeshiela Guesthouse (Malvar Street) (048) 433-4157
    • Jilian Tourist Inn (San Pedro National Highway) (048) 434-2627
    • Kim's Hot Spring Resort & Restaurant (Main Road Brgy. Sta. Lourdes) (048) 723-1608
    • Kokaaburra Travel Lodge (Abueg Road) (048) 434-1580
    • Kuhl-In Pension (Libis Road Ligaya Street, Brgy. San Pedro) (048) 433-3420 | marlonns@yahoo.com
    • La Charica Inn (Abad Santos) (048) 434-2088
    • Legend Hotel Palawan (Malvar Street)
    • Liberty Park Pension (Liberty Road) (048) 434-9782
    • Lola Itang Pension (Roxas Street) (048) 433-2990
    • Mabini Pension (Mabini Street) (048) 433-3311
    • Manggahan Pension (Rizal Avenue) (048) 433-5286
    • Mary The Queen Apartelle (Taylor Road, Brgy. Tiniguiban) (048) 433-4013
    • Matutina Pensionne (Taft Street) (048) 434-2496
    • Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Puerto Princesa (Brgy. San Jose) (048) 723-0977
    • Moana Hotel (Rizal Avenue) (048) 434-4753
    • Niko's Cabanas Inn (Rodriguez Road, Brgy. San Jose) (048) 434-9876 
    • One Rover's Place (Rizal Avenue) (048) 434-1338
    • Oro Bonito Place (National Highway Brgy. San Miguel) (0923) 722-2123
    • Pagdayon Traveler's Inn (Rizal Avenue) (048) 434-9102   
    • Palawan Village Hotel (048) 434-4436
    • Palo Alto Bed & Breakfast (Kawayanan Street, Libis Road, Brgy. San Pedro) (048) 434-2159
    • Payuyo Pension (Manalo Street) (048) 434-3363
    • Princess Inn (Malvar Street) (048) 433-4218
    • Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa
    • Puerto Pension (Malvar Street) (048) 433-2969 | (048) 433-4149
    • RAQ Pension (Malvar Street) (048) 433-2533 
    • Rengel Hotel (Valencia Street) (048) 433-2584
    • Royal Crown Inn (Dacanay Road, Brgy. Maningning) (048) 434-1193    
    • Royal Oberoi (South National Hi-way Esteban Road, Santa Monica) (048) 434-5502
    • San Juan House (Taft Street) (048) 434-1207
    • Seaport Inn (Bgy. Bagong Pag-Asa) (0917) 558-8284
    • Seasons Guesthouse (Roxas Street, Brgy. Kalipay) (048) 434-3388 | (0917) 850-0928 | info@seasonsguesthouse.com
    • Sheena's Cottages (Libis Road) (048) 433-23693
    • Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa (Sabang)
    • Sikad-Sikad Pension (Rizal Avenue) (048) 433-5286
    • Skylight Apartelle (Rizal Avenue) (048) 434-4872 
    • Sunlight Guest Hotel (Malvar Street)
    • The Legend Hotel Palawan (Malvar Street) (048) 434-4270 | (048) 433-9076
    • Tropical Sun Inn (Manalo Street) (048) 433-6493    
    • Venture Ville Pension (Manalo Street) (048) 433-2843
    • Vian Pension House (Brgy. San Miguel) (048) 433-5289 
    • Villa Leonora Beach Resort (National Highway, Sitio Dacutan, Brgy. San Rafael) (0999) 413-3247
    • Vim Pension (Fernandez Street) (048) 433-3190   
    • White View Paradise Hotel (Manalo Ext.) (048) 433-5526 
    • Willy's Pension (BM Road, Brgy. San Manuel) (048) 433-3454  
    • Ysabelle Mansion (Abad Santos Extension) (048) 723-0992
  • Activities
    • Art and Culture Appreciation
      • Galeri Kamarikutan
      • Palawan Museum
      • Palawan State University Museum
    • Dolphin Watching
    • Festivals
      • February 14 - Love Affair with Nature
      • March 4 - Balayong Festival
      • April 1 - Pangalipay sa Baybay
      • April Full Moon - Kamarikutan Pagdiwata Arts Festival
      • April 3rd week - Seafood Festival
      • May 1st week - Karagatan Festival
      • June 3rd week - Feast of the Forest and Baragatan Sa Palawan
      • December 8 - City Fiesta
    • Watersports
    • Kite Boarding
    • Sailing
  • Food (Around 150-400 php per meal)
    • Restaurants:
      • Avegon Bakeshop & Restaurant (048) 433-4344 | (048) 433-2166
      • Badjao Restaurant (Rizal Avenue Extension) (048) 433-2761 | (048) 433-2380 | (048) 433-2180
      • Badjao Sea Front (Circumferential Road) (048) 433-3501 | (048) 433-3503
      • Balinsasayaw Grill & Restaurant (Manalo Street/Rizal Avenue) (048) 434-5804
      • Baker’s Hill (Mitra Road) (048) 433-3501
      • Bilao at Palayok (Rizal Avenue) 
      • Bistro Cabalen (Quezon Street) (048) 433-2817 
      • Bona's Chao Long Haus
      • Bulwagang Princesa Restaurant (Sta. Monica) (048) 433-6079
      • Cafe Arturo (San Jose National Hi–Way) (048) 433-4146
      • Café Loreto Trihouse Restaurant (Libis Brgy. San Pedro) 
      • Captain’s Table (San Miguel)
      • Casa del Jardin Spanish Restaurant & Tapas Bar (0916) 727-8857
      • Chef Tan’s Kitchen (Villarosa Road) (048) 725-3191
      • Coffee Exchange (Asturias Hotel) 434-3851; 3747
      • Club 54 (Malvar Street)
      • Dang Maria’s Bancao (Bancao & Rizal Avenue) (048) 434-6576
      • Divine Sweet (Valencia Street)
      • Dolce Vita Hotel & Restaurant (San Pedro) (048) 434-5357
      • Edwin’s Food Palace (Valencia Street) (048) 433-2338 | (048) 433-4567
      • Elmer’s Pares (Malvar Street & San Pedro) (048) 433-2401
      • Giacomino’s Pizza House (Lacao Street) (048) 434-3036 | (048) 434-3037
      • Haim Chicken Inato (Manalo Extension) (048) 433-2261
      • Hillside Resort Restaurant (Sandiwa) (048) 433-7318
      • Ignacio’s Restaurant (Burgos Street) (048)433-2617
      • Ima's Vegetarian Restaurant (Fernandez Street) (0939) 916-1524 | www.imas-vegetarian-restaurant.com
      • Innerdance Kafe Vegetarian Restaurant (Hagedorn Road Extension, Brgy. San Pedro) (0908) 139-1139
      • Itoy’s Coffee Shop (Rizal Avenue)
      •  Jam's Canteen
      • Ka Inato (Rizal Avenue)
      • Kalui (369 Rizal Avenue Extension) (048) 433-2580; (048) 433-4840 
      • Kamarikutan Kape at Galeri (Rizal Avenue Extension) (048) 433-5182
      • Karaenan (Dos Palmas) (048) 434-3118
      • Kawayanan Resort (Abaa Road Brgy. San Pedro) (048) 434-7078
      • Kim's Hot Spring Resort & Restaurant (Sta. Lourdes) (0921) 580-1997 | (0926) 709-5769
      • Kinabuchs Grill & Bar (Rizal Avenue)
      • Leslies (Mitra Road) (048) 434-1437
      • Loid Vegetarian and Raw Food Resto Vegan Restaurant (National Highway, Brgy. San Manuel) (048) 723-0025 | www.vegetarianpalawan.com
      • Lola Itang (Roxas Street) (048) 433-2712; 2990
      • Mccoy’s (San Miguel) (048) 434-4239 
      • NCCC Fast-food (048) 433-2620 | (048) 433-2630
      • Neva’s Place (Taft Street) (048) 433-2575
      • Nokinocs Savoury House (048) 723-2500
      • Ong’s Maki House (Rizal Avenue) (048) 434-2999
      • Palawan Adventist Hospital Vegetarian Restaurant (National Highway)
      • Pescados Asturias Hotel (048) 434-3851 | (048) 434-3747
      • Phoenix Seafood Restaurant (Abrea road) (048) 434-5689 
      • Pizzito (Rizal Avenue Extension)
      • Puerto Pension Restaurant (Malvar Street) (048) 433-2969
      • Rancho’s Grill (Rizal Avenue Extension)
      • Rene’s Restaurant (Rizal Avenue Extension) (048) 434-5255
      • Rizal Park Coffee/Honey’s Anker Bar (Rizal Avenue) (0921) 433-4661
      • Royal Oberoi (Esteban Road, Sta. Monica) (048) 434-4920
      • Sari’s Baryo (Rizal Avenue Extension) (048) 433-4899 
      • Skylight (Rizal Avenue) (048) 434-7176
      • Suma Ching Hai Vegetarian Restaurant (Cor. Burgos & Manalo Street) (048) 433-6910
      • Sweet House (Malvar Street) (048) 433-2618 | (048) 433-4218
      • Taberna Luna Bistro (Dagomboy Village)
      • Tanglaw Restaurant (Legend Hotel) (048) 433-9076 | (048) 433-9080
      • The Lotus Garden (Rizal Avenue Extension) (048) 434-1132
      • Tiki Bar (Rizal Avenue)
      • Tita Nene’s Restaurant & Catering Services (Rizal Avenue) (048) 433-2168
      • Tom Tom Club (Manalo Extension)
      • Tropical Sun Inn Restaurant (Manalo Street) (048) 433-8288
      • Vegetarian House (Burgos Street) (048) 433-9248
      • Vietville Restaurant (Bgy. Sta. Lourdes) (0920) 220-8694
      • Warehauz 45 Bar (Rizal Avenue)
      • We Be Sushi Bar & Restaurant (Hotel Fleuris) (048) 434-4338 
      • Zaturn (Malvar Steet)

  • Souvenirs (Pasalubong)
    • Baro at Regalo Boutique (Rizal Avenue) (048) 434-6014
    • Cokyroms Souvenir Shop (Rizal Avenue)
    • Culture Shack (Rizal Avenue) (048) 433-2566
    • Footluckers (Valencia Street)(048) 434-2015 | (048) 434-2016
    • Foostep (Rizal Avenue) (048) 433-2255
    • Kamantian Handicraft (Rizal Avenue)
    • Lilyhill (Valencia Street) (048) 434-5091
    • LRC 908 Market Mall
    • Mozo Shellcraft (Lacao Street)
    • Palawan Treasure Shop (Airport Compound) (048) 433-5157
    • Rengel Department Store (Valencia Street) (048) 433-7218

Transportation

Public Transportation
  • To and From Puerto Princesa City
    • By Air
      • Manila (Daily flights with Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific, Zest Airways and Philippine Airlines - travel time: less than an hour)
      • Busuanga/El Nido (3 times a week with South East Asian Airlines)          
      • Cebu (Daily flights with Cebu Pacific)
      • Davao (Daily flights with Cebu Pacific)
      • Iloilo (Daily flights with Cebu Pacific)
      • Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
    • By Sea
      • Manila (Once a week with Superferry and Negros Navigation - travel time: 18 to 22 hours)
      • Coron  (Daily with Superferry - travel time: 10 hours)
      • Cuyo/Iloilo/Cebu (Once a week with Montenegro Shipping)
  • Within the Puerto Princesa City
    • Bus
    • Jeep/Multicab (Minimum Fare is 7-8 php)
    • Tricycles/Trike (Minimum Fare is 20-40 php/person)
    • Mini Van
    • Shuttle Service in San Jose Terminal
      • Brooke's Point (200 php bus; every hour - travel time: 1 hour)
      • El Nido (300 php bus; 5am, 7am and 9am - travel time: 9 hours)
      • Port Barton (160 php jeep; 10am - travel time: 5 hours)
      • Quezon (150 php minivan; hourly 7am 6 5pm - travel time: 3 hours)
      • Roxas (120 php jeep/156 php bus; 5:30am, 6:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm - travel time: 2 1/2 hours)
      • Sabang  (150 php jeep/250 php minivan; 7am and 9am - travel time: 3 hours)
      • Taytay (230/237 php bus; 5am, 6am, 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am, 12pm, 2pm - travel time: 5 hours)
    • Van for Hire

Puerto Princesa City Itinerary
There are two options in making your Puerto Princesa City Itinerary:

1. Avail a tour with a planned out itinerary from travel and tours companies
2. Plan you DIY itinerary

Sunday, January 11, 2015

LRC 908 Market Mall: Pasalubong Center in Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines

Of course, we Travel Tripsters can't go home empty handed so we asked our trike driver Jeremy to bring us to a pasalubong center.  I mentioned Tiangge Tiangge Pasalubong and Souvenir Center which I've read from other blogs.  Jeremy told us that was no longer operational as all the vendors have moved to LRC 908 Market Mall located at Puerto Princesa North Road.
 LRC 908 Market Mall
We went there a little before 8 am so the stalls are just about to open. 

LRC 908 Market Mall
Then, one-by-one they opened.  We also saw Bodato Burgers there which we've tried at the Market! Market! Mall in Manila.

LRC 908 Market Mall
Aside from the visible numerous stalls, there is a big air-conditioned indoor area with pearl jewelries displayed.

LRC 908 Market Mall
There were other souvenirs too.

LRC 908 Market Mall
Our favorite part is the local delicacies.  We noticed that not all of them are made from Puerto Princesa so others are very expensive like the Durian Chips we bought which was imported from Davao City.  The Cashew Nuts were sold a a bargain so we bought those too.

LRC 908 Market Mall
Canned Pearl (150 php)
The products so at the stalls outside were cheaper.  But, prices are almost standard that we could hardly haggle.  Fellow Travel Tripster Kurt bought me a canned pearl just for fun.

LRC 908 Market Mall
Canned Pearl (150 php)
I thought it was pretty expensive but I don't say no to gifts. =)

LRC 908 Market Mall
Canned Pearl (150 php)
Prepare for a weird smell perhaps due to the alcohol containing liquid.

LRC 908 Market Mall
Canned Pearl (150 php)
You get a shell inside.

LRC 908 Market Mall
Canned Pearl (150 php)
And, if you open it, you get your pearl.  There's a superstitious meaning to it according to the box.

Overall, we Travel Tripsters recommend that you stopover at LRC 908 Market Mall for pasalubongs (souvenirs).  We didn't see any other place offering that amount of merchandise for tourists.  There's the San Jose Market as an alternative if you want to buy food at local rate.

LRC 908 Market Mall
Address Puerto Princesa North Road, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
Budget Per Person 100-500 LRC 908 Market Mall Map
Payment Options Cash

Operating Hours Monday to Sunday:
(even holidays)
8am-6pm

Reservation Required NA
Contact

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Estrella Falls Narra Palawan Philippines

While riding the a van-for-hire to Puerto Princesa Underground River, we Travel Tripsters spotted Estrella Falls as one of the destination.

*all photos credited to Travel Tripster Kurt

According to our driver Raymond (0929 721-5781), his charge is 1,300 for the trip.  As we were out of money from all our trike rentals, I googled for a way to commute.  While having dinner that day, we decided we'll go for it.  So the next day, we woke up early to ride a tricycle to San Jose Terminal (80 php). 


The locals are very helpful in pointing us toward the Lexus Van Terminal where we rode the "Narra Aborlan" Route.  We waited around an hour before the van was full but we didn't mind.  The Shuttle Fair is 150 php/person one way.


The travel time to Narra was shorter than we expected.  It was an hour and a half.  Once we were there, we asked around where to hire a tricycle to Estrella Falls.

We couldn't find a trike immediately so we had time to observe their standardized Shuttle Fair Guide.

I forgot to take note of manong who volunteered to take us to Estrella Falls and back for 250 php.

There was nothing to see along the way.  I remembered it was bumpy. 

Then, we arrived at the parking lot of Estrella Falls were tourist vans parked.  We paid the 20 php/person entrance fee here.  We were surprised to see that they offered trekking tours.  (I couldn't find any information online.)   They were two kinds of trekking tours available.  One was for a day tour.  The other one is a 3 days and 2 nights tour where you will be able to see all 64 falls.  The latter would require camping gears such as tents and cooking utensils so we opted for the day tour.  Unfortunately, all the guides have already been hired out so we had no choice but to take a stroll and watch the falls instead.  I hope to come back for this trek someday. The administrator also told us about visiting two islands in the area called Rassa and luxury Arena Island.  Rassa Island are for bird watching while Arena Island is a turtle sanctuary.  He says the latter is a typical destination for honeymooners.

According to this the falls are within the virgin forest.

So we excitedly proceeded...

We went up the stair which had  continuing stairs to the Hillside Cottages which seem to be old, unmaintained and unused. 

Instead, we followed the sound of the crowd towards another cottage area which was right next to the swimming area.

There is also a grilling area....

and clean restrooms.

Now, let's go to the twin falls.

You can't go too near as the flow is quite strong.

I don't know how fellow Travel Tripster Kurt sneaked out his tripod without me knowing but he was enthusiastic in taking this photo.  He was so happy and thrilled to finally view a waterfall since he researched a technique to make the water look so soft and silky like that.

And, we took our time dipping our feet into the cool water and took photos.  Unfortunately, we couldn't swim because we didn't have spare clothes.

We just watched as these Korean boys enjoyed themselves.  There's an adult swimming area and a kid's swimming area as indicated by the signs.

According to the sign, there are monkey's there too.  After three hours, we decided to head back to Narra Terminal and ride the Lexus Van back to San Jose Terminal.

Being waterfalls enthusiasts, Estrella Falls is one of the best destinations we  Travel Tripsters had in Palawan.  We're hoping to join the trek next time.  I can't believe they don't promote something as amazing as that aggressively online.

Estrella Falls Narra Palawan Philippines
Address Narra Palawan Philippines
Budget Per Person 25-1,000 php Estrella Falls Narra Palawan Map
Payment Options Cash

Operating Hours Monday to Sunday:
(even holidays)
8:00 am-5 pm

Reservation Required No (Encouraged for trekking tours)
Contact

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