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.

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 date.  But, we're still curious about this alternative destination so we squeezed it on our itinerary.

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

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

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

Finally, we reached the Holy Family Cave.  It is a 40-meter underground cave that was accidentally discovered when the lot was being surveyed for construction.

It was dug and furnished for the ease and convenience of the visitors.

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

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.

It's amazing right?

These formations indicate that the area used to be underwater.

Can you see The Holy Face?
 

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?

There's a giant shell there too.  

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

More of the statues...

This is the very last past of the cave.  So this is why it is called The 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

Read More

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

• Bay Cruise
• City Tour
• Baker's Hill
• Butterfly Garden
• Crocodile Farm
• Iwahig Penal Colony
• Mitra's Ranch
• Plaza Cuartel
• Puerto Princesa Cathedral

• 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

• Firefly Watching
• Golfing (Western Front Golf Course and Tara Country Club)
• Honda Bay Island Hopping and Snorkeling 
• Ken's Snorkeling Gear Rental
• Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
• River Kayaking Safari
• Resort and Spa
•  Dos Palmas Island Resort & Spa

• Sabang Beach
• Scuba Diving
• Ugong Rock Spelunking and Zipline
• Waterfalls
• Estrella Waterfalls
• Salakot Waterfalls

• 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

• Floral Travel and Tours

2. Plan you DIY itinerary

Read More

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.

 

We went there a little before 8 am so the stalls are just about to open. 

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

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

There were other souvenirs too.

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.

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.

Canned Pearl (150 php)

I thought it was pretty expensive but I don't say no to gifts. =)

Canned Pearl (150 php)

Prepare for a weird smell perhaps due to the alcohol containing liquid.

Canned Pearl (150 php)

You get a shell inside.

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

Read More

Kim's Hot Spring Resort & Restaurant: Korean Private Hot Spring Bath Tub Experience (Sta. Lourdes Puerto Princesa Palawan)

Tired from our Honda Bay Island Hopping, we were excited to arrive at Kim's Hot Spring Resort & Restaurant.  It is easy to find since it is just along the road.

It doesn't look much from the outside so we were surprised see how enormous the place is from the inside.

We had to pass their huge cottage-like restaurant.  It was so large that it can hold banquets and events.

I actually regret not having dinner there.  I bet they serve delicious authentic Korean dishes.

From the restaurant, we followed the pathway towards a villa.

You can rent a cottage and make use of the common hot spring pool.

There also showed us the private tub rooms which we rented out for 500 php for 4 hour.  It was very spacious with a shower area, tables and chairs so you can order food and have it brought there.  (Again, we should've had dinner that way and saved some time.) 

The pool was very large for the two of us.  Upon dipping in, we were asked if the temperature of the water was okay for us.  We said yes.  After quite sometime, we felt it was too hot (since we also.had fresh sunburns) so we called the staff to have it adjusted.  And, eventually we felt the water being a bit cooler which is what we wanted it.  

They don't seem strict with the time but we timed ourselves to avoid extra charges.  The time was actually more than adequate as we couldn't.dip longer without feeling light-headed.  We then settled our dues and the staff asked if we wanted to view their rooms.  We were curious so we agreed.

1st Floor of the Native Type of Room

The term room is misleading because you're actually renting a huge two-story air-conditioned (1,500 per night) or fanned (750 php per night) place.  There are two types of room showed to us.  Both are offered for the same rate a night.  But, the interiors vary.  For the native type of room, the first floor has a cold and hot spring private stone tub which you can use during your entire stay.  We thought that alone is a great bargaining factor. There's a table and chair too. 

2nd Floor of the Native Type of Room

There's a stair leading to the second floor to the bedroom with queen-sized bed.

The Modern Room

The Modern Room doesn't is only a single floor area with the queen-sized bedroom.

And, then a modern-tiled bathroom with cold and hot spring tub.  Yes, the water source of your tub is spring water and you have two faucets: 1 cold and 1 hot so you can control the temperature of your bath.

Overall, we Travel Tripsters loved our private tub session as Kim's Hot Spring Resort & Restaurant.  We'll definitely consider staying here if ever we'll be back at Puerto Princesa.

Kim's Hot Spring Resort & Restaurant
Address	(main road between Puerto Princesa and Sabang) Brgy. Sta. Lourdes Puerto Princesa Palawan, Philippines
Budget Per Person	250-1,500	Kim's Hot Spring Resort & Restaurant Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Monday to Sunday (even holidays)
Reservation Required	No (Encouraged)
Contact	(6348) 723-1608 |   (0921) 580-1997

Read More

Garcellano Tourist Inn: Budget Backpacker's Accomodation (Rizal Avenue Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines)

After not being able to board our Airasia flight back to Manila due to overbooking, we had to look for a place to stay for the night.  The airport guards and employees pitied us for not being able to be home for New Year's eve and suggested and pointed Garcellano Tourist Inn as a cheap accommodation.

It was easy to find because (1) everyone knows where it is and (2) it is found along Rizal Avenue at the center of the city.

Inside the seemingly small two-door entrance and past the lobby is a huge compound.

Even though we got the cheapest room available at 450 php per night,  we were amazed that the rooms are not as small as studio-type or pigeon-hole-condo-types.  Instead, they were big apartment-like rooms.

By the way, this is what their key chain looks like.  We presumed they don't want  us to loose our keys.  There's also two towels laid on our queen-sized bed.

Yes, it's a big queen-size bed with a bed table on the side.  There is also a closet with hangers in them.   There's a bench and a desk with lots of sockets too.

Although we're happy with the cleanliness and generous area-size of our room, we were very disappointed with the rest room.   The sink and its counter had evident stains and mildew. 

We used the toilet as if it was a public toilet and we couldn't take a bath given the way the shower area was presented.
 

Garcellano Tourist Inn
Hotel Address	257 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa  City, Philippines
Contact	(6338) 433-2314	Reservation Required	No (Encouraged)
Payment Options	Cash	Public Transport	Jeep, Taxi
General Amenities		Parking	Yes (very limited)
Travel Tripsters Hotel Review Rating		Eurotel Baguio Map
Location	★★★★★
Room Comfort	★★
Cleanliness	★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★

Read More