Navigating Puerto Princesa, Philippines: A Comprehensive Guide for Visitors
My family and I had the pleasure of visiting Puerto Princesa, Philippines, in 2017. Our initial plan was to touch down in Puerto Princesa (PPS) and travel directly to El Nido via a van within the same night, taking about 4-5 hours. However, circumstances did not go according to our plans. Due to bad weather conditions, our flight was forced to return to Manila for refueling. Instead of landing at 7 PM, we found ourselves arriving at 11:30 PM, a considerable delay that disrupted our entire travel itinerary. The experience was quite challenging, as the plane was running out of food, and we had to deal with a 2-year-old child.
Unexpected Developments and Patchwork Solutions
Exiting the arrival hall and finding everything pitch black, no cars, and no vans was daunting. Usually, tourists who book tours would be met by waiting vans, but those were no longer available due to the late hour. Through sheer luck, we encountered a tricycle driver who approached us and asked where we were heading. After informing him of our situation, he advised us that the van to El Nido would be closed for the night and only available the next morning.
He kindly brought us to an open travel agency, where we managed to reserve a van and tour to El Nido for the next day. The deal was favorable, as the van and tour costs were lower than what we had previously seen on TripAdvisor. We were able to pre-pay with a 50 peso deposit. The next step was to find a decent restaurant for dinner with some San Miguel beer. With the help of our tricycle driver, we looked for a hotel, as the delay meant we wouldn't be able to reach El Nido and would have to spend a night in PPS.
Exploring Puerto Princesa City
After settling our accommodations, the tricycle driver suggested an alternative activity – a city tour in Puerto Princesa, followed by a trip to El Nido in the afternoon. The tour included visits to the Baker's Hill Butterfly Farm and a few other attractions that we couldn’t recall the names of. A private tour in an air-conditioned van costs around 600 pesos per person, whereas the tricycle driver charged us 500 pesos for the entire trip, with additional tips included. He also hosted a Jolibee lunch for us.
The experience was a testament to the honesty and helpfulness of the locals. We were grateful to have encountered someone who was both reliable and genuine, ensuring we didn't end up being scammed.
Conclusion
While unforeseen circumstances disrupted our plans, our experience in Puerto Princesa turned out to be a memorable one. From the struggles of a late-night arrival to the enjoyable local activities, our story underscores the importance of flexibility and the value of authentic human connections in travel. Whether you're looking for a city tour or a journey to El Nido, Puerto Princesa has much to offer. Just be prepared for unexpected challenges and have a positive mindset to make the best of your trip.