Puerto Princesa City Tour Escapade

I actually don't have a proper plan on how to do my City Tour in Puerto Princesa. I said to myself "come what may, I'll find a way" -lol. And suddenly I remembered my blogger friend who did her city tour last year by hiring a trike driver to tour her around the city. So why not try what she did. I got the trike driver number (Kuya Jonito) on her blog and contact him if he can tour me around the city for that day afternoon. I was hoping that he didn't change his number and I'm lucky enough co'z he really didn't. He agreed to tour me around the city, and thats it!! Perfect!! I can have my City tour now!!

So let me share to you my City tour escapade in Puerto Princesa. In order of our destination....

CROCODILE FARM

In here you can find lots of crocodile from different sizes - smallest to largest. Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservatory Center serves as a sanctuary not just for the crocodiles but also for other wildlife in Palawan such as hornbill and bear cat. Entrance fee here is Php40. Once you're inside, there's a curator who will narrate the story about the conservatory center and will tour you around the area.

They have a hatching house where baby crocodiles from ages 1-6 years old are taken care of. Crocodiles are nocturnal so they are most active at night but not necessarily asleep during the day. As they say, during the day, crocodiles are just observing waiting for its prey!!-lol

You can see at the Crocodile Farm and Nature Center area the Palawan Hornbill also preserved by the City.

They also have icons and statues where you can have a your picture taken. This area are favorite by most tourists.

BAKERS HILL

I didn't expect that this place has a lot to offer. I thought this is just a bakery and a theme park where you can have picture taking. But ohhhh, at first glance of the place I was amazed by its glamorous design. Once you've entered you will get to see a big villa where nobody lives. The place is big with full of amenities such as bakery, restaurant, play ground, fabulous garden and a magnificent view at the top of the hill. And the best part is, you can enter this place for FREE!!!! - Jackpot!!

How come nobody lives in this house? Can I just live here instead? Please owner? Whoever you are.

The house is huge, it's like a mansion with beautiful and carefully maintained garden full of flowers and topiaries. It's really a beautiful place to live. It's just perfect!! How its beautiful outside, what more in the inside. Hopefully I can have a tour inside someday.

The famous statues that will welcome you at Bakers Hill. So Hollywood!!

Look at the designs and not so usual plant found in the country. Such a nice view!

The classic pathway made of cobblestones just like in the castles. Wonderful plants and flower designs. Tikis are also everywhere.

A nice round table, snake statue and a wishing Buddha

The above pic is supposed to be a restaurant but during that time they made it a temporary warehouse/stockhouse. They offer the Palawans best "tamilok" - an exotic worm came from dead mangroves. You can also see whats inside the bakery, lots of yummy delights.

The above pic are the yummy delights Bakers Hill has to offer. It's a perfect place to buy pasalubong. The most famous are there hopia and crinkles that costs around Php40. So affordable and very yummy!

The place is very clean, safe and very relaxing. Perfect for family, lovers and friends to visit. 

MITRAS RANCH

Rancho Sta. Monica, famously known as Mitra's Ranch owned by the family of the late Senator/Housespeaker Ramon Mitra. The place is freely open to public that has a very nice spot overlooking a breathtaking view of Puerto Princesa. 

They also have a zipline adventure

BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Here, of course you can see lots of butterflies. What I expect to see here are big butterflies but unfortunately they don't have any, even one. All they have are lots of small butterflies flying around. They charge entrance fee of Php50.

Butterflies are everywhere but the only big butterfly is this statue. lol!

Just like in crocodile farm, they also have crocodile and bear cat. And other insects that are fond to watch.

They also have a tribal village where you can associate with the Palaw-an, one of the tribes in Palawan.

PLAZA CUARTEL

Every places parks has its own story. Just like the Plaza Cuartel where almost 150 American soldiers were burned to death. This place was a massacre site. Only 11 soldiers survived. But despite its tragic story, the place now is perfect for relaxing and hanging around with friends.

The entrance of Plaza Cuartel

A memorial mark that serves as a reminder of the tragic event

A fresh green surroundings! A relaxing place! But beware co'z mosquitos are everywhere esp. at night 

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL

Just a few meters from Plaza Cuartel stands the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Here, I just quickly stop by and pray. Such a nice and peaceful Cathedral.

BAYWALK

I thought baywalk is only in Manila but oopsss, Puerto Princesa has its own. We just made a quick tour around the area. The baywalk was a project intended to make the area clean and the less fortunate living in there were transferred and provided a decent home where they can start over a new and fresh life.

Our next stop was in the souvenir area where I bought shirts, wallets, decorations for home and key chains for give-aways. Didn't get any photos co'z I was in a hurry at that time.

More so, my City tour was a success. Kuya Jonito became not just my tour guide but a photographer as well. It would be disappointing if I could not get any pictures of the place we've been through, thus I really take courage to ask him to accompany me all around and take photos of me. Actually he volunteered first - lol. Perhaps he can sensed that I really wanted to have a photo of the places with my face in there - lol. The only place where he cannot accompany me inside are those that have entrance fee.

It was a well spent tour that just costs me Php500. Though close amount to city tour package a travel agency can offer, this is much better since I could control my time and I could get to choose where to go. Above all, Kuya Jonito was really a great person which would not take advantage of you as a tourist.

So there you go, my Puerto Princesa City Tour Escapade!!

Kuya Jonito (trike driver) number: 0909-282-8907 - He's really a good one!