Puerto Princesa, Palawan Day 1: Arrival, Travel Requirements & Where To Stay

Last month, I was fortunate enough to be invited again by the Department of Tourism Mimaropa for a media familiarization trip to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It has been years since I last visited this bustling urban tropical paradise, so I was really excited to go back! We visited a lot of places I haven't seen & been to before, and we also attended the Baragatan Festival. Here are stories & photos from our trip! Read on to know more...

It was nice to see familiar faces and also meet new ones! Before the trip, I only expected new experiences and learnings, but I came home with much more than that. One of my best trips ever not only because of all the beautiful sights & experiences, but also because of the people I was with. Aww.

Boarding!

For travel requirements, there aren't much! I only brought my vaccination card, valid IDs and of course my travel itinerary. Negative antigen test result for at least 24 hours is still required for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers from places on Alert Level 2.

Off to a new adventure! Food & drinks are being served on the plane na din.

Warm welcome!

Our assigned van!

Before I proceed, let me first share with you some tidbits about this wonderful place! Located on the east coast of Palawan island, Puerto Princesa is the main gateway to the other parts of the province. This tropical paradise's claim to fame is being the cleanest & greenest city in the Philippines, and of course the world famous Palawan Underground River, a UNESCO Heritage Site, which was crowned as one of the 7 Wonders of the World a few years ago! But beyond being a connecting hub & the underground river, Puerto Princesa also boasts of pristine beaches, virgin forests, beautiful hills & mountains, historical sights, outdoor activities and many more, giving you a wide range of tour options.

HUE HOTEL

As soon as we arrived in Puerto Princesa, we headed straight to Hue Hotel to drop off our things and have breakfast! After breakfast, we went out again to visit our 1st stop in our itinerary that day. But more about that later! Here are photos from Hue Hotel...

Got to know/catch up with each other over a hearty breakfast!

Hallway outside my room

My own room! So spacious and cozy. This is their Deluxe Room and it's P3,200 only!

So I stayed in their Deluxe Room and I love that the room is spacious and cozy! It's only P3,200 if you book via their website. The room has everything except for a clothes iron but you can borrow from their front desk. ;) My only prob is that it's TOO cold (as in igloo levels haha) and you can't adjust the aircon. Other than that, will definitely stay here again!

Separate bath...

... and toilet!

Mandatory mirrorfie!

They have infinity pools! There's another one for kids. So cute.

1st Stop: ASTORIA RESORT

Astoria Palawan is a five-hectare resort in the heart of the Philippines’ Final Frontier, Puerto Princesa. The property is the brand’s nod to the natural charm of Palawan. That is why you can expect nothing less than the perfect quiet escape away from the metropolis. Sitting on a mango orchard with magnificent views of the Sulu Sea, there is no better way to reconnect with nature than booking a stay here!

Me by the pool area!

Group photo inside the Halo Dome with Ms. Joy Suarez, Resort Manager of Astoria Palawan

The resort features a 39-meter infinity pool, a recreation pavilion with karaoke and games, and an in-house restaurant and bar. For the ultimate business and leisure trip, their Mangrove Conference and Convention Center and one-hectare Palawan Waterpark by Astoria are sure to meet your vision for the ideal “WorkPlays” experience.

If fun and relaxation are part of your vacation's itinerary, then you can find it in the resort's quality accommodations, 39-meter infinity pool, karaoke and game rooms, and their newly-built one-hectare waterpark! Wow!

with my roomie Ruth!

Their big conference hall!

Astoria Palawan, as an advocate of responsible tourism, is proud to be one of Puerto Princesa’s greenest, most eco-friendly, and sustainable resorts. This is why they made sure to use only green and sustainable materials, methods, and practices in the development of our resort.

They put emphasis on environmental, social, and economic conservation by using state-of-the-art equipment for efficient and effective waste management. The use of VRF air conditioning units and solar panels also promotes energy consumption, as it saves the resort’s electricity by up to 40 percent.

Balcony outside the room overlooking the beach!

The resort have 40 spacious private suites housed inside 13 leaf-inspired, wood-cabin villas as well as an annex building with 34 spacious rooms. Its rustic charm is highlighted in the way it's designed around the contour of the island so guests are guaranteed a tropical getaway of their lifetime. You can book a room for as low as P4,000 (their Annex rooms) or their villas for P9,000 a night.

Let me show you their 1-Bedroom Villa!

Their One Bedroom Villa that is P9,000 a night!

Room with 1 queen bed

Room with 2 queen beds! Hello Mikyle hehe

Separate toilet & bath

So spacious! Hello from us!

See other rooms & book here:

https://astoriapalawan.com/accommodations/

Astoria Palawan has 3 restaurants that offer both local & international cuisines prepared fresh everyday! They have indoor & al fresco dining in different areas of the resort.

Aqua Cena resto - located beside the Waterpark

The Reserve - offers guests a panoramic view of the Sulu Sea and the resort’s 39-meter infinity pool.

The Habitat

If you like aqua adventures, then visit the 1st & only waterpark in Puerto Princesa which is inside Astoria! It's currently under renovation, but will start accepting guests soon. Entrance fee is P1,200 for adults & P950 for kids below 4 feet.

So much fun!

Contact Astoria:

Address: Kilometer 62, North National Hwy, Brgy. San Rafael, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan 5300

Reservations Office 0998-961-3419

Sales Office 0917-585-4435 | 0998-597-6831 | 0998-961-3422

reservations@astoriapalawan.com

2nd Stop: KA JOEL's Restaurant

Located at Purok Centro, Brgy. Tiniguiban Palawan, Ka Joel's is a Filipino restaurant that offers delicious local food with cozy and homey ambiance. Customers are required to leave their footwear by the entrance. Love the interiors too!

So good!

3rd Stop: Princesa Garden Island Resort

Located 15 minutes away from Puerto Princesa International Airport, the resort offers an exceptional escape for travelers! The resort centers on its Palaweño-themed architecture infused with native touches, which blends in with the foliage surrounding the resort. Their event space obtained the prestigious ASEAN MICE Venue Award – making it a reputable space for world class events.

The PP gang with our welcome drinks!

Chess anyone?

Tropical paradise

One of their ballrooms/function hall! Perfect for events.

1,640 sqm chlorine-free outdoor swimming pool

Love the Filipino inspired interiors & architecture

Family Room with Ocean View

This 152sqm full suite has a beautiful pool & ocean view. The master bedroom has a nice view of the ocean and has a queen bed. There's also a bunk bed outside the room, perfect for kids! You can also relax at the balcony, or inside the bathtub! :) Priced at P13,200 a night.

Living room

Bunk bed by the door

Restroom beside the bunk beds

Masters bedroom! As you can see there's a veranda.

Bath tub with ocean view! Love it!

Premier Pool Room

70 sqm bunglaow type room with direct access to the pool! It has 2 queen beds or 1 king bed. Priced at P10,800 a night.

Double Pool Room

This 120 sqm bungalow type room has direct to the pool and has an indoor jacuzzi garden! It's priced at P13,200 a night.

Bedroom with a balcony that has a private pool!

Hello Lissa & Justine!

The indoor jacuzzi! The bathroom is huge!

Pool Access Room

50 sqm room with a balcony that has direct access to the pool! Priced at P8,400 a night.

Website: https://www.princesagardenisland.com

List of facilities: https://www.princesagardenisland.com/facilities/

See all accommodations & book a room HERE.

Contact Princesa Garden Resort:

Address:Caniguiran, Barangay Bancao-Bancao,

Puerto Princesa, Palawan, 5300, Philippines

(+63) 917 873 9574

(+63) 918 967 5132

Email Address

reservation@princesagardenisland.com

Exciting plans and projects to further expand and beautify the resort! Excited to be back!

Okay, best 4-cheese pizza!　Sarap guysh

4th Stop: Baragatan Festival 2022 Gabi ng Parangal & Trade Fair Visit at the Capitol Compound

Our last stop on our first day is the Capitol Compound where the "Gabi ng Parangal" was held! We also ate dinner there and visited different booths/exhibits outside.