Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yaya]

What's there to do? I've done Boracay thrice and love it but wanna try something different.

[prideofidaho]

I'd get out of Puerto, personally. You can take a 6 hr van ride to El Nido (Air Conditioned) where you'll find beautiful beaches, cheap accommodation, and water activities.

[BoholDiver]

I did a little research on it, as I was considering going there. Here is what I found out. (Sorry it's not a lot)

1. Palawan is a very long island. 550 km long or so, and you might end up spending a really long time in cars on crappy highways.

2. They have those underground caves. It looks amazing.

3. I heard their beaches are beautiful and very clean.

4. A man in the Philippines told me that Palawan rarely gets any tropical storms.


#1 is the main reason we have decided to go elsewhere for our next trip. But I bet you'll have a great time.

try www.virtualtourist.com

[Yaya]

I'm not into six-hour van rides. I like things being relatively close and stuff. Boracay is great but also rather touristy and pricey for the Phils.

The Filipinos I talked to say Puerto Princesa is a nature lover's paradise, and that is what I'm looking for. I'm wondering if there is adequate nightlife and eateries to keep me busy.

[pugwall]

You have been misinformed. Puerto Princesa is a dusty little town with hardly anything there. Its just the hub for doing other things in Palawan. Although there was a backpacker/mexican place just opened when I was there. You can get some good vietnam noodles as there are a lot of Vietnam refugees there from the Vietnam war.

Why not go to Sabang if you dont want to go too far. I think its only a couple of hours and there is a lovely beach there.

[misschel]

You can sign up for day tours of different things. The underground river tour was good. Also there's city tours (incl a crocodile farm and a visit to a penal farm - interacting with inmates) and island hopping.

[Yaya]

So Puerto Princesa is doable for a week? I love Boracay and would love to go for a fourth time but I'm willing to diversify and discover more of the islands.

[BoholDiver]

I wanted to ask the same thing, as we are now considering Palawan later this year.

If someone could answer this:

Would we be satisfied staying in either Puerto and/or Sabang for a week and not be bored? We want to see a few things, but also spend days and nights on a beach, maybe a day tour or so, eat food in various places, etc.

I am okay with the 6 hour van ride, but my wife isn't.

[prideofidaho]

Yes, you probably would be o.k. with it. I just don't understand the point of going all that way and not bothering to head up to El Nido. The 6 hr van ride is practical luxury compared to what you will take to get to Sabang.

I'd say HTFU and get in the van, myself.

[chris_J2]

There are direct flights to El Nido with ITI airlines. Seair too. No need to waste time in Puerto Princessa.

[prideofidaho]

Chris72, wow. When I was there it was only the super expensive charter flights that flew direct. Have you flown that route?

[chris_J2]

Not yet. I flew Manila > Boracay (Kalibo) > Cebu > Cayagan De Oro & back to Manilla (Dec 2009 / January 2010). I have my eye on El Nido, for my next trip, if I'm still in Korea next December.

There are 4 airports in Manila, & you need to find out which one ITI airlines & Seair depart from. Possibly the old domestic airport? Cebu Pacific & Philippines Airlines use terminal 2, from memory?

Seair have only just resumed flights to El Nido, in mid December 2009. The latest LP guide was out of date, listing no flights by Seair, but did say to check direct, in case they resumed, which they did.

[prideofidaho]

A quick look at the sea air site shows things are pretty booked up. I seem to remember now that you can get cheap flights by being flexible and waiting till just the right time to book, as prices fluctuate dramatically all day long, no?

Also, Port Barton was beautiful, and if you're just looking for a place to chill out and enjoy the beautiful beach, I'd go there over puerto or sabang.

[Yaya]

[prideofidaho]