Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Palawan is a Philippine province located in the Southern Tagalog region. This island has incredibly beautiful natural seascapes and landscapes.

The province capital, Puerto Princesa City, also being tagged today as the city in the forest, is the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines. Trash bins are scattered around as No Littering policy is strictly observed. It's so funny how conscious our group was in throwing our trash. Of course we don't want to pay fine! Once caught, they will charge you P200, and P300 for first and second offense respectively. On your third attempt, you will have to pay P1000. But not only that, you will also have to extend your vacation to 2 months with an all free board and lodging --- in prison! Like that?! In addition to littering, smoking in public is also not allowed in this city.

Puerto Princesa Bay Walk

If you're a tourist like me, you would observe that there are only two colors of tricycle cabs in this city - blue and white. By the way, in Puerto Princesa, there are no taxis operating for public transport. There are only tricycles, minicab and private vehicles like vans (for tour purposes). Cars, vans, and the likes are not restricted to any coding schemes but tricycles are. Color blue tricycles are restricted on mondays, wednesdays, and fridays. White tricycles, on the other hand, are restricted on tuesdays, thursdays, and saturdays. Both colors could operate on sundays.

Our sightseeing tour of Puerto Princesa City was very pleasurable! We went to historical sights such as the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Iwahig Penal Farm and Plaza Cuartel; and other interesting choice spots like the Crocodile Farms Institute, Nature Park, Butterfly Garden, Baywalk, Mitra’s Ranch, and Baker's Hill. Our tour guide for the day is Jo, a beautiful Palaweña who worked for Ellen's Travel and Tours.

Fire Tree, abundant in Palawan

Crocodile Farm & Nature Park is our first stop. This farm is now Palawan's Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. It aims to conserve the two endangered species of crocodiles in the Philippines, at the same time, provide supplemental livelihood through crocodile farming. Inside the farm is a Nature Park where you can meet ostrich, bear cats, monkeys, among others. Just always keep your insect repellent lotion handy when you're trekking the parks and forests of Palawan.

so many crocs inside

Iwahig Penal Farm is only 15 minute drive from Crocodile Farm. I'm a bit surprised when I learned that Iwahig Farm was actually a prison institute. Also known as Prison without Bars, this place is now considered as one of the tourist spots of Puerto Princesa. I asked Jo if all convicts could really freely wander around the farm. According to her, prisoners are classified into three groups - minimum, medium, and maximum. All prisoners who would only service 2-3 years in prison belong to minimum group (they are the prisoners in brown shirt). Prisoners who would still need rehabilitation are classified in medium group (blue shirt). Lastly, the maximum group are the rest of the prisoners, who are still sentenced to more than 3 years. These people are wearing orange shirts. Out of these three prison groups, men wearing blue and brown shirt are free to wander inside the compound.

An old building inside Iwahig Penal Farm

You can actually talk to the prisoners and buy souvenirs, fruits, and other crafts from them inside the farm. Most of them are selling their harvest and crafts to earn so they could send money to their family. If you happen to visit this place, I hope you will also buy from them. It will be very helpful for their families as most of the prisoners here are breadwinners at the same time. One note though, you can freely mingle with them but it's not allowed to take photos of them, most especially close up shots of their faces. Just a friendly reminder.

Mitra's Ranch

From Iwahig, we travel for another 30 minutes to Mitra's Ranch. Owned by Philippines' late Senator Ramon Mitra, the vast estate also boasts the family's elegant mansion. There's also a scenic overview of Honda Bay islands from here. Perfect for picture taking.

Mitra's Mansion

Puerto Princesa has an additional tourist attraction that shouldn't be missed - Baker's Hill. The place is known for its freshly baked goodies, cheap but very delicious. Another best place for picture taking, the owner filled their garden with funny, colorful, life size figurines.

with Baker's Hill Pastry Chef

Hopia Ube (yam) is their best seller!

Around 2-3 minute drive from Baker's Hill, you will reach the Butterfly Farm. If you are fond of butterflies, you will exceptionally enjoy a close encounter with them here. Again, good subject for macro photography! Souvenirs of sorts could also be found here.

Lastly, we dropped by Plaza Cuartel, another historical spot in Puerto Princesa. Plaza Cuartel is the site for the Palawan Massacre in 1944.

Plaza Cuartel

Plaza Cuartel Garden

Opposite Plaza Cuartel is the city's Immaculate Conception Cathedral where you can visit for your own spiritual break.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Inside the Cathedral

Ever experienced Palawan or have been to sites there I've never been? I'm happy to receive comments and if you have other information about the island, please let me and my readers know. Ciao!