Puerto Princesa Things to Do

The butterfly farm has been open for more than 10 years and is situated 6 kms from town just as you leave Santa Monica. It is rather a small place surrounded by nets so the butterflies cannot escape. There is a good display informing you of the life of a butterfly (cocoon-b/fly and back again). There are some beautiful plants in the garden and some butterflies that are not found elsewhere is Asia. Small entrance fee. Only interesting if this is your thing.

Mount Calvary is about 14 kms from town, it is a hill with the the stations every 50 m or so on the way up. At the top there is a small chapel and a good view. This place is crowded with locals during Easter time as they come here to perform their pilgrimage. The small road leading to the steps at the bottom of the hill is full of stalls selling drinks, snacks etc.

Take a trike or jeepney to Santa Lourdes where you can hire boats to the islands in Honda Bay. There is a booking office there with a list of the prices to various islands, it is well organised so that the boatmen take their turn so the money is spread fairly. Reasonable snorkeling at snake island. Arrecife island has up-market accommodation (Dos Palmos) on it, rather expensive and some of the other islands (Starfish Is and Meara Is) have more reasonable accommodation. All the islands have sandy beaches and are good for swimming. If the weather is bad and the sea is choppy head for one of the nearer islands such as Pandan as more than one tourist has dropped their camera in the sea.

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Mitra Ranch is about 2 kms along Mitra Road, about 8 kms from the centre of town. It is a unique building owned by the ex-governor and open to the public (free). There is a wonderful view from the house and a newly installed zip-line.

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Baker's hill is around 6 kms out of town on the southern highway in Mitra Road which is one of the more expensive areas in town to live as the road runs along a ridge where there is a breeze and good views of the sea. There is a bakery/garden there that has a restaurant and food stall, souvenir shop, fun statues, plenty of shrubs/plants and really well landscaped, a children's playground too. Very popular place at the weekend, no entrance fee and don't forget to purchase some of the delicious cakes/breads on offer at the bakery.

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While a visit to Iwahig Penal Colony is interesting, why not make a day of it, take snacks with you and go for a refreshing swim at Balsahan river inside the colony. The water is refreshingly cool as the river comes down from the nearby mountains. A selection of native bungalows dot the side of the river and can be rented cheaply, and the prisoners will serve you fresh coconuts and other treats, even help you bbq your own fish. The prisoners have dammed off the river and developed the area and the water is head high, ideal for cooling off after a hard day's sightseeing, cost of entry is 10 pesos. at the colony there is a souvenir shop, small eatery and you can interact with the friendly prisoners. At first they are in maximum security and as the years pass they are sent to work on the farm and eventually they can build their own native house where their families can come and stay.

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Langogan is around km 82 on the northern highway, so if you are hiring a motorbike stop there for a swim. There is a bridge and 50 metres before it there is a track leading to the sea(200m). The beach is pebbly but the water is deep and good for swimming. Swim towards the mouth of the river and enjoy the cool water. Wander around the fisherman's village where you will see fish drying in the sun. There is a sari-sari store just before the bridge for cold drinks.

The Koreans built a new temple at Santa Lourdes, on the road where the boats leave for Honda Bay islands. It's worth a quick look so tell your trike driver to stop there for a few minutes on the way to the pier.