The Philippines - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 658

tricycle P120. Departures to all points north are most
frequent in the early mornings; the times here are
guidelines only. Vans are typically 25 percent quicker than
buses, but are correspondingly more expensive, and often
less comfortable. Daytripper Palawan ( T 0917 848 8755,
W daytripperpalawan.com) is a notable exception, and is
well worth the extra money. They have one daily service
from Puerto Princesa to El Nido in each direction at
9am (P900).
Destinations El Nido (10 daily, mornings; 6-8hr); Port
Barton (daily at 9am; 3hr); Sabang (8 daily, 6.30am-3pm;
2hr 30min).
By ferry The pier is at the eastern end of Malvar St, a short
walk to Rizal Ave.
Destinations 2GO operates a Puerto Princesa-Coron-Manila
service (Sat midnight; 14hr to Coron, 30hr to Manila).

are also a/c rooms (P1250-1450). In fact the only
downside is the rumbling planes overhead, although
there's free airport pick-up for those not willing to walk
the 200m to the terminal! They offer divin g packa ges and
rent snorkelling equipment too. Free wi-fi. P1000

EATING, DRINKING AND NIGHTLIFE
Catabom Rizal Ave. Laidback vibe at this boho bar which
is sister to Bom Bom on Boracay. There's a chill-out lounge
upstairs with cushions and coconut-leaf mats, live acoustic
reggae nightly and bands on Wed, Fri & Sat. Happy hour
5-8pm. Daily 5pm-2am.
Ima's Gulay Bar 46 Fernandez Street. Ima rustles up
tasty dishes in the little kitchen at the back of this healthy
vegetarian place with vegan options. The tofu and broccoli
with sweet and sour sauce is a bestseller (P90); healthy
shakes (P60), too. Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri 11am-3pm,
Sat 6.30-9pm.
★

INFORMATION
Tourist information The tourist o ce (Mon-Fri 9am-
5pm; T 048 433 2968, W visitpuertoprincesa.com) is in
the Provincial Capitol Building on Rizal Ave. They also have
information on the rest of Palawan. A good place to plug
into the travellers' grapevine is the Casa Linda Inn (see
below), where the staff are helpful. There is also a tourist
o ce at the airport arrivals area ( T 048 434 4211), which
is open for inbound flights.
Tours Plenty of tour companies on Rizal Ave offer day-
trips to Honda Bay (P1300); the standard rate for a day-trip
to the Underground River is P1500/person.

KaLui 369 Rizal Ave. Almost opposite the entrance to
Casa Linda , this atmospheric restaurant where everyone
goes barefoot is one of the best in the city and is
deservedly popular (reservations essential for dinner).
Daily set meals (P435 for two) are built around either
seafood or meat and come with salad, sweet potato fries
and a small portion of fresh, raw seaweed, all topped
off by a tropical fruit salad served in a coconut shell.
Mon-Sat 11am-2pm & 6-11pm.
Kinabuch's Bar and Grill 348 Rizal Ave. Owned by a
five-times national motocross champion, this restaurant/
sports bar in a large garden has plenty of racing mementos
on show. Tasty grills from tuna belly (P160) to spare ribs
(P195); more adventurous types can settle for the spicy
Crocodile a la Bicol Express (P345). Draught beers (P45),
pool tables and a big screen. Daily 4pm-1am.

8

ACCOMMODATION
★

Banwa Art House Pension Liwanag cnr. Mendoza
streets T 048 434 8963 or T 0912 797 5863, W banwa
.com. A bohemian oasis set back from the road and
decorated with local artwork and tapestry. Rooms are
spick-and-span (no hot water though unless you take the
most expensive room at P900) and the bamboo chill-out
lounge area at the back is the perfe ct place t o me et other
backpackers. Free wi-fi. Dorm P350 , double P800
Casa Linda Inn Behind Badjao Inn , down a narrow road
off Rizal Ave T 048 433 2606, E [e-mail].
The large rooms, all with private bath (and some with a/c
P999), are arranged around a tranquil garden area with a
few loungers; arching coconut trees provide some respite
from the sun. The staff are helpful and there's wi-fi. P650
Lola Itang Roxas St T 048 433 2990 or T 0916 233 3652,
W lolaitang.com. Located in a quiet downtown area near
the port, the rooms here are all equipped with cable TV,
private bathroom and a/c. Rates includ e break fast and
there's free wi-fi in the garden restaurant. P1350
★

DIRECTORY
Banks All major banks are at the heart of Rizal Ave.
Puerto Princesa is more or less the only place on the island
with ATMs.
Internet There are plenty of cheap internet spots along
Rizal Ave and Manalo Extension - try Czarwinx Internet
(P13/hr) near the Hibiscus Garden Inn on Manalo Ext.
Itoy's Coffee House , on Rizal Ave near the corner of Baltan
St, also has internet access (Mon-Thurs & Sun 6am-11pm,
Fri-Sat till midnight; P40/hr), wi-fi and good coffees.
Post o ce Burgos St cnr. Rizal Ave.

HONDA BAY
Beautiful Honda Bay sits 10km north of
Puerto Princesa by road and makes a
lovely relaxed day-trip of island-hopping
and snorkelling. here are twelve islands
in the bay, although only six are open to

Moana Hotel Rizal Ave Ext T 048 434 4753, W moana
hotelpalawan.com. The cosy fan rooms here come with
beautiful parquet flooring and amakan (bamboo) ceilings
which open onto an interior courtyard with a pool. There