Things to do in Puerto Princesa
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Badjao Seafront Restaurant
A long lunch – mosquitoes and other flying critters can be a bit of a bother at night – at Badjao, gnawing on whole grilled fish and other seafood, is a nice way to spend an afternoon. The restaurant, perched over the water at the end of a raised boardwalk over mangroves, is fairly high class in terms of service and table settings, but it’s the sea and mountain views that raise it above the ordinary.
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Palawan Museum
The Palawan Museum is worth checking out if you’re interested in the ethnological and archaeological history of the island province. Housed in the old City Hall building adjacent to Mendoza Park, it has two floors of exhibits, most with accompanying explanations in English. Items include Chinese- and Spanish-era pottery and relics, as well as prehistoric artefacts from Tabon Caves. Another exhibit upstairs identifies the various peoples who call Palawan home.
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Kailui
Close your eyes and you might think you were in a lovely Balinese restaurant – waiters in red sarongs glide barefoot across wooden floors, colourful paintings, sculptures and masks adorn the walls and there’s a general air of sophistication. The menu is small and simple. Choose from a few varieties of seafood, all served with vegies. There’s a delightful fruit mix dessert, served in a hollowed-out coconut. Reservations are recommended, especially for groups of four or more.
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Ima’s Vegetarian
The husband and wife (Ima) team are a warm, soft-spoken couple dedicated to healthy living through better eating. Laminated articles and magazines focused on nutrition and natural diets are available for your perusal while waiting for delicious dishes sans additives, preservatives or any other chemicals. The bok choy, ginger and mushroom rice, bean burrito or tofu burger (60) are recommended. Wash it all down with a juice or shake – no sodas.
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Fresh Café
A pair of recently self-exiled Arizonans have opened up this restaurant, a welcome breath of fresh air for those weary of fish and Filipino cuisine. An informal survey declared Fresh’s the ‘best burger in Palawan’ but there’s other good comfort food like chilli, country fried chicken and mashed potatoes, lasagne and burritos. Imported beers and brewed coffee round out the highlights.
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Saigon Chaolong
Some locals swear by Saigon Chaolong several kilometres past the airport which is a lingering reminder of the Vietnamese community that once called Puerto home, small and informal serving up the eponymous dish; this version at least is simply a tasty beef noodle soup with a side of French bread.
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Kamarikutan Kafe & Galeri
Tucked away in a forested area east of the airport, this cafe-cum-art gallery is a good place for a coffee and sandwich, and also the site of the Kamarikutan Festival. A few tables are set next to a small koi pond and under one large native-style pavilion; the other pavilion usually functions as the gallery.
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Neva’s Place
Some Puerto residents say Neva’s has the best pizza in town; you can’t argue with the quality of the smoked fish variety. Other choices like chicken, pork and pasta round out the menu. There are a few tables outside in the front garden, and a large all-wood dining area on the 2nd floor.
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Palawan Butterfly Garden
Situated near Santa Monica, is the Palawan Butterfly Garden, where you will get the chance to walk around a number of different species of fluttering butterflies. Before entering, you can watch a short video that explains the life cycle of these delicate creatures.
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Lou Chaolong Hauz
A lingering reminder of the Vietnamese community that once called Puerto home, one of a number of chaolong restaurants, a small, informal eatery serving up the eponymous dish; this version at least is simply a tasty beef noodle soup with a side of French bread.
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Bilao at Palayok
Bilao at Palayok serves a variety of Filipino favourites, including sinigáng (tamarind-based soup), adobo (pork stewed in vinegar and garlic) and grilled fish. This very pleasant eatery has a small pond, waterfall and soft music.
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Palawan Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Center
A complex of concrete buildings houses the Palawan Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Center. There are guided tours leaving every 30 minutes through the facilities where you can see hundreds of slow-moving crocodiles.
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Café Itoy’s
Coffee shop culture is still in its incubation phase in Puerto, Café Itoy’s is a good meet-up spot; it serves substantial meals, has a backyard garden and live music on Friday nights. It also offers free wi-fi.
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Kinabuch
This is where a good chunk of Puerto seems to go at night. It’s a large open-air property with several billiard tables and an extensive menu (mains from P100), though most people come for the cheap beer and lively atmosphere.
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Pasyar Developmental Tourism
Dedicated to conservation and community-based tourism, this organisation is able to tailor a trip for just about any itinerary. Especially recommended for overnight trips, or if you want to go south, or for dolphin watching.
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Bulwagang Princesa Garden Chaolong House
This lingering reminder of the Vietnamese community that once called Puerto home, serves up the eponymous dish; this version at least is simply a tasty beef noodle soup with a side of French bread.
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Kamantian Native Handicrafts
Kamantian Native Handicrafts has a quite a large and high quality selection of, mainly generic ersatz native masks and statues of the type found everywhere from Nairobi to Bangkok.
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Balinsasayaw
Balinsasayaw serves a variety of Filipino favourites, including sinigáng (tamarind-based soup), adobo (pork stewed in vinegar and garlic) and grilled fish.
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Sari’s Baryo
Sari’s Baryo serves a variety of Filipino favourites, including sinigáng (tamarind-based soup), adobo (pork stewed in vinegar and garlic) and grilled fish.
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Beans & Pages
Beans & Pages is a coffee shop a few kilometres north of Rizal Ave, and also has free wi-fi, and free film screenings on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7.30pm.
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Divine Sweets
Coffee shop culture is still in its incubation phase in Puerto, Divine Sweets is a good meet-up spot; has excellent pastries and cakes. It also offers free wi-fi.
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Topstar Travel & Tours
In addition to the standard Honda Bay and city tours, Topstar Travel & Tours can arrange private transport to El Nido and other destinations on Palawan.
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Public Market
Piles of tropical fruit, colourful vegetables and fish stacked like, well sardines, make up the colourful tableau at the Public Market.
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NCCC Mall
The ageing, humble NCCC Mall contains a supermarket, pharmacy and department store and is the only game in town.
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Bruno’s Swiss Food
For those craving Swiss, Polish and German sausage and European beers, Bruno’s Swiss Food is the place.
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