140
PHOTOS: GEORGE CABIG (SAN JOSE); LESTER LEDESMA (PUERTO PRINCESA & BUSUANGA)
philippines
trip journal
PUERTO PRINCESA
SAN JOSE
BUSUANGA
AT 210M ABOVE SEA LEVEL, MOUNT TAPYAS IS THE SECOND-HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN
CORON, PALAWAN.
DID YOU
KNOW?
Rowena
Montemayor
Homemaker
SaschaUsison
User-interface designer
Pearl P. Cabado
Local government
employee
“Yes, San Jose is a gateway
to neighboring tourist
destinations like Apo Reef,
Coron and Caticlan. But
the place also has a lot of
natural attractions worth
visiting.”
“You may either lounge at
the beach, hit the waters or
do some hiking. Whatever
you do, Busuanga Island
will surely enthrall you with
its beauty and majesty.”
“Palawan’s awe-inspiring
scenery is incredible, and
the people who live there are
awesome. I’ve never met such
lovely people anywhere else.”
Sample the Sikatuna Chicken
(PHP215), a bestseller at the restaurant of
Sikatuna Beach Hotel (sikatunabeachhotel.
com).
Check out the Municipal
Plaza in Rizal Street, the town’s hub of
entertainment. There you’ll see landmarks
like the Rizal Monument, Mangyan and
Liberty statues.
You must see the
amazing sunset at San Jose Aroma Beach.
Enjoy the view while eating
balut
(duck
embryo in its shell) and chicharon.
Check out Big Mama’s Pinoy & Hot
Pot Grill, and either order à la carte dishes
or buy raw seafood, marinated pork or
chicken, and ask them to cook it for you.
Servings are huge and the average cost
per dish is PHP150.
Hike Mount
Tapyas — it will take you 740 steps, but the
beautiful view at the summit is worth it.
The Underground River is the most
popular site and for good reason. The rock
formations there are amazing, and the local
guides are entertaining and informative, too.
Bring as much cash as you think you will
need. ATMs are not easily available, and not
all establishments accept credit cards.
Even non-vegetarians will love Ima’s Gulay
Bar (Fernandez St.). The eggplant basil and
cheese rolls are real treats for the tummy.
AREA CODE
+43
TOUCHDOWN
SAN
JOSE AIRPORT
GET TO TOWN
TRICYCLE
(PHP10.50 REGULAR FARE)
AREA CODE
+48
TOUCHDOWN
FRANCISCO B. REYES (BUSUANGA)
AIRPORT
GET TO TOWN
SHUTTLE VAN
(PHP150 ONE-WAY TRIP), PRE-ARRANGED
HOTEL SHUTTLE
AREA CODE
+48
TOUCHDOWN
PUERTO
PRINCESA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
GET TO
TOWN
VAN, TRICYCLE, MULTICAB
