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Where to Stay in Puerto Princesa

Where to Stay in Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa Palawan, Philippines Travel Guide

Accommodation Types

Full Spectrum of Lodging Options

  • Hostels:

    Budget-friendly, dorms or private rooms. Popular with backpackers and solo travelers for affordability and social spaces. Communal areas and tour organization often available. Hostelworld lists options.

  • Guesthouses/Inns:

    Small, often family-run. Basic to mid-range rooms, with a personal touch. Breakfast and tour arrangement support often included. Booking.com and Agoda have listings.

  • Cheap Accommodations:

    Simple accommodations with basic comforts like air conditioning, private bathrooms, and sometimes a small restaurant. A step up in privacy.

  • Mid-Range Hotels:

    More services like swimming pools, on-site restaurants, and better service. Comfortable rooms with modern facilities, suitable for couples and families. IHG Hotels for chains.

  • Resorts:

    Often located outside the city center, near Honda Bay or beachfront. Extensive facilities, including private beaches, larger pools, multiple dining options, and recreational activities.

  • Luxury Hotels:

    Limited in the city center, but some upscale resorts sit on the outskirts or near prime natural spots. Premium services, exquisite dining, large rooms, and often higher privacy.

  • Vacation Rentals and Apartments:

    Platforms like Vrbo offer apartments, houses, and private rooms. These are good for longer stays, families, or groups seeking more space, a kitchen, and a home-like setting.

  • Camping and Outdoor Accommodation:

    Formal campgrounds are limited. Some island hopping tours may include overnight camping on specific islands, typically part of a tour package.

Neighborhood Guide

Each area is a different character, balancing convenience with peace.

City Center Rizal Avenue, Malvar Street area

Benefits
  • Central location for shops, banks, restaurants.
  • Walkable to attractions like Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Plaza Cuartel, Baywalk.
  • Easy access to tricycles and tour operators.
Considerations
  • Can be noisy and busy.
  • Fewer parks and no direct beachfront.
  • Petty crime (pickpocketing) possible in crowded areas.

San Manuel / Santa Monica Airport Area

Benefits
  • Closer to Gateway To the underground river International Airport (PPS).
  • Near departure points for Honda Bay tours.
  • Hotels often feature more space and amenities, including larger pools.
Considerations
  • Further from the immediate city center.
  • Requires tricycle or taxi ride for dining, shopping, nightlife.
  • Generally safe and residential.

Outskirts / Rural Areas e.g., near Irawan Eco-Park, Nagtabon Beach

Benefits
  • Peaceful, scenic environment.
  • Often with private beach access or extensive natural surroundings.
  • Ideal for relaxation and escaping city sounds.
Considerations
  • Isolated, needing dedicated transport for city attractions.
  • Dining options limited outside resort facilities.
  • Public transport options are scarce.

Unique Local Accommodation / Homestay

Unique Local Style:

Gateway To the underground river does not hold truly special local places to stay like traditional stilt houses for tourists. However, some guesthouses incorporate local architectural factors and natural materials.

Homestay Opportunities:

Some guesthouses operate with a homestay feel, providing interaction with local families. Community-based tourism initiatives are less common in the city but present in activities like the Iwahig Firefly Watching tour.

Booking Strategies

Booking your accommodation wisely saves money and secures your preferred lodging.

Advance Booking by Season

  • High Season (December-April): Book several months ahead. Popular accommodations and resorts fill quickly, and last-minute options are limited and expensive.
  • Shoulder Season (May, November): Book 1-2 months ahead. This provides a good selection and potentially better prices before/after peak times.
  • Low Season (June-October): More flexibility. Good deals are common a few weeks out. For specific properties, booking a month ahead is a wise choice.

Trusted Booking Platforms

  • International Platforms: Agoda.com and Booking.com are widely used and reliable. Expedia and Hotels.com also list properties.
  • Direct Booking: Some smaller guesthouses or resorts might offer slightly better rates via their website or email. They might also feature special packages not located on larger platforms.
  • Negotiation Customs (Walk-in): For smaller guesthouses or budget inns, especially during low season, a a little less walk-in rate could be possible. This practice is less common now due to online booking. Larger hotels and established resort hotels offer fixed rates.

Important Policies

Deposit and Cancellation Policies:
  • Policies differ by property and booking platform.
  • Always check specific deposit and cancellation policies before final booking.
  • Many platforms offer cancellable for free until a specific date.
  • Certain accommodations, especially during peak season or for special rates, might call for full prepayment and have non-refundable policies. Read the terms carefully.
Seasonal Price Fluctuations:
  • Prices are highest during the peak dry season and major holidays (Christmas, New Year, Holy Week, Chinese New Year).
  • Prices drop significantly during the wet season (June-October).

Considerations for Specific Needs

Homestay/Community Tourism:

While a homestay feel exists in some guesthouses, widespread community-based tourism is less prevalent in the city. The Iwahig Firefly Watching tour directly supports local communities.

Unique Local Types:

No truly unique traditional stilt houses for tourists exist. However, some guesthouses incorporate local architectural elements and natural materials.

Vacation Rentals:

Airbnb and Vrbo list many apartments/houses, suitable for longer stays or groups seeking a kitchen and home environment.

Accommodation Recommendations

Here are instances of well-regarded properties through various budget categories. Specific availability and exact pricing varies.

Top Picks for Different Budget Levels

Budget ₱500 - ₱1,200/night

Good for budget travelers and solo travelers.

  • Dolce Vita Hotel (Guesthouse): Friendly staff, clean basic rooms. Good value.
  • Cleon Villas Pension: Affordable rooms with good amenities, often including a pool.
  • Michelle Pension: Popular for backpackers, offers dorms and private rooms, with communal areas.
  • Hostelworld for more budget options.
Mid-Range ₱1,500 - ₱4,000/night

Suitable for couples, families, and those looking for comfort.

  • Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa: Upscale resort closer to Honda Bay with extensive facilities.
  • Aziza Paradise Hotel: Modern hotel with a large pool, popular for families.
  • Go Hotels Gateway To the underground river: Reliable, clean, modern rooms, near a mall for convenience.
  • Booking.com for comprehensive listings.

Other Specific Recommendations

Luxury ₱5,000+ /night

For luxury, relaxation, or special occasions.

  • Dos Palmas Island Resort and Spa (Honda Bay): Accessible with a private boat, secluded island with luxury facilities.
  • Princesa Garden Island Vacation spot and Spa: Also in this category for higher-end luxury homes and amenities.
  • Consider IHG Hotels for upscale chains.
Family-Friendly & Long-Stay Options

Tailored for different travel styles.

  • Family-Friendly: Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa, Aziza Paradise Hotel. Resorts on the outskirts offer family suites.
  • Solo Traveler: Hostels like Sheyhill Tourist Inn or Michelle Pension, small guesthouses.
  • Long-Stay: Vacation rentals on platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo, or guesthouses offering weekly/monthly rates. Some hotels provide long-stay discounts. Also consider TrustedHousesitters.

Comparison Table: Accommodation Types General

  • Hostel/Pension:

    Price Range: ₱300-1,200/night. Features: Dorms/basic private rooms, communal areas. Best For: Budget travelers, solo travelers, socializing.

  • Mid-Range Hotel:

    Price Range: ₱1,500-4,000/night. Features: AC, private bath, pool, restaurant. Best For: Couples, families, comfort-focused travelers.

  • Resort/Luxury:

    Price Range: ₱5,000+/night. Features: Extensive facilities, beachfront, pools. Best For: Luxury, relaxation, special occasions.

  • Vacation Rental:

    Price Range: Varies. Features: Full apartment/house, kitchen, privacy. Best For: Families, groups, longer stays.

Properties with Cultural or Historical Significance

  • Limited Focus:

    Puerto Princesa's accommodation scene focuses more on modern comfort or nature immersion rather than cultural or historical significance.

  • No Dedicated Historical Properties:

    Few properties are built with historical preservation as their main feature.

  • Focus on Experience:

    Instead, lodging options prioritize comfort, amenities, and proximity to natural attractions.

  • Local Elements:

    Some guesthouses might subtly incorporate local architectural elements or materials, offering a sense of place without being historical the locationsmselves.

Camping and Outdoor Accommodation

Limited Formal Campgrounds

Formal campgrounds are limited in the immediate vicinity of Puerto Princesa.

  • Island Hopping Tours: Some specific island hopping tours, for example, those to Starfish Island in Honda Bay, might offer an option for sleeping over camping.
  • This is typically part of a specific tour package.
Research Tour Operators

If you desire outdoor stays, research tour operators that feature such experiences.

  • These are not independent camping opportunities.
  • Always book through reliable operators to confirm safety and logistics for any outdoor overnight stays.

General Accommodation Comparison

Hostel / Pension

Price: ₱300-1,200/night. Features: Dorms/basic private rooms, communal areas. Best for: Budget travelers, solo travelers, socializing.

Mid-Range Hotel

Price: ₱1,500-4,000/night. Features: AC, private bath, pool, restaurant. Best for: Couples, families, comfort-focused travelers.

Resort / Luxury

Price: ₱5,000+/night. Features: Extensive facilities, beachfront, pools. Best for: Luxury, relaxation, special occasions.