Now that you are convinced enough to get around on foot, tricycle, multi-cab or bus (loaded with squealing pigs, clucking hens, and crying babies), or any combination thereof, here’s the skinny on Puerto Princesa public transport.
Just like any Philippine province, public transport in Palawan consists mainly of tricycles, jeepneys and buses.
Light rail is limited. Outside of mainland Luzon, commuter trains are yet to trail-blaze on Philippine highways. Over long hauls, the only passenger transport that could endure the often tough roads are buses. If transport is infrequent, expect that Filipinos will hypermile by ‘top-loading.’
Palawan is not an exception. Outside of Puerto Princesa where local traffic authorities are likely to look the other way, jeepneys and buses are “packed to the rafters.” (While that may seem acceptable when you are a local and exciting when you are a visitor, “top-loading” comes with risks that relieve the transport operator of any liability should any accident happen.)
Multi-cab drivers are excellent sources of route information on street level
But if there is one thing that makes Palawan stand out, it is the conspicuous absence of taxicabs in Puerto Princesa, its capital, that are a fixture of any self-respecting mid-sized city. Puerto Princesa, however, is not just any mid-sized city: It is a carbon-neutral city, thanks mostly to low-emission tricycles (compared to other conveyances) and plenty of centuries-old trees growing right smack in the city center.
In the place of ‘yellow cabs,’ the ubiquitous tricycle is the taxi instead.
Tricycles with peacock logo (Mobil tricycle) are accredited by Department of Tourism and follow standard fares when rented for city tours
Used in combination of sturdy legs and multi-cabs, tricycles can get you anywhere within the city and, if the price is right, in the outskirts.
So if you want to explore the city by yourself the cheap way, here’s a public transport guide to get you to the city’s highlights:
- From your hotel to Rizal Avenue. If Rizal Avenue is not within walking distance, tricycle fare is P8 to P10.
- From Rizal Avenue to Baywalk: Take the tricycle. Fare is P8, entrance fee to the boulevard is free. If driver is hesitant to take you there because you are a solo passenger, offer to pay P16.
- From Rizal Avenue to Plaza Cuartel. Take the tricycle or multi-cab. Fare is P8. Get off at the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral and walk to the opposite side of the street via the basketball court. Entrance is free.
- From Rizal Avenue to Palawan Museum. Take a tricycle or multi-cab for P8. Get off at Mendoza Park. Entrance fee to the Museum (in front of the park) is P10 for college students and P20 for non-students.
- From Rizal Avenue to Baker’s Hill. Take the PPC-Santa Monica, PPC-Sicsican or PPC-Irawan multi-cab (PPC being Puerto Princesa City). Loading area is in front of Jollibee. Be sure to get off at Puerto Princesa School of Arts and Trade (PPSAT). Fare is P15. Then take a tricycle uphill until you reach Baker’s Hill. Fare is P10 if you ride with company or you can offer to pay P20 if riding solo. Entrance fee to Baker’s Hill is free.
- From Rizal Avenue to Mitra Ranch. Take the same multi-cab/tricycle combo as you would going to Baker’s Hill. Mitra Ranch is located a little farther from Baker’s Hill. You can take the tricycle for P10 from Baker’s Hill or hike! Entrance is free. Of course, you can choose to slide down the Rancho Zipline for P500 (three lines).
- From Rizal Avenue to Butterfly Garden. Take the same multi-cab going to Baker’s Hill and get off at PPSAT. Instead of a tricycle ride uphill, just cross the street and walk about 50M to the Butterfly Garden. There’s a huge signage at the PPSAT junction to lead you to the butterfly sanctuary. Entrance fee is P50.
- From Rizal Avenue to Binuatan Creations. Take the same multi-cab going to Baker’s Hill except get off at a smaller junction before PPSAT. Cross the street, and walk a few hundred meters to Binuatan. Or, from Jollibee, take the Pajara-Santa Monica-Bunkhouse multi-cab and get off at PPSAT. Hike a few blocks or take a tricycle for P8. Binuatan Creations is where local fibers are handloom-woven into world-class table runners, placemats, bags and blinds, to name a few.
- From Rizal Avenue to Irawan Crocodile Farm. Take the PPC-Irawan multi-cab, ideally the one with the Crocodile Farm signage. Fare is P20. Entrance fee is P40. The multi-cab will turn around in front of the Crocodile Farm for another trip back to the city.
For long-distance travel within the province, the San Jose Terminal and New Market is only 20-30 minutes away from downtown Puerto Princesa by multi-cab or tricycle. Fare is P80 via tricycle, or P100 if you are three or more, along with luggage.
The San Jose Terminal multi-cab is easy to spot. Most of the multi-cabs plying Rizal Avenue and National Highway have New Market or San Jose Terminal signages (either signage will get you there). If altogether unsure, smile and ask! Drivers are helpful resources on the ground, and more often than not, willing to engage in Q&A as to which conveyance heads where.
Click here for next article (Palawan series) – Sunbird Cottages Review >>
Photos by Cherry Vic Patalita
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Chris had a passion to contribute to society especially to fellow travelers like himself. He also had a passion for Southeast Asia and frequently visited. While brainstorming ideas, he decided that a travel blog dedicated to his favorite countries, Thailand and Singapore, could be more beneficial than any guidebook. Only one year later did the blog’s success bring in more writers, more countries, and more readers.
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