Do It Yourself

Failed Attempt to trek the Monkey Trail to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan

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It was the morning after our visit to the Iwahig Firefly Watching. Our plan was to do the Underground River via Do-It-Yourself, lucky for us since we got to secure our permit from the Underground River Booking Office.

Failed Attempt to trek the Monkey Trail to the Underground River in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

We woke up early and checked out of our lodge in Puerto Princesa for us to catch the 7:30 AM trip to Sabang via Lexus Shuttle Services. When we arrived on their terminal, there were 2 caucasian guys (I forgot the nationality) that were asking if they could still get on the van. Since we all looked like backpackers it was easy for us to get to chat with them. We found out that they still do not have a permit to the Underground River. I told them that there was a way before to get inside the Underground River if they were staying overnight in Sabang, I’m just not sure if that way still exists. Luckily, there was a resort owner in Sabang that was riding with us that verified that they could still enter the Underground River as long as they stay in one of the accommodations in Sabang!

Daytrip Do-It-Yourself Itinerary to the Tabon Caves of Quezon, Palawan

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Entrance to the Tabon Caves Complex in Lipuun Point, Quezon, Palawan

Entrance to the Tabon Caves Complex in Lipuun Point, Quezon, Palawan

Summary

No. of Pax: 4 pax
Budget: 900 Pesos per person
Duration: 1 day
Estimated Start: 4:30 AM from lodging at Puerto Princesa Town Proper
Estimated End: 06:15 PM at Puerto Princesa Town Proper
Points of Interest: National Museum Quezon, Palawan Branch and Tabon Caves Complex

Suggested Itinerary

Puerto Princesa Underground River Do-It-Yourself Travel Guide

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Here’s what you should do to get inside the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River without taking a packaged tour.

  1. Get a Visitor Entry Permit to the Underground River.
  2. Go to Sabang Port at Brgy. Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa.
  3. Register at the Sabang Port Tourist Information Center.
  4. Get to the entrance of the Underground River for the start of the Paddle Boat Tour.
  5. Do the Paddle Boat Tour inside the Underground River.

Since I’ve done a post on the first 2 items (click on them to get to the post) I’ll discuss the steps 3 and 4.

Registering at the Tourist Information Center

When you arrive at Sabang Port at Brgy. Cabayugan, go to the Tourist Information Center and register to let them know that you have arrived for your scheduled Underground River Paddle Boat Tour.

You must register at least an hour before your tour.

Do not forget to bring a valid ID when you register as this is required.

Going to the Underground River Entrance

Getting around Guiuan, Eastern Samar

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This will serve as a Do-It-Yourself Travel Guide to Guiuan, Eastern Samar

First things first, before I show you around Guiuan let me take you there.

How to get to Guiuan, Eastern Samar

From Tacloban City, Leyte

There are Public Vans that goes to Guiuan from Tacloban City. They are Van-Vans and Duptours. Below are their details

Duptours

  • First Trip: 5:20 AM; Last Trip: 6:30 PM; Van leaves every hour even if it is not full.
  • Fare is 120 Pesos/person.
  • Travel Time is 3 hours.
  • Contact Number: (055) 523-8107

Van-Vans

  • First Trip: 5:30 AM; Last Trip: 5:00 PM; Van leaves every 30 mins even if it is not full.
  • Fare is 140 Pesos/person.
  • Travel Time is 3 hours
  • Contact Number: (053) 325-8293
Van headed to Guiuan, Eastern Samar at San Juanico Bridge

Van headed to Guiuan from Tacloban City

From Borongan, Eastern Samar

There are Jeepneys that goes to Guiuan from Borongan. This will also pass by the jumpoff of Divinubo Island and Minasangay Island. Below are the details

Baler, Aurora’s Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Travel Guide

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How to go to Baler, Aurora
How to go around Baler, Aurora
Where to stay in Baler, Aurora
Where to eat in Baler, Aurora
What to do in Baler, Aurora
When is the best time to go to Baler, Aurora
Other useful information about Baler, Aurora
Important numbers you should have when in Baler, Aurora

Sabang Beach Baler, Aurora

If you want to see photos of Baler visit our Baler, Aurora Facebook Photo Gallery.

How to get to Baler, Aurora

There are 2 ways to get to Baler, Aurora

  1. Genesis Transport Terminalin Cubao offers a bus directly to Baler. There are 2 type of buses, the Joy Bus and their regular aircon bus.
    • Joy Bus
      • Schedule: 12MN and 4:30AM
      • Travel Time: 4 hrs and 30 mins
      • Price: 650 Pesos
      • Can be reserved. Call (02) 709-0545 / (02) 709-0544 / (02) 441-6834
    • Regular Aircon Bus
      • Schedule: 1AM, 2AM, 4:30AM, 5:30AM, 6:30AM and 7:30AM.
      • 5:30AM and 6:30AM are depend if there are many passengers.
      • Price: 418 Pesos
      • Travel Time: 6 hours

    You can also take their buses going to Casiguran, Aurora via Baler

    • Schedule: 1AM and 3AM
    • Price to Baler: 418 Pesos
    • Travel Time to Baler: 6 hours

    Website: http://www.genesistransport.com.ph/
    Contact Numbers (Cubao): (02) 709-0803 / (02) 421-1443

  2. Take a bus going to Cabanatuan then Van/Bus to Baler, Aurora
    • Bus from Cubao to Cabanatuan
      Travel Time: 3 hours
      Price: 185 Pesos/person/one-way

      • ES Transport (good service)
        – Schedule: 24 hours available. Wait until the bus gets almost full then they leave for Cabanatuan.
        – Contact Nos.: (02) 437-0594; 0922-857-0181
      • Five Star Bus (good service)
        – Schedule: 24 hours available. Wait until the bus gets almost full then they leave for Cabanatuan.
        – Contact Nos.: (02) 421-4716 to 17; (02) 911-7359
      • Baliwag Transit (have not tried)
        – Schedule: First Trip is 2AM until they have passengers
        – Contact Nos.: (02) 912-3343; (02) 912-3361
    • Bus from Cabanatuan to Casiguran, Aurora via Baler
      Non-airconditioned bus at Cabanatuan going to Casiguran, Aurora

      • D-Liner Buses going to Casiguran, Aurora
        Type: Non-Airconditioned
        Schedule: 2AM, 5AM and 7AM; This schedules are a bit unsure it depends if there are many passengers.
        Price to Baler: 178 Pesos/person/one-way
        Travel Time to Baler: 4 hours
    • Vans from Cabanatuan to Baler
      Vans in Cabanatuan going to Baler are available 24 hours. You’ll see them lined up at Cabanatuan Central Terminal.

      • Schedule: Frequent when there are a lot of passengers. Usually there are a lot of passengers when there are no longer buses going to Baler. If in the case that you waited for a long time and there are no more passengers left, all the remaining passengers will be paying the fee of the other passengers. Minimum number of persons before the van leaves is 10 persons.
      • Maximum no. of pax per van: 12
      • Price: 220 Pesos/person/one-way
      • Travel Time: 4 hours
      • Contact No.: 0939 251 1143 (Jimmy – Dispatcher)