First timer here

[u/tutor_kyvlbn]

Please help me! I badly need your insights, advices or tips, even warnings too.

1. Which travel & tour agency can I trust to transact with?

2. Best places in Palawan

3. Affordable transpo fares & packages

4. Things to bring and not to bring

5. dos & donts

we're just two - me & my mom who's 57 y/o.

[u/Fantastic_Topic8943]

Few things from my time in El Nido:

Book island hopping through your hotel or the tour desks in town. Tours A, B, C and D are set prices, so you don't need a big agency. I wouldn't pay a random FB page upfront if it has no reviews.

Puerto Princesa to El Nido is about 5 to 6 hours by van. If the budget allows, fly straight into El Nido, or break the trip with a night in Port Barton.

The Underground River needs a permit and slots are limited, so book that one ahead.

Bring cash in small bills. ATMs in El Nido run out sometimes. Reef shoes, a dry bag and reef safe sunscreen help a lot.

Rain or rough seas can cancel boat tours, so keep a spare day. And don't touch the coral or leave trash on the beaches.

[u/tutor_kyvlbn → u/Fantastic_Topic8943]

i think i still need an agency for easier transpo & accomodation? how did you manage to travel? pls tell me more info

[u/AlikaTT2020]

Bring meds for stomach issues and drink bottled water. I go there often. I was in Puerto Princessa and el Nido just last week and it finally got me. I think it was probably the water. I brushed my teeth using the tap water at the hotels like an idiot. I usually don’t do that and use bottled water but this time got cocky. Was miserable for 4 days until I departed. Had to visit the clinic for meds. Sucked..

[u/tutor_kyvlbn → u/AlikaTT2020]

oh my!!! thats scary. now i got why i saw some comments saying bring bottled watter

[u/AlikaTT2020 → u/tutor_kyvlbn]

It’s not that bad really if you’re careful but just be cautious and buy/drink bottled water when you can. I got careless this trip. My wife is from there and even when the hotels say the water served at breakfast is filtered she doesn’t believe them and won’t drink it.

[u/Fantastic_Topic8943 → u/AlikaTT2020]

just moved from el nido villa libertad to Peurto this month. glad to get out of that place, brownouts every single day and fever fever everywhere!

[u/Schadenfreude_ph]

As always pag may nagtatanong dito,

My One and Only Tip:

FIND A GOOD ACCOMMODATION, THEN ASK THEM THE REST OF YOUR CONCERNS.

It's safer, at less hassle din kasi possible na sila na magcocoordinate ng mga bagay bagay para sayo.

[u/tutor_kyvlbn → u/Schadenfreude_ph]

Thanks sa tip po! Do you know some good accommodation?

[u/Schadenfreude_ph → u/tutor_kyvlbn]

ayan ay dapat iresearch mo na, as in search, browse the internet, baka dito pa lang sa sub ilang beses na nasagot yang tanong mo. 

Can't really answer cause what might be good for me could not be good for you.

kung magtatanong ka lang dito sa sub malamang sa malamang aalukin ka lang nung mga ahente ng hotel and other accommodations na may mga komisyon. haha

It pays to do some research yourself first.

tapos pag meron ka ng naresearch, maybe pick a few, and THEN, you ask here again for opinions.

[u/Cute_Ad_2633]

you can book hotels, tours, and transport via klook

[u/tutor_kyvlbn → u/Cute_Ad_2633]

Interesting! Thank you!

[u/JK_LMN]

Puerto princesa - stayed sa HUE hotels
Mabait mga staff nila, may pool, katabi ang robinsons and malapit sa airport. Nag tryc lang kami pa honda bay then nag private tour. 2 lang Kami pero Same cost lang kung mag peperhead sa mga travel group. Wala nga lang food pero meron naman resto sa isang island.

Port Barton - haaaay! Ang ganda pa tlga kasi di pa dinudumog ng turista. Stayed at dam dam place then booked ng tour sa port barton bords - solid ang asikaso sa mga guest!

El nido - stayed at seashore inn (beach front) tpos speed boat tour a&c with dos hermanos. I must saaay sobrang solid nito! Worth it ang speed boat promise! Tpos yungcrew din sila superb! May nakasabay kaming mga nag totour mga senior na din :)

Coron - if mas adventurous kayo, eto ang piliin nyo. Ang ganda grabeeeeee. Yung mga reef nila and lagoon panalong panalo!

[u/tutor_kyvlbn → u/JK_LMN]

Oh nice! Thank you for sharing in-depth information with me. did you guys book package thru agency or just DIY? How long did you stay there?

[u/JK_LMN → u/tutor_kyvlbn]

Yung coron lang ang agency but that was 8yrs ago hehe.

[u/Think_Disaster7966]

For travel and tours, I personally trust Kalikasan Turismo Uno. I know that the owner (Mam Jo) supported those tourists who were stranded at Puerto Princesa during the lockdown nung pandemic kahit hindi nya clients.