Although a highly urbanized city that’s officially the capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa has been considered, in recent years, as simply the gateway to Coron and El Nido, the archipelagic province’s now more popular tourist destinations.
That’s about to change. Lately, I am particularly thrilled to see Puerto Princesa back in the spotlight, thanks in large part to the influx of more accommodation options that have in turn also highlighted the best places to visit in this wondrous city.
One of them is The Funny Lion, regarded as the number 1 hotel chain in Palawan that opened its latest beachfront resort in Puerto Princesa only last December.
There are resorts and there are resorts. One of the things that I’ve observed in my recent travels is that getting to many resorts often involves lengthy trips by land and sometimes even by boat after landing at the airport. That’s not the case with The Funny Lion. The Puerto Princesa resort is only around 15 minutes away from Palawan International Airport, a plus for travelers who need to get a quick rest, freshen up, and enjoy a good meal after a tiring flight.
But The Funny Lion is far from just a mere stopover. Booking a stay in The Funny Lion is tantamount to experiencing an eventful staycation. For starters, I can’t get enough of its beachfront location which provides a tranquil and tropical landscape punctuated by virgin mangroves, coconut trees, and a stunning view of Sulu Sea. A swimming pool that overlooks the beach along with the resort’s sunbeds also provide relaxing options while savoring the scenery.
The Funny Lion boasts 77 cozy and spacious rooms under three categories namely Cub, King, and Pride, obviously about the magnificent wild animal it’s named after. Even with its proximity to the city proper, I never considered dining outside as The Funny Lion’s dining options including its main restaurant, Hunt already include a generous menu of Palawan cuisine as well as the resort’s take on other popular dishes.
But as I mentioned, the best thing about The Funny Lion for an urban traveler like myself is its proximity to the city proper. Not being secluded or isolated is a big part of its appeal not just for me but I can imagine for other tourists as well because it allows visitors to explore more of Puerto Princesa in addition to having access to, well, more modern needs.
Depending on the desired time and preferred activity of guests, The Funny Lion’s friendly staff can arrange tours of Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s Underground River, Ugong Rock Adventures, and Honda Bay Island Hopping.
Since our group was only staying at The Funny Lion for a short time, we were able to take part in the city tour that allowed me to check out some of Puerto Princesa’s most sought-after tourist destinations for the very first time.
Mitra’s Ranch
Also known as Rancho Mitra, the place is indeed owned by the family of the late House of Representatives Speaker and former Senator Ramon Mitra. Located in Sta. Monica Heights and now open to the public, the once private property and popular tourist destination includes the ancestral home of the province’s revered public servant, the highlight of which is a viewdeck with a breathtaking view of Puerto Princesa.
The ancestral home itself is replete with photos and mementos that recall the Mitra family’s involvement in local and national politics. But in addition to the picturesque views and history lessons, the ranch also offers fun activities such as horseback riding, trampoline, and zip lining for the more adventurous types at very affordable rates.
Baker’s Hill
Although largely considered a premier pasalubong center in the city, Baker’s Hill is very much an Instagram-worthy tourist spot. Aside from the must-buy hopia, pastillas, and other baked goodies, the place doubles as a park with several areas to have your photos taken including life-size colorful figures of pop culture icons like Marilyn Monroe, Shrek, Bugs Bunny and Donald Duck, just to name a few.
Love is also very much in the air in Baker’s Hill as the place is replete with signs full of hugot and pick-up lines like “the heart wants what it wants.” But even those who are not in a romantic mood will find a lot to like here. I couldn’t help but wax nostalgic here in Baker’s Hill as there were several moments when it reminded me of my childhood.
Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village
As the name suggests, it offers two things that at first glance seem to be an odd combination: butterflies and tribal culture. the first part features a wide array of colorful, free-flying tropical butterflies originating from the Southern Philippines. Equally fascinating are the live exhibits of lizards, scorpions, and mantises, among others. But the place is not just a haven for insects but also doubles as a refuge for wild animals rescued from poachers including the Palawan Bearcat.
The second part, as the name of the place also suggests, is a tribal village populated by natives who demonstrate to tourists how things are done in indigenous communities like them in this province. The villagers here, who talk in their dialect and even have their own alphabet, show how they hunt, play their native musical instruments, and yes, even how to start a fire using flint stones.
All told, my recent visit to Puerto Princesa gave me a newfound appreciation of Palawan’s capital, thanks also in large part to my stay at The Funny Lion. Hope to be back soon.
Image credits: The Funny Lion Puerto Princesa