Changes in Tour Pricing and Inclusions

Hello Everyone!

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the following changes have been implemented by the local travel agencies as far as tours are concerned:

1. The Honda Bay Tour short distance option will now include the following islands: Cowrie, Pambato and Luli island. Lunch and transfers are still included in the package.
2. The Honda Bay Tour long distance option now only includes 2 islands: Pandan island and Luli island. Lunch and transfers are still included in the package.
3. These changes have been brought about by the sudden increase in the entrance and cottage fees of some islands, as well as the revisions in the boat rental fees from the Honda Bay Association. Supposedly, this is standard among all local travel agencies.
4. For now, the rates for the Underground River, City Tour, Firefly Watching, and Dolphin Watching tours remain unchanged.

***Please note that the Honda Bay changes apply to agency-booked tours, and not to walk-in tours (cheaper rate for groups of 5 pax or more, up to 5 islands, and can be availed of from the Villa Saturnina location)

There are also "rumors" about a possible increase in the Underground River permit, which will inevitably result to an increase in the Underground River Tour rates. For now, these remain as rumors, hence our partner agency has decided to stick to the old rates.

Please also note that Villa Saturnina is running the 399/head promo effective July 2013, until further notice. This supercedes previous promos that may have been published on our site. The 399/head promo covers the room accommodation, breakfast and airport transfers, and applies to groups of 5 or more. Seasons Guesthouse has a similar promo, with different rates. Please refer to the photo below for more details.

The Tour Rates provided above are based on current market prices, and may be subject to change at any time (we can only guarantee the room rate, which is within our full control). The tour price changes will depend solely on industry standards/local government mandate and are not within the control of the hotels.

The Iwahig Firefly Watching Experience

Thanks to my friend Kenny and her group of SK kids from Batangas, I finally had the chance to try out the Firefly Watching Tour at the other side of the city: Iwahig. Compared to the one at Baywalk, the Iwahig tour is a bit on the "rough" side. I would say that choosing between one or the other will boil down to personal preferences and choices, but both tours are worth experiencing.

The tour started at 6PM, when the tour guide/van picked us up from Villa Saturnina. The first stop was a buffet dinner at Asturias Hotel. There was a wedding reception at the usual venue/dining area, so they instead setup the buffet at the coffee shop. While it was a bit cramped, everybody was able to comfortably have dinner. The food was nothing exceptional, but a buffet is a buffet. I would say that the highlight of that stopover was the photo ops session with Mayor Hagedorn. I was actually surprised when the kids suddenly became excited and approached him. Luckily, Mayor Hagedorn was very accommodating and allowed the kids to have their pics taken with him.

Back to the tour, we left Asturias after dinner and went on a 15 minute ride to Iwahig. I must say, the road leading to the location was too dark because of the lack of street lights. It probably added to the sense of adventure and thrill, but I wouldn't want to be stuck there with a flat tire or an engine problem. Once we got to the site, however, the excitement of being with the fireflies came back in a rush. Supposedly, these creatures only thrive in a clean and balanced environment. I am truly blessed to be living in such a place.

After registration, we were asked to group ourselves into 3. There were 24 of us so the division was pretty even, although one person backed out because of an uncontrollable fear of the unknown. We were also assigned number tags, representing our turn for the tour. The waiting time was surprisingly fast, and we were on the platform in no time. A few photos were taken by the on-site photographer (sold at 150 a piece for interested parties) and we were off into the darkness of the night.

The Iwahig tour was different from the Baywalk tour in several ways. For starters, we used smaller, non motorized boats for the tour. They say this is more eco-friendly and less disruptive, and I tend to agree. We also did not use any form of artificial lighting, and we had to make do with the moonlight and our natural night visions. I seem to remember seeing more fireflies at the Baywalk tour, but this could be attributed to the season/time of year. The boatman, Anthony, seemed to be very knowledgable with his job and was able to answer all of our questions with authority and confidence.

The planktons were also remarkable. These microscopic creatures glow in the dark when disturbed, and I enjoyed dipping my hand in the water once in a while (half scared that an unseen creature would take notice and bite my arm off). It reminded me on the whale in "Life of Pi." It took every ounce of will power to stop myself from diving in (or pushing one of my boat mates) to see if we would actually glow in the dark.

What made the tour more memorable for me was the stargazing. At one point, we started to ignore the fireflies and focused our attention to the stars instead. I was amazed when Anthony pulled out a small battery-operated contraption that emitted a laser light that pointed straight to the stars! It was like listening to a teacher pointing at the constellations using a giant stick, with the entire sky as the board. 

The actual tour lasted for approximately 20 minutes. It was exciting, educational, and entertaining. It could also be romantic if went on the tour with your significant other. I'm sure the boatmen won't mind if you stole a kiss or two, or make a marriage proposal. Definitely a place you need to visit when you go on a Puerto Princesa vacation.

More Rooms, More Options!

We are pleased to announce that Villa Saturnina will start to manage and operate a 50-pax capacity pension house located at the heart of the city! SEASONS promises to provide excellent service at a very reasonable rate.  As you may know, Villa Saturnina has been highly ranked by TripAdvisor for providing great value and exceptional customer service. We are very excited to provide an option for guests and tourists who prefer the city life and be accessible to local bars and restaurants at night.

Seasons (by Villa Saturnina) is strategically located in front of one of the biggest convention centers in Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Skylight Convention Center). Being at the heart of the city, most of the local bars, restaurants, and attractions are within arm's reach. It is the perfect location for tourists who are looking for accessibility and great service. 

Villa Saturnina, on the other hand, is located near the Honda Bay Wharf (approximately 12 kms from the airport). It is a great starting point for tours, and is within arm’s reach from several tourist attractions such as VietVille, Hidden Valley Spring, Honda Bay, and the Chinese Temple. This bed & breakfast boasts of a truly provincial feel. A home away from home.

Rooms are fully air-conditioned with hot shower installed. Wifi access is also available to the guests. Our promotional rates also include free breakfast and airport transfers.

Starting July 1, 2013, you will have the OPTION! 

1. CHOOSE. Which location suits your needs and budget better? SEASONS is located at the heart of the city, and is accessible to the local bars and restaurants. VILLA SATURNINA, on the other hand, is located near the Honda Bay Wharf and offers a peaceful recluse near the tourist attractions.

2. VISIT our Facebook page or check the photo above for the room and tour rates that apply to your preference. Rates will vary depending on location and number of guests.

3. BOOK. Leave a message at our Facebook Page, call or SMS 0917 2001222 // 0999 9928276, or email VillaSaturnina@gmail.com for inquiries. Your questions are always welcome!

4. NOTE that a minimum stay of 3d2n is required to avail of the promotional rates. Room assignments are “run of house” and will depend on availability. Tour rates may change without prior notice, depending on the Puerto Princesa Tourism regulations.

A Special Father's Day and Independence Day Promo

It doesn't get better than this! To celebrate our Independence Day and to honor our Dads, we have a special GROUP promo for June 9 to 16, 2013!

Groups of 5 or more can avail of our special 350 pesos per head room rate! That's more than 50% off our regular room rate!

Here are the mechanics:

1. Must book a minimum of 2 nights. Rate is 350 per head per night.

2. Travel dates must be between June 9 and 16, 2013.

3. Free breakfast and airport transfers!

4.  Tours will be charged separately.

5. This promo is available to groups of 5 people or more. 

6. Room assignments will depend on availability and are subject to management discretion. 

7. Promo is applicable for direct bookings (made via email, SMS, or Facebook messages) only.

Your Third Night, for FREE! A special promo, only for COUPLES/PAIRS!

Do not miss this chance! It's time to celebrate love this June at Villa Saturnina. June is famous for being the month of weddings, and it also happens to be the month of my birth. To give thanks for all the blessings we have received this year, we have come up with a great promotional offer just for you!

Couples who book a room for 4Days 3Nights will get a deal of a lifetime and get the third night for FREE!

Here are the mechanics:

1. Must book a minimum of 4d3n.

2. Travel dates must be between June 1 and June 30, 2013.

3. The promo applies to the room rate (regular room) only. Room rate is 1,500 per night.

4. Breakfast will be complimentary.

5. Airport transfers not included. This will be charged separately (P100 per head, one way). Guests will also have the option of utilizing public transportation.

6. Tours will be charged separately, but may be provided.

7. Slots are limited. 

8. This promo is applicable to couples/pairs/2pax ONLY. Different rates will apply to groups of 3 or more.

9. Promo is applicable for direct bookings (made via email, sms or facebook messages) only.

The BEST Puerto Princesa Packages!

Puerto Princesa City is truly one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. With the wide range of activities and tourist destinations available, there is always something fun and exciting to do. The city is sprawling with restaurants that serve great food, cultural destinations that would feed the mind and the soul, natural wonders that are famous all over the world, and white sand beaches that rival the best ones in the country!

A 3day-2night trip may seem tight, but is actually enough to see the best of the city. As long as you get an early flight in (around 7AM) and a late flight out of the city (there are evening flights), you should be able to fit the following tours: Underground River, Honda Bay, Firefly Watching, and City Tour. You can of course opt to extend your visit to have a more relaxing vacation. Villa Saturnina offers the BEST packages that will definitely give value for your money.

WHAT MAKES THE VILLA SATURNINA PACKAGE SPECIAL?

1. Check out the inclusions. Our 4,800 package already includes breakfast, airport transfers, Underground River Tour, Honda Bay Tour, City Tour and Firefly Watching. Most of the other packages available do not include as much. Even the so called "cheap" group bookings that offer "50% off" will actually result to more expenses. Most of the time, these bookings do not include transfers, or only include ONE TOUR.

2. Exclusivity. Our group tours (minimum of 4 pax) will be exclusive. This means you won't have other people joining your tour. This means that you get to do whatever you want to do and enjoy your vacation without worrying about strangers in your group.

3. Flexibility. You can make changes to your itinerary and decide to stay longer at certain places. You can opt not to go to certain tourist destinations, and move at your own pace. Extensions to the allotted time may be allowed, subject to minimal charges.

4. No hidden charges. Everything will be itemized in your itinerary, and you will be informed about all the inclusions and exclusions.

5. We find ways. At certain times, the tours may be fully booked and it will be almost impossible to get permits. This is particularly applicable to the Underground River Tour. We exhaust all means to ensure that every avenue is explored in an effort to make you experience this wonder.

6. Serenity. Villa Saturnina provides a unique Puerto Princesa experience. Unlike other inns and hotels, we are located where there is peace, quiet and tranquility. You can truly get a good night's sleep after a long day of touring.

7. Accessibility. Villa Saturnina is located approximately 12 kms away from the airport. It will only take you about 20-30 minutes to get there. The pl

WHAT DO OUR CUSTOMERS SAY ABOUT US?

We pride ourselves for providing excellent and personalized service to our guests. Communication is very important, and we always remind our guests to notify us in case they need any assistance. We make them feel at home and try to give them everything that they need.

BUT DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.  Check out our TripAdvisor page and read the customer reviews for yourself.

Firefly Watching: A Unique Experience

When I first heard about the firefly watching tour, I had mixed expectations. I wasn't sure I wanted to see a bunch of fireflies in the middle of the night, in the middle of nowhere. The mere thought of paddling through a dark river was intimidating enough. I was sure there were other (better) ways of spending my 1,300. Then my thoughts wandered to magical movies (The Little Mermaid being on top of the list), and that fireflies song. Indeed, I wanted to find out if what would happen if ten million fireflies lit up the world as I fell asleep. Out of sheer curiosity, I decided to go for it.

The drop off point is a sight to behold in itself. 

There are at least two Puerto Princesa Firefly watching tours available: the one in Iwahig and the one in Baywalk (jump off point). I initially went to the one in Iwahig. It is not easily accessible because of the distance from the city proper. The best way to get there is to hire a private van. The tours usually start at around 6pm, and runs up until the wee hours of the night (depending on the number of guests in queue).  You will also need to make prior reservations, otherwise you may have not choice but to wait until everyone else is done with their tours. This is the more intimate of the two tours, as each boat can only carry up to three guests. This is perfect for lovers who want a romantic escapade (just ignore the two guides), or for groups that are divisible by three. Villa Saturnina can arrange for this tour for groups of 6 persons or more. The package will also include a buffet dinner at one of the local establishments.

Discover how this tight space transforms into a comfortable dining area!

The second Firefly Watching Tour has a drop off point at Baywalk. In my opinion, this is the more organized tour. It also accommodates a bigger number of tourists on it's two daily runs. There are two big boats that leave at exactly 6PM. They cruise the bay for approximately 20 minutes right up to the entrance of the mangrove area. At this point, the big group is divided into two. One group will transfer to a smaller boat for the tour, while the remaining half will be served a sumptuous seafood dinner onboard. After about an hour, the groups will swap. Villa Saturnina can make reservations for this tour for individuals, small groups or large groups.

Relax at the BayWalk while waiting for your ride.

A word to the wise. If you are expecting ten million fireflies to hover around your boat while a mysterious voice crab sings "Kiss the Girl," then you are in for a huge disappointment. Expect, instead, to see mangroves that are illuminated by what seems like glowing christmas light after certain "triggers" are pushed. Learn more about these triggers as well as other interesting tidbits at the tour itself. Most of the fireflies stay on their trees, save the occasional renegade that ventures into the boat. Yes, I was lucky enough to catch one (with the help of the guide). Obviously, I had to let it go.