THE CHIC BACKPACKER: Affordable Native Cottages in Sabang, Puerto Princesa

When we were in Sabang, Puerto Princesa last month we stayed at Penao Native Cottages near the Sabang wharf, for 2 nights at Php 750.00 per night. It is a two-bed, fan room with CR and shower room. This beachfront native cottage is by no means a luxury inn hence the affordable price.

I was not so comfortable during our stay because of mosquitoes roaming around even inside the room. Though it has window screens, I wish the floor is cemented and not wood since mosquitoes can easily enter the room through the small openings in the floor. I also wish that they had painted the interior room with any light color to deter the mosquitoes from entering.

our room at Penao Native Cottages

Our room was located just beside the Penao Restaurant, which offers affordable set meals ranging from Php 80.00-100.00. We had our breakfast in the balcony of our room which has a nice view of the Sabang beach.

Penao Restaurant just beside our room

Sabang beach

There is no electricity in Sabang. They only use generator and operates only on certain hours ( 4 pm – 6 am). It is very advisable to bring mosquito repellent since you can’t always use the electric fan. We were not able to bring mosquito repellent hence the discomfort especially when we slept.

Foggy morning in Sabang

There are many rooms for rent near the Sabang wharf fronting the Sabang beach. From affordable native cottages like Penao and Roberts to name the few to high-end resort like Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa.

at the upscale Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa

Sabang is the drop-off point when going to the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR). It is about 4-5 hours from Puerto Princesa City (we traveled via motorcycle btw).Since it is far from PPC some visitors going to the Underground River go there at least a day in advance to avoid being late for the scheduled visit in the PPUR. There are also other things you can do in Sabang aside from the PPUR. One can do trekking to the mountain trails and waterfalls, snorkeling and swimming.