The “City in the Forest” beckons with its unparalleled natural beauty. Welcome to Puerto Princesa, the gateway to Palawan!  This Puerto Princesa travel guide will come handy if you are planning to visit or revisit the city. Provided in this guide are relevant information that aims to make it easier for your to plan your trip. Get to know the latest travel requirements, information on getting there, accommodation, activities, sample itinerary, Puerto Princesa Tour, budget and more.

About Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa is the heart of  Palawan, the Philippine’s last frontier. Dubbed as “City in the Forest”, it boasts of being the only city in the country who has successfully balanced the harmony between the development and environment. Considered as the Ecotourism Capital of the Philippines, it is also a model in local governance, cleanliness, environmental protection and conservation.

The city’s most famous attraction is he world’s longest navigable underground river – the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy island hopping in the white sand beaches and islands of Honda Bay, dive on its numerous sites, experience the underground river ride, indulge in its wide array of restaurants offering native foods and exotic delicacies, commune with nature and experience the genuine hospitality of Palaweños!

Experience it all in Puerto Princesa!

How to Get to Puerto Princesa

By Air

Puerto Princesa City is accessibly by air from Manila, Clark, Cebu, Davao and Iloilo via Philippine Airlines,  Cebu Pacific Air and Philippines Air Asia; from Busuanga, Cuyo, Sipalay, San Vicente via Air Juan.

Via Sea

By ferry, 2Go Travel, serves Manila to Puerto Princesa via Coron twice a week. Meanwhile, Montenegro Shipping Lines and Milagrosa Shipping Lines have regular trips to Puerto Princesa from Iloilo via Cuyo.

Where to Stay in Puerto Princesa

There are numerous hotels, resorts, lodges and pension houses in Puerto Princesa that cater to all segments of travelers. Some of the highly recommended are Ysabelle Mansion and Liberty Park Pension with their affordable and decent rooms equipped with wi-fi and hospitable staff.

Top Rated Hotels/Resorts in Puerto Princesa

Top Rated Budget Accommodations in Puerto Princesa

Activities in Puerto Princesa

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• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Puerto Princesa Subterranean Underground River
• Hop in numerous islands with white sand beaches in Honda Bay: Snake Island, Starfish Island, Bat Island, Pandan Island, Cannon (Cowrie) Island, Lu-Li (Lulubog-Lilitaw) Island, Meara Marina, Senorita Island, etc.
• Indulge in Vietnamese Cuisines of Viet Ville
• Snorkel or Dive in the dive sites of Puerto Princesa Bay, Honda Bay and Port Barton
• Tour the city’s famous landmarks: Balsahan River, Crocodile Farm, Butterfly Garden, Mitra Ranch, Palawan Wildlife Conservation, Palawan Museum, Plaza Cuartel and other spots
• Dine in the wide array of restaurants offering delicious and exotic foods. Kalui is a must, but be sure to reserve seats for dinner. Kinabuch and Balinsasayaw are also highly recommended.
• Catch and taste tamilok, a mangrove-boring mollusk that looks like a worm, at Mangrove River
• Watch the fireflies at night in Iwahig Penal Colony
• Beach bumming in the white sand beaches in the mainland Palawan: Nagtabon, Sabang and Napsan
• Trek to Cleopatra Needle and in the Limestone and Marble Cliffs of Baranggays Cabayugan and Tagabinet or to Salakot Waterfalls
• Head north to Taytay, El Nido and Coron
• Hop to a ferry to Cuyo Island

Sample Itinerary

Day 0
1700H: Arrival in Puerto Princess
1800H: Check-in at Hotel, Dinner in Balinsasayaw

Day 1
0600H – 0730H: Call Time / Breakfast
0730H – 1700H: Honda Bay Island Hopping (Bat Island, Starfish Island, Snake Island, Pandan Island, Cowrie Island, Luli Island, Meara Marina, Señorita Island)
1700H – 1800H: Back to Hotel / Wash-up / Fix-up
1800H onwards: Pasalubong shopping / Dinner at Kalui

Day 2
0600H – 0730H: Call Time / Breakfast
0730H – 1700H: Underground River Tour / Sabang Beach
1700H – 1800H: Back to Hotel / Wash-up / Fix-up
1800H onwards: Pasalubong shopping / Dinner at Badjao Seafront Restaurant

Day 3
0600H – 0730H: Call Time / Breakfast
0730H – 1200H: Half-day tour
1200H – 1300H: Back to Hotel / Check-out
1300H – 1400H: Lunch / Proceed to Airport

Tips

• Puerto Princesa enforces a standard rate for all tours and packages. For list of travel and tours organizer, you may visit this site: www.visitpuertoprincesa.com
• Sometimes, it would be better to avail of the hotel and tour package as it cheaper. It would be best to check and compare first.
• Palawan is rarely visited by typhoon, best time to visit is during dry season (November to June), albeit the weather is generally good all year round.