Puerto Princesa travel guide: A Green Paradise in the Heart of Palawan

Puerto Princesa is one of the Philippines’ leading eco-cities. It captivates visitors with the lush beauty of its tropical forests, crystal-clear waters, and unique natural wonders. From the world-renowned Underground River to its pristine beaches and nature reserves, this article invites you to explore Puerto Princesa and fully enjoy this green paradise in the heart of Palawan. So, is Puerto Princesa worth visiting, what to do in Puerto Princesa? Let’s check out the ultimate Puerto Princesa travel guide in the article below!

Puerto Princesa travel guide: Where is Puerto Princesa located?

Location: Puerto Princesa is located on the western side of Palawan Island, Philippines.

Puerto Princesa is a coastal city serving as a gateway to tourism in the region, situated in the center of Palawan Island, Philippines. Besides its vibrant urban area, it also impresses with its vast size, covering over 250,000 hectares.

Puerto Princesa is a harmonious blend of modern urban spaces and unspoiled nature. The city boasts tropical forests, white sandy beaches, and tranquil fishing villages near the center. Despite its thriving commercial and service industries, it maintains a pristine environment, abundant green spaces, and a characteristic slow pace of life.

When is the best time to visit Puerto Princesa?

The ideal time to visit Puerto Princesa is during the summer (April to June). The weather is sunny and the sea is usually calm, making it ideal for sightseeing and exploring the island’s natural beauty.

Alternatively, if you enjoy Philippine festivals, you can visit the island in March. This is when the Balayong Festival takes place, one of the city’s most important cultural events. Here, you’ll enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with colorful street parades and traditional cultural performances.

How to get to Puerto Princesa?

Before embarking on your journey to explore the green paradise of Palawan, let’s explore the ways to get to Puerto Princesa and the convenient transportation options within the city.

There are currently no direct flights from Vietnam to Puerto Princesa. Therefore, travelers need to transit in one of the two Philippine cities, Manila or Cebu, and then take a connecting flight or ferry to Puerto Princesa. The total flight time ranges from approximately 10–14 hours, depending on the departure point and transit time.

Transportation within Puerto Princesa

Getting around Puerto Princesa is quite convenient thanks to its diverse transportation system. Depending on your schedule and needs, you can easily choose the most convenient mode of transportation.

Tricycles: This is the most commonly used mode of transportation for short distances. You can easily hail a taxi on the street or hire one by the hour; however, seating is usually only suitable for 1–2 people.

Taxi: Taxis are a convenient option for independent travel in Puerto Princesa, with reasonable prices and easy to call. This mode of transport allows tourists more flexibility in planning their sightseeing itinerary.

Jeepney: Suitable for groups of 7–14 people. This is not only a popular mode of transportation but also deeply rooted in local culture, giving tourists the opportunity to experience the daily life of the locals.

Popular Tourist Attractions in Puerto Princesa

From natural wonders to peaceful green spaces, Puerto Princesa offers tourists many attractive sightseeing options. Below are some famous places you shouldn’t miss when visiting the city.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The park’s most striking feature is the Cabayugan Underground River, which stretches over 8 km.

Visiting the Puerto Princesa Underground River, tourists can experience a boat trip through dark caves, admiring unique stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years. Besides the impressive cave system, the surrounding area is also home to many wildlife species such as long-tailed monkeys and various bird species.

Honda Bay

Honda Bay is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Puerto Princesa. It is famous for its crystal-clear waters, rich marine ecosystem, and idyllic tropical island scenery. The best way to fully explore Honda Bay is to visit the beautiful islands scattered throughout the bay.

First, there’s Starfish Island with its thousands of starfish and colorful coral reefs. Cowrie Island boasts pristine beaches and a peaceful atmosphere. Finally, Luli Island is famous for its sandy beach that only appears at low tide. Here, visitors can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply relax on the soft sand, fully enjoying the peaceful beauty of Palawan’s seaside paradise.

Baker’s Hill

Baker’s Hill is located on Mitra Road, just outside Puerto Princesa City. Initially a small bakery famous for its traditional hopia, it has since been developed into a colorful garden park. It attracts visitors with its lush greenery, playful sculptures, and panoramic views of Honda Bay.

At Baker’s Hill, visitors can leisurely stroll through the gardens, take photos with giant cartoon and character statues, or admire panoramic views of Puerto Princesa from the observation deck. The park also features a small playground with a mini zipline and bird enclosure, perfect for families with young children.

Iwahig River

Located just outside Puerto Princesa, the Iwahig River is a peaceful destination famous for its enchanting nighttime firefly viewing experience. As night falls, the mangrove forests along both banks of the river are illuminated by the soft light of thousands of fireflies.

Visitors should definitely not miss the firefly viewing tours on the Iwahig River. You’ll board a small boat and gently glide across the calm water under a starry sky. The experience is even more impressive on new moon nights, when the natural light is most prominent.

Nagtabon Beach

Located about 25 km from Puerto Princesa city center, Nagtabon is one of Palawan’s most beautiful and pristine beaches. With a length of approximately 800 meters and an open view towards the distant mountains, it offers a peaceful, secluded atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of crowded tourist destinations.

At Nagtabon, visitors can enjoy the fine white sand, clear blue water, and fresh air amidst swaying coconut trees. The beach is suitable for activities such as swimming, walking along the shore, or surfing on days with good waves.

Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre

The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre is often known as the Crocodile Farm. The center’s grounds, spanning approximately 8 acres, serve as a sanctuary for crocodiles and other endangered wildlife on Palawan Island.

Here, visitors can participate in guided tours to observe hundreds of freshwater and saltwater crocodiles at various stages of development, from hatchlings to impressive adults. Visitors can also experience handling baby crocodiles in the enclosure or strolling across the bridge over the swamp to see adult crocodiles below.

Suggested Accommodation Options in Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa offers a variety of accommodations to suit diverse needs. The city center is a convenient option for those seeking easy access to the airport, ferry terminal, and prominent attractions, as well as numerous dining and service choices.

Coastal and suburban areas offer tranquil retreats, conveniently located for exploring unspoiled beaches. Meanwhile, the Rizal Road area and the area around Puerto Princesa Bay are suitable for travelers seeking a balance between urban life and expansive views.

Some Puerto Princesa hotels that you can consider:

• Astoria Palawan Resort
• Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel – Palawan
• Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa
• Hotel Fleuris Palawan
• Citystate Asturias Palawan

Must-Try Dishes When Visiting Puerto Princesa

Besides its natural beauty, Puerto Princesa also attracts visitors with its rich culinary scene. Below are some delicious dishes you shouldn’t miss when visiting this city.

Palawan Beer

Palawan beer is an interesting choice for those who want to explore local flavors when visiting Puerto Princesa. This city is home to Palawaño Brewery, the first and only craft brewery in Palawan. The brewery is famous for its handcrafted production process and use of seasonal local ingredients. 1. Palawan Beer impresses with its refreshing taste, light aftertaste, and balanced blend of mild hop bitterness and natural sweetness.

Crocodile Sisig

Crocodile sisig is a unique variation of the famous Filipino sisig and an impressive specialty of Palawan. While retaining the rich flavor and distinctive texture of traditional sisig, this dish uses crocodile meat. Enjoying crocodile sisig with a cold beer is the ideal way for visitors to fully experience the local flavor.

Tamilok

Tamilok is a dish for adventurous travelers who want to try a truly unique culinary experience when visiting Puerto Princesa. The main ingredient is a type of worm harvested from mangrove trees, also known as wood-boring worms. Tamilok is usually prepared in a ceviche style, marinated raw with vinegar and chili, with a slightly salty flavor that many compare to fresh oysters and a chewy, slightly slimy texture.

A journey to explore Puerto Princesa is a harmonious blend of natural wonders, crystal-clear blue seas, and the peaceful atmosphere characteristic of Palawan.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to El Nido you can refer to

• El Nido Tour A Lagoons & Islands
• El Nido Tour C Hidden Beaches & Shrine
• El Nido Tour B Caves & Islands
• El Nido Tour A + C
• El Nido Tour D Lagoons & Beaches
• Tour A El Nido, Palawan
• Tour El Nido Land
• One-Way Fast Ferry Ticket Between Coron and El Nido
• El Nido Nacpan and Duli Beach
• Puerto Princesa to El Nido Van Transfer (Shared or Private)
• El Nido Tours in a Luxury Speedboat
• Shared Van Transfer between El Nido and Port Barton
• Tour El Nido C + A
• El Nido Tour D Lagoons & Beaches
• El Nido Tour A,B,C,D w/ Envi&Lagoon Fees (No Hidden Charges)
• Tour A of El Nido, Palawan

Are you looking for more other paradise islands in Philippines? Let’s discover Bohol travel blog — The fullest Bohol travel guide to explore Bohol Island for the first-timers and Bohol travel blog — The fullest Bohol travel guide to explore Bohol Island for the first-timers and Iloilo travel blog (Iloilo blog) — The fullest guide for a great trip to Iloilo, Philippines.