Travel Guide to Puerto Princesa Palawan

The provincial capital of Palawan is Puerto Princesa. The city has received numerous awards for being the greenest and cleanest in the Philippines. Puerto Princesa is a naturalist's paradise with a variety of activities, from beaches to wildlife preserves. It is home to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a limestone karst mountain environment with multiple sizable chambers that feature notable stalactite and stalagmite formations. It is considered to be one of the New7Wonders of Nature. If you're planning to have a trip on this 'city on the forest', here's a guide for you.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1

• 09:00 AM            Arrival; Early Check-in at Hotel
• 10:00 AM            Freshen Up; Prepare for city tour
• 11:00 AM            Start of City Tour
• 12:00 NN            Lunch at Balay Bukid
• 1:00 PM              Continue to City Tour
• 3:30 PM              Sandiwa Floating Cottage and Fish Cages
• 5:30 PM              Back to Hotel
• 7:30 PM              Dinner at Ka Joel's

Day 2

• 7:00 AM            Breakfast
• 8:00 AM            Prepare for Honda Bay Island Tour
• 12:00 NN           Lunch at Island
• 1:00 PM             Continue with Island Hopping
• 4:00 PM             Back to Hotel
• 7:00 PM             Dinner at Kinabuch's

Day 3

• 7:00 AM            Breakfast
• 8:00 AM            Underground River Tour
• 12:00 NN           Lunch at Cacaoyan Forest Park
• 3:00 PM             Sabang Falls
• 5:00 PM             Back to Hotel
• 7:30 PM             Dinner at Ka Lui

Day 4                Check out & Departure

WHAT TO DO IN PUERTO PRINCESA

Here are the many activities you will find enjoyable in Puerto Princesa:

Honda Bay Island Tour

With this island-hopping excursion, you can witness the natural beauty of Honda Bay. Visit islands including Luli, Cowrie, and Starfish, rent snorkeling gear, and marvel at starfish, sea snails, gigantic clams, and other marine life. Swim and snorkel among the coral reefs, go sun bathing, take a lot of photos for your IG or make 'habulan' with your 'jowa'.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. The Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park contains one of the largest cave systems in the world, as well as stunning limestone karst scenery, unspoiled natural beauty, unharmed old-growth forests, and unique animals. It contains an underground river that flows directly to the sea. The guided paddle boat will transport you across the magnificent tunnel network of the underground river to view the pristine natural beauty of rock formations. You will undoubtedly be in amazement of these natural treasures the entire trip, from the millions of swallows and bats that soar about the tunnels to the stalagmites and stalactites that are formed like vegetables, animals, religious images, and more.

Sabang Falls. Enjoy the almost 50-foot-tall falls, go swimming in the crystal-clear pools, or snap pictures of the breathtaking surroundings!

City Tour. Discover the rich heritage and culture of Puerto Princesa in this sight-seeing tour.

• Plaza Cuartel.  Plaza Cuartel, a National Historical Site, is a renovated remnant of a former garrison where, on the evening of December 14, 1944, Japanese soldiers burned approximately 150 American prisoners of war in a tunnel discovered beneath the park's portals. The site now serves as a somber reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II.

• Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral. Located in the province of Palawan, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral is both a religious and historical landmark. On March 10, 1872, the first mass in Puerto Princesa was conducted in the same location as the cathedral is now.

• Butterfly Garden. The Butterfly Eco-Garden and Tribal Village, is a butterfly sanctuary and cultural experience facility in Puerto Princesa City. It offers the chance to meet and learn about the culture of one of Palawan's indigenous tribes in addition to showcasing various butterfly species and other insects and animals.

• Crocodile Farm. The Crocodile Farm and Nature Park, also known as the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, is a well-liked tourist destination in Puerto Princesa. There is a display of several fascinating crocodile artifacts and other relics of endangered species in the lobby area. Visitors can see baby crocodiles in the Hatchling House. Then they make their way to the adult crocodiles' den. One can also have photos taken holding a young crocodile. Aside from the crocodiles, visitors like to stroll through the rest of the park and visit the small zoo.

• Baker's Hill. Aside from their well-known hopia, Baker's Hill is the ideal location to purchase "pasalubong" . They also serve delectable baked delicacies like crinkles, cakes, bread, pastillas, and pizza. The place is also very IG-worthy.

• Mitra's Ranch. The late senator and statesman Ramon V. Mitra, Jr. privately owned Mitra's Ranch and made it available to the public. There is a viewing terrace at Mitra's Ranch, which is great for sightseeing and unwinding. The terrace gives visitors a good, expansive view of both the city and the sea. The area's calm and pure air are perfect for activities like meditation, strolling, reading, watching the sunset, and simply taking in the energy of nature.

WHERE TO EAT

Aside from the many scenic spots, Puerto Princesa also offers gastronomic feast! Here are some of the food hubs that you must visit.

KaJoels Restaurant. Try their meat lovers-it's divine! Finish off with a banana split and mango crepe.

Location: Purok Centro, Brgy. Tiniguiban

KaInato. Chicken Inato is Palawan's chicken Inasal-prepared delish. Not only is their menu appetizing, the interior is also a feast in the eyes.

Location: National Hi-way

Kinabuch's. One's trip to Puerto Princesa is never complete without eating at Kinabuch's. Enjoy seafood dishes, lechon kawali and barbecued ribs!

Location: 348 Rizal Avenue

Jory's Place. Must try: Bicol Express Pizza, Sisig Pizza, Mixed Seafood, Creamy Seafood and Dinuguan Ramen. Catch acoustic nights on weekends!

Location: Pineyra Rd., Brgy San Pedro

Cacaoyan Forest Park Restaurant. Cooked from organic and local ingredients, their offerings are a tantalizing treat guaranteed to make any food lover drool. The place also gives 'Bali' feels.

Location: Sabang, Puerto Princesa

Balay Bukid. Enjoy mouth-watering lunch buffet for only 299!

Location: Trinidad Rd. cor. Rizal Avenue

WHERE TO STAY

• Astoria Palawan. KM 62 North National Hi-way, Brgy San Rafael, Puerto Princesa 
• Hue Puerto Princesa. KM 3 Puerto Princesa North Rd., Brgy. San Manuel, Puerto Princesa
• Microtel by Wyndham Puerto Princesa. The Emerald Playa Beach & Nature Park, San Jose, Puerto Princesa
• Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa. Caniguiran, Brgy. Bancao-Bancao, Puerto Princesa
• Panja Resort Palawan. Bay Vista Rd., Puerto Princesa
• Palawan Uno Hotel. National Hi-way, Brgy. San Pedro, Puerto Princesa
• Go Hotels Puerto Princesa. North Rd., Brgy. San Manuel, Puerto Princesa

HOW TO GO TO PUERTO PRINCESA

By plane

PAL, Cebu Pacific and Air Asia all have daily flights from Manila, Cebu and Clark.

By ferry

2Go Travel has 2 weekly ferrry trips from Manila.

EVERY WANDERLUST'S BUCKET LIST

Puerto Princesa is a vibrant city with delicious food and friendly locals that is perfect for any weather vacation, whether you decide to stay in the city center or head to the stunning coastline. Whether you want an opulent tropical getaway or go food-binging or take a city tour, Puerto Princesa can soak your stress and worries away. It's my 3rd time to be here and I will surely be back again.

Special Thanks:

• Sir C Sammy Magbanua, Executive Assistant to the Governor 
• City Mayor Lucilo Bayron thru Miss Michie Meneses, Senior City Tourism Officer of Puerto Princesa Tourism Office
• Evo Joel Contrivida of Palawanderer
• Niko Mendoza Tan of DYPR

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