Welcome to Puerto Princesa
Palawan’s bustling capital is mainly a gateway to El Nido and the beaches of the west coast, but ‘Puerto’ does have enough diversions to warrant a day or two if you’re passing through. A decent food scene, some nightlife along main drag Rizal Ave, and a growing number of boutique hotels increase the appeal.
Top experiences in Puerto Princesa
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Puerto Princesa activities
Underground River Tour, Including Lunch from Puerto Princesa
The incredible Puerto Princesa Underground River is one of the seven wonders of nature and a must to any visitor to the Philippines. The cave formations are spectacular and are considered to be one of the most complex cave systems in the world. The river runs through it for 8.2 kilometers. You’ll have an incredible experience exploring the caves of Underground River and our boatman/tour guide will help make this a very fun and interesting day. A great buffet lunch is included. Typical Itinerary;7am: – Underground River Tour pick-up8.30am: Stopover at the Halfway point10am: Arrival at Ugong Rock (optional tour)12pm: Arrival at Sabang Wharf, Lunch and Leisure time2pm: Underground River tour4pm: Departure in Sabang Wharf from the Underground River Park5.30pm: Arrival in Puerto Princesa
Palawan Underground River Cruise, Zipline from Puerto Princesa
A driver and guide will pick you up from your hotel in Puerto Princesa in early morning and head to Underground River, one of the six World Heritage sites of the Philippines and a natural wonder in Palawan Island. Embark on the river cruise where you will see an entrance in a stone cliff, half submerged by a saltwater lake that feeds directly to the ocean. Explore the longest navigable subterranean river in the world, completely underground, with unique rock formations all along the way. With a torch, you will see the important parts of this fascinating natural wonder. Next, depart for Ugong Rock for more adventurous activity. Ugong Rock is a 75ft limestone formation in the midst of farmlands and karst forests. It contains interesting stalagmites and stalactites and other geological richness. Enter through several caves until reaching the top and enjoy the 360 degree breathtaking view of the countryside. End the tour with the sharp zip-line from the top of the rock downward. After a fun activity, your driver will transfer you back to your hotel safely.
Puerto Princesa Fireflies Watching with Dinner
Our driver/guide will pick you up from your hotel or agreed meeting point at 6pm by air-conditioned minivan and head to Iwahig River located 45 minute drive from Puerto Princesa town.Upon arrival and register at the waiting area, then the staff will provide the life vests before hop on the paddle boat. Your boatman will paddle along the river and show you the fireflies blinking on top of the mangrove tree like a Christmas lights. You will also learn fascinating facts about these flashers from your informative tour guide. Please note that no flash photography as this will disturb the fireflies and causing them to leave the area immediately. Dinner is included and your driver will transfer you back to your hotel safely.
Palawan: Puerto Princesa and El Nido - 4 Days and 3 Nights
ItineraryDay 1: Arrival ( Morning Flight ) Puerto Princesa Airport / PM City TourStop At: Puerto Princesa International Airport- Pick up in the Airport and proceed to Hotel and wait for the Driver to pick you for the Afternoon City Tour- Please call the agent to inform of your arrival, sometimes delayed of flight is always happen so please inform so that the van or car will come on time.- If possible get the Morning Flight to enjoy the afternoon free hour or have some city tour upon Arrival- Start of Tour7:00 AM / 11:00 - 11:30 AM (Morning Schedule)1:00 PM / 5:00 - 5:30 PM ( Afternoon Schedule)Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Palawan Province, MimaropaOver the years, Palawan has always been keen in upholding excellence when it comes to the preservation of its ecosystem. It has been collaborating with other organizations in order to keep the balance between nature and infrastructure. As of today, it is hailed as one of the cleanest and most compassionate places when it comes to wildlife and forestry. The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center is built on this idea. Aside from being a tourist spot, it acts to preserve our endangered species.Mainly, the function of the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center is to preserve the two species of crocodiles. The wildlife haven is a complex of concrete structures and outdoor pens that cater to hundreds of crocodiles, from newly hatched babies to monstrous-sized adults. But it doesn’t mean that it can’t provide tourists with a terrific experience.Before taking the tour, make sure to prepare these necessities—it’s a journey through nature, after all: a repellent against mosquitoes and other insects; your favorite towelette in case the tropical vibe gets you sweaty; and of course your water jug and on-the-go snacks to keep you active for the rest of the day. Don’t forget to wear the appropriate clothes for a hassle-free and relaxed journey.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Mitra's RanchRancho Sta. Monica, popularly known as Mitra’s Ranch, used to be a private property. It is among the must-see of PPS because this gives you an astonishing view of Puerto Princesa City! There are lots of activities in the area like trampoline, horse back riding, and zip lining!Duration: 45 minutesStop At: Baker's Hill, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Palawan Province, MimaropaAs the name implies, it is home to one of PPS’s muste-taste: Baker’s Hill Hopia/Jopia. Well apart from their hopia, every food they sell is really addictive! Their pastillas really brought out my sweet-tooth! If you come here, make sure to allocate a generous budget for food because the place just makes you want to eat, and eat, and eat! Apart from their food and restaurant, their landscaped gardens and playground makes it perfect for a family hang out. They too have the astounding Pheasant peacock! Another popular destination in Sta Monica Heights is the Baker’s Hill. Although the site is actually a theme park, Baker’s Hill is most famous for the baked goodies they offer at a very reasonable price. That’s expected because it really started out as a small bakery and then later expanded to become a park.If you want to buy pasalubong, you might want to drop by this place. They offer all sorts of food products — cashew nuts, hopia, brownies. There are also some restaurants in the area.Duration: 40 minutesStop At: Binuatan Creations, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Palawan Province, MimaropaA house of native products, this is where you can buy carefully and beautifully handloom-made mats, table runners, purses, bags, coin banks, pen holders, etc… that are for export quality but for very reasonable prices!Binuatan Weaving Center, or also known as Binuatan Creations Handloom Weaving is a well-known handicraft shop that manufactures handloom woven products utilizing Palawan’s indigenous fibers. The goal of the company is to transform field grasses and fibers that can be found in Palawan into useful and functional products. Binuatan is a cuyonin word (native Palawan dialect) for creation. Here, they transform locally sourced materials like amumuting, buri, or abaca fibers into great exported goods like placemats, hand bags, blinds, and other products. As expected, Binuatan Creations is very successful that they get their products exported to other countries like the U.S.A.If traditional crafts is your thing, Binuatan Creations Handloom Weaving, a family run weaving factory is a recommend stop. Visitors of Binuatan Creations can observe and even experience how the products are made. During the day, this factory is full of weavers working on their loom to produce items that are on display at the adjoining shop. Binuatan Creations Handloom Weaving products include: placemats, table runners, wall finishing & window blinds, key chains, bags, handy bags, notepads, wallets, coin purse, hats, curtains, split curtain, arranged grass flowers and slippers. The prices may be on the expensive side but how it is created and the long process explains why it is so. The hand loom woven products are surely made of high quality too. Every item you buy in this shop is truly world-class.Duration: 45 minutesStop At: Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Palawan Province, MimaropaImmaculate Conception Cathedral is just one of the tourist attractions in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. It is located along Rizal Avenue in Barangay Liwanag (located across Plaza Cuartel). This cathedral is very historic. This used to be a small church during the Spanish occupation (circa 1872).In 1961, it was developed to become a cathedral. Although there were developments made, the church edifice was preserved. Its design, as you may have noticed, have angular structures. The arches inside and outside the church are pointed.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Plaza Cuartel, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Palawan Province, MimaropaPuerto Princesa City may look vibrant today but like many cities in the Philippines, it also has a dark history. This is most evident in a small park in Barangay Liwanag called Plaza Cuartel.Plaza Cuartel looks like your ordinary city park with concrete pavements, towering trees and benches. The ruins of an old garrison and tunnels are proof of its grim past. Plaza Cuartel is the site of Palawan Massacre. The tunnels were where 150 American prisoners of war were kept during World War II. But on December 14, 1944, the Japanese decided to kill them all by burning them alive. Many perished but eleven prisoners were able to survive and escape the mass execution.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Puerto Princesa City Baywalk Park, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Palawan Province, MimaropaThe City Baywalk is a long stretch of promenade, well paved walkway right beside the bay. It's Puerto Princesa's version of Manila Bay except perhaps this is more neat, the air is fresher, the water is cleaner and, much safer even at night. The kilometer or so cemented walkway is lined with palm trees, some flowers and lamp posts, benches and of course the view of the bay.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Puerto Princesa International AirportPuerto Princesa Travel would not be complete without buying souvenir items and pasalubong for your folks and friends back home. Believe it or not, almost half of my Travel Budget was allocated for souvenir and pasalubong. Most especially if you’re surrounded with friends, coworkers and families and all of them are aware that you are on a vacation; expect to have a huge amount of penny for pasalubong.Moreover, you need also to be tactful when it comes to proper allocation of your budget. If your budget for souvenir items and pasalubong is not that much, I recommend you to visit two major souvenir shops in Puerto Princesa named “Island Souvenir Shops” and “Tiange Tiange”. Even the tricycle drivers, they recommend these two shops.Tiangge-Tiangge is a non-aircon area where you can choose from a cluster of stalls selling souvenir and "pasalubong" items. It is best place for you to buy Shirts and summer outfits because it is cheaper than other shops. I also advise you to buy cashew in kilos here so that you will have a huge discount rather than buying a repacked one. My favorite items are cashew nuts and delicacies, and wild honey. Seafood fare to take home includes dried fish, semi-dried or ‘lamayo’ style, processed or fresh catch marine products, packed and sealed in the chest boxes are available here. You can also see around a lot of handcrafted baskets and native items such as blowguns, rainmakers, tobacco bags, hand woven products and bamboo décors.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Palawan Province, MimaropaPalawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village is located in Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City. This beautiful garden is a sanctuary of different butterfly species in Southeast Asia. This place is combination of the old and the new, the nature and people. All of unique and pure beauties of nature and people are here.The Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village is a place that reflects the mesmerising beauty of a province that is known as the “Last Frontier of the Philippines”. It showcases a sheer variety or tropical butterflies from the Southern region of the country. These free flying butterflies are surrounded with live exhibits of scorpions, green-crested lizards, phasmid and mantises which are considered their natural predators. It is a window to the natural ecology of these colourful insects.11:00 AM / 5:00 PM Hotel Drop OffDuration: 3 hoursNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Budgeted: Pension House, Bed and BreakfastMid Range: Mid Range Hotel & ResortHigh Range: High Class Hotel & ResortDay 2: Under Ground Tour/ Transfer to El Nido TownStop At: Puerto Galera Divers- 7:00-07:30 AM Estimated Pick-up Time for Underground River Tour with Buffet Lunch ( some may change the time of pick up since some are on the way to pick you)- Drive to Sabang Wharf ( there will be a one stop on the journey each way)- 09:30am ETA Sabang Port/Registration by the tour guidesBoat Rides/Tour cave/- Boat transfer to Underground River National ParkDuration: 5 hoursStop At: Puerto Princesa Underground River, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Palawan Province, Mimaropa- Guided paddle boat in Underground River ( approximately 45-60 minutes ) - Buffet lunch @ Gusto Restaurant- 3:00 -4:00PM End of tour/back to accommodation- 6:00pm Estimated Departure for El Nido ( Stay at the Hotel )- 8:00pm Stopover in Roxas Town for comfort room or optional Dinner- 11:00pm ETA El Nido Town/Check-in Hotel/restDuration: 8 hoursMeals included: • Lunch • BreakfastAccommodation included: Budgeted: Pension House, Bed and BreakfastMid Range: Mid Range Hotel & ResortHigh Range: High Class Hotel & ResortDay 3: El Nido Town / Tour A ( Island Hopping El Nido)/ Back PPSStop At: El Nido Municipal Hall- 08:30-9am Pickup for El Nido Island Hopping Tour A with picnic lunch- Small Lagoon, Big Lagoons, secret lagoon, Simizu Island or 1 Snorkeling area 7 Commando Beach- Lunch (Native Filipino Style)- 04:00pm End of tour/back to accommodationDuration: 6 hoursStop At: Big Lagoon, El Nido, Palawan Island, Palawan Province, MimaropaNot many people have ever heard of El Nido, and for sure, few have seen this breathtaking “Heaven on Earth” place, composed of 45 islands and islets, located in Palawan, southwest of Manila, in the Philippines. Palawan has been ranked not only once, but also twice, in 2014 and 2015, as “The Best Island in the World” by Conde Nast Magazine’s readers.The entrance of the Big Lagoon is whimsically magic. Sailing into the Big Lagoon on its shallow emerald crystal-clear water surrounded by mountains was breathtaking and unforgettable. I was in awe while the boat was sailing through its peaceful water. It looked so exotic and miles away from reality…Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Small Lagoon, El Nido, Palawan Island, Palawan Province, MimaropaMiniloc Island’s Small Lagoon is just one of the many unbelievably beautiful lagoons in El Nido, Palawan. Usually the first stop of El Nido Island Hopping Tour A, this lagoon is surely a good place to kick-start this tour. Small Lagoon is not too intimidating, although it can still overwhelm, and is a welcoming sight for nature revelers.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Secret Lagoon Beach, El Nido, Palawan Island, Palawan Province, MimaropaMiniloc Island’s Secret Lagoon (also Hidden Lagoon) is actually an open secret, and a very popular one at that. Concealed behind the towering karst cliffs, the Secret Lagoon seems like a precious masterpiece that the dark limestone walls need to protect at all cost. If it’s your first time in El Nido, make sure you don’t miss this one.- 12:00 LunchDuration: 30 minutesStop At: Shimizu IslandOur next island to explore has a strange name. It sounds Japanese.It’s called Shimizu Island. And being the nosy me, who always wants to know the story behind the destinations I traveled, I asked our guides. Jojo was accommodating enough to tell me the story.It was decades ago when a group of scuba divers explored the underwater beauty of El Nido. They went into a deep underwater tunnel, but unfortunately one of them wasn’t able to come back.They searched for days, until the body was found in an island with white fine sand and spectacular rock formations. The diver’s surname was Shimizu. El Nido being an archipelago with such beautiful islands, locals would want to name its islands especially those explored ones. And because of the tragic death of Mr. Shimizu, the island was called Shimizu Island.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Seven Commando Beach, El Nido, Palawan Island, Palawan Province, Mimaropa- The 7 Commandos Beach is part of El Nido Island Hopping Tour A. Its long sloping stretch of fine sand and coconut trees welcome the guests after a long day of island hopping. It is yet to be confirmed how the beach got its name, but one consistent story is that of the 7 soldiers who got stranded here during WWII. Whether that story is true or not, the important thing is happily spending your much-deserved holiday here before marching back to work.- Please return all the gears like life vest or jackets and etc- 4:00 PM End of Tour- 6:00 PM Estimated Departure from El Nido to PPS- 8:00 PM Stopover in Roxas Town for comfort room or optional Dinner- 11:00 PM ETA PPS Town/Check-in Hotel/restDuration: 30 minutesMeals included: • Lunch • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 4: Departure / Airport TransferStop At: Puerto Princesa International Airport- Please inform the agent or hotel for your check out and transfer- Be in the Airport 2 hours or before flight to avoid problemsDuration: 1 hourMeals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.
Half-Day City Tour from Puerto Princesa
This 4-hour tour will give you a glimpse of Puerto Princesa City, a tropical paradise with a bustling urban center that will provide you with the perfect getaway destination. Take a chance to visit the Immaculate Conception Cathedral that was built in 1961, and adjacent to the church is the Plaza Cuartle, a grim reminder of World War II. Drop by at Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (Crocodile Farm) to witness the areas of the research center which will give you the opportunity to see crocodiles of numerous ages and sizes. After that, ready your taste buds for delicious baked goodies from Baker’s Hill. This is a grea treat for your sweet-tooth.Explore and relax in Mitra’s Ranch, a spacious property with a log cabin and a beautiful veranda right across the Honda Bay.You may also choose to visit the Butterfly Garden, feel free to lose yourself in spectacular garden filled with amazing plants. The main features are the lovely and colorful butterflies of all sizes.Before the tour ends, you will be able to buy your souvenirs in Binuatan Creation and Tiangge-Tiangge a famous one-stop-shop in Puerto Princesa.
Palawan Island Hopping 10 Days 10 Night From Manila
Day 1: ManilaMeet up in Manila airport, our guide will wait you at airport and provide to a transportation from airport to the Hotel that we booking for you, boutique style hotel or similar check inn free night in Manila.Day 2 Puerto PrincesaWe are going to take a plan going to Palawan, the airport its located in the city of Puerto Princesa, check inn in the hotel, after that you are taken to Baywalk a local market along the beach with seafood restaurant and small pub with music, the dinner its included in the package.Day 3 Port BartonPick up at your hotel 8 o clock going to Honda Bay In Puerto Princesa Island Hopping: Luli Island, Starfish Island and Cowrie Island, snorkelling on, site located just 20 minutes from Puerto Princesa, Island hopping and lunch with fish BBQ, going to Puert Barton check inn in resort/guesthouse, free night.Day 4 Port BartonIsland Hopping Snorkelling on site visiting: Fantastic Reef Wide Reef Lagoon Reef German Island Twin Reef Starfish Island Fish BBQ on the beach free night.Day 5 Port BartonMeet Up at your resort/guesthouse with a local guide for an excursion at Papawyan Waterfall a wonderful natural waterfall with fresh water located in the middle of the jungle, there you can swimming jumping from the rocks take the sun bath, free night on the beach.Day 6 El NidoPick up at your hotel going to El Nido, check inn in your hotel, free night in El Nido village there is restaurant canteen pub and show on the beach.Day 7 El NidoMeeting point on the beach near your hotel/guesthouse, going to Island Hopping Tour that includes: Small Lagon Big Lagon Secret Lagoon Shimizu Island Secret Beach Bbq on the Beach, free night. Day 8 El NidoMeeting point at your hotel at 8 am going with a local jeepney at Napcan Beach , tagged as the most beautiful beach in Southeast Asia. Included in the top 10 most beautiful beach in the world, vary quiet isolated beach, going beck at El Nido town free night on the village. Day 9 El NidoEl Nido Island Hopping Tour B El Nido island hopping Tour B starts with the visit of Vigan island, commonly named “Snake island” because of its sandbar. This site is pretty unique in the Bacuit archipelago, and there is not doubt that you will enjoy the feeling of walking in the middle of the sea! Also we going to visiting: Pinagbuyuan Island Entalula Beach Cudugnon Island snorkelling on site.Day 10 Puerto PrincesaUnfortunately it’s the time to go pick up at your hotel going to Puerto Princesa Check in your hotel.