Puerto Princesa Palawan

A beautiful city at the heart of Palawan and is most recognized because of an amazing world wonder – the Underground River! It’s also one of the most beautiful and cleanest districts in the Philippines.

Puerto Princessa lies in the midst of a forest, and is a safe haven from most natural calamities in the Philippines – mangroves around the region make it a tsunami/flood-proof area, rarely gets hit by typhoons, and also evades the earthquake belt.

Puerto Princesa airport entrance at night.

Docking area to the popular Underground River!

How to Get Here

1. Via Plane

There are lots of airlines that go directly from Manila/Cebu to Puerto Princesa City. It would only take you around 45min travel time to get here. Upon arrival – if you don’t have any arrangements for pick up thru your hotel, there are lots of tricycles that could take you directly to Downtown area where you could search for accommodation.

2. Via Ferry

If you are not in a hurry, you could try traveling thru 2GO (former Superferry) in a long 18-22 hour ride.

Underground River

The Underground River – the most spectacular and must-see wonder of Nature in the Philippines. Being declared as one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature last 2013, it houses a unique display of cave formations and is an 8.2 km subterranean river flowing directly out to sea.

It would take a 4 hour boat ride to travel in and out the river – though being a protected area in the Philippines, tourist could only travel 1.2 km for 45 minutes. Special permits are required for navigating deeper – mostly for researchers and scientists. From Puerto Princesa City, it would require a 2 hour van ride to Sabang port and a 15 minute boat ride to the entrance of the River. For those people with motion-sickness, be riminded to take your medicine.

You might also encounter a lot of wild-life upon arrival on the Underground River – such as Monitor Lizards, monkeys, bear-cats and more..

Rock formations upon arrival on the island.

The entrance to the Underground River.

Exploring the vast area inside the Underground River. Be sure to know how to operate your cameras in almost total darkness.

Honda Bay

A whole day island-hopping tour at Honda Bay will get you to some of the well-known islands in Puerto Princesa. You could enjoy the white sandy beaches or dive/snorkel together with fishes on the islands.

The Luli Island – a unique shaped island with lots of activities to jump in.

The Luli Island – jump in and enjoy the deep waters.

The Starfish Island – snorkle and swim to your hearts content. You may also bring pieces of bread so fishes may circle around you.

The Cowrie Island – a private resort where they offer accomodations, buffet lunch and water activites.

Downtown

Puerto Princessa’s downtown area gives you a great feel on what a clean and organized city looks like. With lots and lots of places to hang out – one day would not be enough to fill your itinerary.

Baker’s Hill

As the name implies, it is a bakery situateed on top of a hill. Because the place is quite difficult to reach, the owner designed his private resthouse into a public hang out area. It includes a mini-zoo, human-sized celebrity/cartoon statues, food and restaurants, and a beautiful view to enjoy your stay.

One of the restaurants in Baker’s Hill

Baywalk

A seaside area in Puerto Princesa where lots of seafood restaurants are situated. You could choose what seafood you would like them to cook – from seashells, squid, shrimps, lobsters, prawns, crabs, crocodile meat, sea snake and many more!!

It is also a good place to jog on the morning or ride a bicycle with your friends.

A seaside view from Puerto Princesa Baywalk.

Crocodile Farm

Not far away from the downtown area, you could reach the popular Crocodile Farm. It is a wildlife rescue and conservation center. You can also find other species aside from crocodiles in its little forest – ranging from rare birds, bear cats, and more..

Little crocodiles – they tend to jump and bite so its best not to get too close.

Mitra’s Ranch

Mitra’s Ranch is only a few meters away from Baker’s Hill. It is a nice place to enjoy horseback riding, zipline, and a cool picnic area.

A relaxing view from Mitra’s Ranch.

Palawan Museum

For those who don’t mind a little lesson on history – you could visit the Palawan Museum to get a glimpse of how the culture in Palawan was like in the old times.

Palawan Museum entrance – a journey to Puerto Princesa’s History.

Top Restaurants

Puerto Princesa hosts many unique delicacies that you would love to try. Not only is the food delicious – but because of the environment you are in, you would definitely enjoy it more. Some of the most popular ones are listed below – though feel free to explore the city in a quest to fulfill the desires of your stomach.

Balinsasayaw

This is a restaurant just along Rizal Avenue – Puerto Princesa’s main road. The name pertains to the migratory birds that land on Puerto Princesa for a rest before continuing on a very long journey.

The ambiance here is great and the food is surprisingly cheap.

A view inside Balinsasayaw. Enjoy your meal on these native wooden-themed restaurant.

Badjao Seafront

It is best to visit Badjao Seafront around 4-5pm as you would definitely have a great look on the sunset at Puerto Princesa. While enjoying a sumptuous meal facing the sea, you could also delve in the beauty of the orange sunset.

A view inside Badjao Seafront. Be sure not to skip the sunset view!

Baker’s Hill Restaurant

After a long walk around Baker’s Hill, maybe you could use some delicacies prepared by one of its restaurant. It’s best to go here for dinner as the ambiance is very very good. Nice music playing in a very quite place – remember that its situated atop a hill. A very romantic place indeed.

A seaside view from Puerto Princesa Baywalk.

Ka Inato

Ka Inato has one unique feature amongst the rest – most helpers here are deaf mute people. You must read the hand signs at the entrance first in order for you to communicate your meals properly with the helpers. Moreover, the food is very good. One of the best we’ve tried in Puerto.

A view inside Ka Inato. Really a colorful place to dine. Be sure to know your sign languages.

Kinabuch

If you are more like the city guy who loves bar and restaurant, then maybe Kinabuch would suit your style. It offers a lot of delicacies like crocodile meat and even Tamilok (a worm like molusk) in which you could order breaded or classic!

Be sure to prepare your guts in eating the popular Tamilok! Must not leave the place until you have tried one.

Boyet’s Baywalk Restaurant

Situated just beside the Baywalk, you could see this restaurant offering different kinds of fresh delicacies (seafood) from sea shells, shrimps, crabs, lobsters, and sea snakes. You could choose any one of these and let them cook it for you.

Don’t be fooled by the looks – Boyet’s Restaurant really serves a lot of delicious seafood that you would always look forward too. Also, eating by the bay surely gives a different aspect to it too.

Kalui

Kalui is also a restaurant just situated along Rizal Avenue. It has a unique style of cuisine and dining area. You would have to leave your shoes outside before entering the restaurant.

A view inside Kalui restaurant. Shoes off please!

Community Eco Tours

Puerto Princessa not only promotes popular destinations like the Underground River, the city also helps their folks by providing community based sustainable tourism. It is a project that helps the people here to earn a living by taking good care of their culture and habitat. Here are a few must-see places. There are more to come so just ask the locals here – they know more about what you read online.

Iwahig Firefly Watching

Visit Iwahig to see how beautiful luminiscent creatures tick your imagination. While riding a paddle boat – you would enjoy a display of different arrays of light coming from fireflies. You would also be taught of the different constellations that you would see in the area. A very very relaxing place indeed.

A unique experience here is to see how the algae colorfully paints the undersea bed – remember the movie “Life of Pi”? – the moment where the whale eats algaes – this is a very beautiful scene indeed. Don’t let the guide not show you this!

Enjoy the firefly show! It’s really difficult to take in dark photography especially with older models of camera. Something like this is not even close to what the eye would see.

Maoyon River Cruise & Bamboo Rafting

Marvel at one of the most scenic sights in Puerto Princesa while riding a bamboo raft. It’s an adventure of thrill and excitement for 1 whole hour! Don’t miss to stop by the giant Dao tree – which is said to be more that a hundred years old.

A floating restaurant at Maoyon. Be sure to fill your tummies before going into this thrilling adventure!

Kim’s Hot Spring

Just a short ride away from town and pass the intersection to Honda Bay port, you’ll reach a suburban area that fascinatingly have beautiful line up of private hot springs in them. One of them, and probably the most popular is Kim’s Hot spring!

They offer rooms and/or private hot springs for individuals and also for groups – rates are fairly cheap and are charged for 4 hours (Trust me, it’s difficult to stay the whole 4 hours on hot water!). The great thing about the place is that the landscape is pretty well-maintained and is designed to soothe one’s soul. You could go back and forth as long as you like and take a break on their nature themed garden.

A great time for fun and relaxation!