Any dialog about Palawan is extraordinarily incomplete with out a point out of Puerto Princesa, its capital and simplest town. Adventurers and seashore bums flock to the towering karst cliffs of El Nido. Divers and nature fanatics are interested in the lakes of Coron. However lengthy earlier than they made a mark on Palawan’s tourism map, Puerto Princesa used to be already giving vacationers of every kind just a little style of what the province has to provide.
Positioned in the midst of mainland Palawan, Puerto Princesa serves as the biggest and essentially the most handy gateway to the province. Even supposing a extremely urbanized town, it keeps its herbal good looks and has been constantly a few of the cleanest and greenest towns within the nation, one thing that any traveler would instantly realize inside mins in their arrival. It’s no surprise it’s additionally touted because the Eco-Tourism Middle of the Philippines.
However it’s now not at all times butterflies and unicorns for town’s tourism during the last years. Like in lots of locations around the globe, the pandemic introduced a lot of demanding situations. Then, in 2021, the province used to be ravaged through Storm Odette (global title: Rai), leaving virtually P8 billion in damages. However just lately, now not even a yr after, we have been invited to sign up for a contemporary excursion arranged through the Division of Tourism (DOT)-MIMAROPA. We were given to peer for ourselves what it’s love to commute round Puerto Princesa now. On this article, we’re sharing with you a listing of vacationer sights within the town (now not in any specific order) and what it’s like these days.
Be aware: Puerto Princesa is very large! In truth, it’s the second one biggest town within the Philippines through land house, subsequent to Davao. You’ll to find puts in this listing that can be one or two hours clear of town middle, however they’re nonetheless a part of Puerto Princesa.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
Formally named Puerto Princesa Subterranean River however every now and then merely known as PPUR, this 8.2-km-long underground river is town’s major tourism draw. This herbal surprise which used to be known as a UNESCO International Heritage Website online in 1999 and as one of the crucial New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2012.
Tucked within the northern nooks 76 km clear of town correct, it may be reached after round one and a part to 2 hours of land commute. The excursion’s jump-off level is Sabang Wharf, and just a restricted choice of guests are allowed in keeping with day. Vacationers are required to sign in prematurely in the event that they wish to consult with. To steer clear of coping with this procedure, it’s best to ebook a packaged excursion with a excursion operator so they may be able to sign in in your behalf. Packaged excursions most often come with roundtrip land and boat transfers, audio information for the underground river excursion, and buffet lunch.
Every other beauty of reserving with a excursion operator is in case of inclement climate, you received’t need to spend time touring to Sabang simplest to determine that the excursions had been canceled for the day. In case this occurs, they may be able to additionally make preparations to transport your scheduled excursion to tomorrow.
You might also ebook your Puerto Princesa Underground River excursion package deal by way of Klook.
Only some mins clear of Sabang Wharf, Cacaoayan Woodland Park is an important lunch prevent after your Puerto Princesa Underground River excursion. True to its title, being right here will make you’re feeling such as you’re in the midst of a woodland. You’ll additionally discover a great view deck right here along side Instagram-worthy spots harking back to the ones in Bali.
Their lunch buffet gives a lot of Filipino dishes from fish to beef to rooster to greens and contemporary culmination. In the event you’re involved in making an attempt tamilok, the preferred unique mollusk, you’ll additionally order it right here. Reservations are required for the lunch buffet, however some excursion operators come with a prevent right here of their underground river excursion applications.
Buffet price is P350 in keeping with particular person. However reductions are to be had should you ebook with Klook!
Location: Brgy. Sabang, Puerto Princesa
Running hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Buffet Charge: P350/particular person
Sabang Seashore could also be identified basically because the jump-off level to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, however it’s also an enchantment by itself. This shocking seashore with the backdrop of the mountains is a pleasant position to swim and loosen up. From right here, you’ll additionally see the beautiful St. Paul Limestone formation the place the underground river is flowing beneath.
In the event you’re in for extra journey, any other process you’ll do this is the Sabang X Zipline. This exciting trip will deal with you to the beautiful view of Sabang Seashore and its surrounding house from above. Measuring 800 meters, it is likely one of the nation’s longest ziplines that go a frame of water. To achieve the start line of the trip, you want to head on a brief 15-minute hike.
Tickets price P550. However you’ll to find discounted tickets on Klook!
Island hopping is likely one of the maximum commonplace actions in lots of locations within the Philippines, and Puerto Princesa isn’t to be not noted. Right here, seashore chasers cross to Honda Bay, which isn’t too a long way from town middle.
Honda Bay is peppered with a number of isles, however island hopping excursions most often come with simply 3 stops. In the event you’re a DIY-er and also you’re becoming a member of a gaggle excursion, the ones 3 islands shall be mounted. But when you wish to have extra flexibility or should you’re a large staff, you might ebook a ship and prepare a non-public excursion.
The jump-off level is Sta. Lourdes Wharf, kind of half-hour clear of town correct through tricycle. One-way fare is round P400-500 in keeping with tricycle.
At the present, simplest 3 islands are open for public island hopping excursions:
- Cowrie Island
- Luli Island
- Starfish Island
Boat charges range relying at the sort used. Listed below are the most recent charges, excellent for six passengers.
- with 4-cylinder engine: P2100 in keeping with boat or P350 in keeping with particular person
- with 3-cylinder engine: P1800 in keeping with boat or P300 in keeping with particular person
Excluding boat condo price, you additionally want to pay the ENTRANCE FEES:
- Cowrie Island: P100
- Luli Island: P70
- Starfish Island: P50
Different islands could also be out there, however maximum of them are non-public and accumulate a lot upper front charges. We’ll speak about them intimately under.
Listed below are different bills to be expecting should you’re doing a Honda Bay Island Hopping Excursion:
- Environmental Charge: P150
- Terminal price: P5
- Goggles & snorkel condo: P150
- Complete face masks condo: P200
- Aqua sneakers condo: P150
- Fins condo: P150
In the event you don’t wish to maintain most of these bills by yourself, you might ebook a excursion package deal presented through commute companies. Honday Bay excursions most often price P1750/particular person, inclusive of lunch, front charges, boat condo, excursion information, and roundtrip transfers.
It’s additionally to be had on Klook with a slight bargain!
Underneath are extra detailed description of every island.
Cowrie Island
Of all of the islands dotting Honda Bay, Cowrie Island is the nearest to Sta. Lourdes Wharf, making it a super first or final prevent. In the event you ebook a packaged excursion, Cowrie Island could also be the standard lunch prevent. You’ll be able to additionally order beverages from their bar and eating place. For person foods, the meals is served in bilao (winnowing basket tray). For teams, it’s served boodle-fight-style.
Whilst looking forward to lunch to be served, you’ll experience swimming within the transparent waters, stroll alongside the seashore or simply lay at the sand. Kayaks and stand-up paddle board are to be had for hire. And should you’re with a gaggle and you favor taking part in sports activities, they have got a space for seashore volleyball too!
Front Charge: P100
Cottage Apartment: Spherical Desk (excellent for 4 pax) – P100; Spherical Desk (excellent for 8 pax)- P200; Kubo (excellent for 15-20 pax)- P500
Kayak: Unmarried, P100/hour; Double, P200/hour; Triple, P250/hour
Luli Island
Honda Bay is embellished with a lot of sandbars. Certainly one of them is Luli Island, brief for lulubog lilitaw, a playful shoutout to its disappearing act at prime tide.
Up to now, it used to be the standard lunch prevent. However the buffet eating place right here used to be destroyed through Storm Odette and has now not been rebuilt since. There’s nonetheless lots to experience right here, despite the fact that. The wonderful thing about the sandbar itself stays. You’ll be able to nonetheless experience strolling at the sand, take footage, or relax on one among their many overwater hammocks. The water is crystal transparent too so you’ll see little fish swimming round as you cross into the water.
Front Charge: P70
Starfish Island
Round 25 mins clear of the wharf, Starfish Island is the snorkeling prevent on Honda Bay excursions. It were given its title from a lot of starfish that decision its transparent, shallow waters house. Even supposing you don’t understand how to swim, you’ll nonetheless see the small fish and different marine animals frolicking round.
Remember that there’s a designated swimming and snorkeling house marked through a line so you should definitely keep inside that house in your protection.
You’ll to find many tables and chairs or even cottages for hire right here. In the event you’re hungry, there’s a small retailer at the island the place you’ll purchase snacks. Seafood “paluto” could also be to be had. You’ll be able to purchase seafood — crabs, lobsters, fish, sea urchin or uni, and rang-ranga (spider shell) — and feature them cooked.
Front Charge: P50
Cottage Apartment: Kubo, P150; 2 tables (for large teams), P300
Pambato Reef
Not like the opposite Honda Bay excursion stops, Pambato Reef isn’t an island. This can be a common snorkeling spot, marked through a platform floating in the midst of the sea. Prior to leaping into the water, vacationers are given a brief lecture about marine and reef ecology and conservation.
On the other hand, this too used to be closely broken through Storm Odette and stays closed to this present day. However as soon as Pambato Reef reopens, don’t pass over out a possibility to discover one among Puerto Princesa’s maximum visited underwater website online!
Isla Pandan
As of this writing, Pandan Island stays closed and has but to announce once they would reopen.
One of the crucial extra advanced islands in Honda Bay, Pandan Island is now occupied through a non-public lodge, Isla Pandan. It isn’t a few of the same old stops of the typical three-island or two-island excursions.
It has an unbelievable, cream-colored seashore and transparent emerald waters the place you’ll swim, snorkel, or simply bask within the solar. A buffet lunch could also be to be had at the island in addition to cottages and other water sports activities and seashore actions. You’ll be able to cross kayaking, stand-up paddling, jetskiing, and banana boating should you’re into water actions or play volleyball and frisbee at the seashore. You’ll be able to additionally cross snorkeling, diving, or helmet diving.
Their day excursion price is inclusive of the doorway price, cottage, buffet lunch, and use of kayak, stand-up paddle, volleyball, frisbee, and board video games.
Day Excursion Charge: P1000/particular person
Dos Palmas Island Hotel
Positioned in Arreceffi Island, Dos Palmas is an island lodge and spa absolute best for individuals who wish to have a sumptuous island holiday. Their lodging are proper through the seashore, going through the tuquoise waters.
In the event you’re on a restricted funds, you’ll have a style of the posh island revel in through occurring an afternoon excursion. You’ll be able to discover the 20-hectare island and the facilities of the lodge. Excluding spending time at the seashore, day trippers can take a dip at the swimming pool, play volleyball, or cross snorkeling.
Day Excursion Charges: Grownup, P1800; Kid (2-11 years outdated), P900
*Day excursion charges are inclusive of land and boat transfers and lunch.For reservations & inquiries, you might touch the control.
E-mail: cbo@dospalmas.com.ph, rsvns@dospalmas.com.ph
Cell Quantity: 09175904442 / 09175000154 / 09298132360
Excluding its herbal good looks, you’ll recognize extra of Puerto Princesa through exploring town and studying about its historical past through occurring a town excursion. Don’t depart with out purchasing souvenirs and pasalubong from Binuatan Creations, Baker’s Hill, and pasalubong middle.
You’ll be able to constitution a tricycle to take you to the other cultural and ancient spots for P800-1000 in keeping with tricycle, excellent for as much as 3 passengers.
But when you wish to have a extra comfy and extra insightful excursion led through a a professional information, ebook an arranged excursion! Klook additionally has inexpensive Puerto Princesa town excursions!
Even supposing there are some permutations, listed below are the standard stops integrated in town excursions.
Palawan Flora and fauna Rescue & Conservation Middle
Prior to now referred to as the Crocodile Farming Institute or Crocodile Farm, the Palawan Flora and fauna Rescue and Conservation Middle is a 10-hectare assets the place they breed two species of crocodiles, the Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) and the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).
Each quarter-hour, an academic excursion is completed, which begins through the doorway the place the skeleton and pores and skin of a big crocodile are on show. After that, you’re going to be ended in the nursery of the child crocodiles after which to the realm the place the grownup crocodiles are stored. Don’t fear, you’ll be strolling on an increased walkway, out of succeed in.
A portion of the valuables is a nature park the place the rescued natural world are housed. You’ll additionally see quite a lot of species of uncommon birds right here and a lot of wild fauna.
Opening hours: Day by day, 8:30 AM to five:00 PM
Front Charge: P70
Mitra’s Ranch
Mitra’s Ranch is owned through the circle of relatives of the overdue Senator and Space Speaker Ramon Mitra Jr. Positioned in Barangay Sta. Monica, the home sits atop a hill and has a view deck, permitting a excellent, enjoyable view of town, Honda Bay, and the verdant surroundings in between.
Mitra’s Ranch is open to the general public. You simplest want to pay the doorway price if you wish to cross within the home.
Running Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Front Charge (to go into the home): P20
Bakers’ Hill
No longer too a long way clear of Mitra’s Ranch, additionally in Barangay Sta. Monica, stands Baker’s Hill.
Baker’s Hill is an easy bakery that developed right into a circle of relatives vacation spot. While you cross in the course of the gate, you’ll be greeted through massive, colourful statues of common characters, including existence to the gardens and playground surrounding the bakeshop. The website online could also be wearing quite a lot of decorations, the theme of which trade relying at the time of the yr.
Maximum vacationers who come right here cross pasalubong buying groceries. You’ll be able to purchase other baked items like cookies, brownies, and naturally, their common hopia in numerous flavors. Additionally they promote different snacks like cashew nuts, polvoron, and pastillas. In the event you’re in search of extra than simply snacks, you’ll dine at their eating place known as Baker’s Kitchen.
Running Hours: 7:00 AM to eight:00 PM
Binuatan Creations
Weaving is a large a part of the tradition and humanities in lots of portions of the Philippines. Right here in Puerto Princesa, handloom weaving is showcased at Binuatan Creations. It additionally serves as a livelihood program to the network particularly moms and scholars.
Watch how the professional weavers make colourful materials out of native fibers like buri, ticug grass, and amumuting. Those materials are then made into other hand-loomed merchandise like luggage, equipment, placemats, and desk runners. To get extra appreciation on how intricate it’s, guests are welcome to take a look at their hand at the procedure. The weavers would thankfully information you as they provide an explanation for the way to use the loom.
After this revel in, drop through the memento store to shop for a few of their merchandise for your self and for pasalubong on your family and friends!
Running Hours: 7:00 AM to six:00 PM
Plaza Cuartel
Plaza Cuartel seems like your extraordinary park covered with benches and bushes these days, nevertheless it has a ugly previous. On 14 December 1944, on the top of International Conflict II, 150 American prisoners of warfare have been burned alive through the Eastern in a garrison that stood on the website online of the place Plaza Cuartel is positioned these days.
Tunnels the place the prisoners the place stored and the ruins of the outdated garrison are stored as a reminder of this darkish second within the town’s historical past. A memorial marker could also be put in to commemorate the warriors who died all over the bloodbath and acknowledge the 11 who survived.
Puerto Princesa Cathedral
Adjoining to Plaza Cuartel stands Puerto Princesa Cathedral, often referred to as the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish. On the website online the place it stands, the primary mass in Puerto Princesa used to be hung on March 10, 1872 through Saint Ezequiél Moreno who used to be then an Augustinian Recollect Fray.
The cathedral has been rebuilt a couple of instances together with after it used to be destroyed through Eastern bombing all over International Conflict II. The construction that you just see these days took virtually a century to complete and used to be simplest finished in 1961. Its facade and interiors are clad in Neo-Gothic architectural genre, very similar to the church buildings in Medieval Europe.
Palawan Butterfly Lawn and Tribal Village
Because the title suggests, there are two portions to this enchantment: the butterfly lawn and the tribal village. The butterfly lawn homes a lot of species of butterflies that you’ll see flying round within the net-covered lawn.
Aside from those stunning flying creatures, you’ll additionally see some endemic natural world of Palawan right here just like the Palawan Bearcat, bearded pig, and Palawan peacock-pheasant which is the chicken that looks at the authentic seal of town of Puerto Princesa. Those species are smaller in dimension, however very similar to the peacocks, the male has colourful feathers and colourful wings that displays once they unfold it, most often to draw peahens or the feminine birds.
On the Tribal Village, you’ll get a peek into the lifetime of the indigenous other people of South Palawan known as Palaw’an. Right here, guests are handled to a cultural display the place they’d see how the Palaw’an tribe historically lives within the mountains. The Palaw’ans exhibit how they hunt, make fireplace, and carry out a brief musical quantity the use of a string device known as kudyapi. There’s additionally just a little cafe right here the place you’ll take a look at civet coffe or kopi luwak.
Running Hours: 8:30 AM to five:00 PM
Front Charge: Grownup, P60; Kid (4 to twelve years outdated), P50; Senior Citizen & PWD, P50
In the event you’re touring to Puerto Princesa with youngsters and children at middle, Palawan Water Park were given you lined. You’ll be able to experience sliding down the water slides together with your family and friends or splash round of their swimming pools.
The primary and simplest water park in Palawan, it’s owned and controlled through Astoria, however it’s open to everybody and NOT unique to Astoria’s lodge visitors.
Every price ticket to the water park is inclusive of a lunch buffet.
Front Charge: Adults, P1200; Youngsters (4ft and under), P950; Youngsters (2 years outdated and under), FREE
Running Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Journey awaits north of town correct! In Barangay Tagabinet, you’re going to to find one of the vital exciting sights in Puerto Princesa —- Ugong Rock Adventures, a community-based sustainable tourism vacation spot.
Be in a position to get bodily as a result of you’re going to be mountain climbing Ugong Rock and cross rappelling and spelunking on its caves. Achieving the highest would praise you with a wide ranging view of the woodland and the encompassing limestone formations. After taking within the perspectives, you received’t be mountain climbing back off since the descent is through driving a 71-meter zipline!
Whilst Puerto Princesa seashores are synonymous with the islands of Honda Bay, you’ll additionally to find a number of coves that may be accessed through land. Certainly one of them is Nagtabon Seashore.
Nagtabon Seashore is located not up to an hour clear of town middle, so it’s slightly indifferent and now not most often integrated in same old Puerto Princesa itineraries. It was a sanctuary for individuals who wish to break out the crowds, nevertheless it has been getting the eye of extra vacationers. Those that consult with are welcomed through a picturesque view of the mountains and cerulean waters.
A couple of years in the past, there are just a few cottages to be had for hire right here, however there are actually lodges and eating places within the house.
Location: Barangay Bacungn, Puerto Princesa
Tips on how to get there: From town middle, take a bus going north (Taytay/Roxas/El Nido) to Bacungan. Then, constitution a tricycle to Nagtabon Seashore. In the event you’re a gaggle, renting a van for a roundtrip transportation is an possibility too.
If you wish to have one thing a bit of extra offbeat, take a look at firefly staring at and get that magical feeling! Even supposing you already deliberate out your actions in Puerto Princesa, you’ll most definitely squeeze this into your itinerary since this excursion occurs at evening. While you sign up for a firefly staring at excursion, you can hop on a ship and cross out into the water the place it is advisable banquet your eyes with the blinking lighting from the fireflies and the twinkling of the celebs within the sky.
There are 3 other firefly staring at places in Puerto Princesa:
- Iwahig River. That is the unique location of firefly staring at in Puerto Princesa. The use of a paddle boat, you can cruise alongside Iwahig River as your boat guy and excursion information display you the fireflies. Sadly, Iwahig firefly staring at is currenly closed, however fear now not as a result of there are different firefly staring at spots in Puerto Princesa.
- Sicsican River. That is the place we went firefly staring at on our fresh commute. The town’s baywalk house serves because the jump-off level for this excursion. From right here, you can hop on a ship after which switch to a smaller boat, which might take you to Sicsican River the place fireflies abound. Excursion guides make the firefly staring at process entertaining through “speaking” to the fireflies in numerous languages. The excursion features a scrumptious dinner at the boat, which we loved after cruising at the river and seeing the fireflies that appear to be Christmas lighting through the facet of the river.
- Nagsaguipi River. This excursion features a buffet dinner at a cafe simply earlier than you get started your firefly staring at journey. After making your stomachs complete, you’ll get on a paddle boat and sail on Nagsaguipi River the place you’ll see the fireflies glow through the mangrove bushes.
With a top of 350 meters, Mt. Magarwak is a pleasant position to consult with if you wish to see Puerto Princesa from above. The trek to the highest of this mountain is appropriate even for newcomers and takes round an hour and a part, relying at the tempo. It’s best to begin trekking early within the morning round 5:00 AM so you’ll succeed in the highest earlier than break of day. If you get to the highest, you’ll loosen up, have some espresso and stay up for the impressive break of day over Puerto Princesa. From the height, you’ll additionally recognize Honda Bay and Puerto Princesa Bay.
Mt. Magarwak is positioned in Brgy. Bacungan, about 15 kilometers from town middle.
Kamia Bay Hotel lies in Brgy. Luzviminda, not up to an hour away south of town middle. The waterpark covers about 4 hectares of the valuables in Binusalian Bay and lines one of the crucial biggest inflatable parks within the nation. Visitors of every age can experience bouncing round and happening the slide of various heights or take a look at wall mountain climbing at the inflatables.
Different actions presented listed below are eco-tours and motorbike trails. The lodge additionally has a buffet and loads of spaces the place you’ll relax whether or not you’re circle of relatives, buddies, or your particular somebody.
Be aware: We’re now not positive if Kamia Bay Hotel is closed or open. We didn’t get to consult with on our fresh commute, so we couldn’t ascertain. However their social media accounts had been inactive since 2021.
In 1979, after the autumn of South Vietnam, a lot of Vietnamese refugees discovered themselves in Palawan and arrange a camp. In 1993, the camp used to be moved to Barangay Sta. Lourdes. Over time, some have left and returned to Vietnam however some selected to stick.
Nowadays, this network in Puerto Princesa is named Viet Ville. Historical past buffs will unquestionably discover a consult with right here reasonably attention-grabbing. You’ll be able to actually have a style of the Vietnamese delicacies on the eating place right here that bears the similar title. Viet Ville eating place serves pho, banh mi, and Vietnamese espresso, amongst others.
Ask somebody in Puerto Princesa the place they counsel a first-time vacationer will have to opt for a meal, and there’s a large likelihood they’ll level you to Ka Lui.
KaLui is possibly essentially the most well known Pinoy eating place in Puerto Princesa. Fostering a homey Pinoy setting, it’s with wood furniture, ceramic items, and art work. Ka Lui serves most commonly Filipino seafood specialties. Additionally they give a complimentary fruit salad served on a halved coconut.
This eating place is very fashionable so it’s extremely really useful that you’re making prior reservation to safe a desk.
Cope with: 369 Rizal Street, Puerto Princesa
Opening hours: Mondays-Saturdays, 11AM-2PM (Lunch), 6PM-11PM (Dinner)
Touch quantity: (048) 726-6217
This isn’t someplace to visit however one thing to experience! Er, provided that you’re an adventurous eater.
Indulging in native meals is at all times a really perfect a part of any commute. If unique meals doesn’t faze you, don’t fail to notice Palawan’s delicacy —- tamilok! It’s steadily known as a woodworm as a result of it’s discovered within mangroves. However it’s, in reality, one of those marine mollusk with lengthy and comfortable our bodies. Yep, cousin of oysters and mussels! Its style profile and slimy texture are similar to the extra commonplace bivalves too, albeit with a powerful woody aftertaste.
When in Puerto Princesa, you’ll do that unconventional deal with at some eating places within the town. I used to be in a position to take a look at tamilok after we had lunch in Cacaoyan Woodland Park in Sabang. They serve it with a facet of vinegar the place you’ll dip it earlier than savoring it.
Every other eating place that gives it’s Kinabuch’s Grill and Bar positioned inside the town middle, the place our teammate Yosh had his first style of it.
