Puerto Princesa, Philippines: travel guide
Palawan's gateway to a famous underground river and quiet coastal bays
Last Ecological Frontier — blessed with pristine beaches, the Underground River, limestone cliffs, and exceptional marine biodiversity.
About Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan and the main entry point to the island's long, green western coast. The city itself is easy and unhurried, with a waterfront, markets and seafood restaurants, but most visitors come for what lies just outside it.
The Puerto Princesa Underground River, where a boat glides into a limestone cave beneath forested hills, is the best-known trip. Honda Bay offers island hopping and snorkelling, and the city is the starting point for the long road north to El Nido.
It suits nature lovers and travellers building a wider Palawan itinerary. The dry season, roughly November to May, brings the calmest seas and the most dependable weather.
- Country
- Philippines
- Currency
- PHP
- Time zone
- Asia/Manila
- Nearest airport
- PPS
- Typical trip
- 2-3 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa Underground River UNESCO
cave · 4.8 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
The Puerto Princesa Underground River — UNESCO World Heritage and New 7 Wonder of Nature — is an 8.2km navigable underground river through massive limestone caves. Boat tours through the cathedral cave chambers are extraordinary.
El Nido Day Trip from Puerto Princesa
island · 4.9 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
El Nido Palawan is reachable in 5-6 hours by van from Puerto Princesa or 1 hour by plane. The extraordinary karst limestone scenery, turquoise lagoons, and island-hopping are among the finest in Southeast Asia.
Puerto Princesa Seafood Night Grill
market · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The Puerto Princesa seafood street market — several BBQ areas in the city centre where you choose fresh Palawan seafood (squid, prawns, lobster, fish) and have it grilled on the spot.
Puerto Princesa Rizal Avenue Food Strip
district · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The Rizal Avenue food strip is the heart of Puerto Princesa dining — roasted lechon stalls, fresh grilled seafood, halo-halo dessert shops, and the local mango buko pandan shops that are unique to Palawan.
Sabang Monkey Trail Beach Palawan
beach · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The white sand beach at Sabang adjacent to the Underground River has excellent offshore snorkelling and a jungle trail where long-tailed macaques congregate — they will come very close to visitors.
Puerto Princesa Baywalk Sea Promenade
promenade · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The Puerto Princesa Baywalk — a waterfront promenade along the Sulu Sea with food stalls, local vendors, and a cool sea breeze in the evenings. The local social gathering point.
Honda Bay Luli Sandbar Swimming
beach · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry ₱150 (≈ ₹230)
Luli Island in Honda Bay is a tiny sandbar that disappears at high tide — the name comes from Tagalog meaning island that rises and sinks. Crystal-clear swimming with no development.
Iwahig River Firefly Night Cruise
wetland · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A magical night boat tour on the Iwahig River to see thousands of synchronised fireflies along the mangrove banks — one of the Philippines most extraordinary natural light shows.
Puerto Princesa Heritage City Walk
district · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The Puerto Princesa city centre heritage walk — the Cathedral, the Plaza Cuartel war memorial, the Palawan Museum, and the colourful Rizal Avenue market district.
Ugong Rock Cave Rappel Zipline
cave · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The Ugong Rock cave and zip-line adventure near Sabang — cave rappelling inside the limestone cave and zip-lining over the jungle canopy. An excellent activity near the Underground River.
Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral Palawan
church · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Puerto Princesa is the most important colonial heritage building in Palawan — a beautiful Spanish-era church facing the central plaza.
Puerto Princesa Palawan Night Market
market · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The Palawan Night Market near the Rizal Avenue market area has the freshest and most diverse range of Palawan produce, handicrafts, and street food — coconut-based sweets, dried seafood, and woven Batak products.
Things to do
- Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour Full Day Heritage · 8 h · from PHP 2,500 per person
- Puerto Princesa Honda Bay Island Hopping Premium Boat · 8 h · from PHP 1,800 per person
- Puerto Princesa Iwahig Firefly Boat Tour Heritage Nature · 3 h · from PHP 1,200 per person
- Puerto Princesa Palawan Wildlife Rescue Heritage Wildlife · 3 h · from PHP 310 per person
- Puerto Princesa Heritage City Tour Heritage Culture Heritage · 5 h · from PHP 920 per person
- Puerto Princesa Ugong Rock Cave Adventures Zipline Adventure · 4 h · from PHP 1,500 per person
- Puerto Princesa Palawan Firefly Night Walk Mangroves Nature · 2.5 h · from PHP 920 per person
- Puerto Princesa Sabang Zipline Jungle Adventure Adventure · 1 h · from PHP 920 per person
Where to stay in Puerto Princesa
- Puerto Town about PHP 2,500 per night
Gateway to underground river with accommodation
Hotels
- Lagen Island Resort El Nido Palawan 5-star · PHP 20,000 to PHP 65,000 per night
- Puerto Princesa Palawan Treetop Resort 4-star · PHP 5,500 to PHP 11,000 per night
- Puerto Princesa Palawan Beachfront Villas 5-star · PHP 18,000 to PHP 45,000 per night
- Dos Palmas Island Resort Palawan 5-star · PHP 15,000 to PHP 50,000 per night
- Dos Palmas Island Resort & Spa 5-star · PHP 14,000 to PHP 32,000 per night
- Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa 4.5-star · PHP 7,000 to PHP 14,000 per night
Where to eat
- Robinsons Food Court Puerto Princesa Multi-cuisine, Filipino, Fast Food · about PHP 400 per person
- Jollibee Puerto Princesa Rizal Ave Filipino, Fast Food, Heritage · about PHP 200 per person
- Puerto Princesa Night Market Food Filipino, Street Food, Night Market · about PHP 300 per person
- Puerto Princesa Robinson Mall Food Hall Multi-cuisine, Filipino, International · about PHP 500 per person
- Puerto Princesa Palawan Fresh Market Filipino, Market, Street Food · about PHP 200 per person
- Badjao Seafront Restaurant Puerto Princesa Filipino, Seafood, Heritage · about PHP 900 per person
- Puerto Princesa Mang Inasal Branch Filipino, Barbecue, Fast Food · about PHP 300 per person
- Puerto Princesa Night Market Grill Extension Filipino, Street Food, Night Market · about PHP 300 per person
Getting to Puerto Princesa
Airport: Puerto Princesa (PPS)
How visitors arrive in Puerto Princesa
- Flight into Puerto Princesa airport By air from Manila, Cebu, Clark · common
The international airport is the main entry point to the city, with flights from Manila, Cebu and Clark. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus or van within Palawan By road from Palawan towns · common
Buses, vans and jeepneys link the city with other parts of Palawan, such as El Nido. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry from Manila By ferry from Manila · possible
A scheduled passenger ferry connects Manila with the city port; it is a long overnight voyage. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Tricycle from the airport
The airport is close to downtown. Tricycles wait at the terminal front; those flagged down on the highway are the better-value choice per the guide. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Jeepney along the highway
Jeepneys pass the highway in front of the airport heading to town or the bus terminal. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Bus or van to the main terminal unconfirmed
Buses and vans from across Palawan use the Grand (San Jose) terminal in Tagburos outside the centre. Locals report this has changed, so confirm which terminal your bus uses. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Scooter Rental
- Tricycle limited to a few areas
Jeepneys, multicabs and tricycles are the common ways around Puerto Princesa; tricycles are limited to certain areas and shorter distances.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Money exchange short-change
Major tourist zones
Cashier counts notes quickly, palms one, then re-counts and accuses you of being short.
How to avoid it: Use credit card. Count change yourself before stepping away.
Best time to visit Puerto Princesa
- Jan 31°C
- Feb 31°C
- Mar 32°C
- Apr 33°C
- May 33°C
- Jun 32°C
- Jul 32°C
- Aug 32°C
- Sep 32°C
- Oct 32°C
- Nov 31°C
- Dec 31°C
More in Philippines
Frequently asked questions about Puerto Princesa
- How many days do you need in Puerto Princesa?
- A typical trip to Puerto Princesa is 2-3 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Puerto Princesa?
- The highest-rated places in our Puerto Princesa guide are El Nido Day Trip from Puerto Princesa, Puerto Princesa Underground River UNESCO, Iwahig River Firefly Night Cruise, Sabang Monkey Trail Beach Palawan, Honda Bay Luli Sandbar Swimming.
- Where should I stay in Puerto Princesa?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Puerto Princesa: Puerto Town.
- How do I get around Puerto Princesa?
- Ways to get around Puerto Princesa covered in our guide: Scooter rental, Tricycle, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Puerto Princesa?
- Scams reported to us for Puerto Princesa include Money exchange short-change. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Puerto Princesa?
- Average daytime highs in Puerto Princesa run from 31°C in Jan to 33°C in Apr.
- Which airport is nearest to Puerto Princesa?
- The nearest airport to Puerto Princesa has the code PPS.