At the heart of the province of Palawan lies an underrated city called Puerto Princesa. Nicknamed “The City in a Forest”, Puerto Princesa is well-known for its turquoise waters, hidden caves, and limestone cliffs. It’s also the second largest city in the Philippines and is one of the top dream destinations for Filipinos.
Puerto Princesa is a highly urbanized city but it has kept its natural beauty and maintained its cleanliness. That’s why it is considered to be one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the Philippines. There are also a lot of things you can do and find in Puerto Princesa such as the pristine white beaches, marine life preservation, and cultural and historical sites.
The breathtaking views you’ll get to see in Puerto Princesa are unlike any other. There’s so much adventure that you can take in the city but in this article, we’re going to talk about 9 of the Puerto Princesa places that you should add to your trip first!
What is the best way to get around Puerto Princesa?
Puerto Princesa City is an urban city despite this, the main modes of transportation are tricycles and jeepneys! They are inexpensive, convenient, and accessible making it the perfect way to get around Puerto Princesa.
However, for first-time visitors, using these modes of transportation may be a bit confusing. Luckily, if you already booked a tour to the major tourist spots in Puerto Princesa, you don’t have to worry about transportation because the travel agency you booked with will already provide you with a car or a van.
It’s also best if you check out Puerto Princesa City’s official website to check for updates on COVID-19 restrictions!
1. Puerto Princesa Underground River
The underground river in Puerto Princesa is one of the most visited sites in the area. It is a UNESCO World Heritage (1999) and New 7 Wonders of Nature (2012) Site. It is located in the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
The 8.2-kilometer-long underground river system features the most amazing stalactites, stalagmites, and limestone karst formations. Aside from this, it also has a forest that is home to different plants and animals native to the Philippines.
It is best if you go on a tour of the underground river where you’ll ride on a motorized paddle boat together with your family or a group of other tourists. However, you are required to register in advance if you wish to take the 45-minute tour and the best way to do that is to book your tour with a travel agency or online through these sites because they’ll take the hassle of lining up away from you.
Location: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Opening Hours: 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM, daily.
Booking Fee: Php1,200 to 1,500 or $21 to $25 per person.
2. Honda Bay Island Hopping
A beach lover’s paradise, Honda Bay comprises islets that have pristine white sands and marine life-rich beaches.
Honda Bay is not as popular as El Nido or Coron but it definitely needs to have its own recognition because all the islets located in this area are worth all the praise! A great way to go around Honda Bay is through island-hopping. Island-hopping will bring you to three small islands: Luli Island, Cowrie Island, and Starfish Island. You can explore all three islands by snorkeling and swimming.
There are things to do on each of the islands too, for example, you can go to the sand bar at Luli Island and jump off a diving board to the clear waters, you make starfish friends at Starfish Island which is home to various kinds of starfish, and lastly, you can eat fresh seafood buffet at Cowrie Island together with your tour guide!
Location: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Opening Hours: The tour usually starts at 7:30 AM and ends at 2 PM.
Booking Fee: Php1,200 to 1,500 or $21 to $25 per person.
3. Mitra’s Ranch
Mitra’s Ranch is a popular hang-out spot for both thrill-seekers and calm wanderers.
Also called, ‘Rancho Sta. Monica’, Mitra’s Ranch is owned by the family of former Senator and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ramon Mitra Jr. The location started off as just a quaint picnic ground and then flourished into an adventure park with zip lines, a hanging bridge, and horseback riding.
The view in the view deck which overlooks the town is breathtaking with all the lush trees that surround the area. The Ranch is open to the public with the exception of the house on the premise which is sort of like a museum or a showcase of the life and works of the late Senator Mitra.
Location: Mitra Rd, Puerto Princesa, 5300 Palawan
Opening Hours: 10 AM to 4 PM, daily.
Entrance Fee: FREE but the Mitra Mansion has an entrance fee of Php25 or $0.50 per person.
4. Baker’s Hill
The Baker’s Hill in Barangay Sta. Monica is a peculiar tourist attraction not because of anything weird but because it is a bakery… on top of a hill! It’s probably the least expected kind of tourist attraction.
As the name suggests this tourist attraction is a bakery that serves different Filipino baked goods like the most popular hopia (similar to moon cake), crinkles, Spanish bread, and cookies. The bakery even serves pasta, pizza, and other dishes but one dish you might want to try is the tamilok which is a kind of woodworm, a delicacy in Palawan! It’s not for the brave though but you might want to try it out for the experience!
Apart from the bakery Baker’s Hill is perfect for a relaxing stroll in the afternoon. The view deck is also one of the reasons why people come to the place because it offers one of the best views of Puerto Princesa!
Location: RP4M+XQ8, Mitra Rd, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Opening Hours: 7 AM to 8 PM, daily.
Entrance Fee: FREE
5. Palawan Rescue and Wildlife Conservation Centre
Formerly known as the Crocodile Farming institute, the Palawan Rescue and Wildlife Conservation Centre houses a number of crocodiles from the Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) to the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).
The Conservations Centre measures up to 10 hectares and can accommodate about 4,000 crocodiles. It was opened back in 1987 and has rescued over 300 injured or smuggled crocodiles and other animals.
Here, you can get up close and personal with baby crocodiles and also learn more about the crocodiles in the Philippines. The tour happens every 15 minutes where you’ll be taken to a display of giant crocodile skin and skeleton. You’ll also get to see the enclosure for adult crocodiles, and lastly, get to pet baby crocodiles with supervision of course!
After the tour, you can go to the wildlife zoo where you’ll find different birds and other animals.
Location: QMXV+QCP, South Road, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Opening Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM, daily.
Entrance Fee: Php40 or $0.80 per adult.
6. Plaza Cuartel
So far, we’ve talked about fun and relaxing tourist attractions in Puerto Princesa but let’s take a bit of a left turn to a more historical attraction that deserves our attention.
The history of Plaza Cuarte dates back to the 1940s during the second world war. It was where the Japanese soldiers kept 150 American prisoners of war. On December 14, 1944, the Japanese soldiers let the prisoners dig out shelter trenches and then drowned them in gasoline before finally lighting them on fire. Out of 150 prisoners, only 11 were able to escape and survive.
This well-maintained open-air war museum commemorates those who faced their demise during the gruesome mass execution. A memorial marker is placed on the site to remember the souls of the American soldiers.
Today, the Plaza Cuartel is frequently visited by locals due to the beautiful green garden as well as its location which is in front of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral and Rizal Park.
Location: PPRH+2V8, Taft St, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Opening Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday only.
Entrance Fee: FREE
7. Butterfly Garden and Tribal Village
The Butterfly Garden and Tribal Village is a perfect tourist spot for those traveling with their families and kids. Previously called ‘Butterfly Garden’, you’ll find a variety of colorful butterflies of all shapes and sizes. You’ll get to see them in their habitat as well as learn about them.
There are other organisms on display in the Butterfly Garden like stick insects, scorpions, and even snakes! You’ll also get a glimpse of the Palawan bearcat and peacock-pheasant, which are some of the rescued animals in the city.
The second area is the Tribal Village where you’ll get to know the Palaw’an people indigenous to South Palawan.
In the Village, you’ll be taught how the Palaw’ans survive through hunting and you’ll also get serenaded by them in a shot musical performance where they’ll play a tribal string instrument called the ‘Kudyapi‘. Lastly, you can take a sip on a hot cup of civet coffee or kopi luwak at a little cafe in the area before you proceed to the next destination.
It’s not often that we get to be invited into a tribe’s village in the Philippines so this experience is quite special.
Location: QPWJ+3W9, Puerto Princesa, 5300 Palawan
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM to 5 PM, daily.
Entrance Fee: Php50 or $1 per person.
8. Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Located just across Plaza Cuartel lies the beautiful Immaculate Conception Cathedral which is a Catholic church dedicated to the patron saint of Punta Princesa City.
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral is better known for its distinct Neo-Gothic architectural style, featuring pointed symmetrical arches. This blue and white cathedral dates back to 1872 wherein Puerto Princesa’s first Catholic mass was held. The mass was led by Saint Ezequiél Moreno, an Augustinian Recollect Fray turned Saint.
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral started out as a small chapel but because of further development, it turned out to be one of the most beautiful churches in Puerto Princesa City. The construction of the Cathedral to almost a century and it was finished only in 1961.
Location: 58 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa, 5300 Palawan
Opening Hours: 8 AM to 6 PM, daily.
Entrance Fee: FREE
9. Puerto Princesa Firefly Watching
After a day of going around, exploring the urban city and the natural beauty of Puerto Princesa, you can head on to the Puerto Princesa Firefly Watching.
This activity is the perfect way to sum up your trip to Puerto Princesa where you’ll get to see hundreds of fireflies twinkling at night by the Iwahig River as you cruise through on a paddle boat. This is one of the top activities to do in Puerto Princesa which is not just visited by tourists but also by locals because of the beauty of the area that people just can’t get enough of!
This might be a little different from the other sites where you’re required to move and go around but here, all you have to do is simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere! Flash photography is not allowed here to really see the glow of the fireflies but because of this, you’ll also get a sight of the bioluminescent planktons in the river and marvel at the constellations in the clear sky!
The experience starts off with a dinner buffet which prepares you for the ride. Then, you’ll hop on a paddle boat where you’ll cruise until you get to Sicsican River where most of the fireflies can be found! Tour packages include the Mangrove Forest too and the price starts at Php1,700 or $31 per person for 3 hours.
Location: Puerto Princesa South Road, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Opening Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM, daily.
Entrance Fee: Php40 or $0.80 per adult.
What can we say about Puerto Princesa?
We’re yet to update this article in the future since this does not even encapsulate the beauty of the city. For us, Puerto Princesa City is simply underrated because tourists would rather go to other parts of the province rather than stop here and explore!
The capital city is the gateway to Palawan and there are tons of things to do here. It deserves a place in our travel plans and itineraries and that is a fact!
What part of the Philippines do you want us to talk about next?
Follow us @budgetitinerary across all platforms for more fun content about travel!
0 Comments