Puerto Princesa

Intro

Puerto Princesa is where most Palawan adventures begin - and far more travelers should give it the day or two it deserves before racing off to El Nido. This breezy coastal capital wraps a relaxed city around one of the planet's most extraordinary natural wonders: the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Glide through a limestone cave by paddle boat in the morning, snorkel turquoise lagoons in Honda Bay by afternoon, and drift down a mangrove river at night beneath fireflies blinking like fallen stars.

Spread along Honda Bay on the east coast of Palawan, Puerto Princesa balances big-island wilderness with small-city comforts - clean streets, good coffee, fresh seafood grilled over coals, and a famously safe, friendly vibe. It is your launchpad for the whole island: vans rumble north to El Nido and Port Barton, and west to Sabang for the river. Stay a beat, eat well, and let Palawan unfold slowly.

First-timer essentials

• Visa: Most nationalities (US, UK, EU, Australia, most of ASEAN) enter the Philippines visa-free for 30 days, extendable at the Bureau of Immigration. Always carry proof of onward or return travel.
• Currency: The Philippine peso (PHP). Rough guide: USD 1 is around PHP 56, EUR 1 around PHP 60, SGD 1 around PHP 42 (rates fluctuate).
• Health: No mandatory vaccines for most travelers; tap water is not safe to drink, so stick to bottled or filtered water. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent (dengue is present), and any personal medication. Ospital ng Palawan and private clinics handle most needs; serious cases may require a flight to Manila.
• Money & ATMs: ATMs are plentiful along Rizal Avenue and in malls (Robinsons, SM City Puerto Princesa). Most charge a PHP 250 withdrawal fee with low single-withdrawal limits, so take out larger amounts at once. Cards work in hotels, malls and bigger restaurants; carry cash for tricycles, sari-sari stores, and most island tours.
• Safety: Puerto Princesa is one of the safest and cleanest cities in the Philippines - petty crime is low and locals are warm. Standard precautions apply: watch belongings in crowds, agree tricycle fares before riding, and respect the sea (life vests on boat tours, mind currents while snorkeling).

Top things to do

1. Puerto Princesa Underground River (Sabang) - The headline act. A paddle boat carries you into an 8.2 km navigable river that flows through a vast limestone cave full of cathedral-like chambers and stalactites. Permits are required and capped daily, so book ahead. A full-day joiner tour runs roughly PHP 1,500 to 2,500 per person including van transfer, boat, permit and lunch.
2. Honda Bay Island Hopping - Hop between Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish/Pandan islands for white sand, shallow reefs and great snorkeling. Joiner tours cost about PHP 1,200 to 1,800 including boat, environmental fees, snorkel gear and lunch.
3. Iwahig Firefly Watching - At dusk, paddle a small boat down the mangrove-lined Iwahig River while thousands of fireflies twinkle in the trees. Expect around PHP 700 to 1,200 per person, often with a stargazing add-on.
4. City heritage and food tour - Visit the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Plaza Cuartel, and Palawan Heritage Center, then graze the city's legendary food scene. Half-day tours run about PHP 800 to 1,200.
5. Mitra's Ranch and Baker's Hill - Hilltop ranch views over the city and bay plus a whimsical garden bakery famous for hopia and fresh bread. Free to enter; budget PHP 200 to 400 for snacks and a tricycle round trip.
6. Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center - Get close to Philippine and saltwater crocodiles plus endemic wildlife. Entrance is around PHP 40 to 50, an easy and educational half-day.
7. Try the food - Puerto Princesa is a genuine foodie city: grilled tamilok (woodworm, a local delicacy), fresh tuna and lato seaweed, chaolong (Vietnamese-influenced beef noodle soup), and crocodile sisig. A great meal runs PHP 200 to 500 per person.

Best time to visit

The dry season from late November to May is ideal, with sunny skies and calm seas - prime for island hopping and the Underground River. March to May is hottest and busiest (book tours and the river permit early). The wet season, June to October, brings afternoon showers and occasional typhoons; seas can get rough and boat tours may be canceled, but you will find fewer crowds, greener landscapes and lower prices. For the best balance, aim for late November to February.

Getting there

Puerto Princesa is Palawan's main gateway, served by Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) right in the city. Direct flights from Manila (MNL) take about 1 hour 25 minutes; direct flights from Cebu (CEB) take around 1 hour 15 minutes, on Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia. From the compact airport, tricycles and Grab-style rides reach the city center in 10 to 15 minutes (roughly PHP 150 to 300).

From Puerto Princesa, shared vans and buses fan out across the island:

• To El Nido: about 5 to 6 hours by van (around PHP 700 to 900); book a seat the day before.
• To Port Barton: about 3.5 hours by van (around PHP 500 to 700), the quieter alternative to El Nido.
• To Sabang (Underground River): about 2 hours by van (around PHP 300 to 500), or done as part of a day tour.

Vans depart from the San Jose Terminal on the city's edge; most hotels and tour desks can arrange door-to-door pickup.

From Singapore

There are no direct flights from Singapore (SIN) to Puerto Princesa, so you will connect - almost always via Manila (MNL) or sometimes Cebu (CEB). The simplest routing is SIN to MNL (about 3 hours 45 minutes), then a short domestic hop MNL to PPS. Allow a comfortable layover (ideally 2.5 to 3+ hours) since you may need to clear immigration and re-check bags. Booking the SIN-MNL and MNL-PPS legs together makes connections smoother.

Tours on PANA.PH

• Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour - The must-do Palawan experience. A guided full-day trip by van to Sabang, then by outrigger boat to the entrance of the UNESCO-listed subterranean river, where a paddle boat takes you deep into a glittering limestone cave. Includes permits (capped daily, so booking ahead is essential), transfers and lunch.
• Honda Bay Island Hopping from Puerto Princesa - A classic sun-and-sea day out: cruise by banca between Honda Bay's islands and sandbars, snorkel over shallow coral gardens, and relax on powder-soft beaches. Boat, fees, gear and lunch included.
• Whale Shark Watching in Puerto Princesa - Head out to sea for the chance to swim alongside the gentle giants of the ocean, with a safety briefing, life vests and snorkel gear, focused on responsible wildlife encounters.

FAQ

Do I need to book the Underground River in advance? Yes. Daily visitor permits are capped to protect the cave, and slots sell out in peak season. Book through a tour operator or PANA.PH a few days ahead - they handle the permit, van transfer and boat.

How many days should I spend in Puerto Princesa? Two to three days is ideal: one for the Underground River, one for Honda Bay island hopping, and time for the city food scene and Iwahig fireflies.

Is Puerto Princesa worth visiting, or should I go straight to El Nido? It is well worth a stop. The Underground River, Honda Bay and the firefly tour are unique to this area, and the city itself is clean, safe and full of great food.

How do I get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido? By shared van (about 5 to 6 hours, PHP 700 to 900) departing from the San Jose Terminal, with private vans and door-to-door options also available. Book the day before.

Is the tap water safe to drink? No - drink bottled or filtered water. It is widely sold and cheap, and most hotels provide it.