Tours in Puerto Princesa and Surroundings
Philippines articles:
Philippines Destinations |
Manila |
El Nido |
Boracay Island |
Puerto Princesa |
Bohol |
Cebu Island |Iloilo
General Information
Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan Island in the Philippines, is the largest port city on Palawan Island and also has an international airport. Most of the cruise ships arriving in the Philippines also dock here, including large ships, as it has a port that is relatively small but deep. The port is currently undergoing expansion and renovation to allow more ships to reach the city. The goal of tourism officials in the city is for it to become the most popular port city in all of the Philippines.
Most tourists arriving at this port embark on a guided tour of the Underground River of Puerto Princesa, which is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
Vacation and Recommended Hotels
♦ The best hotel in Puerto Princesa City in the Philippines is Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa. Although rated as a four-star hotel (there are no five-star hotels in this city), it is very successful, large, and spacious. It offers standard rooms, all with balconies, as well as pool-access rooms, some with private pools, and even overwater bungalows (though the sea here is not suitable for swimming). The hotel features large and beautiful swimming pools, and a sandbar island in the middle of the sea that is visible and accessible only at peak low tide.
The hotel has many facilities for children as well as two excellent restaurants, one Italian and one Japanese. It is decorated with various statues and pagodas and is rich with fish ponds.
The hotel offers rooms as well as villas with private pools, a restaurant, gym, bar, spa, free internet, and free parking.
How to Get to Puerto Princesa
You can reach Puerto Princesa by air at the international airport near the city, by cruise ship, or by ferry to its port from Manila or Coron. Taking a ferry is not recommended due to the long sailing duration (around 28 hours from Manila, around 13 hours from Coron). A flight from Cebu, Manila, or Coron to Puerto Princesa takes 70–80 minutes.
You can also travel from El Nido in northern Palawan to Puerto Princesa overland (5–6 hours drive) or by air (40-minute flight).
Tours in Puerto Princesa
Booking Tours in Puerto Princesa (via Viator):
Trip to the Underground River
The Underground River of Puerto Princesa:
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park & World Heritage Site
is a UNESCO World Heritage site chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The reserve can only be reached by sea aboard classic Philippine motorized boats. From the beach where you arrive, you walk along a short forest trail filled with monkeys, some of which are quite aggressive.
Inside the underground river itself, you ride in paddle boats with a boatman who rows vigorously for 45 minutes while illuminating wildlife (mostly bats living in the caves in large numbers, as well as snakes and birds) and impressive stalactites of various shapes on the cave's high ceiling—all while listening to audio guide explanations about the cave, the river, conservation, what you are seeing, and more.
A fascinating and very popular place among visitors to the Philippines. Naturally, near the boat dock there are plenty of fruit stalls, juices, and various market stalls selling souvenirs and travel accessories. The river is located inside a mountain shaped like a lying giant.
It is recommended to take a private tour that includes transportation from the city to the national park (about 1.5 hours each way) and a good lunch at a restaurant in a small forest filled with statues.
Puerto Princesa City Tour
In my opinion, those arriving for just a short single day in the area can tour the city itself rather than travel to the distant caves, which require a 1.5 to 2-hour drive each way from the port plus a 15–20 minute boat ride to the beach near where the caves and river are located.
Puerto Princesa itself certainly has a lot to offer for a lovely day tour with a maximum 15–20 minute drive to the furthest destination. It features butterfly greenhouses with a variety of additional insects and reptiles,
and even a local peacock that is the symbol of the city, which looks nothing like the peacock we know.
The site also features an indigenous village with explanations and demonstrations of their way of life in a short and sweet performance.
In the park, there is a cafe selling highly prized coffee called Wild Civet coffee (made from the droppings of a raccoon-like animal that resembles a large black cat that ate coffee beans. It doesn't sound appetizing, but I had to try it and it was really delicious). Nearby is a crocodile farm, which is a rescue and educational facility with freshwater crocodiles and saltwater crocodiles.
From there, you continue to a house inside a farm that belonged to the local governor and became a small museum overlooking a beautiful view, with an adjacent horse ranch, ziplines, etc. — Mitra's Ranch.
Nearby you reach the most popular bakery in the city, set among landscaped gardens filled with statues and play areas: Bakers Hill, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
From there, you proceed to a small weaving workshop that utilizes grass that used to be discarded and burned to create mats, bags, tablecloths, and various accessories sold in the adjacent shop. You can watch the local women in action, see their children running around, and even try weaving yourself.
Afterward, you drive to the city center to a tragic WWII historical site where the Japanese executed American prisoners of war (the story is sad and fascinating, and today you can only view the site from the outside for various safety and archaeological reasons).
The cathedral is located nearby—large and active (the locals are devout Catholics and attend mass, especially on weekends). It was bombed and completely destroyed during WWII, but was later rebuilt.
Finish at the long promenade near the port, filled with food and souvenir stalls. A diverse and educational tour, especially if done with a good guide, like our guide "Tia."
Island Hopping
Island Hopping is very popular in the Philippines. Of course, Puerto Princesa also offers island hopping in the bay adjacent to the city, known as "Honda Bay Island Hopping."
The tour stops at three destinations: two small and lovely islands—Luli and Cowrie—with beautiful beaches, picnic tables, and various options for relaxation and water sports, plus a reef stop where you snorkel among crowds of large fish.
The scenery is not as dramatic as in El Nido because there are no cliffs or lagoons, but the advantage here is that the water is much warmer, just like the Mediterranean in the summer, and there are far fewer people.
Definitely a highly recommended day for anyone visiting the city. Naturally, a private tour with a private boat and private guide is preferable, allowing you to choose how long to stay at each stop. The tour also includes a meal on the beach. Our boat crew, two sweet young guys, made us a handmade gift out of coconut leaves.