Any dialog about Palawan is terribly incomplete with out a point out of Puerto Princesa, its capital and solely metropolis. Adventurers and seaside bums flock to the towering karst cliffs of El Nido. Divers and nature lovers are drawn to the lakes of Coron. However lengthy earlier than they made a mark on Palawan’s tourism map, Puerto Princesa was already giving vacationers of every kind a bit of style of what the province has to supply.
Positioned in the midst of mainland Palawan, Puerto Princesa serves as the most important and essentially the most handy gateway to the province. Though a extremely urbanized metropolis, it retains its pure magnificence and has been constantly among the many cleanest and greenest cities within the nation, one thing that any traveler would instantly discover inside minutes of their arrival. It’s no surprise it’s additionally touted because the Eco-Tourism Middle of the Philippines.
However it’s not at all times butterflies and unicorns for town’s tourism over the previous years. Like in lots of locations around the globe, the pandemic introduced a lot of challenges. Then, in 2021, the province was ravaged by Storm Odette (worldwide identify: Rai), leaving nearly P8 billion in damages. However not too long ago, not even a 12 months after, we have been invited to affix a current tour organized by the Division of Tourism (DOT)-MIMAROPA. We bought to see for ourselves what it’s prefer to journey round Puerto Princesa now. On this article, we’re sharing with you a listing of vacationer sights within the metropolis (not in any explicit order) and what it’s like in the present day.
Notice: Puerto Princesa is big! In truth, it’s the second largest metropolis within the Philippines by land space, subsequent to Davao. You’ll discover locations on this checklist that could be one or two hours away from town heart, however they’re nonetheless a part of Puerto Princesa.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
Formally named Puerto Princesa Subterranean River however generally merely known as PPUR, this 8.2-km-long underground river is town’s important tourism draw. This pure surprise which was acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1999 and as one of many New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2012.
Tucked within the northern nooks 76 km away from town correct, it may be reached after round one and a half to 2 hours of land journey. The tour’s jump-off level is Sabang Wharf, and solely a restricted variety of guests are allowed per day. Vacationers are required to register prematurely in the event that they need to go to. To keep away from coping with this course of, it’s best to e book a packaged tour with a tour operator to allow them to register in your behalf. Packaged excursions normally embody roundtrip land and boat transfers, audio information for the underground river tour, and buffet lunch.
One other wonderful thing about reserving with a tour operator is in case of inclement climate, you received’t need to spend time touring to Sabang solely to search out out that the excursions have been canceled for the day. In case this occurs, they’ll additionally make preparations to maneuver your scheduled tour to the next day.
Just a few minutes away from Sabang Wharf, Cacaoayan Forest Park is an superior lunch cease after your Puerto Princesa Underground River tour. True to its identify, being right here will make you’re feeling such as you’re in the midst of a forest. Additionally, you will discover a good view deck right here together with Instagram-worthy spots paying homage to these in Bali.
Their lunch buffet provides quite a lot of Filipino dishes from fish to pork to rooster to greens and recent fruits. In case you’re curious about making an attempt tamilok, the favored unique mollusk, you can too order it right here. Reservations are required for the lunch buffet, however some tour operators embody a cease right here of their underground river tour packages.
Buffet price is P350 per particular person.
Location: Brgy. Sabang, Puerto Princesa
Working hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Buffet Charge: P350/particular person
Sabang Seashore could also be identified primarily because the jump-off level to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, however it’s also an attraction by itself. This gorgeous seaside with the backdrop of the mountains is a pleasant place to swim and loosen up. From right here, you can too see the gorgeous St. Paul Limestone formation the place the underground river is flowing beneath.
In case you’re in for extra journey, one other exercise you are able to do right here is the Sabang X Zipline. This thrilling experience will deal with you to the gorgeous view of Sabang Seashore and its surrounding space from above. Measuring 800 meters, it’s among the many nation’s longest ziplines that cross a physique of water. To succeed in the place to begin of the experience, it’s essential to go on a brief 15-minute hike.
Tickets value P550.
Island hopping is among the most typical actions in lots of locations within the Philippines, and Puerto Princesa isn’t to be unnoticed. Right here, seaside chasers go to Honda Bay, which isn’t too removed from town heart.
Honda Bay is peppered with a number of isles, however island hopping excursions normally embody simply three stops. In case you’re a DIY-er and also you’re becoming a member of a bunch tour, these three islands will probably be fastened. However if you’d like extra flexibility or should you’re a giant group, you might e book a ship and organize a personal tour.
The jump-off level is Sta. Lourdes Wharf, roughly half-hour away from town correct by tricycle. One-way fare is round P400-500 per tricycle.
At current, solely 3 islands are open for public island hopping excursions:
- Cowrie Island
- Luli Island
- Starfish Island
Boat charges range relying on the sort used. Listed here are the newest charges, good for six passengers.
- with 4-cylinder engine: P2100 per boat or P350 per particular person
- with 3-cylinder engine: P1800 per boat or P300 per particular person
Except for boat rental price, you additionally have to pay the ENTRANCE FEES:
- Cowrie Island: P100
- Luli Island: P70
- Starfish Island: P50
Different islands could also be accessible, however most of them are personal and accumulate a lot larger entrance charges. We’ll focus on them intimately beneath.
Listed here are different bills to count on should you’re doing a Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour:
- Environmental Payment: P150
- Terminal price: P5
- Goggles & snorkel rental: P150
- Full face masks rental: P200
- Aqua footwear rental: P150
- Fins rental: P150
In case you don’t need to cope with all these funds by yourself, you might e book a tour package deal supplied by journey companies. Honday Bay excursions normally value P1750/particular person, inclusive of lunch, entrance charges, boat rental, tour information, and roundtrip transfers.
Beneath are extra detailed description of every island.
Cowrie Island
Of all of the islands dotting Honda Bay, Cowrie Island is the closest to Sta. Lourdes Wharf, making it an excellent first or final cease. In case you e book a packaged tour, Cowrie Island can be the same old lunch cease. You too can order drinks from their bar and restaurant. For particular person meals, the meals is served in bilao (winnowing basket tray). For teams, it’s served boodle-fight-style.
Whereas ready for lunch to be served, you possibly can get pleasure from swimming within the clear waters, stroll alongside the seaside or simply lay on the sand. Kayaks and stand-up paddle board can be found for hire. And should you’re with a bunch and you want enjoying sports activities, they’ve an space for seaside volleyball too!
Entrance Payment: P100
Cottage Rental: Spherical Desk (good for 4 pax) – P100; Spherical Desk (good for 8 pax)- P200; Kubo (good for 15-20 pax)- P500
Kayak: Single, P100/hour; Double, P200/hour; Triple, P250/hour
Luli Island
Honda Bay is adorned with a lot of sandbars. One in every of them is Luli Island, quick for lulubog lilitaw, a playful shoutout to its disappearing act at excessive tide.
Up to now, it was the same old lunch cease. However the buffet restaurant right here was destroyed by Storm Odette and has not been rebuilt since. There’s nonetheless loads to get pleasure from right here, although. The great thing about the sandbar itself stays. You may nonetheless get pleasure from strolling on the sand, take photographs, or chill on one among their many overwater hammocks. The water is crystal clear too so you possibly can see little fish swimming round as you go into the water.
Entrance Payment: P70
Starfish Island
Round 25 minutes away from the wharf, Starfish Island is the snorkeling cease on Honda Bay excursions. It bought its identify from quite a few starfish that decision its clear, shallow waters dwelling. Even should you don’t know the right way to swim, you possibly can nonetheless see the small fish and different marine animals frolicking round.
Remember the fact that there’s a designated swimming and snorkeling space marked by a line so ensure that to remain inside that space to your security.
You will see that many tables and chairs and even cottages for hire right here. In case you’re hungry, there’s a small retailer on the island the place you should purchase snacks. Seafood “paluto” can be obtainable. You should purchase seafood — crabs, lobsters, fish, sea urchin or uni, and rang-ranga (spider shell) — and have them cooked.
Entrance Payment: P50
Cottage Rental: Kubo, P150; 2 tables (for large teams), P300
Pambato Reef
In contrast to the opposite Honda Bay tour stops, Pambato Reef will not be an island. It’s a common snorkeling spot, marked by a platform floating in the midst of the ocean. Earlier than leaping into the water, vacationers are given a brief lecture about marine and reef ecology and conservation.
Nonetheless, this too was closely broken by Storm Odette and stays closed to this present day. However as soon as Pambato Reef reopens, don’t miss out a possibility to discover one among Puerto Princesa’s most visited underwater website!
Isla Pandan
As of this writing, Pandan Island stays closed and has but to announce once they would reopen.
One of many extra developed islands in Honda Bay, Pandan Island is now occupied by a personal resort, Isla Pandan. It isn’t among the many standard stops of the widespread three-island or two-island excursions.
It has an unbelievable, cream-colored seaside and clear emerald waters the place you possibly can swim, snorkel, or simply bask within the solar. A buffet lunch can be obtainable on the island in addition to cottages and totally different water sports activities and seaside actions. You may go kayaking, stand-up paddling, jetskiing, and banana boating should you’re into water actions or play volleyball and frisbee on the seaside. You too can go snorkeling, diving, or helmet diving.
Their day tour price is inclusive of the doorway price, cottage, buffet lunch, and use of kayak, stand-up paddle, volleyball, frisbee, and board video games.
Day Tour Charge: P1000/particular person
Dos Palmas Island Resort
Located in Arreceffi Island, Dos Palmas is an island resort and spa excellent for many who need to have an opulent island trip. Their lodging are proper by the seaside, dealing with the tuquoise waters.
In case you’re on a restricted finances, you possibly can have a style of the posh island expertise by occurring a day tour. You may discover the 20-hectare island and the facilities of the resort. Except for spending time on the seaside, day trippers can take a dip on the swimming pool, play volleyball, or go snorkeling.
Day Tour Charges: Grownup, P1800; Little one (2-11 years outdated), P900
*Day tour charges are inclusive of land and boat transfers and lunch.For reservations & inquiries, you might contact the administration.
E mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Cellular Quantity: 09175904442 / 09175000154 / 09298132360
Except for its pure magnificence, you possibly can admire extra of Puerto Princesa by exploring town and studying about its historical past by occurring a metropolis tour. Don’t go away with out shopping for souvenirs and pasalubong from Binuatan Creations, Baker’s Hill, and pasalubong heart.
You may constitution a tricycle to take you to the totally different cultural and historic spots for P800-1000 per tricycle, good for as much as 3 passengers.
However if you’d like a extra comfy and extra insightful tour led by a educated information, e book an organized tour!
Though there are some variations, listed here are the same old stops included in metropolis excursions.
Palawan Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Middle
Beforehand referred to as the Crocodile Farming Institute or Crocodile Farm, the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Middle is a 10-hectare property the place they breed two species of crocodiles, the Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) and the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).
Each quarter-hour, an academic tour is finished, which begins by the doorway the place the skeleton and pores and skin of a large crocodile are on show. After that, you can be led to the nursery of the child crocodiles after which to the world the place the grownup crocodiles are saved. Don’t fear, you’ll be strolling on an elevated walkway, out of attain.
A portion of the property is a nature park the place the rescued wildlife are housed. You’ll additionally see numerous species of uncommon birds right here and quite a lot of wild fauna.
Opening hours: Every day, 8:30 AM to five:00 PM
Entrance Payment: Grownup, P40; Senior Citizen, P30; Little one, P30
Mitra’s Ranch
Mitra’s Ranch is owned by the household of the late Senator and Home Speaker Ramon Mitra Jr. Positioned in Barangay Sta. Monica, the home sits atop a hill and has a view deck, permitting a great, enjoyable view of town, Honda Bay, and the verdant surroundings in between.
Mitra’s Ranch is open to the general public. You solely have to pay the doorway price if you wish to go inside the home.
Working Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Entrance Payment (to enter the home): P20
Bakers’ Hill
Not too distant from Mitra’s Ranch, additionally in Barangay Sta. Monica, stands Baker’s Hill.
Baker’s Hill is a straightforward bakery that developed right into a household vacation spot. Whenever you cross by way of the gate, you’ll be greeted by massive, colourful statues of common characters, including life to the gardens and playground surrounding the bakeshop. The positioning can be wearing numerous decorations, the theme of which change relying on the time of the 12 months.
Most vacationers who come right here go pasalubong purchasing. You should purchase totally different baked items like cookies, brownies, and naturally, their common hopia in several flavors. In addition they promote different snacks like cashew nuts, polvoron, and pastillas. In case you’re searching for extra than simply snacks, you possibly can dine at their restaurant known as Baker’s Kitchen.
Working Hours: 7:00 AM to eight:00 PM
Binuatan Creations
Weaving is a big a part of the tradition and humanities in lots of elements of the Philippines. Right here in Puerto Princesa, handloom weaving is showcased at Binuatan Creations. It additionally serves as a livelihood program to the neighborhood particularly moms and college students.
Watch how the expert weavers make colourful materials out of native fibers like buri, ticug grass, and amumuting. These materials are then made into totally different hand-loomed merchandise like luggage, equipment, placemats, and desk runners. To get extra appreciation on how intricate it’s, guests are welcome to strive their hand on the method. The weavers would fortunately information you as they clarify the right way to use the loom.
After this expertise, drop by the memento store to purchase a few of their merchandise for your self and for pasalubong to your family and friends!
Working Hours: 7:00 AM to six:00 PM
Plaza Cuartel
Plaza Cuartel appears to be like like your strange park lined with benches and timber in the present day, but it surely has a ugly previous. On 14 December 1944, on the peak of World Battle II, 150 American prisoners of struggle have been burned alive by the Japanese in a garrison that stood on the website of the place Plaza Cuartel is situated in the present day.
Tunnels the place the prisoners the place saved and the ruins of the outdated garrison are saved as a reminder of this darkish second within the metropolis’s historical past. A memorial marker can be put in to commemorate the troopers who died in the course of the bloodbath and acknowledge the 11 who survived.
Puerto Princesa Cathedral
Adjoining to Plaza Cuartel stands Puerto Princesa Cathedral, also referred to as the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish. On the website the place it stands, the primary mass in Puerto Princesa was held on March 10, 1872 by Saint Ezequiél Moreno who was then an Augustinian Recollect Fray.
The cathedral has been rebuilt a number of instances together with after it was destroyed by Japanese bombing throughout World Battle II. The construction that you just see in the present day took nearly a century to complete and was solely accomplished in 1961. Its facade and interiors are clad in Neo-Gothic architectural model, just like the church buildings in Medieval Europe.
Palawan Butterfly Backyard and Tribal Village
Because the identify suggests, there are two elements to this attraction: the butterfly backyard and the tribal village. The butterfly backyard homes a lot of species of butterflies you can see flying round contained in the net-covered backyard.
Other than these lovely flying creatures, you can too see some endemic wildlife of Palawan right here just like the Palawan Bearcat, bearded pig, and Palawan peacock-pheasant which is the chicken that seems on the official seal of town of Puerto Princesa. These species are smaller in dimension, however just like the peacocks, the male has colourful feathers and vibrant wings that exhibits once they unfold it, normally to draw peahens or the feminine birds.
On the Tribal Village, you’ll get a peek into the lifetime of the indigenous folks of South Palawan known as Palaw’an. Right here, guests are handled to a cultural present the place they might see how the Palaw’an tribe historically lives within the mountains. The Palaw’ans reveal how they hunt, make fireplace, and carry out a brief musical quantity utilizing a string instrument known as kudyapi. There’s additionally a bit of cafe right here the place you possibly can strive civet coffe or kopi luwak.
Working Hours: 8:30 AM to five:00 PM
Entrance Payment: Grownup, P60; Little one (4 to 12 years outdated), P50; Senior Citizen & PWD, P50
In case you’re touring to Puerto Princesa with children and youngsters at coronary heart, Palawan Water Park bought you lined. You may get pleasure from sliding down the water slides along with your family and friends or splash round of their swimming pools.
The primary and solely water park in Palawan, it’s owned and managed by Astoria, however it’s open to everybody and NOT unique to Astoria’s lodge friends.
Every ticket to the water park is inclusive of a lunch buffet.
Entrance Payment: Adults, P1200; Youngsters (4ft and beneath), P950; Youngsters (2 years outdated and beneath), FREE
Working Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Journey awaits north of town correct! In Barangay Tagabinet, you will see one of the vital thrilling sights in Puerto Princesa —- Ugong Rock Adventures, a community-based sustainable tourism vacation spot.
Be able to get bodily as a result of you can be climbing Ugong Rock and go rappelling and spelunking on its caves. Reaching the highest would reward you with a panoramic view of the forest and the encircling limestone formations. After taking within the views, you received’t be climbing again down as a result of the descent is by using a 71-meter zipline!
Whereas Puerto Princesa seashores are synonymous with the islands of Honda Bay, you’ll additionally discover a number of coves that may be accessed by land. One in every of them is Nagtabon Seashore.
Nagtabon Seashore is located lower than an hour away from town heart, so it’s considerably indifferent and never normally included in standard Puerto Princesa itineraries. It was a sanctuary for many who need to escape the crowds, but it surely has been getting the eye of extra vacationers. Those that go to are welcomed by a picturesque view of the mountains and cerulean waters.
A number of years in the past, there are only some cottages obtainable for hire right here, however there at the moment are resorts and eating places within the space.
Location: Barangay Bacungn, Puerto Princesa
Find out how to get there: From town heart, take a bus going north (Taytay/Roxas/El Nido) to Bacungan. Then, constitution a tricycle to Nagtabon Seashore. In case you’re a bunch, renting a van for a roundtrip transportation is an possibility too.
If you need one thing a bit extra offbeat, strive firefly watching and get that magical feeling! Even should you already deliberate out your actions in Puerto Princesa, you possibly can in all probability squeeze this into your itinerary since this tour occurs at evening. Whenever you be part of a firefly watching tour, you’ll hop on a ship and exit into the water the place you might feast your eyes with the blinking lights from the fireflies and the twinkling of the celebs within the sky.
There are three totally different firefly watching areas in Puerto Princesa:
- Iwahig River. That is the unique location of firefly watching in Puerto Princesa. Utilizing a paddle boat, you’ll cruise alongside Iwahig River as your boat man and tour information present you the fireflies. Sadly, Iwahig firefly watching is currenly closed, however fear not as a result of there are different firefly watching spots in Puerto Princesa.
- Sicsican River. That is the place we went firefly watching on our current journey. The town’s baywalk space serves because the jump-off level for this tour. From right here, you’ll hop on a ship after which switch to a smaller boat, which might take you to Sicsican River the place fireflies abound. Tour guides make the firefly watching exercise entertaining by “speaking” to the fireflies in several languages. The tour features a scrumptious dinner on the boat, which we loved after cruising on the river and seeing the fireflies that appear to be Christmas lights by the facet of the river.
- Nagsaguipi River. This tour features a buffet dinner at a restaurant simply earlier than you begin your firefly watching journey. After making your stomachs full, you’ll get on a paddle boat and sail on Nagsaguipi River the place you’ll see the fireflies glow by the mangrove timber.
With a peak of 350 meters, Mt. Magarwak is a pleasant place to go to 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 half, relying on the tempo. It’s best to begin trekking early within the morning round 5:00 AM so you possibly can attain the highest earlier than dawn. When you get to the highest, you possibly can loosen up, have some espresso and watch for the spectacular dawn over Puerto Princesa. From the height, you can too admire Honda Bay and Puerto Princesa Bay.
Mt. Magarwak is situated in Brgy. Bacungan, about 15 kilometers from town heart.
Kamia Bay Resort lies in Brgy. Luzviminda, lower than an hour away south of town heart. The waterpark covers about 4 hectares of the property in Binusalian Bay and options one of many largest inflatable parks within the nation. Visitors of all ages can get pleasure from bouncing round and taking place the slide of various heights or strive wall climbing on the inflatables.
Different actions supplied listed here are eco-tours and bike trails. The resort additionally has a buffet and many areas the place you possibly can chill whether or not you’re household, buddies, or your particular somebody.
Notice: We’re undecided if Kamia Bay Resort is closed or open. We didn’t get to go to on our current journey, so we couldn’t verify. However their social media accounts have 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 was moved to Barangay Sta. Lourdes. Over time, some have left and returned to Vietnam however some selected to remain.
At the moment, this neighborhood in Puerto Princesa known as Viet Ville. Historical past buffs will certainly discover a go to right here fairly attention-grabbing. You too can have a style of the Vietnamese delicacies on the restaurant right here that bears the identical identify. Viet Ville restaurant serves pho, banh mi, and Vietnamese espresso, amongst others.
Ask anybody in Puerto Princesa the place they counsel a first-time vacationer ought to go for a meal, and there’s a giant probability they are going to level you to Ka Lui.
KaLui is probably essentially the most well-known Pinoy restaurant in Puerto Princesa. Fostering a homey Pinoy environment, it’s with picket furnishings, ceramic items, and work. Ka Lui serves largely Filipino seafood specialties. In addition they give a complimentary fruit salad served on a halved coconut.
This restaurant is extraordinarily common so it’s extremely really helpful that you just make prior reservation to safe a desk.
Tackle: 369 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa
Opening hours: Mondays-Saturdays, 11AM-2PM (Lunch), 6PM-11PM (Dinner)
Contact quantity: (048) 726-6217
This isn’t someplace to go to however one thing to get pleasure from! Er, provided that you’re an adventurous eater.
Indulging in native meals is at all times an awesome a part of any journey. If unique meals doesn’t faze you, don’t miss out on Palawan’s delicacy —- tamilok! It’s sometimes called a woodworm as a result of it’s discovered inside mangroves. However it’s, actually, a kind of marine mollusk with lengthy and tender our bodies. Yep, a distant cousin of oysters and mussels! Its style profile and slimy texture are akin to the extra widespread bivalves too, albeit with a powerful woody aftertaste.
When in Puerto Princesa, you possibly can do that unconventional deal with at some eating places within the metropolis. I used to be in a position to strive tamilok once we had lunch in Cacaoyan Forest Park in Sabang. They serve it with a facet of vinegar the place you possibly can dip it earlier than savoring it.
One other restaurant that provides it’s Kinabuch’s Grill and Bar situated inside the metropolis heart, the place our teammate Yosh had his first style of it.
