Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan island and a potential gateway to incredible places on your trip to the Philippines. Although many travelers head straight to Port Barton or El Nido, the truth is there are a few things to do in Puerto Princesa. If you want to do something different and you have a relaxed Philippines travel itinerary that allows it, take a look at these recommendations we’re going to share—maybe you’ll be surprised!
Keep reading and discover what to see and what to do in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. We’ll cover what we think are the essentials, plus a few activities that might suit you if you have more time.
Why the name Puerto Princesa? They say the origin of the name may be due to a beautiful princess who roamed the island at dusk, although it may also have been attributed after the death of Princess Eulalia, who was the daughter of Queen Isabel II and Francisco de Asís. It could also have been given because of its geographical position. The Spaniards saw that the port was always sheltered and was perfect as a haven for all kinds of vessels.
How many days to spend in Puerto Princesa?
How many days in Puerto Princesa? It all depends on the tours you plan to do and the time you have on your trip to the Philippines. You can see downtown Puerto Princesa in a morning (we don’t think it’s a must), but if you want to take a trip to see the Underground River or swim with whale sharks (in season), we suggest spending at least a day and a half or 2 days in Puerto Princesa.
On the other hand, we want to stress that if you don’t have many days in the Philippines, staying in Puerto Princesa usually isn’t the best idea. While it does have some decent activities, the best of Palawan is, first, in El Nido and then in other places such as Port Barton or Balabac. If you’re coming to the Philippines between May and October, you might want to do as many travelers do and stay at least a day to take the whale shark tour.
Puerto Princesa, while you can’t call it ugly, isn’t a particularly pleasant city to spend a long time in. It’s true that we’ve been exploring the Philippines for many years and we’ve stayed here for several weeks, but it’s not a place we’d recommend as a base for more than a few days. That said, we’re going to tell you everything there is to see in Puerto Princesa and you can decide.
Things to do in Puerto Princesa
Without further ado, here are what we think are the best things to do in Puerto Princesa, tours, and tips.
1. Take a stroll around downtown Puerto Princesa
Philippine cities tend to be chaotic—Puerto Princesa is no exception—but it has a downtown that’s a bit calmer than most. Little remains of the turmoil lived here during World War II, in which the city played a leading role.
We suggest giving it a chance and visiting Plaza Cuartel, a bastion of U.S. and Filipino soldiers built in 1940. When it was taken by Japanese forces, it was turned into a prison and in 1944 about 154 soldiers were burned alive. Only 11 managed to escape. In the square you’ll find a few information panels, but its current look is that of a peaceful garden that has little to do with the earlier horror story. Entry is free, but if you go after dark (which in the Philippines is between 17:30 and 18:00), you may find the gate closed.
Right in front is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. This neoclassical church replaced the earlier church commissioned by the Spaniards at the end of the 19th century. They were the ones who proclaimed the Immaculate Conception of Mary as the patron saint of Puerto Princesa. That’s why on December 8 each year the city’s fiesta is celebrated.
We found it very pleasant to stroll around both places and, although we don’t think they’re super impressive, we definitely recommend them as something to do in Puerto Princesa.
If you feel like it, you can also visit the Palawan Special Battalion WW-II Memorial Museum, a museum where you can learn a bit more about the vital role of the Philippines and the Palawan guerrilla during World War II. You can see some vehicles and various war artifacts such as pistols and bombs. The entrance fee is 50 pesos.
Closer to downtown and the airport is the Palawan Heritage Center, where you’ll learn about Palawan’s history and culture through information panels and objects. The entrance fee is 50 pesos, and it includes a roughly 15-minute guided visit that’s not bad.
How long will this take you? If you skip the museums, you’ll see everything in under an hour. You can even drop by Baywalk Park, which we’ll mention below. In other words, you can see the basics in very little time.
2. Watch the sunset from Baywalk Park
If you’re staying overnight in the city, one of the things we recommend doing in Puerto Princesa is taking a stroll along the Baywalk. Puerto Princesa’s seafront promenade is a pleasant park locals use to meet up, exercise, or grab a bite at one of the stalls. You can also snack for a good price while watching the sunset. If you’re traveling to Puerto Princesa with kids, there are also some bicycles and tricycles for rent.
Plus, it has been modernized recently and you’ll find several restaurants and cafés that are quite nice for hanging out or having dinner. One spot we like a lot is Lato Coffee and Restaurant.
3. Take a day trip to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
No doubt about it, the most famous activity to do in Puerto Princesa is visiting the Underground River. Located about 80 kilometers from the capital, in the small town of Sabang, it’s a 25-kilometer river, the last 8 of which are completely underground. Many travelers love this excursion, and no wonder: it’s the longest underground river in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
Bear in mind that we can only visit 1.5 kilometers of the cave system aboard a rowing boat that enters from the sea. Thanks to the flashlights, you’ll be able to appreciate the stalactites, stalagmites, and all the life that develops inside the river. Plus, thanks to the audioguide (you can set it to Spanish), you’ll understand the importance of the Underground River. The route takes roughly one hour.
You have all the information about this beautiful place in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park: how to visit it?
Many people ask us whether this visit is really worth it or not. In our opinion—having gone several times—we think it is, but we wouldn’t say it’s the best of Palawan. We highly recommend it if you have plenty of days in the Philippines and you really love nature. That said, we’ve been advising travelers for many years and we’ve read all kinds of opinions. As always, to each their own.
How to visit the Underground River (Río Subterráneo)?
You basically have 2 options:
a) On a tour from Puerto Princesa: the easy option we recommend if you have little time and then want to visit other places in Palawan without staying in Sabang. Prices range from 2.000–2.300 pesos. They usually include pickup at your hotel and a buffet-style meal.
Book your Underground River tour with Klook
Book the Underground River tour with Civitatis
b) Going to Sabang on your own and booking the tour: the cheaper but more complicated option. These are the steps you need to follow:
- Reserve a permit at least the day before at the Puerto Princesa Underground River Office in the City Coliseum in Puerto Princesa. You can also do it in Sabang, but it may be better to do it in Puerto to be sure. Capacity is limited and the permit costs 500 pesos per person, plus 150 pesos for the environmental fee (paid in Sabang), 85 pesos for the audioguide, and 5 for terminal fees.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00 and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 17:00. Always check the schedule in case it coincides with a public holiday.
- Go to Sabang: you can go to the San José terminal and take a bus or jeepney (150 pesos/3 hours) or take a van from your hotel (250 pesos/1.5–2 hours). You can book it here.
- Go to the Puerto Princesa Underground River tourist office in Sabang, pay the environmental fee, and pay for the boat. The usual is 184 pesos per person if you share with other travelers. The boat holds 6 people and you won’t have trouble finding more people.
- Enjoy the ride through the Underground River!
4. Visit Sabang Beach
If you’re craving the beach, one of the things you can do in Puerto Princesa is hop over to Sabang. It takes a little under 2 hours from Puerto, and you can combine it with the previous Underground River excursion. It’s not the best beach in the Philippines, but it’s a pleasant place, with places to eat right on the sand, a good range of hotels, and a waterfall or two to discover.
You can get to know this little town a bit better by reading our Sabang Guide.
5. Get to know Honda Bay
Another of the most popular activities to do in Puerto Princesa is an island hopping around Honda Bay. Although they can’t compare with the beauty of the islands of El Nido, you’ll visit pretty islands that are usually quiet Monday to Friday such as Cowrie Island (the best of the 3), Luli Island, and Starfish Island. Prices are around 1.500 – 1.900 pesos per person and usually include lunch.
We’ll soon talk in detail about this island hopping in a dedicated article, but to be honest, it’s not among our favorites. Better to invest your days in better tours.
Book your island hopping in Honday Bay with Klook
Book the Honda Bay excursion with Civitatis
6. Swim with whale sharks or watch dolphins
Until recently, little was known about the possibility of swimming with whale sharks in these waters. However, if you’re in the Philippines between the months of April and October, you have the chance to add swimming with whale sharks to your list of things to do in Puerto Princesa. The best part: in a responsible way and not like in Oslob or Lila.
In this article about whale sharks in the Philippines we tell you much more, but we can already tell you it’s a tour that usually starts around 7:00 and ends around 14:00. For us, this is the most compelling reason to visit Puerto Princesa today. If you can time it a bit before or after the full moon, even better, since with higher concentrations of plankton the chances of seeing them increase.
The 2025 season HAS ALREADY STARTED and tours have been running since early April. On the other hand, if you travel between November and April, you have chances in Pintuyan (our favorite) and Donsol.
In the Honda Bay area it’s also possible to respectfully spot spinner dolphins (spinner dolphins or Stenella longirostris). The season stretches longer than that of the whale sharks.
You can ask us for contacts to do this tour responsibly in the comments.
7. Try chao long and places to eat in Puerto Princesa
It would be a sin to leave Puerto without trying its most typical food, chao long. This soup very similar to Vietnamese phở comes with a story. In 1975, with the arrival of communism in southern Vietnam, many Vietnamese emigrated. Around 2,000 of them ended up in Palawan, of whom 800 remained on the island and integrated by starting businesses, including restaurants.
The chaolongan are the restaurants where chao long is sold, this sumptuous soup that usually includes meat and is commonly accompanied by a kind of French bread that will remind you of the bánh mì you may have tried in Vietnam and Laos. If, like us, you’re in love with these Asian sandwiches, you’ll also find them here!
We really liked the bánh mì at Bona’s Chao Long and Rene’s Saigon. The former is cheap, local, and tasty. The latter is better and nicer, but keep in mind it’s a little bit away from the center.
Of course, as a relatively large city, the food options are broad and there are quite interesting places to eat in Puerto Princesa and spend a pleasant time. Here are the ones we like most:
- Kalui: the most famous restaurant in Puerto Princesa—and with good reason. They have fresh fish and seafood and an eggplant tempura that’s a delight. The décor is cool and it tends to have a lively atmosphere. If you’re looking for something special, this is your spot.
- Palaweño Brewery: craft beer in the Philippines? You’ve got to go! Prices between 170 and 180 pesos per beer.
- Pagetek Foodcourt: a food court that opened relatively recently, very central and with a variety of options ranging from kinilaw (Filipino ceviche) to lechón. A good option for dinner.
- Ver De Puerto Princesa: in our opinion, the best restaurant in Puerto Princesa. It’s 100% vegan and serves delicious, healthy smoothies. Plus, they have the fastest Wi‑Fi in the entire city. This was the first, but they have other branches in El Nido and Siargao.
- Ima’s Vegetarian: a vegetarian spot in the Philippines! You rarely see them outside Manila and Cebu, but in Puerto Princesa you’ll find pizzas, burritos, and vegetarian versions of typical Filipino dishes.
- Gold Cup: a local chain with good coffee. They have several branches, and the nicest one to sit and hang out is this one, which could rival any in Manila.
We’ve pinned them all on the Puerto Princesa map we made below.
In addition, Puerto has all the branches of Philippine franchises: McDonald’s, Chowking, Mang Inasal…
8. Diving, something quirky to do in Puerto Princesa
You might be surprised, but one of the things you can do in Puerto Princesa is go diving. Off the radar of the main diving sites in the Philippines you’ll find spots such as Arrecife Island (also called Arreceffi), Panglima Island or Pandan Island. We haven’t been to check them out yet, but we don’t rule it out soon.
In addition, liveaboard boats (usually 7 days and 6 nights) depart from Puerto to what is possibly the best place to dive in the country: Tubbattaha Reef. This is where you have the best chances of seeing big marine life such as mantas, whale sharks, or several types of sharks, as well as very rich reefs with lots of macro life.
One thing to consider is that liveaboard trips to this reef, since it’s so far from land, only run from mid-March to early July, when the sea is calmer. For this reason (and despite prices not being particularly cheap, around €1.500–€4.000), spots also sell out fast. If you want a budget boat, we recommend taking a look at this one; for something higher-end, this one.
9. Take a dip at Nagtabon Beach
Not long ago this Palawan beach went completely unnoticed. When we first visited back in 2014 we were able to enjoy it all to ourselves, but now some travelers who go off the typical routes are making the trek out here.
To get to Nagtabon Beach the best thing is to rent a motorbike in Puerto Princesa (roughly 500 pesos per day) and ride the 24 kilometers between the two points. The drive will take about 40 minutes, but keep in mind that the final descent to the beach is somewhat dangerous. Drive carefully.
Another way is to take a bus towards Taytay, Roxas, or El Nido and get off in Bacungan (approximately 50 pesos). Once there, you can take a tricycle to Nagtabon Beach for 250 pesos.
If you’re keen to keep exploring, a little further north of Nagtabon you have Talaudyong Beach. It’s accessible from the same road, but keep in mind that the road between the two is in worse condition and has more curves. So we recommend visiting it only if you’re skilled on a motorbike.
10. See the fireflies on the Iwahig River
If you’ve never seen fireflies, be sure to include spotting them among the mangroves of the Iwahig River. This is one of the most popular things to do in Puerto Princesa and many agencies offer it. For 1.200–1.400 pesos they’ll take you on a river cruise to see thousands of fireflies and then offer you a buffet dinner. Departure is at 18:00 and by 21:30–22:00 you’ll already be back at the hotel.
Keep in mind that the best time to see fireflies in Puerto Princesa is during the new moon. If there’s a full moon, due to the light, it’s harder to appreciate their glow.
Book your firefly tour in Puerto Princesa with Klook
Book your firefly tour with Civitatis
11. Stay at a luxury resort and switch off
If you need a bit of relaxation and have time to spare, Puerto Princesa and its surroundings offer good opportunities to do so. There are top-notch hotels, some of them located in areas away from all noise, and with a much better quality-price ratio than those in El Nido or Coron.
For example, take a look at The Funny Lion, at Four Points by Sheridan or at Daluyon Beach Resort. The latter is located in Sabang.
12. Snoop around the Old Public Market
It’s not exactly a must-see in Puerto Princesa, but we’re fans of walking through markets, and this one—despite not being very big—is interesting. It’s right in the center, not geared toward tourism and, to our delight, you’ve got plenty of products like the ones we show in the photo. Many of them are used by Filipinos in their daily lives, such as hats, hammocks (beautiful), bags, paipays or rice trays, so prices are anything but outrageous.
Of course, you’ll also find stalls selling fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, clothing, etc.
13. Do the Balabac expedition
We couldn’t leave this list of things to do in Puerto Princesa without mentioning Balabac. Although it’s on the very southern tip of Palawan island (almost touching Malaysia), this group of islands is usually visited on a tour that starts (and ends) in Puerto Princesa. Thanks to its popularity on social media—where the spectacular island of Onok (which we show you in the photo below, with no filter at all) appears again and again—it has been gaining traction as one of the tourist destinations in the Philippines, even among foreigners.
The expeditions usually last between 3 and 4 days, and you can spend the night at camps on beautiful islands. The service offered by the companies is still far from that of the Coron–El Nido expeditions (or vice versa), but if you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of comfort, we’re sure you’ll love it.
You’ll find all the information about this tour in our guide to Balabac island hopping. You can also leave us a comment on this very article and we’ll send you our contacts to arrange it.
What not to do in Puerto Princesa
As important as what to do is what not to do in Puerto Princesa. Unfortunately, in the Palawan capital there are certain irresponsible tourism activities, and it’s our duty as travelers to inform ourselves and not help perpetuate them. To avoid mistakes, here they are:
- Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (Crocodile Farm): the name sounds good, but unfortunately the practices here are far from a sanctuary. The animals are caged in very small spaces, silence isn’t kept, there are specimens there simply to be handled and photographed… All in all, a mess.
- Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village: the cultural part is fine, but they have a zoo that is anything but respectful—even snakes for taking photos. Definitely not a type of tourism to support.
Practical info about Puerto Princesa
To make your stay more comfortable, we’ve compiled interesting data gathered from our visits to Puerto Princesa.
Where to stay in Puerto Princesa
Whether you’re leaving the next day for the airport, El Nido, or Port Barton, our advice is to stay in downtown Puerto Princesa. Everything is relatively close and you’ll be able to head out for dinner at one of the places we recommended above. Here are a few suggestions:
- Hibiscus Garden Inn: close to the airport, the center, and restaurants, it has a pool and a setting that will make you forget you’re in a city. Ideal if you’re traveling with family. Prices around €50.
- Golden Pension House: clean, functional, and central, with free transport to and from the airport. From €29 for a double room with breakfast included. It’s run by an elderly couple who always take very good care of us. They’ll store your luggage if you go on an expedition for several days, free of charge.
- Guni Guni Hostel: if you’re traveling solo, there’s no better place. With shared rooms for 6, 8, and 10 people (mixed or women-only) that feel more like hotel rooms with every detail, pleasant common areas, and a nice restaurant. From €8 per night per person.
- Wilnags Inn Puerto Princesa: located very close to the airport and from just €20 per night.
In Where to stay in Puerto Princesa you’ll find more recommendations and explanations about the different areas to stay.
Golden Pension House
How to get to Puerto Princesa
The most common way to arrive in Puerto Princesa is by plane with flights from Manila or Cebu. You can also do it by van or bus from El Nido, Port Barton, or Sabang. There are ferries to Puerto Princesa from Manila and Iloilo, but keep in mind that it will take between one and two days.
In How to get to Puerto Princesa we tell you more.
Tips for visiting Puerto Princesa
Now that you know what to do in Puerto Princesa, keep these tips in mind to make your trip easier:
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- Withdraw cash from the ATMs downtown. If you’re then heading to Port Barton, it’s better to carry cash because ATMs sometimes run out of money—and the same goes for El Nido (though to a lesser extent). As we’ve mentioned before, the best way to get cash is by using Remitly, since you save on ATM fees and the exchange rate is better. In Puerto Princesa you’ll find plenty of pawnshops and ATMs to get money this way. We explain how it works in Remitly in the Philippines, and with our link you get €10 free in addition to a better exchange rate.
- If you’re bringing cash and didn’t exchange in Manila (the exchange rate at the airport is very good), at Puerto Princesa airport you’ll also find a good rate. You also have several banks and money changers scattered around the city.
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- As for internet, from our experience, the best thing is to go to SM City Puerto Princesa, where there are Globe and Smart stores where you can buy a SIM and set up cheaper plans than at the airport. You’ll find more information in Internet in the Philippines.
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- The San José terminal in Puerto Princesa is the point from which most vans, buses, and jeepneys depart to other places in Palawan. Even so, we recommend reconfirming because there’s a new terminal several kilometers away called Irawan, from which many buses depart.
- You can get around Puerto Princesa by tricycle, but it’s even cheaper and less of a hassle to take a multicab (a kind of small jeepney). Trips both to the airport and to the bus terminal cost between 10 and 15 pesos per person. That said, from the airport to any central hotel shouldn’t cost you more than 50 pesos by tricycle. As always, it’s better to agree on the price beforehand.
- You can easily walk around downtown Puerto Princesa—we’ve done so many times. It’s a safe city.
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- If you need to buy products like sunscreen or repellent, or you want a big shopping mall, you can go to NCCC Mall, Robinsons Place, or the modern SM City Puerto Princesa. Keep in mind that prices here will be much cheaper and quality better than in Port Barton and El Nido. If you’re hunting for things to buy in the Philippines, take a look at our article for tips as well as places to go shopping.
- As you’ve probably guessed, the best hospitals in Palawan are in Puerto Princesa. So if something serious happens during your trip around the island, this is where you’re most likely to be treated best—specifically at ACE Medical Center Palawan or Adventist Hospital. If it’s something even more serious, you’ll have to be transferred to Manila. All of these are private centers, so care is paid. That’s why it’s very important to travel with the best travel insurance for the Philippines. By clicking THIS LINK you get a 5% discount on the one we’ve been using for over 10 years in the country—and you also help us keep creating these guides.
Pagetek Foodcourt
Frequently asked questions about Puerto Princesa
To sum up what we’ve said, here we answer the most frequently asked questions about this Filipino destination:
How long should you stay in Puerto Princesa?
It depends a lot on how much time you have to visit the Philippines. You could skip it entirely and head to Port Barton or El Nido. Our advice is to analyze which activities would suit you, since that will determine the number of days to invest.
How to get around Puerto Princesa?
The center can easily be explored on foot. If you don’t want to walk, you have tricycles and multicabs. A tricycle ride around the city center and/or from the airport shouldn’t cost more than 50 pesos.
What is Puerto Princesa famous for?
For being the capital of Palawan island and because there are several interesting excursions from here, such as the Underground River or the whale shark tour (in season). Tours to Balabac also depart from here.
Is Puerto Princesa worth staying in?
It depends on how much time you have and your interests.
Which beaches to visit in Puerto Princesa?
There aren’t any pretty ones in the city itself, but relatively nearby are Nagtabon and Talaudyong.
What to do in Puerto Princesa?
There are a few historical and religious places such as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Plaza Cuartel, the Palawan Heritage Center, or the Palawan Special Battalion WW-II Memorial Museum. Then, the Baywalk is a pleasant area for an afternoon stroll, and you can always snoop around the market. Even so, the most interesting things to do in Palawan are its excursions, with the standouts being the whale shark tour (April to October), the Puerto Princesa Underground River, and Honda Bay.
Map of Puerto Princesa
Here we’ve pinned the main places to visit in Puerto Princesa that we’ve been mentioning:
Got any questions about what to do in Puerto Princesa, Palawan? We’ll be happy to answer them in the comments.
This is just a small part of all the info we have about the most famous island in the Philippines. If you want to keep researching, we encourage you to read our guide Things to do in Palawan.
