Puerto Princesa

Known as the “City in the Forest,” Puerto Princesa is the eco-tourism gateway to Palawan. Its landmarks span from massive subterranean wonders to historical sites right in the town center.

The primary tourism landmarks are organized below by location and style:

The Crowning Natural Wonder

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

This is the city's most famous landmark, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Located about two hours north of the city proper in Sabang, it features an 8.2-kilometer navigable underground river that winds through a massive limestone cave system filled with intense stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Coastal & Island Attractions

Honda Bay

Just a short drive north from the city center, Honda Bay is the ultimate landmark for quick island-hopping. It is a collection of small, striking islets surrounded by clear turquoise waters and coral reefs.

• Luli Island: Famous for its shifting sandbars that vanish during high tide (lulubog, lilitaw).
• Cowrie Island: A larger, palm-fringed island where tourists usually stop for lunch, fresh coconuts, and water activities.
• Starfish Island: Celebrated for its clear, shallow waters naturally populated by a massive amount of large starfish.

Puerto Princesa City Baywalk Park

An open-air seaside avenue located right by the harbor in the city center. While quiet during the hot afternoon hours, it transforms into a bustling social hub at sunset where locals and visitors rent bicycles, walk along the promenade, and eat fresh seafood at open-air grills.

Historical & Cultural Landmarks

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Built originally in 1872, this historic landmark stands out due to its distinct, angular Gothic-style architecture and light blue facade (often called the "Blue Church"). It sits right along Rizal Avenue in the heart of the town.

Plaza Cuartel

Located right across from the cathedral, this sunlit park serves as a solemn historical landmark. It is the restored ruins of a World War II military garrison where 143 American prisoners of war were tragically burned by retreating forces inside an underground tunnel. A bronze memorial stands at the center today.

High-View & Eco-Sights (The "City Tour" Classics)

If you take a standard motorized tricycle or van city tour, these landmarks are consistently on the list:

• Baker's Hill: A whimsical theme-park-style garden and bakery perched on a hill. It's famous for photo opportunities alongside colorful statues, well-manicured gardens, and buying hopia (flaky pastry) as pasalubong.
• Mitra’s Ranch: Located just down the road from Baker's Hill, this hilltop property belongs to the family of the late House Speaker Ramon Mitra Jr. It features a sweeping, panoramic view of Honda Bay and the surrounding green valleys.
• Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (The Crocodile Farm): A 10-hectare research facility dedicated to preserving endangered Philippine crocodile species. Visitors can see massive saltwater crocodiles, view a giant crocodile skeleton display, and meet endemic Palawan birds.
• Iwahig Firefly Watching: A night-time landmark where visitors board quiet paddle boats down the Iwahig River mangrove channels to witness trees entirely lit up by synchronized fireflies.

1. The Subterranean Wonder: Puerto Princesa Underground River

No journey to Palawan is complete without entering the jaw-dropping Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, this 8.2-kilometer navigable underground river flows through a spectacular limestone karst cave system before emptying directly into the West Philippine Sea.

As your paddleboat glides silently through the pitch-black caverns, your guide’s spotlight will reveal colossal stalactites, cathedral-like chambers, and thousands of roosting bats. It is an eerie, humbling, and utterly unforgettable encounter with the raw forces of geology.

2. Sun-Drenched Island Hopping: Honda Bay

Just a short drive from the city center lies Honda Bay, a playground of turquoise waters and pristine sandbars. It is the ultimate day-trip for sun-seekers and snorkelers alike:

• Luli Island: Named after the Filipino phrase "lulubog-lilitaw" (to sink and rise), this unique sandbar completely disappears at high tide and re-emerges as a pristine beach when the water recedes.
• Cowrie Island: A vibrant beachfront destination perfect for a traditional seafood buffet, refreshing cocktail, or a quick kayak session.
• Starfish Island: As the name implies, its shallow, crystal-clear waters are populated by a stunning abundance of large, colorful starfish.

3. Magic After Dark: Iwahig Firefly Watching

When the sun sets, the city’s eco-adventures don't stop. A night paddleboat tour along the Iwahig River takes you into absolute darkness, save for the canopy of stars above and thousands of synchronized fireflies illuminating the lakeside mangroves like living Christmas trees. Under the right conditions, the water below sparkles with bioluminescent plankton, making you feel entirely suspended in a universe of light.

Puerto Princesa’s culinary scene is a unique mix of absolute coastal freshness, deeply ingrained historical influences, and adventurous, hyper-local ingredients.

The essential culinary specialties to seek out in the city span across distinct categories:

1. Local & Exotic Delicacies

• Tamilok (Woodworm): This is Puerto Princesa’s most famous culinary dare. Despite being called a woodworm because it is harvested from decaying mangrove trunks, it is actually a shell-less marine mollusk. It is most traditionally served raw kinilaw-style (cured in vinegar, chilies, onions, and calamansi). It has a slimy texture and a distinct, briny flavor profile that tastes remarkably like oysters.
• Crocodile Sisig: Capitalizing on the city's sustainable crocodile farming, local grills chop lean crocodile meat and serve it sizzling with onions, calamansi, and chili. It is significantly lower in fat than traditional pork sisig and tastes like a cross between chicken and light fish.

2. Vietnamese-Palawan Fusion

• Chao Long: During the late 1970s, Palawan became a haven for thousands of Vietnamese refugees. Over the decades, their culinary traditions fused with local tastes. While traditional Vietnamese cháo is actually a rice porridge, in Puerto Princesa, "Chao Long" refers to a distinct, slightly sweet, savory noodle soup made with flat rice noodles, a rich annatto-infused beef or pork broth, and fresh mint leaves and bean sprouts. It is usually paired with a crispy, French-style garlic baguette.

3. Coastal Bounties & Daily Catches

• Danggit Lamayo: Unlike the completely dried, salty danggit (rabbitfish) common in other parts of the Philippines, lamayo is a specialized preparation. The fish is split, marinated in vinegar, garlic, and cracked peppercorns, and only partially sun-dried. When deep-fried for breakfast, it retains a juicy, fleshy interior while maintaining a perfectly crisp edge.
• Ensaladang Lato (Sea Grape Salad): Harvested straight from the clean, surrounding seas, these tiny emerald sea grapes pop in your mouth like vegetarian caviar. They are served raw and tossed simply with native vinegar, tomatoes, and onions as a bright, briny side dish for grilled meats.

4. Iconic Grills & Sweets

• Chicken Inato: A localized cousin of Western Visayas' inasal, this charcoal-grilled chicken is marinated in a blend of lemongrass, calamansi, and annatto oil. It leans slightly sweeter than traditional inasal and is a beloved local comfort food staple.
• Baker's Hill Hopia: If you are looking for sweet souvenirs (pasalubong), the bakery at Baker's Hill is famous for its exceptionally flaky, fresh-baked hopia (flaky pastry pockets filled with sweet mung bean paste or ube).

Puerto Princesa City Tour - 4 to 5 hours

Manila with Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Boracay - 11 Days

Banaue Heritage Tour with Puerto Princesa & El Nido - 12 Days

North Luzon Roundtrip with Puerto Princesa and El Nido (Island) - 14 Days

Banaue Heritage Tour with Puerto Princesa & El Nido (Town) - 13 Days

Banaue Heritage Tour with Puerto Princesa and El Nido (Island Resort) - 13 Days

Banaue Heritage Tour with Bohol, Cebu, Puerto Princesa & El Nido - 11 Days

North Luzon Roundtrip with Puerto Princesa and El Nido (Town) - 14 Days

North Luzon Roundtrip with Bohol, Cebu, Puerto Princesa and El Nido - 18 Days

The Philippines has two major seasons:

1. Rainy season: June to November

2. Dry season: December to May

- Cool dry season: December to February

- Hot dry season: March to May

The best time of the year to visit Puerto Princesa is during the Dry Season, from December to April.

During this window, you will experience the classic Philippine tropical summer: clear blue skies, minimal rainfall, and beautifully calm seas. This is critical for Puerto Princesa because its two crowning attractions—the Underground River and Honda Bay island hopping—are highly dependent on smooth sea conditions.

Getting to Puerto Princesa is incredibly straightforward, as the city serves as the primary transport gateway to the entire island province of Palawan.

The absolute easiest and most common route is flying directlyt from Manila to Puerto Princesa. Flight time is 1 hour.

Hotels located in Puerto Princesa City are only 15 to 20 minutes from the airport by car.

Hotels located in Sabang Area (PPS) are approximately 1.5 hours to 2 hours from the airport by car.

Click here to find flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa

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