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Puerto Princesa is the capital of the island province of Palawan. The city has been acclaimed several times as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines. With a wide range of attractions ranging from beaches to wildlife reserves, Puerto Princesa is a nature lover's paradise.
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Underground River
At over 8 km in length, it is claimed to be the longest underground river in the world. With its crystalline waters and spectacular cave formations, the Underground River is possibly Puerto Princesa's most popular attraction. The site was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. The winding path of the river is navigable via small pumpboats that depart from Sabang Beach. Travel time from the city proper to Sabang is about 1.5 hours (This can take closer to 3.5 if you choose to ride in a Jeepney, since you have to wait while they deliver goods along the journey.) A permit is now necessary to visit the underground river and only available in Puerto Princesa, though an online system is in construction. As of 2018, you can purchase the tickets in Sabang pier: if you do it yourself it will cost you around ₱600, if you do it through your accommodation they might overcharge you up to ₱1200. You can also ask if you can make the return trip trekking the park and the jungle: you will need to get a guide to do that but the experience is worth your time and money.
Consisting of several islets with beautiful beaches, Honda Bay is the place to go to for swimming, snorkeling as well as beach and island hopping. Accessible via the Sta. Lourdes wharf which is 25 minutes away from the city. Pumpboats at the wharf can be hired to take visitors to the various islets on the bay. Arrive before 11AM to go island hopping if you require a small boat (1-5 people) and before 2:30PM if you require a larger boat.
A good example of a true correctional institute, the Iwahig Penal Colony is more of a farming community rather than a prison. Inmates often live with their families and are allowed to toil their farms to earn a living. Carving out handicrafts is also a common preoccupation and mahogany handcarvings are a good buy for tourists. The colony is about 35 minutes from the city center.
Formerly the Crocodile Farming Institute, and still referred to by locals as the "Crocodile Farm," is a tourist attraction and a national research institute devoted to crocodiles. About 30 to 40 minutes from the city center, the Croc Farm also has a mini-zoo, which features some of Palawan's endemic species of wildlife. The place is open from about 8:30AM to about 4:30PM. From Rizal Avenue you can take an 8-person covered pickup truck (labeled "Irawan") for ₱20 and the Croc Farm is the last stop; a tricycle carrying only one or two people will cost ₱100-150. Croc Farm Tickets cost ₱40 for adults and ₱20 for kids. You start with a guided tour of the crocs which last about 15 minutes. After that you wonder around by yourself in the endemic species area, where you have to be careful not to fall through a few rotton and crumbling wooden bridges. Although this is not the best managed wildlife area, the endemic species are nonetheless worth seeing and deserve your support.
With native Palawan butterflies is about half-way to the Croc Farm (above) and along the same road. Open 7 days a week from 8AM to 5PM. Entry is ₱50.
A very beautiful church that is decorated in blue and white.
Pristine Beach
The only beach in town. Not as clean as it used to be and no longer white or pristine. But if you want to meet some of the locals and have a few drinks (alcoholic) then it's a great place. Just walk down and buy a few beers from the take away store and walk around the huts and you will be invited to join a group at a table. Lots of fun for an international traveller - if you have a great time then throw in some money for the table (₱200) or buy a cheap bottle of whatever they are drinking.
A 75-foot (22-m) limestone formation in the middle of farmlands and karst forests located near the Underground River. Main activities in the site include spelunking and zip line.
Puerto Princesa's main commercial strip where one can find various shops, banks, restaurants, and budget inns.
New Coral reef protected by city ordinance and three falls, the largest of which is around 50 m, 5 km from the barangay.
This is an old museum that is not very well maintained or labeled but which has a number of interesting pieces. It is well worth a visit on a rainy day.
This is a one room museum located inside a university building. You should ask for specific directions at the front gate, because not everyone knows about the existence of the museum. The museum is located in one small room but is clean, organized, and well-maintained, with an enthusiastic and helpful staff member.
Historical place, a must see site. It is the restored ruins of an old garrison where Japanese soldiers burned 143 American prisoners of war inside a tunnel and stands as a grim reminder of World War II.
Check out the plants and animal in its natural habitat.
Seafood prepared by a Hong Kong chef. Authentic Chinese cuisine.
French Bistro
French cuisine and can be a very welcome alternative for those longing to eat something else than local food after a long trip. The little restaurant lets you dine in intimate ambiance while you may chat to both the cook and the owner. The menu includes a variety of French foods like coffee & tea, paté rillettes, confit, soupes, salades, tapenades, grillades, fruits de mer, porc, boeuf, poulet, canard, crépes, patisserie.
Great cakes (₱45-90), coffee, shakes, etc. They also serve food (untested). Wifi if you order
Very good vegetarian food. Highly recommended
A sports bar and grill and a magnet for tourists and other visitors. The food is really good and customers can play pool or watch live sports.
Amazing food and ambiance. Can get quite busy so a reservation can't hurt. Seafood is the specialty and the daily seafood special for two is ₱395.
Owned by a British expat and his Filipina-American stepdaughters.
Carpe Diem French Restaurant
Open-air restaurant set in a tropical garden inside Carpe Diem Villas & Resort. Serves French-inspired dishes alongside Filipino and international options, with a daily breakfast buffet, à-la-carte lunch and dinner, and cocktails. Open to both hotel guests and outside visitors. Walk-ins are welcome.
Serves Japanese cuisine with fusion and variety of Filipino and American cuisine. Also available are fruit shakes, coffee & frappuccinos.
Cool reggae bar serving ice-cold beers, beer towers/buckets, cocktails and mixed drinks. Free WiFi, a stylish & relaxing VIP bamboo lounge.
Not the newest pension anymore but offers clean beds and quiet rooms. Not all are the same, so have a look before checking in. Friendly and helpful staff. Try the sandwich with French baguette. Wifi for ₱50 (for the length of your stay)
Family run guesthouse. Free Wi-Fi, quiet location, central, 3 min drive from the airport with free pick up if booked in advanced. Dallas Inn has a variety of rooms to choose from according to budget. Fan Doubles ₱600, 4-bed dorm.
Perhaps the best address for a monthly accommodation in the city. City location but is in a green area. Monthly rate for a 2-bedroom apartment is ₱15000.
Offers a comfortable and relaxing ambience in their bungalows or semi-native style cottages. Surrounded by trees and situated a couple of meters away from the road, you could almost forget you are in the city. They offer free wireless internet and claim to serve delectable foods at their restaurant. They also have a swimming pool and billiards table.
Fan single/double without a side bathroom
Clean fan rooms without a side bathroom.
Bed in a dorm.
Fan single/double.
Dorm beds.
Free wifi.
Free wifi.
Free wifi.
Fan double room with own bathroom.
This hotel offers rooms equipped with kitchen, refrigerator, remote control colored television, individual air-condition unit, telephone with IDD/NDD access and voice mail. Mabini Mansion also offers the following facility and services: restaurant, foreign currency exchange, airport transfer to and from the hotel, daily maid service, business service and room service.
Standard Single, Double and Twin Room, all equipped with Air-conditioning, LED TV with cable channels and Hot and cold shower. Facilities and services are Restaurant, cafe, and bar.
Superior, Deluxe and Penthouse all equipped with air-conditioning, TV with cable channels and Internet connection. Facilities and services are Isabelle Grand Ballroom, conference and meeting rooms, business center.
All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, flat-screen TV with cable channels, safe, private toilet and bath. It also provides room service, tour assistance, airport transfer, parking, a standby generator and free Wi-Fi.
Standard Single, Standard Twin, and Family or Deluxe Rooms, all equipped with air-conditioning, TV with cable channels and shower with hot and cold water. Facilities and services are Wi-Fi Internet access in public areas and tour assistance.
All rooms are equipped with air-conditioner, hot and cold shower, cable TV, and complimentary wireless internet access. Also offers tour assistance, massage service, vehicle rental, and laundry services.
Homey rooms all equipped with air-conditioner, cable TV, Internet access, refrigerator, and safe. Facilities and services are restaurant and cafe, spa and massage service, car rental, laundry/dry cleaning, and Palawan tours.
All rooms have A/C, cableTV, intercom, and private toilet and bath. Rooftop bar and restaurant, high-speed Internet, fitness room, and massage service.
All rooms have A/C, cableTV, mini-bar, and coffee/tea maker. Business center with high-speed internet, swimming pool, airport and city transfers.
All rooms have A/C, cable TV, and a private toilet with hot and cold shower. High-speed Internet, restaurant/café, and massage service.
High end beach resort.
Perhaps the most modern hotel in Puerto Princesa. Excursion packages to the various attractions of Puerto Princesa.
Nice rooms, free continental breakfast in the rooftop Tribu Restaurant. Desk staff are helpful, nice views.
5 min from the airport with 18 A/C rooms.
A/C rooms all with cableTV, a hair dryer, private toilet, bath with hot & cold water, and a balcony/deck.
Single, Standard Double, all equipped with air-conditioning, LED TV w/ cable channels and Hot & cold shower. Complimentary breakfast and airport transfer (upon request). With Wi-Fi Internet. Other services include tour assistance and massage service.
Small tropical boutique resort in a quiet part of Puerto Princesa, approximately 10 minutes by car from the airport. Accommodation includes pool-access rooms, one-bedroom private-pool villas and two-bedroom family villas. The resort has a tropical swimming pool, swim-up bar, restaurant, massage services and a small fitness room. Airport transfers, local tours and diving experiences can be arranged.
It has a Robinsons supermarket. There is also a food court, bakeries, and assorted electronics stores.
It has an NCCC supermarket.
It has a small supermarket.
A mall with a Savemore supermarket.
By bus or van
Bus service to Puerto Princesa is provided by two major operators, Cherry and RORO Bus, but there are also operators which use smaller vehicles (often rebuilt from old trucks) and are cramped and not…
Jeepneys, multicabs and tricycles are the most common means to get around Puerto Princesa. As in Manila, jeepneys usually have standard routes which they ply.
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Puerto Princesa · International · PPS
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