Puerto Princesa Travel Guide

Puerto Princesa is the gorgeous capital of Palawan Province in the west Philippines. It is known as the greenest and cleanest city in the country, a nature lover's paradise accessible by plane and boat.

Worth It?: Yes, with bags of appeal for most tourists.
What to Do: boating the Underground River, snorkeling in Honda Bay.
Best Time to Go: December through March has the best weather in Puerto Princesa.
How Long?: Two or three nights.
Trivia: Puerto Princesa is the largest city in the country by area.

Puerto Princesa has the best tourist facilities and infrastructure on Palawan, with many hotels, restaurants and shops, and has plenty of attractions worth checking out. The main attraction near Puerto Princesa is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, or Underground River - the world's longest underground river.

The waters of the river are crystal clear and it goes by way of all sorts of cave formations and is navigable by pumpboat. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Other attractions Puerto Princesa is famous for are the beautiful Honda Bay, with its many islets and beaches; Iwahig Penal Colony; and Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center.

Travel to Puerto Princesa - Getting There

Puerto Princesa has a busy airport with direct flights from Manila in just over an hour. Flights also come in from other major cities like Cebu City and Davao. To get here by boat requires a 22-hour journey from Manila.

Puerto Princesa Things to Do

Puerto Princesa Attractions

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

this is the main attraction in the Puerto Princesa area and is the world's longest recorded underground river.

Side trips from Puerto Princesa

Iwahig Penal Colony: located half an hour out of town, this prison is a model correctional institute where the inmates get to better themselves by working farms, living with their families and making handicrafts.

Events

Balayong Festival: marked with street dancing and parades, this March festival in the Palawan capital commemorates the founding of the city.