Puerto Princesa is the province’s second most popular tourist attraction, after only El Nido. The capital of Palawan, known as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines, offers a comfortable urban atmosphere hidden in beautiful natural surroundings that include fantastic beaches and virgin wooded hills. There are different things to do in Puerto Princesa Palawan, Philippines, that is fitted for you.
Puerto Princesa is the primary airport and ferry terminal on Palawan Island. Before the rise of international tourism in Palawan in the 1990s, Puerto Princesa was a popular weekend or vacation resort for wealthy Manila residents.
Best Things To Do in Puerto Princesa Palawan, Philippines
Check out these must-see tourist attractions and off-the-beaten-path activities that have yet to be discovered by tourist hordes. Many of these locations, particularly those in the City Proper region, may be accessed on a half-day or full-day city tour.
Puerto Princesa Underground River
The UNESCO World Heritage Underground River is one of the best things to do in Puerto Princesa, if not the whole Philippines. This underground cave structure, nominated as one of the contemporary Natural Wonders of the World, is a must-see for every traveller. They extend for a whopping 24 kilometers down, and you’ll be able to witness a variety of diverse terrain forms, deep caves, and bat colonies.
Scuba Diving or Snorkelling at Tubbatatha Reef
Tubbataha is a must-visit if you enjoy diving and discovering the beauty of indigenous sea life. It is still considered one of the most incredible diving locations globally, with a reef teeming with manta rays, turtles, sharks, and massive schools of vividly colored fish. However, because Tubbataha Reef is some distance from the mainland, you should arrange with a reliable tour operator that has a swift boat.
Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden
The Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden provides a glimpse into Filipino rural life. Aside from a beautiful array of butterflies, insects, and reptiles, the gardens’ indigenous inhabitants will demonstrate traditional crafts and some fantastic blow-dart methods. This activity is one of the best things to do in Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines.
Sabang Town and Nearby Beaches
Sabang, a tiny hamlet and a cluster of magnificent white-sand beaches, is next to the Puerto Princesa Underground River. Mountains surround them, the sea is clear, and small tourist or fishing boats frequently land on the sand, making beautiful photographs.
Nagtabon Beach
If a peaceful beach away from the crowd sounds appealing, travel across Palawan to Nagtabon Beach. This isolated white-sand hideaway by forests and cliff-side beauty is a clean, gorgeous representation of what Palawan is all about.
Nature Adventure at Ugong Rock
Ugong Rock is the spot to go for nature lovers looking for exciting things to do in Puerto Princesa. The entire region comprises large rocky cliffs surrounded by forests and farms, with hikes to the top of the rock providing panoramic views of the settlements and fields below.
Fireflies in a Mangrove Forest
Watch fireflies as they light up, this is a one-of-a-kind event that we have never seen before, and it will put you in awe. Every nightfall, fireflies emerge from the Iwahig River, just outside of Puerto Princesa town, to illuminate the adjacent mangroves and woodland. There is a floating boat restaurant at this site in particular, where you can take a little boat trip and then have a simple yet nice supper right close to nature.
Honda Bay
Honda Bay is a group of islands off the east coast of Palawan with stunning beaches, blue waters teeming with marine life, and a luxury island resort. It’s also a favorite fishing site, and you’ll see various colorful traditional Filipino boats.
Palawan Water Park
Palawan Waterpark is not an action-packed theme park. Still, it is a fantastic location to visit if you have children, as the well-kept swimming pools and amenities make for an enjoyable family day out. So slide down the slides, float down the lazy river, or rest in the pool.
Boutique Hotel
One thing you’ll note about Palawan is that there aren’t many luxury hotels on the islands. Because this is a developing island paradise with a burgeoning tourism sector, lodging can be pretty basic and without frills. If you want to rest in a luxury hotel before your flight or spend the day by the pool, Puerto Princesa town is one of the most excellent locations in Palawan.
Facts you Might Not Know About Palawan
If you plan to visit and stay in Palawan in the future, here are some facts you would be glad to know before touring the island.
Visit Early June
Most people are unaware that the Philippines has pleasant weather virtually all year. On the contrary, the country takes pleasure in getting sunny days almost every day of the year. The reason for this has to do with Palawan’s geographical position.
Most typhoons originate in the Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines, with Palawan on the opposite side. This is why the province is almost typhoon-free and rarely receives the rainfall brought in by typhoons.
Home of Environmentally-Conscious Individuals
Many visitors still believe that traveling in Palawan is dangerous due to prior occurrences. In addition, they think the area has bandit gangs. The truth is that the site had and still has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.
Protected by Law
Former Speaker of the House signed the Strategic Environmental Plan bill to appreciate the province’s biodiversity and ecological value as a gift to the world. This statute remains the legislative basis that supports the province’s conservation to this day.
Palawan used to be a Land Bridge
Palawan was formerly a land bridge that linked the Philippines to the rest of Asia. Balabac, Palawan’s southernmost region, is quite close to Sabah, Malaysia, and was connected to Asia.
The Aetas utilized this land bridge to go to the Philippines. This is also why numerous Palawan plant and animal species, such as Palawan Mousedeer, Palawan Pangolin, Palawan Porcupine, Palawan Bearcat, and others, have distant cousins in Malaysia and Indonesia but none in the rest of the Philippines.
Rose from the Sea
Tectonic movement generates regional uplift, as demonstrated by watermarks on limestone mountains caused by wave action millions of years ago. May now find these markings practically in the center of the limestone mountains, such as in Elephant Cave or cliffs in Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park, where no water can reach even at high tide.
The Last Frontier
Palawan is the least exploited region in the Philippines, according to the phrase. It also has the most forest, coral reef, and mangrove regions left. Palawan also has a significant number of endemics. In addition, the island province of Palawan boasts the most national parks and protected areas in the Philippines and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Philippine Civilization’s Cradle
Palawan is the home of the Tabon Man, the 50,000-year-old Filipino skull discovered here. In addition, the Leta-Leta Yawning Jar claimed to be the oldest in the Philippines at 1500 years old, and the Manunggul Jar were both found here. All are priceless archaeological findings in Philippine history.
No Earthquake
Yes, it is correct! Palawan was initially a part of the Asian continent until it split 100 million years ago. Geologists regard Palawan as a micro-continent. It is on continental rocks that stretch 30 kilometers deep instead of volcanic or regular islands, which have foundations that only reach 15 kilometers deep. No active faultlines or deep pits also surround it.
What to Bring on a Palawan Trip
Anyone who has never been to Palawan should go at least once. Be sure to pack the following necessities before you go for this tropical paradise to ensure that your trip runs well.
✔️Cash
As a tourist destination, Palawan is home to several areas like El Nido and Coron that did not have ATMs until quite recently. Today, the few ATMs present there are typically offline or empty, which is a sad state of affairs. There is just one ATM in Palawan, and it is in Puerto Princesa, which may be several hours away depending on where you are vacationing in Palawan.
✔️First Aid Kit
Palawan is a safe place to explore, but it never hurts to be prepared. Bring a first aid kit with you so you’re ready in case of an emergency. In case you intend on snorkelling or rock climbing, bring bandages and disinfectants with you. Aside from that, don’t forget to pack your paracetamol and anti-diarrhea medicine.
✔️Power Banks
Don’t forget to carry a power bank to keep your electronics powered up during your trip. However, although some hotels and resorts offer charging stations on-site, others are powered only by power generators, and some even go without electricity overnight. So you may set your laptop with a power bank as well as your mobile phone.
✔️Water Bottle
A reusable water bottle is a must-have for any adventurer. Keep hydrated in Palawan because you’ll be spending a lot of time in the sun. Practicality is another consideration. Especially in tourist areas, refreshments might be costly. In addition, there is a ban on single-use plastic in Palawan. Thus it is not permitted to carry bottled water or soft beverages.
✔️Sunscreen
Most trips and activities in Palawan will put you in the sunlight, so bring sunscreen. If you’re used to a moderate environment, the summers in the Philippines may be brutal. To avoid harming marine life, pack sunscreen that is free of hazardous chemicals.
✔️Mosquito Repellant Spray
In Philippine pharmacies, you may buy mosquito repellent. However, the greasy and stenchy ointment may not be to your liking. So it’s best to bring your spray.
✔️Waterproof Pouch
It’s best to pack a waterproof bag where you can store your wallet and other valuables to ensure your safety. The bag will protect your possessions from water damage during island-hopping excursions with the help of this handy device. In addition, you can wear waterproof pouches around the neck to reduce the chance of forgetting them.
✔️Flip Flops
Flip-flops are the perfect footwear for a trip to Palawan. Slippers, on the other hand, you don’t have to be worried about getting wet. In addition, they are less prone to cause blisters. Finally, when you go swimming or snorkelling, they can help protect your feet from sharp stones or broken corals.
✔️Camera
When visiting the Philippines, don’t forget to take photographs of the beautiful island of Palawan. Keep an underwater camera handy if you have one. However, if you want to capture the rich marine life and breath-taking underwater landscape, you’ll need an underwater camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many days is the suggested time to stay in Puer Princesa Palawan, Philippines
A: The optimum schedule for Puerto Princesa City is four days and three nights. But of course, the longer, the better.
Q: Why is Palawan a popular tourist destination?
A: In recent years, Palawan has been a popular tourist destination due to its unique appeal. You may find hundreds of kinds of butterflies in Palawan’s hundreds of natural areas on land and water.
Q: What is the Palawan festival?
A: The Kulambo Festival is held every 15th to 18th March and lasts for three days.
Q: Why should you travel to Puerto Princesa?
A: Tourists come to Puerto Princesa to see the underground river’s mystical beauty.
Q: Is there a good place to stay in the Palawan area?
A: There are many great locations to stay in Palawan’s 400-mile-long main island, centered around El Nido.
Q: Puerto Princesa vs El Nido: Which is better?
A: Puerto Princesa is your best choice if you are a valid city resident who enjoys natural day trips and easy access to city conveniences.
Last Words
We hope we’ve given you some ideas with so many great things to do in Puerto Princesa. Even if you only see a handful of the sites on our list, it’s worth a visit. Palawan offers a wide range of activities. So now is the perfect time to start planning your escapades on “the finest island in the world.”
