22 Things to do in Puerto Princesa + Tourist Spots

Puerto Princesa is famous for its natural attractions and as a gateway to Palawan Island, particularly to popular destinations like El Nido and lesser-known spots including Balabac, Tabon Caves, Taytay, Port Barton, and San Vicente.

As the Philippines’ second largest city in terms of land area, there are many interesting places to see and things to do here. The urban center is compact and easy to navigate, while the vast majority of Puerto Princesa is occupied by verdant forest, soaring mountains, and a coastline fringed by vast mangrove forests, remote beach coves and scenic bays dotted with beautiful islets.

Headed to Puerto Princesa soon? Check out these top tourist spots and off-the-beaten-path adventures not yet discovered by tourist crowds. Many of these places, especially those found within the City Proper area can be reached on a half-day or 1-day city tour. If you want to add more sights to your itinerary, consider spending at least 2-3 days in Puerto Princesa.

To help with your trip planning, I’ve added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted below. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app for easy reference. But before you start ticking goals off your bucketlist, here are travel essentials & discounts you’ll need to check. Pre-book online for a hassle-free trip!

Puerto Princesa travel essentials

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1. Puerto Princesa Underground River

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is the most famous attraction of the city. It is included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites for its spectacular limestone karst landscape and remarkable biodiversity. It is also reputed to be the world’s longest navigable underground river. A paddle boat ride takes you to a section of the underground river, where you can enjoy views of massive stalagmite/stalactite formations and cave chambers. The Puerto Princesa Underground River is located in the quiet coastal village of Sabang.

Location: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Sabang. Save on Google Maps.

How to go:

The underground river is typically reached by joining a day tour from Puerto Princesa. Tour packages include round trip land transfers to Sabang, picnic lunch at Sabang Beach and mandatory park permit/registration/fees. Sabang Beach is approximately 74 km northeast from Puerto Princesa city center. Travel time is around 1 hour and 40 minutes by car. The boat ride from Sabang Beach to the underground river entrance takes around 30 minutes.

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2. Sabang

During my first trip, the biggest reason why I spent a night in Sabang was to go on the forest trek to the underground river entrance via the Monkey Trail. It was an interesting off-beat experience for sure! Sabang has a lovely beachfront too. It gets pretty busy around noontime, but when all the day trippers are gone, you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere without the crowds. When in Sabang, also check out the Sabang X Zipline, trekking to Sabang Waterfall, and paddle boat tour around the mangrove forest.

Where to stay

Location: Sabang Beach, Barangay Cagayugan. Save on Google Maps.

3. Honda Bay Islands

Honda Bay is another famous tourist spot in Puerto Princesa. Here, you can find beautiful islets, reefs, white sand beaches and inviting waters perfect for swimming. While not as impressive as El Nido or Coron, Honda Bay is an excellent alternative if you plan to go island hopping near Puerto Princesa. The drive north from the City Proper to Santa Lourdes Wharf (the jump-off point to Honda Bay) only takes around 30-45 minutes. The most convenient way to go is by joining an island hopping tour package, which should include a visit to at least 3 islands, picnic lunch at the beach, land/sea transport and environmental/boat fees.

Location: Near Santa Lourdes Wharf. Save on Google Maps.

Honda Bay islands and attractions

4. Dos Palmas Resort

Dos Palmas is a stunning island resort that exclusively occupies Arrecife Island. It’s the best place to go if you’re set on a splurge and you want to spend the night in Honda Bay. The luxury resort also provides day tours with convenient pick-up/drop-off from Puerto Princesa City Proper.

Location: Arrecife Island, Honda Bay

Dos Palmas Resort

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Puerto Princesa city tour

If you have a few hours or a full day in Puerto Princesa, check out these places found within or near the City Proper area. Many of these tourist spots are included in standardized half-day city tours. These join-in tours are popular and affordable, priced at only around P600 per person.

5. Baker’s Hill

Baker’s Hill is famous for its freshly-baked and delicious local delicacies, perfect gifts/pasalubong for friends and family back home. Featuring well-maintained gardens (a sort of mini-theme park), Baker’s Hill is also a beautiful location to take photos for your Instagram and Facebook feed.

Location: Mitra Road, Brgy. Sta. Monica. Save on Google Maps.

6. Mitra’s Ranch

Located near Baker’s Hill, Mitra’s Ranch offers a scenic view overlooking the green landscape of the surrounding valley. It’s also a popular place for horseback riding and ziplining.

Location: Mitra Road, Brgy. Sta. Monica. Save on Google Maps.

7. Palawan Tribal Village and Butterfly Farm

Popular among tour groups, this is one of the interesting tourist spots in the city. It is divided into two sections: the Tribal Village, which offers a cultural interaction with members of the Palaw’an tribe; and the Butterfly Eco Garden, which showcases the variety of tropical butterflies and other insects from the southern region of the Philippines.

Location: Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village, Brgy. Sta. Monica. Save on Google Maps.

8. Puerto Princesa Baywalk

This lovely promenade is the perfect place to watch scenic sunsets. There’s also a food park, where you can sample local Palaweño and Filipino dishes.

Location: Sandoval St., Puerto Princesa City Proper. Save on Google Maps.

9. Plaza Cuartel

Historic Plaza Cuartel is the site of a ruined garrison and tunnels, which now serve as a grim reminder of World War II atrocities.

Location: Taft St, Puerto Princesa City Proper. Save on Google Maps.

10. Immaculate Conception Cathedral

A short walk away is the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, a Gothic-style church painted in lovely pastel blue. This historic place is the site of the first mass in Puerto Princesa.

Location: 58 Rizal Ave, Puerto Princesa City Proper. Save on Google Maps.

11. Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm

Going to prison is not something you ordinarily imagine doing during your holiday. The Penal colony in Iwahig, however, might change your mind. This open-air prison is one of the top tourist spots in Puerto Princesa. Here, you can find inmates freely roaming the grounds, tending the farm and going about office-related work.

Location: Barangay Iwahig. Save on Google Maps.

12. Iwahig Firefly Watching & Mangrove Forest

Iwahig is also home to a vast mangrove forest. A paddle boat night cruise along the Iwahig River offers a close-up view of glowing fireflies swarming around the mangrove trees.

Location: Iwahig Firefly Watching Mangrove Ecotourism And Wildlife Park, Barangay Iwahig. Save on Google Maps.

13. Puerto Princesa Bay cruise & dolphin watching

Puerto Princesa Bay is a playground of dolphins and other marine creatures. Dolphin watching tours are popular between the months of April and October when sightings are more common. A cruise around Puerto Princesa Bay also offers a chance to enjoy scenic sea views and meet the Badjao Tribe (a community of sea gypsies).

14. Go on a food trip

With vast open seas surrounding Puerto Princesa, you can look forward to indulging in fresh and affordable seafood. Don’t miss the tuna steak/special of the day set at Kalui and local specialties at other native-style restaurants in the city including Badjao Seafront and Kinabuch’s.

Where to eat and drink in Puerto Princesa (top seafood restaurants and bars)

15. Try Chao Long

Chao Long is a Vietnamese-influenced delicacy that you should try in Puerto Princesa. This noodle dish was introduced by refugees who found their way to Puerto Princesa during the Vietnam War. The most popular places to try it is Bona’s Chaolong Haus and Vietville. Restaurants like Rene’s Saigon serve variants of the dish including seafood Chaolong.

Top Chao Long restaurants in Puerto Princesa

16. Puerto Princesa museums

Museums in Puerto Princesa

17. Trekking and outdoor adventures

Experience exhilarating adventures at Ugong Rock including spelunking and ziplining. Explore Hundred Caves, a new eco-tourism site in Palawan.

18. Puerto Princesa waterfalls

Though not as grand as other waterfalls in the Philippines, there are several waterfalls in Puerto Princesa that might be worth a visit.

Waerfalls in Puerto Princesa

19. Puerto Princesa waterparks

Waterparks are a relatively new attraction in Puerto Princesa. If you’re traveling with friends and family, here are places to go for a day of fun.

Waterparks in Puerto Princesa

20. Nagtabon Beach & West Coast Beaches

If you explore Puerto Princesa on Google Maps, you’ll see a lot of secluded beach coves, especially along the western coast. These beaches remain undeveloped because of their remote location. Nagtabon Beach is one of the more accessible options, reached within a one hour drive from Puerto Princesa city center. It’s a great place to go if you’re looking for a beach with a local vibe.

Location: Brgy. Bacungan. Save on Google Maps.

21. Puerto Princesa beaches and coastal views

Here’s a list of beaches and beachfront resorts within or near the city center.

22. Palawan Cherry Blossoms

On my summer trip to Puerto Princesa, I was really excited to see Palawan cherry trees, locally known as Balayong, in full bloom. The best area to see the beautiful pale pink blossoms of Palawan cherry trees is the area surrounding the Palawan State University campus, in the area of the planned Balayong Park.

Location: Balayong Park, Brgy. Tiniguiban. Beside Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex. Save on Google Maps.

Other places of interest in Puerto Princesa

Beyond Puerto Princesa

El Nido

Location: Palawan province, west central Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

El Nido Travel Essentials

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Port Barton

Location: Palawan province, west central Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Port Barton Travel Essentials

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San Vicente

Location: Palawan province, west central Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

San Vicente Travel Essentials

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Manila

Location: Metro Manila, Luzon, northern Philippines. Save on Google Maps.

Manila Travel Essentials

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What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in Puerto Princesa that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Places to visit in Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa tourist spots, things to do in Puerto Princesa, where to go in Puerto Princesa & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

Book your way to Puerto Princesa

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Where to Stay in Puerto Princesa

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Don’t Stop Here

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