Puerto Princesa

You will hold Puerto Princesa in reverence for its magnificent natural beauty that will take your breath away.

Declared the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines, Puerto Princesa is also known as the ecotourism capital of the nation. Blessed with a plethora of natural wonders from sandy beaches, underground rivers, and wildlife reserves, it is truly a paradise for nature enthusiasts.

Attractions

One of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park offers a transcendent experience. Then you have remote beaches and spectacular countrysides to explore, not to mention opportunities to see wildlife. Puerto Princesa is truly a piece of heaven for nature and animal lovers, whether you are in a group or a solo traveler. Although generally budget friendly, the city also offers luxurious experiences in a number of its upscale hotels and resorts.

Getting There

With an airport right in the city centre, the best way to get to the island province of Palawan is by flying into the Puerto Princesa International Airport. If flying is not your thing, you can also take a ferry from Manila, though it is an almost 30-hour long journey with a stop in Coron.

Money Matters

Getting money in Puerto Princesa, or even Palawan in general, can be a bit of a hassle. As the city is prone to power failures, ATMs might not always work, or worse, you might lose your card to the machine and it could be very difficult to recover it. Money changers are all over Puerto Princesa but their rates might not be the most favourable. Only high-end hotels and resorts accept credit card payments so the best thing is to have enough cash in pesos, the local currency, before traveling to Puerto Princesa.

Weather

Rarely hit by typhoons, Puerto Princesa is great place to visit any time of the year with its warm tropical weather. However, there is a distinct wet and dry season. The best time to visit is during the dry season of November to June, as this means more sun and dry land, making traveling around much easier. During the wet season, boat trips could sometimes get cancelled due to unfavourable weather, potentially interfering with your holiday plans.

Getting Around

The most common way to travel around Puerto Princesa is by tricycles. Multicabs and jeepneys with fixed routes are also available for longer distances. There are many tour companies in the city that provide a package tour, which includes transportation to different attractions.

Food

Puerto Princesa has a thriving restaurant scene, especially at Rizal Avenue, where you will also find some fast food joints. A large variety of food including Western favourites, local delights, and authentic Asian dishes are served in restaurants across the city centre. Prices range from amazingly affordable to high-end luxury.

With a very organised tourism industry and English-speaking locals, the capital of Palawan is very pleasant to travel in even if it is your first time setting foot in the country. A bustling city that has a remarkable food scene and awe-inspiring landscapes, Puerto Princesa will never cease to amaze anyone.