Puerto Princesa has been the face of the last ecological frontier in the Philippines. Lying along the midsection of the long island of Palawan province, the capital city of Palawan is considered to be a first class city among the cities of the Philippines. One of the city’s main attraction and a source of pride for the locals is the Subterranean River National Park. The site features a very spectacular limestone landscape display in its underground river, which flows directly to the sea. The underground river represents a habitat for conservation biodiversity.
Puerto Princesa is also the jump off point for Honda Bay which is rich in pristine white beaches with fine white sand. You can find them anywhere in the island. These water sceneries provide quite a contrast to the island’s green canopies. The clear emerald-green waters are truly a fascinating sight to behold. The islands in Honda Bay gives the beach lovers a much sought-after uncrowded and unspoilt haven that one can never find anywhere else in the Philippines. One of these Puerto Princesa beaches is Nagtabon Beach, which is located in the western coast of Palawan and is a two-hour ride from the city proper.
Contents:
- Best Times to Go
- Tours and Adventures
- Honda Bay Island Hopping
- Subterranean Underground River tour
- Scuba Diving Lessons and Packages
- Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island day tour
- Tabon Cave Archeological tour
- Countryside and City tour
- Sabang Mangrove Paddleboat tour
- Estrella Waterfalls tour
- Dolphin Watching
- Batak Tribes
- Mount Cleopatra Climb
- Cross-country Trek
Best Times to Go
The City has two prevailing types of climate. The type that prevails in the west coast has two distinct seasons: six months dry (November- April), and six months wet (May-October), with the heaviest recorded rainfall coming in September, while the driest month is February.
Apart from Besides resort/ hotel accommodations, we also have Puerto Princesa adventure activities and tours that we can include to your itinerary.
This is a full day tour of Puerto Princesa’s numerous white sand beaches, coral gardens, and exotic fauna. Honda Bay has six major islands: Pandan Island, Starfish Island, Snake Island, Cannon (Cowrie) Island, Bat Island, Lu-Li Island (from “lulubog- lilitaw”), Meara Marina, and Señorita Island. Their shallow and gradually sloped reefs make them perfect for snorkeling.
Puerto Princesa Underground River tour
A World Heritage Site, this natural wonder features 8.2 kilometers of navigable Underground River, reputed to be the longest, that winds through the spectacular cave before emptying out to the South China Sea. Cathedral Chambers, wide hallways and interesting geological formations greet the wide- eyed visitor to the grotto hidden beneath the St. Paul Mountain.
Support the Subterranean Underground River for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
Scuba Diving Lessons and Packages
Dive sites can also be found in the city. Ranging from five to forty-five minutes away from the beach, you can experience an underwater expedition you’ll never forget. One of the more famous dive sites in the city is called Red Cliff, and is located within Puerto Princesa Bay. Several coral colonies and reef fishes can be found in this site, as well as several marine creations such as manta rays, turtles, whale sharks, and hammerhead sharks. You can even experience swimming along with these animals on your visit.
Puerto Princesa dive sites are located 5 to 45 minutes away by speedboat inside Puerto Princesa Bay. The closest dive sites are White Beach and Red Cliff, both located inside Puerto Princesa Bay. These are preferred sites for open water training dives as they offer slopes and walls that begin 20 feet (7 meters) from the surface. Colorful reef fish are common and various coral colonies can be observed in one dive. Turtles and rays are usually seen amongst soft corals and sandy portions of the site. We offer Discover Scuba diving lessons for those who are interested to dive without paying for a full course.
Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort Day Tour with Buffet Lunch
With a total land area of 20 hectares, this resort is nestled in the tropical waters of Honda Bay, northeast from Puerto Princesa, Palawan. A quiet hideaway amidst pristine natural surroundings in the Philippines’ last frontier, it offers comfortable and modern facilities while providing you with the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the wonders of nature.
The Tabon Man, believed to be 22,000 years old, is among the oldest human fossils found in the Philippines. The significance of this finding proves that the Philippines was a part of Mainland Asia, then became a landbridge from the mainland during the last glacial period. The flora and fauna of the province is not similar to Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao but similar to Borneo, Malaysia and Indonesia. Cave trekking will take 2 hours to the different cave passages and chambers with archeological findings.
Puerto Princesa Countryside Tour (Half Day)
This tour includes the following destinations: Crocodile Farming Institute, Butterfly Garden, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Mitra’s Ranch, Bakers Hill, Souvenir Shop and Market, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, Palawan Museum, Vietnamese Village, and Plaza Cuartel.
Sabang Mangrove Paddleboat Tour
Tour the Sabang River on board paddle to see mangrove forests and to appreciate what an ecosystem free of human intervention looks like. This project is managed and operated by local community residents. Visitors are also given a chance to contribute to conservation by planting mangrove saplings in designated areas.
A few hours drive from Puerto Princesa will bring you to the foot of a rainforest mountain with waterfalls. One can enjoy the therapeutic massage from the cool spring water cascading at the rocks. More adventurous ones can go swimming, jumping, and loosening up a bit in the midst of the falls. Jungle trekking to the rainforest could be an added activity for nature lovers.
Dolphin Watching at Puerto Princesa Bay
Travel around one of the cleanest lakes in the country to get a glimpse of the pods of dolphins that regularly swim around the bay. Whaleshark sightings have also been reported here.
Batak Tribes Trekking (Day Tour)
The Batak Tribes is a 2-hour drive from Puerto Princesa City. From there, we trek 2.5 hours to the Batak Tribe. Lunch will be served at riverside of the rainforest. Snorkelling and fish feeding are possible at Pambato Reef- Snake Island.
Dip into the waters of Pambato Reef, which is just a few minutes away from Sta. Lourdes Wharf. Like a small Tubbataha Reef, another World Heritage Site found in the neigh boring Sulu Sea, Pambato is home to a huge marine sanctuary within Honda Bay. Coral reefs can be found as close as five feet from the surface to as deep as 20 feet, creating stunning underwater vistas for both diving and snorkelling enthusiasts.
Mt. Cleopatra Climb (5 days/4 nights)
Go on a camping expedition up the highest peak in Puerto Princesa. This climb is dependent on weather conditions, so inquire with us first.
Cross Country Trek (3 days/2 nights)
Have a unique adventure with a trek through Puerto Princesa. The route will take you to Barangay Tanabag in the east coast of Palawan to Barangay Cabayugan in the west coast. Depending on weather conditions.
Dry Cave tour with Tagbanua Tribe Cultural Integration (2 days/1 night)
3D/2N explorePuerto Princesa Destination Package A
3D/2N explorePuerto Princesa Destination Package B
4D/3N explorePuerto Princesa Destination Package A
4D/3N explorePuerto Princesa Destination Package B
4D/3N explorePuerto Princesa Destination Package C
