A Quick Guide to Puerto Princesa, Palawan

A trip to Puerto Princesa, the provincial capital of Palawan, is always a treat full of pleasant surprises. While it is tagged as an urbanized city, it looks and feels more like a town – one which has emerged amazingly in last few years. There are lavish hotels, several malls and outstanding nightlife options like the already famous Tiki Bar for example.

One of the best things about Puerto Princesa is that the tourism here is well organized. Everyone involved in this industry, from the local guides to the cab drivers, are very well trained and the local municipality is highly involved in regulating the trade. This perfect combination of natural beauty, organization and infrastructure is what makes Puerto Princesa an ideal destination for all types of travelers.

A Quick Guide to Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Where to Stay in Puerto Princesa

The majority of accommodation is in the city center, and that’s where most of the travelers choose to stay unless they want to spend a night on one of the serene, more remote islands. Since one can experience different kinds of vibes in the city center, some of the options you can choose from (based on your budget) are as mentioned below.

Budget Hotels In and Around City Center

There are several top-rated hotels that are worth a look if the idea is to not spend too much. Some of the good budget hotels around this area include Floral Villarosa Hotel, ZEN Rooms Baywalk Palawan, Islands Stay Hotels and also a lot of homestays and Airbnb type accommodation, which are all at a fairly high standard.

For all the solo travelers who like to stay on sharing basis, some of the top hostels, inns and BNB are – Cleon Villas Pension, Dalindas Homestay, Lemon Transient House Palawan and the list goes on.

If you are looking to have a laid back, luxurious holiday or if you are traveling with your family, Puerto Princesa has some of the amazing options for luxury hotels also. These are typically found in the area called Sabang – an hour’s drive from the city. So, look out for Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa or Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort.

What are the Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in Puerto Princesa

As we already discussed, the tourism industry in Puerto Princesa is quite synchronized, with the itineraries well thought of, guides well trained and policies well set. While you can easily opt for a DIY holiday, there are various packaged tours also available, which you can consider for a hassle-free experience. Tours such as an underground river tour or the Honda Bay tour, city tour or Nagtabon beach, Kamia Bay Inflatables and more can help you explore the city.

Other Attractions in Puerto Princesa

Tibag Falls

An amazingly beautiful waterfall that is around 40 minutes away from the city center, tucked in Bacungan. You can board a bus from San Jose terminal to get to the Bacungan Bridge, which is a 2 hour walk from the falls.

Mount Magarwak

If you are an adventure lover and looking to experience an adrenaline rush, the northern part of Puerto Princesa is surely going to attract you as there are several adventurous activities that can be done there. You can go for a hike on Mount Magarwak, which is around 300 meters above the sea level. This beginner friendly hike will give you a picturesque view of the city.

Honda Bay

For all the beach lovers and those who wish to live like an islander, island-hopping tour must be in your to-do list. You can spend a day frolicking on some of the best islands such as Snake Island, Bat Island, Starfish Island, Lu-Li Island and Senorita Island. If you want to add more adventure to your trip, you can do Honday Bay tour by chartering a tricycle.

Exploring Nearby Palawan locations

If you have more days in hand and if you are not on a budget trip, you must consider exploring EL Nido, which lies off the southern coast of Palawan. El Nido is quite popular for its aesthetic beauty and considered as one of the tropical havens in Philippines. People love to explore El Nido mainly because of its beautiful turquoise water, limestone boulders and serene islands. It offers a vast selection of islands for every type of tourist. If you are looking for the the best island-hopping tour, El Nido’s big and small lagoons are world class.

the start of island hopping in El Nido, Palawan

Sadly, it is not possible to combine El Nido as a day tour from Puerto Princesa. You will need to spend at least 1 night there as the van ride takes between 4 and 5 hours each way. For that reason, it is best to split your time between the 2 locations, to make sure you get the most out of each. If you are stressed for time, booking an organized tour package for Palawan can make the whole trip much more efficient as you’ll have someone taking care of everything.

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"I believe that if one always looked at the skies, one would end up with wings.” —Gustave Flaubert #starttheweekright #thedailyposhtravels #ElNido #Palawan

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However, if you wish to do something that is not as popular as El Nido, Port Barton is what you might be looking for. Port Barton, Philippines new dream destination, has several clean beaches that are not at all crowded by the tourists. The town offers simple pleasures; it is a kind of place where you do not have to share the serenity with outsiders. A two road town with jungles dropping impulsively into the bay, Port Barton has several islands with snorkeling lurk offshore and lovely beaches.

sea turtles at Port Barton

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Xoxo, Aylin

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