Where to Go in Puerto Princesa | Itinerary Ideas
- Andi Dela Torre Griffiths | Memento Vivere Blog
- Sep 13
- 5 min read
Known for its subterranean river national park, White beaches, and cleanliness, it’s not surprising Puerto Princesa is well-liked among beach lovers. It is also Palawan’s capital (and the gateway to other gorgeous spots within the island).
For many travelers, it’s a great stopover before heading to El Nido or Coron (gorgeous islands that we’d love to visit next time), but it also has its own gems that you can see for yourself on your next trip. I've compiled a list of some of them for your reference.
First, here's a quick look at the basics you need to know.
You can find Palawan's main airport here, and it's the Puerto Princesa International Airport.
For transportation, I highly recommend downloading the Palawan Backride app to avoid getting overcharged. You can pay using cash or GCash (you can also select your vehicle of choice; they have tricycles, cars, and motorbikes).
Where to Go in Puerto Princesa (Palawan, Philippines)
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
The underground river in Puerto Princesa is the first on our list and is a must-see. It's a UNESCO heritage site in Palawan that looks like paradise on Earth. The clear waters and limestone formations are simply mesmerizing! It takes approximately 20 minutes to get here from the Sabang port, and the boat ride in itself is a treat. There's something relaxing about being surrounded by water and only hearing the boat engine with the waves crashing.
Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa | Yama Japanese Cave Bar
For a selection of restaurants that are not as crowded, you can visit Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa. This is located in Barangay Bancao-Bancao. Gorgeous spot.
We went to Yama Japanese Cave Bar and tried a few items on the menu. It has a quiet and wonderful ambiance that you’re surely going to enjoy. If you want to learn more about this restaurant, you can read my full review on this link.
Since this is a resort, you can also book your stay here if you have the budget. It's a luxury resort that offers beautiful rooms as well as activities. 💜 Read blog post: Yama Japanese Cave Bar Review
Sabang Beach | Sabang X Zipline
While you’re there, you might want to try the Sabang Zipline, which is 800 meters long. You can go on the zipline alone or together with your partner- whichever you prefer. We enjoyed this activity so much! It felt so wonderful to be up there. I think the ride lasted for almost a minute (and a bit more).
Puerto Princesa City Baywalk Park
The baywalk park is a great place to visit in the late afternoon and at night because there’s so much activity going on. You’ll see people boarding boats for their activities (like the Firefly Watching), women doing Zumba in some areas, students making videos, and everyone having a good time. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars here where you can have dinner.
If you're only available to visit during the morning or lunchtime, that's also fine. There are fewer people during those times, and you (kind of) get the whole place to yourselves. Make sure to wear sunscreen, sunnies, and bring some water. 💜 Read blog post: Puerto Princesa City Baywalk Park & Firefly Watching
Palawan Special Battalion WW-II Memorial Museum
Get to know the local heroes of Palawan and have a quick history lesson with a trip to the World War II Museum; this is where you can find mementos, artillery shells, and currencies (among others). They also have war vehicles that you can take photos with, as well as uniforms that you can try on.
Palawan Swing
Taking inspiration from Bali, Palawan Swing is where you can relax and try the thrilling jungle swings. It's isolated and away from the noise of common tourist spots, so if you want to relax and swim, here's a great pick. My husband and I were lucky there were no other guests that day, so we had the whole place to ourselves. It was the perfect afternoon.
Mitra’s Ranch (Rancho Mitra)
For those who want to engage in light, family-friendly activities, Mitra’s Ranch -also known as Rancho Mitra- is a ranch where you can ride a horse, go on a quick rainbow slide, go on a giant swing, or do a short but thrilling zipline. There’s also a cafe inside the ranch if you want to grab some drinks and snacks.
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (Crocodile Farm)
A trip to the crocodile farm was one of the last items on our agenda for the week, and it was worth it. Here, you can learn more about crocodiles and their environment. There are plenty of them here in all sizes, and you can even have a closer look to observe how they behave in their environment. Interesting place.
Baker’s Hill
Make sure to visit Baker’s Hill when you go to Mitra’s Ranch, as it is only a few minutes away. This place is known for its snacks and cookies, but for me, the chocolate crinkles are the best! It reminds me so much of the ones we have in Manila. They taste the same as the ones from Ribonette’s Bakeshoppe.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Puerto Princesa’s main cathedral is not too far from the City Baywalk Park. If you want to attend mass or stop by to say your prayers, you can visit this Spanish-era church, near Plaza Cuartel.
Other Places You Can Visit:
Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village;
Iwahig Prison & Penal Farm- we passed by this farm on our way to Palawan Swing, and our driver mentioned that here, prisoners are allowed to roam freely within the area because they are compliant (they also call it a “prison without bars”).
Where to eat in Puerto Princesa:
Badjao Seafood Restaurant
Reef Café
Hibiscus Restaurant and Bar
Yama Japanese Cave Bar (the one mentioned above)
NomNom Comfort Food
Kalui Seafood Restaurant
Lato Coffee & Restaurant
Ka Joel’s Restaurant
So, there you go. If you know someone who wants to know where to go in Puerto Princesa, you can share this post with them.
