Puerto Princesa Tour
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Your Intro to Palawan, Philippines: 9 Things to Do in Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa is touted as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines, making it an eco-tourists’ dream, it’s home to a UNESCO must-see underground river; it offers some of the most adventurous and gorgeous island hopping in the world; and it is an excellent stopover before heading off to El Nido.

So yes, I will urge you to visit this beach town, at least for a couple of days, and discover all of the things to do in Puerto Princesa.

While you’re there, be sure to enjoy a few of the Puerto Princesa tours the city has to offer or venture out just a bit for a few great day trip options.

Things to Do in Puerto Princesa


Below are some great things to do in and around Puerto Princesa, I’ve done most of them but I’ve included some extras that I’d love to go back and do.

Click the links to check the tour price; tours are a great time saver and literally require nothing of you but showing up! I’ll have some tips below for doing these by yourself.

1. Puerto Princesa City Tour

You probably thought you’d come to Puerto Princesa to island hop, to go to the underground river, or just to head out to El Nido but don’t be so quick to leave…

The city itself has a few little delights to serve you, and when you take this tour, you’ll get a taste of them all.

You’ll be picked up at your hotel and driven to the Roman Catholic Immaculate Conception Cathedral. You’ll visit the Wildlife Rescue, and then you’ll see a couple of the local spots, basket weaving and candy making included. A panoramic view of Palawan is also part of the package.

It is these kinds of day tours that make you feel like you’ve really dug into a city you’re visiting.

โ†’ Check prices for this Puerto Princesa tour: City Heritage Tour

2. Underground River Tour from Puerto Princesa

So this is where I would normally be jaded.

Yes, of course, I have been to a gazillion caves.

So this many years into my globe-trotting, I’m over here like “hey cave. How’s life?” But there’s so much more to this trip than just the cave; the beach you take off from, Sabang beach, is stunning.

It is one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and for a reason. The sand is clean and soft, the waters are inviting, and the scenery is awe inspiring. And the rest of the underground river tour is quite remarkable as well.

It doesn’t hurt that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

underground river puerto princesa palawan
The entrance to the Underground River tour | Photo credit by Jimaggro via Wikimedia Commons

The opening to the underground river is narrow, which makes it a bit unsettling, but once you get inside this cave the whole room opens up.

My tour guide paddled at the back of the boat while pointing out various stalactites and stalagmites, calling out “angel!” and “penis!” as we passed by the differently shaped formations. It was pretty entertaining.

Know that some people actually even stay in the town of Sabang itself and launch to the Underground River tour from there. There are some cool and adventurous things to do in Sabang too, I’ll list it below.

โ†’Check prices for this Puerto Princesa tours: Underground River Day Tour

3. Bacungan Waterfall Puerto Princesa Tour

As much as I enjoy exploring caves, hunting for waterfalls is even more fun.

I don’t know what it is about a great waterfall that makes me just want to lose myself and jump in. This waterfall definitely inspires that urge. It’s a quick jaunt through some lowland forest before you arrive at Bacungan to explore.

These falls are those awesome stepping stone rock kind of falls, where the water races down at varying levels over giant boulders that form a sort of stairway.

You can (carefully) walk across them and cool off from the typical hot, humid weather so typical of the Philippines. It’s only a half day tour, so you’ll be back by lunch.

โ†’Check prices for this Puerto Princesa tour: Bacungan Waterfall Tour 

4. Climb Mount Bloomfield

Love a great view and getting your sweat on? Try climbing Mount Bloomfield for the day. Get a ride out to Sabang Beach and start your hike from there. This climb is actually located within the UNESCO Site of the Underground River, but this hike may take nearly a full day with stops, transportation out and back, lunch etc so cramming them together may not be possible.

At the top, you’ll be rewarded with great views of Sabang and the coastline, as well as other bold and inviting peaks that make up this incredibly gorgeous island. Pick your jaw up off the floor before beginning your descent!

Tip: Walk 20 minutes from the beach to Sabang waterfall!

5. Honda Bay Tour (My Fav Puerto Princesa Tour)

Island hopping!

For an adrenaline junkie like me, always looking to pack as much punch into my travels as possible, island hopping is at the top of the list of things to do in Puerto Princesa, or anywhere really.

Philippines Honda Bay Snorkeling
Yep, the water is actually this clear.

This Honda Bay tour will take you to four different islands:

  • Pandan,
  • Cowrie,
  • Starfish, and
  • Luli.

The tour linked above is private, so you may get an island to yourself and your friends, but it is a bit pricey. For a more budget-friendly, non-private tour, you can book here.

Yes! I got to see starfish.

I love starfish, and I had only gotten to see one once before in all my travels. Here, on Starfish Island, I got to stand in water and look down at a veritable zoo of starfish just chillin in the clear blue sea.

Note: you will be pushed into renting protective water shoes. My tour had me watch a whole video that terrified me into renting them. Apparently, there’s a stone fish on Luli Island that can infect your foot if you step on it. It’s buried in the sand and resembles a stone, so obviously you could miss it with your eyes and hit it with your foot.

Honda bay Puerto Princesa starfish
Hey Patrick, where’s Spongebob?

Then, horror of horrors, you end up with “black foot” a condition so serious it can kill you. Yeah, I rented the shoes. I never actually saw the stone fish. It’s a bit of a scare tactic but these fish do exist… Your choice to bring some, rent, or not.

โ†’Check prices for these Puerto Princesa tours: 

Private Island Hopping TourNon-private Island Hopping Tour 

6. Sabang 3-in-1 Tour From Puerto Princesa

You’re super short on time, you want to do all the things, and there are simply too many things to do in Puerto Princesa. No prob. Here’s a really fun tour that is packed full of the coolest stuff to do.

First, conveniently take off from your hotel in Puerto Princesa, make your way to the iconic Underground River and then let loose and fly over the azure water on an epic zip line.

To wrap your day up, glide along the water and through the dense mangrove forest before heading back to your hotel.

โ†’Check prices for this Puerto Princesa tour: Sabang 3-in-1 Tour

7. Firefly Watching

There is something purely magical about fireflies, and this tour reveals that magic to you.

You get to float down a river for 4 hours riding through the natural wildlife habitat. You’ll watch as the sky darkens and the fireflies come out, glowing in all of their luminescent glory.

It is a deeply romantic and surreal experience, and you can enjoy a moonlit dinner on the water afterward to reflect on it all.

After a day, or days, of travel and hustle and bustle, of ziplining and zipping off to islands, there is something to be said for an intimate journey over water through a natural wonder. Of all the things to do in Puerto Princesa, this one is easily the most relaxing and magical.

โ†’Check prices for this Puerto Princesa tour: Firefly Watching Tour

Honda bay Puerto Princesa Beach
The beaches in the area are just … wow.

8. Nagtabon Beach

Considering Puerto Princesa is a little city, the beaches in the immediate area aren’t always the nicest but about 35 minutes or so away lies Nagtabon which proves to be one of the best beaches and things to do in Puerto Princesa.

If you’re up for a swim, take a dip, just watch for rip tides in the area. Otherwise, there’s a great viewing deck where you can watch the sunset before heading in for the night.

9. Ugong Rock Spelunking and Zipline

Here’s a fun day trip tour from Puerto Princesa and it, *shock, horror* doesn’t involve a beach!

I know, I know, calm down, it’s going to be OK, and super fun too. Switch it up and rappel and spelunk in a picturesque cave for a thrill only to get out and climb on top of Ugong Rock for some great views of the rolling green hills and rice field in the distance.

Afterward, instead of being basic and simply walking back down, take a zip line with a 71-meter drop to your starting place.

โ†’Check prices for this Puerto Princesa tour: Ugong Rock Spelunking and Zipline

Where to Stay in Puerto Princesa


Green House

If I ever find myself in Puerto Princesa again, I’m not sure I could bring myself to stay elsewhere other than Green House. The owners are some of the loveliest people I’ve ever met. They live on the property and provide you a delicious homemade breakfast each morning. The only downside is they are a bit out of town but it was well worth the dollar taxi ride into town.

Book Green House Here

Dad’s Bayview Pension

For something closer to town, try Dad’s Bayview Pension. They have a great location and are near the water. Most things to do in Puerto Princesa are within walking distance and the price is very reasonable.

Book Dad’s Bayview Pension Here

Canvas Boutique Hotel

For something in town and a bit more modern and comfortable, the Canvas Boutique Hotel is a good choice. Funky and fresh decor, ideal location, clean, and even included airport transfers, this hotel is a great deal.

Book Canvas Boutique Hotel Here

You won’t be sorry you took a few Puerto Princesa tours. There is plenty to love here, plenty to write home about, and plenty to explore. See this as more than a simple stopping point on the way to El Nido.

Think of it instead as a beautiful gateway to even greater sights and experiences. You really can’t lose.

Puerto Princesa Tour

Wondering how to get around? Click any of the links above and get sorted out with an easy tour from Puerto Princesa for your convenience. More of an independent traveler and have some extra time? You can rent a motorbike for around $10.

Otherwise, you can pay to get a trike out to most of these areas but get your haggling pants on and be sure to ask your accommodation what a fair price would be first. They can help give you an idea of the cost so you can haggle appropriately.

TIP: 12go.asia is the best way to book ferries, buses, and trains ahead of time in the Philippines!

Where will you go after the Philippines?

Laos | Malaysia | Singapore | Indonesia | Thailand | Cambodia | Vietnam

Which of these things to do in Puerta Princesa are you most stoked about? Let us know in the comments.



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