Puerto Princesa Travel Guide 2026: Things to Do Beyond the Cave
Most travelers treat Puerto Princesa as a gateway, the city you fly into, overnight, and leave heading north to El Nido or south to the underground river. And look, that’s a completely reasonable approach. But Puerto Princesa has enough going on that if you give it even half a day of genuine attention, you’ll find things worth stopping for.
Here’s the complete picture of Puerto Princesa, underground river and beyond.
The Underground River: Why It Deserves Its UNESCO Status
Let’s start with the obvious one. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. It’s also genuinely one of the most impressive natural phenomena I’ve seen in the Philippines. The numbers: a navigable underground river stretching 8.2 km through a cave system, with the section open to tourists running about 4.3 km. The cave chambers are enormous, some large enough to fit a cathedral, with stalactites and stalagmites on a scale that makes you recalibrate your sense of size.
Getting there from Puerto Princesa involves a 1.5-hour drive to Sabang town, then a short pump boat ride to the cave entrance. The boat tour inside the cave takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour and is guided, with headlamps provided. You can hear the calls of swiftlets (birds that nest in the cave ceiling) and the dripping of water throughout. It’s atmospheric in a way that photos don’t capture.
Critical logistics: Entry is capped at around 900 visitors per day. During peak season (December-April), permits sell out. Book through a licensed operator like CMT at least 2-3 weeks in advance. The permit fee is ₱150 per person environmental fee plus ₱150-₱300 for the pump boat. Full-day tours from Puerto Princesa including lunch run approximately ₱1,500-₱2,000 per person. CMT’s Underground River tour packages handle permit booking, transport, and guide.
Honda Bay Island Hopping
Lesser known than El Nido’s tours but genuinely excellent, Honda Bay sits just north of Puerto Princesa city and offers day-long island hopping across a handful of small islands with good snorkeling reefs.
The main stops include Starfish Island (shallow, clear water with enormous starfish you can observe up close), Pambato Reef (excellent snorkeling, rich coral), Luli Island (a sandbar that disappears at high tide, luli means “to submerge and resurface” in Filipino, which tells you everything), and Cowrie Island.
Honda Bay island hopping is significantly less crowded than El Nido. The snorkeling reef quality at Pambato is genuinely impressive. And the whole thing is a 30-minute drive from the city center, making it an ideal activity for a layover day in Puerto Princesa.
Tours run approximately ₱800-₱1,200 per person including boat, environmental fee, and basic lunch. Departure is from Santa Lourdes Port.
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
This is where you see the Philippine crocodile, the Palawan bearcat (binturong), and various endemic wildlife in a conservation setting. Located about 2km from the airport, it’s genuinely educational rather than a tourist zoo. Entry is minimal (₱40 for foreigners) and the guides are knowledgeable about the conservation programs.
The Palawan bearcat in particular is worth seeing. It’s a large, tree-dwelling mammal that looks like something designed by committee. Nocturnal and odder looking than its name suggests. (It’s also critically important to local ecosystems, which is the actual reason to care.)
Ugong Rock Adventures
About 70km north of Puerto Princesa (roughly 90 minutes), Ugong Rock is a massive limestone formation with a spelunking and zipline experience built around it. The cave system inside the rock requires some scrambling through tight passages, which is more fun than it sounds. The zipline runs from the top of the rock formation back down to the base.
This is often combined with the underground river as an afternoon extension, or done as a standalone half-day from Puerto Princesa. It’s a good option for families with older kids or travelers who want some physical activity beyond boat tours.
Iwahig River Firefly Watching
Fifteen kilometers from Puerto Princesa city, the Iwahig River hosts one of the most accessible firefly watching experiences in the Philippines. After dark, local guides paddle traditional boats through mangrove channels while thousands of fireflies light up the trees on both banks. It’s one of those experiences that sounds gimmicky until you’re actually on the water watching synchronized firefly displays in complete silence.
Tours run from around 6pm and take about 2 hours including travel from Puerto Princesa. Cost is approximately ₱600-₱900 per person. Worth doing if you have an evening in the city.
Puerto Princesa City: Where to Eat and Explore
Puerto Princesa is a proper city with a functioning food scene, not just a transit hub. Rizal Avenue and the National Highway around Barangay San Pedro have the highest concentration of restaurants, from local tapsilog spots to Korean BBQ to seafood grills.
Kinabuchs Grill and Bar on Rizal Avenue is the most well-known spot for fresh Palawan seafood and Filipino grilled dishes. Laban Palawan, a local specialty of seafood served on banana leaf, is worth ordering if you see it.
The public market near the pier sells fresh produce, dried fish, and local Palawan goods. Cashew products (Palawan grows excellent cashews) are a popular take-home item, significantly cheaper here than in Manila or at airport shops.
2-Day Puerto Princesa Itinerary
Day 1: Morning depart for the Underground River (1.5 hours to Sabang, 1-hour cave tour), lunch at Sabang, afternoon at leisure or Ugong Rock on the return route, evening at Iwahig River for fireflies.
Day 2: Morning Honda Bay island hopping (depart 8am, return by 3pm), afternoon at the Wildlife Center or exploring the city, evening dining on Rizal Avenue.
This covers the highlights without rushing. If you only have 1 day, prioritize the Underground River above everything else. It’s what you’ll remember longest.
Getting Around Puerto Princesa
Tricycles are the standard city transport, ₱10-₱15 per person within the city center. For the underground river and out-of-city activities, tours include transport. The city is more spread out than you’d expect from a map, tricycles get expensive over distance, taxis or ride-hailing (via Grab, where available) are more practical for longer city trips.
FAQ: Puerto Princesa Travel Guide
Q: How long should I spend in Puerto Princesa?
If the underground river is your primary goal, 1 full day is enough. If you want to do Honda Bay island hopping and the fireflies as well, 2 days gives you a relaxed pace.
Q: Is the underground river worth visiting?
Yes, genuinely. Don’t skip it. It’s different from island hopping and offers something you can’t get anywhere else in Palawan.
Q: Can I visit the underground river without a tour operator?
In theory, but the permit requirement and transport logistics make going independently much harder. Booking through CMT ensures the permit is secured and transport is arranged.
Q: Is Puerto Princesa safe?
Yes, Puerto Princesa is safe and welcoming. It’s a clean, well-maintained city by Philippine standards and a comfortable overnight base for Palawan travelers.
Q: What is Puerto Princesa famous for?
Primarily the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The city is also the gateway to El Nido (north) and the jumping-off point for exploring southern Palawan.
Book Your Puerto Princesa Tour with CMT
CMT’s Puerto Princesa tour packages include permit booking for the Underground River, van transport to and from Sabang, and guided tours of Honda Bay and other attractions. Combine a Puerto Princesa day with your El Nido package for a complete Palawan itinerary. Check our full destination lineup and message us to customize your trip.