Puerto Princesa City is the capital of the island province of Palawan. The city has been acclaimed several times as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines. With a wide range of attractions ranging from beaches to wildlife reserves, Puerto Princesa is a nature lover's paradise.

Get in

By Air

Puerto Princesa is slightly more than an hour away by plane from Manila. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines all have daily flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa. Air Philippines also operates flights to and from Puerto Princesa to other major cities such as Davao and Cebu City.

By Sea

WG&A Superferry and Negros Navigation both have a weekly ferry to Puerto Princesa from Manila. The ferry trip is about 22 hours long.

Get around

Jeepneys and tricycles are the most common means to get around Puerto Princesa. As in Manila, jeepneys usually have standard routes which they ply. Tricycles on the other hand are fairly limited to certain areas and would not be able to go very long distances.

For touring, it would possibly be a good idea to arrange special transport whether it be a jeepney or, for more comfort, air-conditioned vans or AUVs. This way, you will not be subject to the hassles of public transport availability.

See

• Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park - more commonly known as the Underground River. At over 8 kilometers in length, is reputably the longest underground river in the world. With its crystalline waters and spectacular cave formations, the Underground River is possibly Puerto Princesa's most popular attraction. The site was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. The winding path of the river is navigable via small pumpboats that depart from Sabang Beach. Travel time from the city proper to Sabang is about 1.5 hours.

• Honda Bay - consisting of several islets with beautiful beaches, Honda Bay is the place to go to for swimming, snorkelling as well as beach and island hopping. Accessible via the Sta. Lourdes wharf which is 25 minutes away from the city. Pumpboats at the wharf can be hired to take visitors to the various islets on the bay.

• Iwahig Penal Colony - a good example of a true correctional institute, the Iwahig Penal Colony is more of a farming community rather than a prison. Inmates often live with their families and are allowed to toil their farms to earn a living. Carving out handicrafts is also a common preoccupation and mahogany handcarvings are a good buy for tourists. The colony is about 35 minutes from the city center.

• Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center - formerly known as the Crocodile Farming Institute, is both a tourist attraction and a research institute devoted to crocodiles. About 30 to 40 minutes from the city center, the Crocodile Farm also has a mini-zoo, which features some of Palawan's endemic species of wildlife.

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Sleep

Puerto Princesa has a wide range of accomodations that would suit every budget from quaint lodges to high end hotels and resorts.

• The Legend Hotel Palawan [1] Malvar St. Puerto Princesa City, Tel +6348 434-4270, 433-9076 to 80, Fax +6348 433-9077. Perhaps the most modern hotel in Puerto Princesa offering a wide range of facilities and services. They also offer excursion packages to the various attractions of Puerto Princesa.

• Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort [2] Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa, Tel +6348 434-3118 Fax +6348 434-3119. High end beach resort that offers quiet seclusion while at the same time possessing modern amenities for those with more active pursuits.

Get out