2019 • 07 • 23

Palawan is gaining popularity as one of the best islands, not just in the Philippines but in the world. The province’s stunning white sand beaches, azure waters, beautiful limestone formations, lakes, lagoons, and colorful underwater ecosystems have made it a famous destination. The gateway to this piece of paradise is Puerto Princesa City. The city is undergoing great change because of the tourism boom that has steadily climbed over the years.

Puerto Princesa is a top-notch tourist destination because of the activities you can do as a day trip from the city. The most famous attraction you can visit as an excursion is the UNESCO-listed Underground River. You will see various rock formations that come in different shapes and sizes. Use your imagination to see these the guide accompanying you will describe each formation you will see.

Honda Bay is another trip you can do from the city. You will visit the islands of Cowrie and Luli, and a snorkeling spot just to name some. Other attractions include Baker’s Hill, Mitra’s Farm, and the Crocodile Park among others.
It is possible to do Coron, El Nido, and Puerto Princesa in one trip because of the ferries traveling to and from either point. You can start your trip from Coron take the boat to El Nido and then the bus or van to Puerto Princesa. This lets you cover the top attractions of Palawan in one go.

If you’re planning to visit Palawan, here are the ways you can reach Puerto Princesa City.

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How to Get to Puerto Princesa

From Manila

• VIA AIR. There are frequent daily flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa City. The flight takes approximately an hour and a half without delays. Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia are airlines that offer this route. Try booking your tickets months ahead to get the cheapest possible fares, but you can still find affordable tickets if you’re booking a flight for next month.
• VIA SEA. Alternatively, there is a ferry that travels from Manila’s port to Puerto Princesa. 2Go plies this route every Friday. The trip takes an entire day and the fare begins at around P1100 for the super value class. Prices may vary depending on when you go and if there is a promotion.

From Coron

Coron is a laidback destination that is home to the iconic giant limestone rising out of cerulean waters. You will also find some of the best beaches in the country with powdery sand and crystalline waters here. The sunken ships have become reefs where you will find all sorts of colorful fish and corals, making them a popular scuba-diving destination. You can actually do Puerto Princesa and Coron in one trip.

There are ferries traveling from Coron to Puerto Princesa. 2Go is the most recognizable shipping company that operates this route. The trip may take up to 12 hours depending on the weather. The fare costs approximately P1420 for the super value class. The price may vary depending on promotions and the time of your trip. The ferry leaves Coron every Saturday night and arrives at Puerto Princesa the next day.

From El Nido

El Nido has experienced numerous changes over the years. It didn’t have electricity for 24 hours until just a few years ago and the banks with functional ATMs are relatively new as well. The paved road from El Nido to Puerto Princesa is inching its way to completion. Despite the massive development taking place, El Nido’s islands and beaches are still some of the best in the country. The island-hopping tours A, B, C, and D have powdery white sand, turquoise waters, towering limestone formations, beautiful lagoons, and a rugged but fetching beachscape.

There are regular buses and vans traveling from El Nido to Puerto Princesa City. This is a possible route for those who want to do both places in one trip. The buses depart in the station just outside the town, a tricycle ride to the station costs around P50 for two. The companies that operate this route are RoRo and Cherry. The fare is P480 for air-conditioned buses and P380 for non-air-conditioned ones.

Alternatively, you can take a van from El Nido to either the airport or San Jose Terminal. The trip takes approximately six hours and costs P600 to the airport and P500 to the terminal.

From Cebu

If you’re coming from Cebu, you can still get to Puerto Princesa easily. There are direct flights now operating this route. You don’t have to detour at either Clark or Manila to reach Palawan. Look for available flights ahead of your trip to get the cheapest possible tickets.

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Where to Stay

Puerto Princesa also provides visitors with all sorts of accommodations from hostel dorms to 5-star luxury hotels. You can easily find these hotels online and make a reservation before your trip. There are several restaurants and bars and a mall for those who want more dining and entertainment options. Here are the suggested accommodations according to Agoda users, in no particular order.

• Munting Paraiso. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
• Paboreal Boutique Hotel. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
• Casa Belina. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
• Cleon Villas Pension. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY

For more options, search here: Palawan Hotels