Puerto Princesa is one of the major tourist destinations in the Philippines. Visitors flock the capital city of Palawan, especially during summer, and fall in love with this enchanting paradise. In attempt to decipher the mystery, here are some of the probable reasons why Puerto Princesa continues to attract tourists from different parts of the world.
It Is Accessible
One of the many factors that draw visitors to this paradise is its accessibility. Puerto Princesa is just a few kilometers away from the Puerto Princesa International Airport and all major airlines have direct flights from different cities including Manila, Cebu and Davao. You can find cheap flights to Puerto Princesa and enjoy a little over an hour travel by air. If you love traveling by sea, you can also access the city through the Port of Puerto Princesa.
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Home to the breathtaking Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and a number of equally spectacular natural wonders, the city of Puerto Princesa is a perfect exploration ground for nature lovers. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is considered as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature and is listed as one of the seven UNESCO sites in the Philippines. With its unrivaled beauty, the National Park is one of the many reasons why people visit Puerto Princesa. The boat ride to the Subterranean River offers a unique and incredible sightseeing experience and the National Park itself provides an unforgettable nature and wildlife encounter.
The Many Wonderful Islands
With its many astonishing islands, Puerto Princesa is a favorite spot for island hopping. With a variety of islands to wander off, you can arrange tours to make the most of your time. There are numerous tours available that you can choose from. You can also rent a boat so you can design your own itinerary. Some of the islands you might like to include in your list are Honda Bay Island, Panday Island, Snake Island and Starfish Island among others.
The Cleanest City
Some of Puerto Princesa’s charms lie on its pristine waters, fresh air and clean surroundings. This highly urbanized city is renowned as one of the greenest and cleanest city in the country. This can be attributed to the fact that the city is an environment protection advocate. It spearheaded various environmental programs that encourage maintenance and protection of its natural resources ensuring a healthy environment for its locals and everyone who visits the city.
The City Proper
Aside from its natural wonders, Puerto Princesa is also known for its cultural and historical significance. While strolling around the city, it is impossible not to notice the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. It was established as a cathedral in 1961. Adjacent to the cathedral is Plaza Cuartel. It stood witness to the dark past of the city. It features ruins of tunnels and of an old garrison. Today, Plaza Cuartel is a beautiful park of concrete pavements, tall trees and inviting benches where you can stop and rest. Other notable places to see in the city are Mitra’s Ranch where you can have a taste of life in the farm and Baker’s Hill where you can buy some souvenirs. Just twenty minutes from the city proper leads to Palawan Butterfly Garden, a butterfly sanctuary. And if you love exotic, a few more minutes drive takes you to Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, a crocodile farm.
Considering these reasons, it is no longer a mystery why Puerto Princesa is a major tourist destination in the country. So book a trip now and find out yourself. It’s just a click away with Traveloka.
57 Comments
I miss Puerto Princesa, we were there about 2-3 years ago and we really enjoyed our stay we especially loved the Honda Bay and Undergrounf River tours. We are planning another Palawan getaway, but this time would want to try Coron or El Nido.
Palawan is indeed a nice province, I’ve been to Coron and Puerto Princesa. El Nido is still on my bucket list. It is really nice to visit the Underground River because it is part of 7 wonders of the world.
Oh, how I long to go back to Palawan! I’ve been to Puerto Princesa but only for us to be able to go to El Nido! I told myself that I’d be exploring Puerto Princesa the next time we’ll go back in Palawan. If ever time and our finances permit us to do traveling, it would definitely be in Puerto Princesa, Palawan this time! 😀
I hope you get to do that real soon! 🙂
I have been to PP once and can’t wait to be back there. We did everything DIY so it’s a bit more fun since we own our time. I’d love to stay there longer next time, although we had 4 days and 3 nights the last time.
I think DIY-ing the trip will be better compared to joining those organized group tours. It will also be much more convenient for those who are travelling with kiddos.
Puerto Prinsesa is LOVE!! I;ve been there 3 years ago and I really wanna go back with my kid. Haaaayy!
Must be an awesome experience. I cannot wait to go there!
Puerto Princesa is 1st on my bucket list .
Gandang-ganda talaga ako sa place na yan..kaya ipon-ipo muna para sa budget 🙂
Ditto! Yes, ipun-ipon muna pa maka-visit one day! 😀
Ditto! Yes, ipun-ipon muna pa maka-visit one day! 😀
I love puerto princesa! Been here 4 years ago and i still cant forget the experience. Hope to be back soon!
Puerto Princesa is a beautiful city! Not just PP, the entire Palawan! We were there back in July 2013 and I’m happy to be able to visit this wonderful place with my husband. Next on our list are Coron and El Nido. Sana one day, we can also visit these places.
It is indeed! I would really love to visit these places with my boys one day! 🙂
We were supposed to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary here. But I was already 39 weeks preggy then kaya “no-show” kami sa eroplano. I wasn’t preggy pa kasi during the time I booked it. I really really hope we can go with our son soon.
Oh, sayang naman! Were you able to refund your tickets? I hope you can visit your little one very soon. 🙂
Haven’t been to Puerto Princesa yet but it is in our bucket list! A bit torn though which to visit first, Puerto Princesa or Coron. They say kasi that Coron is mas kid friendly. 🙂
It Coron is more kid-friendly, better to visit the place first pala 🙂
Haven’t been to Puerto Princesa.. 🙁 Made me want to go more because of your post!!!
Ay, hehe! I hope you can go there very soon! 😀
I still dream of going to Palawan! It is one of the places I want to visit!
Yep, top in my list, too! 🙂
I have never been in Puerto Prinsesa but this place is one of on my list to visit soon. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Ditto! 😀
Palawan is indeed one of the best summer destinations here in our country. It is still a bucket list for me, though. I haven’t been there but seeing all the photos that people captured when they went there is, captivating. I really hope we can visit this God’s blessing place soon with my family. I’ll surely consider Traveloka.
Indeed PP is a beautiful place and one of my dream is to haunt and hop there! I love adventures and exploring new places and nature.
I’ve never been to Palawan and it’s on my perpetual bucket list! Thank you for sharing this detailed insight – only makes me want to visit the province more!
I love Puerto Princesa. Town folks are amiable. the place is clean. And the tourism spots are truly beautiful. Been there a number of times and wouldn’t mind to go back again and again.
I have been to PP once and I agree that it is one of the cleanest city I’ve visited. Sayang lang it was only 2 days when we went there so we had limited time to explore the city. Planning to come back next year with my son this time. 🙂
I’ve only been to Puerto Princesa once, way back in college. I loved the place. Aside from being beautiful, it’s so laid back and of course, it’s easy to go to the beach.
Palawan! I was about to book a promo fare for this dream destination last seat sale but my husband and I’ve decided to really save for it so we can visit all its best island. Angmura pa daw ng seafoods dito ano? 🙂
If I had the money right now and the time off from work, I surely would book this! It’s looks so calming over there. Just like a paradise. We have been to our honeymoon just now so I can’t beg for another trip now haha
Xo Sabine
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I can think of another reason why. Not only does it have the underground river, it is also the gateway to El Nido and the south! And, because it is Palawan. Iyan na kasi ang reputation ng Palawan – basta Palawan, nature and maganda. For a good reason too, as I have been discovering from travel blogs, there are so many places there that we have not heard of.
I have just traipsed my two little itchy feet there last month. Reading your blog post made me want to go back there the soonest. Yes, truly Puerto Princesa should be on everyone’s bucket list. I experienced a great time there during my last visit. I like how you convey your thoughts and reasons why everyone should visit Palawan.
palawan is really an awesome place. been there when tourism is not as crazy, would love to come back to see how things have changed. 🙂
I haven’t been to Puerto Princesa. Well, yes, technically. But it was Coron that I visited more. I’m glad this December I’ll be there! Can’t wait to see underground river, and also El Nido!
It wasn’t on my bucket list. Even worse: I hadn’t heard about this place yet. Glad to your blog though! I love nature, so I’m sure I would love visiting the National Park! I haven’t done island hopping before, but this really sounds like the right spot :).
I’ve never been to Puerto Princesa, but I’ve heard that it is truly as serene and beautiful and clean as the one in your photo.
Puerto Princesa is indeed on our family’s travel bucket list! Would love to someday visit with the kids and see the underground river 🙂
Yes, it would be an awesome experience to visit the Underground River with the kids! 🙂
Yes, it would be an awesome experience to visit the Underground River with the kids! 🙂
Palawan is always on my list ever since I can remember. I’m not sure why until now I haven’t finalized the idea of going. Maybe after my wedding we’ll visit this place. I always hear nothing but good praises about Palawan and I would totally want to experience it my self too.:)
I love Palawan and its breathtaking scenery. Though I haven’t been there, I love to read travel stories about the place. It is one of the places that I would want to enjoy in the near future. I love to explore the wonders of nature and relish the experience of going to the underground river.
Can you only imagine that I was traveling to El Nido and on the day when I was in PPS there was no tour to the underground river! I was so disappointed by I couldn’t stay any day longer.
I totally agree with your reasons!
I think I need to visit Puerto Princesa soon. We’ve been planning to go here for the longest time but we always end up somewhere …
We’re planning to visit Puerto Princesa next year and your post makes me excited to see the place. Can’t wait to see the underground river.
I’ve never been to PPS but I have a lot of friends from there. They are always proud of their hometown and I think they should. One downside though is that whenever we go to other beaches like puerto galera, they can’t stop comparing it to PPS. They have been exposed to the best island all their life after all. Well, I’ve never been there and I wish I can next year summer.
OMG! I’m missing a lot of fun! Never been there, and that’s another place on my wish list.
I’ve been there twice and I seem to want to go back again. Both times I wasn’t into blogging yet so this time I want to capture for the sake of sharing. Oh well, if the opportunity permits. 🙂
Haven’t been to that place. Siguro mabibilang sa daliri ang times when we went to the beach. My husband’s family has trauma sa beach kasi pero we went once to Batangas and we enjoyed it. I wish we can get to visit Puerto Galera soon.
We went here once before and we loved it! We definitely would like to visit once more should time allow it.
There are countless reasons to love Palawan but I haven’t really been there. I’m excited though for my travel on November to Coron! Hihi. Palawan has been in my must go places for ages now.
We’d love to go back to Puerto Princesa soon. Oh, we miss the beach, and we love to tour the city, something we’ve never done on our first visit to this awesome place.
Been to puerto 2 years ago and yes, i agree, it is a magical place. i need to go back to do some more exploring!
Puerto Princesa is the most beautiful place in the Ph for me…its nature is really breathtaking and unbelievable.
I was supposed to go there few years ago, but something happened so I had to postpone the trip. Sayang. I hope to visit it soon 🙂
Sayang! I sure hope you can go there soon! 🙂