Puerto Princesa, Palawan is one of my favorite islands in the Philippines. The town feels more off-the-beaten-path as it hasn’t been that modernized. You can enjoy a relatively quiet and serene vibe compared to other party islands like Boracay.
Here are some of the must-visit places in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
Entrance fee: PHP 40/USD 1
Visit Puerto Princesa Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center to learn more about the animals that are endemic to the island. Aside from the famed Crocodile farm that resides here, the conservation center features local birds and even endangered species like Mynahs.
Baker’s Hill
Entrance fee: Free
I enjoyed Baker’s Hill because of the beautiful landscape paired with the smell of fresh pastries. Never leave the place without trying their chocolate crinkles and hopia ube (purple yam). In fact, buy a couple more to take home with you.
Butterfly Eco Garden and Tribal Village
Entrance fee: PHP 50/USD 1
If you absolutely adore looking at colorful butterflies, you may visit the Eco Garden. I didn’t see a lot of butterflies at the time probably because it rained, but the Tribal Village in the heart of the garden was amazing.
Honda Bay
Boat rent for three islands – starts at PHP 1500/USD 30
My favorite part: island hopping in Honda Bay. We visited three islands, and I was surprised by the untouched, white sand beaches there. Don’t ever forget to put on sunblock—my tan lines lasted for three months!
Underground River
Entrance fee: PHP 175/USD 3; Boat rent starts at PHP 1,000/USD 20
The Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, said to have one of the world’s most impressive cave systems. At the heart of it lies the world-renowned underground river, which has stunning rock formations unlike any other. Although I’ll admit that it felt kind of creepy inside—just remember to follow the rules of the cave as you wouldn’t want to disturb the bats.
As for food, I didn’t see much fast food restaurants around. Be ready to try out local food places (maybe even eat crocodile sisig). A local there recommended Kinabuchs Grill and Bar, a laid-back restaurant perfect for a casual night out.
Don’t forget to add Puerto Princesa, Palawan to your list if you’re touring around the Philippines. It is a beautiful island dotted with white sand beaches and other natural attractions. Other Palawan islands to visit include El Nido and Coron.
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