Puerto Princesa Travel Guide 2026: Best Tours, Food & Logistics
Puerto Princesa is Palawan's capital city and main entry point via Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS). It is best known for the UNESCO-listed Underground River, ethical whale shark tours, and Honda Bay island hopping. The city is clean, well-organised, and safe. Whale shark tour season runs April–October. Underground River permits must be booked weeks ahead in peak season. The city centre's Rizal Avenue has Palawan's best concentration of seafood restaurants.
Puerto Princesa surprises most visitors. It's cleaner, more walkable, and better organised than nearly any comparable city in the Philippines. While most travellers treat it as a transit hub, the city deserves 2 full days — one for the whale shark tour, one for the Underground River or Honda Bay, and both evenings for Rizal Avenue's seafood strip.
Puerto Princesa at a Glance
Top Tours from Puerto Princesa
1. Whale Shark & Dolphin Tour (Tour Z) — April to October
Puerto Princesa's standout marine wildlife experience. Tour Z's 30ft speedboat reaches the whale shark zone in 20 minutes, offering a 2-in-1 encounter combining wild whale shark swimming with dolphin watching. Hotel pickup included. Professional drone video package. Maximum 12 guests. ₱3,500 all-inclusive.
2. Puerto Princesa Underground River
A UNESCO World Heritage Site — one of the world's longest navigable underground rivers, with spectacular limestone formations and cave ecosystems. A half-day trip from Puerto Princesa. Book permits weeks ahead during peak season (December–April); day-of availability is rare. Various operators offer full packages including lunch and transfers for ₱1,500–2,500.
3. Honda Bay Island Hopping
Puerto Princesa's local island hopping circuit — closer and more accessible than Port Barton or El Nido. Visits Starfish Island (the one near Puerto Princesa, not Port Barton's), Luli Island, Cowrie Island, and Pandan Island. Best as a half-day tour for travellers with limited time. ₱1,200–1,800 including lunch and fees.
4. Firefly Watching — Iwahig River
An evening boat ride on the Iwahig River to observe thousands of fireflies synchronously lighting the mangrove trees — a genuinely magical spectacle. Tours depart from Puerto Princesa city around 6:00 PM, return by 9:00 PM. ₱500–800 per person including boat and guide.
Where to Eat in Puerto Princesa
- Kinabuch's Bar & Grill — Rizal Avenue's most famous seafood restaurant. Grilled tuna jaw, fresh oysters, cold beer. ₱300–600/person.
- Ka Lui Restaurant — legendary for its set-menu Filipino feast served in a beautiful bamboo house. Book ahead. ₱500–800/person.
- Badjao Seafront — bay views and fresh catch. Best at sunset.
- Puerto Princesa Palengke (market) — the city market has the cheapest and freshest everything. Go early morning.
Where to Stay in Puerto Princesa
Accommodation ranges from budget guesthouses at ₱700–1,200/night to 4-star hotels at ₱4,000–8,000/night. For whale shark tour guests, staying within the city centre (Rizal Avenue / National Highway area) ensures easy hotel pickup. Recommended mid-range options include hotels near the Rizal Avenue strip for easy access to restaurants and Tour Z's pickup route.
Getting Around Puerto Princesa
Tricycles are the standard city transport — ₱10–50 for most city trips. Grab operates in the centre and is more comfortable for longer trips or late nights. For whale shark tour guests, Tour Z provides complimentary hotel pickup — no tricycle logistics needed on the morning of your tour.
Book Puerto Princesa's Top Marine Wildlife Experience
Tour Z's whale shark & dolphin expedition — the best use of a morning in Puerto Princesa.
🦈 Book Whale Shark Tour 🐢 Continue to Port BartonFrequently Asked Questions
Two nights is ideal — Day 1 for the whale shark tour (returns 1:00 PM), Day 2 for the Underground River or Honda Bay, evenings for Rizal Avenue dining. Three nights if you want both the Underground River and Honda Bay.
Yes — Grab operates in Puerto Princesa's city centre. Tricycles remain the standard for short trips (₱10–50). At night, Grab is more reliable for returning from restaurants on the Rizal Avenue strip.
Stay near the city centre (Rizal Avenue / National Highway corridor) for the best access to restaurants, easy Grab availability, and Tour Z's whale shark tour hotel pickup route.
Yes — it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Permits sell out weeks ahead during peak season. Book in advance and don't leave it to chance.