6 Tourist Spots to Experience in Puerto Princesa in 2023
Puerto Princesa City is one of the main landing points when visiting Palawan Island.
In this blog, I share our recent family travels, places we visited, where we stayed, and some of the places where we took our meals.
So, if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience on your next travels, I recommend adding Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, Philippines to your bucket list.
To know a bit about Puerto Princesa City, The city was established by the Spanish during the 16th century and became the capital city of Palawan.
It has many ancient buildings, churches, and other historical sites which can be explored during your trip.
Here are the top spots we visited and you can experience them too when you finally decided on a trip to Puerto Princesa.
Honda Bay – Located Northern part of Puerto Princesa City
Honda Bay is a beautiful beach in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It’s located near La Libertad, which is a popular tourist site for its limestone cliffs and coral reefs.
The bay has been described as an “oasis” by local newspapers because it’s surrounded by islands and reefs that make it ideal for swimming or snorkelling activities.
Honda Bay also boasts some great snorkelling spots where you can see corals thriving beneath the surface of the water!
If you love Island hopping, Honda Bay is an ideal place to sail out from the main island.
You can arrange a day of Island hopping through the local tour provided on the Island. You can coordinate with your hotel if you wish to add island-hopping adventures when you get there.
We decided not to continue with the pre-arranged Island hopping with my family due to the weather. There were strong northeasterly winds on the day of our Island-hopping adventure.
Bakers Hill, Puerto Princesa
Of course, we never missed the famous Baker’s Hill. Baker’s Hill is a popular tourist destination in the city of Puerto Princesa.
It is known for its beautiful artificial gardens and collection of charming bakeries and restaurants like baked goods, including cakes, pastries (Hopia), and bread.
The bakery also has a cafe where visitors can sit and enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee. We had our lunch in this cafe before checking into our booked hotel.
In addition to the bakery, Baker’s Hill has several other food stalls and restaurants offering a variety of local and international dishes.
Aside from the food, Baker’s Hill also offers a refreshing view of beautiful gardens and landscaped areas.
The gardens are filled with a variety of colourful flowers and plants, making it a perfect spot for a stroll or a picnic.
Baker’s Hill is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike, and it’s easy to see why.
With its delicious food and beautiful gardens, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of Palawan.
Butterfly Eco-Garden and Tribal Village, Puerto Princesa
We visited this place directly from the airport.
If you arrive early from a flight to Puerto Princesa International Airport, and checking in to your hotel isn’t yet due, try to explore the beauty of nature at the Butterfly Eco-Garden and Tribal Village in Puerto Princesa.
The butterfly garden and tribal village offer visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty of nature and learn about the local culture in the same location!
The butterfly eco-garden is a must-see for nature lovers, with its lush gardens and colourful array of butterfly species.
At the entrance right before you enter the garden, you can see the local Pheasant Peacock also known as “Tandikan”, the most beautiful of all the 8 species of Pheasant Peacock.
As you walk through the garden, you’ll be able to see a variety of butterflies up close.
The garden also has a butterfly exhibit where you can learn about the different stages of a butterfly’s life cycle.
The tribal village is another highlight of the area. The village is home to the Palawan, an indigenous group that has lived in the region for centuries.
At the village, you’ll have the chance to learn about the Palawan culture and way of life, including their traditions, customs, and art.
You’ll also be able to see demonstrations of traditional Palawan crafts and activities, such as local musical instrument play and how to create a fire out of flintstone.
Both the butterfly garden and tribal village offer a unique and educational experience for visitors to Puerto Princesa.
Whether you’re interested in nature or culture, these two destinations are sure to provide a memorable and enriching experience.
Palawan Brewery, Puerto Princesa Palawan
Palawan Craft Beer was the first female-brewed (AYAHAY) beer established in Palawan, Philippines in 2012.
Some of the brewery’s most popular beers include the Palawan India Pale Ale, F.L.I.P True Fit Style, Palawan’s Honey Kolsch, and Hunter’s Honey Nut.
The brewery has a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere, making it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a cold beer with friends.
The brewery has since become a popular destination for both locals and tourists, offering a range of beers with names inspired by Palawan’s natural beauty and culture.
If you’re a fan of craft beer and looking for something a little different, be sure to check out Palawan Brewery the next time you’re in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
You’ll be able to taste the truly unique and flavorful beers that are sure to impress.
To get there from Hue Hotels Puerto Princesa, you need to ride a tricycle, or by taxi for about 15 to 20 minutes, traffic included.
The fare is really unusual this time! It will cost you P200 for the tricycle and 300-400 for the taxi (one way!). Be sure to negotiate before you make a deal to bring you there.
You can also go there on foot if you want to avoid the high rates of local transportation.
For a group of two, ride a “multi-cab” passenger-like van for P14 then walk until you reach the brewery which is located south of Puerto Princesa.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Puerto Princesa.
It’s also the largest underground river in the world.
The cave entrance is located right on top of a waterfall that drops down from Mounts Balay-Balay and Mayon; as such, you’ll have to hike through some steep terrain before entering this complex network of caves.
Once inside, you’ll find yourself surrounded by waterfalls (some quite high) as well as other natural features like stalactites and stalagmites that make up this amazing ecosystem!
The depth varies between 20 meters at its lowest point to 150 meters at its highest point—which means there are plenty of opportunities for exploration!
It even boasts a rare species called the Philippine cave fish whose only known habitat lies within these caverns…
…they can grow up to 1 meter long but only live for about 14 days after being born because they’re unable to rely on any form of sunlight or oxygen once inside such tight spaces.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
If you want to see one of the most beautiful churches in Palawan, then you should definitely check out Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Located at Barangay Canlubang,
Puerto Princesa City, also known as “The Cathedral” for its size, it’s one of the largest churches in Palawan.
Build in 1892 by friars from Spain, this majestic structure combines Romanesque and Gothic styles with its intricate carvings and architectural elements that make it stand out among other Catholic Churches throughout Asia such as Manila Cathedral (Philippines), St Peter’s Basilica (Rome Italy), Basilica du Sacre-Coeur Montmartre (Paris France).
The interior has been restored by local artisans using original materials such as wood panels which were brought back from Spain during the Spanish colonization era before being used again when they built this church back then during the mid-19th century.
Where to Eat in Puerto Princesa?
Badjao Seafront Restaurant
Craving a very affordable seafood restaurant? Badjao restaurant has a lot to offer!
Badjao seafront restaurant is located southern part of Puerto Princesa, It does not have an exceptional taste of food but the ambiance is awesome.
The restaurant isn’t floating, but it is built with concrete columns above the seaside surrounded by lighted mangroves.
If you love freshly cooked kinds of seafood, this place is the perfect location to pin on Google Maps.
Rodel’s Floating Resto and Events Place Palawan
Rodel’s Floating resto is located Northwest of Puerto Princesa Airport.
This is the only floating restaurant around Puerto Princesa. If you want to experience dining while enjoying the view of 360 degrees seawater?
This is the right place! The food is very affordable and out of 10, we rated it between 7 to 8.
Wrapping up
No matter where you travel in the world, there will always be a place that reminds you of home.
Puerto Princesa is no exception! Whether it’s because of its natural attractions or historical significance, Puerto Princesa has much to offer visitors from all over the world.
And if you’re looking for something different from your usual trip but still want some adventure and nature?
Then why not consider booking one of these top spots when coming here next time around?
Thank you for visiting our site and exploring the world of travel with us. We hope that our travel guides and tips have inspired you to take the leap and embark on your own adventure. Keep in mind that travelling is about more than just seeing new places – it’s about immersing yourself in different cultures, trying new foods, and meeting new people. So go out there and make memories that will last a lifetime. Safe travels!
