The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River
Puerto Princesa Palawan is a destination best known for its beautiful beaches and well-maintained ecological tourism spots.
Among its attractions, the most popular is easily the Underground River, which has been named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 8.2 kilometer river is said to be the world’s longest navigable subterranean river.
Getting there and getting around
The most convenient way to get from Manila to Puerto Princesa is via commercial flights on Philippine Airlines, Air Asia and Cebu Pacific. Travel time by air is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
If you would like to save on costs and can afford the travel time, you can also travel by sea. 2Go Travel offers scheduled trips to Puerto Princesa, complete with meals. You can choose to book a bunk or a cabin for 6, depending on your budget. Super value class fare per person is Php 1,240.56++.
At the board walk of Puerto Princesa City
To get around the city, you can opt to rent a van from one of the tour or transport services providers. You can also hire tricycle drivers to take you to your destination. Tricycles are more budget-friendly, but renting a van grants you convenience.
When you are going to farther locations like Honda Bay or the Underground River Park, make sure to ask the driver to wait for you for your trip back to the hotel or to your next destination. It may be difficult to get a ride from there otherwise.
Places to stay in Puerto Princesa
There are several affordable hotel options around Puerto Princesa City. Marianne Home Inn is one option, with family room rates at Php 1,950 a night. You can also try Liane’s Place Pension House, whose family room goes for Php 1,500 a night. Go Hotels is another budget-friendly option, with rooms with queen sized beds at only Php 900 per night.
Click on next page to find out what your family can see and do when you visit Puerto Princesa.
A family-friendly Puerto Princesa itinerary
Pandan Island along Honda Bay
Day 1
- Arrive in Puerto Princesa via air or sea
- Check in at chosen hotel (Php 900 per night at Liane’s Place Pension House)
- DIY island-hopping on Honda Bay (Boat rental: Php 1,300; Environmental fee: Php 40 per head)
- Pandan Island (Entrance fee: Php 100 per head)
- Starfish Island (Entrance fee: Php 50 per head)
- Luli Island (Entrance fee: Php 60 per head)
- Dinner at KaLui Restaurant (Budget: Php 700)
Day 2
- Breakfast at hotel
- Underground River tour inclusive of buffet lunch (Tour fee: Php 1,500 to Php 2,000 per head, depending on which agency you book)
- Visit the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, formerly Crocodile Farm (Entrance fee: Php 40 per head)
- Dinner at Kinabuchs Grill (Budget: Php 500)
Expect to see several creatures like this monitor lizard around the Underground River area
Day 3
- Breakfast at hotel
- Visit Rancho Sta Monica (Mitra’s Ranch)
- Go pasalubong shopping at Baker’s Hill
- See the woven goods made at Binuatan Weaving Center
- Visit the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral
- Lunch at Badjao Seafront Restaurant (Budget: Php 700)
- Check out of the hotel
Trip budget: Approximately Php 12,160 (excludes travel to and around Puerto Princesa)
Island hopping is only one of the many fun activities you can do with your family in Puerto Princesa
Tips for traveling to Puerto Princesa
- Note that children aged 2 years and below are not permitted to take the Underground River tour, so plan your itinerary accordingly if you are traveling with your little ones.
- It is more convenient to book a pre-arranged tour for the Underground River, as this usually already includes lunch. Also, the travel agency will take care of securing the permits that you need in order to enter the site.
- Wear shorts and sandals during the Underground River tour. You can expect to get wet here, so make sure to protect your electronic devices accordingly, as well.
- To get the best possible rates on air travel to Puerto Princesa, keep a look out for budget fares and seat sales offered by the airline carriers that travel to the city.
- Pack light, comfortable clothes for your family to wear on this trip, as well as hats, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Apply insect repellent, especially when touring the forested areas and in the evenings.
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