Top Things to Do in the Puerto-princesa | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Puerto Princesa

Places To Visit In Puerto Princesa

Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm

Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm is one of the big prisons located at Barangay Iwahig, close to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. Today, this unique prison without the bars houses over 5000 inmates. Travellers can take a tour of the farm to understand and know the operations of the farm. The US established the facility in 1902 during their colonization for the Filipino prisoners who had fought the wars with them. It formerly served as a depository to retain the inmates that could not be accommodated in Manila. In 1906, the institution was turned into the centre of a penal colony.The inmates take up different jobs including fishery, farming, carpentry, forestry and paramedical fields for fixed wages. They are provided with basic housing and other essential facilities. Some of them are also involved in making handicrafts and souvenirs, all of which are sold at the shops in the colony. Read More

Kayaking is one of the famous tourist activities in the city of Puerto Princesa. Plenty of islands are accessible by boat trips, which are ideal for kayaking. Kayak boat tours are available from Puerto Princesa Bay to Honda Bay which comprises Starfish Island, Pambato Reef, Luli and Cowrie islands. Visitors can kayak through mangrove forests and spot plenty of marine life including fish, turtles, jellyfish and anemones. Depending on your preferences, you can either opt for short tours ranging between 2 to 3 hours or take full-day trips to the island. The day trips start at PHP 5000 per person and include rental charges. Read More

Mitra’s Ranch

Mitra’s Ranch is a former private property owned by the family of the late Senator Ramon Mitra on the hills situated in Sta Monica Heights outside the city of Puerto Princesa in the Philippines. It is a popular tourist attraction for its excellent location surrounded by green hills. There is a viewpoint from where you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the town. Visitors can take a walk on the rolling hill beside the property, relax and picnic under the shades of the trees. There is a small tour available for the collections found inside the mansion, showcasing the life and works of the senator. Read More

Palawan Tribal Village and Butterfly Farm is a park located close to the city centre of Puerto Princesa in the Philippines. Formerly called the Butterfly Park, it is an ecological garden which is home to a variety of species of butterflies, insects and reptiles. The park also has a tribal village, which is a conservation centre for a tribe of Palawan which exists close to the park. There are guided tours in English for tourists. In the tribal conservation centre, visitors can learn some traditional art and crafts of the locals and attend some workshops as well. Read More

Palaweño Brewery

Palaweño Brewery is a craft brewery and bar located in the city of Puerto Princesa in the Philippines. It was established in 2013 and is the first and the only local brewery in the Palawan region. It is also the first female-owned brewery. It has become one of the most visited bars in the city for tourists wanting to try local beer and seafood cuisines. The most popular beer variants to try are Palawan Wit Belgian Wheat Beer, Palawan Honey Kolsch, Hunter Honey Nut Brown Ale and Mango de Palawan currently the only craft beer in Palawan. Read More

Plaza Cuartel is a national historic site located in the city of Puerto Princesa in the Philippines. It is a lovely, well-maintained site with a green garden and is one of the popular places for the locals and tourists visiting the city. The Spanish originally built it as a garrison during their colonization period. During the second world war, over 150 American soldiers who had taken shelter in a tunnel beneath this park were burnt alive by the Japanese soldiers. The Americans used Cuartel until the war and passed on to the government. A plaza was built on this site in 1952. Memorials for these martyrs have been constructed in the square, and the history of the place can be found on stone tablets. Despite its dark past, it is one of the sites for the locals due to its location close to downtown and well-maintained greenery. Read More

Puerto Princesa Bay cruise & dolphin watching

Dolphin watching is one of the famous tourist activities in the city centre of Puerto Princesa in the Philippines. These cruises begin at Puerto Princesa Bay in the city centre and go around the nearby islands, which are also inhabited by the Badjao Tribe, a community of sea gipsies. Travelers visiting the city can book these Dolphin watching cruises from April to October, the months during which dolphins are spotted. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the ocean, and meet the ethnic tribe, along with spotting dolphins. The tours start at PHP 2000 per person and last between 1.5 to 2 hours. Read More

Puerto Princesa Baywalk is an open seaside space located next to the port area close to Sandoval street in Puerto Princesa City in the Philippines. The Baywalk is spacious, clean and has a lot of seating options to enjoy the views of the sea. There is a small port on one side, and also a statue of Pheasant peacock, the emblem of the Palawan region. Locals go for a walk or cycle here. Tourists can enjoy biking or stroll along the bay around sunset for beautiful views. Many food stalls are selling tasty street dishes, including seafood. Read More

Puerto Princesa, the capital of the Palawan region in the Philippines is blessed with plenty of beaches and scores of remote islands, which are popular among the tourists for watersports. Travelers can kayak, go scuba diving, snorkel, and swim in these beaches. Parasailing, Jetski, Banana boat, Sailboat, sports fishing, fly fishing and surfing are other activities that tourists can enjoy. The equipment is available for rent at many of the beaches. There are also group tours for these activities, which start at PHP 1000 per person and includes 1 to 3 watersports. On guided boat trips, visitors can go island-hopping and enjoy kayaking, snorkelling and swimming. If travelers are interested, they can even enrol in diving and surfing classes, which also provide certification courses for advanced students. Read More