The provincial capital PUERTO PRINCESA is the only major urban sprawl in Palawan, with just over 250,000 residents, a third of the total population. There are a few sights around Puerto Princesa, but hardly any in the city itself (it was founded by the Spanish only in 1872), which is why most visitors treat it as a one-night stop on the way to or from Palawan’s beaches and islands.
There are several attractions around Puerto Princesa that you can easily visit in a day or less, including Honda Bay and the Underground River. All the hotels in the area sell essentially the same tours taking in the nearest sights for around P600 per person in a minivan, or P500–700 per tricycle (Honda Bay and the Underground River are more expensive). You can also try to negotiate with tricycle drivers in the street, but you are unlikely to get much of a discount.
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Around Puerto Princesa
Around Puerto Princesa
There are several attractions around Puerto Princesa that you can easily visit in a day or less, including Honda Bay and the Underground River. All the hotels in the area sell essentially the same tours taking in the nearest sights for around P600 per person in a minivan, or P500–700 per tricycle (Honda Bay and the Underground River are more expensive). Most tours take in Butterfly Garden, a small but blossom-filled tropical garden laced with hundreds of brightly hued butterflies, and Baker’s Hill, a manicured park and snack stop with a couple of aviaries thrown in. The Crocodile Farm & Nature Park breeds endangered crocodiles, while the Iwahig Prison & Penal Farm is an odd though intriguing “Prison Without Bars” established in 1904. Tourists are welcome to wander around the village and take snaps of the surrounding paddies and flocks of egrets, though the main focus is the shop selling handicrafts made by the inmates.
Picturesque Honda Bay, 10km north of Puerto Princesa, is a shallow, lagoon-like expanse of water, backed by the spectacular range of mountains on the main island. The bay contains seven low-lying islands, most little more than sand bars fringed by mangrove swamp and small beds of coral, but is perfect for a day of island-hopping, lounging, snorkelling or a longer stay at Dos Palmas resort – if you have the money.
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Honda Bay and the Underground River
Honda Bay and the Underground River
There are several attractions around Puerto Princesa that you can easily visit in a day or less, including Honda Bay and the Underground River. All the hotels in the area sell essentially the same tours taking in the nearest sights for around P600 per person in a minivan, or P500–700 per tricycle (Honda Bay and the Underground River are more expensive). Most tours take in Butterfly Garden, a small but blossom-filled tropical garden laced with hundreds of brightly hued butterflies, and Baker’s Hill, a manicured park and snack stop with a couple of aviaries thrown in. The Crocodile Farm & Nature Park breeds endangered crocodiles, while the Iwahig Prison & Penal Farm is an odd though intriguing “Prison Without Bars” established in 1904. Tourists are welcome to wander around the village and take snaps of the surrounding paddies and flocks of egrets, though the main focus is the shop selling handicrafts made by the inmates.
Picturesque Honda Bay, 10km north of Puerto Princesa, is a shallow, lagoon-like expanse of water, backed by the spectacular range of mountains on the main island. The bay contains seven low-lying islands, most little more than sand bars fringed by mangrove swamp and small beds of coral, but is perfect for a day of island-hopping, lounging, snorkelling or a longer stay at Dos Palmas resort – if you have the money.
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Touring the islands
Touring the islands
The most popular stop in Honda Bay is Snake Island (free), named after the curving sand bar that forms its main body. The central beach area here can be a bit of a carnival, with bangkas lined up offshore, large groups snorkelling, a row of trinket stalls, a bar and even some cooked food available. Walk a while and you’ll have the fine white sand to yourself, though the snorkelling opposite the stalls is best; there’s an incredibly steep drop-off just beyond the beach, with great schools of tropical fish (in part encouraged by the dubious practice of feeding them).
To snorkel at the lush Pambato Reef (P50), the best place in Honda Bay for coral and giant clams, boats moor at a floating pier. Starfish Island (P50) is a sand bar backed by mangroves named after the abundant horned sea star (starfish) that carpet much of the inner shallows around the island. The island also has some fine snorkelling towards the northern end, with delicate soft corals, butterfly fish and even moray eels further out. Pandan Island (P50) comes much closer to a stereotypical desert island, with palm trees and a white sand beach perfect for swimming – the snorkelling here is not so great. There are plenty of huts and shelters for picnics. The least visited islands are Luli Island (P50), only accessible at low tide, and tranquil Cowrie Island (P25). It’s also possible to visit Dos Palmas Resort for an extra P500; this will add an extra 20–30 minutes, but you can use the resort facilities (Princesa hotels charge P2500 for this trip).
