How to Spend 2 Days in Puerto Princesa

Two days in Puerto Princesa gives you time to tick off the colonial city sights, visit a couple of beaches, and check out Puerto Princesa’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most impressive cave networks in the world. Here are a few tips on how to spend 48 hours in PP.

Day 1: Premium Puerto Princesa

Morning: Kick-start your time in Puerto Princesa with a city tour that reveals highlights such as the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and hilltop Mitra’s Ranch. Top picks for nature lovers include the butterfly garden and wildlife-rescue center.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon doing what Palawan is famous for: sunbathing and swimming. Either relax on the white sands of Honda Bay or opt for an afternoon island-hopping tour, which typically include a barbecue buffet on the beach and time to snorkel at uninhabited islands.

Night: After a busy day, spend the evening feasting on classic Filipino cuisine at a restaurant in the city. Recommended dishes include lechon (roasted suckling pig served with crackling) and freshly caught seafood.

Day 2: Going Underground

Morning: Rise early and head straight to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. Options for visiting this natural wonder are plentiful but usually include round-trip hotel transfers and a boat ride into the underground caverns; optional upgrades such as ziplining are a common feature of day trips.

Afternoon: After visiting the underground river, some tours make a stop at the lesser-known village of Sabang, where a white-sand beach sees far fewer crowds than those of Puerto Princesa and El Nido. If taking a private, custom tour, consider adding this hidden gem to your itinerary.

Night: Underground-river tours typically return to Puerto Princesa in the late afternoon, giving you time to enjoy one final activity: a firefly-watching cruise. Set sail on the mangroves after sunset and see a natural light show orchestrated by hundreds of fireflies. Most packages include dinner and transfers for maximum convenience.