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October 1 2025
Palawan, Puerto Princesa, Philippines
Gateway to Palawan’s emerald forests and limestone coasts, Puerto Princesa is a laid-back city of roughly 307,000 residents with a seafront promenade, leafy boulevards, and easy access to islands and mangroves. Its headline attraction is the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose navigable cave river flows to the sea through dramatic karst. Expect warm hospitality, fresh seafood, and eco-minded tours alongside modern comforts (malls, ATMs, rides). Your ship docks close to town, so essentials are within a quick tricycle or taxi ride, and full-day nature trips are feasible during our 2-day call.
History:
Palawan’s coast has long been home to Tagbanua and other indigenous communities who fished, foraged, and traded between island settlements. The Spanish established Puerto de la Princesa in the 19th century as a protected anchorage; American rule in the early 20th century introduced civic planning and roads. World War II hit Palawan hard, but postwar migration swelled the population and diversified languages and customs. In 1971, the Subterranean River was proclaimed a national park (later UNESCO-listed), cementing Puerto Princesa’s identity as an eco-tourism hub. Today the city balances conservation with growth: mangrove tours coexist with malls; island-hopping sits alongside heritage and food culture. You’ll see layered influences—Cuyonon and Visayan speech, Catholic churches, Vietnamese “chaolong” noodle shops from refugee-camp days, and a new generation of environmental programs that keep Palawan among the Philippines’ most biodiverse provinces.
Itinerary:
Arrival: Wednesday October 1, 7:00am (please allow time for port clearance)
Departure: Thursday October 2, All aboard: 7:00pm Sail away: 8:00pm
Weather
- Average temps: highs ~31 °C / 88 °F, lows ~25–26 °C / 77–79 °F.
- Climate: Warm, humid, with frequent showers; UV high. Typhoons are less frequent than in northern Luzon but rains can be intense.
- What to Wear: Breathable clothing, hat/sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, light rain jacket/umbrella, and shoes/sandals with grip (boardwalks, boats).
Near the Pier:
Cruise Ship Dock: Port of Puerto Princesa
Address: Puerto Princesa Port, Malvar St., Brgy. San Miguel, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Filipino: Pantalan ng Puerto Princesa, Malvar, Lungsod ng Puerto Princesa, Palawan
- Puerto Princesa Port gate will be open 24 hours
Distances: ship ⇄ terminal ~100 m; ship ⇄ port gate ~200 m; ship ⇄ town center (Rizal Ave) ~1 km.
Nearby Essentials
Pharmacy/ATM/Grocery: SM City Puerto Princesa (Watsons, supermarket, multiple ATMs), ~1.5–2 km; Robinsons Place Palawan (ATMs, shops), ~3–4 km.
Nearest Church: Immaculate Conception Cathedral (~1.5 km).
Nearest Golf: Westcoast Golf (limited facilities) or driving ranges—ask shore-x for current options.
Nearest Shopping: SM City / Robinsons Place; city market for fruit/dried fish.
Getting Around:
- 🚶 Walking: Flat and feasible to Rizal Ave cafés, Baywalk Park, and SM City (10–25 min).
- 🚌 Public Transit: No city buses; tricycles are the workhorse for short hops.
- 🚖 Taxis/Rides: Metered taxis exist in small numbers; most rides use tricycles (flag/zone rates posted locally; agree fare before riding). For longer trips, arrange a private van that handle permits and timing.
- 🚴 Bike Rentals: Limited; some hotels rent cruisers.
- 🚗 Car Rentals: Available in town/airport (left-hand drive, local traffic norms).
- Hop-On Hop-Off: Not available.
Sample times/costs from the pier (guide):
- Pier → SM City: 10–15 min tricycle, ~₱60–120 (private).
- Pier → Airport: 15–20 min by tricycle/taxi.
- Pier → Honda Bay wharf (Sta. Lourdes): ~30–40 min by van/taxi.
- Getting around: Tricycles dominate short hops—agree fare first. For day trips, book accredited vans/tours .
Witnessing:
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park (UNESCO)
A boat glides into a cathedral-like cave where a navigable underground river flows to the sea—stalactites, bats, and echoing chambers lighted by the guide’s beam.
Practical: Tours depart Sabang (~75–80 km, 1.5–2 hrs by van each way) + 20-min boat to the cave beach. Join a packaged tour (~₱2,000–2,500 pp incl. transport, permits, lunch; pay ₱150 eco-fee on site). Reserve ahead; daily slots are limited. Plan 8–9 hrs round-trip.
✨ Tip: Bring ID, a light jacket (cave is cool), and keep food hidden from macaques at the beach.
Honda Bay Island-Hopping (Starfish, Cowrie, Luli)
Shallow sandbars and fishy reefs minutes from the city—easy snorkeling, picnic huts, and clear water when seas are calm.
Practical: Joiner tours commonly ₱1,200–₱1,800 pp incl. gear; private boats from Sta. Lourdes wharf. Allow 5–6 hrs.
✨ Tip: Wear a rashguard; ask operators about jellyfish season and currents.
Iwahig Firefly Watching (evening)
Paddle under a dark sky as mangrove trees sparkle with fireflies—a quiet, memorable eco-experience.
Practical: Shared tours start around 5–6 pm, 3–4 hrs including transfers; dinner add-on available.
✨ Tip: Avoid perfume/bug spray just before—some scents deter fireflies.
This was something I really wanted to do, but it was about 45 minutes from the ship without an obvious way to get there or back and would have been a late night before a long day at the Underground River. It’s definitely something I’d like to do in the future.
Learning:
Palawan Heritage Center (City Coliseum complex)
Compact exhibits on Palawan’s indigenous groups, early trade, WWII, and conservation—good context before touring.
Info: ~45–60 min; small fee/donations.
✨ Tip: Pair with a quick market stop nearby.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral & Plaza Cuartel
A blue-gabled church and a small seaside park memorializing POWs—somber but important WWII history.
Info: Free; 30–45 min; 5–10 min ride from pier.
Discovery:
Baywalk Park Local promenade for sunsets, grilled seafood stalls, and people-watching. 30–60 min.
✨ Tip: Bring small bills; agree seafood price per 100 g before cooking.
Nagtabon Beach (west coast escape) Wide crescent beach with a wild feel—great for a low-key half-day.
Practical: 30–45 min by car/motorbike; modest entrance/parking fees. Surf can be up.
✨ Tip: Little shade—pack water and a hat.
Hiking (easy–moderate)
Sabang Jungle Trail (Underground River area) — Easy–Moderate, shaded forest path with wildlife (monitor lizards, macaques); often combined with the river tour.
Nagtabon Headland Paths — Easy, sandy/rocky viewpoints above the beach (dry weather only).
Mt. Magarwak Viewdeck (north of city) — Moderate short climb locals use for sunrise; hire a trike/van to the jump-off.
Shopping
SM City Puerto Princesa — Air-con mall with Watsons, supermarket, ATMs, cafés; handy fallback in rain.
Robinsons Place Palawan — Larger mall on the highway with banks, food court, and pharmacies.
✨ Tip: ATMs can queue at weekends—try multiple banks if one’s out of cash.
Exploring:
Sabang mangrove paddle tour + beach lunch
Pair the cave visit with a quiet mangrove boat ride and grilled seafood on Sabang Beach. Feasible in the same full day as the Underground River (via packaged tours).
Ugong Rock spelunking & zipline (en route to Sabang)
Limestone outcrop with easy caving and a scenic zip—often added to Underground River itineraries. Good if you like a touch of adrenaline. (Time allowing.)
Hidden Gems:
Although the Philippines is known for more famous white sand beaches such as Boracay, there are some white sand beaches like Ursula Island which had been left free from resorts in order to protect the rare birds (mainly varieties of pigeons) which live within the tiny thatch of marshy woods in the center of the island. In fact, visitors are only allowed to visit the area after securing permits from the Provincial Environment & Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Palawan, and even then it is forbidden to leave the beach and enter the fiercely-protected wooded area. Although this may be for the best as there are reportedly a number of snakes within.
This is not to say that there is nothing to do on the island. Various activities such as shell collecting, sand castle building, playing volleyball, as well as birdwatching can be done there. Also, the island is small enough for nature walks around the entire coastline.
Sadly, despite efforts to forbid resort-driven overdevelopment that has plagued other white sand beaches in the Philippines, some trash from the mainland has begun washing up on some parts of the island, posing a health risk to birds and visitors alike. Hopefully, any visitors to the island will cart out any debris they find, thus keeping the birds’ home safe.
Tasting:
What to try: Tamilok (mangrove “woodworm,” citrus-marinated), kinilaw (Filipino ceviche), grilled tanigue or tuna belly, crocodile sisig (novelty) chaolong (Vietnamese-Filipino noodles/bread), halo-halo (try Noki Noks), and ripe Palawan mango shakes. Typical casual plates ₱180–₱350; seafood by weight—confirm price per 100 g.
Where: Kalui (seafood set menus), Kinabuchs (Filipino grill, late hours), Baywalk stalls (budget grills), Palaweño Brewery (craft beer).
Kalui Restaurant (reservations recommended)
Beloved bamboo-and-art-filled spot for seafood set menus and fruit platters. Dinner seatings book out.
✨ Tip: Reserve your preferred seating.
Palaweño Brewery (Ayahay / craft beer taproom)
Women-founded microbrewery pouring local ales/lagers in a breezy kubo setting.
Info: Taproom hours typically late afternoon–evening; 10–15 min from pier.
✨ Tip: Try the Ayahay IPA or seasonal mango brew.
Mexican:
- Cantina Los Puerto (Rizal Ave. Ext.) — tacos, quesadillas; also on Foodpanda.
- El Caballero Mexican Bar & Restaurant (city center)
- Kusinero’s De Antonio (Rizal Ave. Ext.) — “Taco Tuesday,” burritos/tacos pop-ups.
- GUNI GUNI Restobar — mixed menu with tacos/burgers; casual bar vibe.
- Ver De — vegan spot that does occasional taco specials.
Nightlife:
Kinabuchs Grill & Bar — Open-air local favorite for grills, beer buckets, and occasional live sets; easy Grab/trike from pier.
Palaweño Brewery Taproom — Craft pints in a cozy kubo; typically 4–10 pm.
Baywalk Park — Sunset stroll + casual seafood; family-friendly.
Travel Tips:
- Cash vs card: Cards widely accepted in malls/restaurants; bring small bills for tricycles, jetty/eco-fees, and markets. ATMs at SM/Robinsons.
- Water & health: Drink bottled/filtered water; pack electrolytes and reef-safe sunscreen.
- Weather: Showers are common—carry a light rain layer and buffer time returning to the ship.
October 1st 2025
I was looking forward to reaping the benefits of organizing tours by signing myself up as an escort on the Underground River Tour. I originally signed up for the first day, but then it was announced that we would have a drill that day. Luckily, there were tours running on the second day, so I signed myself up for one of those instead!
I tried to find friends to go see the fireflies with, but I couldn’t get any commitments, and it all seemed too complicated. Some of the residents went and told me it was amazing, so that will have to go on the list for next time.
So on October 1st, after the drill, I took a nap and waited for the lady-owned brewery to open. Luckily, it was only a 10 minute walk from the ship!
Breweries were becoming less ubiquitous as we made our way south. This was the first one I’d come across in quite a while that offered a variety of beer with creative names. They also had a killer coconut rum, which was delicious and refreshing.
After happy hour, I went back to the ship to meet up with Steven, Michele and Gidea for dinner.
The burgers were awesome, and the ride was certainly an adventure!
It was right on the edge of Steven’s comfort zone, but I had a blast.