Puerto Princesa is often just a stopover for travelers on their way to El Nido or Port Barton, but the city itself deserves at least a day of exploration.  For us, it was mainly a recovery stop before Palawan road trip because the same day we flew from Brunei to Manila where we changed the terminal for the flight to Palwan. We knew we would be too tired to commence driving straight away.

With 1 day in Puerto Princesa that we had we could experience its natural wonders, sample local flavors, and get a feel for life in Palawan. Here’s how we spent our one day in Puerto Princesa, without rushing, and without feeling like we missed the essence of the city.

What to in 1 day in puerto princesa, palawan

1 day in Puerto  Princesa is enough, in my opinion. We did not explore beaches, like the famous Honday Bay, so we don’t know if they are worth it. I must say that Puerto Princesa was not my favourite place in the Philippines, but it’s worth a quick stop nonetheless. When we researched what to do in Puerto Princesa, the top activity is visiting the Underground River, which actually is over an hour away, that’s why I added it at the end of the list. In this guide, I am listing only what to do in the town itself, unlike most blogs, which include activities that are in other provinces such as Sabang.

Puerto Princesa is a hectic city, but it is interesting to see the everyday lives of locals beyond the touristic areas like El Nido.

Stroll Along the Baywalk

Start your day with a leisurely walk along the Puerto Princesa Baywalk. Early mornings are calm, with fishermen returning from the night’s catch and locals jogging or practicing tai chi. We spent a few hours there watching the locals. We found a nice restaurant with local food and great coffee called Lato Coffee and Restaurant- highly recommended.

History and Culture

From the baywalk, it’s easy to explore some of Puerto Princesa’s key cultural sites. Plaza Cuartel is a must-visit: a small park with a solemn history and shaded benches to pause and reflect. Nearby, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral offers a glimpse into the city’s Spanish-influenced architecture. Wandering the streets between these landmarks, you’ll find colorful local markets, small souvenir shops, and the relaxed rhythm of everyday life in Palawan.

• Check this City Heritage Tour. This Puerto Princesa city tour covers the main highlights in just a few hours: the historic Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Plaza Cuartel, Philippine crocodiles at the Wildlife Rescue Center, traditional weaving at Binuatan Creations, sweet treats at Baker’s Hill, and panoramic views from Mitra’s Ranch – all with convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off.

Lunch: Fresh Seafood by the Water

Lunch in Puerto Princesa is best near the bay. We found a small open-air restaurant serving grilled fish, shrimp, and calamansi juice. Sitting on a simple terrace, watching the boats bob in the water, made it feel like time had slowed. It’s casual, unpretentious, and exactly the kind of meal that makes the city feel approachable.

Wildlife and Local Flavors

After lunch, you can the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, home to crocodiles, turtles, and a few local species. We did not go there as it’s not our thing, but if you are interested (especially if you travel with kids), it’s an activity to consider.

If wildlife isn’t your thing, a relaxed walk through the local markets or stopping at a roadside bakery for sweet treats works just as well. Puerto Princesa has a surprisingly vibrant food scene for a small city, and tasting your way through it is part of the charm.

Firefly Watching

End your day on a magical note with a firefly tour on the Iwahig River. As night falls, you’ll drift past mangroves glowing with thousands of tiny lights. It’s quiet, slow, and completely different from any other part of the city. It’s a super cool thing to do in Puerto Princesa.

The Underground River on a Separate Day

We didn’t include the Underground River in our 1 day in Puerto Princesa itinerary, but it’s a must. If you are short on time, make his trip a priority and skip everything else in town.  It’s about a 1.5–2 hour drive to Sabang and easily fills a half-day or full-day trip. Check out my guide Visiting the Underground River for tips on permits, boats, and logistics, it’s a completely different experience from the city, and worth seeing on its own.

But if you don’t plan for a road trip in Palawan, check out this one day tour to the Underground River. This Underground River tour takes you to the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, home to one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and the world’s longest navigable underground river. You’ll glide through dramatic limestone caves with an audio guide, spot wildlife around the park, enjoy a local lunch, and benefit from convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off.

Where we stayed and where we ate

On our first night, when we were exhausted of the whole day of traveling, we asked in our hotel if there are any good options of takeaway food. They recommended Balai Fiesta (it also goes under Portos Balai Fiesta) and made an order for us. It was so delicious, that we ate there two more times during our trip. It is conveniently located at the main road to the airport, so on our last day before dropping off the car, we made a quick stop for last lunch in Palawan. Don’t confuse this restaurant with another one under the same name in El Nido, because that one doesn’t have great reviews. It is a fun place with lovely staff and tasty Pilipino food.

Since we only stayed in Puerto Princesa for two nights, we wanted to be centrally located. After a lot of research, we picked Go Boutique Inn and it was a great choice. If you are looking for a comfortable place with good value, this would be my top recommendation. And it has the cutest terrace with a cafe and a pool. Our room was big with a kitchen and dining area, clean and modern.

See also:

• Don’t Go to the Palawan’s Puerto Princesa Underground River Without Reading This First!
• Renting a Car and Driving in Palawan, Philippines. All I Wish I Knew Before My Trip.
• El Nido beaches by Land: Best Beaches Accessible by Scooter, Car, or Tricycle (No Island-Hopping)
• 7-Day Palawan Itinerary: The Best Route for a Self-Drive Road Trip

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Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

• Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
• AirHelp helps to get compensation for cancelled or delayed flights.
• Travel Payouts is my favourite platform for monetizing the blog.
• Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
• Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
• World Nomads and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
• WeGoTrip sends you audio guides to your mobile, so you can visit places while learning history and interesting facts easily and for little money.
• Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money. You can even save 50%.
• Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
• Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.
• Airalo is my eSim choice for alternative data abroad.

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