Puerto Princesa 1-day itinerary

Join a tour to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The 8.2km underground river is the longest navigable subterranean river in the world, flowing through a massive limestone cave system into the South China Sea. Paddle boats carry visitors 1.5km into the cave past cathedral-sized chambers, stalactites and stalagmites, and colonies of swiftlets and bats. The scale of the cave system is breathtaking. Tours depart from Sabang Beach (1.5 hours from the city).

After the river tour, spend the afternoon at Sabang Beach — a quiet stretch of sand with jungle-covered karst cliffs as a backdrop. Rent a kayak (300 PHP/hour) and paddle along the mangrove-lined Sabang River where monitor lizards sun themselves on branches and kingfishers flash blue above the water. The mangrove ecosystem here is remarkably intact, with the towering limestone massif of the Underground River park rising behind the green canopy.

Return to Puerto Princesa city and stroll along the Baywalk at sunset — the waterfront promenade overlooks Honda Bay and the surrounding islands. The sky turns vivid orange and purple as fishing boats return to the harbour. Walk to Rizal Avenue, the city's main street, for dinner at one of the local restaurants. Try crocodile sisig (sizzling chopped meat on a hot plate) at Kalui Restaurant — it's a Palawan specialty. Alternatively, the Vietnamese-influenced fresh spring rolls at Bai Chay are excellent.