In the heart of Palawan lies Puerto Princesa, one of the largest cities in the Philippines. With over 250,000 hectares of land, there’s no denying that the capital of this island paradise is rich in culture, heritage, and natural wonders.
If you are flying to Puerto Princesa soon, here are some tourist attractions that you must not miss #WhenInPalawan:
1. Underground River
Whether it’s your first or fifth time visiting Palawan, the Underground River is a must-see! This UNESCO World Heritage Site located underneath the St. Paul Mountain Range is about an hour-long car ride from Astoria Palawan. Get ready to be mesmerized with the diversity of flora and fauna as you cruise along the 8.2 km length of the underground river.
2. Iwahig Firefly Watching
The banks of the Iwahig River are embraced by mangroves which serve as the home to a variety of creatures – like fireflies! Best taken right before dusk, the Iwahig Firefly Watching Tour takes you on a boat ride along the river. Watch as tiny little fireflies light up the trees – a view that looks straight out of a movie!
3. Honda Bay
Feel like the adventurer that you are when you go island-hopping at Honda Bay! Honda Bay is composed of a number of islands – including Starfish Island and Luli Island. Starfish Island houses the greatest number of starfish in Palawan, while Luli Island comes from the term lulubog-lilitaw (sink-rise) because the island appears during low tide and disappears during high tide. All islands are great for snorkeling, swimming, and other water activities.
4. Batak Cultural Center
Directly translated, the word Batak means “people of the mountain,” an allusion to where the members of the Batak tribe originally resided. Now only composed of 49 families, the Batak tribe is considered the smallest tribe in Palawan. Visit the Batak Cultural Center and immerse yourself in the tribe’s culture and livelihood!
5. Baker’s Hill
Puerto Princesa’s freshest delicacies await you at Baker’s Hill! Perfect for foodies and travelers, this small bakery-turned-theme park offers all types of delicious goods. With a bit over an hour’s drive from Astoria Palawan, you can drop by and take home a box or two of their special hopia before you bid the island goodbye!
Astoria Palawan offers exclusive tours to these prime spots and to other destinations around the city! To know more about the tours, feel free to send us a message here. You can also learn more about Puerto Princesa’s top destinations by clicking here.
Sources:
http://puertoprincesa.ph/?q=about-our-city/about-puerto-princesa-city
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/652
https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/14349-mountain-people-the-bataks-of-palawan
