Puerto Princesa Travel Tips
Practical, on-the-ground advice for a smooth Puerto Princesa trip — money, transport, timing and what to pack. Then browse Puerto Princesa tours and lock in the Underground River early.
The basics: time, money and language
Puerto Princesa runs on Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8) and uses the Philippine peso (PHP). Carry cash: most tour extras, tricycle rides, entrance tips and small shops are cash-only, and ATMs are in the city rather than out at Sabang. English is widely spoken alongside Filipino and the local languages, so communication is rarely a problem.
Getting there and getting around
Fly into Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS), which has frequent connections from Manila and Cebu. In the city, motorised tricycles are the standard short-hop transport and are inexpensive; for longer trips to Sabang or Honda Bay, your tour’s air-conditioned van does the driving. Ride-hailing coverage is limited, so tricycles and tour transfers are your mainstays.
When to go
Aim for the dry season, roughly November to May, when seas are calmest for the boat crossing to the Underground River and for Honda Bay. The wet season, roughly June to October, brings heavier rain and the typhoon window, when rough water can cancel the Sabang crossing at short notice. Build a buffer day into your plans in case a river trip is postponed by weather.
What to pack
Bring water-ready footwear — you often wade a little to board the boats — plus quick-dry clothes, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent for the firefly cruise and jungle stops. A light rain jacket is wise in any season, and a dry bag protects phones and cameras on the water.
Booking the Underground River
The Underground River runs on a daily government visitor quota, so it is the one thing to book ahead — several days in advance during peak season. Tours arrange the cave permit and environmental fee for you, which is why most visitors go with an organised operator rather than trying to do it independently. Compare inclusions and cancellation policies on the Puerto Princesa tours homepage before you choose.
Staying connected
Local prepaid SIM cards from the main Philippine networks are inexpensive and easy to buy on arrival, and give you enough data for maps and messaging; coverage is good in the city but thins out on the road to Sabang and out on the water, so download offline maps before you set off. Many hotels and cafes offer Wi-Fi, but do not count on a signal inside the national park.
Health, sun and water
Palawan is tropical, so pace yourself in the heat, drink plenty of bottled or filtered water, and reapply sunscreen — the reflection off the sea and the cave’s open boats catches people out. Insect repellent is worth having for the mangroves and the firefly cruise. There are hospitals and pharmacies in the city, but far less out at Sabang, so bring any personal medication and a small first-aid kit with you for day trips.
Travel responsibly
The national park is a protected UNESCO site: keep noise down in the cave, take nothing but photos, and follow your guide’s instructions on the water. If you join the Batak village trek, treat the community and its customs with respect. Small courtesies keep Palawan’s wild places wild for the next visitor, and thoughtful travellers are always welcomed warmly across the province.