Historical
- Santa Isabel Fort
The historic Taytay Fort built in 1667 under the Augustinian Recollect Fathers was used as military station during that period. The fort’s small chapel and cannon are still intact.
Location :Taytay
How to get there : From Malvar Terminal in Puerto Princesa, one can take a Taytay-bound jeepney or bus and get off at the Taytay church. The fort can be reached by a three-minute walk from the church. Taytay is 215 km away from Puerto Princesa City.
Travel Time : Eight hours from Puerto Princesa to Taytay church.
- Cuyo Fort
Built during the early Spanish period purposely to protect the people from their enemies. Considered as one of the most ancient and unique forts in the Philippines. Within its walls are the church, the convent and the only Perpetual Adoration chapel in Palawan. Cuyo, incidentally became the second capital of Palawan from 1873 to 1903. Places to stay include : Amanpulo (Pamalican Island), Tabunan Beach Cottages, and Irene’s Lodging House.
Location :Cuyo, Palawan
How to get there : Cuyo can be reached from Manila via the Air Pacific Airways. It is also accessible by sea from Puerto Princesa City and Iloilo province via MV Milagrosa, and from Manila, via MV Asuncion.
Travel Time : From Manila, travel time is an hour and 30 minutes by air and 24 hours by sea. By sea, Cuyo is 14 hours away from Iloilo province and 12 hours away from Puerto Princesa City.
- Port Miller Light House Tower
A historical landmark in Brooke’s Point, Port Miller is a cemented water tank constructed as a source of potable water for the natives and settlers of the municipality. The original Light House Tower constructed by Sir James Brooke is still visible but much of the area is now occupied by a new light house town.
Location :Brooke’s Point
How to get there : Brooke’s Point is about 192 km south of Puerto Princesa City and is accessible by land. Buses and jeepneys depart daily from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm from Puerto Princesa City.
Travel Time : 3-5 hours
- Melville Light House
A century-old facility which used to guide ancient marine vessels landward is still glowing after a hundred years. At present, the lighthouse has become a familiar landmark to the local folks.
Location :Balabac
How to get there : An island southernmost of Palawan, Balabac is 147 km from Puerto Princesa. It is accessible both by land and sea. From Puerto Princesa, one could take buses or jeepneys bound to Tio Tuba-Balabac, then pumpboat to the island.
Travel Time : 6-7 hours by land and 3-5 hours by boat.
Cultural
- Batak Tribal Community
One of Palawan’s indigenous groups, the Bataks are mountain people who dwell in the river valleys north of the provincial capital. They are of Negrito stock and, since only less than 500 of them thrive today, are considered a disappearing people.
Location : Batak Settlement sites in the slope of Cleopatra’s needle, a 1,593 foot sharp mountain peak in Northern Palawan. Also found in Sitio Riandacan in Tagabinet, Tanabag Concepcion, Langogan and Roxas.
Travel Time : Sitio Riandacan is about 3 km from Barangay Maoyon, Palawan.
Natural
- Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary
Its 3,700 hectare area is devoted to a wildlife reserve. African animals from Kenya such as giraffes and elands, zebras and gazelles co-exist with endemic Philippine animals like the Palawan bearcraft, mousedeer and peacock pheasant. Modest accommodations are available for an overnight stay. Advisable visiting time is between 5:00 to 7:00 a.m. Tourists are required to secure permit at the Office of Palawan Council for Sustainable Development located in Coron. There are no regular transportation facilities in the area, thus, tourists are advised to hire a vehicle.Location :Busuanga
How to get there : It is accessible by plane from Manila to Busuanga. From Puerto Princesa City, it can be reached by taking a jeepney or bus to Taytay, then by sea from Taytay to Coron and by jeepney or bus from Coron to Busuanga.
Travel Time : 1 hour and 30 minutes flight from Manila. In Busuanga, 30 minutes by jeepney to Decalasiao Wharf and 3 hours by pumpboat to Calauit.
- Coron Reefs
Seven enchanting lakes surrounded by craggy limestone cliffs attract hundreds of nature lovers to this island in northern Palawan, near the town of Coron.Location :Northern Palawan near Coron
- El Nido Marine Reserve
Occupying an area of 96,000 hectares, this popular nature spot boasts of diverse ecosystems such as rainforest, mangroves, white sand beaches, coral reefs, and limestone cliffs. It is now one of the country’s premier destinations. Blessed with extraordinary natural scenery, El Nido is the sanctuary for various forms of wildlife. Countless varieties of fish are also found here. Manta rays are a common site; when in season, divers may see one of the world’s rarest marine mammal, the sea cow (known locally as dugong).Accommodations are available at El Nido Resorts on the Miniloc and Pangulasian Islands. El Nido Resorts are noted for their hidden lagoons, palm forests, orchids and offshore cruise points. Apart from the cozy accommodations, recreational facilities and aqua sports equipment are also available to tourists.
Location :Miniloc Island, El Nido
How to get there : From Manila to the Domestic Airport, a charter plane flies to mainland El Nido, from where the resort is situated. Tours to the resort are possible through Ten Knots Corporation.
Travel Time : Two hours by plane from Manila, 45 minutes by pumpboat to the resort area.
- PUERTO PRINCESA SUBTERRANEAN RIVER NATIONAL PARK
This river flows within a deep cavern under rugged limestone and marble cliffs, a special feature of the park. Known as one of the world’s wonders, this river stretches eight kilometers deep into an underground lagoon with crystalline waters. Within the hallowed recesses, one winds through the tunnel aboard a paddle boat with outriggers to be enthralled at every turn which reveals stalactite pillars, rock formations and domed amphitheaters.
Location:Bahile, Puerto Princesa City
How to get there: Located 81 kilometers away from the city proper, the place can be reached through Barangay Cabayugan to Sabang from where one could take a pumpboat ride to the Underground River, or a hike through the monkey trail. An alternative way to reach the River is through a hired pumpboat ride from Bahile wharf.
Travel Time: Through Barangay Cabayugan, 1 1/2 hours jeepney ride and 10 to 15 minutes pumpboat ride or 1 1/2 hours hike. From Bahile wharf, 1 1/2 hours trip by land, then 2 1/2 to 3 hours pumpboat ride to the River.
- Honda Bay
The bay consists of several islets with shallow reefs bordering fabulous beaches which have become the favorite swimming, snorkeling, and diving destinations of local residents and tourists. These islets are: the Cannon (Cowrie) Island, Bat Island, Lu-li Island (derived from the word lulubog-lilitaw, meaning floating and sinking island, is visible only during low tide), Meara Marina, Starfish Island (known for its fine white sand and clear water that teems with starfish), Snake Island (an island with a long stretch of fine white sand shaped like a snake), Pandan Island, and Señorita Island (the breeding site of Lapu-Lapu fish). Lodging facilities are available for overnight stays in the island of Meara Marina and Starfish (Sandbar Resort).
Location:Sta. Lourdes Tagbanua, Puerto Princesa City
How to get there: About 12 kilometers east of Puerto Princesa City is Sta. Lourdes wharf where pumpboats could be hired to take tourists to the island of their choice. Some islands require and entrance fee; others are privately owned, thus, permits are necessary from the owners.
Travel Time: Sta. Lourdes wharf is 25 minutes away by hired tricycle or jeepney. Pumpboat ride from the wharf to the different islands could be from 15 to 50 minutes.
- Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park
Tubbataha is reputed as the country’s best dive spot. The Park was named a World Heitage Site because of its abundant marine life. Provides neophyte divers with their first encounter with a Tubbataha shark. The reef itself is gradual in slope with a good variety of invertebrates and reef fishes. Tubbataha island consists of two islets with lots of soft corals and small caves where white tip and nurse sharks nap, as well as turtles and manta rays. The northern islet, called Bird Island, has coasts which abound with fish schools, reef ray, leopard all these glories. Tubbataha Island and its environs was declared by the World Tourism Association as a Heritage Site.
Location:Cagayancillo town
How to get there: Trips to Tubbataha from mid March to mid-June are all vessels-based and require planning for a minimum of six weeks prior to departure. To reach the place, take a 70-minute flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa City. From the airport, a shuttle takes you to the dive boat.
- Tabon Cave
Known as the Cradle of Philippine Civilization, Tabon Caves consist of a series of chambers where anthropologists discovered the remains of crude man and his tools. Anthropological significance came to the fore with the discovery of the 22,000-year old Tabon Man in its interior decades ago, along with other artifacts.
Location:Quezon
How to get there: About 155 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa City, the place can be reached by taking a bus or jeepney ride from the provincial capital to Quezon. It is followed by a pumboat ride from the Quezon wharf to the caves.
Travel time: 3-4 hours by bus or jeepney to Quezon and 20-30 minute boat ride from Quezon pier to the caves.
Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary
This island is a haven for birds that converge here two hours before sunset, to take their rest after a day’s long flight.
Location:Rio Tuba Village, Bataraza
How to get there: About 236 kilometers from Puerto Princesa City, the town of Bataraza can be reached by bus or jeepney which departs daily from the city. In Bataraza, proceed to Rio Tuba and then take a pumpboat ride to Ursula Island.
Travel time: Bataraza is 5-6 hours drive from Puerto Princesa City. The bird sanctuary is about 2 hours pumpboat ride from Rio Tuba.
Man-Made
- Irawan Crocodile Farming Institute
The colony encompasses a 37 hectare scenic farm planted with coconut palm trees, rice and other crops cultivated by the prisoners and their families. The prison has about 4,000 population and many inmates live with their families in so-called rehabilitation areas. Within the farm is Balsahan river known for its cascading waters coming from the nearby mountain. Iwahig is more like a picture of a modern farm rather than a prison where prisoners toil their farms unguarded and are allowed to earn an income by working in the many shops which turn out various handicrafts, most popular of which are the handcarved items made from Mahogany wood. The farm is definitely a good shopping stop for tourist.
Location:Puerto Princesa City
How to get there: From the city proper, one can take tricycle and ask to be let off at Iwahig. It is located 16 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa.
Travel Time: 20 minutes by tricycle.
- Vista Luz Picnic Grounds
The Vista Luz Picnic Grounds offer facilities like cottages and picnic huts. Locals come on weekends for swimming and picnicking. The biggest hut called the pavilion is good for groups of up to 100 persons. Two cottages, each with two beds, electric fan and private bathroom are available for an overnight stay.Location:Circulation Road, Puerto Princesa City
How to ger there: Vista Luz Picnic grounds can be reached by tricycle from the city proper via Circulation Road. It is two kilometers away from the airport.
Travel time: 5-7 minutes by tricycle.
- Nasin-aw White Beach and Silica Beach
A seaside fun place for those who wish to indulge in marine pleasures without leaving the confines of the city. The fine white sand and clear waters of White Beach make it a perfect spot for swimming. A few picnic tables were installed but an overnight stay is not possible since there are no accommodation facilities here.
Location:Puerto Princesa City
How to get there: White Beach can be reached by tricycle from the city proper. The beach is two and a half kilometers away from the airport.
Travel time: 5-7 minutes by tricycle
Religious
- Immaculate Concepcion Church
Location: Barangay Liwanag, Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City
How to get there: Take public utility vehicle and ask to be let off at church located midtown.
Travel time: accessible between 5-10 minutes within the city proper.
