Puerto Princesa for women travelling alone
Underground river and Palawan gateway
- On foot
- somewhat walkable
- Getting around
- Limited
- Wifi
- fair
- Places to stay
- 8+ read
01 of 07
The read
Puerto Princesa rewards a night or two of your own, and the logistics are straightforward once you know them.
What holds up
- English is widely spoken in hotels, tour offices, and restaurants along Rizal Avenue.
- Solo women travellers are common here, and tour group formats make it easy to meet others on day trips.
- The airport sits practically inside the city, so arriving alone and getting to your hotel takes minutes.
What to weigh
- Grab, the ride-hailing app used across the Philippines, does not operate in Puerto Princesa, so all local transport is negotiated in person.
- The wet season (June to October) brings heavy rain that can affect boat tours and the road north to El Nido.
Puerto Princesa is Palawan's capital and the transit point most travellers pass through on the way to El Nido or Coron. The city itself is clean and orderly for the Philippines, with a pleasant waterfront area and a handful of good restaurants along Rizal Avenue.
The main attraction is the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO site about 1.5 hours outside the city. Tours run daily, and you need a permit, which most operators handle for you. Honda Bay island-hopping is the other popular day trip, with boat tours visiting several small islands for snorkeling and beach time.
Puerto Princesa is easy to navigate, and the tourist strip is compact. Tricycles are the main transport, and the city is small enough that most things are close together. Most travellers spend one or two nights here before catching the van to El Nido (5-6 hours). If you have time, Baker's Hill on the outskirts has good pastries and a kitschy garden worth a quick stop.
02 of 07
Common questions
What people ask about Puerto Princesa, answered with specifics rather than in general terms.
- How do you get around Puerto Princesa?
- Tricycles are the local transport. Tricycles run along Rizal Avenue and to nearby areas. Multicab (shared vans) follow fixed routes. Grab has limited availability in Puerto Princesa. Hotels arrange airport transfers and day trip transport.
- Where should you stay in Puerto Princesa on your own?
- Distances in Puerto Princesa are larger than they look on a map, so the area you pick matters more than the property. Underground river and Palawan gateway
03 of 07
Where to stay
Each of these has been read rather than listed. The full set is on the stays page.
- Astoria Palawan
Five hectares with beach access, a pool and a free airport shuttle; check in from 2pm.
hotel · 4.6 from 2443 reviews - Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spahotel · 4.3 from 1595 reviews
- Cafe Moto Hostel
Located behind a Petron gas station near Robinsons Mall.
hostel · 4.8 from 136 reviews - Goofy Ants Hostelhostel · 4.9 from 129 reviews
- Mojo Hostel
Located in one of Puerto Princesa's quieter residential areas on Talakitok Street.
hostel · 4.8 from 124 reviews - La Vida Hostelhostel · 4.8 from 72 reviews
- Reef Hostel
Bunks have curtains, power outlet, light and shelf; walking distance to Baywalk and laundry.
hostel · 4.6 from 70 reviews - B&R HOSTEL
Bar and restaurant on site, short distance from the beach, check in from 2pm.
hostel · 4.8 from 69 reviews
04 of 07
What to know
- 01
Transit hub, not final destination
Most travellers spend 1-2 nights here before heading to El Nido, Coron, or Port Barton. The Underground River and Honda Bay are the main reasons to stay. Plan your onward transport upon arrival.
- 02
Underground River logistics
The UNESCO site requires a permit (your hotel or tour operator handles this), a 1.5-hour drive to Sabang, and a boat ride into the cave. Tours are full-day. The cave itself takes about 45 minutes. Book at least a day in advance.
- 03
Vietnamese food heritage
Puerto Princesa has a Vietnamese community dating back decades. Chaolong (noodle soup) shops are a breakfast institution unique to this city. They open early and are worth seeking out before heading to the airport or on a day trip.
- 04
Palawan route planning
The classic Palawan route is Puerto Princesa to El Nido (van, 5-6 hours), then El Nido to Coron (ferry, 4 hours). Port Barton is a quieter stop between PP and El Nido. Planning your route from PP saves backtracking.
05 of 07
Getting around
- 01
Tricycles are the local transport
Tricycles run along Rizal Avenue and to nearby areas. Multicab (shared vans) follow fixed routes. Grab has limited availability in Puerto Princesa. Hotels arrange airport transfers and day trip transport.
- 02
Walking is limited
Rizal Avenue is long and the city is spread out. Walking works for a few blocks around your hotel but most attractions require motorized transport. Pavements are inconsistent.
- 03
Vans to El Nido
Shared vans to El Nido depart from the San Jose terminal. The ride takes 5-6 hours on a mountainous road. Cherry Bus also runs the route. Book a day in advance during peak season.
- 04
Flights as the gateway
Puerto Princesa airport has daily flights from Manila, Cebu, and Clark. It is the main entry point for Palawan. The airport is about 10 minutes from the city centre.
06 of 07
How the day runs
Underground River tours depart early (6-7am pickup) for the 1.5-hour drive to Sabang. Honda Bay island hopping tours leave from the wharf around 8am. Baker's Hill (a local bakery-park) opens early and has views over the city. Rizal Avenue has breakfast options and coffee shops.
Underground River permits must be arranged in advance, usually through your hotel or a tour operator. Daily visitor numbers are capped.
Returning from day tours, the afternoon is usually for recovery. Mitra's Ranch has a hillside view. The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (crocodile farm) is a 20-minute drive from the city center. The Immaculate Conception Cathedral is in the city center.
The city is hot and spread out. Afternoon walking is uncomfortable from March through May.
Baywalk along the waterfront has restaurants and is the main evening gathering area. Vietnamese-influenced restaurants (Pho Ha, Bona's Chaolong) serve breakfast noodle soup that is a Puerto Princesa specialty. Kinabuch's bar and grill is a local institution. The night scene is relaxed.
Chaolong (Vietnamese-style noodle soup) is a Puerto Princesa food unique to this city in the Philippines, reflecting Vietnamese settler influence.
07 of 07
Neighbourhoods
- 01
City Center
The bustling commercial heart of Puerto Princesa with restaurants, shops, hospitals, and key landmarks like the cathedral and museums.
- 02
Baywalk & Marina Area
The scenic waterfront district featuring the baywalk park, marina, and departure points for island hopping tours.
- 03
North Highway Corridor
The northern stretch along the highway connecting the city to attractions like Baker's Hill, Mitra's Ranch, and the Crocodile Farm.
- 04
Honda Bay Area
The gateway to Honda Bay island hopping adventures with nearby resorts and tour departure points.
- 05
Sabang & Underground River
The northern coastal area home to the world-famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and adventure activities.