Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan and a great starting point for exploring the region. We're not big fans of cities, but we felt very safe during our stay!

Many people pass through quickly on their way to El Nido or Coron, but honestly, there are a few cool spots worth exploring, like:

• The Underground River, a UNESCO-listed natural wonder (went to PPC just for this).

• Honda Bay for epic for snorkelling

• The Iwahig River, where you can do firefly-watching tours

HOW LONG TO STAY?

It's worth staying at least 3 full days in PPC to recharge with some city comforts! Keep in mind you'll need one full-day for the Underground River.

GETTING THERE & MOVING AROUND

• Fly: Direct from Manila or Cebu to PPC Airport. Flights cost between $30-$100 USD.

• From/To El Nido: The only option is a van transfer. It’s a 5–6 hour ride on winding roads, so bring nausea pills if you're prone! Shared van costs ₱500–₱700 p/person, private transfer costs ₱4,000–₱6,000.

• Move around town: Motorbike taxis (₱20–₱50 depending on distance), jeepneys (₱10–₱20), or scooter rental (~₱500–₱800/day).

ACCOMMODATION

As the capital of Palawan, PPC has heaps of accommodation options.

We recommend Holiday suites, the location is excellent and we had a great time there! It's an excellent choice for most budgets, plus last time we checked they had a free airport shuttle.

Here are other excellent options:

• Best budget-friendly stay: The Funny Lion - PPC

• Best for families and groups: Hue Hotels and Resorts

• Best luxury: Panja Resort

Quick tip: Avoid scams by reading reviews first and do not book places without many reviews yet. We have never been scammed in the Philippines thanks to this.