5 Days Palawan Puerto Princesa Highlights Tour from Manila

Kumusta! Welcome to Manila, the capital of the Philippines! Upon your arrival at the airport in Manila, the tour guide and driver will meet you at the exit, and then escort you to the hotel . You can have a good rest for the jet leg in your hotel or visit around to explore for more on your own.

Known as the “Pearl of the Orient”, Manila is often the jump-off point to the country's incredible beaches, stunning islands, and unique natural wonders. Manila is an excellent hub for experiencing Philippine culture, history, shopping, and nightlife. Take your time to explore its lively streets, buildings, and people, who are full of energy.

Arrival Ideas:
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), originally known as Manila International Airport (MIA), is the largest airport in the Philippines. Currently, there are over 30 direct flights to Manila from various parts of the world, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Dubai, Doha, Sydney, Melbourne, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Abu Dhabi, Denpasar, Riyadh, Guam, Los Angeles, Hanoi, and more. You can fly direct to Manila from almost every major city in Asia. Otherwise, you may need a layover in Hong Kong, Singapore, or Dubai, with most major airlines in the region offering regular flights to Manila. Philippine Airlines is the only carrier that offers nonstop flights to Manila from the United States. Other airlines that fly to Manila include Delta, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Korean Air, ANA, KLM, EVA Air, and Qantas. If you need help with Philippines flight tickets booking, feel free to contact us.

After breakfast, head to the Manila Airport via private transfer to catch your flight to Puerto Princesa (about 1.5 hours), the capital of Palawan. Upon arrival, meet your guide and start the half-day Puerto Princesa city tour. Depending on your interests and the time available, you can visit highlights such as the Crocodile Farm, Mitra's Ranch, Baker’s Hill, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Plaza Cuartel, and City Baywalk Park.

Our sightseeing tour starts at Crocodile Farm, formly named as Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC), located about 12km away from Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS). The PWRCC is a breeding place for two endemic crocodile species - the Philippine crocodile and the Saltwater crocodile. Here, you can pet and cuddle baby crocodiles while exploring other endangered or local animals such as Palawan bearcat, eagles, bearded pigs, and myna birds. You can also try a famous exotic dish there called Crocodile Sisig, which features carefully cooked crocodile meat with other ingredients and spices. Afterward, if time permit, we will head to Mitra's Ranch (Mitra Farm, 7km away) to get a panoramic view of Puerto Princesa City and the Sulu sea. It also offers different activities, including a zipline, paint-ball and a restaurant. Animal lovers will be happy to approach the horses and foals roaming freely in the ranch. Nearby, you can also visit Baker's Hill (a theme park), famous for its baked goodies and treats!

After that, drive 10km to visit the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish (Puerto Princesa Cathedral). It is a Roman Catholic Cathedral located across the historic Plaza Cuartel in Barangay Liwanag of Puerto Princesa, which is also a historical landmark of Palawan. The first mass in Puerto Princesa was celebrated in the same place where the cathedral now stands on March 10, 1872 — six days after the Spaniards arrived in the city. Fr. Ezequiel Moreno of the Augustinian Recollect order held the very first mass here using a box of supplies. The church was subsequently constructed and completed after almost a century. Now, this Spanish-era church is a solemn destination where one can meditate and find solace. Then, visit the Plaza Cuartel near the Puerto Princesa Cathedral, which appears to be an ordinary city park with concrete pavements, lush trees, and benches. However, it has a tragic history. It was first built by the Spaniards in the 1880s as a garrison to protect the country from invasion. During World War II, 150 American prisoners of war were kept in its tunnels and burned to death by Japanese soldiers. Only 11 were able to survive and escape from the Palawan Massacre.

You can also enjoy a relaxing walk along the City Baywalk Park to view the seaside scenery while waiting for the sunset of Puerto Princesa. The Baywalk, which spans about 800m, used to be a slum area. Now, it has been transformed into a park where residents sell seafood and drinks along the Baywalk. Overnight in Puerto Princesa, the City of the Living God.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up and transfer you to Santa Lourdes Pier (Sta. Lourdes Wharf) to board a boat and explore the blue waters of Puerto Princesa's Honda Bay. Palawan is known for its white sand beaches and pristine islands, and Honda Bay has three of the best: Starfish Island, Cowrie Island, and Luli Island. Today, you will enjoy a full-day Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour, which includes visits to these three amazing islands. Additionally, these islands are known as some of the best diving sites in the Palawan province.

Your first stop could be Starfish Island. The moment you reach there, you will soon figure out how this particular island got its name, as there are so many starfish littering the shallow waters of this tiny island! This oval-shaped island is a great place for snorkeling near Puerto Princesa. You can have fun discovering the starfish, clown fish (Nemo) and other marine life in the waters, walking on the soft white sand, relaxing under the shady palm trees, and listening to the sound of the waves breaking on the beach. The island also has a few cottages that are available for lunch picnicking.

Cowrie Island could be your second stop, which is the biggest island on the Honda Bay Island Hopping tour. Named after the brightly-shelled mollusks (local sea snail), Cowrie Island is very popular as there are a lot of things to do, such as swimming, snorkeling, banana boat rides, jet skiing, kayaking, getting a drink at a bar or restaurant, having a relaxing massage, visiting small shops, playing beach volleyball, and enjoying the picturesque view under soaring coconut trees. Known for its crystal-clear blue waters and white sandy beaches, Cowrie Island is a perfect place to spend most of your time, which will include your lunch break.

After Cowrie Island, you will transfer to the Luli Island (Lulubog Lilitaw Island) which is one of the most popular islands on the Honda Bay Island Hopping tour. This tiny island disappears during high tide and reappears during low tide, which is why the island got its name from the Filipino words "lulubog" and "lilitaw", which mean to submerge and emerge (Lu-li is shortened from Lulubog-Lilitaw). During low tide, the sandbars are visible, and during high tide, only the houses can be seen. One of the highlights here is jumping off the diving board for a refreshing splash. You can also go cliff jumping, swimming or snorkeling in its clear emerald waters, sunbathe on its cream-colored and powder-like sand, stroll around its three beautiful long sandbars, and feed the colorful fish to see them up close. After your island-hopping tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel or resort in Puerto Princesa for a good rest.

This morning, you will depart from Puerto Princesa City and head to Sabang which is about 75km (2 hours drive). From the Sabang Wharf, you will take a short boat ride to Sabang Beach before transferring to a park-operated paddleboat to start your Underground River Tour. After visiting the famous Underground River National Park (Subterranean River National Park), you will head to El Nido in the afternoon.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is one of the most amazing attractions on Palawan Island, listed as a World Heritage site and one of the "New Seven Natural Wonders of the World". It is the longest navigable underground river in the world (8.2km), which flows directly to the South China Sea via the St. Paul Underground River cave. The Underground River Tour takes about 45 minutes. Sitting in the boat, which is equipped with a searchlight, you will pass through the cave with brilliant limestone karst landscapes, colorful stalactites and stalagmites, and thousands of swallows and bats. Listen to your audio commentary or get more information from your boatman guide to imagine and discover the resembling animals, religious images, and vegetables in the spectacular cave.

Besides, you can explore the surrounding area near the cave, including bird watching, mountain trekking, a mangrove paddle boat tour, and exploring the deeper part of the forest. As a national park and a model of biodiversity, it is a heaven for exploring the endemic Philippines wildlife, and it's possible to see long-tailed macaque monkeys, monitor lizards, and tree snakes.

Time to say goodbye to Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan. It is time to end your 5-day In-depth Palawan Puerto Princesa Tour from Manila. Your guide will transfer you the airport and you will continue on your next destination.

Extension Ideas: You can extend your trip to El Nido, Coron, Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, Dumaguete, Banaue, and other destinations. Please share your ideas with us!

Note: Please be advised that certain sites on the itinerary may be subject to change due to seasonal changes, weather conditions, national holidays, and special events. We reserve the right to modify the itinerary in order to enhance your tour experience in Philippines. Any changes made to the itinerary will be done with your best interests in mind.