The City of Puerto Princesa (Filipino: Lungsod ng Puerto Princesa) is a first class city in the province of Palawan, Philippines; it is the capital city of the province. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 161,912 people in 33,306 households. It is famous for its crocodile farms, underground rivers and dive spots.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park Brief Description
This park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an underground river. One of the river's distinguishing features is that it emerges directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full 'mountain-to-sea' ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia. The city is declared as the "Cleanest and most peaceful city in the Philippines".
Get in
By Air
Puerto Princesa is slightly more than an hour away by plane from Manila. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines all have daily flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa. Air Philippines also operates flights to and from Puerto Princesa to other major cities such as Davao and Cebu City. SEAIR offers flights from Busuanga Tu/F/Su and El Nido on Tu/F.
By Sea
WG&A Superferry and Negros Navigation both have a weekly ferry to Puerto Princesa from Manila. The ferry trip is about 22 hours long.
See
- Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park - more commonly known as the Underground River. At over 8 kilometers in length, is reputably the longest underground river in the world. With its crystalline waters and spectacular cave formations, the Underground River is possibly Puerto Princesa's most popular attraction. The site was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. The winding path of the river is navigable via small pumpboats that depart from Sabang Beach. Travel time from the city proper to Sabang is about 1.5 hours.
- Honda Bay - consisting of several islets with beautiful beaches, Honda Bay is the place to go to for swimming, snorkeling as well as beach and island hopping. Accessible via the Sta. Lourdes wharf which is 25 minutes away from the city. Pumpboats at the wharf can be hired to take visitors to the various islets on the bay.
- Iwahig Penal Colony - a good example of a true correctional institute, the Iwahig Penal Colony is more of a farming community rather than a prison. Inmates often live with their families and are allowed to toil their farms to earn a living. Carving out handicrafts is also a common preoccupation and mahogany handcarvings are a good buy for tourists. The colony is about 35 minutes from the city center.
- Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center - formerly known as the Crocodile Farming Institute, is both a tourist attraction and a research institute devoted to crocodiles. About 30 to 40 minutes from the city center, the Crocodile Farm also has a mini-zoo, which features some of Palawan's endemic species of wildlife.
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