Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa is the capital city of Palawan and the main gateway for most travelers. While many visitors pass through quickly on their way to El Nido or Coron, the city and its surroundings offer several worthwhile attractions.
The highlight is the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The 8.2km navigable underground river winds through a dramatic limestone cave system.
The city also offers Honda Bay island-hopping, firefly watching tours on the Iwahig River, and a range of restaurants serving fresh seafood. It's the most developed city in Palawan with banks, hospitals, and shopping malls.
City Center / Rizal Ave: Budget-friendly, close to restaurants, malls, and transport terminals.
Along the Bay: Beachfront resorts and hotels along the baywalk area.
Filter spots
Puerto Princesa to El Nido
The busiest road in Palawan, connecting the capital to El Nido. Shared vans leave San Jose Terminal roughly hourly through the day; Cherry Bus runs the same route cheaper (₱651–998) and slower (~6 hrs) with seats you can actually sleep in.The road is fully paved. Vans stop once for lunch around Roxas; beyond that, it's rice paddies, karst, and coastline.
Puerto Princesa to Sabang
The Underground River run: over the mountains to the west coast. Vans leave San Jose Terminal in the morning; tour packages do the same road with pickup at your hotel.The climb over the ridge is twisty but short, and the descent drops you straight into Sabang's bay.
Puerto Princesa to Port Barton
North on the El Nido highway, then west on the winding spur road down to the coast. Several van companies run it daily from San Jose Terminal.The last 22 km used to be Palawan's most notorious stretch of mud; it's paved now, just twisty.
Puerto Princesa to Balabac
The long haul south: van down the entire south highway to Rio Tuba (~5 hrs), then an open-sea boat to Balabac town (3–4 hrs, weather permitting).Almost everyone does this inside a package tour, which bundles the crossing with the island-hopping that follows, but the public route exists and works if you're patient.
North Palawan Classic
The definitive first-timer's week: land in Puerto Princesa, work up the west coast through Sabang and Port Barton, finish big in El Nido, and sail out to Coron. One direction, no backtracking.Budget assumes shared vans, mid-range rooms, and the headline tours. Move the El Nido days to a kayak-your-own pace and it drops fast.