Awesome Week In Puerto Princesa, Palawan – Full Itinerary

Summer vacation wouldn’t be complete without spending time frolicking at the beach. To escape the scorching heat of the desert, Derick and I had our dose of vitamin sea and a lot of splashing in the Philippines. After our memorable family bonding at the Plantation Bay Resort, we headed to our next island adventure.

This year we chose Puerto Princesa, Palawan as our island getaway. And the main reason is to see the Underground River which was listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. We’ve already seen the best of El Nido, so it is time to explore the other side of Palawan.

Related Post: El Nido Resorts Palawan: A One Of A Kind Honeymoon Destination

Since it was the week of our wedding anniversary, Derick and I preferred to have a laid-back/romantic vacation and still  able to see Puerto Princesa’s treasures at the same time. So here’s how our sojourn in Puerto Princesa unfolded and things we enjoyed during our entire stay.

Day 1 – Arrival 

From Cebu our flight arrived in Puerto Princesa at around 2 o’clock in the afternoon. We headed straight to our accommodation at Astoria Palawan. Basically our first day in Puerto Princesa was spent at the resort as we indulged ourselves to a sumptuous dinner at their restaurant.

Day 2 – Palawan Waterpark by Astoria

Astoria Palawan’s major attraction is their waterpark. The waterpark was just recently completed and this is the only waterpark in Palawan. The park has four sections which composed of several slides and artificial waves – the Surfs Up Pool, Tumbling Bucket, Marine Sanctuary and the River Ride.

Day 3 – Underground River

You never been to Puerto Princesa if you haven’t gone to the Underground River Cruise. It’s something that the Philippines is proud of. You’ll have to see and witness it with your own eyes to understand why it was dubbed as one of New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Day 4 – Puerto Princesa City Tour

On our fourth day we explored the city and visited several sites namely: Iwahig Penal Colony, Wildlife Conservation Center, Mitra’s Ranch, Bakers Hill, Butterfly Garden and the Village of Native Palaw’an Tribe. Our tour lasted only four hours and we’re back to our accommodation with ample time to chill at the resort.

Day 5 – Lazy Day at the Resort

On the day of our wedding anniversary, we just stayed at the resort. We went swimming and kayaking. In the later afternoon we had our couple’s massage at the spa. And we ended the day with our anniversary dinner.

Day 6 – Island Hopping

During our Island Hopping tour we visited 3 islands in Honda Bay – Starfish Island, Luli Island and Cowrie Island. These island were named after the common species that inhabits them. Among the three islands, Cowrie has the finest white sand beach. Although each island has its own beautiful characteristics, I must say Cowrie Island is my favorite one.

The Starfish Island is good for swimming and snorkeling but the abundance of starfishes in the island is surely what makes it interesting.

If you’re into snorkeling Luli Island has nice underwater views and school of fishes. By the way, Luli Island stands for Lulubog – Lilitaw (sink and rise) which means the visibility of the island depends with the tides.

Day 7 – Souvenir Shopping and Departure

Finally our awesome sojourn in Puerto Princesa has ended. We had so much fun and a week full of relaxation. How about you, where did you spent your summer holidays?  I would love to know your summer escapades. Share your stories and blog links in the comment section below.