Puerto Princesa travel guide

Puerto Princesa, Philippines - Overview: The City In The Forest

Puerto Princesa is known as the bustling and lively capital of Palawan. This city is always perceived as an enticing attraction in its own unique right with good restaurants and decent hotels. At the same time, it serves as an excellent base to explore the anonymous beauty of Southern Palwan and the nearby central regions.

It is recognized as “Puerto” by the local citizens and this city is comparatively cleaner and chilled out when compared with Manila. But at the same time, the illusions of the tropical paradise are often shattered by the bugging tricycle jams often seen on Rizal Avenue.

Climate

There are two prevailing climatic conditions in the city of Puerto Princesa. In the western coast, there is a mixture of dry and wet climate for six months each accompanied by very heavy rainfall. On the other hand, the eastern coast has short dry seasons with excess of intermittent rainfall. A regularly uniform high temperature is maintained in the city with higher relative humidity.

Culture

Puerto Princesa is basically a cradle of various cultures because of the waves of different migrants from various regions of the Philippines and other countries, influencing it. The Cuyunons are the original inhabitants, who are famous for their traditions and enriched folklore. On the other hand, the Bataks and the Tagbanuas are the other indigenous groups. More than three fourths of the population resides in the urban areas.

Festivals in Puerto Princesa

This city is famous for celebrating various and unique festivals, all year round. To start with, the Mangrove Planting Festival celebrated on February 14 marks the expression of love and concern for Mother Nature. Street dancing, planting of Balayong trees and parades depicting the Blossoms of Palawan Cherry are some of the features of the Balayong festival, celebrated in the month of March. The shores of Puerto Princes witness a summer extravaganza with impressive fireworks during the month of April.

Accommodation

There are several standard hotels in Puerto like Asturias Hotel, Hotel Fleuris and Legend Hotel. Some of the famous economy hotels are White View Paradise Hotel, Royal Oberoi, Island Palawan Hotel and Moanna Hotel. Some of the frequently visited inns and pension are Abelardo’s Pension, Amelia Pensionne, Badjao Inn, Bundal Inn and Casis Pensionne.

Puerto Princesa, also popularly termed as “The city in the forest”, is one of the best tourist destinations and it should be on your list of most wanted destinations.