Puerto Princesa's headline attraction is the Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, where a navigable underground river winds through 8 km of cathedral-sized caverns before emptying into the sea. Permits and boat places are limited, so book well in advance — tours fill up days ahead during peak season.
Closer to the city, Honda Bay offers a full day of island-hopping across a scattering of coral-fringed islands, with snorkelling, a giant clam sanctuary, and clear shallow water that rewards those willing to hire a kayak for the afternoon. The Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm is one of the most unusual destinations in the Philippines — a low-security open colony where inmates farm the land and sell handicrafts to visitors.
The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center is a genuine conservation operation (not a zoo) and the best place to see the Palawan bearcat, the rare Philippine crocodile, and other endemic species. The Puerto Princesa City Baywalk stretches along the seafront and comes alive in the evening with local families, food stalls, and the sort of unhurried atmosphere that makes this city easy to like.