Puerto Princesa
Things to Do in Puerto Princesa Beyond the Underground River
Photo: Bert Andone, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Underground River and Honda Bay are Puerto Princesa’s two headline day trips, but four things to do sit closer to the city itself: two free stops, a crocodile farm, and an evening firefly tour.
Plaza Cuartel and Baywalk Park: free, in the city centre
Plaza Cuartel is a quiet historical stop: the site of a WWII-era military barracks where Japanese forces killed around 150 American prisoners of war in 1944. Baywalk Park, a short walk from the plaza, is a public waterfront park with food stalls, busiest at sunset.
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| Stop | Entrance fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza Cuartel | Free | WWII history site, central location |
| Baywalk Park | Free | Food stalls, best around sunset |
Sourced against current visitor guides for both sites, last checked 12 October 2026.
Both are walkable from most city-centre accommodation and need no more than an hour or two combined.
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (the Crocodile Farm)
A wildlife rehabilitation centre about 40 minutes northeast of the city by tricycle, with guided viewing of baby and adult crocodiles alongside a small nature park of other local wildlife.
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| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance | ₱40 pp | Guided viewing included |
| Photo with a baby crocodile | ≈ ₱30-35 | Optional extra |
Sourced against current visitor guides for the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, last checked 12 October 2026.
Iwahig firefly watching: an evening river cruise
A paddleboat cruise along the Iwahig River after dark, timed to see the fireflies that gather in the mangroves. The firefly-watching stretch itself is about 50 minutes, inside a 3 to 4 hour tour once transfers from the city are counted in.
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| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Firefly watching tour | ≈ ₱1,200-2,200 pp | Varies by operator and whether dinner is included |
Sourced against current tour listings for Iwahig firefly watching tours, last checked 12 October 2026. Operators bundle different extras (dinner, hotel pickup) into this price, compare what’s included before booking.
Fitting these around the Underground River and Honda Bay
None of these four need the two-hour drive to Sabang or a boat booking the way the Underground River and Honda Bay do, so any of them can fill a half-day around those two bigger trips. See the Underground River and Honda Bay compared for those two, and a 3-day Puerto Princesa itinerary for how a city day could slot in.
Where to stay for this
City-centre accommodation puts you closest to Plaza Cuartel and Baywalk Park; the Crocodile Farm and Iwahig tour both pick up from the city regardless of exact location. Where to stay in Puerto Princesa covers the area comparison.
Before you go
Plaza Cuartel, Baywalk Park and the Crocodile Farm are all walk-up, no booking needed. The Iwahig firefly tour is worth booking a day ahead through your accommodation, since evening slots are limited by tour operators’ paddleboat numbers. For what a day of this plus a bed and food adds up to, see Puerto Princesa: best time to visit and what a trip costs. If you are continuing south, how to get to Balabac explains why to leave the city a day before the boat. A session with me is the fastest way to ask how these fit around a wider Palawan trip.
Questions people ask
What is there to do in Puerto Princesa city itself, besides the Underground River and Honda Bay?
Plaza Cuartel and Baywalk Park, both free, plus the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (the Crocodile Farm) for ₱40, and an evening Iwahig firefly-watching river cruise. None of these need the two-hour drive to Sabang or a Honda Bay boat booking.
Is Plaza Cuartel free to visit?
Yes, no entrance fee. It's a short, quiet stop in the city centre, the site of a WWII-era military barracks where around 150 American prisoners of war were killed by Japanese forces in 1944.
Is Puerto Princesa Baywalk Park free?
Yes, it's a public park with no entrance fee, open daily. Food stalls and a sunset view over the bay are the main draw, it gets busiest in the early evening.
How much does the Crocodile Farm cost?
₱40 entrance per person. It's about 40 minutes northeast of the city centre by tricycle, and includes a guided look at both baby and adult crocodiles plus a small nature park.
How much does the Iwahig firefly watching tour cost?
Roughly ₱1,200-2,200 per person depending on the operator and what's bundled in (some include dinner, some don't). The firefly-watching paddle itself takes about 50 minutes as part of a 3 to 4 hour tour once transfers are included.
Can I combine the Crocodile Farm and the firefly tour on the same day?
Yes, the Crocodile Farm works as a daytime stop and the firefly tour runs after dark, so they don't compete for the same hours. Plaza Cuartel and Baywalk Park are both short, central stops that fit around either.
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