Puerto Princesa City Tour: Is the Half-Day Trip Worth It?

Planning a trip to Puerto Princesa and wondering if that quick city tour is worth squeezing into your itinerary? You see, with so much talk surrounding the Underground River and island hopping adventures, the city itself can get a little overlooked. Anyway, I figured I would give you the lowdown on the “Puerto Princesa Half Day City Tour (Shared Tour)”, so you can determine if it’s right up your street.

What’s Included in the Half-Day City Tour?

So, that half-day tour typically packs in some of the major landmarks around Puerto Princesa. I suppose, don’t anticipate spending hours at each location, since this tour gives you just enough time to snap a photo, absorb a little info, then move on. To be honest, it can feel a bit rushed. Yet, it’s not that bad if you only have a limited amount of time.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral: Very much the iconic church that’s also in the center of the city, where you get to admire it’s architecture and tranquil setting.
Plaza Cuartel: Supposedly a historical park with a pretty dark past during World War II; a place for reflection.
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center: Pretty much often referred to as the Crocodile Farm; here you get to see crocs of sizes and learn about Palawan’s wildlife.
Mitra’s Ranch: Supposedly offering a view of the city and a chance to try some activities like ziplining.
Baker’s Hill: Just like your local bakery but filled with quirky decorations and a variety of baked treats.

Usually that package deal covers transport, that is your air-conditioned van or bus that’s going to pick you up from your accommodation and take you to the stops. Of course, there is the tour guide, who gives commentary, yet this can be a hit or miss, since it would very much depend on their know-how. I mean entrance fees are often included, yet it’s a really good idea to double-check at the time of your booking. Anyway lunch isn’t part of this; that means you’ll probably need to factor in extra for snacks along the way.

The Upsides: Why You Should Consider It

You see, If you only have a brief layover, that half-day tour actually turns out to be an efficient means of getting a feel for Puerto Princesa. Really, it’s a compact way of seeing a bunch of spots without needing to worry about renting a vehicle, or public transport schedules. I suppose, you are able to sit back and leave everything to that tour provider, that really is a plus!

Time-Saving: Pretty perfect if you’re on a tight schedule and still want to experience the city.
Convenience: The transport is taken care of, means, which will remove the hassle of planning your route.
Affordable Overview: It gives you a good idea if you think you want to see in more depth later.

The Downsides: What to Watch Out For

OK, that rushed feeling is legit. Honestly, You can end up spending more time driving to the stops than actually enjoying those spots. Actually some stops are also more of a tourist trap, they are like Baker’s Hill or Mitra’s Ranch, while they can be quite enjoyable; still these things feel geared towards spending rather than culturally immersing yourself. So, be aware that those “shared” tours sometimes means waiting around while others grab souvenirs. This just eats into your precious sightseeing time!

Rushed Experience: Just not enough time to fully savor each place.
Surface Level: You don’t get to truly explore those destinations.
Possible Tourist Traps: Spots intended to make you spend more.
Crowds: Those “shared” tours can get pretty packed, more so during peak season.

Is It Worth Your Time and Money?

Really it boils down to what you expect. You see, if you treat that tour like just an orientation, like a sampler platter to see where you would be keen to return, it could be money well spent. Anyway if you’re after meaningful experiences and prefer really digging deep into Palawan’s culture, then maybe that whirlwind tour won’t be up your alley. Really, you could potentially piece together your little self-guided itinerary targeting maybe one or two spots that would intrigue you most.

In short, if:

You are short on time: Yes, go for it!
You are happy with brief introductions: Great way to see a few spots

But if:

You’re after in-depth experiences: Maybe skip this and just design your tour.
You dislike feeling rushed: Consider hiring your transport for the day so you can get to set that pace.

Just do some research, know yourself, and get expectations that fit you. Have a blast!