Puerto Princesa Tourist Information

Puerto Princesa is known as the Eco Tourism center of the Philippines, and as the capital of Palawan, it is now one of the most progressive cities in all of Asia, and duly recognized as such the world over.

Geography and Location

Puerto Pricnesa is situated approximately at the center of Palawan, bordered on the south by Aborlan and to the north by Roxas and San Vicnente. Some 300 miles (480 km) away from Manila, its west and east side are flanked by the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea respectively.

Climate wise, Puerto Princesa City goes through two seasons; the summer season from April to November, and the wet period, from May to October. Usually, rain is heavier in the eastern side. On the average, however, the temperature is quite high, and coupled with a constant humidity, have resulted in the development of a wide variety of plant life and flowers.

People and Culture

The original inhabitants of the land included the Tagbanuas, Bataks and Cayunnons, but as time has gone by, Puerto Pricnesa has been transformed into a land filled with a wide mix of cultures and ethnic groups. Most of the people can speak Tagalog and English, and there are also large groups of Visayans and some Mulims as well.

Just like other provinces in the Philippines, the people are well known for their generosity and hospitality with regards to other people, both local and foreign visitors. As such, interacting with the friendly folks have become as much an attraction as the different sites themselves.

Historical Overview

There are several accounts as to how Puerto Princesa City received its name. According to local legend, there was once a beautiful princess who traversed the island in the evenings; others claim that the name was given by the Spaniards owing to its importance as a seaport.

The one that most scholars and historians accept is that the city was named after Princess Eulalia, daughter of Queen Isabel II and Francisco de Asis. Originally, the city had another name, but when Eulalia died, Queen Isabel reamed the city Puerto Princesa.

Whatever the case may be, it can be ascertained that it was on March 4, 1872 the Spanish conquistadors first laid eyes on the city, and decided to settle on one of its plateaus. It was on that spot that Father Antonio Muro decreed that a chapel be constructed. A mass was held shortly thereafter, and that place is now a historical landmark.

It did not take long for the town of Puerto Princesa to flourish. Owing to its location, it became a vital trading and shipping point, and soon enough several roads, edifices and medical facilities were built. A thriving community soon prospered. Unlike other cities, Puerto Princesa suffered relatively little during the Spanish-American War, and when the Americans took over, the development of the city continued unabated.

On the first of January, 1970, the town officially became a city, and it did not take long before, as the capital of Palwana, it became the hub for business, commerce, government administration
and service.

During the 1980s, Palawan began developing its tourism industry, but it was not until the 1990s that the world came to recognize and learn about the hidden beauties in the island province. Today, the island province is hailed as one of the most attractive tourist spots in the world.

Its wildlife, flora and fauna are also recognized globally and preservation efforts have continued to this day. These efforts have enabled people to enjoy more of Puerto Princesa City and the province without inflicting any harm to the environment.