💰 Cost of Living
Average monthly expenses for a digital nomad
🏠 Accommodation
🍜 Food & Dining
🚗 Transportation
🎯 Other
⚡ Digital Nomad Essentials
Everything you need to work remotely from Puerto Princesa
📶 Internet
☁️ Weather
✈️ Transport
🛂 Visa
✓Advantages
- ✓UNESCO Underground River - world wonder
- ✓Ultra affordable cost of living
- ✓Gateway to Palawan paradise islands
- ✓English widely spoken
- ✓Friendly welcoming locals
- ✓Growing digital nomad scene
- ✓Year-round warm tropical climate
- ✓Fresh seafood and local cuisine
- ✓Safe city with low crime rates
- ✓Stunning natural beauty everywhere
✗Disadvantages
- ✗Internet can be inconsistent
- ✗Limited nightlife options
- ✗Power outages occasionally occur
- ✗Remote location requires flights
- ✗Wet season lasts 6 months
- ✗Limited coworking space options
- ✗Basic healthcare facilities
- ✗Tricycle transport can be slow
- ✗Tourist scams in peak season
- ✗Hot and humid year-round
💼 Top Coworking Spaces
Best places to work in Puerto Princesa
Workhub Palawan
📍 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan • 50 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Think Space Palawan
📍 San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan • 40 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Puerto Princesa City Library
📍 Higinio Mendoza Park, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan • 30 Mbps
DICT Digital Training Center
📍 Puerto Princesa City, Palawan • 40 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Hue Hotels Business Center
📍 North Road, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan • 100 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Workhub Palawan
📍 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Think Space Palawan
📍 San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Puerto Princesa City Library
📍 Higinio Mendoza Park, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
DICT Digital Training Center
📍 Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Hue Hotels Business Center
📍 North Road, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
☕ Best Cafes to Work From
Laptop-friendly cafes with good WiFi
Eightynine Cafe
📍 Rizal Avenue
Lilim Cafe
📍 San Pedro
Vinyl Cafe Palawan
📍 Rizal Avenue
Coffee Kong
📍 Rizal Avenue
Palaweño Brewery
📍 San Pedro
KaLui Restaurant
📍 Rizal Avenue
Eightynine Cafe
📍 Rizal Avenue
Lilim Cafe
📍 San Pedro
Vinyl Cafe Palawan
📍 Rizal Avenue
Coffee Kong
📍 Rizal Avenue
Palaweño Brewery
📍 San Pedro
KaLui Restaurant
📍 Rizal Avenue
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Puerto Princesa
Rizal Avenue (City Center)
The bustling heart of Puerto Princesa, Rizal Avenue runs through the city center and serves as the main commercial thoroughfare. Here you will find Robinson's Place Mall, restaurants, cafes, banks, and most tourist services. The area offers easy access to transport, shopping, and nightlife. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels to mid-range hotels. It is the most convenient location for first-time visitors who want to be close to everything.
San Pedro
San Pedro is a family-friendly neighborhood located south of the city center, offering easy access to attractions like the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. The area features a mix of local and tourist spots with a more residential feel than Rizal Avenue. Accommodation options are more affordable here, and the neighborhood provides a genuine local experience while remaining accessible to city amenities.
Bancao-Bancao
Bancao-Bancao is a vibrant neighborhood tucked away from the main tourist areas, offering a peaceful retreat with easy beach access. Located close to Canigaran Beach with its crystalline waters, this area is perfect for those who want to combine remote work with beach lifestyle. The neighborhood features gated communities like Camella Homes with modern condos and swimming pools. More affordable than waterfront resorts.
Sabang
Sabang is the gateway to the famous Puerto Princesa Underground River, located about 90 minutes from the city center. This beachside village offers a completely different experience with powdery white sand beaches, karst limestone mountains, and dense jungle surroundings. Perfect for nature lovers and writers seeking inspiration. Internet is available via pocket WiFi but less reliable than city center.
Rizal Avenue (City Center)
$$ Mid-rangeThe bustling heart of Puerto Princesa, Rizal Avenue runs through the city center and serves as the main commercial thoroughfare. Here you will find Robinson's Place Mall, restaurants, cafes, banks, and most tourist services. The area offers easy access to transport, shopping, and nightlife. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels to mid-range hotels. It is the most convenient location for first-time visitors who want to be close to everything.
San Pedro
$ BudgetSan Pedro is a family-friendly neighborhood located south of the city center, offering easy access to attractions like the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. The area features a mix of local and tourist spots with a more residential feel than Rizal Avenue. Accommodation options are more affordable here, and the neighborhood provides a genuine local experience while remaining accessible to city amenities.
Bancao-Bancao
$$ Mid-rangeBancao-Bancao is a vibrant neighborhood tucked away from the main tourist areas, offering a peaceful retreat with easy beach access. Located close to Canigaran Beach with its crystalline waters, this area is perfect for those who want to combine remote work with beach lifestyle. The neighborhood features gated communities like Camella Homes with modern condos and swimming pools. More affordable than waterfront resorts.
Sabang
$ BudgetSabang is the gateway to the famous Puerto Princesa Underground River, located about 90 minutes from the city center. This beachside village offers a completely different experience with powdery white sand beaches, karst limestone mountains, and dense jungle surroundings. Perfect for nature lovers and writers seeking inspiration. Internet is available via pocket WiFi but less reliable than city center.
🏛️ Top Attractions
Best things to do in Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa Underground River
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is an 8.2km underground river flowing through spectacular limestone caves. Take a guided paddle boat tour through massive chambers adorned with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. The park protects diverse ecosystems including old-growth forests and unique wildlife. Advance permits required.
Honda Bay Island Hopping
Honda Bay offers fantastic island hopping adventures to pristine islands with white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. Popular stops include Starfish Island famous for its abundant starfish, Cowrie Island with comfortable amenities and food stalls, Luli Island that appears and disappears with the tide, and Pandan Island known for excellent snorkeling. Perfect for swimming and relaxing.
Baker's Hill
A picturesque hilltop destination featuring beautiful gardens, colorful statues, playgrounds, and stunning panoramic views of Honda Bay. Famous for its delicious baked goods including hopia and other local pastries. The site offers a restaurant, multiple photo spots, and a peaceful atmosphere for families. Free admission makes it a popular local hangout spot.
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
Also known as the Crocodile Farm, this conservation center houses hundreds of Philippine crocodiles from hatchlings to massive adults. The facility also protects other endemic Palawan species including bearcat, porcupine, and various birds. Visitors can hold baby crocodiles for photos and learn about conservation efforts. Educational tours explain the importance of protecting these endangered species.
Plaza Cuartel
A poignant national historic site commemorating the tragic events of World War II when 143 American prisoners of war were burned alive by Japanese forces in 1944. The well-maintained memorial features a peaceful garden, historical markers, and the original garrison ruins. Located beside the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in the city center, it serves as a powerful reminder of wartime atrocities.
Iwahig Firefly Watching
Experience the magical glow of thousands of fireflies along the Iwahig River at dusk. Paddle boats glide silently through mangrove forests as fireflies create a mesmerizing natural light show in the trees. The tour includes a peaceful river cruise and the chance to spot wildlife in the mangroves. One of the most romantic and unique experiences in Puerto Princesa.
Sabang Beach and Zipline
Sabang Beach offers a kilometer of pristine white sand near the Underground River. After exploring the caves, visitors can relax on the beautiful shoreline, enjoy fresh seafood at beachside restaurants, or try the thrilling Sabang X Zipline stretching 800 meters across the jungle with breathtaking views of mountains and azure waters below. Perfect combination of adventure and relaxation.
Puerto Princesa Baywalk
A spacious seaside promenade along Puerto Princesa Bay, perfect for sunset watching, evening strolls, and people-watching. The area features local food stalls, restaurants, benches, and open spaces for relaxation. Popular with locals for morning jogs and evening hangouts. The colorful boats in the harbor and sea breeze create a pleasant atmosphere for unwinding after work.
Puerto Princesa Underground River
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is an 8.2km underground river flowing through spectacular limestone caves. Take a guided paddle boat tour through massive chambers adorned with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. The park protects diverse ecosystems including old-growth forests and unique wildlife. Advance permits required.
Honda Bay Island Hopping
Honda Bay offers fantastic island hopping adventures to pristine islands with white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. Popular stops include Starfish Island famous for its abundant starfish, Cowrie Island with comfortable amenities and food stalls, Luli Island that appears and disappears with the tide, and Pandan Island known for excellent snorkeling. Perfect for swimming and relaxing.
Baker's Hill
A picturesque hilltop destination featuring beautiful gardens, colorful statues, playgrounds, and stunning panoramic views of Honda Bay. Famous for its delicious baked goods including hopia and other local pastries. The site offers a restaurant, multiple photo spots, and a peaceful atmosphere for families. Free admission makes it a popular local hangout spot.
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
Also known as the Crocodile Farm, this conservation center houses hundreds of Philippine crocodiles from hatchlings to massive adults. The facility also protects other endemic Palawan species including bearcat, porcupine, and various birds. Visitors can hold baby crocodiles for photos and learn about conservation efforts. Educational tours explain the importance of protecting these endangered species.
Plaza Cuartel
A poignant national historic site commemorating the tragic events of World War II when 143 American prisoners of war were burned alive by Japanese forces in 1944. The well-maintained memorial features a peaceful garden, historical markers, and the original garrison ruins. Located beside the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in the city center, it serves as a powerful reminder of wartime atrocities.
Iwahig Firefly Watching
Experience the magical glow of thousands of fireflies along the Iwahig River at dusk. Paddle boats glide silently through mangrove forests as fireflies create a mesmerizing natural light show in the trees. The tour includes a peaceful river cruise and the chance to spot wildlife in the mangroves. One of the most romantic and unique experiences in Puerto Princesa.
Sabang Beach and Zipline
Sabang Beach offers a kilometer of pristine white sand near the Underground River. After exploring the caves, visitors can relax on the beautiful shoreline, enjoy fresh seafood at beachside restaurants, or try the thrilling Sabang X Zipline stretching 800 meters across the jungle with breathtaking views of mountains and azure waters below. Perfect combination of adventure and relaxation.
Puerto Princesa Baywalk
A spacious seaside promenade along Puerto Princesa Bay, perfect for sunset watching, evening strolls, and people-watching. The area features local food stalls, restaurants, benches, and open spaces for relaxation. Popular with locals for morning jogs and evening hangouts. The colorful boats in the harbor and sea breeze create a pleasant atmosphere for unwinding after work.
🛡️ Safety & Healthcare
What to know about safety and medical care
🚨 Safety
🏥 Healthcare
💬 What Nomads Say
Real reviews from digital nomads
"Puerto Princesa completely exceeded my expectations! I came for the Underground River and stayed for three months because the cost of living is incredible. My modern studio with Starlink internet cost only $450/month, and I was eating fresh seafood daily for almost nothing. The locals are genuinely the friendliest people I have met anywhere in Southeast Asia. English is spoken everywhere which makes daily life so easy. Yes, the internet can be spotty in some areas, but the city library now has Starlink and cafes along Rizal Avenue are reliable. The island hopping in Honda Bay became my weekend routine. If you are looking for paradise on a budget, this is it."
"Puerto Princesa is a solid base for exploring Palawan, but you need to manage your expectations for remote work. I stayed for six weeks and found that PLDT Fiber in the city center is decent at 25-50 Mbps, enough for video calls and coding. The challenge is consistency, there are occasional outages and the wet season brings more issues. Coworking options are limited compared to Bali or Chiang Mai, so I mostly worked from my Airbnb or cafes. The real draw is the lifestyle, weekends exploring the Underground River, island hopping, or just relaxing at Baywalk. Budget around $900-1000/month for comfortable living. Not for everyone, but perfect if you prioritize nature over nightlife."
"I had mixed feelings about Puerto Princesa as a digital nomad destination. The natural beauty is undeniable and the people are wonderful, but the infrastructure still has a way to go. Power outages happened twice during my month stay, which was stressful during client calls. The nightlife is essentially nonexistent if that matters to you, and the dating scene is very limited. Transportation relies heavily on tricycles which can be slow and uncomfortable. That said, my $800/month budget went very far here. I would recommend it for nature lovers who can handle some inconveniences, or as a short stop before heading to El Nido or Coron. Not ideal for those needing rock-solid connectivity."
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