Is Puerto Princesa Safe in May 2026?

Tricycle drivers in Puerto Princesa frequently quote flat rates to tourists that are five to ten times the local fare. Drivers at the airport and bus terminal are the most aggressive, targeting arrivals who do not know the standard metered or zone rates. Agreeing without negotiating first almost always results in a significant overpayment.

How to avoid: Ask your accommodation for current fixed tricycle rates before you travel. Negotiate the price before boarding and confirm the destination. The standard city zone rate is around 10-15 PHP per person for shared rides.

Travel agents and touts near Puerto Princesa accommodation areas aggressively push all-inclusive tour packages that bundle Honda Bay, the Underground River, and city tours at inflated prices. Agents create urgency by claiming permits are nearly sold out or that independent travel to the Underground River is no longer allowed. The packages often include unnecessary add-ons and use sub-standard vehicles.

How to avoid: Compare package prices at three or more operators before committing. Ask specifically which components are mandatory versus optional. Honda Bay island-hopping and city tours can be arranged independently at significantly lower cost through licensed local guides found at the tourism office on Rizal Avenue.

At Honda Bay, boat operators and island staff sometimes charge additional entrance fees to specific islands beyond what the official Honda Bay conservation fee covers, claiming the extra charge is a mandatory local levy. In some cases these secondary fees go directly to the boat crew rather than any authority. Some operators also charge separately for the use of bamboo rafts or floating platforms at islands where these are included in the official rate.

How to avoid: Before departing for Honda Bay, obtain the official fee schedule from the Puerto Princesa City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO). The city conservation fee covers access to all public islands. Refuse any additional island-by-island fees that are not supported by an official printed receipt from a uniformed officer.

Touts near the Puerto Princesa airport and at accommodation areas sell what they claim are pre-booked permits or priority passes for the Puerto Princesa Underground River. These documents are fake, and visitors discover the fraud only on arrival at the park entrance. The legitimate permit system is managed exclusively through the city tourism office.

How to avoid: Book Underground River permits only through the official Puerto Princesa City Tourism Office website or your accommodation. Do not buy tickets from individuals on the street or at the airport. Permits sell out during peak season, so book several days in advance on the official portal.

On arrival at Puerto Princesa airport, touts posing as hotel shuttle drivers or tourism officers offer to help with transport and accommodation, steering visitors toward specific guesthouses where they earn commission. The recommended accommodation is often inferior in quality and overpriced compared to what could be booked independently. Some touts claim that pre-booked hotels are closed or fully booked to redirect visitors.

How to avoid: Book your accommodation before arrival and confirm the booking directly with the hotel. Arrange your airport transfer in advance through your guesthouse. If someone at the airport claims your pre-booked hotel is unavailable, call the hotel directly to verify before agreeing to any changes.