From bustling local eateries to unique dining adventures, Puerto Princesa serves up authentic Filipino experiences that go beyond just food. The standout options combine meals with natural wonders – I particularly love the firefly-watching dinner tours along the river, where you’ll dine under the stars while witnessing these luminescent creatures. Kalui Restaurant pairs wonderfully with underground river tours, offering traditional Filipino cuisine in a charming setting. For seafood enthusiasts, having lunch or dinner in a native Filipino house delivers both fantastic fresh catch and culture.
The city’s newest gem, Balayong Peoples Park, offers an impressive evening package combining local buffet with a modern light show. These memorable dining experiences showcase the best of Palawan’s hospitality and natural beauty.
Check out these top food adventures that define Puerto Princesa’s culinary scene:
Key Points
- Kalui Restaurant offers a sustainable dining experience that complements the Underground River tour, though it may not accommodate guests with food allergies.
- Seafood lunch or dinner at a native Filipino house provides an authentic culinary experience, but with a limited group size.
- Balayong Peoples Park provides a unique dining experience with a buffet dinner and an interactive light show, in a wheelchair-accessible setting.
- Tour providers generally offer meal options, such as dinner, as part of their firefly watching and river exploration experiences.
- Dining experiences in Puerto Princesa often emphasize fresh, locally-sourced seafood as part of the area’s culinary heritage.
Puerto Princesa Fireflies Watching With Dinner
Watching the flickering lights of fireflies along the river in Puerto Princesa is a captivating nighttime experience.
This 4.0-rated tour offers visitors an intimate encounter with these natural wonders. For €38.71 per person, travelers can enjoy a dinner during the drive to the firefly site and a 1-hour paddleboat ride for up-close viewing.
The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a driver/guide. While past guests have had mixed reviews on the food quality, the firefly experience is consistently praised as serene and romantic.
Minimum 2 people are required, with free cancellation up to 24 hours prior.
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Underground River and Firefly Watching With Dinner
Travelers seeking a comprehensive Puerto Princesa experience can embark on an Underground River and Firefly Watching tour with Dinner.
This full-day excursion allows visitors to explore the 8.2-kilometer-long Underground River, viewing spectacular rock formations and illuminated stalactites and stalagmites.
In the evening, they’ll witness fireflies illuminating the mangrove forest, creating a magical scene.
The tour includes hotel transfers, buffet meals, a licensed guide, and all necessary fees.
It’s not suitable for those over 95, and participants should provide their hotel details.
Cash is recommended for personal expenses, and alcohol and drugs are prohibited.
Guests can check availability and skip the ticket line for convenience.
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Underground River With Dinner at Kalui
Visitors to the Underground River can enhance their experience by combining it with a dinner at the renowned Kalui Restaurant in Puerto Princesa.
The guided boat tour showcases the river’s rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites, as well as its diverse ecosystems. For $80.83 per person, the tour includes round-trip transfers, a licensed guide, permits, and a lunch and dinner.
Visitors can reserve their spot without upfront payment and enjoy the flexibility of free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
This experience highlights the region’s natural wonders while emphasizing sustainable tourism to preserve the cave environment.
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Puerto Princesa: Seafood Lunch or Dinner With Transfers
Dining on fresh, locally-sourced seafood in Puerto Princesa provides an authentic taste of the city’s culinary heritage.
Guests can experience a 2-hour seafood lunch or dinner in a native Filipino house decorated with art and edible produce. The group size is limited to 10 participants, and the price starts at $59.25 per group of up to 2 people.
Hotel pickup and drop-off, a meal with appetizer, soup, main proteins, rice, and drinks, are included.
While reviews are generally positive, there have been some concerns about food selection and communication. Participants should note this experience isn’t suitable for those with food allergies.
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Firefly Watching Tour With Dinner
Exploring the enchanting world of fireflies is a captivating experience in Puerto Princesa.
The 4-hour Firefly Watching Tour with Dinner offers a chance to witness thousands of these mesmerizing creatures in the mangrove area, as well as enjoy a sunset at the baywalk and city lights before returning to the pier.
For €24.64 per person, the tour includes roundtrip hotel transfers, a licensed guide, boat captain and crew, and dinner.
While the reviews are mixed, with some participants finding the large group size and visibility issues a challenge, the opportunity to see the fireflies is a unique highlight.
Those prone to seasickness should take precautions, and flash photography isn’t allowed.
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Puerto Princesa: Jungle Firefly Watching Boat Tour & Dinner
For those seeking an enchanting evening in Puerto Princesa, the Jungle Firefly Watching Boat Tour & Dinner promises an unforgettable experience. Priced from $31.73 per person, this 4-hour tour allows visitors to get up close with fireflies and explore the mangrove ecosystem.
Guests will enjoy a local-style dinner before embarking on a romantic river cruise, away from city lights, to witness the magical glow of fireflies. With a high transportation rating of 4.9/5 and praised for its knowledgeable guides, this tour offers excellent value.
However, it’s not suitable for wheelchair users, young children, or those with mobility issues. Overall, it’s a unique and captivating activity that shouldn’t be missed.
Read our full review: Puerto Princesa: Jungle Firefly Watching Boat Tour & Dinner Review
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Puerto Princesa: Balayong Peoples Park With Dinner and Show
An elegant evening in Puerto Princesa awaits visitors who embark on the Balayong Peoples Park With Dinner and Show experience.
The 5-7 hour tour includes a buffet dinner and a visit to the Balayong Peoples Park, known for its blooming Palawan Cherry trees. Guests can enjoy the interactive light and water show every hour and explore the park’s features like the children’s playground and sports complex.
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the tour is wheelchair accessible. Visitors can also add a luxurious spa experience after the tour.
With free cancellation and no upfront payment, this tour provides a memorable evening in Puerto Princesa.
Read our full review: Puerto Princesa: Balayong Peoples Park With Dinner and Show Review
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Puerto Princesa: Firefly Watching Paddle Boat Tour & Dinner
Visitors to Puerto Princesa can embark on a captivating Firefly Watching Paddle Boat Tour & Dinner, a 4-hour experience that combines the enchantment of bioluminescent creatures and a delectable meal.
Priced from $26.59 per person, the tour includes roundtrip van transfer, a paddle boat ride on the Sicsican River, and a dinner.
While the tour generally receives positive reviews, some customers have reported delays, miscommunication, and disruptions that affected their firefly sightings and dining experiences.
The tour remains a popular attraction, with the best months for firefly viewing being December and January.
Read our full review: Puerto Princesa: Firefly Watching Paddle Boat Tour & Dinner Review
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Puerto Princesa: Firefly Watching Bay Cruise With Dinner
Travelers embarking on the Firefly Watching Bay Cruise With Dinner in Puerto Princesa can expect a captivating 4-hour experience that blends the enchantment of bioluminescent creatures with a delectable local-style dinner.
Priced from $33.50 per person, the tour offers convenient pickup and drop-off within 5 km/3.1 mi of the airport. Guests will sail from Puerto Princesa Bay at dusk, enjoy the sunset, and spot wild fireflies and plankton in the river estuary while learning from a knowledgeable guide.
The inclusive package covers boat transfers, dinner, and environmental fees. With a 4.1/5 overall rating, the tour provides excellent value and an unforgettable glimpse into Puerto Princesa’s natural wonders.
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Recap
Puerto Princesa offers a variety of dining experiences that combine nature and local cuisine. From firefly watching tours to underground river excursions, these packages provide an immersive experience for visitors. Whether it’s a seafood feast or a cultural show, these dining options showcase the best of what Puerto Princesa has to offer.