One of the most underrated places in Palawan is the Puerto Princesa Underground River.
This subterranean river is Palawan’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, and honestly, I see why many people skip it. If your island hopping in Palawan itinerary is focused on Coron and El Nido (as most are), it can seem like a long way to travel for just one experience.
The thing is, though, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is totally different from anything else you’ll experience in Palawan.
After 1-2 weeks of almost non-stop island hopping, I was practically awestruck by the eerie caverns, the dripping limestone-karst ceiling, and bats spiralling in and out of the cave.
It was incredible to think that my Puerto Princesa Subterranean River day tour had only taken me 1.5 miles into the 8.2-kilometre underground river – “what else is in here?” I thought.
In this guide to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, I’ll walk you through how to visit the Puerto Princesa river with or without a guide, how to get there, what to expect and whether it’s really worth it.
Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. If you decide to click through and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you – thanks for your support.
Why is the Puerto Princesa Underground River Famous?
The Puerto Princesa Underground River is the second-longest underground river in the world, measuring in at 8.2 kilometres.
It has a unique limestone-karst formation and a ‘mountain-to-sea’ ecosystem that supports a number of animals and plants. These factors led to it being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only one in Palawan.
Some of the caverns measure up to 120 metres wide and 60 metres tall.
And as if that isn’t enough, the river also supports eight different types of forest, including freshwater swamps, evergreen tropical rainforest and mangrove forest.
Where is the Puerto Princesa Underground River?
The river may have Puerto Princesa in its name, but it’s not located in the city. It’s actually just under two hours’ drive (80 kilometres) from the city.
The Puerto Princesa river tours depart from the port of Sabang, which sits on the west coast of Palawan Island.
How to Get to the Puerto Princesa Underground River
There are two ways to get to the Puerto Princesa Underground River.
The first and easiest is to go to Puerto Princesa city first, and then take a day tour to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River.
This is what I did, taking a few days to tick off items from my Puerto Princesa itinerary. To reach the city, I took a minivan from El Nido to Puerto Princesa (a five-hour ride).
Once I finished all of my activities in Puerto Princesa, I then took a flight to my next destination from Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS).
The second option is to travel directly to Sabang. Shared public buses depart from San Jose Terminal in Puerto Princesa.
However, I was told that the buses only depart a few times per day and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sabang port
It’s more cost-effective to hire a scooter and travel there yourself. If you’re staying in Sabang for a couple of days, you can also take a private van to Sabang (via 12Go) for up to 11 people, which costs 3,880 PHP (£50) each way.
Once you arrive in Sabang, you’ll need to collect and/or book your ticket to the Puerto Princesa Underground River at the port.
If you’re not already exploring the river on a day tour, you can head to the ticket counter to book your ticket.
Cost of Visiting the Puerto Princesa River
If you book a tour from Puerto Princesa city, the entry fees are usually included in the total price of your tour. However, if you’re visiting off your own steam, you can pay for your ticket and boat at Sabang Port.
The fees for adults (aged over 21) are as follows:
- Entrance fee: 500 PHP (£6.50)
- Environmental fee: 150 PHP (£2)
- Audio guide: 85 PHP (£1)
- Boat (up to 6 people): 1,100 PHP (£14.15)
- Boat (8 people): 1,425 PHP (£18.30)
That brings the total cost for two people to 2,570 PHP (£19.30).
What to Expect From the Puerto Princesa Underground River
The Travel to the River
My Puerto Princesa Subterranean River day tour began at 7:00am, when an air-conditioned van picked my friends and I up from our hotel in Puerto Princesa.
We all stumbled bleary-eyed into the back of the van and promptly shut our eyes for the ride to Sabang Port.
At the port, we were guided onto a large, traditional bangka boat, where we began the 15-minute ride to the Puerto Princesa River. The return route was more scenic, with views of the green mountains above Sabang.
The boat dropped us at a small, sandy beach backed by palm trees and mangroves. There was no boat ramp, so we were told to take off our shoes and wade through knee-high water to the shore.
The beach where you’ll be dropped off
From the beach, it was a nice, level 10-minute walk along wooden boardwalks to the entrance to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River.
After waiting a short while, it was our turn to clamber into a canoe. The crew handed us blue hard hats to protect our heads from bat droppings and the small risk of loose debris.
Heading Inside the River
Each canoe fits approximately 6 – 12 people, plus one guide. The guide isn’t there to talk, but rather to guide the canoe along the pre-set tour route and shine the torchlight on significant areas in the river.
This is where your audio guide comes in. The audio provides information (in English or Tagalog) about the spectacular ecosystem, river discovery, wildlife (like bats and swiftlets), caverns and limestone-karst formations.
There’s no flash photography permitted in the river, which is why I don’t have any photos of the interior.
Once the tour was over, we were dropped back at the same area and boarded a boat back to Sabang Port.
Afternoon Activities
Lunch was a brief but delicious stop at one of the buffet-style restaurants next to Sabang Port. There was a large assortment of Filipino dishes and fresh fruit on offer, so we certainly didn’t go hungry.
Most tours then give you the chance to do a side trip to the Sabang X Zipline, an 800-metre zipwire over the bay, or a paddle tour at the Mangrove River Forest.
If you’re visiting off your own steam, you can grab your Sabang X Zipline ticket online in advance or at the ticket desk.
Is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Really Worth It?
I really liked visiting the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and think it’s a worthy addition to any Palawan trip.
Why? It’s totally different to island hopping, which is how I (and most people) end up spending the majority of their time in Palawan.
Most people stick to island-hopping in El Nido or Coron (which, let’s be honest, is incredible), but this is totally different.
It’s the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Palawan, and gliding through a dark limestone-karst cave feels almost otherworldly. When I think back to my Palawan trip, it’s definitely a stand-out activity.
That being said, the Puerto Princesa River is not for everyone. If you’re not already planning to visit Puerto Princesa, the detour can seem expensive and time-consuming.
Therefore, if you’re not interested in natural wonders, you’re better off sticking to the classic island-hopping activities in Coron and El Nido.
Quick List of Things to Bring to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River
- Sandals/flip-flops: You need shoes that are easy to remove, as you must wade through water when you arrive at the beach next to the Puerto Princesa Underground River.
- Passport or government-issued ID (if you’re buying your own tickets)
- Comfortable, lightweight layers: Outside, it’s hot and humid, but inside the river, it’s cool and damp.
- Water-resistant or waterproof bag: This will provide protection from drips from the ceiling of the cave.
- Sun protection such as sunglasses, sun cream and a hat.
- Insect repellent.
- Water bottle.
- Cash.
- Mobile phone or camera.
I hope you found my guide to visiting the Puerto Princesa Underground River handy! Leave a comment below if you have any more questions, or continue reading:
- Next up: Puerto Princesa itinerary – what else is there to do?
- Island hopping in Palawan guide: start here to plan your trip!
- Best El Nido tour: A, B, C or D?
- El Nido itinerary
- Coron island hopping tours: which are the best?
- Coron travel itinerary
- What to wear in Palawan
The Puerto Princesa river is 8.2 kilometres long. However, the river tours only take you 1.2 kilometres along the river.