Palawan Underground River
Ranked #126 in Travel & Places, #6,194 overall
Puerto Princesa Underground River
The subterranean river is one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. It is the longest navigable underground river in the world. It was once also known as the St. Paul underground river. View it and the other 6 New Wonders by clicking this link.
Bookings and other information for the Tour can be made at the Underground River Booking Office on Rizal Avenue at the Badjao Inn. Bookings are confirmed on a first come, first serve basis. Tours are fully booked on the days listed:
April 1-30, 2012
May 29-31, 2012
You should check out the latest news on the Official Underground River Website for status updates on this destination. A sharp influx of tourists has increased traffic to this site and the news on their site might help you out.
This Eco Tourist Destination has become so popular as of 2012 that the City Of Puerto Princesa is asking visitors to book 2 weeks in advance. They only allow 900 persons per day, and it's been difficult for walk in visitors to get a booking!!
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park or PPSRNP is a must see tour! The Italian georaphical association, La Venta, has recently uncovered the fossils of a manateee (locally called dugong) and some crystal caves! Although you need special permission and a fee to enter these caves. There are photos below of what you can see on the regular Underground River tour.
It is a core area for the Palawan Biosphere Reserve and is designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA). It was also declared as a National Geological Monument. In recognition of global significance, the PPSRNP is on the list of natural World Heritage Sites.
The trip from Puerto Princesa city center takes anywhere from an hour and forty to and almost 2 hours to get to the underground river depending on the weather.
Many thanks to Mayor Ed Hagegdorn for his diligent work in preserving the natural beauty of this wonderful city called Puerto Princesa.
Bookings and other information for the Tour can be made at the Underground River Booking Office on Rizal Avenue at the Badjao Inn. Bookings are confirmed on a first come, first serve basis. Tours are fully booked on the days listed:
April 1-30, 2012
May 29-31, 2012
You should check out the latest news on the Official Underground River Website for status updates on this destination. A sharp influx of tourists has increased traffic to this site and the news on their site might help you out.
This Eco Tourist Destination has become so popular as of 2012 that the City Of Puerto Princesa is asking visitors to book 2 weeks in advance. They only allow 900 persons per day, and it's been difficult for walk in visitors to get a booking!!
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park or PPSRNP is a must see tour! The Italian georaphical association, La Venta, has recently uncovered the fossils of a manateee (locally called dugong) and some crystal caves! Although you need special permission and a fee to enter these caves. There are photos below of what you can see on the regular Underground River tour.
It is a core area for the Palawan Biosphere Reserve and is designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA). It was also declared as a National Geological Monument. In recognition of global significance, the PPSRNP is on the list of natural World Heritage Sites.
The trip from Puerto Princesa city center takes anywhere from an hour and forty to and almost 2 hours to get to the underground river depending on the weather.
Many thanks to Mayor Ed Hagegdorn for his diligent work in preserving the natural beauty of this wonderful city called Puerto Princesa.
Climate in Palawan
There are only two types of weather in the area, the wet and dry season. It is usually wet from June to December and dry and hot the rest of the year. Although this can vary greatly depending on if it's an El Niño or La Niña year. For instance, as I write this, it is now February and it has rained for 3 days on and off, as we are on the Eastern side of the island. The entire Eastern coast gets significantly more rain than the Western side.Average temperature is 29 C or 85 F, while the annual average rainfall is 1,148 mm or 45 Inches annually.
The average relative humidity is high at around 85%.
Dress casually. For the wet season a light emergency rain jacket could keep you nice and dry if you are into hiking.
Underground River Fees, van and Tour rates
From Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Entrance Fee Prices updated May 2012
PPC Tourism has advised that the Underground River is fully booked all of May and June 2012
General Entrance to Underground River beach area
Adult P 150.00
Minor P 100.00
Cave Entrance Fee
Adult P 250.00
Minor P 150.00
Underground express Tour - P1,000.00 each (minimum of 4)
Commercial Video Fee- P3,000.00
*Filipino Senior Citizens 60 yr. old and up, minors 12 years old and below, & the handicapped are exempted from paying for the Underground River Tour. *minors two years old and below are not allowed inside the Cave.
Boat to Underground River Beach - P700.00 for 6 persons - two way
Van Rental from the City ProperP 3,500.00 - two way (average van rental price) This is a private hire. You can go and come back at your own pace.
Packaged tours P 1,500 per person. Best Deal
Includes van- round trip, Underground River tour and permits, boat ride, lunch and other things depending on the tour operator. You will be with other random persons and this is a full day tour. Most of the reputable hotels have tour packages. There are many tour agencies on Rizal Avenue near the airport as well.
Don't forget to bring a digital camera!
Underground River Booking Office Info
To book your Permit fees yourself
As of May, the PPC Tourism office has advised us that the Underground River is fully booked all of May and June 2012
Underground River Booking Office
Badjao Inn - 350 Rizal Avenue, Barangay Bancao Bancao, Puerto Princesa City 5300 Philippines-(right next to the iconic restaurant Kinabuch)
Telefax (048) 434-2509 Tel. (048) 723-2563
Email: info@puerto-undergroundriver.com
OR undergroundriver_ppsrnp@yahoo.com
Try Natural Insect Repellent
When traveling to the countryside in the Philippines you will need lots of insect repellent!
Best Time to Go to the Underground River
PPSRNP is open all year round.
The best time to go is from January to May when the weather is drier and the sea is calm, making it easier to enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature. Don't forget to bring the sunblock too!
How to get to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
and a list of where to stay as well.
Basically it's P1,500 fixed price and includes all costs including hotel pickup, park entrance fees and lunch on the beach. Don't be taken in by unscrupulous unauthorized people telling you otherwise. You can also get there on your own...but DO READ THE INFORMATION ON the website I've listed above. Do bring sunblock and insect repellent!
Backpacks for those hiking tours
PPSN River Park Regulations
Help Preserve our Eco System
2. Hunting, destroying, disturbing or mere possesion of any plant or animal.
3. Mutilating, defacing or destroying objects of natural beauty.
4. Damaging or leaving trails in damaged condition.
5. Altering, removing, destroying or defacing Park boundary signs or markers.
More choices in insect repellent
Keep those mosquitoes off!
President Benigno Aquino III Visits Puerto Princesa Underground River
Philippine President Pnoy loved it, you will too.
Feb. 9, 2011
In his thrust to promote the PPC Underground River, Mayor Hagedorn flew in with President Aquino to show him the nominee for the New 7 Wonders of the World. The Pesident then had a moment with the press to say how wondeful a National Treasure it is. It has since been Officially Awarded as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World!
You will need good luggage!
We use the luggae with the 4 wheels on each corner. You can't believe how they will save your back and make jockeying tight places so much easier.
New Discoveries at the Underground River
By La Venta Org
Only 85 More days to vote for the Puerto Princesa Undergroud River as one of the NEW 7 Wonders of the World. Philippine cellphone users can text: PPUR to 2861. It will cost you 2.50 PhP but well worth it! Or you can vote for free by going to: their website http://www.new7wonders.com/archives/wonder/puerto-princesa-underground-river
curated content from YouTube
First Aid Travel kits
There are no supplies to be had at many native resorts except perhaps alcohol and most stores will not have even the most basic of first aid tools. We recommend bringing a good first aid kit if you are into outdoor activities.
Where to stay near the River and other Info
Where to stay and other information about Puerto Princesa City as well as other city tours etc.
- Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort - Palawan, Philippines
- Home About Sabang About the Underground River About the Environment Gallery -Accommodations -Rooms -Rates -Special Packages -Conference -Pavilion -Dining -Activities
Has wifi, satelite TV and a large swimming pool. Has a nice beach front.
The resort is located on Palawan's secluded Sabang Beach, walking distance from Puerto Princesa's famous U - Sheridan Hotel Resort- resort in Sabang near the underground river
- A newer hotel, adjacent to Sabang beach. Has swimming pool, wifi, hot and cold showers, satelite TV
- Bambua Affordable Cottages and tours
- Less expensive and more affordable than Daluyon and Sheridan. Cottages are surrounded by nice gardens
- List of other native cottages to stay
- Scroll down to see photos and read about native cottages to stay at in Sabang.
- Documentary Video on PPSRP website
- On the official website of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Park
- Vote for Puerto Princesa Underground river.
- It's already made it's way to semi-finalist as one of the new 7 Wonders of the World with your votes! Pass it on!
- My Puerto Princesa Palawan
- About life in Puerto Princesa, where to shop and eat.
- Unesco World Heritage info on PPSRP
- with description, maps and other information
Other things to do and Points of Interest in Sabang
near the Underground River
Visitor Center -- For display, exhibit and presentation of history, flora and fauna of the PPSRNP. Learn more about the culture of the Batak and Tagbanua by visiting the Ethnographic Museum located at the Center. Briefing, video presentations, and printed information could also be seen at the center. This is also where you check in to be able to visit the Underground river.Jungle Trekking- - for outdoor lovers, an alternative 5 km long trail to the Cave is designed in such a way that it allows visitors to trek into the different forest formations to observe wildlife and sounds of the wilderness.
Zip Line - I haven't been to this but I hear it's worth doing. There is one at Ugong Rock.
Please respect the wild life and please do not liter, pick wild plants or disturb wild animals.
Wildlife Viewing - Another popular activity is bird watching. One must start early and preferably equipped with binoculars to see the brightly colored birds of the Park. Notable is the Palawan peacock pheasant. Commonly observed species include parrots, hornbills, pitas, leaf birds and herons. Other wildlife observed include Macaques, Monitor lizards and Squirrels.
Mangrove Paddleboat Tour - Tour the Sabang River on board paddle boats to observe mangrove forest and appreciate what an ecosystem free of human intervention looks like. Visitors are also given a chance to contribute to conservation by planting mangrove saplings in designated areas. This project is managed and operated by local residents.
White Sand Beaches- - The shoreline comprises some of the island's most pristine and beautiful beaches. Most popular are the Sabang beach, Panaguman beach, and Marta Fe beach. The cool and crystal waters make it ideal for swimming.
Adventure Caving- Aside from the Underground River, the area has a number of cave systems worth exploring. Climbing Ugong Rock allows one to view the spectacular karst formations and surrounding natural beauty. Other areas to explore include the Lions Cave, Daylight Hole and the Kawili Cave.
Bird Watching - The PPSRNP is designated an important Bird Area and Endemic Bird Area by Birdlife International. It is a home to at leeast 7 wildlife species listed under Conservation of Internationally Threatened and Endagnered Species. It is inhabited by some 195 species of birds including all 15 endemic bird species of Palawan. You need to start early and equipped with binoculars to see the brightly coclored birds of the Park. Notable are the Philippine Cockatoo, Palawan Peacock Phesant, Palawan Hornbill and the Blue Napped Parrot.
The shores of the PPSRNP have some of the island's most pristine and beautiful beaches. Most popular are the Sabang beach, Panaguman Beach and Marta Fe beach. The cool and crystal waters make it ideal for swimming and enjoying the sun.
Ethnographic Museum Learn more about the culture of Batak and Tagbanwa, two of the indigenous cultural groups that are found within the PPSRNP by visiting the Ethnographic Museum. Briefings and information material about the park can also be gotten at the museum.
Please be aware that there is a no litering law in all of Puerto Princesa. Respect our environment and please don't pull up native plants or disturb the wildlife. People are fond of pulling out star fish and then leaving them on the beaches. Please don't do this.
Philippine Cuisine
Cookbooks
Entrance to the Subteranean river
in Puerto Princesa National Park, Palawan, Philippines
All photos by Diana J Limjoco
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Water filtration bottle.
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Inside Puerto Princesa, Palawan- subteranean river
A giant stagmite inside the cavern of Palawan's amazing underground river!
All photos by Diana J Limjoco
A huge mineral stalactite
Puerto Princesa National Park, Palawan, Philippines, underground river
They call this stalagtite in the caverns of the underground river in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the Mushroom, as it resembles a mushroom.
All photos by Diana J Limjoco
Travel light for the best domestic fares.
In the Philippines you get special fares for just carry on bags with Cebu Pacific airlines. Here's a good assortment. In the US we paid 70.00 per checked in Bag! Now we travel light! You are only allowed 15 Kilos per bag if you do bring bags, be aware of this limit.
Cave ceiling
at the subteranean river in Puerto Princesa, Palawan
They give you a hard hat when you enter that cave for a reason....the stalagtites are alive and leak water, there are also a myriad of bats and starlings flying around the cave as well.
Mosquito nets and traps
Another great mineral formation
inside the cavern of Puerto Princesa underground river.
When you board the paddle boat to enter the cave, one guest is assigned to hold the huge flashlight and is directed by the boatman to point it in different directions. It's very dificult to take photos with most digital cameras. By the time you focus on one object, you have moved on to another. I used a digial SLR Nikon for these shots.
All photos copyright 2009 by Diana J Limjoco
Solar pocket flashlights
Lots of brownouts on the Islands.
Don't be left in the dark Bring along a pocket solar flashlight.
Puerto Princesa subteranean river
Inside the cavern on the river.
All photos by Diana J Limjoco
Bring a vid cam!
Wide view of mushroom stalactite
Inside the amazing limestone caverns of Puerto Princesa's underground river, in Palawan,Philippines
All photos by Diana J Limjoco
Travel ID and Passport holders
Another stalactite in the underground river
Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines
All photos by Diana J Limjoco
Emergency rain poncho
If you travel here during rainy season, and like hiking or camping...don't get caught without an emergency rain poncho.
Stalagmite underground river cavern
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
All photos by Diana J Limjoco
Travel Accessories
Underground river entrance
About Puerto Princesa underground river.
Official website of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. The National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. It is also known as St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park, or St. Paul Underground River. The entrance to the Subterranean River is a short hike from the town of Sabang. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park has been nominated for the "New Seven Wonders of Nature" competition.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. The National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. It is also known as St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park, or St. Paul Underground River. The entrance to the Subterranean River is a short hike from the town of Sabang. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park has been nominated for the "New Seven Wonders of Nature" competition.
Original Subterranean River Photos on Zazzle
Products with original Photos by Diana J Limjoco
Photos taken inside the Underground River in Puerto Princesa National Park, Palawan Philippines. Several large mineral formations. You can customize the t-shirts and put this photo on any style or object once you click on the page.
powered by Zazzle.com
Videos of Underground River and Places in Puerto Princesa
in Palawan
Videos in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, including a cool restaurant in a magrove forest. Also new discoveries at the Puerto Princesa Underground river caves!
curated content from YouTube
Blog Posts about the underground river from Google
Blogs about Puerto Princesa underground river.
- DENR keeps other Palawan attraction closed to tourists
- By Kristine L. Alave Snake Island in Honda Bay, Palawan, is being eyed as the next big tourist attraction in the province, after the soaring number of visitors to the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) has become too big to handle.
Other Palawan Related links
- Palawan Eco Tour and and tour concierge
- They will customize your adventures in Palawan. From transportation, booking hotels, Underground river tours, Fabulous food adventure picniks etc.
- Electric Vehicles and native goods
- Selling electric motorbikes, etrikes and local handicrafts
- About a farm in Puerto Princesa
- Applying sustainable solar lighting and using sustainable local materials to build a retirement and teaching farm in Luzviminda, Puerto Princesa
- About life in Puerto Princesa
- With links to hotels, restaurant reviews, native markets, arts and crafts etc.
Reader Feedback
If you have been to the underground river and have anything to say about it...please share!
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MelonyVaughan
Mar 1, 2012 @ 9:08 pm | delete
- A visually stunning lens! A true feast for the eyes!
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kohtaoisland
Feb 23, 2012 @ 11:52 pm | delete
- The place is just amazing. Great pictures and great lens! Been dreaming of visiting the place.
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rina
May 6, 2012 @ 11:18 am | delete
- PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE UNDERGROUND RIVER TOUR IS FULLY BOOKED FOR THE WHOLE OF APRIL AND MAY 2012
As a result of the award of New7Wonder of the Natural World. The Underground River Tour is very popular.
We would encourage early bookings (at least a week prior to arrival) to avoid disappointment as there is only a very limited number of people per day are given permits to visit this natural wonder.
This limitation was made in an effort by the local government to lessen the environmental impact that humans may bring to the natural habitat of endangered species which are endemic to the Underground Caves.
Important: Please bring a valid Identification Card during the tour in order to validate your permit at the tourism office in Sabang Port prior to your departure for the Underground River
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aida morsen
Jan 4, 2012 @ 12:59 am | delete
- please include the winners of PPUR in this website we're interested to know the winners? until now hindi pa napublished" just asking thank you
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argonauta
Nov 22, 2011 @ 6:52 am | delete
- Great lens and congrats ! you made it !
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