The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is pretty impressive. The river is the second longest in the world ― Mexico has the world's longest ― and it's an incredible holiday vacation experience. What makes it one of a kind is the karst mountainous limestone the river hollowed out. For a millennium the rough South China Sea has worked on the bedrock.
You see karst limestone rock formations all over southeast Asia in fact: Thailand, Indonesia and most famously in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River sits in a national park which has UNESCO World Heritage site status. The status is significant in protecting the natural environment surrounding the river and its cave system.
The river which flows from the mountain makes it possible to venture inside the mountain to discover natural treasures such as:
Once inside and you are navigated along the stretch of water you come to open expanses that reach heights of 60m or more. When you are deep inside a cave system ― any cave system ― strangely, you adapt quickly to this other world.
The whole adventure is very mystical and surreal. What spooks most people are the sounds of dripping water and bats, of which there are eight species found inside. The underground is dark and dimly lit by what light you take in with you. And the echo of your own voice and that of others up ahead of you and far behind, is eerie.
It is one of those occasions you feel yourself, your children would really love to be here to learn for themselves, what is scary at their age. It's a whole lot of fun and exciting for them.
There are a number of attractions that will complement your subterranean underground experience if you are interested. If you make it a full day trip to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, then you will need to find something more to do:
The mangrove forest boat trip takes you on a 30-minute coastal tour of the mangrove forest, enjoying the lush green vegetation and sightseeing wildlife. Nothing to shout about but it does help add substance to your day trip, so you're not left twiddling your thumbs. When you get back into Sabang Village there's a 5km trail through thick jungle. The trail grows steep the further you go in but when you do so you have more chance of seeing the long-tailed macaques in the jungle canopy.
Sabang is situated about two hours' drive from Puerto Princesa City itself. You can hire a private taxi to get you there and make your own arrangements or book a tour and leave the operator to take care of all the details. Because a permit is required to enter the national park.
There is no direct route to Sabang from either El Nido or Port Barton. Both locations get you to Sabang via Puerto Princesa City. Expect a journey time of at least 5 hours by private taxi in any case. Our suggestion is if you are traveling out with Puerto Princesa City then arrange to arrive the day before. Because a) you will be exhausted most likely and b) the underground attraction closes early afternoon 16:00 hours. By the time you do get to Sabang it'll be near closing time.
Flight time to Palawan International airport from Manila City is about 90 minutes and a little less from Cebu City to Palawan International airport.
Known locally in the Philippines as the "City in the Forest", Puerto Princesa is one of the more popular cities in the Philippines, excluding Manila of course. What makes it so are the white sandy beaches and natural beauty all around. The forests are teaming with wildlife.
We strongly urge you to find Honda Bay for sunbathing, snorkeling and swimming. For a little more information about the Island, read our guide (link below).
The best time would be between the start of January through until April when the weather is at its driest. Because these are the Islands busiest periods, we suggest you book your flights and accommodation in advance. Peak times are towards the last week of March making it far more difficult to find hotel accommodation.
Puerto Princesa, the underground river, is a remarkable piece of our beautiful natural world. It only makes sense that it deserves the UNESCO World Heritage site status ― the local people have gone to great lengths to ensure the natural landscape and cave system is preserved for future generations. The Philippines government has given them a helping hand too, for they see the contribution this natural wonder makes to the local economy.
Palawan Island has many features and attractions and is recognized as a top holiday destination, nonetheless. This underground subterrain cave system only adds to the impetus to come and holiday on the Island.
