UNDERGROUND RIVER TOUR IN PUERTO PRINCESA

mike de guzman | filipino travelog 

Palawan is located in Southern Tagalog Region in Luzon also known as Region IV-B in terms of location from regional administration; however, it is also one of the major islands in the Western Visayas Region. The provincial island ranks 5th as the largest island in the Philippines.

This year, a renowned American-based travel magazine announced Palawan as the number 1 island in the world, followed by the island of Boracay, which got the same spot last year. 

It is composed of different islands including Coron, El Nido, and Puerto Princesa.

The city of Puerto Princesa can be found in the western part of Palawan. Often times, the place is likely described as the city in a forest because of its bio-diverse flora and fauna and well preserved  complex ecosystem.  

Going to Puerto Princesa from Manila takes roughly 1 and a half hours.

The city has become known until The Underground River was declared as the world's new wonders of nature few months ago. And because of this enormous recognition, the flights has undeniably increased, and available in both local and international airlines such as Cebu Pacific Air, PAL, Tigerairways, and AirAsia on a regular basis. 

Contact Information
Harbour Bay Travel & Tours
Location:
Unit 3, Masangcay Building 18 Fernandez St.,
Puerto Prrincesa, Palawan,
Philippines 5300
Telephone #: +6348-434-1620
Cellphone #: Globe (+63917-519-7722) Smart (+63908-892-5477)
E-mail: harbourbaytravel@gmail.com
Website: www.harbourbaytravel.com
Underground River Tour
Price: P1500 per head
- 1 day tour (from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm)
- inclusive of van and boat transfers, permits, and entrance fees
- buffet lunch at Sabang Wharf
Note: This should be booked 1 month before to obtain permit for the Underground River tour
- rates and tour package are standardized by the provincial government.
- children rates:
         5 y/o and up - full price
         3 - 4 y/o - half price
         2 y/o and below - free of charge
         (children must sit on guardian's lap
- Underground river permit fees are non-refundable in case of cancellation due to bad weather condition
Tip: You must reserve this tour few months before your arrival in Puerto Princesa because there's only certain number of permits for Underground River given to the tourists in a day.

Other tours offered:

Honday Bay Island-Hopping

Price: P1,300 per head

- 1 day tour (from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm)

- inclusive of van and boat transfers, entrance fees, 

- free picnic lunch

Islands: Pandan, Snake, & Starfish

City Tour

Price: P600 per head

- half-day tour (from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm)

- inclusive of van transfers and entrance fees

Destinations: Crocodile farm, Butterfly Garden, Mitra Ranch, Bakers Hill, Pineapple Weaving, and Ihawig Penal Farm

We excitedly jumped in a 14-seater van that our travel agent from Harbour Bay Travel and Tours brought that day. I thought the entire tour would be exclusive for us, but we were with a family composed of a couple and their son. Somehow, we were still lucky because it still had some spaces for us to lie down. 

Generally, underground river tour includes other side trips to places like Clarianes Souvenir Shops, Karst Mountain, Buenavista Viewdeck in the morning, and Ugong Rock Formation and city's huge souvenir center in the afternoon.

1. Clarianes Souvenir Shop
This is the first stop of Underground River tour. Clarianes Souvenir Shop has a few items being sold, so if I were you buy your pasalubong in some souvenir shops located at the city center.

Admission fee: Free of charge

2. Karst Moutain
When I heard our tour guide that the next stop was Karst Mountain I wondered what a karst was. Then after I searched it on google, it simply means a landscape made up of limestone creating different rock formations and this site is a perfect example of that.
As much as we wanted to cross the field to see what's inside the cave, we couldn't because it would take so much of our time. Since we were with other tourists, we just took some photos and headed for our next destination.
Before we went to Buenavista viewdeck, we managed to drop by another Karst formation over-looking the site for a few minutes. 

Admission fee: Free of charge

3. Buenavista Viewdeck 
Buenavista Viewdeck is the best spot for a panoramic view of Ulugan Bay, over-looking some majestic islands of Puerto Princesa.
The area has a small souvenir shop selling  a number of local products. 

Admission fee: Free of charge or you can donate

4. Underground River

It is also known as Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, one of the world's newest wonders of nature acclaimed by the UNESCO this year. This national treasure features a vast limestone formation or karst landscape in St. Paul Mountain Range, and the underground river (Cabayugan River) with approximately 8.2 km in length, flowing directly to St. Paul's Bay. The area is highly protected by the government unit due to its highly bio diverse flora and fauna in and out of the underground river. There are snakes, bats, and prawns in the cavern and Palawan Pheasant Peacock, monitor lizard, monkeys, and marine turtles roaming freely around the forest. Moreover, it is considered as one of the most important forests in the Asian region.

On the other hand, the river is navigable up tp 4.5 km giving the tourists a magnificent view of limestone's different formation such as shafts, pinnacles, dolines, and more.

To monitor the influx of tourists in this world renown heritage, the government limits it up to a maximum of 600 tourists in a day. 

Tip: Processing the entry permit in the area should take 1 month before your visit. 

If you will be making a DIY tour to the underground river, here's the contact information you must know.

Contact Information

Underground River Booking Office

Add: 350 Rizal Ave., Puerto Princesa City 5300, Philippines

Telephone#: +6348-723-2563

Telefax#: +6348-434-2509

E-mail: undergroundriver_ppsmp@mozcom.com

For more info about this tour you can visit Underground River Tourism

Admission Fee:

                 Local                     International
Adult          P175                          P250
Minor         P100                          P150  
Commercial Video Fee: P3000

5. Lunch Buffet at Sabang Port

After a half day tour including underground river, our tour guide brought us to a restaurant nearby the boat terminal for a buffet lunch. In fact, most tour operators in Puerto Princesa often include this kind of lunch for their guests. 

What I dislike about this place are the dogs roaming around our table and many bugs that keep on bothering us while having our meal. Also, the toilet seems unappealing to guests especially foreigners. We never had a choice but had our lunch here because we paid for this, but if you will be planning to have this tour, ask your tour operator if they will be giving buffet lunch here.

6. Ugong Rock Adventure

Caving fee: P200 per person including safety gears and a tour guide

This is a big challenge when you are over weight

This steep zipline is another way of going down from the top

But we rather chose to go down the usual way.

Price: roughly P250 per person

Contact Information

Tagabinet Ugong Rock

Tourism Service Cooperative

Add: Purok Pagkakaisa, Barangay Tagabinet, Puerto Princesa City 5300

7. Souvenir Shop (city center)

For me, this souvenir center is the right place for tourists. The products are way cheaper especially when you buy in bulk. The biggest air-conditioned store accepts credit card transactions and gives discount to senior citizen.

They have great array of accessories made of pearls and other native products. 

Tip: You can haggle.

Contact Information:

Pearls & Accessories Store

Add: National Highway, Barangay San Miguel , Puerto Princesa City 5300

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Blogger's Note

Please be informed that details are subject to change at any time, particularly the price, location, and contact numbers. I, therefore advise that you visit their website or email ahead for confirmation when making your itinerary. The blogger cannot be held responsible for the experiences of the readers while travelling.