🇵🇭 Puerto Princesa Underground River (Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park)
팔라완 / 사방 (Palawan / Sabang)
Location
Overview
An underground cave river running through the St. Paul Mountain Range on the western coast of Palawan, Philippines, and one of the world's longest navigable subterranean rivers. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and named one of the New7Wonders of Nature in 2012. From Sabang you take a motorized outrigger (bangka) to the park beach, then a paddle boat glides about 45 minutes through a cave lined with stalactites and stalagmites.
A ~45-minute paddle-boat cruise through the cave, past cathedral-like domes and towering rock formations
Dramatic karst limestone shapes and a river whose depth shifts with the ocean tides
The scenic bangka boat ride along the Palawan coast to reach the Sabang jetty
Colonies of bats and swiftlets living in the cave ceiling
An English audio guide narrating the stories behind each formation as you drift through
Good to know
RulesA strict 'No Permit, No Entry' policy applies. Daily visitors are capped at around 900, and permits are date-specific and tied to the ID name, so book ahead through a tour agency or the official office (undergroundriver.puertoprincesa.ph), especially in peak season (Dec–May). Confirm current fees, caps and booking steps before you go.
SeasonDuring the rainy season (Jun–Oct, wettest in Jul–Aug) and the northeast monsoon, rough seas can suspend the Sabang boats and cancel or delay tours. The calmer dry season (Nov–May) is the most reliable time to visit.
SafetyBat guano in the cave can carry Histoplasma fungus, a respiratory infection risk, so keep your mouth closed when looking up, and always wear the provided helmet and life jacket. The cave is dark, cool and damp — a light jacket and waterproofing for gadgets help.
CautionTricycle and taxi drivers at the airport and terminals often quote tourists 5–10× the local fare. Hail rides on the street or agree the price first, and scrutinize the content and cost of overpriced 'private tour' touts before booking.
MannersThe cave is a fragile ecosystem: don't touch the stalactites or stalagmites (skin oils damage them), avoid loud noises, don't litter, and don't disturb the wildlife.
Practical info
Sabang is about 80 km (roughly a 2-hour drive one way) from Puerto Princesa city. Most visitors take a full-day guided tour (around ₱2,000–2,500 per person) that bundles transport, permit, boat and lunch; a valid photo ID matching your permit is required. Pack motion-sickness tablets, a dry bag and a light jacket, and confirm fares, hours and booking on the official site.
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