Underground River – Puerto Princesa, Palawan
It is located 80 kilometers from the city proper of Puerto
Princesa. It is about 2 hours drive from the center of the city. Before you go
to Puerto Princesa Underground River, there are things you have to prepare:
Anti-insect repellant and food. There are lots of mosquitoes at the underground
river which you will badly need this. Food is something you can eat along the
way. If do not have anti-insect
repellant and food, no worries! You will stop over into a shop which sells
anti-insect repellants, food, and souvenirs. You will also enjoy the beautiful
site there. On our way to Sabang, our tour guide was entertaining us. He cracks
jokes and at the same time giving us information of the underground river and
the places we passed. We enjoyed a lot his company.
When we reach the town of Sabang Port, our tourist guide
processed our entrance and permits. Getting the entrances and permits usually
takes hours due to lot of people lining for those especially on peak season
like summer but we were very lucky that day, there were less people lining that
time so we just had a short time waiting.
Permit Rates
GENERAL ENTRANCE
Local
Adult: Php100
Minor: Php75
Senior Citizen: Php75
Differently Abled: Php75
Foreign
Adult: Php150
Minor: Php100
CAVE ENTRANCE
Local
Adult (21-59 years old): Php175
Minor(13-20 years old): Php100
Minor(6-12 years old): Php75
Minor(3-5 years old): Php75
Note: 2 years old and below are not allowed to enter the
cave
Foreign
Adult: Php250
Minor: Php150
Address: #350
Rizal Avenue, Brgy. Bancao-Bancao, Puerto Princesa City
Telephone
No.:
Telefax: (048) 434-2509
E-mail: info@puerto-undergroundriver.com,
undergroundriver_ppsrnp@yahoo.com
Website: Puerto-UndergroundRiver.com
We had to cross the sea to reach the Puerto Princesa
Subterranean River National Park. When we reached the place, wonderful sandy
beach, lime stones behind, and a bunch of photographers greeted us. The
photographers took pictures of us and we felt like celebrities lol!
Just a reminder, do not bring food nor any plastics as you walk
your way in the small forest to the underground river. There are wild monkeys
and they will take those things and worse they might harm you.
We
were given helmets and life vests for security. As we get in the boat, I made
sure that I will be in the front seat! Haha. It is for me to get a better view
of this mystical cave.
As we get in, I got so excited. It is very dark and eerie
inside but we were not afraid of it. We got lights and other tourists with us!
Lol! There are lots of bats, birds, and other creatures living in it. The sound
of the bats is what you will hear inside. There are things you should not do
while inside the cave: (1) Do not open your mouth will looking up. You might
taste the holy water! Lol! Kidding aside, you might swallow unpleasant things
from creature within. (2) Keep your body especially your arms inside the boat.
You do not know what is under the water so better to stay safe.
Inside the cave, you will see different rock formations like
Sharon Stone, The Holy Family, dog, and others. You will also pass by the
cathedral. The cathedral is a very huge dome inside the cave.
The cave is 8 kilometers long but there is a certain point
which we have to turn back. I do not know why we had to turn back at that
point. Sounds creepy but I understand.
We enjoyed God’s wonderful creation inside the cave. Now I
know why it is one of the wonders of the nature. You should really visit this
place when you visit Palawan.
