Puerto Princesa Underground River; the Hidden Exquisiteness in the Darkness.

Corn formation inside the cave

When we say Puerto Princesa , it has something to do with Underground River. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (a.k.a. St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park) is a guarded place of the Philippines by the management of tourism department and city government unit of the said city since year 1992. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river via small boat. This is declared as one of the UN's World Heritage sites and not without basis. The river itself is a wonder because it is located under a mountain (which is why it is called subterranean anyway).
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Inhabitant of the Park

Moreover, it includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The limestone formation inside the cave has been formed through thousands of years by droplets coming from the land above. While navigating via small boat, innumerable rock formations will welcome you from the opening of the cave up until the end of your tour inside. Stone structures and images like Titanic Boat, cathedral, corn, and more figures will trigger your imagination to create more figures while taking glance in every corner of the cave.

Cocoa Fruit Formation

It is situated about 50 kilometres (30 mi) north of the city centre of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The Park itself is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bouded by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The entrance to the subterranean river is a short boat ride (20mins) from the town Sabang.

The Green preserved park

The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The water is jade green and is not so salty because it is brackish water. It is a condition commonly occurs when fresh water meets sea water. The site contains a full mountain-to-the-sea ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia and represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation both aquatic and terrestrial. The underground river is reputed to be the world’s longest.

Amazing Rocks

The boatmen who are also a tourist guides break the darkness and silence inside the river when they started to turn on the light of the boat and make your visit pleasurable simultaneously educational. Boatmen are very well trained tour guides.

Along the river

How to Go?
You need to go Sabang Port because an entry point going to Underground River. (For you to get in Sabang Click here).

In Sabang Port, you need to pay a ticket/environmental fee. Ride a boat for only 20-30 mins leading to the park. Make sure to remember your boat number because that’s the boat that will bring you back to Sabang Port.

Once you arrive at the Vicinity you are not allowed to bring any plastic bags, or any plastic that will create audible sound. Plastics sound will trigger the monkey’s attentiveness and disturbances.

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For hassle-free, most travelers join the tour group to the Underground River. For 1500PHP per person (standard price is 1500PHP, but our team got it for 500PHP w/o lunch)tour companies will secure permit to the natural park, provide lunch, provide transportation to and from Puerto Princesa City and Sabang, the motorboat ride from the Sabang port to the park/cave entrance and finally, the boat trip inside the cave. Independent travel to the park is still an option; but considering the difficulty to get to the place itself, joining the tour group isn’t a bad choice.



The cave tour is a rewarding experience perhaps even for those who have joined cave explorations in the past. The stunning view behind the darkness is unexplainable and indescribable therefore you really have to visit to witness it personally.