Puerto Princesa Underground River & Cowrie Island Tour Review

So, you are thinking about experiencing the famous Puerto Princesa Underground River, very possibly also tacking on a visit to Cowrie Island? Well, let me just say, great choice! I had the chance to experience this tour myself not so long ago, and, truly, I’m eager to share what it was like, give you some very helpful pointers, too, that could, very likely, make your trip even better. This tour, more or less, is often described as two adventures packed into one. Is that really so, you might ask? Absolutely! One moment you’re seriously going deep inside a mysterious cave system, the next you are unwinding on a paradise-like island. Sounds awesome, alright?

First Stop: The Majestic Underground River

Okay, so the Underground River. Let’s begin with the journey to actually get there, yeah? After leaving Puerto Princesa City, you know, expect something like a scenic drive that’s a little more than two hours long. The landscape on the way is honestly stunning, shifting from urban sights to really vivid rice paddies and super tall, verdant mountains. It’s really an attraction in and of itself, to be honest! Once at Sabang Wharf, you jump onto a smaller boat that whisks you off towards the entrance of the cave. That short boat ride provides such beautiful views of the coastline – honestly, be ready to click some really frame-worthy pictures.

And then there’s the river itself. You get into a paddleboat with other travelers, so just settle in as your guide then uses a spotlight to point out amazing rock formations. The whole place feels extremely prehistoric, almost, truly, as though you are voyaging into an undiscovered territory. Bats flutter about way up high, and the water is, for the most part, so, unbelievably clear. Did you know that they don’t actually allow swimming inside the cave, for environmental preservation reasons? Anyhow, you should listen really closely to your guide, so you will get all the cool facts and fun stories about the cave’s formation and the unique wildlife that call it home. In a way, this is where an eco-tour becomes an awe-inspiring lesson about nature!

Is that too good to be real? So, here’s the thing – it can get somewhat crowded, just because it’s such a hugely popular thing to see. That means, in some respects, you might feel a little rushed, especially at the really interesting spots. Booking ahead is often suggested, usually well in advance, or trying to go during the off-season, to potentially have to contend with fewer people.

Insider Tips for the Underground River

• Book way ahead: Seats actually run out, honestly really fast, especially during peak season. So, sort of reserve your tour way, way in advance.
• Pack Light: You’ll just need essentials – maybe just water, perhaps a small camera, and just possibly some mosquito repellent. Seriously, space is rather limited on the paddleboat.
• Listen up during the Briefing: At the visitor center, guides actually provide a pretty informative talk on the river’s ecosystem, usually giving you the best possible appreciation for your visit.
• Be patient: Expect a few waits, but the natural wonders? Clearly, those make it all worth your while!

Next Up: Cowrie Island Relaxation

So, after your underground adventure, you actually get whisked off to Cowrie Island, and the vibe completely shifts! Where the Underground River is actually about exploring and marveling, Cowrie Island is just really about kicking back, relaxing, and letting the stress just disappear into the sea breeze. With that in mind, that little slice of heaven boasts powdery soft, pretty white sand beaches, very clear turquoise waters, plus so many palm trees swaying about in the breeze.

It might be an actual exaggeration if I didn’t tell you about the variety of things you can do on the island. Want to swim? Or is that you might be happy to just maybe soak up the sun? No problem. They actually have snorkeling available, for some peeking at underwater life, with shallow and safe spots ideal for beginners. Also, I have actually seen folks enjoying beach volleyball, others getting pretty relaxing massages right on the sand. And just possibly one of my preferred activities, seriously sipping fresh coconut water purchased from one of the stands.

Keep in mind that the food available there, in short, is something you should possibly expect, that’s it is typically included as a buffet option within the tour package. I think the spread typically includes barbecued seafood and some of the classic Filipino dishes. Honestly, it is delicious, especially when you’ve worked up an appetite from all the day’s exploration! Food quality could be improved in my opinion.

Maximizing your Cowrie Island experience

• Bring Sunscreen: Protect the skin, honestly because the sun could be so powerful, even on seemingly cloudy days.
• Carry Cash: While the main meal might be included, that is, if you intend on buying souvenirs, drinking more than that initial coconut water, and so, having cash is absolutely useful.
• Explore the Island: Seriously, don’t simply stick to just one area. Walk around the entire island and possibly discover quieter spots that feel totally private.
• Respect the Environment: Keep the island pristine, really just by properly disposing of waste.

The Logistics: Tour Packages and What to Expect

Okay, so let’s talk a bit about logistics, like your getting yourself there. Typically, a number of tour operators usually offer this combo, very possibly packaging the Underground River with Cowrie Island into a single day. These packages, for the most part, generally include transportation from Puerto Princesa, just usually lunch, permits to the Underground River, boat transfers, and guidance all along the way.

Pricing typically varies depending on the tour provider and what is or isn’t included, for instance, perhaps they didn’t include drinks, sometimes not. Generally, the going rate hovers around PHP 2,500 to PHP 4,000 per person. It’s quite possibly really helpful to do some comparison shopping prior to booking to just make sure that you’re getting the most awesome value for that money you spent. In a way, read some reviews and just check the credentials, of the operator before committing to ensure a rather great and reliable experience. Remember, the really cheapest option does not always possibly mean the highest-quality service, or the best experiences, anyway!

Choosing the perfect tour operator

• Read Reviews: See, in short, what other travelers possibly had to say about specific tours, obviously because of that giving you insights that providers themselves might just leave out.
• Check Inclusions: Determine just what is included, maybe specifically focusing on whether permits, food, drinks and perhaps other entrance fees are possibly already covered.
• Eco-Friendly Practices: Actually consider those tour companies dedicated to sustainable tourism. Doing so possibly just makes sure your trip will be something less negative to the environment and supports the area’s conservation efforts.
• Guide Expertise: The quality that tour provides is very highly dependent on who leads it. If you want the really more educational experience, perhaps, so look at those operators that happen to prioritize super skilled and truly informed guides.

Why this tour is so amazing

Combining the Underground River and Cowrie Island tours will, very likely, offer this perfect blend of activity and down time, which actually makes it a pretty good fit for a pretty wide array of travelers. If you are interested in nature, clearly want a thrill, very possibly care about relaxation, then you have pretty likely located an itinerary that ticks off the most important boxes. All in all, the day’s structure keeps things something both interesting and pretty varied. The time given to each place feels, honestly, about right, preventing it from ever being something monotonous.

Okay, so this tour also offers pretty significant value for what it costs. If perhaps you booked these excursions individually, that would very possibly require a lot more planning, as well as cost significantly more. Choosing a package is often just streamlining your planning and quite possibly lowering costs without scrimping on seeing all the sights!

Ideal Traveler Types for This Tour

• Nature Enthusiasts: Anybody who is interested in geology, the animal kingdom, also eco-systems, probably will discover the Underground River absolutely remarkable.
• Adventure Seekers: Anybody wanting the slightly adventurous outing but within some fairly secure framework.
• Families: With options which please a variety of interests and energy levels, these actually are just quite possibly really an awesome option to get an interesting family vacation going.
• Solo Travelers: The social aspect involved during that group trip tends to make these very tours easily engaging even if you happen going all by that self!

Things to know for a perfect trip

You’ve gotten all kinds of helpful details concerning things you are seeing, what your expectations actually have to do with, and all the logistics. But the things I could be adding, that could certainly raise an incredible adventure into becoming a pretty truly unbelievable kind? I could be throwing in additional points in actually creating sure you have prepared, as well being truly attentive in that overall environmental impact of some journey you find you are going!

Your weather must seriously have some impact within such adventure which comes about just from an element, also for going well geared is actually highly beneficial as that relates to pleasure as your safety happens to get enhanced.

Essential checklist for that savvy visitor

• Right Clothing: Go putting together light clothes in a way that will be quick, getting a swimwear set too. In some respects, perhaps there’s such thin sweater, a wind proof thing could easily protect within river cavern, within breezy seaside climates in one trip over by boat, to be honest.
• Dependable Foot Gear: Watersport style sandals, something durable and grippy when going around places, are already best; those ones possibly not slipping just even though on one thing boat floors happens getting saturated possibly, you know.
• Water Proofing: Guard those gadgets via rainy casings and or actually possibly utilizing zippered stuff packs mainly to get them maintained dry just though the climate has you dealing surprise rainfall during river exploration possibly when one thing on the island, alright.
• Initially Helping : Basically always, those slight kits with regard assistance which contains band aids, a thing of some sort, that comes bug resisting, antiseptics and then any crucial prescribed product, is actually essential with all sort of adventure at an outdoors style of journey when possibly accessing them gets simpler the ones trips are a truly must to be found, alright!
• Mobile Capacity: Keep having battery fully energized but just possibly deliver something like energy carting device ensuring that this access is to photograph things when going that distance just isn’t ending given electric reach by shops during destinations usually on such occasion just really becomes that thing necessity is going up being realized especially, yeah?

At all times, by all possible mean consider the lasting impression being a place gets during a time spent through, doing small adjustments is often having greater effects in securing all respective holiday destination getting visited remaining that one for respective coming century going. Consider eco tourist business practices as being supported whilst you, yourself make minimal physical impact that is negative in the area too?

• Reduce Discard Items: At most times come carrying, in any respect cases it’s applicable carrying containers in those instances for refilling water or something coffee based, decreasing at throw containers from ones respective personal packing!
• Take note guidelines! : During some underground experience in Puerto Princesa there does get set regulations targeted at guard safety on creatures getting viewed, stick and go along using every instruction for guides as possibly one really benefits through tour in possibly any detrimental consequences just isn’t resulting around for such wonderful ecosystem that had there got to begin from.
• Look for localized items: Try choosing souvenirs which was produced around! One helps regional arts workers boost things which had to do having its respective area financial assets by deciding one option out beyond volume-manufacturing possible out coming afar while assisting to get environment pollution through those transport reduced way.
• Always prevent using pollutants: Stop having chemical goods which were poisonous just any moment, and use biodegradable possible soap when cleaning the palms perhaps, stopping seepage within ocean by potentially chemicals.

Traveling so very carefully just really is having, in most occasion becoming greater one more fulfilling experience for that ability when you happen coming knowing, in all honesty as that comes that travels in yourself is actually encouraging effects for what’s in and that is near and almost is assisting things remain truly marvelous actually for person who starts coming and that for your duration during seasons on one upcoming travel happening after today to a travel again after this, just as well.

I was saying what, just as said as those things, or not but as maybe. One really could begin exploring and feel memories.