Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour: An Expert Review

So, picture this: you are in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, ready to check out one of the planet’s really cool spots – the Underground River. Actually, it’s not just any river; it is, like, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and that alone kinda tells you it is something really special. Very many travelers swing by this part of the Philippines mostly because they’ve heard great things about this river, that it goes through a seriously ancient cave system. This review gives you the lowdown from somebody who has, as a matter of fact, been there, so to speak, and seen it. You will find a fair amount of insights, tips, and even a handful of gotchas that could, in a way, make your trip way smoother.

Booking Your Tour: Finding the Right Option

So, when it comes to seeing the Underground River, you have options, actually. Basically, there are loads of tour operators hanging around Puerto Princesa that can hook you up. Anyway, you can, like, stroll into pretty much any travel agency in the city, or there’s also the web, right? Usually, I find that, in fact, booking ahead is somewhat of a winner, especially if you are popping over during, like, the busy season, that tends to be around November to May. It means you get to, say, lock down a spot and also get the kind of schedule you want, which is totally a plus.

That is to say, packages do often shift somewhat in price and exactly what you get. But generally, you might be looking at something like PHP 1,500 to PHP 2,500 (around $30 to $50 USD). Like, most packages basically deal with permits, the boat rides to and from the river entrance, a buffet lunch (nothing too amazing, though), and a guide to kinda show you the cave. As I was saying, some fancier deals could come with extras, like pickups right from your lodging or maybe even a quick tour of a couple of nearby sights. When you choose, kinda peek at what’s bundled up so, in a way, you feel like you are getting the right bang for your buck.

DIY vs. Organized Tour

Now, this is where it gets tricky. If you are the sort that likes to, say, strike out alone, going the DIY path might be a bit bumpy. The thing is, getting permits to, like, access the Underground River can only be done through authorized tour operators. Actually, it is a move put in place to kinda keep the crowds manageable and sorta look after the place better. Still, what you can, as a matter of fact, do is, say, arrange your own transportation to Sabang Wharf (where boats go to the river mouth) and then hook up with a tour group from there. Actually, if you roll solo, it can sometimes, in a way, be a little more wallet-friendly compared to having someone scoop you up right from Puerto Princesa. By the way, you will deal with the San Jose Terminal if you hop on a public van or bus from the city to Sabang.

Like your bus or van option: costs can be around PHP 200-300 (that is like $4 to $6) each way, but public transportation can actually take approximately two to three hours. A private van kinda slashes travel time, in a way, but it costs more, very often around PHP 2,500 to PHP 3,500 (roughly $50 to $70). Basically, once you reach Sabang, find one of the registered tour desks and snag a spot for the river tour. You, you know, still need to pay a few fees when you arrive there too. Basically, the Environmental Fee is like PHP 150, and the Terminal Fee is around PHP 20.

Getting There: The Journey to Sabang Wharf

Now, getting to Sabang Wharf from Puerto Princesa can be, like, a bit of a haul, right? So, like, expect a two to three-hour drive over winding roads that actually take you through, basically, the scenic side of Palawan. In that case, for the most part, if your tour has transport included, you will be chilling in a van or a bus. Like I said before, should you do it solo, several vans and buses zip from the San Jose Terminal. You may want to, like, prep with motion sickness meds if twisty roads usually get to you.

Basically, Sabang itself is worth a bit of looking around, too it’s almost more than simply where you grab the boat. You could, basically, check out the beach, or there is a zipline you can kinda scream down overlooking the sea. Honestly, try and reach there kinda early so you aren’t rushed, that you get a chance to soak in this bit of Palawan’s coastal stuff before the core gig starts. The vibe around Sabang has that peaceful, away-from-the-hustle thing to it.

What to Expect on the Boat Ride

The boat ride from Sabang Wharf to the mouth of the Underground River can take about, say, 15 to 20 minutes, which makes the trip brief and breezy, very breezing, so to speak. Yet it is actually pretty to enjoy some seriously lovely sights along the way. Actually, those huge rock faces full of green sticking right from the water… you will have some picture opportunities, I suppose. Oh, but I suppose one important item would be to actually keep that camera tucked when going through the water. The spray can dampen even a hardened soul, like your camera.

Anyway, on top of that, boat operators, like your driver, are seriously savvy here about making it safe too it’s almost comforting. As I was saying, these boats are kinda basic; they won’t be luxury cruisers, of course. They’re literally made just to run people to the cave and kinda back, right? Anyhow, you will want to, say, listen to any instructions because this is all about safety first.

Inside the Underground River: A Surreal Experience

Now for the juicy bit! The experience of floating into the Underground River has a wow to it, I gotta admit. It really gets real once you glide right inside the pitch-black cave opening. Basically, each boat carries a guide who light-points special formations, in a way, which turns them alive just to your eyes as you slosh. Yet remember, do remember that those headlamps are for the tourists so be aware not to look directly to avoid any discomfort.

Speaking of formations, it turns out, a fair few rock shapes resemble recognizable images – think stuff like the Holy Family or, like, a dinosaur. That is to say, your guide will bring these into play so, arguably, keep those eyes popping out, so to speak, just to see if you actually see these rock things. This can almost become, kinda like, a gig itself. Anyway, those rock scenes might get you kinda smiling here and there.

Wildlife Encounters

There is more to see there. Apart from rock forms, this cavern gets kinda swarmed up with nature doing all sort of weird scenes inside the area. Like, bats flitting over is seriously kinda normal. It will be a common scene to check, yet some actually get a scare while it can basically get many people on the scene looking to see that flight go down. I was kinda one of them looking above. They even kinda live by all the echo noises doing those bat squeals to get all the tourists to notice.

Oh, and keep alert too it’s almost funny. Those tiny swiftlets love flitting about the roof areas there. They are not just flying nearby. Also they do that guano drizzle happening around you so it feels weird, right? Just sorta kinda seal your lips, which prevents this little scene from making those special photos of your trip become like a horror flick, you know.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

Okay, now, that trip review of mine is still lacking important prep-ahead info, or, in other words, just some practical stuff before hitting the Underground River location. These points can smooth up scenes, so I mean to say, be guided here:

• Light garments: Wear simple threads with no heaviness and can kinda dry somewhat quick if misted along that cruise down underground.
• Insect repellent use: Bug spray is your buddy in this deal because Palawan can get kind of insect busy at sunset, so I mean, get protected here.
• Sunscreen first thing: Do rub sunscreen, which can protect at all instances on you while getting to the shore spot. Yes, I said sun tan lotion even with all shade there at that zone in the beach section, because being close to open seas is intense there.
• Pack dry bags: Pack your camera, cell phone or any electrical piece from any sprinkles getting to you so your pics stay really quality and the equipment kinda work nice once this adventure fades.
• Hydrate frequently: Bring water always with you on every part, as often dehydration hits really suddenly if exploring those shores under all tropical sunshine around Palawan parts!
• Look to what climate looks there: Always peek at weather condition previews prior for that travel happening down those Underground River area to ensure it becomes ideal by conditions for exploration and experiences with no major snags.

Respecting the Environment

It really matters to actually protect those nature areas. If getting here ensure things you use cause the very least results in those amazing, great ecosystems found inside the whole Underground River. Now there are like unwritten expectations everyone tends do when going:

• No litter at any moments: Dispose wastes to proper bins to sustain cleanliness to all shores, parks and cruise sections to sustain beauty everywhere around.
• Avoid too big loudness or disturbances: Retain those loud convo buzz to the lowest volumes not just toward tourists besides so the ecosystem won’t get damaged there.
• Leave those wildlife scenes alone at all point: See how you cannot give feed touches and harassment occur toward fauna inside those locations. Also just let all get along, let it roam about so there becomes an accord with species doing existence.
• Obey every regulation rules here for preservation works: Get guided because there really may have been mandates which get performed over this certain tour which keep nature secure for that tourism impact for future instances as all explore that place.

Also, everyone working beside tourism operations and every visitor going ensure we all cooperate that these sections can get liked through instances yet to happen forward and those coming see that grandeur it does give which this destination displays!

Frequently Asked Questions

To just do brief run for recall everyone may take a view.

• Find best kind operator providing something for tour.
• Just learn tips so travels run nice, get some ideas here right so see best times getting all preps together getting prepared everything done so see is amazing scenes round spots
• Keep up protecting natural setting or setting at spot where just explore there through times!