Palawan Underground River
The Palawan Underground River … Overcrowded and overrated or an unmissable destination? This was certainly the question on our minds before visiting! Many had warned us that the underground river is a very long drive and so busy with eager tourists that it is not worth the hype!
However, we wanted to check it out for ourselves!
In this complete travel guide we give our honest, straight-up opinion on the Palawan Underground River, including if it is worth visiting and why! We also discuss some of the best ways to include the underground river in your Palawan itinerary, to avoid long travel days and get the most out of your trip! Lets Dive In!
We Value Your Time
We value your time! So, if you already know why you are here and want to look at our top recommendations for the Palawan Underground River Tours then check out our favorites below. We have included group and private tour options depending on your budget and preference:
However, if you would like to get the full low-down of our experience at the Underground River and some top tips, then we hope you’ll enjoy exploring our full guide below! If you also enjoy video content, you can check out our first hand experience at the Underground River on YouTube.
Want To Get A Feel For The Palawan Underground River?
Check Out Our Full Experience On YouTube!
What Is The Palawan Underground River
We thought we would start by answering the obvious, because this place is so unique, there really isn’t many places like it!
This extraordinary location is a subterranean river that flows through an enormous limestone cave system, recognised as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature! The site has also been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list since 1999.
Chambers in the Palawan Underground River cave system can stretch over 100m high, and the ecosystem can support a wide variety of flora and fauna, including fish, crabs, bats, and swallows, which have adapted to the underground environment over hundreds of years.
Where Is The Palawan Underground River
The Palawan Underground River is located just under 1.5 hours North of Puerto Princesa by car. We have highlighted the underground rivers location on the map below for your reference:
How To Get To The Underground River
The easiest way to reach the Palawan underground river is to fly into Puerto Princesa Airport and then book a tour or taxi up north to the underground river.
From Manila or Cebu, you can hop on a quick 1-hour flight to Puerto Princesa and flights between islands in The Philippines are typically very affordable. You can check the prices to Puerto Princesa on Skyscanner below. Just type in MNL for Manila or CEB for Cebu and select your preferred date:
How To Fit The Palawan Underground River Into Your Itinerary
Top Tip
Use The Palawan Underground River as a stop off on the way up to Port Barton, El Nido and Coron:
El Nido, Port Barton and Coron are undoubtedly some of the most popular places in the Philippines. If you are planning your trip to Palawan, no doubt they are high on your list. You can check out our complete El Nido, Port Barton and Coron Guides here.
A great way to fit in the Underground River and not dedicate a long round trip to the cause is to start to your Palawan adventure in Puerto Princesa and use the Palawan underground river as a convenient stop off on the way up to Port Barton and/or El Nido!
This is exactly what we did and it worked brilliantly!
To do this you would fly into Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) and make your way up through Palawan! A big bonus is that these flights are much more regular and affordable than flying straight into El Nido.
Most Palawan underground river tours include an optional transfer from Puerto Princesa, so you could potentially take your backpacks with you and then book a taxi on from the underground river after you have finished the tour!
Our Experience At The Underground River
We say ‘our’ as this is a couples travel blog, but Beth actually did this adventure solo. The day started with a relatively short van ride up to the Underground River from Puerto Princesa.
We had heard stories of 2-3 hour long wait times and hectic ques to visit this iconic destination, however, on arrival Beth was very pleasantly surprised. Honestly, our group did not have to wait any longer than half an hour and there were benches to chill on and refreshments on hand. Aside from the occasional street seller the whole experience did not feel overly touristy and was very chilled out! Not at all like some of the stories we had heard.
After the short wait, our group hopped on to a traditional Filipino outrigger boat and enjoyed a beautiful ride to the most stunning beach. Check out the beach below!
We then met our lovely guide, headed on a short walk past some monkeys and jumped on a second boat to head into the underground river cave system. We were provided with audio packs which were honestly really informative and perfectly timed with each stop throughout the tour!
One of Beths favourite parts of the tour is that complete silence is enforced throughout the trip through the cave system. This is to protect the delicate ecosystem but it also served to create a really magical atmosphere and experience! The headsets guided us through everything we needed to know and the rest was left for us to enjoy!
We did meet the occasional other boat passing by but it certainly didn’t feel overcrowded and really did not feel overly touristy at all!
If you want to get a better feel of Beth’s experience at the Palawan Underground River, you can check out our complete vlog below:
How We Visited The Palawan Underground River
Now perhaps we were very lucky and visited on a quieter day, however, this was in December in peak dry season. The other possible option is that our tour company One Life Adventures did a very good job of organising everything beforehand!
Beth actually visited the Palawan Underground River as part of a longer Philippines tour with One Life Adventures and honestly it was incredible. You can read our full review Here. And if you would like to book this tour or any other tour on the One Life Adventures website, you can use our code FrequentFlyer15 for 15% off Any tour.
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Palawan Underground River Entrance Fee
As Beth visited the Underground River as part of a tour, we did not pay the entrance fee directly. However, from research the entrance fee for turning up on the day can be anywhere from 2000 to 2500 pesos (roughly £30 – £35).
You do need to book a guide to be able to visit the Underground River, weather it be in advance or on the day. We recommend booking in advance as it can be very popular and prices seem quite comparable!
Palawan Underground River Tours
Here are our top picks for Palawan Underground River Tours:
How Long Is The Palawan Underground River
The Palawan Underground river stretches a staggering 8.2 kilometers into the limestone landscape. However, tours only usually visit the first 1.5 kilometers due to the time it takes to sail the entire river. That being said, 1.5 kilometers is more than enough to truly appreciate how remarkable the underground river is, with hollow chambers reaching over 100m high; this otherworldly site is an underground labyrinth.
Where To Stay In Puerto Princesa
If you are visiting the underground river and flying into Puerto Princesa, you will likely need a place to rest your head before you head off to this extortionary site!
Here are some of our top recommendations for places to stay in Puerto Princesa. We have included a number of options depending on your budget and type of vibe you are going for!
Hostels:
Looking for a more relaxing experience away from the hustle and bustle of hostels? Here are some lovely beach front cottages in Puerto Princesa:
The Best Time To Visit The Palawan Underground River
The best time to visit the Palawan Underground River falls, for the main part, within the dry season, typically extending from December to April. During this period, you can expect clearer skies, calmer waters, and minimal rainfall, creating ideal conditions for outdoor exploration. However, bear in mind that this period also sees a surge in tourist activity, resulting in larger crowds which can see a huge rise in visitors to the Underground River.
Average Monthly Rainfall In The Philippines
Shoulder Seasons: If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting the Palawan Underground River during shoulder seasons in May or November. In these months the crowds may be fewer and the weather is still pleasant. It’s best to avoid planning your trip during the rainy season, from June to September, as heavy downpours and choppy waters can hinder your plans.
Conclusion – Is The Palawan Underground River Worth The Hype?
This experience at the Palawan underground river beyond surpassed expectations. Words really cannot do this place justice. It is completely magical and unlike anything Beth has ever experienced. In contrast to many stories we have heard, we can safely say this one definitely lives up to the hype! It remains one of Beth’s favorite places throughout all of the Philippines!
Don’t hesitate to let us know any questions you might have in the comments below!
Big Love
Beth and Denz
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