Underground River

The world-renowned underground river, also known as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP), is a major tourist destination in Palawan, Philippines. The marvelous cave formation with a river underneath is located in Barangay Sabang, northwest of the City of Puerto Princesa. It can be accessed within 2 hours (it is 76 kilometers away) while enjoying the sceneries along the cemented road.

There are many ways to go there. Tourists could hire a van or avail of the tour packages offered by local as well as international tourist operators. For the adventurous ones and physically fit, they can hire a motorcycle near the airport, or just bike it away. You just need to be careful along the way as the vehicles move fast starting at the juncture of the road going to the north and south national highway. A landmark at this point is the Palawan Adventist Hospital. You will know that you are in the right spot when after passing the fork, you will see the newly built Robinson's Mall Palawan.

Thousands of tourists come and go to the underground river, so it is a good idea that you book in advance to make sure you get a slot to enter underground river. There is a set limit to the number of visitors per day to prevent significant impact to the environment of thed national park.

You can opt, however, to visit the other likewise popular spots like the Crocodile Farm (now the Palawan Wildlife and Rescue Center), Ugong Rock which actually is just by the wayside when going to the underground river, the scenic Baker's Hill, or the refreshing Balsahan River near the Iwahig Penal Colony. If you like the coastal regions which are accessible to Puerto Princesa, you can try Kitu-Kito which is only 45 minutes from the city or if you just want to snorkel a bit and see the corals, you may jump off the Honda Bay jetty to Pambato Reef.

Visitors enjoy snorkeling in Pambato Reef.

Tourists coming from all over the Philippines and abroad are serviced by 29 flights (at this time of writing) provided by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, Air Philippines, and Zest Air. There are also companies offering private flights. Air Asia flies from Puerto Princesa to Clark and from there to Macau and Hong Kong.