When it comes to my favorite destination this year, Puerto Princesa City of Palawan tops my list. I left my heart in Puerto Princesa for all good reasons that I kept coming back three times just for 2017 alone. But the most memorable and recent one highlights chasing wonders and lit adventure. If you’re planning to visit Puerto Princesa for a day or two and maximize your stay, then experience the natural attractions it has to offer – the Underground River and Honda Bay Island.
It might seemed that traveling to Puerto Princesa is just like going to the office but actually I had different agenda each time. The first visit happened last April when I joined AirAsia familiarization trip at Ai World Palawan, a multi-park destination in the city. Sometime in June, my travel buddy and I explored the creamy sandbars of Balabac Island, located in the Southern-most part of Palawan. And the third was in October, when I attended a 3-day Convention of Internal Auditors in the country. Ironically, even for the third visit in Puerto Princesa, I really never had a chance to try the famous Underground River and the idyllic Honda Bay Island Hopping. And so, with an enthusiastic heart to spend my weekend in these two natural wonders, the universe instantly heard my prayers and an online friend named Fidel (Palawan-based licensed tour guide) introduced and booked me to Estranghero Travel & Tours.
This particular trip is something different from my previous travel as I was really on a solo trip. I was even planning to achieve a do-it-yourself solo backpacking both the Underground River and Honda Bay but due to time constraint and difficulty of getting permits, I decided to join a group tour to save time, money and have a hassle-free trip. And with Estranghero Travel & Tours, it didn’t disappoint. See end of this post for sample itinerary and contact details.
Day 1 – Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour
If you only have a day to spare, then Underground River Tour is a must-try activity. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is not just famous in Palawan, but it is also well-known in the whole world. In fact, it is recognized as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature as elected by the second global voting campaign in celebration of nature’s diversity.
I was really worried that day ‘coz I heard the underground river tour was cancelled all week due to bad weather. But with sincere prayers, the weather somehow cooperated much to everyone’s delight, and so the operation resumed back to normal. It was indeed a lucky day for me since as a first timer, I was given a chance to marvel at the beauty of this top subterranean wonder of Palawan. From the city, a shuttle van (part of the tour package) fetched us from our respective accommodations and traveled to Sabang town for approximately 1.5 hours. From the port, you’ll reach the Subterranean River National Park via an outrigger boat, big enough to accommodate 6-8 persons. Let your tour operator pre-arranged for it, together with all the necessary permits and environmental fees, so you can just relax while feeling the sea breeze and be at ease with the sound of the crashing waves.
After a short-minute boat ride, you’ll arrive at the jump-off area notable for a pristine beach with a beautiful limstone karst background. If you’ve been to El Nido or Coron, Palawan, then the limestone karst mountain landscape surrounding Underground River Park will also be familiar to you. This limestone rock formation stretches more than 8 km long and is part of Mount St. Paul, considered a National Geological Monument of Palawan.
And of course, upon entering the protected forest, you’ll be greeted by a welcome sign board. Here’s the mandatory shot!
You can roam around the park while waiting for your turn. As a natural world heritage site, it encompasses one of the world’s intact old-growth forests and is home to distinctive wildlife such as long-tailed macaque, a crab-eating monkey in the Philippines. Feeding them, however, is strictly prohibited.
You’ll trek along the forest trail for about five minutes. Upon reaching the cave entrance, you’ll be given an audio device, a life vest and a jacket. You’ll need to fall in line to ride your smaller boat that will take you inside the Underground River. This line can get really long during the summer months.
While seeing other groups go inside the cave one by one, I couldn’t hide my excitement. I took countless photos of such beautiful site and even videos to document my journey into what seemed like the center of the underworld! Just a tip though, you’ll surely get wet inside due to some water dripping from the cave’s ceiling, so better bring cameras that are waterproof.
Even before reaching the cave’s entrance, I certainly knew I was about to experience a life-changing exploration inside an 8.2 km long underground river. Let the underground adventure begin!
The Puerto Princesa Underground River is easily navigated up to 4.3km and is said to be the longest navigated underground river in the world. Inside the complex cave, the boatman/ tour guide used a search light to show different cave formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, columns, cave pearls, crystals, calcite deposits as well as dwellers in each chamber. Pay close attention to your able cave guides for more trivia about the cave and underground river.
The tour lasted for about 45 minutes. Upon learning the historical background, paleontological interest and outstanding universal value of the Puerto Princesa Underground River, it certainly gave justice to its title as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. It was already past 12 noon and a buffet lunch was waiting for us back in Sabang Port.
Going back to Puerto Princesa, you may opt to try the zipline at Ugong Rock in Tagabinet as a side trip (at your own expense) and do Firefly watching tour at night on the Iwahig River (separate package). Just contact Sir Fidel (see details below) for proper arrangement.
If you have one more day to spend in Puerto Princesa, then visiting the equally beautiful islets of Honda Bay is the way to go! See my not-so-solo escapade in this article, Day 2 – Honda Bay Island Hopping.
Suggested 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival, City Tour
Day 2 – Underground River Tour
Day 3 – Honda Bay Island Hopping
Restriction: Flight must be 5pm onwards
Contact Details
Fidel Pacia, Jr.
DOT-Licensed Tour Guide
Tour Coordinator
Estranghero Travel & Tours/ Palawan Travel Solutions
Mobile/Viber: 09175558840/09985338646
Email: palawantravelsolutions@yahoo.com
Have you been to Puerto Princesa Underground River? How’s your experience? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.