Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is truly one of Philippine's pride. Being one of the New7Wonders of Nature, it put the country on the map. There is a gigantic increase of tourists, foreign and local, who want to go to this well-known spot in Palawan since it's official inclusion to the worldwide search of New7Wonders of Nature.
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| PPC to Sabang is about 2 hours-drive |
Going to the Underground River is a bit bewildering. Well, I would say going to Palawan in general is a bit bewildering especially for first-time tourists. Mainly because Palawan is comprised of many small and big islands scattered around and there are limited choices of public utility vehicle available.
This post will serve as your guide in going to one of the most famous tourist's spot in Palawan- the Underground River.
The Underground River is basically part of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) also known as St. Paul Subterranean River National Park, a protected area in the Philippines. It is located about 50 km. north from Puerto Princesa City.
I've discussed in my previous post that getting Visitor's Entry Permit (VEP), a necessity in going to the PPUR, is very hard nowadays. Don't expect you can get your desired schedule nowadays. The government of Palawan has controlled the entry permit of the river. I've heard that schedule are fully-booked until May 2012. I suggest you get a tour agent to secure you the permit before you even finalize your vacation.
Sometimes if not most of the times, cancellations of the VEP happens. For whatever unknown reasons, the people who were scheduled to tour the river will not show up so it is still possible that you can get one. BUT that is if there is any cancellations. We got our desired schedule VEP when we went to Sabang, a drop-off point when going to the river. There is an office of Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), a government agency in-charged of selling the VEP located just near the wharf/port. It is where we availed the cancelled VEP in the morning and toured the river in the afternoon.
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| Sabang beach |
If you could not get a permit through tour agent in Puerto Princesa City, I suggest you find an agent or whoever you know who lives in Sabang, Puerto Princesa. I think final cancellations are done in Sabang office. They are the one who finalizes the visitors for the day. Have your agent inquire in this office for any chance schedule.
Granted that you already have your permit, here's my suggested route in going to the river.
NOTE: This is for those who will DIRECTLY tour the Underground River. If you have other things you want to do like touring the Puerto Princesa City or Honda Bay, then you can do so by changing/ modifying some routes or schedule.
From Manila, go to Puerto Princesa City via plane (Cebu Pacific, PAL,Air Phil or Zest Air).
Upon reaching Puerto Princesa City, hire a van or bus going to Sabang
Boat Terminal, about 80 km from PPC. As I've said this is the drop-off point in visiting the river.
I recommend the van (any van rental operators for that matter) because it is more convenient, faster and has more schedule of departure to Sabang. You can inquire at any van rental operators in the airport or outside the airport. Most if not all, van rental fees and even tour packages are STANDARD PRICE. Meaning, there are no overpricing or maybe there are but I have never encountered one. They are that nice, trust me. People in Palawan are the nicest people I've encountered. Van fare from PPC to Sabang is usually Php 200.00 per person or a package fare for group of individuals. Just inquire to any van operators.
If there is no trip schedule to Sabang upon your arrival in PPC, have an overnight stay at any hotel/inn in the city. I suggest Princesa Inn as discuss in this post. Then travel the next day to Sabang.
Upon reaching Sabang Boat Terminal, you'll find a lot of cottages, inns and hotels scattered infront of the Sabang beach. There are affordable inns to choose from. We stayed at Panao's cottage for Php 750.00 a night. Find your preferred inn and get ready for your scheduled PPUR tour.
At least one hour before your scheduled visit, you must already be at the boat terminal where staffs of PAMB are present to assist you in getting a boat to and from the Underground River. Boat fee is Php 700.00 good for 6 persons. Find some companion to split the price.
Upon reaching the PPSRNP, there are again some staffs of PAMB who will guide you along the way to the tour.
Enjoy the tour!
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| tourists entering the UR |
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