How to Get the Permit and Go to the Underground River

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.

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.

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!

tourists entering the UR

The Underground River of Puerto Princesa

The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is one of the best travel destinations for me. If I'll have a top 3 Philippine travel destinations, for sure this is included in my list. I will never forget the experience of touring this nature's wonder. It's like going into a different world. Unlike Disneyland, Underground River is the masterpiece of nature. It's a magnificent world of the cave and it's natural inhabitants like the bats. I was amazed by the majestic formations of stalagmites and stalactites which are definitely a feast to one's eyes. 

entering the Underground River

Marvin and I had experienced some difficulties before we were able to tour the Underground River. Story here. Unexpectedly, we got another permit as discussed in my previous post. The 45 minutes tour was worth all the efforts we've exerted.

We were about 9 persons in a boat including the boatman. The boatman who is also the tour guide (yes they do dual jobs..really amazing) discussed some interesting facts about the Underground River in a humorous way. Nobody got bored during the 45 minutes tour. But even if the boatman/ tour guide will not talk at all, I will definitely still enjoy the tour because of the amazing views inside the cave. The boatman ecstatically explains (note: in fluent English) how Underground River was discovered, when was it opened to the public, what are the the different animals in the cave and many other facts. 

Inside the Underground River is very dark. We only used one flashlight to lighten the interesting part of the cave one at a time. The boatman/ tour guide instructs the person holding the flashlight as to where he should position the flashlight and then he (boatman/tour guide)  discusses some interesting facts about that stalactite/stalagmite formation or any part of the cave. Stalactite and stalagmite formations of birds, mushrooms, snakes, flowers and even human beings will leave you think and wonder how did it form. Big light bulbs are prohibited inside the Underground River because it will destruct the natural way of life of the animals such as the bats.

Underground River is definitely one of nature's wonder. It's unique, bizarre world of the dark that will leave anyone amazed at the beauty of nature.

The water of the Underground River is a combination of seawater and freshwater.

exit of the Underground River

Kinabuch Restaurant - Puerto Princesa City

I love this all fresco dining restaurant located along Rizal Avenue in Puerto Prinsesa City. Many tourist-bloggers have written good reviews about this well-known restaurant in Puerto Princesa City. I'm convinced, Kinabuch Restaurant is worth raving for mainly because it serves mouth-watering Filipino dishes at an affordable price.

our favorite in Kinabuch Restaurant

all fresco dining at night

I together with Marvin, have dined there twice and it didn't disappoint us a bit. The price is reasonably fair. A cup of rice costs Php 20 only.  The taste is great. The service is good enough, a bit slow sometimes but it's understandable considering the many customers they are serving. The ambiance is beautiful. Even foreigner-tourists love this restaurant. I've seen a lot of foreigners there when we dined twice. Unsurprisingly, this restaurant is always full-packed with diners at around dinner time.

Our favorite kinilaw costs Php 170.

Sizzling shrimp costs Php 220

Grilled tuna belly below costs only Php 190

Ube halaya (jam) below was the best ube jam I've ever tasted. Only Php 50.

so happy after the meal

Shogun Suites Hotel - Pasay, MM

I am captivated by the simplicity, accessibility and affordability of this hotel. I stayed here last week for seven days and now I'm back. It is located along Taft corner Edsa. I recommend this place to those who want to stay in Manila for some few days for work or pleasure. The location is great. It is very near the LRT and MRT just about 3 minutes walk and since it is along the highway, there are jeepneys and taxis just outside. It is also near the airport, just about 20-30 minutes taxi drive. Marvin and I never had any problems going around the busy streets of Manila thanks to the nice location of this hotel.

our room last week

Room has free simple toiletries like shampoo, soap,toothpaste and toothbrush

our room today

Last week, we stayed at Phuket themed room which they also call Superior Room B (Phuket theme) which costs Php 1,700 per night. It includes complimentary breakfast for 2 and free pick-up from the airport. I didn't know about the free pick-up then so I was not able to avail it. But today, Marvin and I was picked up from the airport by the hotel's staff which is a real breeze for travelers alike. We are currently staying at the more affordable Php 1,500 per night. The theme is Venice and this is also under Superior Room B but different theme. It's a very nice room, the paint is very pleasant to the eyes just like our previous room. The only difference aside from the theme of the room is the absence of mini-refrigerator in this room hence the lesser price. But it's very fine with us.

Their complimentary breakfast is a modest (nothing fancy) Filipino breakfast like longsilog.

The only thing that irk me the last time was the smell of the room. I smelled something foul, my sister who visited me then said it was because of the retained cigarette smoke which may have come from the previous guest. She might be right because there was an empty ashtray at the coffee table which might have been used by the previous guest. After some few hours the foul odor had dispersed. Today, in this new room I can't think of any negative comment so far.

One thing I like in this hotel is the nice view of the city skyline through the glass window.

view from our previous room, today's room has a similar nice view too

 I don't mind going back in this hotel over and over again when I'm in Manila. Anyway they have many different themes/look for their rooms, I might just request for a different theme after the other so as not to get tired staying in Phuket or Venice always. Maybe try other themes like Boracay, Hawaii, Broadway or Taj Mahal. There are a lot of choices depending on the availability of course. Better yet make a reservation first which is what we did last week for our room today.

For more info and photos of the hotel here's their facebook account. You may also make a reservation there.

El Nido – A Paradise

Paradise. This is how I will describe El Nido, Palawan in one word. I’m in Manila now but I just can’t stop thinking about my three glorious days in El Nido. I’ve been into nice beaches in the Philippines like Boracay, Cebu and in Davao but nothing compares El Nido. Yes I fell in love with El Nido that I want to live there! I will live there (universe please). Even some foreigners chose to live in El Nido. Some of the business owners there are foreigners who invested much money and effort in the place in order to live in paradise.

view from Matinloc Shrine

It’s more than just white pristine beaches with crystal clear water. It’s more than just towering jagged limestone cliffs. It’s a great adventure with nature. Imagine going into a small opening of a huge limestone cliffs of the Secret Lagoon and Secret Beach, taking into account the proper timing against the huge waves in entering the beach otherwise you'll end up in the hospital. It's a bit scary but upon entering inside, you’ll realize that the effort is all worth it because of the beauty of the beach. It’s fun. It’s a great adventure. It’s simply an amazing experience.

This is the inside the Secret Beach. Great for snorkeling.

The snorkeling is another great experience. It was my first time. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the underwater world. I never thought how beautiful the corals, fishes and other animals under the sea are. They are all fantastic.

Here are some of the things to do in El Nido while on Island-hopping:

                                                                       SNORKELING

             

FISH-FEEDING                                                 

SWIMMING ADVENTURE

going to a small entry of  Small Lagoon

swimming at Hidden Beach

SIGHTSEEING

Our co-tourist, a lady from Sweden enjoyed the gorgeous view 

view from Matinloc Shrine

perfect white sand of Hidden Beach

SUNBATHING