Underground River, Palawan

We were lucky that a friend drove us to Sabang beach so we didn't have to get the underground river tour through an agency which would normally cost 1500 pesos each. We just took care of the diesel. I think it only cost us 900 pesos. They also got us our permits for the underground tour for FREE (lucky us!). The travel time to Sabang beach (drop-off point going to underground river) from Puerto Princesa is 1.5 hrs.

Back in 1999 when we first visited the underground river, Sabang Beach was just an ordinary port. There were no clean restrooms, no restaurants and the road leading to Sabang beach was really dusty & rough. If I remember it right, it took us 4 hours from Puerto Princesa.

Upon reaching Sabang, we went to the tourist center to show them our permits & IDs for verification & paid 40 pesos each for the environmental fee & registered our names. We paid 700 pesos for the boat that would bring the 4 of us to the Underground river. After paying, they told us that we can have lunch first & let them know once we are ready.

View from the buffet restaurant

We tried their buffet lunch for 200 pesos each with fresh coconut juice on a shell. The food was quite good. I also saw some selling tamilok (wood worm) here. I didn't even dare to try it. After lunch, we rode the boat that would take us to the underground river. The boatman served as our tourist guide. 

                                                        pathway leading to the cave

                                                        entrance to the underground river

                                                                        with hubby

                                                                  Kuya with She

                                  with my brother, sis-in-law & hubby

The whole tour took us 3 hours to & from Sabang Port/Wharf. 

     

 TIPS: 

• If you're on a DIY trip to Sabang, make sure you get your permits 2-4 weeks before you target date. The names printed on the permit should be the same on your IDs. 
• Don't bring any plastic with you unless you want the monkeys to chase you. They are just roaming around the pathway going to the cave together with the monitor lizards.

Budget: 4 pax

Transportation:                                  P900 (diesel)

Permit:                                             FREE (175 each)

Environmental Fee:                             P40x4= P160

Boat:                                                P700

Food:                                                P200x4=P800 (buffet)

                                             TOTAL: P2560 (4pax)

                                            

* P640/each for the whole underground river tour- not at all expensive to see one of the 7 Wonders of Nature.

*It would normally cost you P1500 each if you get it from a travel agency.