This guide contains Klook affiliate links. If you book through them, Best Philippines Travel Guide may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Underground River fees and permit rules change, so confirm with your tour operator or the park booking office.
Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital, is the gateway to the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The river is in Sabang, about 1.5–2 hours from the city, and you need a pre-booked permit: “no permit, no entry,” with limited daily slots. Most visitors join a shared day tour (about ₱2,200–₱2,800, permit and lunch included). Spend 2–3 days: one for the Underground River, one for Honda Bay island hopping, plus fireflies or the city. From here, a van to El Nido takes about 5–6 hours.
Underground River permits are limited. Book your tour, and your permit, before you arrive.
How do I book the Underground River tour?
- Book a shared or private tour (easiest) Accredited tour operators, hotels and online platforms include the permit, van from the city, boat transfer, guide and lunch. Shared day tours cost about ₱2,200–₱2,800 per person.
- Or get your own permit (DIY) Apply in advance at the Underground River booking office in Puerto Princesa City. Walk-in permits at Sabang aren’t available, and slots can sell out days ahead in peak season.
- Travel to Sabang About 80 km north of the city, roughly 1.5–2 hours by van.
- Show your permit at Sabang Wharf Pay the fees, then take a short boat ride to the cave entrance.
- Paddle into the cave A guided paddle boat takes you about 1.5 km into the 8.2 km river, past huge chambers and rock formations, in around 45 minutes.
| DIY fee (adult, 2026) | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Entrance fee | About ₱500 for foreign adults (lower for Filipinos) |
| Environmental fee | About ₱150 |
| Audio guide | About ₱85 |
| Boat from Sabang Wharf | About ₱180–₱200 per person (shared) |
| Mangrove paddle boat tour (optional) | About ₱200 |
Fees reported for 2026 vary slightly between sources; confirm current rates when you book. The cave can close in rough weather, so keep a backup day.
Watch: Puerto Princesa in under a minute. Open on YouTube.
Best things to do in Puerto Princesa
- Underground River The must-see: a navigable river flowing through a limestone cave, home to bats and dramatic formations.
- Honda Bay island hopping A day of snorkeling and beach stops at small islands like Cowrie, Luli and Starfish Island. Tours cost about ₱1,500–₱2,000, plus a small environmental fee.
Island hopping in Honda Bay. - Firefly watching on the Iwahig River An evening paddle through mangroves lit by fireflies, about ₱600–₱800.
Fireflies light up the mangroves at night. Illustrative image. - City tour Baker’s Hill, Plaza Cuartel, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Mitra’s Ranch and the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center.
Baker’s Hill. 
Plaza Cuartel, a WWII site. - Sabang beach and zipline Stay a night in Sabang for a quiet beach and the zipline over the bay.
- Port Barton A laid-back beach village about 3–4 hours north, a good stop on the way to El Nido.
Port Barton, on the way to El Nido.
How many days in Puerto Princesa?
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive, city tour (Baker’s Hill, Plaza Cuartel, cathedral), then firefly watching in the evening. |
| Day 2 | Full-day Underground River tour to Sabang, with the mangrove paddle boat or zipline. |
| Day 3 | Honda Bay island hopping, or travel north to Port Barton or El Nido. |
Two days is enough for the Underground River and one more activity. Most travelers then continue to El Nido and Coron; see our Philippines itinerary guide for 7- and 10-day Palawan routes.
Puerto Princesa to El Nido: how to get there
| Option | Time | Approx. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared van | About 5–6 hours | About ₱600–₱900 | Most popular; hotel pickup in the city |
| Private van | About 5 hours | Higher, per vehicle | Stop at Port Barton or viewpoints |
| Bus | About 6–7 hours | Cheapest | From the San Jose terminal |
Since March 2026, direct flights to El Nido leave from Clark, not Manila, so flying into Puerto Princesa and taking the van is the most common route. See our El Nido travel guide and Coron travel guide.
Getting to Puerto Princesa and where to stay
- Flights: Puerto Princesa International Airport has frequent flights from Manila (about 1 hour 20 minutes) and Cebu. The airport is right in the city, about 10 minutes from most hotels. See our domestic flights guide.
- Getting around: tricycles in the city; vans for the Underground River, Honda Bay and El Nido.
- City center: the most convenient base, near restaurants and tour pickups.
- Sabang: quiet beach stays right by the Underground River.
- Best time to visit: the dry season, roughly November to May. See our best time to visit guide.
Add flights, the Underground River tour, vans and hotels in our free trip budget calculator.
Plan the rest of your Palawan trip
Continue north to El Nido and Coron. Klook bookings often include free cancellation.
Puerto Princesa travel guide: FAQ
How do I book the Puerto Princesa Underground River tour?
Book a shared or private tour through an accredited operator, your hotel or an online platform, which includes the permit. You can also get your own permit in advance at the Underground River booking office in the city; walk-in permits at Sabang aren’t available.
How much is the Underground River tour?
Shared day tours cost about ₱2,200 to ₱2,800 per person, including transport, permit, boat, guide and lunch. Doing it yourself costs about ₱500 entrance for foreign adults, plus a ₱150 environmental fee, ₱85 audio guide and the boat fee.
Do I need a permit for the Underground River?
Yes. The park has limited daily slots and a strict “no permit, no entry” policy. Book at least a few days ahead, especially in peak season.
How many days do you need in Puerto Princesa?
Two to three days: one for the Underground River, one for Honda Bay or a city and firefly tour, and an optional day for Sabang or Port Barton.
How do I get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?
Shared vans take about 5 to 6 hours and cost about ₱600 to ₱900, with hotel pickup. Buses are cheaper but slower, and private vans can stop at Port Barton.
How far is the Underground River from Puerto Princesa?
About 80 km, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by van to Sabang, followed by a short boat ride to the cave entrance.
Is the Puerto Princesa Underground River worth it?
Yes. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, and the boat ride through its huge limestone chambers is unlike anything else in the Philippines.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Princesa?
The dry season, roughly November to May, has the calmest seas. The Underground River can close during bad weather, so keep a spare day.
Start your Palawan adventure in Puerto Princesa, then head north to El Nido and Coron.
Cebu-born travel writer raised between Cebu and Dumaguete, now based in Zamboanga del Sur, Mindanao. Gio writes Best Philippines Travel Guide to help travelers plan the islands with confidence.