Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, or the Underground River, is one of the main natural attraction in Palawan, after the diving. It stretches for eight kilometers under the land near to the capital, Puerto Princesa.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is quite breathtaking, even to seasoned cavers. It is reputed to be the world’s longest underground navigable river and features fresh crystalline waters and some startling rock formations.
Small pumpboats depart from nearby Sabang Beach (another popular Palawan attraction) to take tourists along the river. Guides on the boats tell all about the river and caverns while a fantastic limestone karst landscape carries on outside. The river emerges directly into the South China Sea.
Other attractions worth checking out near to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park include Puerto Princesa City, the provincial capital, a beautiful green city, and nearby Honda Bay with its numerous islets and beaches.
Getting There & Away
The easiest way onto Palawan is to fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa Airport and there are daily departures from Manila’s domestic airport - one-hour flight time. SuperFerry takes about 22 hours to reach Puerto Princesa from Manila in comparison. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is just north of Sabang, which is about 90 minutes by road from Puerto Princesa City.