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Mike Gonzalez CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Park

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park on Palawan contains a navigable underground river flowing through limestone karst to the sea. Tourists book guided boat tours through cave passages and inspect coastal karst scenery.

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In this guide

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park essentials

Address: Sabang, Barangay Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa, Palawan 5300, Philippines
Website: puerto-princesa.ph
Hours: Park & boat tours generally operate daily with first boats from Sabang around 8:00am; office hours 7:00am-5:00pm
Admission: Entrance and underground river boat tour combined typically PHP 1,500-2,000 (varies by operator and inclusions); park conservation fee ~PHP 200
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About Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park protects a limestone karst landscape on the island of Palawan and the subterranean river that flows beneath one of its coastal limestone ridges. The river emerges at the sea and runs through large caverns with extensive stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Visitors most commonly take a guided boat tour of the cave’s navigable section, seeing sculpted cave formations and large chambered passages. The park also includes coastal mangroves, a shoreline fringe and adjacent lowland rainforest that together support diverse wildlife.

The site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The underground river system has been measured at roughly 8.2 kilometres in length, though the part open to public boat tours is shorter and controlled by park authorities for safety and conservation.

The park is on the island of Palawan, approximately 80 km north of Puerto Princesa city and is accessed from the coastal village of Sabang on Palawan’s western coast.

  • River length and tour: The subterranean river includes a navigable cavern section of about 8.2 kilometres in total length; typical visitor boat tours cover the first 1.5-2 kilometres inside the cave.
  • UNESCO listing: Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 for its karst landscape, cave system and biodiversity values.

What to See#

  • Underground river cave: The underground river cave system with extensive limestone formations and a navigable section of the river that is visited by guided boat tours.
  • Coastal and mangrove zone: Coastal karst cliffs, mangrove fringe and a short beach area at the river mouth that are part of the park’s shoreline zone.
  • Forest and wildlife: Lowland rainforest and karst forest surrounding the cave that support endemic and migratory wildlife.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Best visited in the dry season (November-May) for reliable boat transfers and calmer weather. Early-morning tours beat the crowds.

Dry season
November-May · 24-32°C
Calmer seas and clearer skies make for more reliable boat transfers and drier cave interiors; this is peak tourist season.
Wet season
June-October · 24-30°C
Heavy rains can close the tour for safety; when open, tours have fewer visitors and the surrounding forest is intensely green.

Weather & Climate near Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Climate

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1913 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 45 Good
Best Time to Visit
MarchFebruaryApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
23°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Excellent 21° - 28° 24° 28 mm partly cloudy 81% 2.9 m/s 2.0 extreme 11.5h
February Excellent 20° - 28° 24° 16 mm partly cloudy 77% 2.9 m/s 2.4 extreme 11.7h
March Ideal 21° - 29° 25° 25 mm some cloud 74% 2.6 m/s 2.7 extreme 12.0h
April Excellent 22° - 30° 26° 50 mm some cloud 71% 2.4 m/s 2.7 extreme 12.3h
May Very Good 22° - 29° 26° 168 mm partly cloudy 75% 2.1 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.5h
June Good 21° - 28° 25° 242 mm overcast 79% 2.3 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.6h
July Good 21° - 28° 24° 268 mm overcast 81% 2.6 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.6h
August Good 21° - 28° 24° 269 mm overcast 82% 2.4 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.3h
September Good 21° - 28° 24° 273 mm overcast 82% 2.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.1h
October Good 21° - 28° 24° 234 mm overcast 82% 2.1 m/s 2.0 extreme 11.8h
November Good 21° - 28° 25° 220 mm overcast 82% 2.3 m/s 1.9 very high 11.5h
December Very Good 21° - 28° 24° 120 mm overcast 82% 2.9 m/s 1.8 very high 11.4h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Puerto Princesa city is the usual gateway; Sabang (the park’s dock) is about a 1.5-2 hour drive northwest of Puerto Princesa by van or bus. Most visitors join an organized day tour from Puerto Princesa that includes transport, boat transfers, and permits.

Tips for Visiting Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

  • Book the underground river boat tour through an accredited operator from Puerto Princesa City in advance-Sabang departures are limited and often sell out.
  • Choose the earliest tour (usually first boat around 8:00am) to avoid afternoon crowds and passing local fisherman boats.
  • Bring waterproof shoes: the Sabang pier and boat transfers are wet and slippery; lockers at the dock are limited.