Puerto Princesa Underground River: How to Get a Permit (2026)

The Puerto Princesa Underground River, officially known as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Located about 80 kilometres north of Puerto Princesa City on Palawan Island, the river flows beneath the Saint Paul Mountain Range for over 24 kilometres through a limestone karst cave system before emptying into the South China Sea. In 2026, securing a permit to enter the park remains the most critical step in visiting this natural wonder, and the process has specific rules that every traveller must follow.

Understanding the Permit System

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is managed by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Because the park is a protected area and a UNESCO site, daily visitor numbers are capped to preserve the cave ecosystem. The permit system exists to regulate foot traffic, prevent unauthorised access, and ensure that every visitor is accompanied by a licensed paddle guide.

There are two types of permits: the Individual Visitor Permit and the Tour Operator Permit. If you are travelling independently, you must secure an Individual Visitor Permit. If you book through a licensed travel agency, the operator handles the permit on your behalf. Either way, every visitor must be registered in the system before arriving at the park.

Step 1: Register at the Underground River Booking Office

The Underground River Booking Office is located at the City Coliseum in Puerto Princesa, along Rizal Avenue. This is where independent travellers must go to secure a permit. The office is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Sundays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon. It is closed on some public holidays, so check ahead if you are travelling during Christmas, Holy Week, or local festivals.

When you arrive at the booking office, you will need to present the following:

• A valid government-issued ID or passport for each visitor
• Your intended date of visit
• The number of people in your group
• Payment for the entrance fee and environmental fee

The staff will assign you a time slot, which is non-transferable. Time slots run from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with boats departing every 15 to 20 minutes. Each boat carries a maximum of eight passengers plus one paddle guide.

Step 2: Pay the Required Fees

As of 2026, the fee structure for the Puerto Princesa Underground River is as follows:

• Entrance fee (foreign adult): PHP 500
• Entrance fee (foreign child aged 3 to 12): PHP 250
• Entrance fee (Filipino adult): PHP 250
• Entrance fee (Filipino child aged 3 to 12): PHP 125
• Environmental fee: PHP 150 per person (one-time payment, valid for all Puerto Princesa tourist sites)
• Audio guide rental: PHP 85 per unit (optional but recommended)

Children below 3 years old are exempt from the entrance fee but still require a permit. The environmental fee is paid once and covers your entire stay in Puerto Princesa, so keep your receipt if you plan to visit other attractions like Honda Bay or Ugong Rock.

Payments can be made in cash at the booking office. Some accredited tour operators accept online bank transfers or credit card payments, but walk-in visitors should bring cash, as card facilities at the booking office are not always reliable.

Step 3: Travel to Sabang Port

Once you have your permit, you need to get to Sabang Port, the jump-off point for the underground river. Sabang is approximately 80 kilometres from Puerto Princesa City, and the drive takes about two to two and a half hours. There are several transport options:

Public van: Vans depart from the San Jose Terminal in Puerto Princesa starting at 7:00 AM. The fare is PHP 200 to PHP 300 per person one way. The last return van from Sabang leaves at around 3:00 PM, so plan your day accordingly.

Private van or car: You can hire a private van for the round trip, which costs PHP 3,500 to PHP 5,000 for up to 10 passengers. This is the most convenient option if you are travelling in a group.

Motorcycle (habal-habal): For solo travellers or couples, a motorcycle ride from the city to Sabang costs about PHP 500 one way. This is faster but less comfortable, especially on rough road sections.

Step 4: Register at Sabang Wharf and Take the Boat

Upon arrival at Sabang Port, proceed to the visitor registration counter near the wharf. Present your permit, pay the PHP 20 docking fee, and wait for your assigned boat. The boat ride from Sabang to the underground river entrance takes about 15 to 20 minutes along the coast, passing limestone cliffs and dense mangrove forests.

Once you reach the beach at the park entrance, a short boardwalk leads you through the forest to the lagoon where the paddle boats are stationed. You will be assigned a new boat and a paddle guide here. The cave tour itself lasts about 45 minutes, during which your guide paddles you through the first 1.5 kilometres of the underground river while pointing out rock formations and resident bats.

What You Will See Inside the Cave

The interior of the Puerto Princesa Underground River is a cathedral of stone. The main chamber rises to a height of 60 metres in some sections, and the ceiling is studded with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and flowstones that have taken millions of years to form. Your guide will use a flashlight to illuminate formations that resemble vegetables, religious figures, and even a slice of bacon carved by mineral deposits.

About halfway through the tour, the boat enters a large chamber known as the Italian Chamber, which is one of the largest cave rooms in the world. The air inside the cave is cool and humid, and the only sounds are the drip of water and the flutter of bats overhead. Photography is allowed but flash is prohibited in certain sections to avoid disturbing the bat colony.

The river itself is a mix of fresh and saltwater, with a tidal phenomenon called a halocline where the two layers meet. The water is dark and brackish, and the current is gentle. The tour does not go beyond the 1.5-kilometre mark unless you have a special scientific or research permit from PAMB.

Rules and Etiquette Inside the Park

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is a strictly protected area. Visitors must follow these rules at all times:

• No touching of rock formations, as oils from human skin can halt stalactite growth
• No eating or drinking inside the cave
• No flash photography in designated bat habitat zones
• No littering anywhere in the park
• No swimming in the underground river
• Stay on the boardwalk and designated paths at all times
• Keep noise to a minimum to avoid disturbing wildlife

Violators may be escorted out of the park and barred from re-entry. Park rangers monitor all groups, and paddle guides are trained to enforce these rules firmly but politely.

What to Bring and What to Wear

The climate at Sabang is tropical and humid year-round. Wear lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing and closed-toe shoes with good grip, as the boardwalk can be slippery. Bring a waterproof bag for your phone and camera, as sea spray on the boat ride can damage electronics. A hat and sunscreen are essential for the boat transfer, but you will not need them inside the cave.

Bring insect repellent, as the forest trail has mosquitoes, especially during the rainy season from June to October. A small bottle of water is allowed, but it must be consumed outside the cave. Leave heavy backpacks at your hotel or in your van, as storage space on the paddle boats is minimal.

Booking Through a Tour Operator vs. Going Independent

Many travellers choose to book the underground river as part of a packaged tour from Puerto Princesa. A standard shared tour, which includes van transport, permit, boat fees, environmental fee, and lunch, costs PHP 1,800 to PHP 2,500 per person. Private tours cost PHP 4,500 to PHP 7,000 for a group of two to four.

Going independent is cheaper if you are travelling solo or as a couple. The total cost for an independent visit, including van fare, permit, entrance fee, environmental fee, and docking fee, comes to about PHP 1,000 to PHP 1,200 per person. However, you must factor in the time spent at the booking office and the risk of fully booked time slots during peak season.

During peak months (December to April, and especially Holy Week), permits can sell out days in advance. If you are travelling during these periods, booking through a tour operator is the safer option, as they reserve permits in bulk.

Combining the Underground River With Other Palawan Attractions

If you have more than one day in Puerto Princesa, consider combining the underground river with a Honda Bay island-hopping tour on the following day. Honda Bay tours cost PHP 1,500 to PHP 2,200 per person and include stops at Luli Island, Cowrie Island, and Starfish Island. The environmental fee you paid for the underground river covers Honda Bay as well.

For travellers heading to El Nido or Port Barton after the underground river, some tour operators offer a direct transfer from Sabang to El Nido by van, bypassing the return trip to Puerto Princesa. This costs about PHP 700 to PHP 900 per person and takes four to five hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book the underground river permit online?

As of 2026, the official booking system for independent visitors is in-person at the Underground River Booking Office in Puerto Princesa. However, licensed tour operators can arrange permits on your behalf if you book a package with them in advance.

How far in advance should I get my permit?

During off-peak months, you can secure a permit one day before your visit. During peak season (December to April, Holy Week, and Chinese New Year), you should book at least three to five days in advance, as daily slots fill up quickly.

Is the underground river tour suitable for young children and seniors?

Yes. The paddle boat tour requires no physical exertion beyond boarding and disembarking. However, the boat ride to the cave entrance involves some waves, and the forest boardwalk has stairs. Seniors with mobility issues should inform the registration staff so they can be prioritised.

What happens if it rains on the day of my visit?

Tours may be cancelled if river conditions inside the cave become unsafe due to heavy rainfall or high tide. In such cases, your permit can be rescheduled to the next available day, or you can request a refund at the booking office.

Can I swim in the underground river?

No. Swimming is strictly prohibited inside the cave to protect the water quality and the cave ecosystem. Swimming is allowed at the beach near the park entrance, but not inside the river itself.

Last checked 2026-08-25. Written by PANA.PH [Desk] for PANA.PH.