The Best Things to do in Palawan

With paradise-like beaches, incredible underwater visibility, and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature (Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park), Palawan is definitely a must-go travel destination for nature-lovers. From budget guesthouses to beach resorts, there is a place to stay for every traveler, and many beaches cost nothing to enjoy.

There are a variety of tour packages for amazing island-hopping experiences (see also our tours in the Philippines). In this article, we will recommend you the best destinations in Palawan and offer you some useful tips to explore this virgin island in the Philippines.

Visit Subterranean River National Park

Since the Subterranean River National Park was named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature in 2011 (it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site), it has attracted tourists from all over the world. The most impressive are the limestone karsts with the Caubayugan River cutting through, forming magnificent stalactites and stalagmites. The underground river, and the cave features ‘mountain-to-sea’ ecosystem. This represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation.

Package tours for the underground river are available online or through local travel agencies, and usually include transportation, the entry permit and fees, the audio guide and lunch. For independent travelers, you can also do it yourself – here is how. Note that the park limits the number of visitors per day and works on a strict “no permit, no entry” policy, so arrange your permit early. Prices below are not listed because they change; check the Puerto Princesa City Tourism website or the booking office for the current rates.

Step 1: Get your permit

The Underground River booking office is at the City Coliseum in Puerto Princesa, a short tricycle ride from the city center or the airport. Check the city tourism website first to see whether you can reserve online, and go early to avoid the crowd.

Opening hours can change, so call or check online before you go. We recommend getting your permit in Puerto Princesa at least a day before your visit, since the daily slots are limited.

Step 2: Take a bus to Sabang or rent your scooter

To get to Sabang, about 80 km north of the city, you can take a bus or shared van from the San Jose terminal (a tricycle or jeepney ride from the city center). The trip takes around 2 hours. Departures are limited, so check the schedule the day before.

Alternatively, you can rent your scooter and ride to Sabang. Riding scooter makes your trip more flexible, and you can arrive before the crowd! Daily rental is affordable, but make sure you are comfortable riding on provincial roads.

Step 3: Head to the Subterranean River National Park tourist office in Sabang

Again, to avoid the crowd, we strongly recommend you to get there as early as possible, or else, you will spend plenty of time waiting. The tourist office opens at 8 am. Here you will show your permit and pay the remaining fees for visiting the national park, which typically include:

Entrance (permit) fee
Environmental fee
Audio guide
Boat transfer (shared per boat)

Step 4: Enjoy your visit at the Subterranean River National Park

A motorized boat will take you to the beach. From there, you will take a Bangka to start your amazing exploration to the underground river! You will have your audio guide as well as a bangkero, the local tour guide. He will tell much more interesting stories with his hand shadow skills. The whole underground river is about 24 kilometers long.

The standard boat tour covers only a short stretch near the entrance and takes about 45 minutes in total. Trust me, you won’t regret visiting it!

What is after the visit…….

Back in Sabang, several restaurants serve buffet lunches for visitors at reasonable prices. It is definitely worth staying for one more hour to enjoy your lunch before heading back to Puerto Princesa!

Cover photo: Mike Gonzalez, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons