Puerto Princesa Underground River

Discover the beauty and wonder of Palawan, a Philippines province like no other. With its breathtaking beaches and rich biodiversity, this tropical paradise is a must-visit for any nature lover.

One of the top destinations in Palawan is Puerto Princesa, home to the world-famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Recognized as one of the New7Wonders of Nature and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, this park offers visitors a chance to explore the magnificent underground river and its unique ecosystem.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is a natural marvel that has adapted to life underground over time. With its diverse array of species, including endemic fish, crabs, giant spiders, bats, swallows, and snakes, the park is a true gem of the Philippines. Visitors can join a tour of the underground river and see the bats and swallows up close.

If you’re looking to experience the best of what the Philippines has to offer, a visit to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a must. To get the most out of your trip, plan your visit during the dry season, from November to May, when the weather is more stable and the waves are calmer. Keep in mind that the warmest months are from March to May, with the wet season running from June to October.

Easily accessible from Puerto Princesa, the park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range and can be reached by road trip to the seaside village of Sabang. Managed by the Puerto Princesa city government, the park is a popular tourist destination for those looking to explore the natural beauty of the Philippines. So, add the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park to your next travel itinerary and experience the wonder of this unique and beautiful destination.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

The Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan, Philippines, is home to one of the world’s most spectacular cave systems. With a 22,202 ha area, it features an 8.2 km long underground river that flows directly into the sea, with its brackish lower half affected by tidal influence, making it a unique natural wonder.

The limestone karst landscapes and old-growth forests in the park are intact and boast an incredible array of wildlife, adding to its natural beauty. The park’s underground river system offers an unforgettable experience for visitors, showcasing breathtaking rock formations and large chambers up to 120m wide and 60m high.

Tourists can take a river cruise to view the stunning rock formations, but only a portion of the 4.5 km inland river is open to the public for safety reasons. The park’s full mountain-to-sea ecosystem is significant for biodiversity conservation, as it protects the most important forests within the Palawan Biogeographic Province.

Eight different forest formations can be found within the Puerto Princesa Underground River, including forest on ultramafic soil, montane forest, freshwater swamp forest, lowland evergreen tropical rainforest, riverine forest, beach forest, mangrove forest, and forest on limestone soil. It holds rich biodiversity, with the Palawan Moist Forest recognized as the largest and most valuable limestone forest in Asia, containing the richest tree flora and high levels of regional and local endemism.

The park’s management system, which is the first to be devolved and successfully managed by a local government unit, symbolizes the commitment of the Filipino people to protect their natural heritage. Come visit the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park and be awed by the beauty of nature at its finest.