The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 kilometres (30 mi) north of the city centre of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. The river also called Puerto Princesa Underground River. The national park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east.
The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. The entrance to the Subterranean River is a short hike from the town of Sabang.
The park has a limestone karst mountain landscape. Main attraction here is St. Pauls Underground River Cave - more than 24 km long cave, which contains an 8.2 kilometers long underground section of Cabayugan River. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea and is navigable with a boat up to 4 kilometers deep from the sea. The cave includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers, including the 360 m long Italian's Chamber with approximate 2.5 million square meters volume - one of the largest cave rooms in the world.
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| stalactites |
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| stalagmites |
The Park has a range of forest formations representing eight of the thirteen forest types found in tropical Asia, namely forest over ultramafic soils, forest over limestone soils, montage forest, freshwater swamp forest, lowland evergreen tropical rainforest, riverine forest, beach forest, and mangrove forest.
Birds comprise the largest group of vertebrates found in the park. Of the 252 bird species known to occur in Palawan, a total of 165 species of birds were recorded in the park.
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| Palawan Hornbill |
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| Palawan peacock |
There are also some 30 mammal species that have been recorded (Madulid, 1998). Most often observed in the forest canopy and along the shoreline feeding during low tide is the long-tailed macaque, the only primate found in the area. Other mammal species in the park are the bearded pig, bearcat, Palawan stink badger and the Palawan porcupine.
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| Palawan Porcupine |
Nineteen species of reptiles have been identified, eight of which are endemic (Madulid, 1998). Common species in the area include large predators like the common reticulated python, the monitor lizard and the green crested lizard. Amphibian fauna include ten species. The Philippine woodland frog is the most dominant and frequently encountered. One species, Barbourula busuangensis, endemic to Palawan was also observed in the area.
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| lizard |
Notable are the nine species of bats, two species of swift lets and whip spider found in the cave, and the sea cow and the hawksbill sea turtle that feed in the coastal area of the park.
The boat journey round the coast to the cave entrance allows you to see some picturesque jungle like something out of Jurassic Park. Then there are the monitor lizards and monkeys that can sometimes be seen.
While inside the river, you’ll notice that the waters are as crystal clear as Palawan's beaches and the images formed by the stalactites and stalagmites are amazing.
They have very nice bangkeros with nice sense of humours because you won’t be bored while you're taking the tour inside the underground river even if the place was very quiet.
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| canoe ready to go inside the river |
Puerto Princesa Underground River was entered as the Philippine entry - and topped the first round of voting - in the New7Wonders of Nature competition, and on July 28, 2011, after the second round of voting, it was declared 1 of 28 finalists. Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn extended his gratitude to all those who supported and voted for the Puerto Princesa Underground River.
I am one of the promoters of this beautiful place when I asked my students to vote during the whole year campaign. Part of my requirement in my subject actually is on line voting.
Unimaginable and hard to describe, truly a MASTERPIECE OF NATURE!
Son plus de plaisir dans les Philippines en raison de Puerto Princesa Underground River!
SIMPLE TIP:
Purchase or get the permit much earlier, advice is before your travel date. I would prefer to be in contact with a travel tours to assist on this.
WAY POINTS:
By Air
From Manila there are 3 -5 flights daily (morning and afternoon) to Puerto Princesa. You can choose between Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu-Pacific. Cebu Pacific is servicing also 3 to 4 times weekly the route Cebu-Puerto Princesa-Cebu.
Also Seair is connecting Puerto Princesa with other destinations in Palawan (Busuanga, El Nido) and from there also with Manila.
By Land
Negros Navigation is sailing the route Manila to Puerto Princesa once a week, leaving every Thursday in Manila and arrives in Puerto Princesa on Friday (return to MNL the next day).WGA Superferry is sailing from Manila every Friday and arrives Saturday morning in Puerto Princesa.
A Ferry travel can be recommended very much if you have a lot of time and if you are enjoying travel on the Sea. The trip takes around 24 hours. There are nice cabins available on these ships. At Coron the Ferry will make a short stop over.
How to go from Puerto Princesa to Sabang
Sabang is located on the South-China Sea side of Palawan. It is 80 km away from the City going North-West (Sabang is still part of Puerto Princesa City; even the village is that remote). The trip will take about 2 - 4 hours by Van or Jeepney.
On the way to Sabang you will see amazing Nature and beautiful landscapes. The first 40 km it goes on the new Highway connecting Puerto Princesa with Roxas in the North. In Salvacion is the junction to Sabang.
Public Transportation:
Public jeepneys are leaving for Sabang at the new Public Bus Terminal at San Jose, Puerto Princesa. It is better to be early at the Terminal. The best time to travel the route to Sabang is with the 7 AM jeepney or the the 9 AM Bus. Until around 3 PM several jeepneys are departing for Sabang.
VAN Hire:
Vans (Air-conditioned) can be hired at the Aiport or at any Travel Agency in Puerto Princesa. The vans can accommodate maximal 8 persons.
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