Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Trip from the City

The river runs inland through a mountain, not toward the sea.

An 8-hour guided tour from Puerto Princesa City to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, where you board a boat and paddle into one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The trip includes hotel pickup within 15 kilometers of the airport, a professional guide, lunch, park permits and all transport by air-conditioned van. Early booking is essential, as the park limits daily visitor numbers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park3h · entry included
2. Sabang Beach2h

Visit Underground River and Sabang Beach

• Travel to Sabang Beach
• Explore Sabang Beach area
• Tour Puerto Princesa Underground River

The experience

You start with hotel pickup in Puerto Princesa City and travel by van to Sabang Beach, the jump-off point for the Underground River. From there, a boat takes you into the mountain itself: the river flows inland through a cave system, not out to sea. A guide leads you through the passages, pointing out rock formations and the ecosystem that thrives in the darkness. The whole river experience is the centerpiece of the day, and the park's strict visitor cap means the water stays uncrowded.

The 8-hour itinerary wraps the boat ride into a full day that includes lunch and all the logistics: your guide handles the park permits, the van driver manages the route, and you move between stops without arranging anything yourself. An option to add a zip-line flight over the sea is available if you want a second adrenaline moment after the river. If you're arriving by cruise ship, book the private tour option instead of the shared one: the timing of ship arrivals requires special handling that the regular departures cannot accommodate.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned van transport from your hotel and back.
• professional guide and driver.
• lunch.
• park entry permits and fees.
• boat ride through the underground river.

Options for this experience

6 options

Private TourGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00Private service: Enjoy the trip at your own pace with this private tour option. Includes pickup.

Shared TripGuide in English · 07:00 and 07:30Pickup is included

With Mangrove TourGuide in English · 07:00 and 07:30Mangrove paddleboat tour: Explore a mangrove forest from a paddle boat and learn more about this important ecosystem. Pickup is included.

See 3 more options

Shared tour including Astoria transfersGuide in English · 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00Hotel transfers: Choose this tour option if your hotel is not within 15 kilometers of the airport or at Astoria Palawan. Pickup is included.

With Zip-line flightGuide in English · 07:00 and 07:30Zip-line flight: Finish your day with an adrenaline rush! Take in breathtaking views before sliding down a zip-line. Includes pickup.

With a 1-hour massage and spaGuide in English · 07:00 and 07:301-hour massage and spa: After your tour, you'll be dropped off at a spa conveniently located in the city, where you can enjoy an hour of massage and spa treatment. Includes pickup.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (under 7)

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese and Korean

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 2.34

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Corazon Travel and Tours

Is this one for you?Book the private option if you're arriving by cruise ship, since shared departures run on fixed schedules that won't align with your ship's timeline. Choose the zip-line add-on if you want two activities in one day instead of the river tour alone.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 7).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Puerto Princesa Underground River?

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and the longest navigable underground river in the world. You travel by boat through passages inside a mountain, where the river flows through cave systems carved over millennia.

How much of the day do I spend on the water?

The boat ride through the underground river is the main event, but the full trip runs 8 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, including the van journey to Sabang Beach, lunch, and time at the park.

Can I add the zip-line to my booking?

Yes, an option to add an exhilarating zip-line flight over the sea is available at checkout. You can book the underground river alone or combine it with the zip-line for a second activity on the same day.

What's included in the price?

Transport by air-conditioned van, hotel pickup and drop-off within 15 kilometers of the airport, a professional guide and driver, lunch, and all park permits and fees are included. Gratuities and the environmental fee charged by the park are separate.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes, early booking is highly encouraged because the park can only accommodate a small number of visitors each day. Availability fills quickly, especially during peak travel seasons.

What if I'm arriving by cruise ship?

Cruise ship guests must book the private tour option, not the shared trip. Ship arrivals require special timing arrangements that the regular shared departures cannot provide.