Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour: UNESCO Site Visit

Boat through cathedral caverns of stalactites and stalagmites inside a mountain.

A day tour of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park takes you by minivan and boat through the world's longest navigable underground river, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour runs eight hours with a professional English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and drop-off within the city, buffet lunch, and all government permits and entrance fees already paid, so there are no surprise charges when you arrive. Small group tours depart daily. Advance booking is required to process the permits needed to enter the cave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Puerto Princesa Underground River

• Join small group tour
• Bring valid ID
• Travel to Underground River site
• Explore the underground river cave

The experience

You start with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned minivan and travel to the Puerto Princesa wharf, where a boat takes you into the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. The river flows inside a mountain through a cave system carved over millennia, with rock formations (stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites rising from the floor) that earned the site its place among the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The boat moves slowly through the passages so you can see the formations up close. The guide points out the shapes and explains how the cave formed. The river itself is the main event: it's the world's longest navigable underground river, and paddling through it is what sets this tour apart from other cave visits.

The eight-hour day includes time on the water, a walk around the park grounds, and a buffet lunch at the site. All entrance fees, environmental charges, and government permits are built into the price you pay upfront. A detail that matters because many operators collect these at the wharf or the cave entrance. Here, there are no surprise charges when you arrive. You'll travel in a small group with other tourists, and your guide speaks English. Bring your ID. It's required for entry.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within Puerto Princesa city proper.
• transport by air-conditioned minivan.
• boat transfers into and through the cave.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• buffet lunch at the site.
• all government permits and entrance fees.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared vanGuide in English · 06:30, 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00Pickup is included

Reserved exclusively for your groupGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 08:30Mini van exclusively for your group, with pickup included

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 06:30, the last at 08:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (8 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German, Italian and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 46 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by WORLD HOLIDAY TRAVEL AND TOURS

Is this one for you?Choose the shared van if you're comfortable traveling with other tourists and want the standard price. Pick the private option if your group prefers to explore the underground river on its own schedule and with just your party.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What is the Puerto Princesa Underground River actually like when you get there?

The underground river flows through a cave system inside a mountain, with stalactites and stalagmites lining the passages. It's the world's longest navigable underground river, and you travel through it by boat with a guide who explains the rock formations and how the cave was created.

How long does the whole tour take, and what does the day include?

The tour runs eight hours total. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Puerto Princesa city, transport by minivan to the wharf, boat rides through the cave, time to walk the park grounds, a buffet lunch, a professional guide, and all entrance fees and government permits.

Are there any charges I'll have to pay when I arrive at the site?

No. All entrance fees, environmental charges, and government permits are included in the tour price, so there are no hidden or surprise fees when you reach the wharf or the cave entrance.

Can I book this tour if I'm visiting Puerto Princesa for the first time?

Yes. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and welcomes children from age 3. You'll need to bring a valid ID. Advance booking is required so the operator can process the government permits needed to enter the cave.

What's the difference between the shared van and private tour options?

The shared van option travels with other tourists in a small group. The private option is for your group only, with the same guide, inclusions, and eight-hour itinerary. You choose which fits your preference at checkout.