Puerto Princesa Underground River Guide

Venture down the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a ‘mountain-to-sea’ ecosystem that holds a spot in the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Life blossoms even in the darkest and deepest places on Earth. The Puerto Princesa Underground River, previously known as St Paul Subterranean River and National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Palawan, that spans 8.2 kilometres and comes with a hidden cavern showcasing oddly shaped stalactites and stalagmites.

Echoing droplets of water and occasional bat pee are dripping onto the cave’s brackish water, a combination of saltwater and freshwater gently flowing into the chamber with a glaring teeth-like opening.

The underground river lies beneath the Saint Paul Mountain Range that rises 1,028 metres above sea level. It has an elephant-shaped karst limestone opening for seasoned hikers to scramble through multiple ravines and jagged edges to enter.

How to get there

Take a direct flight to Puerto Princesa from Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, which takes 1 hour and 25 minutes of travel time. It’s approximately a two-hour drive from the city to Sabang Wharf; the jump-off point to the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

boats in front of the entrance of Puerto Princesa Underground River — Enter the jagged teeth-like opening of the underground cave.

What to expect

Wild monkeys (macaques) will greet you as you set foot on the forest trail leading to the underground river. Don’t panic, just continue on until you reach the boat that will lead you inside.

the entrance and exit of the Puerto Princesa Underground River — Head inside the small cave entrance.

Be prepared to traverse a 4.3-kilometre portion of the underground river for about 45 minutes. Going beyond that gets steeper and narrower with little oxygen to breathe in.

Only a segment of the river is open for tourist explorations, and there are still unexplored parts of the river that are yet to discover. In 2010, a group of geologists and environmentalists found small waterfalls coming from the second floor of the cave.

a group of tourists wearing safety helmets and life jackets inside Puerto Princesa Underground River — You’ll need to wear safety helmets and life jackets. (Image: Cathlyn Botor)

The clicking of bats and swooshing of water are the only things you will hear inside the cave. Our guide asked us to wear an audio device that narrated the history and beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

For centuries, stalactites and stalagmites were carved from the build-up of calcites or redeposited minerals after countless droplets of water. Watch out for bats and swallows that live in the impressive cave system.

stunning rock formations and stalactites inside the cave at Puerto Princesa Underground River — Admire stunning stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave.

Navigated entirely by the guide’s searchlight, the cave opens up to incredible stalactites that take the shape of a ship, carrot, corn, mushroom, umbrella and some prominent religious figures.

One chamber of the cave is a heavenly abyss known as The Cathedral where you can seemingly hear church bells ringing if you just let your imagination run wild amid the profound silence. As you go deeper, it gets more enthralling upon reaching a cave dome with a vast ceiling of about 300 metres above the ground.

a source of light inside the cave at Puerto Princesa Underground River — It’s pitch-black inside the cave without using a searchlight. (Image: Cathlyn Botor)

A short detour for an authentic experience

If you’re searching for something to go above and beyond what’s being offered to you, here are some other enchanting activities to sign up for in Puerto Princesa.

Sabang Mangrove Paddle Tour

On your way to the underground river, take a short detour to Sabang Mangrove Forest, located in the neighbouring barangay Cabayugan.

Century-old mangroves provide shelter to monitor lizards, mangrove snakes or binturong, pythons and a variety of endangered bird species. There is also an edible woodworm called Tamilok that inhabits the decaying mangroves. Locals have become accustomed to cracking open a dead branch and eating the raw Tamilok dipped in vinegar.

Go on a boat cruise along the evergreen waters of the Sabang Mangrove Forest. Local paddlers will give you a brief history of the place and serenade you with a personally composed song inspired by the wonders of the mangrove forest.

a group of tourists during Sabang Mangrove Paddle Tour — Cruise along the Sabang Mangrove Forest. (Image: Cathlyn Botor)

Ugong Rock Adventures

Pump up your adrenaline at Ugong Rock, a 50-metre-high limestone formation in the peaceful town of Tagabinet, Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The exhilarating activity is a mix of caving, spelunking and zip-lining through the scenic jungle down a 71-metre drop single ride. Immersing inside the cave will leave you in awe just by looking at the wondrous hollow stalactites.

a woman riding a zipline at Ugong Rock, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines — Come buzzing through and above the scenic landscape. (Image: Philippine Primer)

Hundred Caves Spelunking Adventure

Stunning speleothems and cave pearls make up the multi-storied Hundred Caves, an emerging eco-tourism site in Puerto Princesa. Climb and ramble through glistening crystals and massive columns that are approximately 80 metres above sea level.

jagged rock formations inside Hundred Caves — Majestic rock formations inside the Hundred Caves will take your breath away. (Image: Traveloka)

Iwahig River Firefly Watching

Spend a magical night surrounded by cosmic clusters of fireflies around mangrove trees as you cruise along the Iwahig River. As the inky blackness envelops you, cherish the moment to bask in the moonlight on a remote stargazing trip. Bathe in the glistening landscape; and if you’re lucky, bioluminescent planktons may also occasionally light up the river’s surface.

fireflies dancing at night — Thousands of fireflies light up the Iwahig River.

Other sights to see and experience in Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa is deemed the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines. Beyond its natural wonders, dig into the city’s local cuisine and immerse in its beautiful culture that is preserved and passed on to many generations.

Here are a few highlights to see and experience in Puerto Princesa.

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Golden South Sea Pearls

Palawan’s rich and thriving marine biodiversity is home to the golden south sea pearls, considered a national gem of the Philippines. Palawan has the cleanest and nutrient-rich waters in the country, making it a perfect spot to culture and preserve these precious jewels. For the locals, growing south sea pearls is both an essential eco-cultural tradition and livelihood.

a pink South Sea Pearl Necklace — A golden south sea pearl necklace is a stunning keepsake to bring home from your Palawan visit.

Balayong or local cherry blossoms

A piece of Japan is currently in the works at Balayong Park and surrounding areas in Puerto Princesa. Native cherry blossoms, called Balayong, start to bloom around the city during the months of February to late March. Balayong festival is also held annually on the 14th of March to commemorate the city’s founding.

a tree of local cherry blossoms blooming at Balayong Park, Puerto Princesa — Find local cherry blossoms at Balayong Park. (Image: Cathlyn Botor)

Crocodile sisig

Crocodile sisig is Palawan’s classic take on the Filipino sizzling pork dish. It tastes like chicken but is a healthier choice with low-fat content and high protein. Eating crocodile meat in Puerto Princesa is allowed as long as it’s farm-bred and did not come from the wild.

The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center is a wildlife rehabilitation and conservation facility that protects captured crocodiles from the neighbouring towns. They also have a crocodile farm that grows crocodiles for human consumption.

a close-up shot of a Philippine Crocodile — The Crocodylus mindorensis is endemic to the Philippines.

Cashew nuts

Cashew trees are growing abundantly in the city proper and suburbs of Puerto Princesa. No wonder Palawan is hailed as the cashew capital of the Philippines. Don’t miss out on tasting different flavours of cashew such as roasted, chocolate-coated, salted, fried, brittled, and more!

Explore Palawan and discover why it is consistently ranked one of the best islands in the world. For a secluded beach-packed adventure, check out our dreamy four-day itinerary in Balabac.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

An epic guide to Puerto Princesa Underground River