Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour Permit

Garnering even more votes than the Galapagos Islands, the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon (which I seriously think should have made the list), the Puerto Princesa Underground River was instantly catapulted into the limelight as one of the New7Wonders of Nature. Suddenly, not only Filipinos but people from all over the world want to be awed by the beauty of this hidden subterranean gem.

This increasing popularity led the local government to limit the number of visitors to 780 persons/day to prevent environmental damage to this natural sanctuary. Even so, the Puerto Princesa Underground River Authority wasn't prepared and was obviously overwhelmed by the huge influx of tourists in the town of Sabang. Due to this, tour permits to the underground river became as hard to come by as a travel visa. It had to be arranged months before and for most tourists, this is just not possible. Furthermore, foreign visitors and even Filipino tourists are extremely unaware of this "NO PERMIT, NO ENTRY POLICY", as well as the hard process that applying for a permit entails. I can just imagine how many tourists arrived and left Puerto Princesa without seeing what they came for. And this almost happened to us if not for sheer luck and my husband's perseverance.:) I will discuss this option last as there is no guarantee for "walk-in" applicants. It all depends on the fixed daily quota of walk-in visitors being administered per resort.

When I tried to check the Puerto Princesa Underground River Booking Schedule for available slots, I found out that the months of April, May and June are almost if not fully booked. Which means that you could be put on the wait list for around 3 months. So, in order to save yourself from the terrible disappointment of not being able to get tour permits to the underground river, YOU MUST APPLY FOR YOUR TOUR PERMITS MONTHS IN ADVANCE! 

You have three options:

OPTION A-
Get the services of a travel agency, they can surely arrange an underground river tour package for you. Still, it would take time as current slots have already been filled by earlier applications. So, do plan your trip in advance. On the other hand, I heard that some well-connected tour operators can get you an earlier schedule. If you know what I mean.:)

OPTION B-
If you are going without the assistance of a travel agent, it's only possible to secure a permit in advance if you know someone in Puerto Princesa who would be willing to apply for it on your behalf. Here's how:


STEP 1-Ask your friend to proceed to the Puerto Princesa City Underground River Booking Office which is around two minutes away from the airport. Tricycle fare from the airport is Php 8/pax.


Here's the address and contact details:
No. 350 Rizal Avenue
Bgy. Bancao-bancao, Puerto Princesa City 5300
Telephone Numbers: +63(48) 4342509


STEP 2-Fill out the application form and make sure to indicate accurate information as the policy dictates that this permit is non-transferable. Your representative will also be asked to present both of your valid identification cards (IDs) together with your authorization letter.


STEP 3-Settle the Underground River Tour fee which is Php 175 for adults and Php 100 for minors. Senior citizens and children ages 3-12 are exempted from this charge. Children 2 years old and under are not allowed to take the tour.


STEP 4-Make sure you arrive at Sabang Port Tourist Assistance and Information Center in Bgy. Cabayugan 1 hour prior to your tour schedule for registration. Failure to do so may deem your booking cancelled. You may contact them at: +63(48) 7230904.


A 1.5-hour local jeepney or air-conditioned shuttle van ride to Sabang Port costs around Php 120-200/pax from the San Jose Terminal which is around 10 minutes away from the Puerto Princesa city proper.


STEP 5-You will need to pay an additional Php 700 for the motorized boat ride to the underground river. A single boat can carry around 6-8 persons.

OPTION C-
If you find yourself reading this article while already checked in at a Sabang resort (like what happened to us) or if you have already booked air tickets for your Palawan holiday before finding out that underground river tour permits aren't that easy to secure, here's one last option for you as a walk-in applicant.

STEP 1-Make sure to stay at a hotel located in Sabang, not in downtown Puerto Princesa. One of the requirements is a certification from your respective Sabang resorts that you have stayed with them at least overnight.


STEP 2-Go to the Sabang Port Tourist Assistance and Information Center and check for available slots.  Only the 8am slot is set aside for walk-in applicants. Reservation for slots will only be entertained from 2pm until all slots are filled. You may choose to arrive early to be the first one in queue. Please note that they only open 5 slots per Sabang resort daily. So, if you have more than 5 people in your group, this option might not work for you. Alternatively, if you are a group of two or more people, only one of you needs to make an appearance to make a reservation for the entire group. You will be asked to present your valid identification cards (IDs) together with a certification of your one-night stay from your hotel.

The Sabang Port Tourist Assistance and Information Center.

STEP 3 (The day of the tour)-Make sure to be there 30 minutes before your scheduled trip as you still need to fill out the tour permit application form. Make sure to indicate accurate information as the policy dictates that this permit is non-transferable. 

Guests, in line, while applying for a tour permit. Some, if not most, are foreigners.

STEP 4-Settle the Underground River Tour fee which is Php 175 for adults and     Php 100 for minors. Children 2 years old and under are not allowed to take the tour. I noticed that while senior citizens and children 3-12 years old can get this permit for free from the Puerto Princesa Booking Office, senior citizens are being charged a discounted rate of Php 100 here. I'm just not sure about the rate for children as we do not have one in our group.


STEP 5-You will need to pay an additional Php 700 for the motorized boat ride to the underground river. A single boat can carry around 6-8 persons. 

The dock where motorized boats to the underground river are waiting.

Early at the dock for our 8am tour schedule.

A few moments before we boarded the boat that would take us to what is now, one of the Philippines' most popular tourist destinations.

Going through all this trouble just to secure a permit might make even the most enthusiastic visitor lose his interest. But if you ask me why I even made it a point to write this informative article, you would know that your efforts will not be in vain. The Puerto Princesa Underground River is absolutely worth it!

A customized 5x7 souvenir photo which you can buy at the Underground River's photo booth for Php 300.

UPDATE as of June 5, 2012: Puerto Princesa, Palawan, will be putting up an ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEM for local and foreign tourists visiting its Underground River VERY SOON amidst confusion and complaints over the city government's restriction of access to the natural attraction.

Puerto Princesa Underground River
Puerto Princesa City
Puerto Princesa 5300, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63(48) 4342509

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