The Puerto Princesa Underground River

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, on the island of Palawan, is one of the most impressive cave systems in the world, a UNESCO site where a navigable underground river winds for several kilometres beneath a mountain range directly out to the sea. Explored by paddle boat, its dark passages open into vast, cathedral-like chambers hung with dramatic stalactites and stalagmites and home to swiftlets and bats, a remarkable natural wonder in a lush national park.

What you actually see

• The underground river - the paddle-boat journey into the cave.
• The cave chambers - the vast cathedral-like caverns and formations.
• The stalactites and stalagmites - the dramatic dripstone formations.
• The national park - the lush surrounding forest and monkeys.

When to go

November to May, the dry season, for the calmest seas for the boat access and the best weather; the wet season can disrupt the sea crossing to the cave entrance. Permits are limited and must be arranged in advance, usually through a tour.

Honest expectations

Visitor numbers are capped and a permit is required, arranged in advance, usually via a tour from Puerto Princesa, so it needs planning. It involves a boat trip along the coast that can be rough, and the cave tour is fairly short and guided, viewed from the boat rather than explored on foot. Bat guano and the smell are part of the cave experience.

Nearby

El Nido, Coron and the rest of Palawan are reached from Puerto Princesa.