When we arrived at Puerto Princesa Airport, we were offered an Underground River package. It costs P1,500 per head but we got it at a discounted rate (Outdated – December 2015). We have not read anything about Underground River before so we had no idea on how to get there and how much it costs. We had to rely with the available information we could get. Brochures, flyers, asked people and the most helpful was the Published Rates from the Department of Tourism.
Get to know my 2015 experience inside the Underground River on my post here.
Published Rates
We were in luck, we had a P300 discount. So we pretended that we were a little bit doubtful about the package and eventually said yes and took the package.
Underground River
Was the P1,200 really worth it for a day tour package to the Underground River?
When we went to Sabang, I asked the Tourism Assistance Information Center on how to get to the Underground River without availing of the tour package and here’s what I found out.
In Sabang
Option 1: Via Public Transportation (for 6 pax*)
P150.00 – Underground River Permit (Discounted Price for Filipinos)
P16.67 – Tricycle from Lodging to Underground River Booking Office (P50/tryc, 4pax/tryc)
P16.67 – Tricycle from Underground River Booking Office to San Jose Terminal (P50/tryc, 4pax/tryc)
P120.00 – Jeep from San Jose Terminal to Sabang
P200.00 – Set meal at Robert’s Jewel Restaurant
P116.67 – Boat from Sabang Port to Underground River jump-off and back (P700/boat, 6pax/boat)
P120.00 – Jeep from Sabang to San Jose Terminal
P12.00 – Multicab from San Jose Terminal to Junction 1
P7.00 – Tricycle from Junction 1 to Lodging
——————–
P759.01 – Total Budget per Pax
Option 2: Via Rented Van (for 10 pax*)
150.00 – Underground River Permit (Discounted Price for Filipinos)
P350.00 – Van Rental (P3500/van, based on Published Rates)
P200.00 – Set meal at Robert’s Jewel Restaurant
P140.00 – Boat from Sabang Port to Underground River jump-off and back (P700/boat, 6/boat)
——————-
P840.00 – Total Budget per Pax
* Number of pax is based on the cheapest rate with the least number of pax we computed.
Published Rates for Van Rental
Advantages of Taking a Package Tour
- The tour operator will be reserving for your permit to the Underground River
- Travel Insurance
- You get to have additional information about the place because of the tour guide
- You’ll meet new friends. π
Disadvantage of Taking a Package Tour
- You’ll have to follow the itinerary given by the tour package and not be able to experience other destinations or activities.
Disadvantage of Public Transportation
- You’ll have to arrange your itinerary so that it will conform to the schedule of the Jeep and Buses going to Sabang.
Back again to the question, was my P1,200 worth it for the Underground River Tour?
Definitely! We had things to do in Puerto Princesa that we did not worry ourselves about the little details of going to the Underground River. Plus we got to meet new friends, no amount of money could pay for this one.
But the backpacker inside me still wants to try using the public transportation.
You be the judge, was P1,200 worth it?
Follow my Puerto Princesa Series
- Cheaper Way to Tour Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Helpful)
- Environmental Enforcement Museum (Must Visit!)
- Iwahig Firefly Watching (Must Try!)
- Badjao Seafront Restaurant (Food)
- Kalui Restaurant (Food)
- Kinabuchs Grill and Bar (Food)
- Noki Nocs (Food)
- Puerto Princesa Do-It-Yourself 4D3N Budget and Itinerary (Helpful)
- Puerto Princesa, Palawan 3D2N Budget and Itinerary (Helpful)
Follow my Sabang Port, Puerto Princesa Series
- 9 Things to Do at Sabang in Puerto Princesa (Overview)
- Puerto Princesa Underground River Do-It-Yourself Travel Guide (Helpful)
- How to get an Entry Permit to the Underground River in Puerto Princesa (Helpful)
- How to get to Sabang, Puerto Princesa (Helpful)
- Lodgings in Sabang, Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Helpful)
- Sabang Waterfalls
- Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour
- Food Tripping in Sabang
- Ugong Rock Caving
benefits* outweigh the cost. package is not a bad choice!
*opportunity cost of doing arrangements yourself + meeting new friends + supporting local tour operator
This is a useful info for our next anniversary trip next year. I will add this to my fave sites. Thanks π
@backpacker_economist, I like your comment especially on the part of supporting local tour operator. and I agree, benefits did outweigh the cost.
@Marjorie, Thanks! π
You took the words right out of my mouth erm keyboard! I also felt torn whether the Underground tour (or the full tour that we did for PPS and El Nido) was worth it. The backpacker inside me was also rebelling against the thought of being under the mercy of the schedule set by someone else *shudder* But in the end, we took it because it was cheaper (hey’ i’m a cheapie) and convenient.
We can just ride the public transpo another time, right Josiah? π
@Chichi, YES! there’s always a next time for more adventures with public transpo. I’m actually going back next year. I’ll try the public transpo to Underground River and Honda Bay, and i’ll try to find my way to see the whale sharks. And if schedule permits public transpo to El Nido. π
we took the bus going to El Nido back in 2005 and it was one hellluva adventure! π
Vans were available just for charter then. Although there are now passenger vans that regularly go to El Nido…. try the old rickety bus when you do go back there. π
Ey Happy Sole! I’ll try it when I get the chance next year. actually I’m going to make a chance next year. π
very informative..
follow up question: what if 2pax lang kami, would you still consider joining a group/package tour?
concern ko naman, baka may oras lang yung tour. unlike pag DIY, kami ang boss sa oras!
@Chyng It really depends on your mood and the situation, 2 lang kami noon, pero wala kasi kami oras to do research kaya nagtour kami. Pero masmasaya nga sana yung DIY. which reminds me, kailangan ko na matapos at mapost yung itinerary for DIY Underground River. Thanks for reminder Chyng. π
Hi.. ask ko lang po, nung pagdating nyo po ba sa airport and may na-offer ng underground river tour, that same day din po ba kayo dumeretso sa Sabang?.. did you had a chance na makuha yung contact nun? dalawa lang din kasi kaming magtatravel, pero by May pa naman.. we’re actually going to el nido, pero iniisip ko kung possible na makapag-underground tour din muna kami.. one of the 7 wonders of nature kasi yun π sayang naman kung hindi kami makakapunta.. diba? :p
Hi Jenny, yup! may nagoffer sa amin ng underground river tour nung pagdating namin sa airport. Wala ako contact number nung nag-offer pero possible lang na makapagunderground river ka on the same day kapag dumating ka sa airport ng early morning. Hopefully, magawa niyo siya on the same day ng pagdating ninyo.
kumusta naman po byahe nio Palawan? Next time and if you have visitors po pwede po kming mkatulong sa inyong byahe sa Palawan.just text me maam. π
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE UNDERGROUND RIVER TOUR IS FULLY BOOKED FOR THE WHOLE OF APRIL AND MAY 2012
As a result of the award of New7Wonder of the Natural World. The Underground River Tour is very popular.
We would encourage early bookings (at least a week prior to arrival) to avoid disappointment as there is only a very limited number of people per day are given permits to visit this natural wonder.
This limitation was made in an effort by the local government to lessen the environmental impact that humans may bring to the natural habitat of endangered species which are endemic to the Underground Caves.
Important: Please bring a valid Identification Card during the tour in order to validate your permit at the tourism office in Sabang Port prior to your departure for the Underground River
Thanks for the reminder Rina! π
Hello Josiah & Rina. My family of 5 will be staying in Sabang. How much is the packaged Underground River Tour per person considering that we are already near but I dont want the hassle of arranging permits? β
Hi Rina at kay Lakas ng Trip. Plano naming wag mag-avail ng packaged tours for PPUR. Ang concern lang namin baka hidi kami makakuha ng permit for PPUR since super sikat na ito at limited na nga ang pwedeng pumunta. We’ll arrived at PP sa Sep 15 at 1pm and do the PPUR at Sep 16 kung makakakuha kami. 4 adults plus 1 toddler (1year old.)
another concern is pwde ba ang toddler kahit sa PPUR park lang. I read somewhere else na bawal sila sa cave. Kasi if ever, hindi kami magsasasby na 4 na pumasok sa cave. Ang mangyayari 2-2 muna para may magbantay sa toddler naming kasama.
Thoughts? TIA
hi how much is the current reasonable price for the underground river and honda bay tour now? we will be in there this coming december.thnx for the help
Hi josh im really curious about your post. And i’ll try it since i have limited budget going to PPUR. Hope u can give somemore advise. Thanks π
Hi Rhea, I’ve written almost all I know about Puerto Princesa. I advise you to read through my posts.
Looking to tour the Underground River Palawan on Dec 29 or Dec 30 Please advise cost and timing. Please send phone number so I can speak directly with you. Three adults, one child, one infant. Please respond at earliest convenience as I am leaving for the PI on Tuesday and want to finalize plans before leaving.
THXCSJ
Hey Craig, I’m a personal travel blog. Not a travel agency. I hope you enjoy your Underground River Tour.