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All the Philippines Puerto Princesa Puerto Princesa Subterranean River

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River

Five miles of underground river link lake to ocean.

Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Added By
Annetta Black
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On the boat…   gzhtub / Atlas Obscura User
The port in Sabang.   The Solitary Wanderer / Atlas Obscura User
Welcome sign.   The Solitary Wanderer / Atlas Obscura User
  Matikas 0805/Wikimedia
Palawan Underground   Benjamhille
View of the cave’s entrance   Paul Chin
Sabang Daylighthole   Klaus Polak
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About

In 1898, the American Zoologist Dean C. Worcester described mysteries and wonders of the Philippine Islands from his travels, including the tantalizing reference, “If accounts are to be believed, of a lake opening to the sea by a subterranean river.”

This extraordinary river does indeed exist, snaking over five miles underground through limestone caves, linking lake to ocean in the Palawan province of the Philippines. 

One of the world's longest underground waterways, the Cabayugan River passes though 15 miles of caves, studded with stalactites and stalagmites, the water rising and falling with the tides of the South China Sea at its end. The caves have been a National Park since 1971, made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, and was named one of the "New Seven Wonders of Nature" in 2012.

 

Related Tags

Subterranean Sites Rivers Natural Wonders Nature

Know Before You Go

The easiest for groups of people (e.g., families, friends) is to book the visit to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River through a travel agency, whether in town or in Manila. However, it is also possible to do it yourself. There are public transport going to Sabang and back (though often it's full when going back to Puerto Princesa. Just make sure to pay your entry fee to the Subterranean River in Puerto Princesa. Go early as they have a daily limit.

Community Contributors

Added By

Annetta Black

Edited By

Rachel, The Solitary Wanderer, Allison, gzhtub

  • Rachel
  • The Solitary Wanderer
  • Allison
  • gzhtub

Published

January 29, 2013

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Sources
  • http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/652
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Princesa_Subterranean_River_National_Park
  • http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/puertoprincesa.html
  • https://www.solitarywanderer.com/diy-puerto-princesa-underground-river/
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River
Puerto Princesa
Philippines
10.1667, 118.9167
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Ursula Island

Puerto Princesa, Philippines

miles away

Snake Island of Palawan

El Nido, Philippines

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa

Philippines

Places 2

Nearby Places

Ursula Island

Puerto Princesa, Philippines

miles away

Snake Island of Palawan

El Nido, Philippines

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa

Philippines

Places 2

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