Underground River Tour: How to Get Permit + Travel Guide + Fees

The Underground River was recently named as the New 7 Wonders of Nature.  It has earned the reputation as the longest navigable Underground River in the world whose water directly flows to the Pacific Ocean and has 16 minerals in the cave compared to other caves around the world. No wonder, a lot of tourists are coming over to Puerto Princesa to behold this beauty.  So, even us Filipinos must see it.  

This is one of my bucket lists.  Add it to yours too!  You won't regret it.

There are packaged tours sold online or even in the hotels you stay in PPS.  For us, I decided to do it DIY.  I didn't regret choosing DIY.  

Destination:  We headed to the UNDERGROUND RIVER BOOKING OFFICE at the CITY COLISEUM.

Located at:  Peneyra Rd., Brgy. San Pedro, PPS

Why:  Get Permit for the PPUR Tour the next day.

STEPS HOW TO GET THE PPUR PERMIT 

(Secure this a day before the tour)

enter this door!

Rates and Fees as of Jan 3, 2017

clearer summed fees by age

1.  Arrive at the City Coliseum early.  We arrived around 8:00 am.

2.  Approach the staff at the counter.

3.  Provide the reason for your visit.  

4.  A paper will be asked for you to write the names and ages of the tourists for PPUR tour. ID's must also be presented. Don't forget to bring yours. Senior Citizens may avail discounts so have their ID's ready too.

5. Wait for 10 minutes.  You may sit while waiting.

6.The breakdown of expenses is detailed by each  tourist/visitor.  The PPUR Entry Permit also will be given to you.

the PPUR Entry Permit 

7.  If the cashier is present, proceed to pay.

During our time, he was not. So we were advised to pay at the location directly.  That was good because we met 4 other adults, also for the tour so we joined the boat fee for them. Thus, the boat fee was lessened.

at the tricycle

happy lil travel girl

How to go to the Coliseum via COMMUTE

* From wherever you are in PPS, you can ride a tricycle for 8 php (minimum fare) per head.  Just tell the driver to take you to Underground River Office at the City Coliseum. 

Via HIRED TRICYCLE

FYI:  We booked Kuya Ramon's tricycle for P1,000 for the city tour.  This included:
* Pick-up from airport when we arrived. Brought us to the hotel.
* Pick-up and return to the hotel City tour day.
* Visited PPUR booking office.
* Palawan Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Center
* Butterfly Farm & Tribal Village
* Bakers Hill
* Mitra's Ranch
* Visited Alexzus post at Terminal to book van in advance
* Picked us at hotel for the PPUR tour
* Brought us to the airport for departure to Manila.

So technically, we had his service:
* 3 pick-up (airport, hotel day 1, hotel day 2)
* 1 return to hotel
* 1 going to airport
* City tour

What's good about Kuya Ramon is his honesty and reliability. He's easy to talk to.  I can gurantee that. Message me here if you want to contact him.  

Entrance fees not included. See blog for more details

FEES: LOCAL

Mine (21 yo above)  
Entrance fee :  500
Audio fee      :    85
Environmental fee :  150 (you can use this fee for PPUR & Honda Bay so keep the receipt)
Boat fee (1,275/7)  :  182(to be paid at the boat docking area)

Total              :  917 php

Mom (Senior citizen)

Entrance fee :  400
Audio fee      :    76.50
Environmental fee :  150 (you can use this fee for PPUR & Honda Bay so keep the receipt)
Boat fee (1,275/7)  :  182(to be paid at the boat docking area)

Total              :  808.50 php

Chesca's (3-12 yo)

Entrance fee :    75
Audio fee      :    free
Environmental fee :  150 (you can use this fee for PPUR & Honda Bay so keep the receipt)
Boat fee (1,275/7)  :  182(to be paid at the boat docking area)

Total              :  407 php

Transpo via Alexzus Van:
Mine & Chesca:  140 X 2 x 2 (RT) = 560
Mom's senior   :  130 x 2 = 260
Total                 :  820 php

Snacks/Lunch  :  100 x 3 = 300 php

GRAND TOTAL:   3,252.50 PHP

IMPRESSIONS

* It was about 10-15 minutes trip from the Inn.  

* The road was wide and our ride was continuous except for the traffic lights.

* Weather was sunny.

* City Coliseum office clean and nice. AC was also nice.

* Garden of the coliseum was well-maintained.  Mom got to chat with some gardeners and was given some multi-colored magic roses.

* Coliseum itself was huge. Said it can accommodate 7,000 participants and guests.  Imagine that!  They were cleaning it for the Miss Earth pagent.

panorama shot via Huawei GR5 of the Coliseum

* Stores inside available just in case you get hungry or thirsty.

* Office staff so nice and accommodating.