If you prefer DIY tours, then knowing how to haul yourself and your stuff from one point to another via public transport helps a lot. It’s economical and allows you to touch base with everyday people which makes travel realistic and multi-dimensional. In the Philippines, public transport can be a convoluted affair, an adventure in itself, because “the good, the bad, and the ugly” of Filipino life are all captured in this mundane endeavor.
To cut to the chase, here’s the skinny on how to get to one of Palawan’s busiest tourist hubs with the hoi polloi.
How to Get to the Underground River from Puerto Princesa:-
From Rizal Avenue to the San Jose Terminal and New Market:
- By tricycle: Find a tricycle with the Department of Tourism logo (a peacock with his tail feathers spread). Negotiate. Fare is P80 (so if you are two, you need only to pay P40 each). Travel time is around 20 minutes.
- By multi-cab: Take the multi-cab with San Jose Terminal or New Market signage. Fare is (rounded off to) P15. Travel time is around 30 minutes (with loading time and junction stops factored in).
From San Jose Terminal to Sabang:
- By bus. Look for a jeepney or bus with a “Sabang” signage (Sabang is part of Baranggay Cabayugan which in turn is part of Puerto Princesa City). They park on the back end of the terminal. Fare is P100. Seating is first-come, first-served.
*Buses and jeepney schedules are as follows: 7AM, 9AM, 12NN and 2PM. I haven’t confirmed their last trip going back to Puerto Princesa, but I saw a jeepney waiting for passengers at the Sabang Wharf around noon.
- By van. Air-conditioned shuttle vans are fast becoming the preferred mode of transport to the Underground River because of minimal fare difference and maximum comfort. Vans are either parked where the multi-cab passes by, or are parked alongside the Sabang jeepneys and buses on the back end of the terminal. Fare is P150.
*Reserve your seats by calling these numbers (for Lexus Shuttle): Landline (for international calls dial 63-48-723-0128); Smart (63-910-4975-610); and Globe (63-917-5859-613). Van schedules may differ from one provider to another. For Lexus Shuttle (they park on the far end of the terminal), the schedule is as follows:
Puerto Princesa to Sabang:
- 7:30AM
- 8:30AM
- 10AM
- 3PM
- 5PM
Sabang to Puerto Princesa
- 7:30AM
- 1PM
- 2PM
- 4PM
- 6PM
From Sabang Wharf, it’s all boat ride to the Underground River if the Jungle Trail is closed: A motorized boat to get to the beach where the welcome area is located, and a paddle boat from the mangrove area into the river.
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Photos by Cherry Vic Patalita
