Palawan 4-Day Circuit: Puerto Princesa Underground River & El Nido Island Hopping
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
4 days
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness recommended—able to handle multi-hour boat days, short swims, and boarding small boats; not strenuous hiking.
Overview
A four-day loop between Puerto Princesa and El Nido that pairs the subterranean drama of the Underground River with the karst lagoons of El Nido. Expect long transfers, clear water, and hands-on culture stops in between.
Palawan 4-Day Circuit: Puerto Princesa Underground River & El Nido Island Hopping
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The airport humid heat wraps around you like a low tide as the van eases away from Puerto Princesa International. Palms rattle in a trade-wind rhythm and the road opens to scrubby hills that become limestone teeth—karst towers rising from the sea—promising the kind of scenery that makes you forget office lights.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring cash for fees
Environmental and terminal fees for the Underground River and El Nido are usually payable on-site—ATMs are limited in Sabang and boat docks.
Time your transfers
Puerto Princesa to El Nido is a 5–6 hour road journey; schedule flights and pick-ups with at least a two-hour buffer for check-in.
Use reef-safe sunscreen
Sunscreen that’s reef-safe protects coral and keeps the water clear for snorkel photos; apply 15 minutes before entering the water.
Footwear for mixed terrain
Bring sturdy water shoes for jagged limestone and slippery mangrove wharves—flip-flops aren’t enough for cave or rock-hopping sections.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Monitor lizards and other reptiles along river edges
- Sea turtles while snorkeling around El Nido reefs
History
Puerto Princesa’s Plaza Cuartel preserves a World War II memory of prisoners killed in 1944; the city’s cathedral dates to Spanish-era church foundations.
Conservation
Both the Underground River and El Nido enforce visitor limits and environmental fees—use reef-safe products, avoid touching coral, and carry out all trash.
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Adventure Hotspots in Puerto Princesa
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects skin and coral while spending long hours on open water.
summer specific
Lightweight rain jacket
Useful for sudden tropical downpours during transfers or island stops.
fall specific
Water shoes
Grippy soles for limestone ledges, boat decks, and rocky beaches.
Dry bag or waterproof phone case
Keeps electronics and documents dry during boat transfers and brief swims.