Ugong Rock | Puerto Princesa

Ugong Rock is a natural limestone formation located in Barangay Tagabinet, Puerto Princesa City. It is a prominent stop for travelers heading to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, offering a mix of spelunking and adventure sports.

Visual Characteristics

The site is a 75-foot-high limestone karst formation rising abruptly from the surrounding rice fields. The rock is named after the "ugong" (hollow, ringing) sound produced when tapping its stalactites and stalagmites. The interior consists of narrow crevices, cathedral-like chambers, and intricate mineral formations. From the summit, visitors have a panoramic view of the karst mountains and rural landscape of northern Palawan.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Brgy. Tagabinet, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Access: Located approximately 15 kilometers southeast of Sabang Wharf.

Transport: * Private Vehicle/Tour Van: Usually included as a side-trip in Underground River tour packages.

Distance: About a 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Puerto Princesa city center.

Entry: Admission requires a fee, which varies depending on whether visitors opt for the basic spelunking or include the zipline descent.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The site is managed by the Tagabinet Community Tourism Association (TCTA) in partnership with the ABS-CBN Foundation. It is a model for community-based sustainable tourism, where former illegal loggers and charcoal burners were trained as tour guides and stewards of the limestone formation. The rock itself is a product of millions of years of geological uplift and erosion of limestone.

Key Highlights & Activities

Spelunking (Caving): A guided climb through the interior of the rock. It involves squeezing through tight passages and climbing wooden ladders to reach the top.

Zipline: A fast descent from the summit back to the base. It features both a "sitting" position and a "superman" (prone) position.

Summit View: An viewing deck at the top offering views of the St. Paul Mountain Range.

Education: Guides provide information on the formation of stalactites and the importance of cave conservation.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The base of the formation includes a briefing area, equipment rental (helmets and gloves), and a small shop selling refreshments. Safety harnesses and gear for the zipline are maintained according to safety standards. 4G cellular coverage is available but can be weak near the rock face.

Best Time to Visit

Operating Hours: Daily from 08:00 to 17:00.

Weather: Best visited during the dry season. Spelunking can be more difficult during heavy rain as the limestone becomes slippery.

Timing: Typically visited in the late morning or early afternoon after the Underground River tour.

Rules

Wearing the provided safety helmet is mandatory during the cave climb.

Do not touch the "living" rock formations (active stalactites).

Follow the guide's instructions regarding foot placement in narrow passages.

Nearby Landmarks

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River: 15 km Northwest

Sabang Beach: 15 km Northwest

Hundred Caves: Located in the same general vicinity along the main highway