Enjoy Caving at the Tabon Caves in Palawan

TABON CAVES

Photo from: http://spurtravelpalawan.com/tabon-cave-tour/

This chain of caves is where fossils and crude tools of ancient man dating some 22,000 years back have been unearthed. The main entrance to the caves, measuring 18 meters high and 16 meters wide, overlooks a beautiful bay studded with white sand beach islands. This leads to a dome shaped chamber of imposing dimensions about 90 meters deep. At the time of Tabon Caves’ discovery a large quantity of cultural materials and chinese pottery were found. Most of the artifacts have been transferred to the National Museum in Manila for preservation. Excavations established that these caves are among the oldest habitations in Asia. Of the 200 caves in the Tabon Caves Complex, only seven are open to visitors. Read More: http://www.asiatravel.com/palainfo.html#top

Photo from: http://www.timetravelturtle.com/2015/01/tabon-caves-palawan-philippines/

The Tabon Caves, dubbed as the Philippines’ Cradle of Civilization, are a group of caves located on Lipuun Point, north of Quezon municipality, in the south western part of the province of Palawan on Palawan Island, in the Philippines. They are part of the Lipuun Point Reservation, which has been protected by the government of the Philippines as a museum reservation to protect the caves and immediate vicinity from deforestation and to preserve the cultural artifacts present there.

The caves are named after the Tabon scrubfowl. It is bordered on the south by the town proper of Quezon, Bgy. Panitian on the west, and the West Philippine Sea on the north and east. Out of 215 known caves, 29 have been explored and seven of these are open to the public. The seven include Tabon, Diwata, Igang and Liyang Caves. One of the oldest human bones found in the Philippines, the Tabon Man, was found here in 1962. Other excavated, unexamined remains are stored onsite. Read More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabon_Caves

Photo from: http://philippine-evolution.com/tabon-cave-philippines-cradle-of-civilization-holds-24000-y-o-human-fossil/tabon-cave8/

The 200+ caves located in the limestone formation are collectively known as the Tabon Caves, after the main cave, called Tabon, so named after a megapode bird that digs its nest into the ground.

How to Get to the Tabon Cave Complex:

1] Puerto Princesa – Lipuun Point
Van (San Jose Terminal, PPS) – 200PhP/pax
Travel Time: 2.5 – 3H

2] Quezon Transport Terminal – National Museum Quezon
Tricycle – 10PhP/pax
Travel Time: 10-15mins

*** Get a Tabon Cave Complex Permit at the National Museum Quezon
Fee: 20PhP/pax
Time: 8AM – until 2PM only
Personal Appearance is required
Permit is shown the Coast guard at the Quezon pier and at the Tabon Cave Complex

3] National Museum Quezon – Quezon Pier
Tricycle – 10PhP/pax
Travel Time: 5-10 mins

4] Quezon Pier – Tabon Cave Complex
Outrigger Boat: 800PhP/6 pax capacity
Travel Time: 30-45mins