I visited the Tabon caves together with my adopted Norwegian family (Randi & Svein) as part of our Tubbataha trip in April 2025. There are 7 caves you can visit on a guided tour. We were the only English-speaking visitors and thus got a guide just for the three of us. Even though it is a cultural site, about remains of early humans, it is probably the natural beauty of the caves, that strikes you first. The caves are reached by a board walk along the coast. They are connected by steep paths within the forest and each one is somehow unique. Most remains (especially burial jars) were found by Dr. Robert Fox. One of the caves still has the platform and digging holes of his last mission. There are a few replica jars in the visitor centre, but if you want to see the real deal, go to the Nation Museum of Anthropology in Manila (free entrance). After the cave hopping, we walked back to the visitor centre via a path in the forest. It was very hot and humid, but luckily there is a beach right next to the visitor centre, straight out of a dream holiday ad.

How to visit

There are daily tours at 9am and 1pm. You are supposed to prebook. This is oddly done via their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nmptaboncaves. We did not prebook, but arrived shortly after 9am and were graciously included into the group, that was already watching the safety video. The tour is free of charge. “Professional” cameras are not allowed. You are not allowed to visit the caves on your own and there is a guard at the entrance, to protect the site.

How to get there

The caves are around 3 hours drive from Puerto Princesa Airport. Count in some extra time for being stuck behind a slow vehicle and road blocks. Google is reliable (go for National Museum Tabon Cave Complex) until the very last crossing, where it tells you to go straight, but you should turn left. The last stretch is dirt road, which could be an issue if you visit on a rainy day. There are not a lot of food options in the area, so better bring something from Puerto Princesa.