Philippines Attraction Tours and Entry Fees
Philippines attraction tours and entry fees
The Philippines charges for its headline attractions in layers: a permit here, an environmental fee there, a boat on top. Budget for the stack, not the headline number.
Underground River, Palawan
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is a UNESCO site, and entry is capped at 900 visitors a day, with no permit, no entry. Book through the city’s official Underground River portal and arrange permits in Puerto Princesa, since the park is at Sabang, about two hours by van. Going independently costs a ₱500 permit, a ₱150 environmental fee, a ₱100 audio guide and a boat fare of about ₱250 to ₱350. Joiner day tours from the city run roughly ₱2,200 to ₱2,800 and bundle the van, permits, audio guide and lunch. The paddle-boat ride is about 45 minutes and goes some 1.5 km into the cave. Sailings run 08:00 to 16:00.
If you prefer a packaged day, compare Underground River tours before you travel, then confirm the permit allocation is included.
Chocolate Hills, Bohol
The Carmen complex is the official viewing deck, about 214 steps up, open roughly 08:30 to 17:30. Admission is ₱150 for non-Bohol-resident adults and ₱75 for children aged 6 to 12; under 6s are free. Pay in cash. The hills turn brown in the dry months of March to May and stay green in the wetter season. See the Bohol government site for any change in fees.
Tarsiers, Corella
The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella is a semi-wild forest run by a non-profit foundation. Expect to pay a small cash entry fee and to follow the rules: no flash, no touching, voices low. It opens about 09:00 to 16:00. The tarsier is a stress-prone nocturnal animal, so quiet matters more than getting a photograph.
Bohol is reached by water
From Cebu City the OceanJet fast ferry to Tagbilaran takes about 2 hours and costs ₱880 in tourist class. You can fly to Panglao instead. Either way, Bohol is a stay-over destination and not a quick add-on from Manila.
Manila’s free museums
The National Museum complex charges nothing for any visitor and is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00; details at nationalmuseum.gov.ph . The Fine Arts building holds Juan Luna’s huge Spoliarium, and Natural History has the Tree of Life atrium. The Mind Museum in Taguig is closed on Mondays.
El Nido and Boracay fee stacks
- El Nido: ₱400 eco-tourism development fee, valid for 10 days, plus ₱200 each at Big Lagoon and Matinloc Shrine, plus ₱300 to ₱600 for kayaks.
- Boracay: ₱300 environmental fee once per stay and ₱150 terminal fee each way at the Caticlan jetty.
- Coron: quote a full tour package, since site fees vary by operator.
Booking and timing tips
Reserve Underground River and El Nido days early in Amihan (roughly November to April), when demand is highest. During Habagat the Coast Guard can suspend boats at short notice, so leave slack in your schedule. Provincial attractions run on cash. Register at etravel.gov.ph before you fly; the form is free.
Verdict: spend your permit effort on the Underground River and your spare hours on the Corella tarsiers. For wider planning, try the multi-day trips page .