Jovellar Underground River — Attraction in Albay

Review of Jovellar Underground River

I recently visited the Jovellar Underground River, and while the natural beauty of the area is undeniably captivating, my experience was marred by some unexpected and disappointing changes in the visitor policy.

First and foremost, I want to highlight the stunning scenery of the underground river itself. The limestone formations, the unique ecosystem, and the serene atmosphere make it a must-see destination. However, our visit took an unanticipated turn when we were informed that having a guide was now mandatory, and that we would need to pay 200 pesos just for the privilege of being shown the way.

As someone who simply wanted to enjoy the natural splendor of the river without swimming or partaking in extensive tours, this requirement felt unnecessary and frustrating. Furthermore, I observed that many other visitors around us appeared to be exploring the area without guides, which raised questions about the consistency and enforcement of this new policy.

What used to be a straightforward visit to a beautiful natural site has become an experience overshadowed by added fees and regulations. I appreciate the need for safety and conservation efforts, but imposing mandatory guides when many seem to be enjoying the area independently felt excessive and detracted from the overall enjoyment of the trip.

While the Jovellar Underground River remains a breathtaking location, I found the recent changes surrounding guide requirements and fees disappointing. It’s unfortunate that what could be a serene escape into nature has become a point of frustration for visitors hoping to immerse themselves in its beauty without added complications. If you plan to visit, be prepared for these new guidelines, but hopefully, future policies will strike a better balance between preservation and...

TOURISTS / FOREIGNERS must know this! *

Up until few years ago, the entrance fee was 10P to all. In recent years, there's a new private ownership and the price went up to 50p for locals and 200p for foreigner (?!)

Plus parking fee 10p - per vehicle.

Plus "guide" 200p - mandatory for foreigners. The "guide" walks with you down a 300m concrete paved, straight and signed road (what would you do without them right?) until you reach the water, and assists you with the otherwise impossible act of taking photos

And of course all mentioned above DO NOT includ entrance to the cave itself (only to the pool adjacent to the caves), to which you would have to add 400p

Upon arriving at the pool and realizing what an overrated, overpriced tourist trap this place is, I went back to the office and asked for a refund. And guess what - they only refunded the entrance and parking fee, not the guide which I already "used" (?!). And of course I was entitled for this refund only after they made sure with the guide that I didn't take a single photo of the place during the 2 minutes I was there, otherwise they wouldn't refund it.

Please do yourself a favor - save time, money, energy, and please don't go there. It's in the middle of nowhere and doesn't worth the drive. And nevermind the pictures you see on Google since...

A very well-developed, lesser-known tourist attraction in Albay.

The complete package (cave-spelunking, underground river rafting, and swimming) will cost about Php500 (about USD 10) and is totally worth it. The cave runs deep (abot 170 meters from entrance to exit), and the underground river is a sight to behold with all the still-living stalactites and pillars around you.

Should you have mobility issues, you can skip the cave-spelunking as it requires some hiking, and just do the underground river activities. The pathway from the tourism center to the raft is paved with cement (and even features a more-than-decent hanging bridge) and the guides are more than willing to assist you.

There are also small shops just around the tourism center where you can grab something to eat and drink.

Best to come here during weekdays so you can have the place to yourself, and when there has been a bit of rain so that the mouth of the underground rive has this beautiful water curtain adorning the entrance. Avoid during heavy rains as rafting and swimming...