Cacaoyan Forest Park Ticket and Lunch

Cacaoyan Forest Park is a useful pause in a day built around Puerto Princesa’s Underground River. It trades cave boats and limestone walls for old trees, a canopy view deck, and lunch in an open-air setting, all close to Sabang Wharf.

I like the century-old Dao tree and Sarakan Canopy Walk, which give the visit a nature-focused purpose beyond the photo spots. I also like that lunch is included, with a changing Filipino buffet that can turn a practical meal stop into part of the outing.

The trade-off is scale: this is a small park, not a full-day attraction, and you may finish quickly if you are not keen on taking photos or lingering over lunch. Plan for about 2 to 3 hours, and reserve your slot before setting out.

Cacaoyan Forest Park at a glance

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• A short stop near Sabang Wharf: The park is about two minutes from the wharf, making it a handy addition to a Sabang-area outing.
• A walk among old trees: The century-old Dao tree is one of the park’s main natural sights.
• A canopy view deck: Admission includes the Sarakan Canopy View Deck, along with the Giant Birds Nest.
• A Filipino buffet: Expect a sample spread of dishes such as spring rolls, vegetables, chicken, noodles, grilled pork, fruit, and juice. The menu changes with local market availability.
• A self-paced visit: You can wander the grounds and take photos without a scheduled guided tour.
• A compact attraction: Two to three hours is a sensible estimate, though the park may feel brief if you want more than a walk and a meal.

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A leafy change of pace near Sabang

Puerto Princesa’s best-known outings tend to involve water, caves, or long drives. Cacaoyan Forest Park offers a different kind of break: a short walk through trees and garden-style facilities, followed by lunch. It is not a substitute for the Underground River or the coast, but it can round out a day in the Sabang area without requiring another major excursion.

The park’s appeal is in its mix of natural features and built photo spots. Its Bali-inspired facilities provide settings for pictures, while the old Dao tree and canopy view deck give you reasons to look beyond the camera. If you enjoy slow wandering more than a packed activity schedule, that balance may suit you.

Keep expectations in proportion. The grounds are small, and there is not a long list of rides or activities to fill a day. Think of Cacaoyan as a relaxed stop, especially useful when you want a meal and a little time outdoors after a more demanding outing.

Walking to the Dao tree and canopy view deck

The century-old Dao tree is the park’s most compelling natural feature. A tree that has stood for generations gives the place a sense of age and scale that the newer photo installations cannot provide. Take a moment to look at it as a living part of the forest, not just a backdrop.

Admission also includes the Sarakan Canopy View Deck. The name suggests an elevated vantage point, though the available details do not specify the view or the length of the walk. Treat it as a short nature stop rather than a major trek. The park’s compact size should make it manageable for a brief visit, but no specific accessibility details are provided.

The Giant Birds Nest is another included attraction, and it is likely to be one of the more playful photo stops. The park encourages photography, and taking pictures is free. If you arrive early, you may have more room to enjoy the spots without much crowding, as one early visit found the surrounding area pleasantly quiet.

Photo spots, with nature still in the frame

Cacaoyan’s Bali-inspired facilities give the park a designed, resort-like feel. They are part of the draw, particularly if you like to bring home a few memorable pictures from a day out. The park is not only a forest walk, though, so expect a blend of natural scenery and constructed settings.

I would bring a camera or make sure your phone is charged, but I would not plan the whole visit around getting a long series of photographs. The grounds are relatively small, and the best approach is to enjoy the Dao tree and canopy deck as well as the picture stops. Photography is free, so there is no separate charge just to take pictures.

For families, the photo areas may help keep children interested during a short visit. One family outing found the children enjoyed the park, though the attraction’s limited size still makes it better as a stop than as a day-long activity.

Filipino lunch under an open roof

The included lunch buffet is a practical part of the package, especially if you are coming from an Underground River outing and want to eat nearby. The restaurant is open-air, so the setting is part of the appeal: you can have a meal surrounded by greenery rather than returning immediately to a more built-up dining area.

The menu changes daily depending on what is available in the local market. A sample spread includes appetizers, salad, fried spring rolls, a vegetable dish, chicken, noodles, grilled pork, fruit, and juice. That gives you a useful sense of the meal, but it is not a promise that every item will appear on your visit.

The buffet has been a highlight for some, with one diner particularly pleased by the range of choices. Another found the food good, especially as a meal after the cave activity. Still, tastes and menus vary, and the park itself is not a food tour. If lunch is a major reason for booking, keep in mind that the menu changes and that reservations are required.

Tamilok, a local woodworm delicacy, was tasted separately on one visit. It is not listed as part of the package, so do not count on it being included or available. If you have dietary restrictions, indicate them at checkout; the park asks you to do so in advance.

Fitting the visit around the Underground River

Cacaoyan is in Sitio Sabang, Barangay Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa, and is described as about two minutes from Sabang Wharf. That proximity makes it particularly useful if your day already takes you to the Underground River area. You can add a walk and meal without making a separate trip from the city just for this small park.

Allow roughly 2 to 3 hours for the visit. Your pace, time spent at the photo spots, and lunch will affect the total. The park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and lunch is served during those same hours. If you are building a schedule around another activity, leave room for the meal rather than assuming you can breeze through in a few minutes.

The ticket does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You will need to arrange your own transport to the park. Since the address is on the National Highway in Sitio Sabang, use the full location details when planning your route: Cacaoyan Forest Park, National Highway, Sitio Sabang, Barangay Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa, Palawan 5300.

What the ticket is worth

Prices start at $5.25 for admission with lunch, which is appealing if you want both a short attraction and a meal in the Sabang area. The value is not in a long or activity-packed visit. It comes from combining access to the park’s attractions with a buffet, in a location close to the wharf and useful for an Underground River day.

If you were planning to eat nearby anyway, the package may make a convenient stop of it. If you are travelling from central Puerto Princesa solely for the park, transport will add to the cost and the small grounds may not justify a special trip for everyone. The better value is for people whose itinerary already brings them to Sabang.

There is no need to pay extra for photographs, and the admission includes the Sarakan Canopy View Deck and Giant Birds Nest. The package is straightforward, but the menu changes, and lunch is not a fixed selection. Check your expectations against the kind of meal and outing you want.

Booking details to keep in mind

The park requires reservations, so do not assume a mobile voucher alone guarantees a slot. After booking, call +63 927 299 1973 or message Cacaoyan Forest Park through Facebook to confirm your visit. Present your mobile voucher when you arrive.

The voucher is valid for 90 days from the booking confirmation date and expires at 11:59 p.m. on the final day. Free cancellation is available with at least 48 hours’ notice, and changes are allowed until 48 hours before the activity starts, subject to the stated booking restrictions.

This is a self-guided visit rather than a scheduled guided tour. No guide is named or included in the package details. That suits visitors who prefer to explore at their own pace, but you should not book expecting a narrated nature walk.

Who should book Cacaoyan Forest Park?

I would consider this a good add-on for anyone spending time around Sabang, especially if they want a quiet change of pace after the Underground River and need a nearby lunch. It also suits families looking for a short outing, nature lovers interested in the Dao tree, and anyone who enjoys casual photo stops.

I would skip it if you want a full day of activities, a large nature reserve, or a substantial guided experience. The park is small, and the available activities are limited. Book it for the combination of trees, photo spots, and lunch, not as the main event of a Puerto Princesa holiday.

Book if Sabang is already on your plan and a relaxed meal-and-walk stop sounds worthwhile. If getting there would be a special journey of its own, compare the transport cost and time with other Puerto Princesa activities before deciding.

FAQ

How long should I allow for Cacaoyan Forest Park?

Plan for about 2 to 3 hours. Your visit may be shorter or longer depending on how much time you spend walking, taking photos, and eating lunch.

What is included in the admission ticket?

The package includes admission to the attractions, the Sarakan Canopy View Deck, the Giant Birds Nest, and a lunch buffet.

What food is served for lunch?

The menu changes daily based on local market availability. A sample menu includes appetizers, salad, fried spring rolls, vegetables, chicken, noodles, grilled pork, fruit, and juice.

Do I need to reserve a visit?

Yes. Reservations are strictly required. After booking, call +63 927 299 1973 or message Cacaoyan Forest Park through Facebook to confirm your slot.

What are the park’s opening hours?

Cacaoyan Forest Park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is also served from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Is transport included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The park is about two minutes from Sabang Wharf.