As I stepped out of the van onto the dusty main street of Port Barton, Philippines, I knew I’d found something special. This sleepy coastal village in Palawan, often overshadowed by its famous neighbors El Nido and Coron, was the hidden gem I had been searching for.
Let me take you through my journey of uncovering this slice of paradise.
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Port Barton, Philippines is accessible from anywhere in the world. Although some may take several layovers, you can reach Port Barton through a connection in Manila or Cebu. Several daily flights to Palawan operate from these two major international hubs of the Philippines.
How to Get to Port Barton from Manila?
There are two options to reach Port Barton from Manila. You can either take the Manila to Puerto Princesa or Manila to El Nido flights. In Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital, you can hop onto the van transfer upon arrival at the airport. You can find them at the airport’s parking lot. Alternatively, you can take a local transport from the airport to take you to the nearest van transfers.
If you will stay in Puerto Princesa for a bit, you can reserve a transfer to Port Barton through your hotel. Van transfer companies usually offer hotel pick-up within Puerto Princesa so it is a hassle-free option. One-way transfer to Port Barton costs around Php 500 (~USD 9) and travel time takes 3-4 hours.
The flight from Manila to El Nido is also an alternative to take you to Port Barton. Van transfers are available at El Nido town and the travel time from El Nido to Port Barton is around 5-6 hours.
Alternative Options to Get to Port Barton
If you want to avoid the bustle of Manila, you can get to Port Barton via Cebu. Several daily flights operate from Cebu to Puerto Princesa. Once you are in Puerto Princesa, you can book van transfers that can take you to Port Barton.
Some of you might also ask how to get to Port Barton from Coron. Well, this is also possible. Take a flight to El Nido or take the 3.5-hour boat ride to El Nido. It is recommended stay in El Nido for a week to experience the exhilarating island-hopping adventures of El Nido.
From El Nido, van transfers to Port Barton are available which you can reserve through your hotel or at any transport operator in El Nido town. One-way transfer from El Nido to Port Barton costs Php 600 (~USD 11).
Are van transfers in Palawan safe?
You may wonder if inland travel in Palawan via van transfer is safe or if they drive safely. Fret not, I can say with certainty that the whole time I spent in Palawan, I never felt unsafe taking these vans. The roads are paved almost everywhere and traffic is nowhere to be seen. I was also not bored during the transfer to Port Barton as it was a scenic route with lots of greenery.
Requirements to Enter the Philippines
Visa – citizens of most countries do not need a visa to enter the Philippines. But before you get too excited, please check out the Philippines’ tourism website to see if you need to get one. Other requirements are also mentioned in the article.
Registration – all international arriving passengers are required to register on eTravel website. It is recommended to register in advance to have a smooth arrival in the Philippines.
Where to Stay in Port Barton: From Budget to Bliss
Port Barton caters to all types of travelers. Here’s a rundown of my top picks:
Budget: CocoRico Hostel – Simple, clean rooms right in the heart of the village. Perfect for backpackers. Uses Starlink as its internet provider.
Mid-range: Ausan Beach Front Cottages – Cozy beachfront bungalows with stunning sunset views. The sound of waves lulling me to sleep each night was priceless.
Upper range: Holiday Suites Port Barton – situated in a nice and quiet location. It has a nice swimming pool and has direct access to the beach.
Beaches in Port Barton: A Tropical Dream
Port Barton’s main beach immediately captivated me with its stretch of golden sand and calm, clear waters. Unlike the more crowded beaches I’d seen elsewhere in Palawan, this one felt refreshingly untouched. I did not swim on this beach as this is where fishermen’s boats are usually anchored but it is the perfect spot to wait for sunsets. Sunsets here were magical – probably one of the best sunsets I have seen during my stay in Palawan.
White Beach
True to its name, this beach boasts powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters and is surrounded by lush greenery. There were few tourists when I visited so I enjoyed my swim here. I also saw a pig roaming freely in the area – quite cute! Entrance fee costs Php 50 (~USD 1). Tip: Bring sandfly repellents as there are a lot of sandflies in this beach.
Coconut Beach
Another beautiful beach surrounded by lush jungle. It was quiet and serene, a big contrast to the bustle of El Nido beaches. Entrance fee costs Php 50 (~USD 1).
If you look at the maps, these two beaches are quite close to each other. I went to White Beach first taking the local transport and after an hour, walked to Coconut Beach for another swim. It is also possible to walk back to the town proper from Coconut Beach. Make sure to return to the town before the sun sets as I noticed there were no street lights along the road.
Island Hopping and Beyond
My trip to Port Barton was after my trips to El Nido and Balabac. By that time, I thought I was at saturation point with island-hopping adventures. But since I was on my ultimate Palawan trip, I decided to join an island-hopping group tour in Port Barton.
Tour A took us to several islands and reefs for snorkeling.
One of the highlights was swimming alongside giant sea turtles at Turtle Sanctuary – an experience I’ll never forget.
Snorkeling in the reefs of Port Barton Bay is also an unforgettable experience. I feel like I was in an aquarium full of fish and healthy corals – magnificent! I am so glad I did not pass on this experience. Tour A which includes a sumptuous lunch costs Php 1’500 (~USD 26). Our guides were also wonderful in making sure that we get the most of island-hopping experience.
Other Attractions in Port Barton
Another activity that you can do apart from island-hopping in Port Barton is to visit the neighboring attractions spread in the whole San Vicente. You can rent a motorbike to visit these places but I opted to hire a local transport so I will not have a hard time in finding them.
- 100 Steps: A good vantage point to see the coast of San Vicente, Palawan.
- Long Beach: The longest beach in the Philippines with a reported length of 14.7 kilometers.
- SanVic viewpoint: Another viewpoint at the northern part of San Vicente.
- Bigaho Falls: A little waterfall located outside of Port Barton.
Foodie Finds
Port Barton may be small, but it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to food. Some of my favorite spots were:
- Malaika Grill Restaurant: Fresh seafood grilled to perfection right on the beach. You can also request for another type of cooking other than grilled. Just select the type of fish you like and request it to be cooked according to your liking.
- Bay Brew Resto Bar & Cafe: Great for breakfast and coffee. While some people like to eat in spots fronting the beach, I prefer eating at Bay Brew because it is located in a quiet spot of Port Barton surrounded with greenery. They also offer freediving activities.
- La Lola / Sicily: When I craved for some pasta or pizza, La Lola and Sicily are great finds.
Is Port Barton Worth Visiting?
A big YES! As I watched my final Port Barton sunset, I realized that I found more than just a beautiful beach destination. Port Barton offered a glimpse into a simpler, slower way of life – one that I wasn’t quite ready to leave behind.
How long to Stay in Port Barton?
4 nights is my recommended stay in Port Barton. This will give you enough time to explore the islands in Port Barton Bay, enjoy the two beaches I mentioned above, visit the neighboring attractions within San Vicente, and do some diving activities.
Practical Tips
- Electricity cuts may happen especially during the summer season. Pack a portable charger.
- The Internet can be spotty. Embrace the digital detox!
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen to protect the beautiful marine life.
Whether you’re seeking pristine beaches, underwater adventures, or just a place to unplug and unwind, Port Barton is the place to be. It reminded me that sometimes, the best discoveries are found off the beaten path. So why not carve out your own slice of paradise in this Palawan gem? Trust me, you won’t regret it.
