Port Barton Guide
If we still lived in Manila, Port Barton would probably be our go-to getaway—a place where we could unwind and feel at home. Between Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s main gateway, and El Nido, the island’s main attraction, lies this peaceful little paradise, surrounded by palm trees and waterfalls and offering island-hopping tours that will take you to wonderful beaches. In this Port Barton Guide, you’ll find detailed articles with information to help you plan your trip independently. Join us as we show you what to do in Port Barton, where to stay, how to get there, and the tips we wish we’d had before visiting this fantastic corner of the Philippines.
While El Nido and Coron are already touristy spots in Palawan, Port Barton—already a developed destination, we won’t lie to you—still retains the local character that makes it special. It’s true that electricity is now available 24 hours a day and that more and more hotels and businesses are popping up, but its unpaved streets, laid-back atmosphere, and the chance to enjoy beaches without having to go island hopping make Port Barton many travelers’ favorite town. In this Port Barton Guide, you’ll discover the secrets behind its success.
WHAT TO DO IN PORT BARTON
What you’ll probably like most about Port Barton is simply being there. We don’t know what it is, but there’s something special in the air. Even so, you won’t run out of things to do in Port Barton:
- White Beach and Coconut Beach: to put it bluntly, White Beach is one of the best beaches in the Philippines, and it’s just a 10-minute boat ride from town. If you feel like it, you can also take a pleasant walk through the “jungle,” passing the equally spectacular Coconut Beach along the way. Can you guess how it got its name?
- Island hopping: small boats also leave from Port Barton to explore neighboring paradise islands such as Exotic Island and Capsalay Island. The snorkeling stops are fantastic too and include a spot where you’ll usually find our green turtle friends.
- Pamuayan Falls: it’s not all about beaches! The walk to this small but charming waterfall is very enjoyable. If you’re up for more adventure, you can hike to Bigaho Falls.
- Kayaking: rent a kayak and paddle to Starfish Island, which is packed with starfish!
- Sunsets: we don’t know what it is, but the sunsets in Port Barton are epic. Grab a San Miguel and enjoy the daily show.
- Bioluminescence: with a bit of luck, once the sun goes down, head to a dark spot and stir the water a little—you might be blown away!
Our advice is to spend, at the absolute minimum, 2 full days in Port Barton, excluding travel days, but that will most likely feel too short. Don’t skimp—give it at least 3 days. Here are a few more secrets that aren’t included in this Port Barton Guide:
ISLAND HOPPING IN PORT BARTON
Although they aren’t as popular as those in El Nido or Coron, Port Barton’s island-hopping tours will let you spend a day exploring beautiful islands and reefs teeming with marine life without feeling crowded at all. Bangka tours leave right from the beach in town at around 9:00 a.m. and end at around 4:30 p.m. They also include a hearty lunch to help you recharge.
Here’s all the information you need:
BEST BEACHES IN PORT BARTON
Port Barton is all about island-hopping tours, sunsets, waterfalls, walks along the town’s streets, the atmosphere, and the people. But Port Barton, if you know where to look, is also home to spectacular beaches where you can relax, stretched out on fine sand beside incredible turquoise waters.
In this section of the Port Barton Guide, we give you all the details you need to discover the best beaches near Port Barton and, if you want, enjoy them with barely anyone else around.
WHERE TO EAT IN PORT BARTON
Although Port Barton has developed as a tourist destination and is no longer the remote village we visited around 2010, it still retains the magic that makes it so special. As more travelers have arrived, different places to eat, have dinner, and grab a drink have started popping up—and you’ll love them. If you’re looking for something inexpensive, don’t worry, because you’ll also find the occasional carinderia (a local eatery where food is served from pots), where you can eat for less than 150 pesos.
Port Barton has also been an ideal destination for backpackers for years, which has given it a party atmosphere that other destinations lack. You’ll find several beach bars that stay open until late at night and offer live music.
In this section of the Port Barton Guide, we show you the best ones.
Enjoy!
HOW TO GET TO PORT BARTON
Port Barton is located halfway between Puerto Princesa and El Nido. To get to Port Barton from either place, you can take one of the vans or buses that run the route every day; the journey takes around 3–3.5 hours.
If you want to visit this town from elsewhere in the Philippines, you’ll need to fly to Puerto Princesa or El Nido and then continue by public transportation. Since July 2019, flights have operated from Cebu to the nearby San Vicente Airport. Although we’ve given you a preview in this Port Barton Guide, you’ll find everything explained in much more detail here:
WHERE TO STAY IN PORT BARTON
Although there are more and more hotels and hostels where you can stay in Port Barton, the selection is still fairly limited and geared toward backpackers. Even so, interesting options are beginning to appear, including small resorts with swimming pools and cottages with all the amenities. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find accommodation in Port Barton that suits you.
Due to Port Barton’s growing popularity, it’s worth booking your place to stay in advance. This is especially important during periods of high demand, such as Holy Week, Christmas, and Chinese New Year, so keep that in mind!
TIPS FOR VISITING PORT BARTON
- ATMs IN PORT BARTON: since mid-2019, there has been a Euronet ATM (which charges a hefty fee). Even so, don’t risk it—bring cash with you. That said, there is a pawnshop where you can get cash through Remitly, which is the best option and lets you avoid fees. You can read more about this in our Money in the Philippines guide.
- BEST TIME TO VISIT PORT BARTON: the dry season throughout Palawan runs from November to May.
- FEES IN PORT BARTON: when you arrive, you’ll be asked to pay a 50-peso environmental fee, which will cover your entire stay. Keep proof of payment with you, especially if you’re going island hopping.
- HEALTH: there are no hospitals or clinics in Port Barton. If anything happens to you, you’ll have to be transferred to Puerto Princesa. Travel insurance that covers transportation to Puerto Princesa is essential. You can get a 5% discount on the insurance we use.
- SAFETY IN PORT BARTON: we wish we didn’t have to write this, but the truth is that there have been some thefts at hotels in Port Barton. Read the reviews carefully when booking accommodation to avoid any problems. You should also be especially careful if you rent a motorbike, because the roads to places such as Coconut White Beach and Pamuayan are terrible. It’s better to go by tricycle or boat.