Port Barton: The Ultimate Travel Guide to This Hidden Gem
Port Barton in the Philippines is the ultimate place to relax. It’s a small village located in San Vicente on Palawan Island, one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines.
It’s surrounded by palm trees and sandy beaches with crystal clear waters. Although it’s only a small village, I would highly recommend staying here.
It gives you a different kind of vibe than El Nido and Boracay, some of the most beautiful yet most touristic places in the Philippines. Port Barton is definitely a more laid-back version of popular El Nido.
But what is there to do here? Read on to find out what to do in this charming little seaside village.
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General travel information
Here you will find essential travel information related to Port Barton specifically.
Language
Tagalog is spoken by the majority, but English is widely understood and spoken as well.
Currency
The Philippine peso (PHP, ₱) is the local currency.
Mode of payment in Port Barton
It’s all about cash! Cash is the preferred mode of payment in most places.
Money Exchange & ATMs
When visiting Port Barton, it’s important to note that there are no banks in the area. There used to be no ATM’s in the area as well, but there are supposed to be a couple of ATMs now.
Supposedly, they are located next to the petrol station, next to the Dutch kitchen restaurant and next to the White House Inn. Still, it’s recommended to ensure you have enough pesos with you before you arrive. If you need to exchange currency, it’s best to do so while you’re in Puerto Princesa or Manila.
Safety
In general, Palawan has a very low crime rate. However, it’s always advisable to practice common safety precautions. Avoid leaving your belongings unattended.
While there is a small clinic in Port Barton, there are no hospitals nearby. The nearest major medical center is located in Puerto Princesa.
Electricity
The electricity in Port Barton operates on 220V, 60Hz. Most sockets in the area use Socket Type A. Don’t forget to bring a universal travel adapter with you. Click here if you need to buy one.
Please be aware that electricity supply in Port Barton is limited.
Environmental tax: There is an environmental tax which you have to pay when you arrive. This is around 50 pesos at the time of writing.
Is Port Barton worth visiting?
Yes, Port Barton is definitely worth visiting. Especially if you’re looking for a place to relax on the beach. I found it to be one of the most tranquil places I’ve visited during my travels in the Philippines.
How to get to Port Barton?
The easiest way to get to Port Barton is to fly into Puerto Princesa Airport. Don’t forget to look out of the windows before you land, because the views and colors of the water are surreal.
The most common way to get to Port Barton from here is by mini van. You can either hop in to a shared mini van or you can get your own private mini van to get you here. This trip will take around 4 hours in total.
You can also take a bus to Port Barton from San Jose Terminal. At the time of writing, this bus only departs once a day at 9AM in the morning. Therefore, I would recommend to take a mini van for a more convenient way of transport.
If you’re coming from El Nido, a (shared) van will also be your best option. At the time of writing a shared van will cost around 550 pesos per person.
How to get around Port Barton?
Port Barton is a very small village, so it’s a destination that can be explored by foot. Another way to get around is by renting a moped. Do keep in mind that there is a limited amount of mopeds, so they might be sold out.
How many days in Port Barton?
I would recommend staying for around 3 days in Port Barton. If you prefer slow travel and you would like to fully relax, I would recommend staying for around 5 days to a week. Also if you want to get your diving license here, than I would recommend staying for a little longer, as this will take a minimum of 3 days.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who likes to see as much as possible in a limited amount of time, staying here for two days will be the best for you.
Where to stay in Port Barton?
There are quite a few accommodations in Port Barton. Some of the best places to stay in Port Barton include the following:
Parrots Boutique Resort
This is definitely one of the best resorts in Port Barton. It’s luxurious, yet not that expensive, it has a gorgeous swimming pool, it’s only 200 meters from the beach and it’s location is very serene. I would highly recommend staying here. Click here to view their latest prices and more.
Sunset Colors
If you prefer to stay in a bungalow on the beach, then Sunset Colors is your best bet. Here you can watch the sun set in the sea every day. What’s even better is that they have 24 hours solar powered electricity. Have a look over here for more information.
Santa Claus Hilltop
Last but not least, another great place to stay is Santa Claus Hilltop. Breakfast is included in your stay here. It’s the perfect place to stay for travelers who prefer to stay in a tranquil setting with amazing views.
At the same time, it’s only 400 meters away from the main beach, so it’s not too isolated. It’s also a very affordable option. You will find more information about the accommodation over here.
What to do in Port Barton?
Even though Port Barton is a small village, there is enough to do here to keep you occupied. Some of the best things to do in Port Barton include:
Get your diving license here
Port Barton is the perfect place to get your diving license. The Philippines in general is a great place to get your diving license. To be honest, I found the coral reefs here even more beautiful than in the Great Barrier Reef.
I would recommend to get your PADI at Palawan Easy Dive here (the name might be changed to Ricky’s Diving School now). There used to be another diving school here called Aquaholics (SSI), but I think they are permanently closed now.
My partner got his PADI while we we’re staying in Port Barton and he was very enthusiastic about it. The course had small groups, which is always better to learn something I think. Do keep in mind that it takes at least three days to fulfill your diving course. Also keep in mind that you’re not advised to fly for the next 24 hours after diving.
Relax on the beach
There are a couple of great beaches in Port Barton and its surroundings. Of course you have the main beach in Port Barton. The main beach in Port Barton is called Taytay Beach. This is the best place to watch the sunset from.
But you also have other beautiful beaches in the area such as White Beach. White Beach is located around 30-40 minutes of walking away from the main bay. Yet, you can also get there by boat, which I recommend doing. Keep in mind to bring some cash with you, as there is a small entrance fee to be paid at White Beach.
Nearby White Beach you will find another beach called Coconut Beach. This is another beautiful beach worth visiting. This beach also requires a small entrance fee of 50 pesos.
Walk around the village
One of the best things to do in Port Barton is to simply wander around. Walk through the village and get an impression of life in the Philippines beyond El Nido and Boracay. Especially wander a bit outside of the main area to get a glimpse of local life. This is one of the most enjoyable parts of traveling in Port Barton.
Go island hopping
Just like in other parts of Palawan, it’s possible to go island hopping here. This will cost around 10 euros per person. This involves going on a day tour to go island hopping and snorkeling with a group of people. Often there is also lunch included, mostly this includes grilled fish and adobo chicken (very delicious!). It’s also possible to have a private island hopping tour, but of course this will cost you a little more.
Hike to the Pamuayan Falls
If you fancy a workout during your time here, definitely go and hike to the Pamuayan Falls. This takes around 1-1.5 hours by foot to reach from Port Barton. You can also hire a guide to take you to the waterfall. There is an entrance fee of around 50-100 pesos. The waterfall is not a big one, but it’s a nice walk through the jungle to get there. Once you get there you can also go for a refreshing swim.
Visit Mojitos Restobar
Mojitos Restobar is definitely one of the best restaurants in Port Barton. The first time I stumbled upon this restaurant was while walking through the village and I was very happily surprised. After that, I came back many times. It’s one of my favorite places in Palawan, if not in The Philippines. It’s the ultimate place to relax, they have a friendly dog and they also have delicious fish tacos and cocktails.
In conclusion
Port Barton is a lovely village located in San Vicente on the island of Palawan. It’s definitely worth visiting, especially for a couple of days of relaxing. It’s also the perfect place to get your diving license.
It offers a nice contrast to El Nido and Boracay, some of the most popular places to visit in the Philippines. Head over to Port Barton and get a glimpse of what local life looks like in the Philippines.
Have you ever been to Port Barton or are you going there any time soon? Please let me know in the comments!
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