Port Barton & San Vicente★★
For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of El Nido, Port Barton and San Vicente offer the Palawan of ten years ago — quiet, untouched, and with the charm of a sleepy fishing village.
Port Barton
This tiny village on the west coast of Palawan is the perfect stopover between Puerto Princesa and El Nido. No ATMs (bring cash!), no nightlife, just a handful of simple accommodations right on the beach. Instead: excellent snorkeling right off the coast (turtles almost guaranteed!), affordable island hopping (800–1,200 PHP/~13–20 € for the whole day), and the most relaxed atmosphere in Palawan. In the evening, sit on the beach, drink San Miguel, and watch the fishermen dock.
San Vicente & Long Beach
San Vicente is located north of Port Barton and holds a secret: the Long Beach — at 14.7 kilometers, the longest contiguous beach in the Philippines. White sand, hardly any people, turquoise water. San Vicente has a small airport (flights from Manila with SkyJet) and is touted as the "next El Nido" — for now, it is still quiet and affordable.
The infrastructure is simple: A few beach resorts (from 1,500 PHP/~25 € for a beach house), local restaurants with fresh fish, and an unpaved road running along the beach. The perfect place to do absolutely nothing.
💡 Tipp
Port Barton is accessible by van from Puerto Princesa (3 hours, 500 PHP). From Port Barton to El Nido, it's another 4 hours by van. Plan for at least 2 nights — the pace of the place takes time to take effect. Be sure to bring cash from Puerto Princesa or El Nido!
